Viking cruise tips for first timers
The short answer
Viking ocean cruises are adults only (18 and over), destination-focused and quiet, with no casinos and no formal nights. Wine, beer and soft drinks come with lunch and dinner, WiFi is included, and you can bring your own alcohol with no corkage fee. Budget $20 per person per night in gratuities if not prepaid.
What a Viking cruise feels like
Viking's ocean ships are mid-sized, calm and understated: Scandinavian design, lectures and long port days, with an included excursion in most ports. There are no casinos and no children. It suits curious travelers who care more about the destinations than the ship's nightlife.
First-timer tips specific to Viking
- Everyone must be 18 or older on the day of embarkation.
- Wine, beer and soft drinks are included with meals. The Silver Spirits package adds cocktails and more.
- You can bring your own alcohol, buy it ashore, and drink it anywhere on board, with no corkage fee.
- Evenings are elegant casual: no formal nights, but no jeans at dinner.
- Gratuities are a recommended $20 per person per night, added if not prepaid.
Viking is for people who want to see the world, not a waterslide. It's calm, and very well run.
Viking's rules, from its own pages
Viking: the rules, from Viking's own pages
- Daily gratuities
$20 USD per person per night, added automatically if not prepaid
Viking calls it a recommended rate and it can be changed or paid in cash at Guest Services.
Separately, Viking suggests $3 per person per day for local guides and $2 for local drivers.
Source: Viking, checked September 21, 2026
- Drink packages
Silver Spirits Beverage Package — $27 per guest, per day
House beers, wines and soft drinks are already complimentary with onboard lunches and dinners. All-day coffees and hot teas are complimentary too.
Silver Spirits is a flat daily fee and adds unlimited global beers, select wines, champagne and spirits.
Source: Viking, checked September 21, 2026
- Dress code
Casual by day, “elegant casual” in the evening, and no formal nights
Daytime: shorts, slacks or jeans, with comfortable shoes for walking tours.
Swimwear, cover-ups, robes and exercise attire belong in the fitness, pool and spa areas only.
Evening “elegant casual” applies to all dining venues, performances and special events. Ladies: a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse. Gentlemen: trousers and a collared shirt.
Source: Viking, checked September 21, 2026
- WiFi
Included, with heavy-bandwidth use limited
Viking states it reserves the right to limit large downloads and software updates so everyone has access.
The line notes you will often get better connectivity ashore in port.
Source: Viking, checked September 21, 2026
- Bringing alcohol
Bring your own, drink it anywhere, no corkage fee
Guests may bring alcohol on board, buy it ashore, or buy it in the onboard shop.
It can be drunk in your stateroom or in public spaces, restaurants included.
Viking charges no corkage fee.
Source: Viking, checked September 24, 2026
- Minimum age
18 and over on the day of embarkation
All guests must be 18 years old on or before the day they embark.
Viking does not maintain facilities or services on board for younger guests.
Source: Viking, checked September 21, 2026
Packing for Viking
Comfortable walking shoes, elegant-casual evening clothes (no jeans at dinner), layers and a small day bag for excursions. Start with the cruise packing list.
First-timer questions
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