Viking Cruises Frequently Asked Questions

Updated: 03/20/2023

We have cruised with Viking many times, so friends and family tend to ask us a lot of questions about life aboard the ship, amenities, and excursions just to name a few. Since we have been asked these questions so many times, we thought a FAQ-type article covering some of these questions would help those folks who are considering a Viking Cruise. We hope this post is informative and helps make your cruise selection a bit easier.

Please note that this article is not sponsored by anyone. All opinions are our own based on our own experiences on multiple Viking Cruises.

1. What type of stateroom type should I pick and where is the best location on the ship?

We will address this question in two parts, Ocean cruises versus River cruises.

Ocean Cruises – There are several classes of staterooms on Viking’s ocean ships, but we will divide them into three main classes for this discussion, the Veranda/Deluxe Veranda, Penthouse Veranda and Suites. All cabins are located on Decks 3 through 8, although there are limited rooms on Decks 7 and 8. Stateroom rates go up as you move higher on the ship. In addition, cabins located mid-ship are more desirable, since there is less motion in the middle of the ship if the seas become rough.

Veranda and Deluxe Veranda staterooms are 270 square feet and make up most of the cabins on the ship. These cabins are very nice and have sitting areas both inside the room and on their attached private balconies.

If the Veranda style room is still too small for your taste, the Penthouse Veranda provides a little more room at 338 square feet. You will receive some additional perks with this class of cabin such as daily replenishment of your mini-bar and a welcome bottle of champagne.

Finally, the Penthouse Suites and higher range in size from 405 square feet to a whopping 1448 square feet. Premium perks that accompany these rooms include complementary laundry services and daily replenishment of your fruit basket. If you want your cabin to feel a bit more like a condo, then one of the suites may be more to your liking. Keep in mind that there is also a much higher cost for suites.

Another thing to keep in mind when making your room selection is that as your room class increases, you receive a higher priority when making reservations for excursions, specialty restaurants and the spa. Since most of the ship consists of Veranda and Deluxe Veranda staterooms, these rooms may not get all the excursions or times desired.  We always book a Penthouse Veranda (PV) class just so we can book excursions a little earlier. 

River Cruises – The stateroom classes on Longships are more limited than the ocean ships since they are much smaller and only 3 decks have cabins. Fore and aft cabin location does not really matter much on a Longship, since there is virtually no rocking motion on river cruise ships.

At 150 square feet, the Standard Stateroom is the most economical cabin. They are all located on the bottom deck and have a smaller, nonfunctional window. If are just looking for a place to sleep and shower, this may be the right room for you.

The next class of cabins are the French Balcony rooms located on the middle and upper decks. The French Balcony rooms are 135 Square feet in size and have a large sliding glass doors that opens to a railing. Although you cannot step outside, this room is still a nice option because you get a great view and you are able to open the door for some fresh air.

The Veranda cabins are slightly larger at 205 square feet. These rooms have a small inside sitting area as well as a large sliding glass door that opens to a small, private balcony. If you like to sit outside to enjoy your morning coffee or evening glass of wine, this cabin may be a good choice. Be aware though, there are many times when in port, that another ship will be docked adjacent to your ship. If so, your balcony might only be a few feet from a window or balcony of that adjacent ship. In these instances you will likely not have much of a view and might even have someone starring back at you.

The last class of cabins are the Veranda Suites and Explorer Suites. Ranging from 275 square feet to almost 450 square feet, these rooms will allow you to spread out a bit more. If you think that you might spend more time in your room or prefer to have a separate bedroom, one of these suites could meet your needs.

2. Are the included tours good and should I book any optional tours?

Viking provides one included excursion at every port and we typically take advantage of every included excursion. We have found them to be very informative and they provide an excellent introduction to the city or area we are visiting. If there is a time option, we select the earliest time available. That way we get an overview of the area during the excursion and then can use our free time more effectively, spending time on those activities that hold the most interest for us.

Viking’s optional excursions provide passengers with an opportunity to have a guided tour of additional points of interest or permit passengers to delve into areas of particular interest, like winetasting or local history. These excursions allow you to enrich your cruise experience, so you should definitely take advantage of these opportunities.

Keep in mind that optional excursions are not limited to Viking. We have booked excursions with third party tour companies that have been excellent. Many times the third party tours are actually less expensive than the Viking tour and the quality is just as good. TripAdvisor and Viking Online Forums on Facebook are great places to find reviews of all the tours and can help you select the tours that most closely match your interests.

TIP: As the time approaches for your trip many people book their included and optional excursions.  It’s easy to get excited  about all the great tours and you book many of them.  But be careful, long days of excursions can leave you exhausted.  Think about some time to relax and rejuvenate.

3. Will I have much free time to explore on my own?

Viking’s ships typically remain in port for most of the day and included tours usually last from 2 to 4 hours. Many of these excursions will include some free time to explore shops or to enjoy a beverage at a local café. If the ship remains in port after the tour, you will likely have a chance to explore the destination completely on your own. If the city or point of interest is too far to walk, Viking usually provides a shuttle to and from the ship.

