About Viking River Cruises
“Viking operates the largest fleet of their own river vessels, and they are proud to offer you the best ships in each region where they travel. Most of the Viking ships were built since 2000, and the rest have been recently renovated. Viking river ships are smaller than ocean vessels, so every stateroom has an outside view of the river and passing scenery. And the flat-bottomed shape of these ships ensures a safe and smooth ride with no worries about motion sickness. Viking ships are specially designed to navigate the world’s great rivers and provide convenient access to every destination along the way.” — Viking River Cruises
When Viking launched in 1997, river cruising was a niche pursuit; nearly three decades later, the company has done more than any other to define it. From four chartered vessels the line has grown into a fleet of more than one hundred across all of its divisions, expanded to North America in 2000 with a Los Angeles office, and now sails 21 rivers—among them the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Nile, Mekong, and Mississippi. Condé Nast Traveler readers have rated Viking #1 for Rivers.
The heart of the fleet is the Viking Longship, an elegant vessel hosting 190 or fewer guests. Its signature is the Aquavit Terrace, a revolutionary indoor-outdoor space at the bow where you can dine in the open air as castles and vineyards drift past. Beyond Europe, purpose-built ships carry the same Scandinavian sensibility to other waters: intimate 80-guest vessels on the Mekong, a dozen ships on the Nile, and the 386-guest Viking Mississippi at home in America's heartland.
Every itinerary includes a shore excursion in each port, with enrichment lectures and visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites woven throughout. Meals feature regional specialties, with beer and wine poured at lunch and dinner. For travelers who want Europe's storybook towns delivered to their doorstep each morning—no packing and repacking—Viking's rivers remain the classic first chapter.
Save on Viking River Cruises with Pavlus Travel
Pavlus Travel has been helping travelers save on the world's best cruise lines since 1994. Book Viking River Cruises through Pavlus and our exclusive discounts stack on top of the line's own current promotions — then our Lowest Price Guarantee keeps it that way. You never pay a service or planning fee, and you work one-on-one with a dedicated advisor who knows Viking River Cruises inside and out, from first quote to final port.
- Exclusive Pavlus savings on every Viking River Cruises sailing
- Lowest Price Guarantee — matched or beaten
- Never any service or planning fees
- A dedicated personal travel advisor, not a call center
- 30+ years of negotiated cruise-line relationships
Get Your Viking River Cruises Quote
Our advisors quote the real bottom-line price — exclusive savings included — in minutes, with zero obligation.
Call 1-800-528-9300 Browse Sailings & Get a QuoteThe Viking River Cruises Experience
The Viking Longships
Award-winning river vessels hosting 190 or fewer guests, with Scandinavian design, a wide variety of stateroom choices, and true verandas on the river.
Aquavit Terrace
The Longships' revolutionary indoor-outdoor terrace at the bow, where al fresco dining unfolds against a moving panorama of riverbank scenery.
A Shore Excursion in Every Port
Each port of call includes a complimentary guided excursion, joined by enrichment lectures, destination performances, and UNESCO World Heritage Site visits.
21 Rivers Worldwide
Beyond the Rhine and Danube, Viking sails the Seine, Rhone, Douro, Elbe, Nile, Mekong, Brahmaputra, and the Mississippi with purpose-built ships.
Viking Inclusive Value
Fares cover meals, wine and beer at lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, port charges, and daily excursions—everything you need and nothing you do not.
