Why Viking>Viking Advantages

Elegant, Comfortable Ships

Viking ships are Scandinavian in design, with open, airy interiors by famed maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten. Guests enjoy all the amenities they might expect in a fine hotel, plus expansive, panoramic views throughout.

Spacious Accommodations

Every stateroom has an “outside” river view with a sitting area near the window or balcony for viewing, and on every ship, most windows open to the fresh air. Enjoy the comfort of hotel-style beds with European comforters and duvets, and satellite television with CNN and other programming.

Classic, Gourmet Cuisine

Enjoy sumptuous breakfasts and gourmet lunches and dinners with Viking. Created by European and celebrity chefs, our menus incorporate regional specialties with American fare to delight the most discriminating palate. While meals are casual, open-seating affairs, the atmosphere is always elegant.

Consistently Excellent Service

Wherever we sail, you enjoy the same standard of service—because we manage it all: nautical, technical, catering, sightseeing and guides. We operate all vessels ourselves, with headquarters in Switzerland and offices in both Russia and China.

Deep Cultural Enrichment

With Viking, you explore the places you visit with expert Program Directors who provide background, context and a regional perspective. Demonstrations, lectures and workshops supplement your on-shore exploration. All this adds up to a personalized, in-depth experience wherever you travel with Viking.

All-Inclusive Packages

Your fare covers meals, shore excursions, lectures and cultural performances; it also covers hotel accommodations during city portions of “cruisetour” itineraries. And when you purchase air travel through Viking, we transfer you to and from the airport, ship and hotels at no additional charge.

Great Travel Value

Due to our close relationships with air carriers, you can get a great deal on airfare with Viking. Of course, the included transfers to ship and hotel save you even more. And enjoy additional savings by reserving early (Early Booking Incentive), traveling with us more than once and referring your friends—you can even earn free travel by putting together a group.

The World of Viking

Because we travel along the major rivers of Europe, Russia and China, Viking offers the widest possible variety of destinations. Experience world cities like Budapest, Kiev, St. Petersburg and Shanghai, immersing yourself in local culture in the smaller towns along the way.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

It is no surprise that 99.8% of our passengers have rated their overall Viking experience as far above, above, or met expectations. We are so confident you will be delighted that we guarantee it. See "The Viking Standard" for details.

High Ratings From Those Who Know

We have consistently placed high on competitive rankings like Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List, Reader’s Choice and Best Small Ships awards; and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best. Meanwhile, travel agents have honored us with awards including TravelAge West’s “Editor’s Choice” and Travel Weekly’s #1 River Cruise Line. And Viking is featured in the 2008 edition of National Geographic’s The 10 Best of Everything.

Just Announced!

Viking River Cruises has once again been recognized by readers of Travel + Leisure as one of the “Top 10 Small-Ship Cruise Lines” in its 13th annual “World’s Best” awards. In this poll, readers rank their favorite travel providers based on their own recent travel experiences. We are especially proud to be ranked above any other dedicated river cruise line in this category.

Stunning Jewels in Europe

Our biggest news is the launch of Viking Legend, which joins our European fleet carrying passengers on the popular Grand European Tour itinerary. Built to debut in 2009, this beautiful state-of-the-art vessel transports just 196 guests in deluxe staterooms with either French balconies or picture windows. Also sailing the Rhine, Viking Sun and Viking Helvetia exemplify cutting-edge river cruise ship design, complete with French balconies.

Best River Ships in Russia

We have dramatically upgraded our Russian fleet—Viking Surkov offers deluxe staterooms throughout, including suites and singles, and Viking Kirov joins her in 2009 after a full renovation. These are the best river cruise ships in Russia.

State-of-the-Art on the Yangtze

Our China ship, Viking Century Sun, is clearly the best on the Yangtze River, featuring a balcony in every stateroom—so you never miss a view. This glorious vessel has full Western-style kitchens for a variety of delectable cuisine, and Swiss hotel management brings the Viking standards of service, cleanliness and excellence to the Far East. Famed maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten, known for their work with several leading ocean cruise lines, designed this stellar ship for Viking. And the China National Tourism Office has awarded it their highest 5-star rating.

