viking river cruise france 2022

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VIKING RIVER CRUISES

2024, 2025 & 2026 river cruises, exploring the world in comfort.

Early booking is essential for the best choice of cabins and also the best savings! Don't miss out on a truly fantastic deal. Find the river cruise of your choice below and either send us an enquiry online or give our River Cruising team a call today!

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2024 EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES

Save £650 per person on 2024 European river cruises  when you book by 30th June 2024.

2025 EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES

Save £1000 per person on 2025 European river cruises  when you book by 30th June 2024.

Viking River Cruises offers exclusive experiences with class-leading, premium service. Sailing the world's most beautiful rivers on a Viking ship means travelling in style, enjoying each destination in as much depth as you choose.

Not only are all excursions to World Heritage sites included with every Viking river cruise, but you'll also have the chance to learn from the Culture Curriculum on board, where exclusive talks on local history, art, food and drink equip you with all the expert knowledge you need to make your river cruise a life-enriching experience.

The luxury experience isn’t limited to the service. The attention to detail is what sets a luxury river cruise apart from the rest, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises exceed expectations down to the smallest detail. Suites are elegantly designed to be welcoming, warm and unbelievably comfortable. Handcrafted beds, complete with Egyptian cotton sheets, are just the start – you even get to choose your pillow preference from the pillow menu.

Every river ship is appointed with a blend of relaxing, fun, decadent and intimate areas to enjoy. Spacious and tastefully decorated areas will make you forget you’re sailing along a river – until you’re struck with the stunning views.

Viking River Cruises are a masterclass in top-quality service.

What's Included with Viking

A Viking River Cruise is unlike any other. Viking Cruises is the only cruise line to guarantee their high level of service and the exclusive experiences available on board can't be found anywhere else.

Did you know? Viking have a fleet of luxury ocean cruise ships and expedition vessels! You may have seen them featured on Channel 5's Cruising with Jane McDonald. You can view and book any Viking Ocean Cruise with our sister brand The Cruise Village - click here .

Find your perfect Viking River Cruise by using our search facility below! Our team of UK based river cruise experts are available from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 6pm on Sundays, to help plan your river cruise holiday! Recently awarded the UK & Ireland's NUMBER ONE River Cruise Agency, you can trust our 4th generation, family business to look after you! All of our holidays are protected by ABTA & ATOL for financial protection and 100% peace of mind. We are also proud to boast the 5* Platinum Feefo Trusted Service Award for our customer care, both before and after booking! Read more about our award-winning company here and we look forward to speaking with you soon!

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Viking River cruise is my best trip... - Viking Cruises France

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We are posting this in tandem to the one about the French river cruise and are suggesting that if... read more

Really great boat, service and food impeccable but it is really a cruise for the oldies, we are 60... read more

Viking River cruise is my best trip ever....

I have been on cruises, tours all over the world, with many different companies in different parts of the world and this 15 day Viking river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest was my best vacation ever......I just can't say enough good thinks about the Viking staff, the food and everything else.....I would recommend Viking 100% , from the Captain down to the maids........

First, I want to qualify this review. My first experience on Viking was a dream come true. I found a wonderful sale on the Paris to Paris trip. Despite the cold, the staff was wonderful, kind and so incredibly thoughtful. There were warm drinks waiting at the door when we came back from excursions, hot chocolate, warm brandy, heated blankets for chilled bodies. The guides were educated, full of wonderful stories. I felt myself often moved to tears by all the beauty. When I found another sale the next year, there was no question. Unfortunately, there should have been. As soon as we'd booked another wonderful sale for the Rhine popped up. It was a year ahead, so I asked if we could take advantage of that sale and told no, it was just too bad. A month before sailing our ship and rooms were changed. We no longer had a balcony room and were put on the third floor. The receptionist was rude to my husband, who just happens to be the nicest man in the world. They had an MC named Wolfgang who when I asked a question, told me that wasn't his job and to find someone else. There were no hot drinks after cold days. The food was awful and they actually didn't have enough. Now, I have cancer, so I don't eat huge amounts, but I do know you refill a buffet. The guides were third rate and often left us on our own to get lost. It was mostly sheer dumb luck we made it back. We lost an entire day because we didn't buy the Heidelberg excursion and weren't allowed off the boat to see it on our own. The room we'd been moved to actually smelled and no matter what we tried, it wouldn't change. We left the cruise and spent three days in London at The Tower Hotel that we booked by ourselves. It was the best three days of the trip. I don't think I'll ever book another Viking cruise, ever. It was simply so BAD, I can't find a way to redeem it.

