Viking River Cruise - What's Included vs. What's Not in 2026
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
Viking River Cruises have two restaurants, the main dining room, which is also called the restaurant, and a casual indooroutdoor venue, typically called the Aquave Terrace on most ships.
Viking offers at least one included shore excursion at each port of call. Sometimes there's more than one to choose from.
Wireless internet access is included in the fair on all ships sailing in Europe, Egypt, and on the Mississippi River.
While there is a lot included in a Viking River cruise, there are several things that will cost you extra.
Creator's Tips & Advice
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Thinking about a Viking River Cruise, but not sure what your fare actually covers? We're breaking down exactly what's included in your Viking cruise fare — meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and more — plus every extra cost you need to budget for before you book. 💲Save BIG with MEI-Travel cruise deals: https://bookmeicruise.com/?apid=escy 🌎Save Up to 40% On Shore Excursions: https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1603014 Up Next: 13 Things Smart Cruisers are Doing on Boarding Day 2026: https://youtu.be/wuwrsyTSmz4 Subscribe to the Eat Sleep Cruise YouTube Channel if you love to travel and cruise the world! https://www.youtube.com/@Eatsleepcruise1 🛳️ FREE CRUISE PLANNING GUIDE: https://eatsleepcruise.com/cruise-planning-guide What's included on a Viking River Cruise — and what's going to cost you extra? 🛏️ STATEROOMS Viking river ships have no interior cabins. Every guest gets a window or balcony, which is a meaningful difference from most ocean cruise lines. Cabin categories range from standard staterooms with French balconies up to full suites. Suite guests get extra perks including complimentary laundry, a stocked minibar, and early stateroom access on embarkation day. 🍽️ DINING The Restaurant serves multi-course breakfast, lunch, and dinner with regional dishes and classic options always available. The Aquavit Terrace runs as a buffet at breakfast and lunch, then flips to sit-down service at dinner. Room service is not available on Viking river ships, except a continental option for Explorer Suite guests. 🥂 DRINKS Beer, wine, and soda are included at mealtimes. Cocktails and spirits cost extra at any time of day. The Silver Spirits Beverage Package runs $27 per person, per day and covers craft cocktails, global beers, select wines and spirits, and mocktails. Here's the insider tip: Viking has one of the most lenient BYOB policies in cruising. You can bring unlimited wine, beer, and spirits aboard — including from ports — with no corkage fees. Budget roughly $200 to $400 per person for drinks and local food purchases, more if you love regional wines and spirits. 🚢 ONBOARD EXPERIENCE Don't expect Vegas-style entertainment. Viking's focus is the destination, and the onboard programming reflects that. Expect live music, port talks, guest lectures, cooking demonstrations, and performances from local artists and musicians. It's a thoughtfully curated experience built around education and culture. ⚓ SHORE EXCURSIONS At least one included excursion is offered at every port, typically a short walking or bus tour of the highlights. Premium tours — wine tastings, cooking classes, museum visits, bicycle tours — cost extra. Budget around $1,000 per person for an 8 to 10-day itinerary. You can also explore ports independently using the free maps and port cards Viking provides. 💰 WHAT COSTS EXTRA Daily gratuities are $20 per person, per night and are not included in the fare. Travel insurance is not included — we recommend shopping third-party plans through a comparison site. Laundry service is valet-only and charged per item (suites excluded). Shopping on board and in port is of course at your own expense. #VikingRiverCruise #VikingCruise #RiverCruise #VikingRiverCruises #CruiseTips #RiverCruising #WhatIsIncluded #EuropeanRiverCruise #VikingCruises #CruisePlanning #EatSleepCruise What’s Included in Viking River Cruise 0:00 Viking River Cruises: What’s Included and What Costs Extra 0:27 Onboard Accommodations 1:56 Viking River Cruise Dining 2:28 Viking River Cruise Drinks 2:59 Onboard Amenities and Entertainment 4:29 Viking Shore Excursions 5:28 Viking River Cruise Wi-Fi 6:28 Viking Air Transfers 6:46 Viking River Cruise Guests and Dress Code 8:40 What Costs Extra on Viking River Cruises 9:01 Alcohol and Beverage Costs 10:28 Optional Shore Excursions 11:47 Gratuities and Tipping 13:07 Laundry and Shopping -------TRENDING VIDEOS FROM EAT SLEEP CRUISE------ What We Wish We Knew Before Taking a River Cruise: https://youtu.be/2KFoGibInSE Is a Veranda on Viking River Cruise Worth It? https://youtu.be/2KFoGibInSE We Tried a Viking River Cruise in our 40s- Here's What it was Like: https://youtu.be/isAHQAi9CjE Join us on Social Media as we “Sea the World, One Port at a Time.” Instagram: https://instagram.com/EatSleepCruise Facebook: https://facebook.com/EatSleepCruise Twitter: https://twitter.com/EatSleepCruise TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatsleepcruise Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/EatSleepCruise Question – Have you take a Viking River Cruise? Affiliate link: Some links above may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Disclaimer: This video is not sponsored. Some links may be affiliate links. This video breaks down exactly what's part of your Viking cruise and what will cost you extra. We share insider river cruise tips to ensure you're one step ahead, making your European river cruise an amazing experience. Get the best travel tips for your next adventure!