FAQS:

Will Mr. Radko* be with us each day on this Viking Cruise Tour?

Yes! While this is a Viking Cruise Tour, with professional Viking guides and staff, he will be with us as your celebrity artist guest and Christmas expert, ready to share his love of the season with you.

Tell me about meals and drinks?

Viking has many meal choices on board. Your ship will be your floating hotel. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Wine and beer as well. On land, food purchases are optional and not included.

You can upgrade to Silver Spirits Beverage Package on board the ship, and enjoy unlimited beers, wines, spirits, cocktails & more. To maximize your beverage options—beyond Viking’s complimentary house beers, wines and soft drinks (available with onboard lunches and dinners), and all-day coffees and hot teas—Viking offers the Silver Spirits Beverage Package for a flat fee per guest: $27 USD per day.

My Trip

Passports, Visa & Travel Documents

Viking will send you a number of notifications via email as your departure date nears, including your booking confirmation, payment receipts and, if you purchased your air travel from Viking, logistical information about your air travel and transfers. Be sure your email account is set up to receive communications from Viking so that these messages can find their way to you.

Distribution of Travel Documents

Tickets and other travel documents will be issued approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. Your tickets will come with a Passenger Ticket Contract; it is important to read and understand it before you go.

Passports

Due to airline security measures, your passport name must match your airline ticket name or you may be denied boarding. Your passport’s expiration date must be at least six months after your return from your trip; if it is not, you should renew your passport.

Visas

Visa requirements are subject to change at any time without notice. Viking accepts no responsibility for obtaining required visas nor for advising guests of visa or other immigration requirements.

Travel Protection Plan

For your convenience, Viking offers a Travel Protection Plan administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. This may help protect your travel investment, your belongings and most importantly, you from many unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, including costs of circumstances that may arise from any illness (including COVID-19*). The Travel Protection Plan includes a non-insurance Cancel For Any Reason Waiver (provided by Viking), Travel Insurance Benefits (underwritten by Generali- U.S. Branch) and Assistance Services (provided by Generali Global Assistance). Payments are for the full Travel Protection Plan, which is made up of the Part A Non-Insurance Cancel For Any Reason Waiver, and Part B Insurance Benefits, and Assistance Services (a separate fee for Assistance Services is included in the Plan Payment). Individuals looking to obtain additional information on the plan fees, may contact Trip Mate at assistancefees@tripmate.com. Insurance benefits in the Plan are subject to limitations and exclusions, including an exclusion for pre-existing conditions. Plan benefits, limits and provisions vary by state/jurisdiction and not all coverage is available in all states. To review full plan details online and Important Disclosures, go to: tripmate.com/wpGR625V.

*COVID-19 is treated the same as any other sickness. The plan requires a sickness to be “examined and treated by a physician”. We consider all PCR or laboratory tests to have been administered by a physician.

Can children travel on a Viking Cruise?

All guests must be 18 years old on or before the day they are scheduled to embark on their cruise; we do not maintain facilities or services on board for younger individuals.

I have been told I need to complete a Guest Information Form. What is it, and how do I take care of it?

The Guest Information Form (GIF) enables us to create your reservation, produce travel documents and make any airline reservations. You must complete a GIF for each person traveling in your party as soon as possible.

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

All Viking ships offer free Wi-Fi. You may use your personal device or one of the ship’s computers in our Business Center on Deck 1. The connection relies on a VSAT satellite terminal—the best possible solution for voyages at sea. 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. In order to ensure fair usage for all, Viking reserve the right to limit heavy-bandwidth applications, downloads or software upgrades so that all the guests have access to Wi-Fi. We suggest that guests limit large uploads/downloads and live streaming. Please download your content prior to your journey, as bandwidth will affect your service and cannot be guaranteed. Viking would be pleased to help you with your device settings once you are on board. We hope you will understand that we will do our very best to provide you with an enjoyable online experience, and remember you will likely be able to access standard Wi-Fi and data roaming services on shore in most towns and cities you visit.

When is disembarkation?

Disembarkation begins after the ship has docked in the port and after all customs and immigration formalities have been successfully completed. The times will vary due to the specific immigration and customs procedures in the specific port.

When is embarkation?

Embarkation begins at 3 PM for all rooms.

