Here are some details about what life is like aboard a Viking River Cruises ship, presented in alphabetical order. You can learn about additional topics using the menu at the right.
Beverages
Hot coffee and tea are free all day; your meals are always accompanied by hot tea, iced tea or coffee, house wines and beers and soft drinks. Complimentary bottles of water are supplied in your stateroom each day. You may bring local wine aboard and enjoy it with your meals—there is no corkage fee.
For those who may wish to enjoy premium wines and beers, cocktails and sparkling wine, we offer a Silver Spirits beverage package that may be of interest. Here is a link to details about what is covered and what the package costs:
Silver Spirits flyer and order form
For comparison purposes, you will find a typical bar menu from our ships, including a range of cocktails, premium wines and beers, here.
Check-in time on board
While the crew is preparing staterooms for arriving guests, you can relax in the ship’s lounge or leave your luggage with the staff and explore the embarkation city on your own. You will be given access to your stateroom midafternoon, at approximately 3:00 p.m. If you arrive during lunchtime, a light lunch buffet will be available in the lounge.
Clothing suggestions
Dress aboard and ashore is casual; we suggest you dress comfortably and bring sturdy walking shoes for sightseeing excursions. Dinner attire is “evening casual,” and the Captain’s Dinner is dressy, but not formal.
Cuisine & dining room service
All meals aboard are prepared by local chefs under the guidance of our European management team. Meals are open seating during set meal times—no table reservations are accepted. Room service is not available.
Dietary needs
Guests requiring special diets such as vegetarian, low salt, diabetic or low cholesterol meals must alert Viking River Cruises one month prior to departure and inform the Maitre d’ when on board. The chefs will make reasonable efforts to accommodate these requests.
Electricity
Onboard electricity is 220V; for more detailed information on plugs and adapters click here.
Fitness equipment
Some ships have fitness equipment, but most do not. Guests enjoy getting their exercise during daily shore excursions, and promenade decks provide opportunities for “power walks” while enjoying the scenery.
Hair dryers & amenities
Your ship has hair dryers for guest use, as do most hotels. Your stateroom amenities include shower gel, shampoo, lotion, shower cap and vanity kit.
Internet access
Most of our ships offer free wireless access to the internet. You may bring your laptop or use shipboard computers. More detailed information is available elsewhere in this section of the website; select Telephone & Internet from the menu at the right.
Laundry
Laundry services are available for a fee; we regret that clothes cannot be dry cleaned. Typical lists of laundry charges are available here—please note that prices are subject to change.
Europe laundry list
China laundry list
Russia laundry list
Ukraine laundry list
Meals
Meals are scheduled around the day’s programs and activities. There is an early riser’s breakfast and a full breakfast buffet between 6.00 and 9.00 a.m. Lunch is served between 11.30 a.m. and 2.00 p.m., and dinner is served around 7.00 to 9.00 p.m. Meals are single seating with an open-seating format, so travelers can come in when they are ready and sit where they like.
Medical services
In China and Russia, there is a small clinic and a physician onboard your ship; however, the physician may not speak fluent English. A staff member fluent in English will assist you. On European ships, medical care is readily available using local resources. If you are feeling ill, inform the Reception desk immediately.
Onboard language
The onboard language is English. Your Tour Escort, Program Director, key staff and tour guides all speak English.
Onboard shopping
Each Viking ship has an onboard shop area offering film, Viking River Cruises logo items, souvenirs and select toiletries. Our China ship also offers a tailor who offers custom-made silk jackets and dresses, neckties and other items.
Other services
Most ships offer a library where reading material, games and puzzles may be borrowed free of charge. A few ships have additional services, such as a hair salon or massage services. Access detailed information about each ship from our fleet pages or within any itinerary.
Safes
Please keep all jewelry and valuables in your stateroom safe.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted indoors on any ship.
Telephone service
Each stateroom has its own telephone that can be used for stateroom-to-stateroom calls. Ship-to-shore calls can be placed at the Reception Desk, and charges will be added to your shipboard account. The phones function via satellite and there may be times when reception is not possible. More detailed information is available elsewhere in this section of the website; select Telephone & Internet from the menu at the right.
Televisions
Most staterooms have a color television. Depending upon satellite transmission, most ships receive CNN, BBC and other English-language programming. There are usually itinerary-specific films as well.
Viking Daily & onboard activities
The onboard daily newsletter, Viking Daily, features information about daily activities, shore excursions and tour departure times.