What's Included with Viking River Cruises
- One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
- All onboard meals, featuring regional specialties and always-available classics
- Beer, wine and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner
- 24-hour specialty coffees, teas and bottled water
- Free Wi-Fi
- Port taxes and fees
- Enrichment lectures and destination performances
- Ground transfers when air is purchased through Viking
The Viking River Cruises Fleet (97 ships sailing bookable itineraries)
MS Antares 
Viking Aegir 
Viking Alruna 
Viking Alsvin 
Viking Amun 
Viking Annar 
Viking Anubis 
Viking Astrild 
Viking Atla 
Viking Aton 
Viking Baldur 
Viking Beyla 
Viking Bragi 
Viking Brahmaputra 
Viking Buri 
Viking Dagur 
Viking Delling 
Viking Egdir 
Viking Egil 
Viking Einar 
Viking Eir 
Viking Eldir 
Viking Embla 
Viking Fjolvar 
Viking Fjorgyn 
Viking Forseti 
Viking Freya 
Viking Fulla 
Viking Ganges 
Viking Geb 
Viking Gefjon 
Viking Gersemi 
Viking Gullveig 
Viking Gyda 
Viking Gymir 
Viking Haki 
Viking Halogi 
Viking Hathor 
Viking Heimdal 
Viking Helgrim 
Viking Hemming 
Viking Herja 
Viking Hermod 
Viking Hervor 
Viking Hild 
Viking Hlin 
Viking Hnoss 
Viking Honir 
Viking Idi 
Viking Idun 
Viking Ingvi 
Viking Jarl 
Viking Kadlin 
Viking Kara 
Viking Kari 
Viking Kvasir 
Viking Laga 
Viking Lif 
Viking Lofn 
Viking Magni 
Viking Mani 
Viking Mimir 
Viking Mississippi 
Viking Modi 
Viking Nerthus 
Viking Osfrid 
Viking Osiris 
Viking Ptah 
Viking Ra 
Viking Radgrid 
Viking Ran 
Viking Rinda 
Viking Rolf 
Viking Rota 
Viking Saigon 
Viking Sekhmet 
Viking Sigrun 
Viking Sigyn 
Viking Sjofn 
Viking Skadi 
Viking Skaga 
Viking Skirnir 
Viking Sobek 
Viking Sol 
Viking Thoth 
Viking Tialfi 
Viking Tir 
Viking Tonle 
Viking Tor 
Viking Torgil 
Viking Ullur 
Viking Vali 
Viking Var 
Viking Ve 
Viking Vidar 
Viking Vilhjalm 
Viking Vili Where Viking River Cruises Sails
Good to Know Before You Book
Gratuities & tipping
The standard recommended gratuity rate is $20 USD per guest per day. Alternatively, a discretionary service charge of €20 per guest per day may be automatically added to the shipboard account. For itineraries that include land portions, this charge is shared with the Program Director. Any additional tipping is at the guest’s discretion. If tipping local hosts, representatives, guides, or drivers, it is recommended to do so in cash. The suggested amount is €3 per person per day for local guides and €2 per person per day for drivers. Guests participating in an escorted pre- or post-cruise extension should note that the Tour Director is not included in the onboard gratuity. A gratuity of €3 per person per day is recommended. Most restaurants in Europe include service in their pricing; however, it is customary to round up the bill generously in recognition of good service.
Egypt and Mekong
The standard recommended gratuity rate is $10 USD per guest per day for time spent on the land portion and $25 USD per guest per day for time spent on board. Alternatively, this discretionary service charge may be added automatically to the shipboard account. For guests participating in a pre- or post-cruise extension, gratuities for local hosts at airports and hotels, motorcoach drivers, and the Viking Tour Director are not included in the onboard gratuity. The suggested gratuity, payable in cash, is $2 USD per guest per day for Viking Hosts, $1 USD per guest per day for motorcoach drivers, and $10 USD per guest per day for the Viking Tour Director.
Mississippi
The standard recommended gratuity rate is $20 USD per guest per day. Alternatively, a discretionary service charge of $20 USD per guest per day may be automatically added to the shipboard account. Any additional tipping is at the guest’s discretion. If choosing to tip local hosts, representatives, guides, or drivers, it is recommended to do so in cash. The suggested gratuity is $5 USD per person per day for local guides and $2 USD per person per day for drivers.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation By Guest
| Days Prior to Cruise Departure | Cancellation Fee Per Passenger |
|---|---|
| 120+ days | $100 per person |
| 119-90 days | 20% of full fare |
| 89-70 days | 35% of full fare |
| 69-50 days | 50% of full fare |
| 49-30 days | 75% of full fare |
| 29-0 days | 100% of full fare |
| Days Prior to Cruise Departure | Cancellation Fee Per Passenger |
|---|---|
| 180+ days | $1,000 per person |
| 179-150 days | 20% of full fare |
| 149-120 days | 40% of full fare |
| 119-90 days | 60% of full fare |
| 89-60 days | 80% of full fare |
| 59-0 days | 100% of full fare |
For Bookings made in UK please click here
Cancellation Fee Schedule Effective for Cruise Tours (other than Grand & World Cruise Voyage)
| Written Notice Received Days Prior to Cruise/Tour Departure Date | Cruise/Tour/Land/Air Inclusive Cancellation Fee Per Passenger |
| 121 days or more | $100pp cancellation fee, remaining deposit amount will be refunded to you in the form of a future cruise voucher. |
| 120 to 60 days | 50% of Full Fare |
| 59 to 0 days | 100% of Full Fare |
Cancellation Fee Schedule Effective for Grand and World Cruise Voyages
| Written Notice Received Days Prior to Departure Date | Cancellation Fee Per Passenger |
| 180 or more | AU$1,000 |
| 179 to 150 | 20% of Full Fare |
| 149 to 120 | 40% of Full Fare |
| 119 to 90 | 60% of Full Fare |
| 89 to 60 | 80% of Full Fare |
| 59 or fewer | 100% of Full Fare |
(Last updated: October 21, 2024 Click here to view the latest policy provided by the cruise line.)
Smoking on board
Traveling with minors
Pregnancy policy
Policies are provided by Viking River Cruises and can change; your Pavlus advisor will confirm current terms for your specific sailing before you book.