Preparing for Your Viking Mississippi River Cruise: Travel Essentials

Preparing for a Viking cruise is easier when you know what to expect before you leave home. From passports and payment methods to stateroom amenities, recommended items to pack, and things to leave at home, these Viking cruise travel essentials will help you feel organized and prepared for a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Review Passport and ID Requirements

Before your trip, locate your passport or Real ID and take a few minutes to verify the following:

  • The name on your passport or Real ID exactly matches the name on your Viking Guest Information Form and airline reservation (if Viking has arranged your airfare). This includes your first name, middle name(s), last name, suffix (if applicable), and any hyphens or spaces. A mismatch could result in being denied boarding.

If you notice any discrepancies or have questions about your travel documents, contact me as soon as possible so we can address them before you travel.

Off-Ship Tipping

Should you choose to tip your local Viking Host, Viking Representative, local guides and/or drivers, Viking recommends doing so in cash. Viking suggests $5 USD per person, per day for local guides and $2 USD per person, per day for drivers.

Please be aware that if you are taking part in an escorted pre- or post-cruise extension, the Tour Director escorting you is not included in the onboard gratuity. Viking suggests $5 USD per person, per day.

What’s Included in My Stateroom?

  • 110/120 volt US-standard outlets & USB ports

  • Private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer

  • Premium Freyja® toiletries

  • Plush robes & slippers

  • Telephone, safe, refrigerator

  • Individual climate control

  • Purified water refilled daily

  • Mini-bar with soft drinks, water & snacks

  • Stateroom steward & twice-daily housekeeping

  • Under-bed suitcase storage space

  • Roomy wardrobe with wooden hangers

Rooms may also have (French Balcony Stateroom and higher)

  • Binoculars

  • Traditional Norwegian Marius-weave blanket

  • Personal coffee machine with premium coffee & tea selections

What To Bring

What should I pack in my carry-on?

We advise you carry on: valuables; medications in original, labeled containers; glasses/contacts, etc.; important papers (passport or Real ID, insurance, medical records), Cruise Documents, emergency contact information; and cameras, memory cards and batteries; and a change of clothes and other essentials you may need during your first day of travel.

What should I pack in my luggage?

We suggest you pack comfortable walking shoes, dressier shoes, a collapsible umbrella/lightweight rain gear; items you can layer like lightweight jackets/sweaters; sunglasses, a sun hat/visor, sunscreen; and toiletries including a travel-size hand sanitizer. Depending on the season and destination, you may also want to add mosquito repellent or a warm coat, gloves and water-resistant footwear.

To visit religious sites, ensure you have modest clothing that covers your knees and shoulders, or you may be denied entry.

About 10 days before departure, check the weather forecast for your destinations and make any final adjustments to your packing list.

Laundry Services

On board Mississippi River sailings, Viking offers self-service launderettes and ironing areas on board your ship, and depending on your stateroom category, laundry, pressing and dry-cleaning services may be complimentary. If your stateroom category does not include these services, they may be purchased for a modest fee.

Internet Service

All the ships offer free Wi-Fi. You may use your own personal device or one of the ship’s computers in the Business Center on Deck 1 near the reception area.

Due to the nature of data bandwidth and latency, as well as potential interruptions in service, you may experience slower online connections than you are accustomed to at home. In order to ensure fair usage for all, Viking reserves the right to limit heavy-bandwidth applications, downloads or software upgrades so that all guests have access to Wi-Fi.

Viking suggests that guests limit large uploads/downloads and live streaming. Please download your content prior to your cruise, as bandwidth will affect your service and cannot be guaranteed.

Viking staff would be pleased to help you with your device settings once you are on board. They will do their very best to provide you with an enjoyable online experience, and remember you will likely be able to access standard Wi-Fi and data roaming services on shore in most towns and cities you visit.

Luggage Restrictions

A full list of allowable and prohibited items on board is available below. You may also download our Prohibited Items List (PDF).

Prohibited Items

  • All firearms (working, nonfiring, replicas, imitations & air/pellet guns)

  • All forms of ammunition

  • Stun guns, Tasers, or any electroshock devices

  • Cricket or archery bows & arrows; crossbows; darts; diver's spearguns; catapults; any bats, hockey sticks, etc.

  • Axes, ice picks or cleavers

  • Knives or scissors (if the blade is longer than 3 inches or 7.6 cm)

  • Scalpels

  • Shaving knives or blades

  • Wallpaper knives

  • Martial arts or self-defense gear (pepper spray, knuckle-dusters, rice flails, clubs, nightsticks, batons, etc.)

  • Handcuffs

  • Illegal drugs

  • Hookahs

  • Candles or incense

  • Coffee makers

  • Flammable liquid & all explosives (lighter fluid, fireworks, flares, etc.)

  • Hazardous chemicals (bleach, paint, etc.)

  • Extension cords (USB and laptop charging cables are exempt)

  • Ham radios

  • Aerial drones not allowed to be operated from the ship

  • Any electrical device with a surge protector

  • Any electrical device that produces heat, such as:

    • Clothes irons, including steam irons

    • Hot plates or heating kettles

    • Electrical air humidifiers & refreshers

    • Heating pads

Allowable Items

  • Cigar cutters

  • Disposable razors

  • Knitting needles

  • Crochet hooks

  • Knives or scissors (if the blade is shorter than 3 inches or 7.6 cm)

  • Nail files & clippers

  • Tweezers

  • Syringes for medical use

  • Umbrellas

  • Curling irons

The above list is subject to change without notice. Any such items shall be surrendered to the Ship's Security Officer (or delegate) at embarkation and may be disposed of at the sole discretion of the Ship's Security Officer.

If you are participating in an overland excursion or pre-/post-cruise extension, there may be additional luggage requirements. That information will be forwarded prior to your departure date.

These resources are part of the personalized guidance I provide to my clients before they travel. If you're planning a Viking Cruise, I'd be happy to help you choose the right itinerary and guide you through every step of the planning process. Ready to start planning? Contact me to begin your Viking cruise journey. ~Katie Acland