Viking River Cruises

When will we receive our final documents?

Your electronic documents will be emailed to you approximately 2-3 weeks prior to your embarkation. You may also access all documents and information regarding your booking by visiting your My Viking Journey Account. Access details to My Viking Journey Account, will be sent you by your Global Journeys Travel Advisor.

Is my stateroom furnished with amenities that I do not need to pack?

All stateroom bathrooms are equipped with premium bath toiletries. A hair dryer is also provided, and laundry and pressing services are available. Depending on your stateroom category, laundry and pressing may be complimentary. If your stateroom category does not include these services, they may be purchased for a modest fee.

We need twin beds; is this possible?

Most staterooms have beds that can be set up separated or together. Please let your Global Journeys Travel Advisor know about your bed configuration preference so we can make sure your stateroom is set up properly when you arrive. To do this yourself you can visit the Stateroom Preferences tab under the Onboard Experience section in your My Viking Journey account to update this online.

When is embarkation?

Embarkation on our Europe itineraries generally begins at 12:00 PM. A light Welcome Buffet is served at 12:00 PM. Embarkation on our Mississippi itineraries begins at 11:00 AM for all categories.

See below for stateroom availability times on Viking's Europe itineraries:

• 12:00 PM: Explorer Suite, Veranda Suite
• 3:00 PM: Veranda Stateroom, French Balcony Stateroom, Standard Stateroom

Should you arrive before your stateroom is available and wish to explore your port of call, please drop off your luggage shoreside where we will gladly look after it. Please keep in mind that, if you do go exploring, you will need to be back on board the ship at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

When is disembarkation?

Disembarkation begins in the morning of the final day of the sailing itinerary. Times may vary depending on arrival in port. All staterooms must be vacated by 9:00 AM.

What is the dress code on board?

During the day, dress is casual including shorts (if the season is warm), slacks or jeans and comfortable shoes for walking tours. There are no “formal nights” in the evening; recommended evening dress is “elegant casual.” For ladies, this may include a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; and for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. A tie and jacket are optional.

Some shore excursions visit religious sites that require modesty of dress. To avoid being denied entry, we recommend men wear long pants and refrain from sleeveless shirts; and for women, clothing that covers the knees and tops that are not sleeveless or too revealing.

Is there internet access on board? Are there computers, or should I bring my laptop?

All ships sailing our Europe, Egypt and the Mississippi itineraries offer free Wi-Fi. You may use your personal device or one of the ship’s computers. Our connection relies on a cellular or satellite terminal - the best possible solution for river cruising. Due to the nature of data bandwidth and latency, as well as potential interruptions in satellite signals based on terrain and weather, you may experience slower online connections than you are accustomed to at home.

On our Mekong ships, you may use one of the public computers on board to access the Internet; however, please be aware that Internet access across all of Southeast Asia is very limited and Wi-Fi is not available.

What is the electrical voltage in the stateroom?

Electricity on the ships is 220V. Our European ships have the German Schuko safety plug, which has two pins. In China the ships have a 3-pin blade safety plug; if you have an adapter with just the two slanted blades that will work fine. In Southeast Asia the ships use a two pin Europlug. Some of these plugs are grounded and some are not. For more details and pictures of the plugs, click below. Each stateroom will have one or two 115V razor plugs available, generally in the bathroom.

What forms of payment are accepted on the ship?

Items you purchase on board, together with any optional excursions you purchase, will be added to your shipboard account. You may settle your account in cash (local money, dollars or euros) or with a credit card (sorry, the ship is unable to accept travelers' checks). You can include gratuities for shipboard personnel to your shipboard account (except in Southeast Asia).

Will we be able to have laundry done on board?

Laundry service is available on board; unfortunately clothes cannot be dry cleaned.

Can you accommodate my dietary needs?

In most cases we can. Every meal has vegetarian options on the menu, and our chefs are able to prepare low-salt or gluten-free cuisine. If you require a liquid diet or strictly kosher foods, you may have your products shipped to your cruise ship and we will be more than happy to serve your special meals. Please be sure to make your requirements known when you make your reservation so we will be fully prepared when you begin your journey. Guests requiring special diets such as vegetarian, low salt, diabetic or low cholesterol meals must alert Viking River Cruises one month prior to departure and inform the Maitre d' when on board. The chefs will make reasonable efforts to accommodate these requests.

Are the ships non-smoking?

All Viking ship interiors and staterooms are nonsmoking. Each ship has an outdoor smoking area.

Is there fitness equipment on board?

While your ship does not have any fitness equipment, feel free to walk the Sun Deck for your daily exercise, or take part in our shore excursions and walking tours.

What is the tipping and gratuities policy?

From the Program Director and Hotel Manager to restaurant servers and housekeeping, the onboard staff is dedicated to serving you. Gratuities are included on board, except for the Program Director and Assistant Program Director on the Mississippi. Any additional tipping is at your discretion.

Should you choose to tip your local guides and/or drivers, we recommend doing so at the end of each tour in cash. We suggest $5 USD per person per day for local guides and $2 USD per person per day for drivers.

Can I use my credit card throughout my journey?

MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted in major shops, restaurants and hotels as well as to settle your shipboard account. Notify your credit card companies that you will be traveling abroad to avoid holds on your account. American credit cards with magnetic stripes may not work in European automated ticketing machines (such as transit vending systems) as these require chip and pin cards; contact your credit card company for details.

Are ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) available?

Yes. ATMs are a good source of cash domestically and overseas; however, they may or may not be conveniently located in the larger cities and may be rare in smaller towns. And your itinerary may not always allow you sufficient time to locate one. Your Guest Services staff or tour guide may be able to assist you.

Depending on itinerary, when available, ATMs dispense local currency for internationally accepted ATM cards and/or credit cards, and have a service fee. If you are planning to use ATMs, you should confirm with your bank prior to departure that your ATM/credit card and Personal Identification Number (PIN) will work abroad.

Transfers

When you purchase your flights in conjunction with Viking River Cruises, airport transfers are included in your air cost, if your arrival and departure dates coincide with the first and the last day and destination of the river cruise itinerary. If guests arrival and/or departure dates are different dates to these, then airport transfers are not included. Guests who are not arriving or departing to the destination on the first and the last date of the cruise/tour itinerary will have to make their own way to the hotel or vessel at their own expense. Passenger flight details must be given to Global Journeys 45 days prior to departure. Viking and Global Journeys will not be responsible for late arrivals or missed transfers due to delayed or cancelled flights, for missed cruise/trip days or for extra costs resulting from the foregoing.

Boarding Time

On turnaround day, the entire ship must be cleaned in preparation for your arrival. The facilities of the ship, including your cabin, will not be available before 4pm. We appreciate your understanding on this matter. Should you arrive early, you may leave your bags in the Reception area and take a walk into the city, or relax in the lounge.