Danube Christmas Delights Cruise, Viking Ingvi, 4 – 18 Dec 2022, Budapest to Passau with 2 nights Budapest pre and 3 nights Prague post Background: I think most “reviews” do not provide much actionable information. They just relate whether the people liked it, or not. I, on the other hand, am always looking for detailed info that is not available from a top-level tour/cruise review site. I am looking for “behind the scenes info” and to benefit from the experience of somebody else like me who has done this already and found the “golden nugget” that will make our trip different or special. So, this is a detailed travelogue rather than a quick “review”. Viking cruises have been “reviewed” to death in the last 10 years. Fair warning, if you don’t want details, you can stop reading now, but if you want a real account -- warts and all – please continue. I’ve saved what I consider some nuggets and very good tips at the end that it took a while for us to learn. Airlines and air travel: I HIGHLY recommend outside premium economy seats. The seats are wider, they recline about 45 deg to sleep, really good food (like standard airline food was 50 years ago), free drinks, and a decent entertainment system (including internet for a fee). The weather was iffy (low ceilings/rain/ snow) but the flights were on time. When we arrived in Budapest, the Viking travel agent was waiting at the baggage claim. She made a dozen of us wait for “the last two people…”. After 45 minutes, she finally called the bus and we got out of there. It turns out the 2 people had some crazy idea the Viking transfer service was like a hotel shuttle you called when YOU were ready, and they went to eat breakfast after the flight. Many fellow travelers were NOT happy. Back: Austrian Vienna to Dulles (767 premium economy) but the airplane broke, and the flight was canceled. I’m not sure if being premium economy made a difference (i.e. – paying more) but rather than having to wait at the service center to get a new flight, we received texts and emails within 30 minutes with a new reservation the next day from Vienna to JFK on Austrian, then JFK to ORF on American. MAKE SURE YOU GIVE THE AIRLINE YOUR EMAIL/CELL # SO THEY CAN ALERT YOU AND CONTACT YOU. Conversely, in the USA Global Entry worked like a champ, they have added facial recognition and we didn’t even have to scan our passports. We bypassed the big customs lines and got through in literally 2 minutes. If you will travel out of the country a few times in the next few years, get Global Entry. It takes some effort to do the interviews/security checks and it costs $100 for 5 years, but you also get TSA pre-check with it. Our deboarding at JFK was delayed due to a medical emergency right off the jet bridge so our bags were waiting when we got there, but we still had to hustle them about 50 yards to a “connection” baggage desk. Why can’t the airline do that? Yes, a foreign airline can check your bags all the way through, even changing airlines, with today’s technology but you must drag them from carousel to counter (and no this was not due to customs). The contrast between clean, modern, and not crowded airports in Europe and the goat pen that is JFK is stark (not to mention the prices for crappy airline terminal food). Weather: I would not recommend this cruise in Nov/Dec if not for the Christmas Markets. The days are too short and the weather too cold/unpredictable/iffy UNLESS you are in it for the markets. There is just not enough daylight to really enjoy the "regular" excursions (it gets light about 7:30 and dark by 4:00). The ship and the Danube: The Viking Ingvi is identical to every other Viking Longship so refer to the commercial reviews for details if you are not familiar. The standard huge differences between big ocean ships and river cruise ships apply. There were 183 people, 90 were past Viking cruisers and many had been trying to do this cruise since 2020. Most were from throughout the USA, with a few from Canada, and at least one couple from the UK. We made multiple friends quickly. You should think about the timing and weather during your cruise while picking a cabin. We again had a Veranda with balcony but did not use the balcony this time because of the cold weather. We had a standard Viking experience (generally very good to outstanding service) however, it seems they are suffering server issues like everybody else. Dinner service (but not breakfast or lunch) was generally slow (two nights we missed dessert in order to make nighttime excursions). "On board enrichment" events were just so-so; mediocre local singers, etc, we missed most of them due to excursions and time at the boat, and the Danube history lecture came on the last day instead of at the front - who cares by then? The food was again very good to outstanding, the silver spirits drink package is worth the $150 per person. We are only social (not big) drinkers but when we drink, we like top shelf. Housekeeping, bartenders, servers (except dinner per above), cruise director, customer service desk were all A+ level. The ship's store even had stocked merchandise this time. We ate breakfast on the Aquavit Lounge every day on the previous cruise but this time it was only served in the restaurant - fine. It was so cold the "sun" deck was a waste this time and had been our hangout on the first cruise. Something Viking should have improved in 5 years, but has not, is the internet and TV service. They advertise this going in, but their IT connectivity sucks. The ship was generally on time but got in late at a couple stops - I assume due to delays at one of the 11 locks they had to navigate. However, the delay was in the middle of the night, so we didn’t really care, made for long nights for the ops crew though. Christmas Markets in general: We thought the Christmas Markets would be like the top scale juried craft shows in the USA. Not really, they are more like county fair craft and food stands. They are over 50% food (but GOOD food; great wurst, chimney cakes, langos, gluhwein, Christmas punch, roasted nuts, pastries, etc) but you have already paid for great food on the boat so are not that hungry. Woolen goods, wooden and crystal ornaments, wooden toys, some jewelry, Christmas pyramids and smokers, etc. The goods got higher quality (and slightly higher prices) as we moved west bound through Austria, to Germany, and the Czech Republic. DO NOT wait, however, to buy. If you like something, get it! You may not see it again and this is not a case of price shopping. The honey gluhwein, the fruit wine Christmas punch with a shot of vodka, and hot chocolate with Bailey’s were our favorites. I really liked the chimney cake pastries; in Prague they made them into cones filled with ice cream! The port calls and the excursions: General: We like to take the “tourist”/general survey type excursions first and then go back to see stuff more in depth as we get familiar and if we have the time. This cruise can trend to develop into an “ABC” cruise. ABC was a joke by Mihal (Michael from Serbia) the cruise director; “a beautiful castle, a beautiful church, another beautiful castle, another beautiful church…….oh damn! another bloody castle, another bloody church………..” YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF THAT VIA OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS. If you just stick to the provided excursions, you will get ABC’d to death. Security: At every stop we where told this part of Europe was very safe. However, every one of them said to guard your valuables, cell phones, cameras, tablets, cash, etc. by keeping wallets in front pockets and wear purses with straps in front of your body. They warned against pick pockets at the Christmas Markets as it can be like salmon swimming upstream as described elsewhere in this review. Budapest HU: The Corinthia Grand Hotel is the standard, versus upgraded, pre-cruise hotel, but it is still pretty grand. First class service, great cook-to-order breakfast/buffet, nice bars, good location mid-town on Pest (eastern side) of the river. “Moon” and Victor were great hosts. They gave us the intro tour, showed us how to use public transportation, advice on money, and gave restaurant and sightseeing recommendations. Two nights in the hotel, third night on the boat. Panoramic Budapest and Budapest by night were good intro tours. Not to be missed: Hungarian Parliament building, Castle Hill, Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion on Buda (west side), Pest side is offices, restaurants, bars, nightclubs galore (we learned Budapest is the bachelor/bachelorette party capital of Europe) and Christmas Markets (2). Wish we had seen: More of Buda on the west but the Chain Bridge is still closed due to major renovation, more of life during the Soviet occupation (didn’t get to those museums). Did not make it to the huge “open farmers market” or the “ruin bars” in the Jewish quarter due to time. The main Christmas Market was the most “county fair like” and we got worried they would all be like that – no they are not, we just had to wait. Bratislava SV: Biggest disappointment of the cruise. It was about 35 deg with heavy rain and winds on arrival. Our biggest complaint of the Viking staff was they lined everybody up in maybe 6 groups (it was the only tour that day) with umbrellas in the crappy weather then walked to town. They could have formed up in the boat by group and avoided half of that. We did the ABC tour, and an “organ concert” in a small church. The concert was a guy singer and his wife playing the organ who did 4 Christmas songs and then hawked their CD’s to the group. We hustled back to the boat to dry out and warm up and had no desire to check out the Christmas Market in the weather. So much for Bratislava. I have friends who told us it was a well-kept secret and a highlight of their trip. NOT on this day, a total bust. Not to be missed: NO CLUE! Wish we had seen: EVERYTHING! Vienna AU: A short cruise to Vienna. Wish we had two days there instead of one. Panoramic Vienna was a bus tour around the Ringstrasse and a walking tour of the old town. Some folks went to the Schoenbrunn summer Hapsburg palace, but we walked to the Hotel Sacher to get Sacher tortes, saw the Lipezzaner stables, and went to the other markets. There are 3 Christmas Markets increasing in size. The main market is HUGE in the park in front of the Rathouse (town hall). It was cold and we were there on a Sat afternoon/night. At 4:00 the place got overrun with families. Viking ran shuttle buses from the boat to the markets but there was so much traffic (and the cops closed down some roads due to a “demonstration” by ultra-left malcontents) the buses could not get to us. Viking did rescue us but we had to walk a ways to get to the transport. Oh well. Not to be missed: Vienna is one of the cruise highlights. An evening concert of Mozart, Vivaldi, and Strauss with a small orchestra, singers, and dancers. These musicians are members of the Vienna Philharmonic and opera and do this as a side gig. They are first class performers. Christmas markets (all 3) but go EARLY. Wish we had seen: Time to do interior tours of the Hapsburg Palace, etc. Inside tours of the other buildings and palaces. A mom and daughter on our boat had arranged to go to the opera, we would have liked time to go to other concerts and holiday performances. Wish we had one more day there instead of some of the following stuff. Krems AU: Arrived at 07:00. There was only time for a trip to the Gottwieg Abbey south of town. Really interesting working Abbey from the 12th century; vineyards, orchards, timber, schools, and local parish support. We were there on Sun AM and did not get to see the church due to mass. A very extensive and interesting, but long, tour left only 30 minutes for wine tasting, sightseeing, and shopping. Viking wanted to sail though the Wachau valley (kind of like the Middle Rhine) in the day light and left at 1:30. But with 35 deg and freezing rain – who cares? Nobody wanted to be outside talking pictures. It seems like they were sticking to the summer-time cruise plan, they need to be more flexible. Most of the Christmas Market was closed on Sun morning so not worth seeing. Not to be missed: Gottweig Abbey Wish we had seen: Christmas Market and the town instead of ABC castles and churches in the Wachau valley in the rain and snow. Linz AU: One of the highlights of the cruise. Linz is a combination of the very old with the very modern as it is the steel/industrial capital of Upper Austria. Think Pittsburgh but only 60 years old vice 125 years old as the Marshall plan rebuilt the steel mills after WWII. We did the old town tour and took the tram up to the little church north of town at Postlingberg. Second best Christmas Market where we discovered “the Linzer Angel” and great little cafe’s, we discovered Linzer torte and cappuccino at the bakery from where Maria Theresa had pastries delivered all over the Austro-Hungarian empire. Not to be missed: Take the #50 tram (ticket office in the town hall) up the hill to the little church, called the Linz Basilica, or more formally “Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows” church for an incredible view of the entire city. There is also a zoo and a kid’s fairly-tale amusement park called the Grottobahn full of families on that hill. The Christmas market had handmade ornaments and school groups performing as well as honey gluhwein, and the Linzer Angel. Passau GE: Last stop on the cruise just inside Germany. Did the old city ABC tour (are you starting to see a trend here)? Good Christmas market with nicer and more expensive stuff. We attended a gingerbread making lecture, discovered another neat café, and bought a bunch of goodies at Confiserie & Cafe Simon which is world famous for all kinds of candy, cookies, pastries, and baked goods. Those who did not book a post cruise trip had an early get up and a long bus ride (3 hrs + 2 hrs prior to departure show time) to the Munich airport. Maybe 20 went to the Salzburg/Munich post tour, then flew out of Munich. About 20 of us boarded a bus at 07:30 for the 4 hr trip to Prague on mostly two-lane roads over hill and dale in the snow that reminded me of the hills in western New York State. Prague CZ: Probably the highlight of the trip, better than Budapest and even Vienna. Marcus, the Viking host, and crew met us at the Prague Marriott which is a new and modern downtown full-service hotel. In fact, the complaints about this place were it was “too modern” and there were too many cruise lines staying there. There were 3 Viking boats, 2 AmaWaterways, and at least 1 Avalon. Some were on a pre-cruise stay and some were post like us. The hotel Artisan restaurant and bar was very good, and they had a pastry/coffee shop in the lobby (think the best Au Bon Pain or Panera Bread you have ever been to). We went to the main Christmas market in the old town square and did the Prague By Night tour with outstanding views of the city and a quick beer at the St Norbert monastery brewery. They had an early snow in Prague, and it was beautiful at night. Most people went on to the Lobkowicz tour and concert and we were the ONLY couple signed up for the Prague Food Tour. We had a personal guide (Charley who had lived in San Francisco for 7 years) and driver (George). Normally he has 6 -12 but we were not the first solo couple. We went to one place for appetizers, a second for roast leg of duck, potatoes, and cabbage, and to a third famous place for dessert. We discussed not only food, but history, culture, and politics one-on-one with somebody who had lived in the USA and also under Soviet communism in the former Czechoslovakia. JUST AWESOME! Prague has multiple Christmas markets but the main one is in the Old Town square. It was big with quality merchandise, a big stage with live entertainment, the BEST honey gluhwein, and the BEST gourmet hot chocolate with fanciest marshmallows I have ever seen (about $3). Not to be missed: Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Astronomical clock, St Norbert’s brewery restaurant (at least for me), and the Old Square Christmas Market. Wish we had seen: Inside of the Prague Castle buildings, more of the museums, there are art museums and Smithsonian style museums there was just no time for, more restaurants just no time to do it. Nuggets of wisdom that may help you save time, money, or aggravation, and make your trip more enjoyable: Travel insurance: It may seem “expensive” but it is relatively “cheap” peace of mind and we will take it every time. Also, we have Medicare for health care, and it is NOT in force outside the USA. Tipping: Servers in Europe, unlike the USA, get paid for serving and don’t depend on tips to make a living. So, a tip is really for exceptional service. Plan on 10% if service is exceptional. Ask them if you can give a tip if you want to. I’ve even had them present me with a bill for various amounts and they asked me to “pick an amount” I was comfortable with. If you liked the tour tip your local guide AND driver about 2 euros or $2 per person. This is their job, and they are not doing it for free. Money: I recommend you keep about $50 in USA dollars, $50 worth in Euros, and $50 worth in the local currency. You will be able to pay 85% of the time with a credit or debit card. Keep a little of ALL kinds of cash in your pocket. People will take at least one or maybe all of them. Use the ATMs for cash but NOT all ATMs. There are privateer ATMs all over the cities and towns, but they will charge a horrendous exchange fee (like 25%). USE ATMs ONLY AT BANKS. Always carry a few coins to use for the public restrooms. In Europe, the public restrooms are clean and there is usually an attendant. That is because they charge the equivalent of 25 to 50 cents to use them. The cafes and restaurants all have clean restrooms for customers. Credit/debit cards: As stated above most places will take cards (for sure all restaurants and bars, hotels, stores, even taxis). However, check your cards BEFORE you go and make sure they 1) have no foreign transaction fees and 2) know you are traveling and there will be charges from weird locations. Cell phones: 99% of all cell phones work internationally now. You can buy international plans by month or by the day for calls, texts, and data. Add one to your plan BEFORE you travel for yourself AND your partner. Google Maps works great overseas. Learn to user the “walking directions” feature, we NEVER use that in the USA as we always drive but it is very powerful. It will tell you exactly what public transportation to use (bus XX, to tram XY, walk 5 minutes to X street, and then take tram XZ to your destination, etc, etc). You can also use your phone to translate signs and such on the spot. Computers: As stated above the cruise boats have internet (although spotty and small bandwidth) and will not be as useful as if you are sitting on your home network. Local transportation: In the cities get a tram/bus/subway metro map and learn to use it. Ask the local Viking rep how to pay for fares (if needed) and how to use the system. In Europe everybody uses public transport, and in the USA (except in the very big cities) nobody does, we all drive our own cars. It was a pleasant surprise that in most locations public transport is FREE for those 65 and over. They may or may not have an Uber or Lyft where you travel (they had something called “Bolt” in Budapest and Prague that was a combination Uber and Door Dash) but they will have taxis. Be careful they do not say “independent contractor” on the door and are part of a big taxi company. The privateers can set their own rates and we were warned they prey on “rich” tourists. You should stick to public transportation anyway as it is plentiful, always runs, and is cheap or even free. That’s enough for now. Happy traveling and hope you enjoy yourselves, we certainly did (again) and are planning our next cruise.