Sail Aboard a Fine Hotel

Our ships have Scandinavian-influenced interiors designed to be sleek, comfortable and uncluttered in appearance. Furnishings are crafted of fine woods; fabrics are wools, cashmeres, cottons and linens in a neutral palette well-suited to river travel. Perhaps the most important surfaces are made of clear glass—because you won’t want to miss any of the passing scenery. Every ship features an impressive observation lounge with panoramic windows. Restaurants surround diners with large picture windows. Or, you may dispense with glass altogether: the sun deck always provides fantastic 360° views. Many of our ships have spacious atrium-style lobby areas where guests are greeted and assisted during their voyage. Each ship also offers a cozy library stocked with the latest itinerary-specific reading materials. Some have a spa, beauty salon, physician or even a tailor.

Built for the World’s Great Rivers

Viking ships are dedicated and “purpose-built” for the rivers they travel. Their size and shape fit perfectly when going through narrow passages or river lock systems, and the wheelhouses of our European ships actually descend to allow passage under bridges. And most Viking ships that navigate the Main-Danube Canal have a promenade deck, allowing passengers the great benefit of being outdoors throughout the 106-mile passage.

Spacious Staterooms

You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that Viking staterooms compare to those of ocean cruise ships. For one thing, every stateroom is an “outside” stateroom—with a river view through a picture window. Many windows open on all of our ships, and some are full-sized sliding doors known as French balconies. Most staterooms are deluxe, which means they have hotel-style beds with European linens and duvets. There is plenty of closet space and a place to stow your bags once you have unpacked. All rooms have a private bath with shower, while most also have their own climate control system and telephone. Stateroom TVs offer CNN and other English-language programming-as well as region-specific movies and documentaries.

Little Things That Count

Your Viking stateroom is a home away from home, and we want to make sure it feels that way. You will find quality amenities including robes and slippers, wooden clothes hangers and a vanity set. From the books in our libraries to the music in our lounges, we pay attention to the details.

Free Wireless Internet Access

For 2009, all Viking ships in Europe have ship-wide wireless internet access via newly installed satellite downlinks. Bring a laptop or rent one of our computers to check your email and stay in touch with friends and family. And on our China and Russia ships you will find an internet café, equipped with computers for usage at a nominal charge.

Variety to Suit Every Palate

For breakfast, choose from a delectable array of healthful and tasty options including a variety of cereals, European pastries, breakfast meats, fresh fruit and selected cheeses. Or you may prefer a hot dish, like pancakes or an omelet made just the way you like it. At lunch, select from the soup and sandwich bar, or choose an entrée and dessert from the day’s luncheon menu.

For dinner, a five-course gourmet menu awaits—with regional specialties like Viennese schnitzel and Barbary duck. On our China cruisetours, enjoy one of celebrity chef Martin Yan’s Chinese delights, as well as Western-style favorites like roast beef or poached salmon. And if none of these meet your preference, then grilled steak, chicken and Caesar salad are always available as dinner options—all prepared in our state-of-the-art onboard kitchens.

Local Culinary Specialties

If an itinerary has included meals ashore, you will visit restaurants carefully selected by Viking’s in-country staff—where you can sample regional favorites, like Peking duck in Beijing or a traditional German lunch in Rothenburg. And wherever you sail, you’ll find enhancements reflecting your itinerary, from Dutch cheese sampling to Russian tea time, French wines and quiches, or a Chinese tea tasting. These culinary delights are a central part of experiencing the region’s cultural distinctions.

Casual Dining in Elegant Style

Our restaurants are designed for single-seating meals—and you can sit anywhere you like, which is a great way to meet new friends. But dining is always an elegant experience, with crisp tablecloth linens, sparkling china and crystal, contemporary cutlery and special touches like flowers and candles. Not to mention impeccable service!

Rigorous Staff Training

We have high standards for the English-speaking crews onboard our ships. We personally recruit all of our staff members, from your stateroom steward and waiter, to hotel managers and Program Directors. Proprietary training programs are implemented by our Swiss management team to ensure we always provide the level of service you would find in a fine hotel. All these things make Viking a highly desirable employer, with a strong retention rate among our staff.

Extensive Local Experience

Our senior staff brings deep experience to make sure your trip with Viking measures up. For instance, our management team in China has spent decades helping Americans see the region. And our guides there have an average of 10 to 20 years of experience showing people their country. The head of Viking land operations in Europe is a multilingual European native with nearly 20 years in the business, plus experience as a local guide, tour director, event coordinator and cruise manager. Overall, the Viking team brings you a level of expertise other companies cannot match.

Great Service, Guaranteed

As the only river cruise line to guarantee its award-winning service, we are committed to making your vacation the best ever. Should you be dissatisfied with our service upon first check-in (hotel or onboard ship) including food, personnel or shore excursions, please notify us within 24 hours of the start of your cruisetour. We then have 24 hours to correct the situation. In the unlikely event that a solution is not possible, you may depart as soon as is feasible and 100% of your cruise price will be refunded.