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

We plan to go a few days early and then make our way to the ship. What is the docking location?

Approximately two weeks prior to departure, your travel documents will be e-mailed to you with this information. In addition, Viking is pleased to offer a selection of local extensions before and after your departure. Pre & Post Cruise Extensions are listed on each itinerary page or you may visit the Extensions page in your My Viking Journey account upon booking for additional details.

My Ship

Are there refrigerators in the staterooms?

Each stateroom is equipped with a minibar. Your stateroom category will determine whether your minibar is replenished daily with drinks and snacks. Purified water is provided in all staterooms and refilled daily.

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 irons are available in the complimentary self-service launderettes. Depending on your stateroom category, laundry, pressing and shoe shine services may be complimentary. If your stateroom category does not include these services, they may be purchased for a modest fee.

Your electronic documents will be emailed to you 14 days prior to your embarkation. In addition to your electronic documents, approximately 14 to 45 days prior to your departure you will receive a package in the mail which will include your personalized embarkation tags and one red transfer sticker per guest if applicable.

Is the ship non-smoking?

Viking vessels are generally nonsmoking. In order to accommodate guests who choose to smoke, there is a designated outdoor smoking area on the starboard side of Deck 8. All other areas of the ship, including your stateroom and veranda, are designated nonsmoking areas. Smoking restrictions also apply to e-cigarettes.

What is the electrical voltage in the staterooms?

You will find both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in your stateroom. All outlets are European style (2-pin) with a ground, except for two US 110V sockets above the desk and one US 110V socket on each side of the bed; there are no UK 3-pin sockets. Should you need an adapter, they are available for sale in the onboard shop or can be found at most electronics or travel stores. (Remember that if you are staying in a hotel for part of your journey, you will want the appropriate adapter for that country as well.) In your stateroom, you will also find several USB ports to charge cell phones and tablets; just bring the appropriate cable with you. Most modern electronic devices can accommodate different electrical currents, so you probably will not need a current converter; hair dryers are provided in your stateroom.

My Trip and Documents

Are there luggage restrictions during the trip? What personal items are allowed on board and which are prohibited?

Each airline has its own luggage policy regarding fees and other restrictions; please contact your airline directly for the most up-to-date information.

On board, luggage must be stored in the guest’s stateroom. Additional information will be made available with ample time for you to plan for your voyage. A full list of allowable and prohibited items on board is available below.

Prohibited Items

All firearms (working, nonfiring, replicas, imitations & air/pellet guns)

All forms of ammunition

Stun guns, Tasers, or any electroshock devices

Cricket or archery bows & arrows; crossbows; darts; diver’s spearguns; catapults; any bats, hockey sticks, etc.

Axes, ice picks or cleavers

Knives or scissors (if the blade is longer than 3 inches or 7.6 cm)

Scalpels

Shaving knives or blades

Wallpaper knives

Martial arts or self-defense gear (pepper spray, knuckle-dusters, rice flails, clubs, nightsticks, batons, etc.)

Handcuffs

Illegal drugs

Hookahs

Candles or incense

Coffee makers

Flammable liquid & all explosives (lighter fluid, fireworks, flares, etc.)

Hazardous chemicals (bleach, paint, etc.)

Extension cords (USB and laptop charging cables are exempt)

Ham radios

Aerial drones not allowed to be operated from the ship

Any electrical device with a surge protector

Any electrical device that produces heat, such as:

Clothes irons, including steam irons

Hot plates or heating kettles

Electrical air humidifiers & refreshers

Heating pads

Allowable Items

Cigar cutters

Disposable razors

Knitting needles

Crochet hooks

Knives or scissors (if the blade is shorter than 3 inches or 7.6 cm)

Nail files & clippers

Tweezers

Syringes for medical use

Umbrellas

Curling irons

The above list is subject to change without notice. Any such items shall be surrendered to the Ship’s Security Officer (or delegate) at embarkation and may be disposed of at the sole discretion of the Ship’s Security Officer.

If you are participating in an overland excursion or pre-/post-cruise extension, there may be additional luggage requirements. That information will be forwarded prior to your departure date.

Are transfers included?

Transfers are included with Viking Air purchase and all of our extension packages.

Do I need travel protection?