The best way to improve the viking experience is stay home and watch television. My friend and I just returned from a cruise down the Danube. from Passua to Budapest. We bought the Munich, satzburg extension and the Budapest extension. When I got to Budapest I was taken to the hospital and admitted for 4 days with pneumonia. Iwas not allowed to stay on the viking sightseeing bus although I ask, I was forced to walk at least one half a mile in the snowy mist and on frozen ground. The trip went downhill from there. Viking made no attempt to help me although I purchased their trip insurance. Viking is after money only and gives no regard to the wellbeing of their customers.

We took a river cruise back in June 30 only we never left till July 1st The Vikings travel agent changed our flight so we missed a whole day in Budapest and they never refunded our $499 excursion trip I am still waiting They keep giving me the run around after i submitted all the qualification documents stating that the flight was changed

My husband and I recently travelled on the Viking Orion from Bali to Sydney. It was our first experience on Viking and we accepted the VERY high cost because of the rave reviews of a Viking cruise. We were greatly disappointed but that is for another review. As I have read through many social media posts one glaring problem was the inability of Viking to competently restock their liquor. Several premium brands were not available on our cruise and they ran out of dark beer and several other major categories of liquor completely. I understand this is a 1st world problem, but the ongoing complaints from other passengers makes me question the cruise line in general. Is Viking having problems restocking for a more systemic problem rather than the canned “supply problems” excuse.

