Viking River Cruise Planning Guide
Planning a Viking River Cruise is exciting, but there are several options to consider before you book. This guide will walk you through the most important things to know—from what’s included in your cruise and choosing the right stateroom to Viking Air, Air Plus, shore excursions, dining, beverage packages, travel protection, and gratuities. My goal is to give you the information you need to make confident decisions and choose the options that are right for you.
What is a Viking River Cruise?
A Viking River Cruise is a guided cruise experience on rivers around the world.
You stay on a small, modern ship that sails directly into the heart of historic cities like Vienna, Budapest, and Passau, with excursions included at each stop.
Key features:
Small ships (190 guests) that dock in city centers
One included excursion in every port
Enrichment-focused travel (history, culture, local experiences)
Adults-only (18+)
No packing/unpacking as you move from place to place
A Viking river cruise is designed for travelers who want a relaxed, immersive way to explore Europe without the stress of changing hotels or planning daily tours.
River Cruise Itineraries
From the castles and vineyards of Europe to the ancient wonders of Egypt, and the vibrant cultures of Asia, Viking offers thoughtfully designed journeys that immerse you in each destination. Use the links provided to explore the regions that interest you most and discover the itineraries that best match your travel style, interests, and pace. Whether you're drawn to history, cuisine, scenic landscapes, or authentic cultural experiences, there's a Viking voyage waiting for you.
What’s Included?
Stateroom accommodations
One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
All onboard meals, featuring regional specialties & always available classics. Dining reservations are not needed on board your ship.
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
Port taxes & fees
Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
Visits to UNESCO Sites
Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
Stateroom Options
Choosing the right stateroom is all about balancing your budget with the onboard experience you're looking for. All Viking River staterooms include a queen-size bed with an optional twin-bed configuration. Consider how much time you plan to spend in your room, whether a private veranda is important to you, and how much space you'll need to relax comfortably.
Standard Stateroom (150 sq ft)
Veranda Suite (275 sq ft)
French Balcony Stateroom (135 sq ft)
Explorer’s Suite (445 sq ft)
Veranda Stateroom (205 sq ft)
What’s Not Included?
OPTIONAL ADD-ON’S TO YOUR CRUISE PACKAGE
Viking Air
Travel Protection
Pre- and Post- Cruise Extensions
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR CRUISE PACKAGE
Drinks outside of meals, unless you purchase the Beverage Package
Gratuities
Optional Excursions
Laundry Services
Viking Air
With Viking Air, Enjoy More Value, Control, and Peace of Mind
Access to the best flight options to complement your sailing, at exclusive pricing, three months prior to departure.
Ability to review, upgrade, change seats, and even change flights in the My Viking Journey guest portal.
A Viking representative meets you upon arrival and escorts you to the included ground transportation.
When you purchase your flights through Viking, you can use the My Viking Journey guest portal to fully customize your itinerary online — with no service fee, though a fare increase may apply to your selected flights.
Once you are within three months prior to departure — you can search for new flight options, add a stopover, change your seats or update your frequent flier information. With 24/7 access to your account, you can make adjustments whenever it’s convenient for you.
Viking Air Plus Service
You can choose to customize your flights over the phone with a Viking Air Expert for a non-refundable service fee of $150 USD per guest, as well as any applicable increases in airfare due to customization. Viking Air Plus service is available to all guests and, in addition to providing personalized service, it is also the solution for special situations such as:
Coordination of group travel, including multiple departure cities and/or airports
Management of a particularly complex journey, or one with special flight needs, that are better met with personalized service over the phone rather than online
Early flight itinerary selection, as early as 310 days prior to your cruise end date
Please note: Viking Air Plus must be requested no later than 65 days prior to departure and is not available for select air promotions.
Tripmate Travel Protection
For your convenience, Viking offers a Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate. This may help protect your travel investment, your belongings and most importantly, you from many unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, including costs of circumstances that may arise from any illness (including COVID-19*).
