Viking River Cruises Reviews | Everything You Must Know

Established back in 1997, it’s not the oldest of river cruise companies but it’s indeed very large. With over 70 ships in its fleet, either on the rivers or about to enter the waters. They are constantly expanding. It operates in the premium end of river cruising so it’s not on the ultra-luxury end. It’s at the premium end.

Secondly, in Europe, Vikings operate what’s known as the Viking longships. These longships operate on most of the rivers in Europe. There are a couple of rivers where the longships are too big to operate on. So they have a scaled-down version.

Let me tell you about what you can expect on a Viking Longship. It has 190 passengers, about 45 crew members, having a very high crew-to-passengers ratio.

Also Read: Disney Dream Cruise Review

When you step on board the ship, the first thing you’ll notice is the decor. It’s very Scandinavian in look and feels like that, of course, it links back to the original heritage and the founders who come from Scandinavia. There are four different accommodation types onboard, which we will discuss in a while.

Viking cruises have a lot of ships in its fleet. There are several different types of ships the company is offering to make your itinerary more joyful. Let’s have a look at the most popular ships of the company which attracts more positive Viking cruises reviews.

1) Viking Star
2) Viking Sea
3) Viking Sky
4) Viking Orion
5) Viking Jupiter
6) Viking Venus
7) Viking Mars
8) Viking Neptune
9) Viking Saturn

Almost every ship in the above-mentioned fleet has 9 decks on it with a lot of different activities and entertainment options. Let’s have a look at the details of every deck.

Deck one includes a variety of options like Viking bar, fitness center Spa, and much more. With the Kitchen table and restaurants, have a delicious meal during your itinerary. Have a look at what you will get on the first deck.

• The Kitchen Table
• The Chef’s Table
• Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant
• The Viking Living Room
• Guest Services
• Viking Bar
• Fitness Center
• The Spa

The 2nd deck is more of an entertainment deck with a few dining options on it. You can watch a movie, or get an outside view from the Panorama deck.

• The Theater & Bar
• Cinema 1 & 2
• Torshavn
• Shops
• The Atrium
• The Restaurant
• Panorama Deck

Got your clothes dirty? No worries. The third deck has a self-service launderette to get your clothes cleaned. Besides, there’s an Atrium to meet other people if you love socializing. Other than that, there are around 97 rooms on this deck. Have a look below.

• Staterooms 3000–3097
• Self-service launderette
• Atrium (top-level)

With over 123 rooms and a self-service launderette, this deck is purely dedicated to a peaceful living area. This deck doesn’t have any entertainment options and is specifically designed for couples to spend some time together in privacy.

• Staterooms 4000–4123
• Self-service launderette

Like the 4th deck, this one is also designed only for the living. The deck has around 111 rooms and a self-service launderette on it.

• Staterooms 5000–5111
• Self-service launderette

This one has 99 rooms on it with a self-service launderette and a Navigational Bridge. Here are the details about Viking river cruises.

• Navigational Bridge
• Staterooms 6000–6099
• Self-service launderette
• Staterooms 6020 and 6021 are ADA staterooms. Room configuration varies; ask for details

This one is specifically designed for entertainment purposes. Though it has around 18 staterooms, the deck also contains pools, hot tubs, and world cafe, etc. Here’s what you’ll find on the 7th deck of the cruise.

• Staterooms 7000–7018
• Infinity Pool & Hot Tub
• Aquavit Terrace (with al fresco dining)
• World Café
• Main Pool (with retractable roof)
• Wintergarden
• Owner’s Suite
• Mamsen’s
• Explorers’ Lounge (main level)

Explorers’ Lounge is inspired by the Viking trade route which is an ideal place to share their discoveries. You can find beer while tasting Scandinavian fine dining. At the heart of Explorers’ Lounge is Mamsen’s, which is a casual gourmet deli that’s inspired by Norwegian cuisine.

From smoked salmon to open sandwiches to locally grown ham and cheese, you’ll find everything on it. Have a look at what you’ll find on the 8th deck of the ship.