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France River Cruises

Be it the Rhône, Seine, Dordogne or Gironde, France’s rivers reveal some of the world’s most celebrated locales: majestic Bordeaux, gastronomic Lyon, historic Normandy, picturesque Provence and elegant Paris. Let Viking immerse you in rich culture and tradition.

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Highlights of france river cruises.

France was born along its rivers. And Viking delivers you to the doorsteps of a nation’s history and culture, from romantic riverside ruins and lush vineyards to glittering cities of elegance and grandeur. Here is a selection of some treasures you will experience with Viking:

• The elegant architecture of Paris
• Historic Avignon, City of Popes
• Gastronomic masterpieces of Lyon
• Normandy’s American Military Cemetery
• Scenic landscapes that inspired Impressionist artists
• Rouen’s spectacular cathedral
• Farms and forests of Aquitaine
• Fine wines of Bordeaux, Beaujolais and Burgundy
• Charming villages and dreamy vistas of Provence
• The medieval wine-growing town of Saint-Émilion

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Viking Cruises chairman: ‘COVID is really behind us’

As many countries drop entry restrictions related to COVID-19 as well as the CDC easing advisories for cruise travel, cruise liners are eager to get guests back on their ships again.

In anticipation for a much brighter season the cruise industry about to embark upon, Viking Cruises is launching eight new longships, including four that are purpose-built for the Seine River in France. The remaining four will launch from their docking station in Amsterdam.

“I consider this thing, COVID, is really behind us,” Viking chairman Torstein Hagen said during a media briefing on Wednesday. “There are more of us who will get it. But now it’s a much less serious thing, and we should get back to life as normal.”

Hagen’s remarks echo comments earlier this week from Delta Air Lines chief executive officer Ed Bastian, who said, as Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, that the pandemic crisis, as far as the travel industry is concerned, is over.

Viking was the first major international cruise line to stop operations during the pandemic. The company recommenced with excursions during the summer of 2021, and since then, Hagen said, Viking has not experienced any COVID-related incidents or shutdowns. Hagen also suggested that Viking might relinquish the mask mandate onboard as soon as April 2022.

Erring on the cautious side, testing will still be required—although the frequency is uncertain. Throughout the pandemic, Viking has required both passengers and crew to participate in saliva tests daily, and all of Viking’s ships have been equipped for PCR testing.

The last full year of pre-pandemic travel, 2019 was a record year for Viking, producing $3 billion in revenue. Hagen said Viking is on track to outpace those figures in 2022, with an annual revenue growth forecast of 47% this year. With approximately 10,000 employees, Viking serves an average of 500,000 guests annually.

Since launching with four ships in 1997, Viking’s fleet has grown to 80 ships stationed around the world in 2022. Hagen cited Viking’s long-standing policies and brand as to why the company has grown as much as it has.

Hagen appeared optimistic for a major recovery for the European travel industry this year, but he acknowledged that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war could affect tourists’ plans to visit the continent. Hagen noted that he has said before that his favorite cruise at Viking is the river voyage between St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia. Obviously, given the current climate and many corporations halting operations in Russia, there are no trips there available right now.

“Hopefully we can be able to experience that in the not-too-distant future,” Hagen said. “It’s really a lovely countryside, and there are some great people. Not necessarily a great regime, but I hope we can come there soon.”

But the new European river cruises are at the forefront of Viking’s 2022 agenda and schedule. With the new longships, the 168-guest vessels feature customized hulls and engines specifically built to navigate the historic Seine, starting from an exclusive docking location at the Port de Grenelle in the center of Paris, just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower.

All of the ships host 84 staterooms in a variety of configurations (from two explorer premium suites to 22 standard staterooms). There are five floor plans to choose from, ranging from 150 square feet for the standard stateroom to 445 square feet for the explorer suite (including the private veranda).

All suites feature two full-size rooms, designed in streamlined Scandinavian style, with a veranda off the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom. Staterooms also have 42-inch flat-screen TVs (with major news channels and on-demand movies), free Wi-Fi, queen-size beds (with the option for a twin-bed configuration), 110/220 volt outlets and USB ports, and private bathrooms (including a glass-enclosed shower, heated floors, and anti-fog mirrors). Laundry service is also available.

Guests have access to common areas across four decks, starting at the top with the sun deck, featuring 360-degree views and shaded sitting areas as well as a walking track. Inside, there is the Aquavit Terrace and Lounge, an indoor/outdoor viewing area at the bow of the ship for alfresco dining, as well as a library and gift shop.

Described to be the “thinking person’s travel experience,” Viking’s trips on small ships are, by design, meant to be calm, quiet, and elegant.

“Luxury means different things to different people,” Hagen noted. “When you see these ships, you see understated elegance.”

Viking also has a number of rules uniform across its fleet that differentiate it from some larger cruise liners, including no casinos, no art auctions, no waiting in lines, no formal nights, no charges for Wi-Fi, beer, or wine at lunch and dinner, and no guests under the age of 18.

Hagen drew a line between Viking and comparable cruise ship operators, underscoring the purpose as to why people travel. While some cruise liners suggest that the ships themselves are destinations, Hagen reiterated that “the destination is the destination.”

“Viking has always been about exploring the world in comfort,” Hagen said. “This is what that comfort looks like.”

Viking is now booking for two itineraries planned for these ships on the Seine, including a new trip set to sail this winter during the 2022 holiday season. The eight-day voyage will include festive shore excursions such as baking homemade gingerbread at the 850-year-old Abbaye du Valasse, visiting an ornament workshop in Rouen, and shopping at traditional Christmas markets throughout Normandy. From now through March 31, 2022, Viking is offering special rates starting at $599 (not including airfare) on all 2022 and 2023 departures.

Viking already runs a number of river cruises throughout Europe on 190-guest longships, including sailing on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers.

The debut of new longships marks one of Viking’s inaugural events since restarting operations amid the pandemic. The small-ship cruise liner is also soon making its much anticipated (and long-awaited) debut into expedition voyages, exploring destinations in Antarctica, the Arctic Circle, and the Great Lakes. These itineraries were announced pre-pandemic in January 2020 , but were since put on hold. Viking is already picking up with the Antarctica expeditions and is expected to set sail on the Mississippi River, from New Orleans to St. Paul, later this year.

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• River Cruising

Looking for 2022 Viking River wine lists and bar prices

By NorskyGal , April 4, 2022 in River Cruising

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Can someone who is currently on a Viking River Cruise (April 2022) please post pictures of the current wine lists and bar prices.  I'd like to research the wines in advance of our May 2022 Grand European Tour on the Danube and Rhine.  This will help me decide whether or not to buy the Silver Spirits drinks package.

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Canal archive

Surprised it’s not on the website!

2017newcruiser

If you go to your Myvikingjourney site, and go to Onboard Experiences.

Click on the Silver Spirts 'Learn More' tab-

On the left there is a Sample Menu you can click on, that brings you to a menu w/ costs for the bar.

At least for the European River cruises!

Thanks 2017newcruiser.  That's great for the bar prices!  I don't know how I missed that given that I've looked on that site enough times.

