Viking Cruises

About Viking Cruises

Viking, previously known as Viking Cruises, is a cruise line based in Basel, Switzerland. The cruise line is famous for offering ocean, river, and expedition cruises. The company was established in 1997 by Torstein Hagen in Russia as Viking River Cruises. The Viking Ocean Cruises was launched in 2013. Viking currently offers ocean and river cruises in North America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Antarctica, Egypt, Southeast Asia, the Great Lakes, and China.

Departure Ports

Here are some major US ports from where the Viking Cruise Ships depart.

Viking Ocean Cruises Deals

Cruise DealsStarting Rates
Mediterranean Odyssey$4,799
Ancient Mediterranean Treasures$2,799
Iceland's Majestic Landscapes$5,999
Trade Routes of the Middle Ages$5,499
Eastern Seaboard Explorer$5,999
Alaska & the Inside Passage$4,799
South America & the Chilean Fjords$5,999
Australia & New Zealand$5,999
North Pacific Passage$6,999
Classic China & the Coast$6,999

*Please note that the Viking Cruises authorities can change these rates at any time.

Viking River Cruises Deals

Cruise DealsStarting Rates
Mississippi Delta Explorer$3,499
Heartland of America$4,999
America's Heartland$6,799
New Orleans & Southern Charms$3,499
America's Greatest River$12,499
Upper Mississippi Explorer$8,999
Grand Mississippi Voyage$15,999
The Big Easy to the Gateway City$9,999
Mississippi River Odyssey$14,699
Heart of the Delta$5,999

How to Book

For booking, you can contact Viking Cruises directly or contact a travel advisor.

  • If you're planning to book Viking Ocean Cruises, contact them directly at 1-866-984-5464.
  • To book Viking River Cruises, contact them directly at 1-800-304-9616.

How to Pay and Tip on Board

One way is to buy gratuities before your journey. Otherwise, Viking Cruises will add an optional service charge per day for each guest to their shipboard account, which will reflect on their final invoice at the end of the journey. The service charge will be shared among the staff on the cruise ship, like the stateroom stewards, the Program Director, the nautical staff, the waitstaff, the galley staff, and others.

For instance, for Mississippi River cruise packages, Viking Cruise Line charges a standard rate of $20 per day for each guest, or they will automatically add an optional service charge of $20 per day for every guest to their shipboard account. If you want to modify these amounts, visit the Guest Services once you're aboard.

Which Is the Best Viking Cruise Ship?

Currently, Viking Venus is the best cruise ship on the cruise line. The ship was launched in May 2021. Each ship can accommodate up to 930 passengers and 465 crew members. A passenger has the luxury of choosing his room from six different accommodation types. All the rooms feature a private veranda. The room has free Wi-Fi, plush beds, and flat-screen televisions.

The amenities comprise a spa, a salon, a fitness center, many shops and swimming pools, a live performance theater and cinema, a jazz lounge, etc. The vessel offers around eight dining venues, including World Café, The Restaurant, Manfredi's Italian Restaurant, The Chef's Table, etc. Also, there is 24/7 room service.

List of Viking Ships by Age (Newest to Oldest)

Here is the list of Viking Ocean Cruise ships from newest to oldest.

Viking Saturn

  • Maximum passenger capacity - 930 passengers
  • Year it entered into service - 2023

Viking Neptune

  • Maximum passenger capacity - 930 passengers
  • Year it entered into service - 2022

Viking Mars

  • Maximum passenger capacity - 930 passengers
  • Year it entered into service - 2022

Viking Venus

  • Maximum passenger capacity - 930 passengers
  • Year it entered into service - 2021

Viking Jupiter

  • Maximum passenger capacity - 930 passengers
  • Year it entered into service - 2019

Viking Orion

  • Maximum passenger capacity - 930 passengers
  • Year it entered into service - 2018

Viking Sky

  • Maximum passenger capacity - 930 passengers
  • Year it entered into service - 2017

Viking Sea

  • Maximum passenger capacity - 930 passengers
  • Year it entered into service - 2016

Viking Star

  • Maximum passenger capacity - 930 passengers
  • Year it entered into service - 2015

Destinations

Here are the top destinations that you can visit on Viking Ocean Cruises.

  • North America
  • South America
  • Caribbean & Central America
  • Scandinavia
  • Asia
  • Mediterranean
  • British Isles & Ireland
  • Australia & New Zealand

These are some of the destinations for Viking River cruises.

  • Europe
  • Rhine
  • Danube
  • Elbe
  • Egypt
  • France
  • Asia
  • Mississippi
  • Douro

Onboard Accommodations

These are some amenities that you can find on a Viking cruise ship.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Minibars
  • 24-hour coffee stations
  • Complimentary champagne bottle
  • LCD TVs
  • Large showers
  • Heated floor
  • King-size beds
  • Satellite phone
  • Security safe

Dining Options

The number of restaurants on a ship varies based on whether you're cruising on an ocean or river ship. Ideally, the ocean cruises, which are bigger than the river cruise ships, feature more dining options.