You can also choose to skip all or part of the included excursion and explore on your own. On a few occasions when we didn’t want to stay for the whole excursion, we found out from the guide where the excursion would end and then just met the group there for a ride back to the ship.

If you have any specific interest that you want to pursue, you can always work with the ship’s concierge. They are always more than happy to arrange transportation or other special requests at any port.

4. How much money do I need to take and in which currency?

This has to be one of the most frequently asked questions we are asked. There is probably not one right answer, but we can give some guidelines.

First, how much currency you take really depends on your itinerary and how many different currencies you may encounter. If you are cruising the Rhine for example, then Euros should be the only currency you need. But if you are traveling through Eastern Europe, where each country uses its own currency, it become a little more complicated.

Credit cards are accepted just about everywhere, so we try to use ours whenever possible. Most cards no longer charge Foreign Transaction Fees, but you should check with your credit card company so that you know what to expect.

You are going to need at least a little cash for tips, restrooms and other small purchases. Keep in mind that Viking does not exchange currency on the ship. We usually leave home with maybe $50 to $100 in local currency so we can take care of any immediate needs upon arrival. After that we use our debit card to withdraw local currency at an ATM located in a hotel or bank. Try not to use independent ATMS located elsewhere. They tend to charge higher exchange rates and are usually less secure.

TIP: Although it is an exception, there are some restaurants and cafes that do not take credit cards, even in large cities. If you have any doubts, ask before you sit down to eat or drink! Otherwise someone in your party will have to hunt down an ATM – “ahem”, not that it has ever happened to us!!

5. Does the ship have Wi-Fi and will my cell phone work?

All of the Viking ships have Wi-Fi, but if you expect to stream a movie, that probably won’t happen. For general use such as checking emails, posting a picture or using a messaging app, it works just fine. Before and after dinner are predictably the busiest times on the Wi-Fi, so you can expect slower response during those hours. Some passengers have reported Wi-Fi interruptions and drops, but on all of our trips the Wi-Fi was very stable. The one exception was on the Danube traveling through Serbia, where it did not work at all.

Phone service will depend on your carrier and where you are traveling. We have Verizon and have found throughout Europe the reception is very good. We found only a few areas, usually outside of the cities, where service was poor. Normally though, we leave our phone in Airplane Mode and use it only for emergencies. Cell phone usage in some countries can be quite expensive. For more information on this topic, check our blog article Controlling International Cell Phone Costs.

6. What is the average age of the cruise passengers?

After several Viking Cruises, I would estimate that the average age of passengers is over 65. So if you are under that age, you will probably be one of the younger passengers on board.

Why is the average age that high? A few reasons come to mind. First, these cruises are not inexpensive. With an average cost of around $1000 per day per couple, the cost could be seen as too expensive by younger people. Second, although there are some shorter trips, many of the Viking Cruises are 10-15 days or more. That length of time is more than many younger people can get away from work. Lastly, Viking takes care of everything during the whole trip, from transfers, excursions, meals, etc. Many older folks like this relatively stress free, relaxing way to travel. Younger folks tend to like to do their own thing, preferring more freedom in their itinerary.

So does that mean if you are younger you shouldn’t go? That answer is absolutely NO! If you enjoy different cultures, meeting new people and experiencing both the excitement of metropolitan cities and the charm of small towns, Viking can provide you with an amazing travel experience. We highly recommend you try it.

7. Does everyone speak English?

In short, yes, the entire cruise and all tours are conducted in English. Viking employs a very helpful and friendly international staff, all of whom speak excellent English.

Most passengers will be from the United States, with most of the others coming from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The passengers we have met from other countries were all fluent in English. So you should have no worries about communicating with your fellow passengers.

During times when you are touring on your own, you may want to learn a few words of the local language. While many folks speak some English nowadays, you will find that most appreciate the fact that you are trying to communicate in their language.

8. Is there much to do on the ship?

Unlike very large cruise ships, Viking ships are not a destination unto themselves. There are no casinos, slides or go-carts on Viking ships. Although ocean ships do have a theater, fitness center, pools and a spa, the river ships do not.

Viking trips are much more focused on experiencing new cultures and learning more about the history of the areas you are visiting. Think of the ship as more of a floating luxury hotel, that transports you to these new experiences. So onboard you can expect cultural presentations, samples of local cuisine, local performers and informational presentations about the areas you are visiting.

9. Will I have to sit with other people for meals?

On the river ships the dining area consists of large tables for 6 or more. The dining room is rarely full, so you could ask the wait staff to seat you by yourself. A better option may be to dine in the Aquavit Terrace, where there are tables readily available for 2 or 4 people.

The Ocean ships have many more dining options with seating for 2 people, so having a private dinner will be much easier. Ocean ships also have 24-hour room service, so you can choose to dine in your room if you prefer.

Understandably there could be times that you just want a quiet lunch or dinner and not sit with others. But meeting your fellow passengers is one of the best parts of the cruise experience. We have met so many interesting people from all over the world and have really been enlightened by these opportunities to learn about their lives, interests and opinions.