While travel protection is not required, we do recommend it. Emergencies sometimes arise, and you want to protect your travel investment.

Viking offers United States guests the opportunity to purchase the Travel Protection Plan, administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. When you purchase the plan at or before the date you make your final payment for your trip, you also receive the Viking Enhanced Cancellation Waiver Benefit that allows you to cancel your Viking travel arrangements before your scheduled departure for any reason and receive a Viking travel voucher for the cancellation penalty amount. The Travel Protection Plan also covers your flights purchased through Viking.

Does the Travel Protection Plan offered by Viking cover medical treatment, quarantine, repatriation etc.?

Yes. The Travel Protection Plan offered by Viking, and administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand, helps protect you from many unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, which could include necessary medical, quarantine or repatriation expenses for any illness (including COVID-19).

What happends if a guest falls ill and is determined to have contracted a communicable disease while on a Viking voyage?

Viking has protocols in place to minimize the spread of communicable diseases. Guests may access medical services – onboard our ocean, expedition and Mississippi ships and while on our river ships, through our partnerships with shoreside providers. Any expenses incurred associated with the illness – medical, quarantine or repatriation, etc. are the guest’s responsibility.

What do I do in case of air travel emergency?

If you have a travel protection plan, please contact that provider. If you do not have travel coverage and you purchased air from Viking, please contact 1-877-523-0580. If you arranged your own air and are traveling independently, contact the emergency number listed in your Cruise Documents.

What should I pack in my luggage?

We suggest you pack comfortable walking shoes, dressier shoes, a collapsible umbrella/lightweight rain gear; items you can layer like lightweight jackets/sweaters; sunglasses, a sun hat/visor, sunscreen; and toiletries including a travel-size hand sanitizer. Depending on the season and destination, you may also want to add mosquito repellent or a warm coat, gloves and water-resistant footwear. To visit religious sites, ensure you have modest clothing that covers your knees and shoulders, or you may be denied entry.

Will I earn airling loyalty program miles/points?

Frequent flyer miles may not be earned on Viking flights because of our special fares. You can add airline frequent flyer numbers to your reservation on the airline website to take advantage of any benefits that may be offered by the airline in recognition of your membership status.

What is the cancellation policy for my booked shore excursions?

In order to ensure quality guides and sufficient transportation, we must provide the tour operator with guest counts at least two days in advance. Therefore, no refunds will be given within two days of any shore excursion.

Tours require minimum participation levels to operate so please sign up as early as possible.

Tours operate rain or shine.

Online booking and cancellations will close seven days before your ship sets sail.

During this seven-day pre-sail period, you can cancel items by contacting us.

Once you arrive on board, you will have the ability to manage your shore excursions again, with one exception—all shore excursions that occur during the first two days of sailing will be non-refundable.

Please note, whether an optional tour is booked now, or on board, refunds are only processed on board and will be applied as a credit toward your shipboard account balance. Should you have a negative balance at the end of your voyage, the refund toward your credit card will be processed on board. Please allow 14 business days for this to reflect on your statement.

Life On Board

Will there be talks or presentations on board the ship?

Yes. All of our itineraries feature daily briefings, enriching lectures, and entertaining presentations that highlight the history, culture, music and uniqueness of each of the local regions you will be visiting.

Can I bring alcoholic and other beverages on board?

Guests may bring alcohol and beverages with them, purchase alcohol ashore at destinations that sell alcohol, or purchase them from the onboard shop. Alcohol can be consumed in the guest’s stateroom or in public spaces, including the restaurants. There is no corkage fee.

Can I upgrade the complimentary beverages on board?

Yes. Viking offers complimentary inclusive wines, beers and soft drinks with onboard lunches and dinners, plus specialty coffees and assorted hot teas that are available 24 hours a day.

For those who would like to upgrade, we offer the Silver Spirits beverage package. For only $27 USD per night, enjoy unlimited beverages in all onboard venues, bars and lounges anytime throughout the duration of your voyage. The package includes our house champagne, wine and beers by the glass, plus select wines by the glass, cocktails, aperitifs, well drinks, mixers/long drinks, a selection of upgraded whiskeys and soft drinks, up to $18 USD each. Silver Spirits also includes the Chef’s Table premium wine pairing, complimentary access to standard tasting events, a 50% discount for premium tasting events and a 30% discount on premium beverages, including bottles of wine. You may purchase the package prior to sailing, including in the My Viking Journey portal under the Dining & Beverage page, or once you are on board. Our World Cruise guests receive a complimentary Silver Spirits Beverage package as a part of the World Cruise amenity program.

