VIKING CRUISE LINE REVIEW
Explore the world's greatest rivers in grand comfort on a Viking "Long Ship."

If you're reading this introduction to Viking River Cruises, you've probably never before taken a river cruise.
But, you've probably heard of Viking River Cruises from a friend, through their many TV and internet ads, or a brochure sent to your home. If so, you now have a good idea of how appealing and affordable a Viking river cruise can be... the only thing you may not know is how exciting, informative and fun they are.

Is a Viking River cruise the one you should book?
Ultimately, that will be up to you, and our very experienced Premier team is here to assist you with that decision. What we try to do throughout our website is to objectively review every river cruise line offering and tell you about their culture, product delivery, ships and overall cruise experience. The same goes for Viking. Please read this review and take look at the Viking videos. After that, it is then best to call or email one of our river cruise experts (All agents have at least 20 years of cruise experience.) We can talk with you and learn about your needs, wants, desires and your past travel experiences. As we glean the answers to those questions from you, it wll be easy to determine if a Viking river cruise is the perfect match for you.

The decision-making process becomes even easier, when you consider their overall product quality, cruise destinations, and our special Viking offers.
With its great lineage from the fabled ocean cruise line, Royal Viking Line, Viking is the largest river cruise line in the world sailing the greatest rivers in Europe, Russia, China, and their Mekong River cruise itinerary in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Viking River Cruises' "long ship" concept is a winner!
If you're an ardent follower of Viking, or even a new river cruise candidate, you may know that in 2013, Viking introduced their new, state-of-the-art 190-passenger "Long Ship" concept in Europe. These new, very contemporarily-designed ships sold out faster than we've ever seen any ship sell. Since then, due to very high demand, Viking has launched about 50 more "Long Ships" throughout Europe along the Rhine and Danube Rivers. To ply Portugal's enchanting Douro River and France's Seine, Rhone/Saone, and Dordogne rivers, they launched slightly smaller long-ship versions which maneuver better on these picturesque rivers. On Germany's fabled Elbe River, whose water level can really get low, Viking launched two, shallow-draft "Long Ships" to specifically sail that river. Wow; they have great ships for every river! If you're curious about the basic long-ship design, take a look at this Long Ship Deck Plan.

Viking operates more than 75 remarkable, very comfortable, non-smoking "Long Ships" that are reflective of their Scandinavian heritage. You could describe the ships as "minimalist" in their design, as it is not over the top with "bling" as are some ships. The long ships have an open, airy design with an easy-to-manage flow. We find them to really be a great deal more beautiful and much warmer than any of Viking's or our Premier images show. During a recent visit on board the Heimdal which does the Rhone and Saone rivers of France, we had more time to explore the vessel and were delighted with some of the recent changes to the furnishings and decor. To be candid, the use of woods, fabrics and light colors is really well done, and very easy on the eye.

All of the public areas are understated, but rich woods do give the ships a very nice, warm feeling that transcends simple scandinavian decor. The dining room and lounge are striking, and while they don't offer too many tables for two (by design) they are extremely comfortable and the view is enhanced with truly large, almost floor-to-ceiling windows which — during breakfast and lunch — brighten the room and allow you to view the many enchanting riverscapes.

Our favorite design element (unique to Viking), is how they use their Aquavit Terrace. It is located in front of the main lounge and serves as an alternate dining venue for all three meals and snacks. With ample indoor and delightful outdoor seating, Viking truly manages this room in the correct way, probably better than almost any other river cruise line. Unlike other ships, you can ejoy the Aquavit Terrace without all of the clutter and nautical gear found at the front of most other river ships. It truly is a big, big plus for Viking and we encourage you to enjoy a lighter meal and/or snacks on the Terrace. Many of our returning guests enjoy the fact that it is even more casual than the dining room and that you can even order items from the dining room menu, served to you by their wonderful wait staff on the "Terrace."

Continue reading the Viking Cruise Line review below.

'Solo' Travelers — Viking DOES NOT offer special fares for Solo Travelers. To help you get started planning your "Solo" vacation, call and speak to a cruise expert at 855.255.1200, toll free, or submit a 'Get A Quick Quote' for a "Solo" river or small ship cruise — we'll contact you right away to help you select and plan a perfect cruise vacation. For the most Solo-friendly cruise lines, please read our article, "River & Small Ship Cruising for "Solo" Travelers"

Well-designed staterooms and suites.
All staterooms and indulgent suites enjoy river views from large picture windows and French or full balconies. Viking's standard window staterooms, located on the lower of their three decks, feature two (non-opening) windows and are a comfortable 150 or so square feet. While they are on the smallish size, they are well-designed with your comfort foremost in mind. Our favorite staterooms on the long ships are the A or B verandas measuring a very nice 205sf in size; again, very well designed and laid out with beautiful appointments and great bathrooms. If you enjoy suites, the two (only two) Explorer Suites may be the best designed, best appointed and most beautiful of any suites on any river ships. At a whopping 445sf in size, they truly personify what a suite should be. They are located in the rear of the top deck where you can enjoy a wrap-around private veranda with a panoramic 180° view. And ladies, this is the bathroom of all bathrooms on a river ship with the largest shower you'll ever see, in addition to all the bells and whistles you could ever want. When you book one of the Explorer Suites, it comes with complimentary arrival and departure limousine service, unlimited stocked bar and complimentary wines and spirits throughout your cruise... even room service. Please call one of our team to talk about these suites as they are amazing!