10. Why should I choose Viking Air Plus?

You have several options when planning your flights for your cruise.

You can book the flights yourself. If you do, then you will need to arrange your own transfers to and from your hotel or ship. And remember, if you buy travel insurance from Viking, it will only cover the portions of the trip that you purchased from Viking – not your flights or transfers.

Your next option is to use Viking Air. Using this option, you purchase your airfare through Viking and they book all the flights. In addition, all transfers are included. However, you will not have any input into the selected airline, connection times or departure/arrival times. If you do not care about having control over these factors, then this is a good option.

Lastly, you can elect to purchase Viking Air Plus. The fee for this option varies by destination, but is between $100 and $200 per person. For this additional fee, you will be able to work with Viking to select the specific airline and flights that you prefer. Personally, we like flying the most direct routes possible and having our connection city (if required) to be in Europe. We also prefer to schedule longer layovers, so that there is less chance of missing a connection. We also like to arrive at our destination city as early in the day as possible, as this gives us the whole day to explore, relax and adjust to the time change.

Selecting Viking Air also makes you eligible for some additional perks. You can deviate from the normal itinerary by either flying into or out of an alternate city, or by spending extra time in your destination city either before or after your cruise. You can even choose to stop over for multiple days in another destination such as London, Paris, Munich, Hong Kong and U.S. gateway cities, on your way to or from your cruise. The price for these deviations and stopovers varies by city. You can find more detailed information by contacting your Viking agent or Travel agent for deviation/stopover cities and prices. We also have an extensive blog article on booking your Viking Cruise that includes a more thorough explanation of all of these options.

11. Should I plan a pre/post extension of my itinerary?

Our philosophy is, if you are traveling such a long way to a destination you may never return to, then why not stretch your stay a few days on either end. You can arrange the extension completely on your own or you can purchase the extensions from Viking. It will probably be less expensive to do it all yourself, but for many people, the idea of having Viking take care of it all is appealing.

The advantages of arranging your extensions with Viking is that Viking will be there every step of the way. Since your entire itinerary is with Viking, all transfers and hotels are included, and breakfast is usually provided each morning. Most extensions will include at least one tour and a Viking concierge desk will be available most of the day in the hotel lobby to assist you.

For more information on extensions with Viking versus planing your own, check out our article on this subject.

Planning a pre-extension may also offer you a little protection in case your flight or luggage gets delayed. Without a pre-extension, you could be flying in on the same day that your ship leaves port. So if you are significantly delayed, or your luggage doesn’t make it, you are going to be in stress mode trying to get you or your luggage caught up to the ship. Obviously you will have a much better chance of getting your luggage and beginning your cruise on time if you arrive a couple of days earlier. If your flight does get delayed, you still may miss a little bit of your pre-extension, but at least you won’t miss the ship.

TIP: If you are worried about your luggage getting lost or delayed, try going light with just carry on. Our blog, Tips for Packing Light, will provide information to help you.

12. What if I want to arrive early or stay later, does that affect the cost of my Viking Airfare?

If you decide to plan your own extensions but still use Viking Air, the airfare does not change. But there is a charge for the deviation or stopover.  The costs vary by destination, so check with Viking or your Travel Agent.

13. How might my cruise be diverted/delayed?

Many passengers do not realize how certain weather conditions or water levels can effect a cruise and cause it to be delayed or to miss ports. Most of the time these conditions are out of the control of Viking, as Mother Nature is unpredictable. But here are a few scenarios to consider.

River Cruises – One of the most common issues on a river is the water level either being too high or too low. Low water is easy to understand, if water levels are too low, the ship will hit bottom. But high water can mean the ship is too high to pass under bridges. In some cases, the cruise lines can work around the issue by positioning a different ship at a location beyond the point of high or low water. This solution results in a bit of inconvenience, since passengers will have to pack and un-pack again on the new ship. If this solution is not possible, the cruise line may have to bus passengers for longer distances and passengers may even have to spend nights in hotels rather than on their cruise ship.

There are also many locks on some of the rivers. There are occasions when locks are damaged, or maintenance on the locks forces them to close. If the ship is unable to traverse the lock, then they will try the strategy of positioning another ship beyond the closed lock.

Ocean Cruises – The most likely cause for an Ocean ship to miss a port is due to rough waters and/or high winds. This may keep a ship from making port, or leaving port for a day or more. Sometimes when there are extreme tides, ships may not be able to make port at all and will be forced to skip a port or sail to an alternate port.

Missing any part of a cruise is a cause for dissatisfaction and disappointment for the passengers, but the cruise line must balance the expectation of its passengers with ensuring their safety. And fortunately, safety always has the upper hand.

The other potential issue that can cause delays to either type of vessel is some type of ship failure or maintenance issue. Although not as common, this can happen and remedies will be contingent on the specific problem and the time required for addressing the problem.

Hopefully this article sheds some light on the questions that you may have regarding a Viking cruise. Do you have any other questions that we can answer? If there is anything else that you would like to know or if you have any information that you would like to share, be sure to leave us a note in the comments section below.