The Travel Protection Plan includes
Part A: a non-insurance Cancel For Any Reason Waiver (provided by Viking)
Part B: Travel Insurance Benefits (underwritten by Generali- U.S. Branch) and Assistance Services (provided by Generali Global Assistance)
Insurance benefits in the Plan are subject to limitations and exclusions, including an exclusion for pre-existing conditions. Plan benefits, limits and provisions vary by state/jurisdiction and not all coverage is available in all states. To review full plan details online and Important Disclosures, go to: tripmate.com/wpGR625V.
Pre- and Post-Cruise Extensions
Make the most of your Viking voyage by adding a pre- or post-cruise extension and enjoying extra time to immerse yourself in the destinations you visit. These thoughtfully designed two- to six-night land packages allow you to explore beyond the cruise itinerary with fully guided experiences, comfortable accommodations, and the expertise of a Viking Tour Director or Host.
Whether you're traveling through the Swiss Alps to St. Moritz, discovering the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, exploring Prague, sampling regional cuisine in Tuscany, or witnessing natural wonders like Denali National Park or Iguazú Falls, these extensions provide a deeper connection to each destination.
Adding a pre- or post-cruise extension is the perfect way to turn an unforgettable cruise into an even more enriching and immersive travel experience.
Silver Spirits Beverage Package
Upgrade and enjoy unlimited beverages in all onboard dining venues, bars and lounges anytime throughout the duration of your voyage. The package includes:
A wide variety of beer and upgraded select wines, spirits & whiskeys from around the world
Premium wines by the bottle, cocktails, aperitifs and house champagne by the glass
Specialty coffees, juices & soft drinks
Please note you must be 21 years of age or older to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. Both guests in a stateroom must purchase the package for the full length of the voyage in order for it to be valid. A 15% service charge per person is included with the price. Your beverage package is only available on board your ship.
Pre-Paying Gratuities
How much you choose to tip is a personal matter and completely at your discretion.
You can relax and enjoy your journey by pre-purchasing gratuities in your My Viking Journey account at $20 per guest, per night; or, Viking will automatically add $20 per guest, per night to your shipboard account, which appears on your final invoice at the end of your cruise.
This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide for your cruise experience, including the onboard Program Director, waitstaff, stateroom stewards, galley staff, nautical staff and others.
Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts, stop by Guest Services once you are on board.
A Few Important Things to Know Before You Book
Before booking your Viking cruise, there are a few important policies and requirements I want you to be aware of. Below are highlights of some key areas, including cancellation policies, travel documents, passenger responsibilities, and potential itinerary changes. These are provided as a helpful overview; Viking’s complete Terms & Conditions will be included with your quote email for you to review before booking.
Cancellation Policy
Viking’s cancellation fees vary depending on how far in advance you cancel and may also apply to certain changes, such as changing your departure date, itinerary, or the passenger traveling. Please review Viking’s complete cancellation schedule in the Terms & Conditions provided with your quote.
Travel Documents
You are responsible for having all required travel documents before your cruise. This includes a valid passport, visas or other entry requirements when applicable, and any other documents required for your destinations. Viking requires your passport to be valid for at least six months after the end of your cruise. Requirements can vary by itinerary and destination, so be sure to review the requirements that apply to your specific trip.
Fitness to Travel
Viking requires guests to be physically and otherwise fit to participate in the cruise and its activities and to comply with the ship’s rules and instructions. Some destinations, ports, excursions, vessels, and transportation may present accessibility limitations, including stairs, uneven terrain, extended periods of walking or standing, and limited wheelchair or mobility-aid accessibility. If you have mobility, medical, or other accessibility needs, please discuss them with me before booking so we can determine whether the itinerary and available accommodations are appropriate for you.
Itinerary Changes
River cruising is subject to conditions that can change, including weather, river levels, port conditions, and other circumstances beyond Viking’s control. Viking reserves the right to make changes when necessary for the safety, security, or well-being of guests and crew. Depending on the circumstances, this may include changing or omitting ports, modifying activities, substituting a ship or transportation, or otherwise adjusting the itinerary. While these situations are not expected, it is important to understand that a river cruise itinerary cannot be guaranteed.
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