Scenic River Cruise Fares

• Airport transfers to and from the ship.
• Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
• Gratuities, port fees and taxes.
• Choice of shore excursions in each port.
• All dining and specialty restaurants.
• E-Bikes for passenger use.
• Room service and in-room mini-bar.
• Wi-Fi.

Evenings are spent (typically) at the restaurant onboard which is white linen and multiple courses. For dinners, the dress is scattered from women in blouses and jeans to those who want to be a bit more dressed up. I found myself in a blend of semi-casual dresses and black jeans with a nicer top for dinners.

Veranda Stateroom Veranda staterooms are divided between the Upper Deck and the Middle Deck, both on the same side of the ship. Category A staterooms are on the Upper Deck and category B are on the Middle Deck. The lower deck staterooms are a little less expensive but have the same layout and amenities.

Mobility | Many of the tours are interactive, with lots of brisk walking, so I recommend guests have a certain level of mobility available. With that said, there is an easy walking group (more on that below), so people who walk with a cane or walker should have no problem.

Viking Inclusive Value

• One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call.
• Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
• Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner.
• 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water.
• Port taxes & fees.
• Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase.
• Visits to UNESCO Sites.

Sometimes booking a private veranda is a no-brainer for the vistas, the quick access to fresh air, lots of light, and the extra real estate. But sometimes, because of weather or your itinerary, a balcony may not be worth the extra cost.

Each stateroom is equipped with a mini-bar. Your stateroom category will determine whether your mini-bar is replenished daily with drinks and snacks. Purified water is provided in all staterooms and refilled daily. A full listing of amenities by stateroom category can be found on each ship page.

Comfort is key. During the day, dress casually and comfortably for your daily activities. For the evening cocktail hour and dinner, men may want to kick it up a notch with a jacket and/or collared shirt, and long trousers. For women, a top and slacks or casual dress is appropriate.

Is there a right or wrong side to book a cabin on river ships? The answer is no. Firstly, there are no windowless inside cabins on river vessels and all rooms face the water. Because rivers, canals and waterways are relatively narrow there is always going to be something to see on both sides of the ship.

Yes, the average age of the population on a Viking River Cruise is probably 70. But it's a largely lovely group of well-traveled people who know how to make small talk and do a good job of it. If you're traveling solo, you'll have ample opportunities to make friends and share conversation. It can be very affordable.

The truth, though, is this: There's no “better” side of the ship. It doesn't matter where you're going, or what river you're sailing on, or even what ship you're sailing aboard. Both sides of the ship are created equal.

Are all the meals included? All onboard meals and food during specified shore excursions that straddle mealtimes are included in the fares.