Please note you must be 21 years of age or older to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. Both guests in a stateroom must purchase the package for the full length of the voyage in order for it to be valid.

Can you accommodate my dietary requirements?

In most cases, we can. Every meal has vegetarian options and the chefs will make reasonable efforts to accommodate special requests. Guests requiring special meals (low salt, diabetic, gluten-free or low cholesterol) should alert us 90 days prior to departure over the phone at 1-877-668-4546. Guests should also inform the Maître d’ when on board.

While we take steps to minimize the risk of cross contamination, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free kitchen.

Is the ship non-smoking?

Viking vessels are generally nonsmoking. In order to accommodate guests who choose to smoke, there is a designated outdoor smoking area on the starboard side of Deck 8. All other areas of the ship, including your stateroom and veranda, are designated nonsmoking areas. Smoking restrictions also apply to e-cigarettes.

More features, services and excursions included

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

All onboard meals, featuring regional specialties & always available classics

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

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Complimentary access to The Nordic Spa & Fitness Center.

Self-service launderettes

Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge

24-hour room service

Your Stateroom Includes:

King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linen

42″ flat-screen LCD TV with intuitive remote & complimentary Movies On Demand

Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer

Premium Freyja® toiletries

Direct-dial satellite phone & cell service

Security safe

110/220 volt outlets

Ample USB ports

Is there internet on the ship?

All ships sailing our Europe itineraries offer free Wi-Fi. You may use your personal device or one of the ship’s computers. The 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. In order to ensure fair usage for all, Viking reserves the right to limit heavy-bandwidth applications, downloads or software upgrades so that all our guests have access to Wi-Fi. We suggest that guests limit large uploads/downloads and live streaming. Please download your content prior to your cruise, as bandwidth will affect your service and cannot be guaranteed. Viking will be pleased to help you with your device settings once you are on board. We hope you will understand that we will do our very best to provide you with an enjoyable online experience, and remember you will likely be able to access standard Wi-Fi and data roaming services on shore in most towns and cities you visit.

How is the air treated on board Viking ships?

Viking’s fleet of modern, small ocean and river ships feature independent air handling units, which means each stateroom has “fresh” external air that is not shared with other staterooms or public spaces. Just like in a hospital, we have also designed a solution to implement short-wavelength ultraviolet (or UV-C) lights and new high-density filters that will sanitize the air on our vessels. This solution will ensure that: 99% of viruses and bacteria in the air are killed.

We maximize the possible number of air changes.

We provide a risk-free solution for the crew when cleaning filters, as viruses are killed and not simply trapped in the filters.

What is the dress code?

During the day, dress is casual, including shorts, slacks or jeans, and comfortable shoes for walking tours. Swimwear, cover-ups/robes and exercise attire should be reserved for the fitness, pool and spa areas; please avoid wearing these items in other common areas of the ship. There are no “formal nights” in the evening; evening dress is “elegant casual” for all dining venues, performances and special events. On these occasions, required attire for ladies includes a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. A tie and jacket are optional; jeans are not permitted. The evening dress excludes World Café, where the dress remains casual after 6:00 PM.

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.

What is the tipping policy?

Viking’s onboard staff is dedicated to providing you with the best experience possible, and it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of their service. How much you choose to tip is a personal matter and completely at your discretion. To save you the worry over whom to tip, Viking offer two options, based on our standard recommended gratuity rate of $20 USD per person, per night. You can either pre-purchase gratuities at our standard recommended rate in your My Viking Journey account, or if you have not pre-purchased gratuities before your departure, we will automatically add them at the same recommended rate of $20 USD per person, per night to your shipboard account, to be charged to your credit card. They will appear on your final invoice.

Gratuities, pre-paid or charged at the end of your voyage, will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide your trip experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff and others. Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts or pay in cash, visit Guest Services at any time.

You may also wish to tip your local excursions guides or drivers; we suggest $3 USD (or equivalent local currency) per person, per day for local guides and $2 USD (or equivalent local currency) per person, per day for local drivers, at the end of each tour.

