When most cruise lines are building bigger and more over-the-top ships offering a multitude of experiences to a broad spectrum of ages, Viking Ocean provides you with all that you need, and nothing you do not. Things NOT found on Viking Ocean that other cruise lines may have:

• No casinos
• No children under 18
• No umbrella drinks
• No photographers
• No art auctions
• No charge for beer & wine at lunch & dinner
• No charge for alternative restaurants
• No charge for unlimited Wi-Fi
• No charge for use of launderettes
• No entrance fee for The Spa
• No spa sales pressure
• No inside staterooms
• No smoking
• No waiting in lines
• No formal nights, butlers or white gloves
• No nickel and diming

No. While your ship does not have any fitness equipment, feel free to walk the Sun Deck for your daily exercise, or take part in our shore excursions and walking tours. In many major cities, you may access nearby First-Class hotels and use their Fitness Center and Spa facilities as part of Viking’s relationship with those hotels. See your onboard Concierge for details.

Viking River:

Dress during the day is casual including shorts (if the season is warm), trousers or jeans and comfortable shoes for walking tours. There are no “formal nights” and recommended evening dress is “elegant casual” such as a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse for ladies; for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. Ties and jackets are optional. We suggest you pack comfortable walking shoes, dressier shoes, a collapsible umbrella/lightweight rain gear; items you can layer like lightweight jackets/sweaters; sunglasses, a sun hat/visor, sunscreen; and toiletries including a travel-sized hand sanitizer. Depending on the season and destination, you may also want to add a warm coat, gloves and water-resistant footwear.

Viking Ocean:

During the day, dress is casual including shorts (if the season is warm), slacks or jeans and comfortable shoes for walking tours. Swimsuits, brief shorts, cover-ups and exercise attire should be reserved for the Fitness Center, pool areas and Sports Deck. There are no “formal nights” in the evening; evening dress is “elegant casual” for all dining venues, performances and special events. On these occasions, required attire for ladies includes a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. A tie and jacket are optional; jeans are not permitted. The evening dress excludes World Café where the dress remains casual after 6 p.m.

Viking’s onboard staff is dedicated to providing you with the best cruise experience possible, and it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service. How much you choose to tip is a personal matter and completely at your discretion. From the Hotel Manager to receptionists, from restaurant servers to housekeeping, Viking’s onboard staff are 100% dedicated to serving all guests.

Tips are not included in your cruise price, but are a voluntary way of showing satisfaction for good service. You may tip onboard staff in cash if you like, or you may charge your tips to your credit card at the end of the cruise (everywhere except Egypt, Southeast Asia and Portugal). These gratuities are distributed among the ship’s staff. The Tour Escorts or Program Directors that travel with you do not share in the onboard staff gratuities. It is customary to tip them separately in cash. You may also wish to tip your local excursion guides or driver; we suggest doing so in cash at the end of each tour.

To save you worry over whom to tip and how much on Viking Ocean voyages, Viking automatically adds a discretionary hotel and dining charge of $15.00 per guest, per day to your shipboard account, which appears on your final invoice at the end of your cruise. This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide your cruise experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff and others. (Please note this charge excludes bar gratuity; a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs.) Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts or pay in cash, just stop by the Explorers’ Desk at any time.

Every stateroom has a pair of binoculars. All staterooms bathrooms are equipped with soap, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. A hair dryer is also provided, and irons are available in the complimentary launderette. Dry cleaning service is available too.

No. With Viking Inclusive Cruising there is no additional fee should you wish to dine in one of the alternative restaurants, such as Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant or The Chef’s Table.

Yes. Viking Ocean Cruises boasts a fleet of new, all-veranda, state-of-the-art ocean ships. Each identical sister ship carries only 930 guests and is engineered at a scale that allows direct access into most ports. No matter which itinerary you select, you'll be guaranteed a contemporary, consistent experience on every small-to-mid-sized ship.

Every aspect of your Viking cruise is designed for the curious traveler seeking rich cultural immersion: on shore, on board, as well as pre- and post-travel.

On Shore: The Viking Way of exploration takes you deeper, offering behind-the-scenes insights and opportunities. While Viking always includes the expected and iconic, such as visits to renowned museums and notable landmarks, they also go beyond, offering Local Life, Working World and optional Privileged Access experiences in places otherwise difficult to visit.

On Board: Every detail on board a Viking ship is meant to enrich and enhance your travel experience, helping you fully immerse yourself in the rich cultures you are visiting. From a thoughtfully curated library and the insights of guest lecturers to cooking demonstrations with chefs and wine tastings of vintages from your destinations, Viking helps you connect to your destination in every possible way.

Pre- & Post-Travel: Looking for inspiration and perspective before you depart on your Viking voyage? Online filmography, a comprehensive list of movies sure to complement your travel experience and a variety of reading recommendations, cultural profiles and videos will help you delve more deeply into your destinations—all produced to provide insight into different world cultures and to inspire you once traveling.