Viking Cruises' every 930-passenger ocean cruise ships feature a main restaurant called the "The Restaurant." Also, every vessel has a casual buffet eatery called the "World Café." There will also be two smaller restaurants featuring specialty dining like the "Manfredi's" (Italian) and "The Chef's Table," offering a five-course menu.

The following are the other restaurants you can find on Viking Cruises.

  • The Chef's Table
  • Aquavit Terrace®
  • Mamsen's®
  • Pool Grill
  • The Wintergarden
  • The Kitchen Table

Complimentary Dining Options

The Viking cruise ships offer complimentary meals, including those at specialty restaurants. You'll have to pay a fee only at the "The Kitchen Table," which includes a mix of shore excursion and dinner.

Viking Cruise Drink Packages

The cruise ships offer free beers, wines, and soft drinks, with lunches, dinners, hot teas, and specialty coffees, which are available throughout the day. Also, the cruise line offers the "Silver Spirits" beverage package for $25 a night. If you buy this package, you can enjoy unlimited drinks in all bars, lounges, and venues throughout your trip.

The package comprises wine and beers by the glass, house champagne, cocktails, well drinks, premium wines by the glass, and a choice of upgraded soft drinks and whiskeys, up to $18 each. The package also gives you access to the Chef's Table premium wine pairing, free entry to standard tasting events, up to 50% off on premium tasting events, and around 30% discount on premium drinks above $50 each.

What is the minimum drinking age for alcoholic beverages in Viking Cruise Ships?

You must be at least 21 years old to drink alcoholic beverages on any Viking Cruise ship. Also, any passenger can take alcohol on board during embarkation or buy it from the port without charging a corkage fee.

Entertainment and Activities

These are some of the entertainments and activities you can get across Viking Cruise ships.

  • Destination Performances
  • Craft & Cooking Demonstrations
  • Viking Curated Library
  • Destination Insights
  • Classical & Regional Musicians
  • Guest Lectures & Port Talks

Youth Programs

The cruise line doesn't admit children aged below 18 in any of its vessels. So, formally, there are no youth programs in the vessels.

Internet

Viking Ocean Cruises offers free Wi-Fi on all its vessels. Wi-Fi is offered via VSAT satellite terminal; however, the connection speed can vary. The cruise line may limit downloads, software upgrades, or heavy-usage applications to ensure fair usage for all passengers.

What Is Included in Viking Cruise Ticket Price?

The ticket price covers almost everything, from port charges, activities, Wi-Fi, meals, shore excursions, lectures, and hotel stays on cruise tours.

Smoking Policy

All the vessels belonging to Viking Cruises follow a nonsmoking policy. However, to accommodate guests who wish to smoke, there is a designated outdoor smoking area in each vessel. You can't smoke in any other areas, including veranda or stateroom, which includes e-cigarettes.

Laundry

Laundry service may be complimentary depending on the stateroom category you choose. If it isn't there, you can buy the laundry service additionally by paying a small fee. Some cabin decks have self-service launderettes, including irons and ironing boards, all free of cost.

Electrical outlets

All the Viking Cruise ships feature typical North American-style 110-volt outlets in cabins and also European-style 220-volt outlets and USB ports.

Currency

The currency used in Viking Cruises is US Dollars.

Dress code

You can wear anything casual during the day, like shorts, jeans, or slacks, or even comfortable shoes during walking tours. If you're using swimming pools or the fitness center, you must opt for swimsuits, exercise dresses, or cover-ups. There are no special dress codes preferred for evenings.

The cruise line recommends you wear anything "elegant casual" for performances, special events, or dining areas. For men, it can be a collared shirt and trousers. They can even wear a jacket and tie, but not jeans. Ladies can wear slacks or skirts and a blouse or sweater. The evening dress code is not applicable to World Café, where you can go in casual attire after 6 p.m.

FAQs

What country owns Viking Cruises?

Torstein Hagen, a billionaire businessman based in Norway, owns the cruise line. The headquarters of this cruise line is in Basel, Switzerland.

Are Viking Cruises expensive?

Yes, they're considered a luxury cruise line. So, the rates can be expensive. There are packages starting at $2,799 for a person. And it may go as high as $10,999 for a person.

Is Viking considered a luxury cruise?

Yes, Viking Cruises are considered a luxury cruise line.

Is Viking Cruise adults only?

Yes, the cruise line follows an adults-only policy.

Is Viking a top cruise line?

Yes, it is considered one of the best luxury cruise lines in the world.

How many countries does Viking sail to?

Currently, the cruise line sets sail to around 37 countries and 85 cruise ports.

Why are Viking cruises so popular?

The cruise line is popular as they're destination-focused. They focus on providing the perfect services to all passengers. The Viking River Cruises often visit smaller ports and may halt in ports than the typical cruise ships. Also, they offer many shore excursions.

Can you get married on a Viking cruise?

No, the cruise line doesn't allow weddings or vow renewals on their ships.

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