One of the critical things that new river cruisers should know before booking a French balcony on any Viking ship is that unlike the other cabin types, these particular staterooms are very, very small. At only 125 square feet in size and that does include your bathroom and closet area they may be too snug for most. If this is your first river cruise, you may want to think twice before booking one of these very snug cabins. We don't think you'll spend a great deal of time in your stateroom, so if budget is a consideration, we would suggest a window stateroom over a Viking French balcony stateroom. To learn more about the various types of river cruise staterooms, Click HERE to read our insightful and informative article on how to select the right stateroom for your next river cruise.

Shipboard lifestyle and amenities.
Viking is best known for providing very nice, consistent and enjoyable cruise vacation experiences aboard contemporary ships, and also for providing guests a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with warm, attentive services. The Viking brand has wide appeal for both experienced river cruisers and those thinking about enjoying their first river cruise. While they are not a luxury cruise line, we’re confident that if you choose to enjoy a Viking river cruise, it will provide you with a delightful and memorable vacation at a good price.

No matter which Viking ship you cruise upon, onboard amenities are plentiful and include hotel-style beds with European linens and duvets, satellite TV (with CNN, BBC, and a variety of other programs), and spacious public areas. Aboard ship, breakfast and lunch are served buffet style; dinner is sit-down. The dinner menu features regional specialties combined with American fare prepared by a European-trained culinary team that is guaranteed to serve cuisine that will please anyone’s palate. All meals are enjoyed in the relaxed, casual atmosphere of the ship’s dining room and served by a warm, friendly wait staff.

A last note on amenities... One of the other features we enjoyed on Viking was that they have self-service expresso, coffee, and tea stations situated throughout the ship, not just in one spot, which means you're never far away from a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea.

Shore excursions and onboard guest lecturers.
While Viking ships are a destination in and of themselves, the main purpose of a river cruise is to experience the cities, towns and villages located along the rivers. At least one complimentary, guided shore excursion or walking tour is included each day of your cruise. With Viking’s Quietvox tour audio system you’ll never have to worry about missing any of the fascinating details during your excursions. In Europe, multi-cultural, multi-lingual Program Directors on board each ship provide expert contextual background on the local culture and history of each specific cruise region. In China, guides have anywhere from 10 to 20 years of experience showing guests their country. Additional in-depth experiences are also available on board including such hands-on activities as glass-blowing, cooking lessons, tai chi, learning about the Dutch Masters, and even the fall of Communism from on board guest lecturers.

Viking river cruise destinations and itineraries.
Guests cruising with Viking in Europe can choose from classic itineraries including: Tulip Time cruises; a traditional Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Basel; an enchanting Danube River cruise; or, one of Viking’s exclusive Elbe River cruises which departs from the incredible city of Berlin, traversing much of the former East German Republic, and ends up in fabulous Prague, the “City of Spires.” For more in depth information on Prague, please read the current Spotlight Series article on this wonderful city.

Douro River Cruises. Viking offers a delightful cruise on Portugal's remarkable Douro River, also known as the "River of Gold." Sailing almost year-round, this 10-day cruise sails roundtrip from the Port wine capital of the world, Oporto. The cruise itself is seven, fun-packed exciting nights aboard the intimate new Hemming or Torgil. In addition to the cruise, Viking includes a deluxe 2-night hotel package in Lisbon, the "City of Seven Hills." Lisbon is one of the least known, but most enjoyable cities in Europe. When you book with Premier, we'll tell you about the best restaurants and some little-known short trips outside of Lisbon to quaint medieval villages that you just will not believe. Please BOOK VIKING EARLY... even though more ships are now plying the Douro, prime early Summer and Fall dates sell out almost a year in advance. Click HERE to view this exciting itinerary.

France River Cruises. Viking also offers two, traditional 7-night France river cruises. For WWII history buffs, the Paris & Normandy itinerary is a must-do. For those "foodies" and wine lovers among us, a delightful 7-night cruise in Provence on the Rhone and Saone rivers, or a 7-night cruise on the Dordogne River through the vineyard-clad landscape of the famous, world-renowned Bordeaux wine region of western France will more than satisy your taste buds. Sailing each week (March through mid-December), the newer Bordeaux itinerary provides an indepth look at Bordeaux and its enchanting wine-country chateaus. Imagine the culinary treats and the fabulous wines you'll enjoy on one of these wine-focused trips? Viking’s 14-night “France’s Finest” itinerary travels from Paris to Avignon and is certainly one of the most immersive French river cruises you’ll ever enjoy. This itinerary joins the traditional Paris & Normandy cruise with the Burgundy & Provence trip in a seamless way. All of these cruises can be enjoyed on a new Viking "Long Ship."

