Pros and Cons of Viking Cruises: What You Need to Know Before Booking

Considering a cruise with Viking? Before you book your next vacation, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the pros and cons of Viking cruises to help you decide if this premium cruise company is right for you.

Known for their sophisticated Scandinavian design and focus on destinations rather than onboard distractions, Viking has carved out a distinctive niche in the cruise industry. With options spanning river, ocean, and expedition cruises, we’ve tried them all and know firsthand that Viking certainly offers a different cruising experience compared to other mainstream lines.

The Pros of Viking Cruises

1. No Nickel-and-Diming

One of Viking’s most appealing aspects is their inclusive pricing model. In addition to your accommodations, the cruise fare includes all dining venues with no upcharge including specialty restaurants, beer and wine at lunch and dinner, and complimentary WiFi throughout the ship. Guests can also enjoy afternoon tea service, along with 24-hour specialty coffee, tea, and bottled water.

While Viking ships don’t have all the bells and whistles of modern megaships, guests will still have access to self-service laundry, a thermal suite, an outdoor sundeck, a pool, and a gym (not all amenities available on river ships) without any additional fees. There’s also included activities like enrichment lectures and port talks, live music, and local performances.

This transparency in pricing means fewer surprises on your final bill and a more relaxed vacation experience.

2. Adult-Only Ships (18+)

Viking caters exclusively to adults, with no passengers under 18 permitted. This creates a consistently sophisticated atmosphere that many mature travelers appreciate. You won’t encounter children running through hallways or splashing in pools. This also means that entertainment tends to be more subdued and educational.

Viking’s focus in on relaxation and its destinations rather than on thrills. This is true across its fleet of ocean, expedition, and river ships.

3. Smaller Ship Size

Viking’s ocean vessels typically accommodate around 930 passengers, while their river ships host around only 190 guests. These smaller ships can access ports and waterways that larger ships cannot navigate, often docking closer to city centers and reducing transfer times to popular attractions.

This more intimate cruising experience means you’ll never feel lost in a crowd of thousands, creating a more personal connection to both the ship and your fellow travelers.

4. Destination-Focused Itineraries

Unlike many cruise lines that emphasize the onboard experience, Viking places the destinations it visits front and center. Ships often stay in port until late evening or sometimes even overnight, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the local culture and cuisine. This means you’ll spend more time exploring ancient ruins, sampling regional wines, or wandering through local markets rather than rushing back to the ship before all-aboard time.

Overall, Viking’s itineraries try to maximize time in each location with less emphasis on sea days. In fact, many river cruises visit a new port every single day, sometimes more.

For example, during our recent 14-day Into the Midnight Sun voyage, there were only three sea days and two overnight stays.

5. Included Shore Excursion in Every Port

In line with the more inclusive pricing model, every Viking cruise includes at least one complimentary shore excursion option in each port of call. These tours are typically a walking tour or panoramic bus tour that provides a solid introduction to each destination.

While additional excursions are available for a cost, having these included tours adds significant value and ensures that travelers can experience each location without paying any extra.

These tours tend to be 2-3 hours, which still allows plenty of time for self-exploration afterwards.

6. Multiple Cruising Options

Viking offers three distinct cruise experiences across its fleet of river, expedition, and ocean ships. Guests can cruise through the heart of Europe, Asia, Egypt, and the Mississippi on scenic river ships or sail various ocean cruise itineraries across the globe. Viking even has expedition vessels that allow guests to explore Antarctica and the Great Lakes.

This diversity gives loyal Viking customers the ability to explore the world in comfort with a consistently high-quality experience and familiarity regardless of the destination.

7. Uncrowded, Relaxed Environment

With smaller passenger counts and more space per guest than mainstream lines, Viking ships never feel crowded. There are always quiet corners to relax with a book, and you won’t need to fight for lounge chairs or wait in long lines. The atmosphere remains calm even during peak times, allowing guests to truly unwind rather than feeling like they’re constantly competing for space or amenities.

Pool areas maintain a peaceful ambiance without the loud music and party atmosphere found on many larger ships. Even popular spaces like the main dining room or lounges rarely feel packed. This creates an environment where relaxation comes naturally, and you can enjoy a slower pace.

8. Excellent Destination-Focused Enrichment

Viking places a strong emphasis on educational experiences with destination-focused lectures from experts, local cuisine, and cultural performances reflecting the regions visited. Guest lecturers often include historians, astronomers, archaeologists, or naturalists who provide insider perspectives on upcoming ports. The line’s expedition vessels even have an onboard science lab.

This enrichment program helps travelers connect more meaningfully with the places they visit, going beyond surface-level tourism.

9. No Formal Nights

Viking creates luxury in simplicity with a relaxed atmosphere day and night. Unlike some other luxury cruise lines that might feel a bit stuffy, there are no cruise formal nights on any Viking ship. The dress code is “elegant casual”, eliminating the need to pack formal wear.

This relaxed dress code extends to all onboard venues, creating a consistently comfortable atmosphere. On Viking, guests can focus on the destinations without the pretense, allowing for a more stress-free vacation.

Of note, the official dress code does not permit jeans or shorts in the evenings. Instead, it’s recommended that ladies wear dresses, skirts, or slacks with sweaters or blouses and men wear trousers and a collared shirt. Ties and jackets are optional.

10. Streamlined Embarkation and Disembarkation

With fewer passengers to process, Viking offers a smoother boarding experience with more personalized service. The embarkation process feels less chaotic than at major cruise terminals handling thousands of passengers. In fact, check-in often feels more like arriving at a boutique hotel. Our recent check-in experience was a breeze; from checking documents to issuing keycards, we were on the ship in no time.

Similarly, disembarkation is more efficient, with guests often walking right off the ship without the long lines and waits. This helps to start and end your vacation on a positive note.