• Staterooms 8000–8019
• Explorers’ Lounge (upper level)

Spectacular scenery and fresh air combine with activities on the sports deck (Deck No. 9). There are hiking trails here as well. Test yourself in various games like bocce balls, shuffleboards, golf greens, and so on. Lots of seats to relax and enjoy the outdoors. If the weather is nice, yoga classes will also be held here.

Here’s what you’ll find on the 9th deck of Viking cruises.

• Outdoor Gym
• Yoga Area

Like Viking, Marella Cruises also have several decks and cabins. Find out detailed characteristics from its reviews.

Before booking a ticket, it’s crucial to know what type of amenities are included in the ticket and what may charge you some extra bucks. River cruising, generally in Europe, is pretty all-inclusive. However, there are a few differences based on the different brands.

But we are doing a Viking river cruises review here. So what exactly is the case when you look at this cruise company. When you look at the Viking fare, understanding what you are going to get is very important because a lot of people, particularly if they are coming from ocean cruises.

Take a look at the river cruising fares and think they’re on the high side. That’s because there’s a lot of stuff included. The obvious things included are your

• Accommodation
• Dinings
• Some of your drinks
• Lunch and Dinner
• Wine, Beer, and Soft Drinks
• Wi-fi
• At every place you stop, there’s normally one excursion included in your fare.
• Sometimes, there’ll also be a choice of excursions where you can choose any one excursion that will be paid from within your fare.
• Entertainment is also included in the fare. The entertainment includes local singers, dancers, musicians. It could be a quiz.

There’ll also be some optional excursions for which you may have to pay. Some other things are also not included in the fare. Here are some of them.

• A classical concert in Vienna
• Gratuities are not included
• Drinks outside the lunch and dinner
• Laundry
• Things you buy in the shops

This intimate veranda ship offers a wide range of cabins you can choose from. From private rooms on the veranda to a lot of perks of the spacious Explorer Suite, there’s no better way to travel. And no matter which cabin you choose, you’ll find that the Vikings are beautifully designed with the known suppressed elegance.

Here are the types of Rooms available on the Viking cruises.

• Veranda Stateroom (V)
• Deluxe Veranda Stateroom (DV)
• Penthouse Veranda Stateroom (PV)
• Penthouse Junior Suite (PS)
• Explorer Suite (ES)
• Owner’s Suite (OS)

Generally, on cruises, the area of most weakness is in the quality of the food. I can honestly say that the food was the best I’ve ever had on a cruise. It wasn’t anything out of this world but it was very tasty with good presentation and most importantly, variety.

I also noticed the chef was also on hand to accommodate any of the passenger’s dietary requirements. So when it comes to the Viking river cruise food reviews, I certainly give them good remarks.

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Lunch and dinner included a complimentary wine or beer. The ship’s bar was stocked with some excellent options and if you like to drink, I can tell you the silver spirits drinks package is well worth the money and better than any other drink package I have ever seen to date, which is worth cheering for.

Originating from the Swiss canton of Graubünden, the Rhine is one of the longest rivers in Europe. So why not explore it? That’s exactly what you can do with Viking cruises. But is the journey worth it? Should you go on it? To know that, let’s do a complete Viking Rhine river cruise review.

A Rhine River cruise excursion takes you into the heart of Europe, where fairytale villages, cultural centers, and stately castles have long been witnesses to European history. The banks of the river are packed with vibrant capitals, historic treasures, and natural beauty. The Viking river cruise Rhine review is incomplete without having a look at what you’ll experience in your journey.

• Amsterdam’s charming canals and gabled houses
• Mythical Lorelei Rock at the Middle Rhine Gorge
• Cologne’s Gothic Dom
• Stunning Heidelberg, inspiration to writers and philosophers
• Windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Breathtaking views of the legendary Black Forest
• Rüdesheim’s wine-growing region
• Marksburg Castle, perched above scenic Braubach
• The distinct French-German culture of Alsace
• Multicultural Strasbourg

Viking River Cruises Reviews Rhine

What can be a better way of finding out about a cruise company than checking the feedback of its customers? That’s exactly what we’re gonna do here. Let’s have a look at the Viking River cruises Rhine Getaway reviews.