Now...if someone can copy a current wine list, that would be wonderful!

We always get the Silver Spirits package.  If you're even a moderate drinker it pays for itself.  The complimentary wines with lunch and dinner are good.  But the chef's picks are usually much better, but will cost you.  Two glasses of that with lunch and dinner each day alone will cover most of the costs of the SS package.  

Our first VRC was Romantic Danube.  The bartenders knew the drinkers' likes pretty much by day two.  Nothing like wandering into the bar after dinner and having the bartender say "Mr. James, we just brought up a couple of bottles of 15-year old Scotch, would you like to try them?"  And no matter what they were pouring it was covered by the SS.  

• 2 weeks later...

On 4/4/2022 at 4:44 AM, NorskyGal said: This will help me decide whether or not to buy the Silver Spirits drinks package.

I am about to go on a Rhine Getaway so I'll try to get a photo for you.

HOWEVER, you do not have to buy it in advance, you can look at the drinks list when you board, see the prices and what is included - and what is not - and buy or not buy then.

Remember, everyone in the cabin must buy the package, and remember you can take drinks on board with you and they'll happily pour your own wine at meals no corkage.

If you drink a lot of spirits and cocktails it's probably worth it. We drink only wine with meals and the most interesting wines on the list have been excluded, so it's not been worth it to us. The house wine has been good, plus we've brought in local wines we've bought along the way.

This cruise, our 10th with Viking, the Silver Spirits package was included in the offer so I'll be trying the wine list -- but the sample menu on the website doesn't excite me.

notamermaid

1 minute ago, pontac said: This cruise, our 10th with Viking, the Silver Spirits package was included in the offer so I'll be trying the wine list -- but the sample menu on the website doesn't excite me.

Regardless, have a great cruise on the Viking Tialfi on "my" river. Will you be doing the same excursions as during your previous Rhine Getaway?

2 hours ago, notamermaid said: have a great cruise on the Viking Tialfi on "my" river. Will you be doing the same excursions as during your previous Rhine Getaway?    

Yes, from Basel to Amsterdam. It'd have been nice to do it in opposite direction but we got such a deal on this that, even tho' we weren't planning it we just booked it when the offer came.

Advantage is there's no pressing need to take shore trips again. If we don't feel like getting up early we can miss trip knowing we've already 'been there, done that'  🙂

Regarding Viking wine. Their house Austrian wine is of good quality and they often feature local wines, but we haven't had their Silver Spirits * package before and have bought local wine on shore. I am a wine buff..

*there's a clue in the name, it's not a Silver Wine package 

2 minutes ago, pontac said: *there's a clue in the name, it's not a Silver Wine package 

Ahhh, yes. Realize now. Nice to know there are a few local wines and you like an Austrian one.

Well, you know your way around the ports, so what bliss - getting up late and knowing that you will not miss anything and can wander off on your own to explore.

18 hours ago, pontac said:   Yes, from Basel to Amsterdam. It'd have been nice to do it in opposite direction but we got such a deal on this that, even tho' we weren't planning it we just booked it when the offer came.   Advantage is there's no pressing need to take shore trips again. If we don't feel like getting up early we can miss trip knowing we've already 'been there, done that'  🙂   Regarding Viking wine. Their house Austrian wine is of good quality and they often feature local wines, but we haven't had their Silver Spirits * package before and have bought local wine on shore. I am a wine buff..   *there's a clue in the name, it's not a Silver Wine package 

Where do you usually go to buy the regional wines? What kind of shops sell wine in germany, Austria and Budapest? 

On 4/23/2022 at 2:52 PM, Viking2020 said: Where do you usually go to buy the regional wines? What kind of shops sell wine in germany, Austria and Budapest? 

On any included walking tour you will see supermarkets and shops selling wines. Unless it's Sunday in Switzerland or Monday Morning in Germany!

Because the we had the Silver Spirits package and the wine list was very much better than I expected the only wine we bought on this trip was at an optional visit to a small family winery in Moselle (from Cologne, as a souvenir.

On 4/30/2022 at 6:55 PM, pontac said: Monday Morning in Germany!

Hmm, have not experienced a problem with that yet. I would say that should generally not be a problem but it may well depend on where you are. On Sundays shops are definitely closed in Germany, but a few designated tourist places are allowed to be open and wineries can sometimes help you out with buying wine on a Sunday. The cruise director would be the person to ask in such a case. In Germany, any EDEKA, REWE or similar supermarket chain will normally have a section of regional stuff including regional wine next to French, New Zealand, etc. Just look for the word "regional", it denotes a radius of usually 50km to 100km. I am on the Rhine but can get some wines from the Moselle for example. Or from Alsace. But you will be better off buying those right in Alsace for quality usually...

On the Vidar started Wednesday and have arrived in Passau. We are enjoying our cruise. We bought some very good sweet wines in Budapest at Faust Cellars in the Hilton but also the grocery store had them available. So far enjoyed the included Austrian wines. This boat has had Covid issues on the previous cruise and there is some again. They don’t announce anything but we’ve noticed at least 2 couples removed . The entertainment is not what we have experienced on prior cruises. The staff is great the food is very good and we are enjoying our trip. We have another booked on the Mississippi next spring but will NOT be booking anymore until after Covid restrictions. We dislike the daily spot tests and the masks. 

15 hours ago, notamermaid said: Hmm, have not experienced a problem with that yet. I would say that should generally not be a problem but it may well depend on where you are

Apologies, I got the day wrong! It was Sunday in Breisach

On 4/4/2022 at 4:44 AM, NorskyGal said: Can someone who is currently on a Viking River Cruise (April 2022) please post pictures of the current wine lists

 At last - this is the wine list from Viking Rhine Getaway 23-20 April. The five wines with an asterisk beside the bottle prices are not included in the Silver Spirits package

At those rates I’m glad I cruise with scenic far more choice and no extra cost.

A small selection of the wines on offer on Scenic Azure.

The wines included in the package were German - a Chardonnay (known as Weissburgunder in German) and a red blend - based I think on Dornfelder.

There was also a wine and cheese tasting

Two parties with a choice of drinks

Schnapps at the German night

Hot chocolate and rum while cruising Rhine Castles

For those who'd been before with Viking, the Explorer party with drink choices

Aquavit - I forget when

1 hour ago, Canal archive said: A small selection of the wines on offer on Scenic Azure.

Without knowing the identity of those wines it's not possible to judge the offering - but I should be  on Scenic (for the first time) in August.

So far, I am very un-impressed with them: instead of flying us non-stop to Bordeaux as Viking did with BA, they are flying us Air France to Paris with a long layover there. We will have to retrieve bags and go through customs then check  in (at another terminal?) for another flight

3 hours ago, pontac said:   Apologies, I got the day wrong! It was Sunday in Breisach

No problem. That explains it.

Thank you for posting the wine list. Great to finally read and see what the offers are. In the past, it has come across as though Viking may be a bit "sub-standard" when choosing regional wines but I am pleasantly surprised by the fact that Nahe and Ahr wines are on the list (both are left-bank tributaries of the Rhine). I must say, it would annoy me a bit though that few are available by the glass. And the prices for the bottles seem a little high. But then, I cannot know the quality of the wines.

Silvaner! Nice. But only one Moselle Riesling and one Rheingau Riesling? Could perhaps do better there.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed whichever one you chose to try.

