Ship Fleet Overview

These 25 rooms, coming in at 150 square feet, are often called "aquarium class" because the windows are at the same level of the river outside. While you don't get the benefit of fresh air, people often choose these cabins for their lower price point and the fact that you often don't spend all that much time in your room on a typical river cruise. Throughout our decades of sailing the world’s great rivers, Viking has repeatedly reinvented the European river cruise vessel. By continuously building upon our tradition of innovation, we have set industry standard and delighted our guests.

Why Do Most Viking Longships in Europe Look Exactly Alike?

At additional cost are only spa massages, beauty salon services; specialty beer, premium alcohol (wine and spirits), and some shore excursions. All Viking OCEAN ships offer destination-rich itineraries marked by "small ship cruise" tour and onboard experiences. Compared to similar-class vessels operated by other companies, Viking OCEAN itineraries feature fewer sea days, longer port stays and many overnight ports of call. Having a fleet of identical ships is not unusual in river cruising, which is why it's more important to choose a line that fits your needs, rather a specific vessel, when you're planning your trip. First, river cruise ships are restricted in size by the locks and canals systems along Europe's waterways.

The Viking fleet

Due to the bad weather, the ship rolled quite significantly (though well within operational limits) and various fixtures and fittings were broken. As a safety precaution, just under half the passengers were evacuated before the ship managed to restart one engine and sail under its own power to the Port of Molde, Norway. However, the Viking Expedition ships are smaller at 30,150 GRT and carry only 378 passengers each. That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we always recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises. Viking fares do include port taxes and fees, which can add up to hundreds of dollars per sailing.

Data collection on our website

While Viking doesn't market itself as a luxury line, some would call it that. Viking vessels are full of luxury touches, with the pricing to match (see more on what Viking trips cost at the bottom of this story). If it's a floating celebration you're looking for in a vacation, this isn't the line for you. Since its founding in 1997, the upscale cruise brand has carved out a niche catering to a certain type of thoughtful, inquisitive, generally older traveler looking to explore the world and learn a thing or two along the way. In March 2024, were opened for booking two grand voyages ("Longitudinal World Cruise VI" and "Longitudinal World Cruise VII") traversing from Antarctica to the Americas, plus "Viking World Journeys 2026" (from Los Angeles to London-Greenwich).

You'll always be able to find staples such as prime rib, chicken and salmon. With their innovative patented design, al fresco Aquavit Terrace and understated elegance, Viking Longships provide the most rewarding way to explore Europe. Passengers onboard Viking Sea wear "resort casual" clothing, which in the evening means somewhat dressy, with men wearing slacks and button-down or polo-style shirts and women wearing dresses, skirts and blouses, or slacks and blouses. Viking Sea has no formal night, but some men do wear jackets to dinner, though it's certainly not required.

The line puts out loungers, some in the sun and some under cover, so you can enjoy drinks and river views. The sundeck also has an herb garden, a shuffleboard area and two putting greens (although these are very rarely used). Because itineraries and time in port are so important on Viking Sea, the ship doesn't have a casino or splashy water features. Programming and entertainment options match the target crowd, though the production shows offered onboard in the theater are a rare weak spot that could use some revamping.

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Which Viking River Cruise Ships Sail on the Douro in Portugal?

This itinerary sails between Nuuk and Toronto, Ontario, showcasing the majesty of floating icebergs, rugged lands, and deep-blue fjords rich in marine life. Guests gain insights into Inuit communities and their enduring traditions, while enjoying the endless daylight of the midnight sun. Sailing dates for this voyage are also available in July and September 2025.

Viking Expeditions ships operate in Arctic-Antarctica, Great Lakes, USA and Canada), Viking Ocean (global). You'll have to pay for gratuities, as well as transfers if you did not book your flight through Viking. Bring or exchange small amounts of local currency to tip local guides and bus drivers.

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Cabins and suites

For this subset of travelers, Viking offers a wide range of both ocean and river cruise itineraries that have a heavy focus on the destinations visited. Viking River Cruises deals include staterooms, onboard dining, most cultural activities, most shore excursions. Beer, soft drinks and wine by the glass are included with lunches and dinners.

The launderettes are stocked with detergent for the washing machines that, unlike on many cruise ships with launderettes, do not come with an extra cost. Other interior spaces that are part of the ocean ships include a stylish spa with a thermal suite area that is open to all passengers at no extra charge (something that is not common on cruise vessels) and a fitness center. Many of the activities on board Viking's ocean ships revolve around "cultural enrichment," to use a phrase often used by Viking executives. On any given day, you might find an expert on one of the destinations you're visiting lecturing in the theater, or a classical musician performing in the central atrium, known as The Living Room. The ships also offer some traditional entertainment, including production shows with singers and dancers.

What it is is a line that has focused very specifically on "thinking person's cruises" that offer a deeper dive into the destinations that its ships visit than is typical at many lines. The centerpiece of the top deck of each of Viking's ocean ships is the main pool area, which is home to a pool, hot tub and rows of lounge chairs, as well as comfortable seating areas. You'll also find musicians including pianists and guitar players performing at times in the Viking Living Room — a three-deck-high, atrium-like space at the center of the ship. Filled with comfortable seating areas and home to a bar, the Viking Living Room serves as a central meeting point for passengers throughout the day and night.

From redefining River Cruises, they swiftly moved on to redefine Ocean Cruising with their matching ships and child-free policies and now are moving into the smaller, but fast-growing market of expedition cruising. Viking Sun was renamed Zhao Shang Yi Dun and sails exclusively in the Chinese market via a joint partnership with China Merchants Shekou Cruises. Viking Cruises has an active fleet of eight ships currently with ten further ships on order (Viking Polaris, Viking Neptune and Viking Mars due in 2022, Viking Saturn due in 2023 and six further Ocean-class ships which are unnamed at present).

If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can adjust this amount before disembarking at the Explorers' Desk. (You can also increase the tip amount if so desired.) Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars and for drinks at restaurants. Note that Viking river ships do not have fitness centers, which is relatively unusual for river ships. Viking has long argued that few of its customers use fitness centers and the space that would be devoted to one is better used for other things. However, if you're fitness-obsessed, Viking river ships may not be the best choice for your river trip.

The ship design features several spacious open-deck areas, including Promenade Deck and bow-located Observation Deck (forward on Lounge Deck). Most passenger staterooms (189 total) are with French balconies, excluding only Deck 6's Suites (OS-Owner, ES-Explorer). Cabin sizes vary between 21 m2 (Nordic Balcony / French Balcony) and 114 m2 (Owner Suite with 73 m2 Terrace Garden). Viking Cruises' ocean liners made the company world's largest "small ship cruise" brand with a dominant share on the luxury travel market (23,9 % by year 2020). In 2019, the parent company also created the brand "Viking Expeditions" with a newbuild fleet of two small-sized expedition vessels - Viking Octantis (2021) and Viking Polaris (2022), plus an option for 2 more same-designed units. Line's river cruises are targeted primarily to English-speaking travelers in the UK, North America and Australia.