A River Cruise to Perfection

“We have sailed on a number of ocean cruises (Siversea, Regent) but neither can compare to the service, sense of well-being, and dining with AMA Waterways. We embarked August 19, 2021, for a week-long Rhine cruise on the AMA Sienna. Every need was anticipated and every comfort provided. Each meal offered delicious specialties and options from an extensive menu………And one afternoon, everyone remained aboard as we sailed through the UNESCO Heritage identified Rhine River Gorge, dotted with twenty Medieval castles. In short, we would recommend AMA enthusiastically and look forward to our next trip.”

River Cruise Line at Xmas 👎 Cheapskates

“Just come back this is the 6th time we’ve been with this company and am afraid there won’t be a 7th. They changed itinerary just before we left and then again when we were there think it was to save money on mooring fees………..Came back to bus, no driver people with walking sticks, wheelchairs were waiting to get on but locked driver said he was having a waffle and coffee, it was bitterly cold. All this because we had to wait for a new driver at a chocolate factory later on.We would have been too early otherwise.”

The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe, after the Volga in Russia, which is the longest river in entire Europe. It flows through much of Southeastern and Central Europe, from the Black Forest into the Black Sea. Wanna explore it?

Viking cruises provide you with this opportunity. Hence, let’s delve deep into the Viking Danube river cruises reviews.

The Danube River cruise exhibits Europe’s dramatic and rich history. Sparkling cultural capitals, magnificent monasteries, endless scenic splendor, and lush vineyards line the river’s banks. Here are some sample highlights you will see with Viking:

• Lush vineyards of the Wachau Valley
• Vienna’s elegant architecture
• Enchanting Passau, set where three rivers meet
• Belgrade’s impressive Kalemegdan Fortress
• The baroque splendor of Melk Abbey
• The splendid Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig
• Budapest’s stunning Chain Bridge and Parliament Building
• The scenic beauty of the picturesque Danube Bend
• Soaring cliffs of the scenic Iron Gate
• Romania’s rural culture and rich folklore

Viking River Cruises Reviews Danube

When talking about the customer reviews of Viking river cruises in Europe, the Danube is undoubtedly the most popular one. The river passes through around 10 European countries so the cruise has a lot to offer you. Here are some of the Viking river cruises Danube reviews.

AMAZING TRIP

“This was our first Viking cruise and we were absolutely delighted with everything. Our cabin was very comfortable, meals were delicious and the excursions were expertly organized and led by knowledgeable guides. We especially enjoyed Budapest, Vienna and cruising along the beautiful Danube. We’ve already booked another itinerary for next year which continues down the Danube from Prague to Paris.”

Passage To Eastern Europe COVID Zone

“Took the Passage to Eastern Europe 1-8 Sept 2021. On Day 2, two positive cases of COVID detected. Cases moved off the ship, no Contact Tracing by ship’s crew, and little or no information passed to the passengers. …….. Our “cruising” was being tied to the pier. Viking breaks its’ own Passenger Ticket Contract (Para 6E) by offering “Coupons” towards future travel, versus the “Refund” as stated in the contract. Pathetic.”

Featuring many of the same popular design elements as the Viking Longship, the Douro, Elbe and Seine ships feature modern engineering, luxurious accommodation and streamlined Scandinavian interiors. In addition to this, these cruises have custom hulls and engines specially designed for navigating these historic rivers.

Also Read: Windstar Cruises Reviews

While doing the Viking river cruises reviews of Grand European tour, we found out that the company is offering 3 different cruise ships to the European tour.

Let’s explore each of these ships in our review of Viking river cruises in Europe.

These intimate cruises are specially built for navigating the Douro River in Portugal and feature modern engineering, luxurious accommodation and simplified Scandinavian interiors. As with a Viking ship, you can choose from a variety of cabin classes with panoramic river views.

Having a lot of similar popular design elements as the Viking Longship, the new Elbe ship has luxurious accommodation, modern engineering and streamlined Scandinavian interiors. Besides that, other classic and intimate ships feature luxurious accommodation and stylish Scandinavian interiors. Their engines and custom skirts are particularly designed for navigating the historic river Elbe.

The Viking Signal Ship has the same popular elements as the Viking Longships, featuring modern engineering, luxurious accommodation and streamlined Scandinavian interiors. Besides this, these boats have engines specially made for navigating the historic Seine.

