Viking River Cruises
Is This Your Business?Author: Kalicia Bateman
LAST UPDATED: February 13th, 2020
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The Good
- Unique experience
- Amenities
- Onboard entertainment
Unique Experience
The company's longships feature a Scandinavian design and are designed for river cruising. These vessels offer all-outside cabins and several dining venues. The Aquavit Terrace aboard the ships operates as an indoor restaurant and lounge. Dining is al-fresco, with cuisine that ranges from formal to light fare. Soda and alcoholic beverages are served complimentary to guests at dinner time.Amenities
Many of the Viking River Cruises' ships contain French verandahs, sundecks, and cozy libraries. Panoramic views can be enjoyed in the lounges. Cabins provide private bathrooms, safes, telephones, and flat screen televisions. Explorer suites feature a private wraparound balcony, with 270 degree views. Free ship wide Internet Service is provided to all guests. Standard amenities found onboard Viking River cruise ships include:- Explorer Suites with French Balconies and Modern Amenities
- Spacious Veranda Staterooms
- Aquavit Terrace
- Observation Lounge and Bar
- Contemporary Cuisine Restaurant
- Atrium
- Sundeck
- Library
- Shopping Boutique
- Personal Safe
- Life Jackets
- Fire Extinguisher
- Emergency Hammer
Onboard Entertainment
Onboard entertainment options are designed to help passengers learn more about the culture of the regions they are visiting. The ships also offer local musicians and themed dinners that offer regional specialties. The company also offers one complimentary choice of shore excursion and a wide selection of other choices for an additional charge. Some ships also have pools and hot tubs. Other entertainment options include cooking classes, traditional dance performances, and hands-on demonstrations. Sundecks aboard the ship provide a 360-degree view. They are also equipped with an organic herb garden, solar panels, putting green, and walking track. A boutique is onboard for shoppers as well as an atrium. The dress code onboard is casual and comfortable, and guests are encouraged to wear layers due to the unpredictability of the weather. Guests are also encouraged to bring raincoats and umbrellas. Passengers will also want to bring a good pair of comfortable walking shoes.The Bad
- Unreliable internet
- Crowded and noisy
- Lacking some services
Unreliable Internet
Internet service is unreliable at times aboard the ship. During certain points in the journey, Internet and cellular services has trouble connecting to satellites. The company recommends that guests only check and send email rather than surfing the Web or trying to download large files.Crowded and Noisy
Lounges and dining areas can get extremely crowded and noisy. The lounges have poor acoustics and guests have had a hard time being able to get a seat or carry on a conversation when the ship is at full capacity. Guests who want to avoid the long lines at dinner may choose to eat at the Aquavit Terrace, but the menu is limited to burgers, pastas, club sandwiches, and baked potatoes. Wine is free at both lunch and dinner, but guests are offered the same red or white wine at every meal.Lacking some Services
Laundry is provided aboard the ship for an extra charge. Clothes cannot be dry-cleaned. The ship does not offer a fitness center, sauna, or bicycles due to the owner's belief that the tours themselves provided plenty of physical exercise. Therefore, the space that these items would take up would be better used for more cabin space. This is unfortunate for those who enjoy working out, and these individuals may want to consider choosing another cruise line that offers these amenities.Expensive
The cruises are expensive overall for many travelers with cruise prices ranging from $1,699-$6,299 per person, excluding tips. The suggested gratuity price is 13 Euros or $15 USD per person daily. Expect your cruise to cost around $500 a day for a seven day cruise, including tips. This does not take into account offshore excursions and additional purchases.Taxes, fees, and port expenses are also extra depending on the voyage selected. Service fees charged for additional features include:- Laundry Services
- Ship Computer Usage
The Bottom Line
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Review Source
Edith O'Halloran Englewood, CO
Viking River Cruises are the best value for my money. They provide great food and drink that represent the areas that you are traveling through.
They offer different on shore activities that will accommodate anyones tastes to learn about the areas that you travel through.
To travel with Viking you are guaranteed the very best in lectures and demonstrations offered from the different areas you travel through.
Viking offers more per customer that any cruse lines and their staff is very highly trained at filling and accommodating to insure that their customers are having an enjoyable and memorable experience.
The accommodations are very comfortable and clean. Every room has a view.
The dining experience with the wines that compliment the foods is very enjoyable, the staff is highly trained at filling the requests from the customers to the best of what is available.
6 years ago
Larry Heaton Bountiful, UT
This review is for Viking Ocean Cruises. My wife and I have sailed on most of the major cruise lines but once you sai on Viking, a higher standard is set. Every detail of your voyage is provided to perfection. Don’t pass up Viking for a whole new level of cruising.
This
7 years ago
Review Source
Tom Gourley Pleasant Grove, UT
Viking offers a reasonably priced river cruise with few extras. For a value-priced cruise this is a good option but for more "extras" and higher quality there are other cruises available that might be more satisfying. The rooms are okay but not fancy and the shore excursions are nice but not exceptional.
6 years ago
Mike Tierney
Beautiful ship, lousy customer service. Changed itinerary for no apparent reason but would not allow cost free cancellation.
7 years ago
james pettinelli
Great accomadations, great service, real good food, they show a caring attitude
8 years ago
