Low Prices On All Viking River Cruises

Dining on a Viking River cruise is a more intimate experience than on their Ocean ships, primarily because the ships are smaller and designed for social connection. However, the high standard of food and the  no-nickel-and-diming philosophy remains the same.

The Dining Venues

• The Restaurant: This is the main, upscale dining room. It features floor-to-ceiling windows so you never miss the scenery. It offers open seating, meaning there are no assigned tables or times—you simply show up when you’re hungry and sit with whoever you like.
• Aquavit Terrace: Located at the bow (front) of the ship, this is a revolutionary indoor/outdoor space with a retractable glass roof. It serves as a more casual alternative for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s the best spot on the ship for al fresco dining as you sail through the heart of Europe.
• Sun Deck: Occasionally, weather permitting, the crew will host themed barbecues or light luncheons on the top deck.

The Food Philosophy

Viking focuses on destination-focused dining. While you will always find classic American/Continental options (like steak, chicken, and salmon), the daily menus change to reflect the region you are passing through.

• Breakfast: A massive buffet with an omelet station, plus a full a la carte menu for items like eggs benedict or pancakes.
• Lunch: Features a soup and salad bar, along with hot entrees and regional specialties.
• Dinner: A multi-course, sit-down affair. If you are sailing through Germany, expect local sausages and schnitzel; in France, expect local cheeses and pastries.

What’s Included (and What’s Not)

• Included: Every meal on board is included in your fare. There are no specialty restaurant cover charges on Viking River ships.
• Drinks: Complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks are served with every lunch and dinner. High-quality specialty coffees, teas, and bottled water are available 24/7 at the self-service stations.
• Silver Spirits Package: For $27 per person, per day, you can upgrade to this package, which covers unlimited premium wines, beers, and cocktails at any time of day (not just at meals).

Note: Both guests in a stateroom must purchase the package.

Dress Code

The vibe on a river cruise is Elegant Casual.

• Daytime: Very casual. Jeans, shorts, and comfortable walking shoes for excursions are perfectly fine in the dining areas.
• Evening: Most guests change into “smart casual” attire for dinner. This usually means a collared shirt and slacks for men (no tie or jacket required) and a dress or nice trousers for women.
• Formal Nights: There are no formal nights on Viking River Cruises. You never need a tuxedo or a ballgown.

Dietary Restrictions

Viking is excellent with dietary needs. Whether you are gluten-free, low-sodium, vegetarian, or have specific allergies, the galley can accommodate you.

Pro Tip: Make sure to note your dietary restrictions on your My Viking Journey portal at least 30 days before sailing, and then have a quick chat with the Maître d’ on your first night to ensure they have your details.

Viking’s fuel surcharge policy for river cruises is consistent with their ocean policy, providing a high level of price protection once you have committed to your trip.

The Lock-In Guarantee

The most important rule for travelers is that Viking will not apply a fuel surcharge once your cruise is paid in full. Even if global oil prices rise significantly after your final payment, the price you paid is guaranteed and locked in.

Potential Surcharges (Pre-Payment)

In their 2026 Terms and Conditions, Viking reserves the right to assess a fuel supplement if market prices spike before you have finished paying for your trip:

• The Trigger: A surcharge may be assessed if the price of light sweet crude oil (NYMEX) exceeds $75.00 USD per barrel.
• The Cost: If triggered, the surcharge is typically capped at $9.00 USD per passenger, per day.
• Airfare Protection: If you booked your airfare through Viking, your air price already includes air fuel surcharges and taxes. These are generally locked in once the airfare is paid, though airlines (not Viking) occasionally adjust fees on unpaid tickets.

Currency Exchange Surcharge (Unique to River)

Because Viking River Cruises operates heavily in the Eurozone, their contract also includes a clause regarding currency fluctuations:

• Viking reserves the right to impose a surcharge if the value of the US Dollar decreases significantly against the Euro between the time you pay and the time you sail.
• While this is rarely invoked, it is a legal provision they maintain because their operational costs (fuel, docking fees, local food) are paid in Euros.

Payment Schedule

• Standard Deposit: Typically $500 per person is required to secure your cabin. However, in 2026, Viking frequently offers promotional deposits as low as $25 per person for bookings made well in advance.
• Final Payment: This is where Viking differs from most lines. Final payment is often due far earlier than the industry standard.
• Standard Rule: Usually due 12 months (365 days) prior to sailing.
• Promotional Rule: Many “special offers” require full payment within 30 days of booking, or by a specific date (e.g., May 7, 2026, for many 2026 sailings).
• Late Bookings: If you book within 120 days of departure, full payment is required immediately.

Cancellation & Refund Scale

If you need to cancel, Viking uses a percentage-based penalty system. The “Full Fare” includes the cruise, land extensions, and any airfare purchased through Viking.

Note on Airfare: If you purchased Viking Air, the airfare becomes non-refundable once the tickets are issued, which can happen long before the cruise cancellation penalties kick in.

Refunds vs. Vouchers

• Standard Cancellations: If you cancel within the windows above, the remaining balance (after fees) is typically refunded to your original payment method.
• Risk-Free Guarantee: If your 2026 booking includes a Risk-Free or Flexible Booking promotion, you may be allowed to cancel closer to the sail date (sometimes up to 14 days) in exchange for a Future Cruise Voucher rather than a cash refund.
• Once a Voucher, Always a Voucher: If you pay for a cruise using a voucher from a previous cancellation and then cancel again, you will almost always receive another voucher, not cash.

Administrative Fees

Viking is quite firm on their $100 per person administrative fee. Even if you cancel more than six months out, you should expect to lose this $100 service fee regardless of the reason.

Viking River Cruises maintains a strict non-smoking environment, very similar to their ocean fleet, but the designated areas are located differently due to the ship’s design.