Immersive Shore Excursions

Imagine wandering the halls of the Hermitage Museum in Russia’s St. Petersburg, sampling the fine wines of French Burgundy in colorful Beaune, or strolling the courtyards of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. Perhaps you will pull a print in Mainz, Germany from the exact same type of press that Johannes Gutenberg used when he created the original 42-line printed Bible, or marvel at the incredible dexterity of a Chinese artist crafting fine porcelain wares.

When traveling with Viking, you enjoy at least one shore excursion every day. These guided tours bring you closer to the culture, people and history of your destinations—and virtually all excursions are included in the cruise fare, providing great value and an incredibly rich experience. In most ports, you will also have some leisure time for shopping or whatever suits your fancy. And of course, if you would prefer not to join the organized shore excursion you’re always free to explore as you choose—independently.

Never Miss a Word

With our Quietvox tour headphones, there are no worries about missing any of the interesting details on your shore excursions. This popular program provides personal headsets for all travelers. A lightweight portable receiver is easily clipped to your belt or slipped into a pocket, and a comfortable headset with individual volume control allows you to hear your guide’s comments no matter where you are standing. Individual volume controls make every place on your tour the ‘best seat in the house.’

Old World Highlights

Not only will you have an enriching experience ashore, but you also learn about your destinations during each cruise. Our Old World Highlights program is designed to complement Viking shore excursions with additional learning and enhancement: language lessons, hands-on cuckoo clock-making demonstrations, classes in cooking local specialties like our apple strudel workshop, seminars on Russian history and culture, or a Tai Chi lesson from a Chinese master—offered on deck as you cruise through the Yangtze morning mist. These in-depth experiences are included as an essential part of discovering more about the places through which you cruise, and each activity is planned specifically to illuminate each itinerary.

Culture Curriculum

Sometimes you want to dig a little deeper. We offer a series of onboard multimedia talks to shed light on the history and culture of the places you visit. Learn about the Dutch Masters or various painters in France’s Seine region while traveling through Europe, the fall of Communism in Russia, or the importance of China’s dynasties while sailing along the Yangtze River.

Expert Program Directors

Our Program Directors have been selected for their comprehensive knowledge of the regions where we sail. But, they also have uncanny people skills, tending to the needs of our guests from the first moment through the end of every Viking journey.

Travel Companion Books

We provide each guest with a complimentary Travel Companion book. Each one contains information about the region and destinations, local stories and legends, and a kilometer-by-kilometer guide listing locations and attractions along the river—with space for your own notes.

We Manage Everything

Best of all, there is no need to do research or make arrangements in advance. We take care of all the details—transportation, reservations, entry fees and more. You return home enriched with wonderful memories.

A frequent comment about ocean cruise lines is that so many things are not included. But with Viking, your fare includes just about everything—from meals, enrichment lectures and shore excursions to hotel accommodations on our “cruisetour” itineraries. A Viking vacation is an excellent travel value.

Dining Aboard and On Shore

Classic cuisine is yours on board our ships, with gourmet specialties from the regions where we sail, as well as Western-style favorites. If your itinerary includes meals ashore, restaurants have been selected to represent local culinary delights.

Shore Excursions

Many of the highlights of a Viking trip are found on our guided tours. You’ll be immersed in local culture on an excursion every day, and virtually all of these activities are included.

Performances & Demonstrations

Viking itineraries feature cultural events—such as a Chinese acrobatic performance or a Dutch wooden shoe carving demonstration. Nearly all of these enriching experiences are also included.

Onboard Lectures

Our new Culture Curriculum lectures focus on the history of the regions through which we sail, with topics ranging from the painters of the Seine to the Russian economy. They are another facet of our all-inclusive package.

Hotel Accommodations

Viking “cruisetour” packages include overnight stays in major cities. In Europe, we offer quality hotels in central locations, and in China our guests stay at 5-star properties such as Westin, Raffles and others.

Optional Excursions

You can also take advantage of occasional options that do cost a bit extra. If these experiences sound right for you, they are worth every penny. Here are just a few examples:
• Attend a classical concert in Vienna
• Take a World War II history tour in Nuremberg
• Savor a Moselle Valley wine-tasting journey
• Visit Moscow’s State Tretyakov Gallery
• Enjoy an opera in Odessa, Ukraine