We flew direct to Bordeaux from Bristol KLM.  You could Eurostar to Paris then TVR to Bordeaux.  Although Air France nearly really messed us up we were booked with them direct from Bristol and back. Without informing anyone including Scenic they decided to stop their direct flight returning to Bristol and re- routed us to Birmingham, well it did begin with a B. Luckily both Scenic and myself realised before it was to late to do anything about it. Scenic sorted it out with immediately and we flew KLM.

We would do the Bordeaux cruise again,  just a small tip when Scenic Diamond is ready to cruise through the Napoleon Bridge go up to the front deck to watch the ship being navigated through the navigation skills are superb. On our cruise a young Scenic captain returned from holiday to do the navigation they have to have particular qualifications.

Are you allowed to bring other alcohol on board, such as vodka and rum, or only wine?

13 minutes ago, Sun Lover said: Are you allowed to bring other alcohol on board, such as vodka and rum, or only wine?

We had no problem bringing on board 2 bottles.  There didn't appear to be any rules against it, nor did they ask what was in our shopping bag, so we didn't give to much thought.

On 5/2/2022 at 2:37 PM, Canal archive said:  You could Eurostar to Paris then TVR to Bordeaux. 

That's what we booked originally. But I wasn't keen on having the Paris transfer so changed to a flight not assuming for a moment that it wouldn't be non-stop.

We've done Bordeaux before with Viking and booked Scenic expecting to go to different wineries. I'd like to compare the two lines, but the lack of a non-stop flight and a long layover in Paris means they will have to be magic+ to encourage us to book with them again.

@Sun Lover  I can only speak for Viking where you can bring any drink you like on board. There's a fridge in the cabin, ice machines in corridors, and you can ask for glasses at the bar if you don't want to use the in-room water glasses.

@notamermaid  I think it's not possible to make a wine list that will please everybody. Re wine prices, many passengers are on the Silver Spirits package and wines on list are included, so if you want only one glass of any wine you can. The package was included in our booking.

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Viking River Cruises 2022 France

Don't miss, cruise lines without vaccine requirements, what cruise ship goes to jamaica, what cruise lines depart from savannah ga, which cruise lines have single occupancy cabins, how much is the norwegian cruise, de palm tours sunset cruise aruba, when is the best month to cruise alaska, lyon & provence cruise.

Provence is one of Frances most famous regions, a place characterized by endless lavender fields, stone buildings, medieval towns, sunflowers and wineries. This is the place of Van Gogh and Cézanne, who with their artwork captured these landscapes forever.

The Lyon and Provence Cruise starts in Avignon and takes you to gorgeous towns like Arles, Viviers and Tournon before ending in Lyon. In Lyon, youll have no fewer than three days to explore this spectacular city, which is considered to be Frances culinary center. This 8-day Viking River cruise in France is packed with fun activities and memorable sights, including the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, gastronomy in Lyon, truffle hunting and Beaujolais wine tasting.

• Destinations: Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Tournon and Lyon
• Duration: 8 days
• 866-867-6538

Toiletries And Personal Products

Another bonus of river cruising is the ample time spent ashore means you can easily pick up any necessary toiletries along the way. There is also a small shop on board should you require something urgently.

On Viking River Cruises, there is no need to bring basic toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, soap, or body lotion. Unless of course, you need a specific product. These are things that weigh your bags down and are most likely to leak in your luggage.

Viking has a beautiful premium range of products designed exclusively for them by Freyja. Best of all, they are in good sized bottles and are replenished daily or as you need.

There is no need to bring a hairdryer. Save the space in your bag. Viking provides good quality, powerful hairdryers in each cabin. Not the low power dryers permanently attached to the wall as you find in many hotels.

If you use a straightener or curler, you will need to bring this.

Medications

Dont forget any medicines you might need for the duration of your cruise plus additional just in case of any delays.

Tip for Travelling with Medications

Check any travel advice for the countries you will be travelling to regarding prohibited medications lists . If your medication appears on a banned medications list for that country, ensure you have the appropriate paperwork and approvals before leaving home.

The Road To Utah Beach Is Paved With Memories

Our day began with an 8:00am motor coach departure. Everyone on the coach was quiet we crossed the nearby bridge and lumbered along the streets of Rouen. Finally, we were on the highway.

Like clockwork, as we arrived at the Visitors Center in Omaha Beach, Lionel spotted the car and driver waiting to take me to Utah Beach. Colette stepped out of her small white car, shook my hand and was given last minute instructions from Lionel. We were on our way.

It was a 45-minute drive from Omaha Beach Visitors Center to Utah Beach. If everything went as planned, on the way back, Id still have an hour at Omaha Beach before wed board the bus to the American Cemetary and the memorial ceremony.

I remembered enough high school French and Colette spoke enough English that we were able to have a mishmash of a conversation on the drive. It was hard for me to take my eyes off the road. Road signs pointed the way while centuries-old stone masonry homes with colorful flower boxes appeared and disappeared in a blink, as we drove past tiny Norman villages.

Colette slowed her car as we neared the entrance to Utah Beach. I didnt know if I should cry or embrace the moment for my dad. I think I did both.

Heres my photo journey from Rouen to Omaha Beach and on to Utah Beach a dream that became reality.

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Setting The Standard In Cruising For 25 Years

When we started Viking in 1997, we envisioned that travel could be more destination-focused and culturally immersive. We immerse you in the art, history, science and nature of a destination to offer greater cultural insight and personal enrichment.

Our elegant, intimate ships with all the amenities of a fine hotel will carry you into the smallest ports or the very heart of some of the worlds greatest cities. And with no kids, no casinos, and the industrys leading Health & Safety Program, you can explore the world in comfortand with great confidence.

Plus you can enjoy exclusive offers, including flight offers and savings of up to $8,000 per couple*.

Review The Shore Excursions

When reviewing the river cruise itinerary, look carefully at any excursions you may want to take or have already booked.

Depending on the type of excursion, you may want to pack specific clothing such as comfortable, versatile hiking/walking shoes for optional easy hikes.

There may be swimming or bathing opportunities, such as the traditional Russian Banya or the therapeutic spas in Budapest, which will require a swimsuit.

Reviewing the shore excursions is particularly important when considering what to pack for a river cruise in Europe, as most cruise itineraries offer a range of cultural evening excursions such as the opera or ballet.

If you choose one of the evening excursions, you may want to pack something a little dressier.

Visiting one of Budapests iconic thermal spas is a highlight on the Danube Waltz Cruise Passau to Budapest

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Enjoy Paris & Norman Treasures

Dock in the heart of Paris, admiring views of the Eiffel Tower and a replica of the Statue of Liberty from your ship. Experience history firsthand at the Normandy beaches and delight in Rouens Gothic architecture. Explore Giverny and the charming house and gardens where Claude Monet lived and worked, the setting inspiring many of his masterpieces. This voyage celebrates history, art, food and customs in Frances most alluring urbane and pastoral settings.

Paris & The Heart Of Normandy Cruise

Anyone who wants to explore the northwest of France should take a close look at this eight-day Paris & the Heart of Normandy cruise . This round-trip voyage from Paris takes passengers through Giverny, the location of quaint farmsteads and glorious gardens. Its where Claude Monet used to live, thes beautiful landscapes featured abundantly in his paintings. Youll also pay a visit to historic Rouen, where you can walk in the footsteps of Joan of Arc.