The General Rule

• Strictly Prohibited: Smoking of any kind (cigarettes, cigars, pipes) and the use of e-cigarettes or vaping devices are banned in all interior spaces.
• No Balcony Smoking: Even if you have a Veranda Suite, smoking is strictly forbidden on your private balcony.
• The Penalty: Violating the policy typically results in a $500 cleaning fee and, in severe cases or repeat offenses, can result in being asked to leave the ship at the next port without a refund.

Where You Can Smoke

Because river ships are smaller and lower to the water, the smoking area is consolidated into one open-air location:

• The Sun Deck: This is the only designated smoking area on the ship. It is located on the top open-air deck, usually towards the aft (rear) of the ship.
• Ashtrays: You will find clearly marked tables with wind-proof ashtrays in this specific section.
• Shore Leave: Many guests find it easier to simply wait until the ship is docked (which is most of the day on a river cruise) and smoke on the pier or in town, where local regulations apply.

Important Limitations

• Cigar and Pipe Smoking: While allowed in the designated Sun Deck area, be aware that river ships are intimate; because the Sun Deck is also the primary spot for sightseeing and the walking track, Viking asks that smokers be mindful of non-smoking guests nearby.
• Safety First: Just like on the ocean, throwing cigarette butts into the river is a major safety violation and environmental hazard.

The plan is administered by Generali Global Assistance (formerly Trip Mate) and is divided into two parts: a Cancel For Any Reason waiver provided by Viking and a standard insurance policy for medical/travel protection.

The Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) Waiver

Because Viking often requires final payment a full year in advance, this is the most critical piece of the plan.

• The Payout: If you cancel for any reason that isn’t already covered by the insurance policy (e.g., you just changed your mind), you get 100% of the non-refundable trip cost back in Viking Travel Vouchers.
• Redemption: These vouchers must be used within 12 months of the date they are issued.
• Note: You must report your claim within 30 days of the cancellation to receive the vouchers.

Medical and Emergency Coverage

River cruises often stop in remote European or Asian towns where medical facilities vary. Viking’s 2026 insurance benefits include:

• Emergency Medical/Dental: Up to $100,000 for unexpected illness (including COVID-19) or injury during the trip.
• Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation: Up to $100,000 to transport you to a hospital that can adequately treat you.
• Pre-existing Conditions: To get a waiver for pre-existing medical conditions, you typically must purchase the plan at the time of your initial deposit or within a very short window (usually 14 days).

Travel Inconvenience Coverage

• Trip Interruption: Up to 150% of the trip cost if you have to cut the journey short due to a covered emergency.
• Travel Delay: Up to $1,500 ($300/day) for meals and lodging if your flights (or the ship) are delayed.
• Baggage Protection: Up to $3,000 for lost or stolen luggage and $500 for baggage delays of 24+ hours.

Viking River Cruises follows a tipping structure that is mostly automated for convenience, but unlike their Ocean line, the currency and specific rates can vary depending on which river you are sailing.

Onboard Service Charges

Viking adds a daily service charge to your shipboard account, which is distributed among the stateroom stewards, restaurant staff, galley staff, and the nautical crew.

• Europe & Mississippi: The recommended rate is $20.00 USD per guest, per night.
• Pre-Payment Advantage: If you pre-pay in your My Viking Journey account before you sail, you lock in the USD rate. If you wait to pay on the ship in Europe, the charge is often converted to €20.00 EUR, which may be slightly more expensive depending on exchange rates.
• Egypt, Mekong, & India: Rates differ due to higher staffing ratios. Expect roughly $10 USD for land portions and $25 USD per night while on the ship.

Shore Excursion Tipping (Cash Recommended)

Because the guides and drivers for your daily tours are local contractors and not Viking employees, they do not participate in the ship’s tip pool. It is customary to tip them in cash at the end of each tour:

• Local Guides: €3–€5 ($5) per person.
• Drivers: €1–€2 ($2) per person.
• Program Directors: While the Program Director is included in the onboard service charge, if you are on a land-based extension (pre- or post-cruise), it is customary to tip the land-based Tour Director about $5–$10 per person, per day in cash.

Bar and Spa Gratuities

Unlike some Ocean lines that add a massive 18% or 20% surcharge, Viking River Cruises is more conservative.

• Bar Drinks: Most beverages served at lunch and dinner are included. For drinks ordered at the bar outside of meal times, a 15% gratuity is typically added to the bill.
• Spa Services: If your ship has a spa (available on certain ships like the Viking Mississippi or newer Seine vessels), a 15% gratuity is added to the service.

Adults-Only Quiet Luxury
No children under 18, no casinos, no crowds.

Destination-Focused Itineraries
More time in port, overnights, and culturally rich destinations.

One Free Excursion in Every Port
Explore more without added costs.

Inclusive Value
Wine & beer with meals, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, lectures, and more included.

Scandinavian-Inspired Ships
Modern, elegant, and thoughtfully designed.

Award-Winning Service
Consistently top-rated in customer service and guest satisfaction.

Exceptional Enrichment Programs
Onboard historians, scientists, and cultural experts.

Small to Mid-Sized Ships
Avoid crowds and enjoy a more intimate travel experience.

The Thinking Person’s Cruise
Built for curious travelers who love learning & discovery.

Is Viking River Cruises adults-only?
Yes. Viking is strictly 18+ on all river, ocean, and expedition sailings.

What’s included in a Viking River Cruise?
Accommodations, all meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, one shore excursion per port, and enrichment programs.

Does Viking River Cruises have casinos?
No. Viking ships are casino-free for a peaceful onboard experience.

Are gratuities included?
No. Gratuities are recommended and charged daily, with amounts varying by region.

Is Wi-Fi included?
Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi is included onboard Viking River Cruises.