What is the Viking Service Guarantee?

We hope you love your trip from the very beginning; however, should you be dissatisfied with our service upon first check-in (hotel or on board your ship), including food, personnel or shore excursions—just notify us within 24 hours of the start of your voyage (if your first check-in is on board your ship, notify the Guest Services staff; at a hotel, contact your Viking Host). We then have 24 hours to correct the situation, and in the unlikely event a solution is not possible, you can then depart as soon as possible and we will refund 100% of your cruise price. We can assist with any departure reservations, but your return trip/alternate travel plan costs are your sole responsibility. This Service Guarantee cannot be activated or applied for acts of God, strikes or other circumstances beyond our control as indicated in our Ticket Contract.

Health & Accessibility

Can you accommodate guests with disabilities or special needs?

Viking welcomes guests with disabilities and special needs. However, guests should realize there are inherent risks associated with traveling on board ships that are unique to cruise travel. For people with disabilities or special needs, the risks can be more significant. Guests should be comfortable moving around the ship in case of an emergency, aware of the lack of immediate access to medical services in certain parts of the world and cognizant that access to some ports of call may be limited or impossible. Guests should also consider their needs when making a booking as our crew will not assist with personal tasks, such as eating, dressing, toileting, bathing or provide other personal extensive assistance. Viking reserves the right to deny boarding or restrict access in the event that a guest represents a risk to themselves or to the safety and well-being of those on board. Please reach out to us at 1-877-668-4546 or send an email to accessibilityservices@viking.com for more information.

Am I required to provide Viking with advanced notice that I have a disability or special needs?

We do not require advance notice about your disability or special needs. However, in order to best accommodate you, we strongly encourage you to notify us at the time of booking or as soon as possible of:

any need to use a mobility device or special equipment (including oxygen equipment and accessories) during your voyage;

any condition that may require medical treatment during your voyage;

any condition that may render you unfit for travel;

any condition that may pose a risk or danger to you or anyone else on board;

any need for sign language interpreting services during your voyage; or

any need to bring a service animal on board.

May I bring a mobility device on board?

Although Viking does not offer mobility devices on board for personal use, you are welcome to bring your own device (including manual or motorized wheelchairs or scooters, rollators, walkers and canes). Due to safety considerations, any mobility devices you bring on board must: Be 22” or under in width (including wheels and armrests) when in use — mobility devices over 22” wide will not fit through our standard stateroom doors and will need to collapse or be dismantled to fit through the standard stateroom door; Weigh less than 50 pounds or break down into components that each individually weigh less than 50 pounds – our crew cannot assist lifting anything that weighs more than 50 pounds; Be independently managed and operated by you or your traveling companion – our crew will not lift guests or provide other personal extensive assistance; and Be securely stored in your stateroom, including during charging. Devices cannot be stored in corridors or public areas as hallways and other public areas must be clear for other guests and crew to safely move on board. We do not offer alternate locations for mobility device storage or charging on board. If you need to bring a mobility device, we strongly encourage you to complete our Health & Accessibility Form, contact us at 1-877-668-4546 (1-877-66VIKING) or send an email to accessibilityservices@viking.com as soon as possible, either at the time of booking or at least 60 days prior to the commencement of your voyage, so that we may best assist you. Please be advised that filling out the Health & Accessibility Form does not automatically indicate approval or confirmation for any specific request or service. Subject to availability, you may book a wheelchair-accessible stateroom, which is designed with wider doors, a roll-in shower and ramped thresholds, to allow you to maneuver your mobility device in your room. Please also note that the use of motorized mobility devices may have additional limitations at international ports and airports, or on tours.

Vaccinations

You are strongly encouraged to seek advice from your healthcare provider or an approved public health advisory service to identify any vaccinations or health precautions required for each port of call. Vaccinations may be required by the country from which your voyage departs or countries that you will visit on your itinerary. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country.

More Information:

This FAQS section is provided for informational purposes only, and may not be complete. For a complete FAQS section and additional information, visit www.VikingCruises.com

Why Viking?

Viking Cruises are the world’s leading small cruise line. Discover the Scandinavian difference at: https://www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/why-viking/the-viking-difference.html