Southeast Asia River Cruises. Thinking about a dramatic Yangtze River cruise or a fascinating cruise on the Mekong? Without a doubt, Viking has the most extensive selection of China river cruises available. Viking has one of the most popular, in-demand itineraries: “Vietnam and the Mekong River” (One of our favorites!) aboard the very impressive Viking Mekong — a truly remarkable ship in its own right. This beauty, built in the Colonial style, carries only 56 pampered guests on 14-night river cruises along the intriguing Mekong. Before or after the cruise, your trip includes time in Ho Chi Minh City (old Saigon) and Hanoi (By the way, check out our Destination Overview of Vietnam's Ha Long Bay.), both so remarkable you have to be there to believe them. All of our Premier agents have done this cruise, so everyone has first hand experience to help you along the way. Prices are reasonable and we guarantee that when you return home, you'll say this was a "trip of a lifetime." To get in the mood for a trip to China or the Mekong, why not prepare a special entrée created exclusively for Viking guests by one of their premier chefs... click HERE for Viking’s "3-Alarm Firecracker Chicken" recipe. It’s delicious and very easy to prepare!

Optional pre- and post-cruise hotel packages.
While river cruising is a great way to see the world, Viking enhances their itineraries with an extensive collection of optional pre and post hotel packages. Stay 2, 3, or 4 nights in exciting cities such as Budapest, Paris, or Hong Kong. All hotels are first class or deluxe and include daily breakfasts, a tour, transfers to/from your ship, and the services of a local Viking host. Pre and post packages start at just $349pp based on double occupancy, and are a great way to relax and soak up the local atmosphere before your cruise or to unwind after your cruise.

A word to our "Solo" Travelers.
Viking is NOT very solo friendly. By that, we don't mean "solos" are treated poorly; that is certainly not the case. The fact is Viking is always in such high demand, they almost never waive single supplement departures. Solo-friendly cruise lines include AmaWaterways, Uniworld River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, and Tauck. If you're a "Solo" Traveler, your best bet is to call one of our expert "Solo" agents now because we have some great "Solo" offers to tell you about on the above mentioned cruise lines. Or, check out our Solo Hot Deals page as soon as possible. As there are only a few solo-designated staterooms on any ship, they do go very quickly so please book far in advance (A year is not out of the question!).

An award-winning river cruise line.
Viking’s superb efforts have led to numerous travel awards including Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List,” Travel Age West’s "Best Line for River Cruising.” Viking was also featured in a National Geographic book, the “The 10 Best of Everything” by noted author and world traveler Nathaniel Lande, who ranked Viking as #4 for all cruises worldwide. Most recently, Viking has enjoyed winning the "Editors Choice Award" from CruiseCritic, one of the most important online resources for river cruisers.

Ready for a Viking cruise?
Before you get ready to start planning your Viking river cruise, we have two more important points of differentiation between Viking and other river cruise lines... They offer very good early booking discounts that not only offer you incentives on the cruise, but on air flights as well! When you book early, these prices can save you thousands of dollars on many of their itineraries. Secondly, Viking prices include all taxes and fees, so you know the price you’re going to pay and there are no extra add-ons to worry about. Nice touch. Last, but certainly not least, when you pay for your Viking cruise with an "electronic check" you can save an additional 3.3%, too. No doubt about it... savings really add up fast when you book a Viking cruise!

Because of their value-packed offers, it really is necessary that you book early and quickly no matter what river, date, or itinerary you choose to sail. Demand for their value-priced, fun-filled river cruise product ALWAYS exceeds supply! That means that Viking ships sell out faster than most other cruise lines. For the best early booking deals on Viking, call 1-855-255-1200, soon and speak to one of our expert Personal Travel Planners to begin planning your perfect river cruise vacation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Unless otherwise noted, prices and offers are in USD, cruise only per person, based on double occupancy and do not include airfare, taxes or fees. The displayed prices are based on minimum category riverview window stateroom and applicable only to the sailing date(s) shown. Prices for other dates may vary based on the date and stateroom selected. Other than “Hot Deal” offers, price does not reflect any cruise line or Premier savings. Where Premier includes “prepaid tips” in an offer, it applies only to the cruise portion of the trip and not any land portion or shore excursions. To obtain the best price, please use the "Get Quote" button or call one of our river cruise and small ship cruise specialists. Certain discounts or prices may require full payment at the time of booking in order to be eligible. We urge you to book early as river and small ship cruises sell out almost a year in advance. Prices and availability may change without notice and are not guaranteed until a deposit is received and applied to your reservation. Call 1-855-255-1200, for complete details. We reserve the right to correct any informational or typographical errors. ©2010-2023 Premier River Cruises, LLC, a Travel of America Company. All rights reserved worldwide. CST #1015320-40.