Also included in the itinerary are visits to some of the most iconic World War II D-Day beaches in Normandy, such as Juno Beach, Omaha Beach and Gold Beach. Sailing up and down the seine, youll also pass through scenic towns like Les Andelys, known for its Chateau Gaillard, and Mantes-la-Jolie. Of course, theyll be plenty of chances to sample mouthwatering French cuisine, too.

• Destinations: Paris, Vernon, Rouen, Normandy beaches, Les Andelys and Mantes-la-Jolie

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What Season Are You Cruising In

Most people associate river cruising with Europe but you may have chosen a river cruise in China, Vietnam or even Egypt.

When considering how you should dress for a Viking river cruise, depending on the cruise you have chosen, first, think about the season and what weather you may expect.

In Europe, many people choose to take a river cruise in the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn which can mean changeable conditions.

Even the summer months in some parts of Europe can be unpredictable. Whereas, in the summer months in parts of Asia, you can expect a lot of rain.

Light snowfall in spring in St Petersburg Russia during a Russian river cruise. Even though it is the best time to take a River Cruise, weather can change quickly in the shoulder seasons.

Viking River Cruise To Normandy Beaches

I was only 20 yrs old when my father passed away, leaving me with so many unanswered questions. A visit to the Normandy beaches, Utah Beach in particular, would be more meaningful than ever now that he was gone.

One treasured memento I hold dear is a seashell my dad brought home from Utah Beach. On the day he was there, in blue ink on the shells smooth interior, my dad wrote the date, Aug 23 1944.

For me to walk on Utah Beach, the same Normandy beach that he did nearly 75 years ago, would be a bittersweet and momentous event. I very carefully carried the seashell with me.

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France River Cruise Packages

France has both large cities and beautiful nature in the provinces, so there is no wrong time to visit France. However, you have to consider the Mistral, which can blow fiercely in Provence during the early spring. Although the strong wind normally visits France in the winter, it can still roar through the area of Provence as late as March.

The best time to take a France river cruise will depend on where you plan to travel. While a classic Seine cruise trip can be taken from March through November, you may want to take a river cruise along the French Riviera when it is cooler, or during March/April or October/December. Because it can get quite warm in the south of France during the summer, you need to consider the geography.

If you plan to visit Beaujolais or Burgundy and take a river cruise through wine country, you might want to book your cruise in the summer, or during the times when wine festivals generally take place. Therefore, the best time to embark on France river cruises depends on where you plan to travel in France and how much you can afford to spend. Naturally, peak season prices are the highest with shoulder season rates giving your wallet or bank account a break.

New Orleans & Southern Charms

This 8-day roundtrip New Orleans cruise overflows with the charm, history and hospitality of the Lower Mississippi. Explore historic estates, visit notable Civil War sites, and sample the bustling French-flavored port cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Sway to the tempos of Dixieland jazz, gospel and blues, and savor gourmet Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as traditional Southern fare.

This 8-day cruise from Paris to Paris celebrates history, art, food and customs in the countrys most elegantly urbane and beautifully pastoral settings of Paris and the Normandy region.

This 12-day cruisetour from Paris to Zürich explores four fascinating countries, discovering the glorious landmarks, intriguing architecture and beautiful landscapes of historic cities set along the Moselle and Rhine Rivers.

This 11-day cruisetour from Budapest to Bucharest reveals the old-world charms, cherished traditions and picturesque natural beauty of Eastern Europe during this journey into Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.

This 12-day cruise from Cairo to Cairo uncovers ancient secrets and reveals the welcoming culture of Egypt along the picturesque Nile, with visits to historic cities, awe-inspiring pyramids and well-preserved temples.

This 10-day cruisetour from Lisbon to Porto sails the breathtaking Douro River, one of Europes most scenic and a longtime producer of the countrys prized port wine, to experience the best of Portugal.

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Highlights Of France River Cruises

France was born along its rivers. And Viking delivers you to the doorsteps of a nations history and culture, from romantic riverside ruins and lush vineyards to glittering cities of elegance and grandeur. Here is a selection of some treasures you will experience with Viking:

• The elegant architecture of Paris
• Historic Avignon, City of Popes
• Gastronomic masterpieces of Lyon
• Normandys American Military Cemetery
• Scenic landscapes that inspired Impressionist artists
• Rouens spectacular cathedral

Normandy Beaches With Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruise Program Director Lionel lives in the north of France and he knew Normandy like the back of his hand. We spoke on the first day about my need to somehow get to Utah Beach.

Most river cruise shore excursions to Normandy Beaches only go to Omaha Beach and the nearby Gold and Juno beaches. But not Utah Beach.

Id rent a car if I had to do that but Lionel said that hed find a way to make this work. Somehow he called someone who arranged for a taxi to meet me when our bus reached the Omaha Beach Visitors Center.

As Lionel was going to be on the tour with the passengers, he would make sure I would get to Utah Beach with a driver.

Almost always, when a Seine river cruise includes a visit to the Normandy beaches, the ship docks only as far north as Rouen. Its also fair to say that you can expect about a 10-hour day from the time you leave your river ship, until you return in time for dinner. Well worth it.

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Best Luggage For A Cruise

What kind of luggage is best for a cruise? The best luggage for a river cruise is sturdy, easy to manoeuvre through airports and easy to stow under the bed once you have unpacked on board.

We prefer a soft duffle style bag with wheels and a telescopic handle. They are easy to pack, easy to carry and pack flat when not in use. They also are more forgiving if you do overpack a little or pick up one too many souvenirs on your trip.

Always keep comfort in mind when choosing clothing for a cruise. Easy care, wrinkle-free, breathable fabrics are best.

Viking River Cruise Packing List And Cruise Packing Tips

Posted on Last updated:

Home > > Travel Tips > > Cruises > > Viking River Cruise Packing List and Cruise Packing Tips

A common question for first-time river cruisers is how to pack for a cruise ?

Having sailed on a number of Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises , we realise packing for a river cruise differs from what you would pack for a cruise on one of the bigger cruise lines.

With this in mind, weve put together this Viking River Cruise packing list , loaded with helpful cruise packing tips to help you get ready for your river cruise or even your first Viking Ocean Cruise.

You will find an example 7-10 day packing list at the end of the article to use as a starting point for your packing.

Related: 10 Travel Safety Tips to Put in Place Before You Go

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Best Viking River Cruises In France

Viking River Cruises is among the worlds best river cruise lines. In fact, it basically invented the whole concept singlehandedly, creating a new niche in the cruise market that proved to be super-popular among the cruising audience. This multi-award-winning company offers river cruises all over Europe, but some of their top itineraries run through France. In this post, we wanted to highlight the three best Viking River cruises in France.

Booking Terms & Conditions

PRICE GUARANTEE: Once you have paid in full for your trip, you are safe from any additional charges. Airfare increases, currency fluctuations, increased fuel surcharges, new government taxesnone of these will apply to you.

20222024 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR SAVINGS: Offer valid on bookings made from July 1-31, 2022. Special fares plus FREE international air valid on 20222023 departures of Grand European Tour and European Sojourn 2023 departures of Capitals of Eastern Europe . Airfares vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise/tour offer. All prices are in CAD dollars and for CA residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. Book by July 31, 2022. 2022: Pay in full by July 31, 2022 or at time of booking if within 90 days of departure. 2023: Pay in full by September 30, 2022. 2024: Pay in full by Decemeber 31, 2022. Offers expires July 31, 2022.

AIR OFFER RESTRICTIONS: Offer expires July 31, 2022.

