Viking River Cruises
Parent company: Viking Holdings Ltd
PremiumSee how Viking River Cruises describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1Viking is an adults-only (18+) product across its entire river fleet, so it appeals to guests who don't want a family atmosphere onboard
- 2One complimentary shore excursion is included in every port of call, with beer, wine, and soft drinks included at lunch and dinner
- 3Viking's identical Longships sail Europe's main rivers. The Douro, Elbe, Seine, Nile, Asia and Mississippi ships are different designs, so guests on Longship itineraries know what to expect from ship to ship.
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise lineSet by the booking's promotion; shown on the invoice
Viking's Booking and Sale Terms (Last Updated September 29, 2026) say the deposit amount and payment schedule depend on the promotion the booking was made under, and refer to the invoice for the payment terms. No fixed final-payment day count is published (the former 180-day rule for World & Grand Cruises is no longer in the terms). Reservations may be cancelled without notice if payments are not received by the due date. Check the invoice for the exact date.
Terms changed September 29, 2026; under the October 2026 offer (bookings Oct 1-31, 2026) pay-in-full dates are set by departure year - see the offer terms.
Deposit
Per cruise lineSet on the booking invoice
Viking's Booking and Sale Terms (Last Updated September 29, 2026) no longer state a deposit amount: a deposit in the amount specified on the invoice secures the reservation, and the amount depends on the promotion the booking was made under. The deposit does not apply toward air purchased; with more than one cruise booked, deposit and payment policies apply per Cruise Tour.
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise lineSee details below
Viking Booking and Sale Terms (Last Updated September 29, 2026), fee per passenger by days before departure that written notice is received. Cruise Tours of 35 days or less (Table A): 120+ days US$100; 119-90 days 20% of Cruise Tour Fare; 89-70 days 35%; 69-50 days 50%; 49-30 days 75%; 29 days or fewer 100%. Cruise Tours of more than 35 days (Table B): 180+ days US$1,000; 179-150 days 20%; 149-120 days 40%; 119-90 days 60%; 89-60 days 80%; 59 days or fewer 100%. Bookings made directly with Viking can be cancelled within 24 hours of booking for a full refund. Optional shore excursions and travel protection follow their own terms. Shore excursions (river FAQ): cancel online on My Viking Journey up to 7 days before departure, or by phone up to 3 days before the itinerary start, for a full refund; no refunds within 3 days.
Applies to: Table A: Cruise Tours of 35 days or less. Table B: Cruise Tours of more than 35 days (incl. World & Grand voyages over 35 days).
What's included on board
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Guests per ship
- 190 guests (Viking Longships); fewer on Nile and Asia ships, 386 on Viking MississippiPer cruise line
- Gratuities
- Not included - recommended $20 USD pp/night in Europe if pre-purchased (otherwise €20 pp/night added onboard); rates vary by regionPer cruise line
- Beer & wine
- Included - beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinnerPer cruise line
- Premium drinks
- US$27 pp/day (Silver Spirits Beverage Package)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi
- Included - free Wi-Fi on all ships; speed may varyPer cruise line
- Dining
- Included - all onboard mealsPer cruise line
- Premium dining
- N/APer cruise line
- Included tours
- Included - one complimentary shore excursion in every port of callPer cruise line
- Extra tours
- Optional shore excursions are an extra costPer cruise line
- Transfers
- Included with Viking Air purchase; otherwise extraPer cruise line
- Air program
- Available (Viking Air)Per cruise line
- Pre/post land tours
- Available - 2- to 6-night pre/post land extension packagesPer cruise line
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Tell Viking at booking or at least 60 days before the cruise about any condition needing accommodation (including a wheelchair or other mobility device), via the Health & Accessibility Form, 1-877-668-4546 or accessibilityservices@viking.com. The Service Animal Request Form is due at least 60 days before travel. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Not all ships have elevators, some have split-level decks or high thresholds, and at some ports guests may not be able to use a mobility device to go ashore. Mobility devices generally must be 22 inches wide or less (folded) and under 50 pounds. Per cruise line
- Service animals
- Only qualified, approved service dogs are allowed. Send the Service Animal Request Form to accessibilityservices@viking.com at least 60 days before the cruise; the guest gets all documents and checks each port's rules. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- Viking cannot take guests who will be past their 22nd week of pregnancy at the end of the cruise. Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Loyalty program
Viking Explorer SocietyPer cruise line
Guests may say
“Explorer Society”, “2-for-1 Explorer Society pricing”
Viking's ocean, river and expedition fare terms all refer to the same Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits. Viking doesn't publish the program rules, so confirm with Viking how a guest's credits apply.