China, home to one of the four ancient civilizations, has a rich history of over 3,000 years. When most people go to China, they just want to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing, go to Shanghai or go to the Terracotta Warriors in Shanghai. Maybe they will visit Guangzhou or go on a trip on the Yangtze River. But there are more than just popular sites in China.

In this Viking cruise line review, we will be reviewing whether you should or should not be going to China on this cruise ship.

Viking River Cruise on Yangtze

“I would recommend Viking River Cruise on Yangtze. Amazing organisation from moment arrived in Shanghai. We were never left waiting anywhere with our luggage always arriving safely. The ship was amazing not quite to same standards as Europe but still far above our expectations for China and reviews I had read prior to trip. Our Viking guide Patrick assigned for the duration of our visit was wonderful and even took care of me when I’ll in Xi’an and terracotta soldiers visit. Well done!!!”

Mostly, we found positive Viking China river cruises reviews. It’s mainly because the cruise doesn’t go to China very often. So there are very few customers and satisfying them gets easier. Have a look at another positive Viking river cruise China review where the customer is really happy with their performance.

Yangtze River Cruise & China tour

“The cruise gave us time to wind down after a busy few days touring. The boat was comfortable , food ok , entertainment enjoyable. Excursions available . At the end of the cruise there was a vast amount of steps to be negotiated, ok for those without mobility issues…..a nightmare for those with! Scenery was lovely, took some great pics.”

One of the best places to go is the St, Peterburgs in Russia. When you go into it, enjoy the Baltic Sea attraction.

Cruise Saint Petersburg and on the boat and jump on the boat and the city in the city and on the canal trip and on the channel tour. Or the most important time to express 3.5-5 miles, where you will find the American church and cafes of the female church.

Viking River Cruises Reviews Russia

It’s time to have a look at the reviews of viking river cruises in Russia to know whether you should be booking your ticket or not.

CLEARLY THE LEADER IN THE INDUSTRY

“This cruise was everything I had anticipated and more. The tour guides are not scripted robots, they are highly educated, enthusiastic, passionate and patriotic Russians. They are very knowledgeable on the subjects and a joy to listen to and learn from. When you travel with Viking, you are traveling with the first class in cruising companies. They are clearly the leader in the industry and after this trip, I can see why. I look forward to the next trip I plan to book.”

However, not everyone was happy with their journey. There were a few negative Viking Russia river cruises reviews as well. Let’s have a look at one example.

Noisiest Stateroom on the Ship 422

“We have traveled with Viking before and always had pleasant experiences. We have never been to Russia and this looked like a nice cruise. It was our first time on their older ships. When we got to our stateroom we couldn’t believe how noisy it was. It turns out we were located right below the major air handler for the entire ship. Besides the loud air noise there was a throbbing pulsing noise…..So every night for the entire cruise we would go down to the second floor to sleep and then back to 422 during the day.”

No matter how impeccable the services you provide, there’s still a good chance that some people will be angry with you. The same is the case with Viking ships. When doing the viking river cruises ship reviews.

Complaint 1

“Bait and switch tactics with their Risk Free Guarantee program resulting in unfair business practices: Viking changed their risk free guarantee, but agents were not up front about the change from the ability to cancel up to 24 hours before sail and that you lose ability for your monies refunded if you cancel…..Vouchers only “valid” for 2021 & 2022, not 24 months. *See email to Exec Team – no response & Vouchers.

Desired Outcome

Refund”

Complaint 2

Just cancelled second cruise after 1…

“Just cancelled second cruise after 1 cancelled last this was a replacement

Just spent 45 mins on hold to discuss options plus tried again and permanently engaged

Have been long time client but you have lost me now as future customer plenty of other river cruise lines”

The good thing is that the company has mostly catered these reviews positively and tried resolving the complaints of its customers.

During our Viking river boat cruises reviews, we’ve tried covering every aspect of the cruise. From food to cabins, activities to types of ships and the most popular itineraries, we’ve talked about everything. We’ve also talked about the Viking river cruises reviews of other people to know what its customers think about their excursions.