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Chateaux Rivers & Wine Cruise

This Bordeaux-to-Bordeaux cruise is absolute perfect to explore Frances premier wine region. Youll spend eight days sailing through Aquitaine, which at one point was the wealthiest kingdom in all of Europe. This is where youll find the most imposing castles and chateaux, some of the worlds most famous vineyards and truly superb seafood .

Offering all sorts of one-of-a-kind experiences, from creating your own cognac to sampling the finest oysters in the country, the Chateaux, Rivers & Wine Cruise will be remembered for the rest of your life. If youre after wining and dining, this is without question one of the best Viking River cruises in France. Additionally, Bordeaux itself is home to tons of historical architecture and heritage. Paris is the only French city that has more historic monuments!

• Destinations: Bordeaux, Cadillac, Libourne, Bourg and Blaye, and Pauillac

Cruise The Beautiful Rivers Of Europe With Viking In 2022 And Get Cruise And Air Savings

Taking a river cruise offers unrivaled convenienceunpack once, relax and enjoy everything the journey has to offer. State-of-the-art ships, comfortable accommodations, regional cuisine, daily guided shore excursions, and exemplary service all add up to an unforgettable journey at an incredible value.

For a limited time, sail Europe’s rivers for as low as $1,999, receive air savings and shipboard credit on select Viking river cruises!

Search the sailings below or connect with our experts at 1 439-7963 to start planning your next adventure with Viking Cruises.

Want to learn more about Viking Cruises and how you can receive shipboard credit on ANY new Viking reservation? Join us November 17, 2021 at 3 pm AZ for a special Virtual Event with Reiner Marks, Business Development Manager for Viking Cruises. Register today before space runs out!

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What’s Next for River Cruising?

R iver cruising has become more popular than ever before, and with its rise in popularity and demand come some new developments in the river cruising world. 

From Botswana and Egypt to Colombia and the mighty Mississippi, river cruising is expanding rapidly across major rivers across the globe, thanks in large part to more adventurous, well-traveled travelers and well-known river cruise brands like AmaWaterways, Viking River Cruises and Avalon Waterways. 

There are three new developments happening in the world of river cruising: new rivers and destinations diversifying a subset of the cruise industry that Europe generally dominates; an increased focus on themed or specialty river cruises, from classical music cruises to literary-themed cruises; and an interest in longer cruises or pre- and post-cruise stays that enhance a traveler’s overall trip. 

Christen Sellier, Travel Advisor for Travel Concierge Services LLC, a Dream Vacations affiliate who books primarily river cruises with AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways, predicts the same things: “I foresee continued rapid growth and increased interest in river cruising. I also foresee cruise brands targeting and marketing to a wider demographic.”

“We will probably see more brands launching their own versions of U by Uniworld to attract Millennials and Gen Z clients,” she continued. “I also predict more partnering with railroads and offering pre- and post-package trips. Special Interest cruise itineraries will become more abundant and in demand.”

New Rivers & Destinations

Perhaps the buzziest news surrounding river cruising lately has been the addition of new river cruise itineraries in completely new destinations — most notably, AmaWaterways’ new Rio Magdalena cruises in Colombia , debuting in 2024. 

But many cruise lines have been expanding into other destinations, too. Besides the Rio Magdalena, AmaWaterways recently expanded into the Chobe River in south-central Africa. Many, including Viking, Uniworld and Avalon , are also debuting or have already debuted new ships along the Douro River in Portugal and the Nile River in Egypt.Viking River Cruises, meanwhile, has also begun offering river cruises in the Mississippi River , while Uniworld is the first to offer cruises along the Peruvian Ucayali and Marañón rivers. 

It seems like the main driver for these new itineraries are well-seasoned travelers who’ve likely already cruised along Europe’s popular waterways and are looking for something more adventurous. 

“While most first-time river cruisers are drawn to the Danube and Rhine rivers visiting iconic cities like Budapest, Vienna, Amsterdam and Cologne, we have a large following of repeat guests that are always looking to us to take them to a new destination further afield,” said Rudi Schreiner, Co-Founder and President of AmaWaterways.

“Our unique sailings along the Mekong, Magdalena, Chobe and Nile rivers give guests an unparalleled opportunity to discover these off-the-beaten-path destinations with extraordinary culture, traditions and beauty, while simultaneously taking comfort in the luxurious amenities and customer care from start to finish that AmaWaterways is known for,” he continued.

River cruising in these destinations offers something that many other travel styles beyond traditional touring cannot provide: they often grant travelers access to in-depth explorations and guided tours of a destination’s culture, wildlife and historical wonders that traditional traveling might make more difficult. 

It’s likely there will be more rivers receiving their first river cruise ships and passengers in the future as the demand for more river cruising in different destinations expands. 

Specialty Cruises that Support Niche Interests

Some river cruise lines, such as Avalon and Uniworld, offer a wide variety of special interest and themed cruises ranging from itineraries focusing upon photography to LGBTQ+ oriented cruises, Jewish history cruises and multi-generational cruises. 

Some of the most notable include Avalon Waterways’ popular Storyteller Series cruises, which offer cruises hosted by storytellers such as Graham McTavish and Diana Gabaldon, giving cruisers an opportunity to meet and indulge in their love for their favorite books or TV series while also enjoying all the benefits of a European river cruise.Viking and AmaWaterways have also followed suit with a small selection of specialty cruises, such as wine-themed, foodie or classical music-centric cruises. 

“We are excited that our brand of destination-focused, active river cruising with a strong culinary presence continues to appeal to a more diverse group of travelers of all ages and backgrounds,” said Schreiner. 

“Younger travelers, groups of friends and extended families are turning to river cruising as a stress-free and convenient means to visit multiple countries and immerse themselves in distinct cultures while personalizing their experiences onboard and onshore,” he continued. “We also anticipate increased demand for themed cruises, like our Celebration of Wine, Soulful Epicurean Experiences and Latin Touch cruises.”

With travelers more interested in personalized travel experiences than ever before, including among the luxury traveler segment, and with the demographics among river cruisers changing following the pandemic, river cruise lines are responding with more special interest cruises, a selection which we anticipate will grow even larger. 

“I would say the favorite feature that clients rave about is the variety of shore excursions offered for every fitness level and point of interest,” said Sellier. “It definitely feels more personalized, which of course contributes to that enriching, elevated experience.” 

A Stronger Demand for Pre- and Post-Cruise Stays 

Popular especially in Europe are Viking River Cruises’ and AmaWaterways’ individual pre- and post-cruise stays, which are often specially curated for an itinerary in a selection of popular cities. 

One of these stays is typically two to three nights long and includes transportation, accommodation and included excursions which can round out a traveler’s stay in Europe.Viking River Cruises’ Executive Vice President of Marketing, Richard Marnell, identifies a growth in demand for these types of add-ons, as well as for longer voyages. 

“As our guests have returned to post-pandemic international travel, we have seen many of them increasingly interested in spending more time with us,” said Marnell. “Our 15-day voyages, such as the Grand European Tour and France’s Finest, remain very popular, and about 45 percent of our guests also add one of our Pre or Post land extensions before or after their voyage.”

So…What’s Next for the World of River Cruising? 

Chances are, we’ll see quite a few exciting new developments in the river cruise world in years to come. More specialty and themed cruises, as well as new offerings along other major rivers of the world, will likely entice both seasoned river cruisers and younger, more adventurous travelers, while expanded pre- and post-cruise offerings will encourage travelers to spend more time enjoying a river cruise line’s offering while off the ship.