11. High Crew-to-Passenger Ratio

Viking maintains approximately one crew member for every two guests, resulting in more attentive service throughout your cruise. Staff quickly learn your preferences, and there’s minimal waiting for assistance. This higher staffing level allows crew members to focus on details that might be overlooked on busier ships.

From the waitstaff in the dining rooms, to the bar staff, to the stateroom stewards, the crew members on Viking ships go above and beyond to ensure a great cruise experience. In fact, many remembered our names and preferences even when we didn’t remember meeting them.

The Cons of Viking Cruises

1. Higher Price Point

Viking positions itself as a premium product, and the pricing reflects this. Base fares are higher than mainstream lines, with the initial investment as much as 30-50% more for comparable itineraries. While the inclusive nature of Viking’s pricing model means you’ll spend less onboard, the upfront cost is undeniably higher, potentially putting it out of reach for more budget-conscious travelers.

2. Older Clientele

The demographic on Viking skews older than many other cruise lines, with the line catering to mature travelers and retirees. This is in part due to the longer itineraries offered. While it generally creates a quieter atmosphere with an earlier-to-bed crowd and limited nightlife, younger cruisers might find themselves out of place or wishing for a more lively vibe.

3. Limited Entertainment and Onboard Activities

Don’t expect the extensive entertainment options found on mainstream lines. Viking doesn’t have Broadway-style productions, waterslides, rock climbing walls, or extensive sports facilities. You won’t find many lively activities like game shows, dance classes, comedy clubs, or dueling piano bars either. The focus is on enrichment rather than high-energy shows or loud deck parties.

Still, there are nightly productions in the main theater, live music around the ship, trivia sessions, and various other ways to occupy your time between ports.

4. Few Short Itineraries and Limited Tropical Destinations

Viking emphasizes longer, immersive journeys with most cruises lasting 10+ days. They offer few traditional 7-day options and no shorter “quick getaway” cruises. Further, their Caribbean offerings are limited compared to mainstream lines, with fewer purely beach-focused destinations. This can make Viking less accessible for travelers with limited vacation time or those specifically seeking tropical relaxation.

5. Not Suitable for Multi-Generational Family Travel

Viking’s adult-only policy means no children under 18 are permitted onboard. Thus, there are no family-specific programs, facilities, or accommodations, making it unsuitable for multi-generational vacations. Unlike lines that cater to all ages, Viking is explicitly child-free. So, you’ll need to look elsewhere for multi-generational family travel.

6. No Casino

This could be a pro or a con depending on your preferences, but Viking ships do not feature casinos. This may be a disappointment for travelers who enjoy gambling as part of their cruise experience. However, this deliberate choice aligns with Viking’s focus on destination and cultural enrichment rather than traditional cruise ship amenities.

For us, the presence of a casino doesn’t impact our vacation choice in either direction, but it’s important to know that there isn’t one on Viking ships if you do enjoy some gaming action.

7. Gratuities Not Included

Despite Viking’s otherwise inclusive pricing model, daily gratuities are not included in the fare. Automatic gratuities are added to your onboard account, with additional tipping optional for exceptional service. The grauities are $17 USD per person per day on ocean and expedition ships. River cruise gratuities vary by destination ($20 USD for European river cruises).

This can add hundreds to your total cruise expenses, in contrast to some truly all-inclusive lines that build gratuities into their pricing. So, you’ll need to account for these fees when budgeting for your vacation.

8. Fewer Dining Options

While the quality of dining is generally excellent, Viking offers fewer restaurant choices than mainstream cruise ships. Ocean ships typically feature a main dining room, buffet, outdoor grill, Mamsen’s, Manfredi’s, and The Chef’s Table, while river ships typically have just 1-2 restaurants. Late-night dining options are limited as well.

Viking does feature seafood buffets, tasty Norwegian waffles, local specialties, and more, but those who enjoy variety may prefer the dining options on more contemporary cruise lines.

9. Lack of Variety Across the Fleet

Viking prides itself on consistent design across its fleet. All ocean ships have nearly identical layouts, and most river ships are virtually indistinguishable from one another. The two expedition ships are also exactly the same.

While this creates a reliable experience with the familiar Scandinavian aesthetic throughout the brand, it offers little excitement for repeat cruisers hoping to experience something different. Thus, this could be a pro or a con for you depending on what type of traveler you are.

Is Viking Right For You?

Viking offers a distinctive approach to cruising that emphasizes destination and relaxed “luxury”. The cruise line delivers value through inclusions that other lines charge extra for, but comes with a higher initial price point and a more subdued onboard experience.

For travelers seeking immersive journeys without the distractions or crowds found on mainstream cruise ships, Viking is a great option. However, families, younger travelers, and those seeking high-energy entertainment and a variety of onboard amenities and dining may find better matches elsewhere.

Before booking, consider your personal travel style to determine if Viking aligns with your ideal vacation experience. If you need further assistance, our trusted travel partner, MEI-Travel, will be happy to help for no additional fees.

Viking might be perfect for you if:

• You value destination immersion over onboard attractions
• You prefer a child-free environment
• Included amenities and transparent pricing are important to you
• You appreciate sophisticated, understated luxury
• Cultural enrichment is a priority for your travels
• You enjoy a quieter, more relaxed cruising experience

You might want to consider another cruise line if:

• You’re traveling with children or teens
• You seek high-energy entertainment and activities
• Casino gambling is an important part of your cruise experience
• You prefer shorter, more affordable getaways
• You want a wide variety of dining options
• You’re looking for a younger crowd and nightlife

Comments

Have you sailed with Viking yet? Do you have any other pros and cons of Viking cruises to add to this list? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences sailing with this adult-only cruise line.