Military & veterans
We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Viking includes roundtrip airport transfers to the ship or hotel when air is bought from Viking with the cruise or cruisetour and flight dates match the itinerary (hotel transfers only when the hotel stay or pre/post extension was bought through Viking). Guests who book their own air can buy transfers separately.
Which ports: Not listed; see page.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Cruise family
Viking Holdings Ltd
Loyalty between brands: Viking's river, ocean, and expedition fare terms all refer to the same Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits. Viking doesn't publish the program rules, so check with Viking for a guest's current past-guest benefits.
See the whole family →Good to know
Bring your own wine, no corkage fee
Per cruise lineGuests may bring alcohol on board or buy it ashore, and drink it in their stateroom or in public areas, including the restaurants. There is no corkage fee.
Dress code: no formal nights
Per cruise lineDaytime dress is casual. There are no formal nights, and evening dress is "elegant casual"; a tie and jacket are optional. Some excursions to religious sites require modest dress.
Mobility: a companion is required
Per cruise lineGuests with a disability must travel with an able-bodied companion, because crew cannot lift guests or push wheelchairs. Guests bring their own wheelchair (22 inches wide at most) and must send the Accessibility Form at least 30 days before departure. Motorized scooters generally cannot be accommodated, and not all river ships have an elevator to every deck.
Room service only for Explorer Suites
Per cruise lineOn river cruises, room service is limited to a complimentary breakfast menu, on request, for Explorer Suites on Seine, Longship, Mekong and Egypt ships. There is no general 24-hour room service as on Viking's ocean ships.
Laundry by category; no dry cleaning
Per cruise lineLaundry and pressing are complimentary in some stateroom categories and cost a modest fee in others. Dry cleaning is not available on board. Viking Mississippi has free self-service launderettes.
Gratuities in Egypt, India and Mekong
Per cruise lineOutside Europe the recommended gratuity is higher: $25 USD per person per night on board and $10 USD per night on land in Egypt, India and Mekong. These rates are in USD whether pre-purchased or added on board.
Fleet
- Ships
- 89 river vessels as of Dec 31, 2025 (Viking's annual report), including 59 Longships; more delivered in 2026Per cruise line
- Newest ship
- Viking Ptah (delivered August 2026; Nile River)Per cruise line
- Ship classes
- Viking Longships, Europe ships (Douro, Elbe, Seine), Egypt (Nile) ships, Asia ships (Mekong, Brahmaputra), Viking Mississippi
Coming soon
All new ships- Viking SekhmetNovember 2026 · Nile Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Rota2026 · Rhine, Main and Danube Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Haki2026 · Rhine, Main and Danube Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Halogi2026 · Rhine, Main and Danube Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Sjofn2026 · Rhine, Main and Danube Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Fulla2027 · Rhine, Main and Danube Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Laga2027 · Rhine, Main and Danube Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Hnoss2027 · Rhine, Main and Danube Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Ran2027 · Rhine, Main and Danube Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Anubis2027 · Nile Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Geb2027 · Nile Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Brahmaputralate 2027 · Brahmaputra River, India Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
- Viking Ganges2028 · Brahmaputra River, India Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
Where they sail
Last full review: 28 Sep 2026·Last updated: 26 Oct 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.