• Viking Ocean

Handicap accessibility - Our experience - 12/15-1/5 Viking Sun

By dcsam , January 11, 2018 in Viking Ocean

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Cool Cruiser

We recently returned from the Miami to Los Angeles portion of the world cruise. For those who have some mobility issues, we highly recommend Viking Oceans. It was our best cruise thus far!!! We've cruised with Holland, Princess, Azamara. Viking is our favorite line now, and we're forever spoiled!

My husband can walk, but not for long distances. His balance is also poor due to a stroke several years ago. I made several inquiries about bringing his scooter, and was told no. It is a small, compact, lightweight scooter (35 pounds). However, we saw more than 3 scooters while onboard. One scooter user said he was given the 'okay' by Viking when he told them his scooter was narrower than his wheelchair. I'm not sure why we were told 'no'. We ended up bringing his transfer chair. And I'm glad we did. The hallways seemed narrower than other cruises we have been on - perhaps they're the same. The hallways do have railings which could make the hallways seem narrower, but my husband found them very helpful when he did walk. Large scooters simply would not work, but small ones seem doable IF one is able to do some walking and move their scooters in and out of their cabin. Even with a transfer chair, he found it helpful to get out of the chair and walk the hallway when the housekeeping carts were in use. I did notice one couple who kept both their scooters outside their door (on the couple of times I was on that floor). I thought this was a big 'no no' due to safety reasons.

We requested a shower chair/stool, but apparently they ran out. When the ship was rockin and a rollin, I brought in a balcony chair. That worked. But not easy. When the seas were calm, my husband would use a towel on the shower floor to aide with traction.

We loved the fact that every deck had elevator access. Even the top decks and walk-around promenade were wheelchair accessible with automatic doors. Smooth transitions too - no big lip to go over. There were ramps to the mid-ship pool too. The handicap bathrooms (in public areas) were really nice and so helpful to those with 'challenges'.

The only area that proved challenging was the area around the Wintergarden. No automatic doors there, and the doors were narrow.

We were very careful in choosing our excursions. There weren't any 'slow walking' groups.

Sometimes the ramp off/on the ship was very steep. Too steep for my husband to remain in his chair. So being able to walk seems important in choosing this line. However, one employee did say there is a different area they can use for those who are wheelchair bound. We just didn't need it.

If (when) we take another Viking Oceans cruise, we'd most likely bring the transfer chair rather than the scooter. The scooter is narrower, but the transfer chair allowed us a bit more flexibility.

Please feel free to ask questions and I'll be happy to respond.

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I agree with you as to their being helpful but when the ramp is steep, it’s difficult. My walker folds and weighs very little so I was able to fold mine and put in the corner of the room.

  • 2 weeks later...

hateleavingthecats

thank you for the thorough review. my husband has trouble walking great distances as well. we took a viking river cruise and he essentially stayed on board for most days because the distance to get to the bus/charter for excursions was too far to walk. we don't have a wheelchair or transfer chair or scooter. can you tell me what it was like when you got off the ship - was the bus or transportation nearby or a fair walk? we are thinking of just hiring our own excursions versus the viking offerings. thanks for any insight you can offer!

To get to the buses in June, it wasn’t far but I do have a walker. My walker is from Sweden so it’s great on cobblestones and beaches. It’s also very light

philw1776

It varies. Just like River varies. Every port different. Some just at the end of the gangplank while others are quite a walk away.

deec

Trying to be kind and sweet with this post. I am thankful for our continued health and we are traveling now while knees, hips, and joints work well. But when we can’t travel independently we will hopefully be gracious enough to stop. There are 3 or 4 scooters on our WC. They have not seemed to be much of a problem on board....but 20 or 30 would pose a terrible traffic jam. If you need a scooter find a cruise line that welcomes them. We have been impacted by significantly handicapped individuals during excursions. Viking should be able to deny these individuals access to some excursions. They are Not safe and the detract from our experiences. I sure hope Viking can figure this out. If my excursion to Petra is shortchanged because we are waiting to load wheelchairs and Wobblies who will have difficulty with the heat and long walks, I will be unhappy.

I’m only 60 and unfortunately, I injured my back after spinal surgery and from exercising, I injured my hip by tearing tendons and muscles. Fortunately , I only need to use a cane and walker. So I hope you never have these injuries but if you do, I hope that you will be as welcomed as I was on my midnight cruise in June on the Star. So I hope you continue to have good health so you don’t need help in the future.

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I don't understand why Viking does not have a "gentle walker's" group on the ocean cruises like they do on the river cruises. I am sure there would be enough people to join that group to make it worth having.

We had one very unhappy man on one of our excursions who had a very hard time keeping up because the terrain was very hilly and the cobblestones very uneven and bumpy, and he was very upset that the tour guide would not slow down to his speed. He would have been much happier in a slow/gentle walking group where he could have toured at his own pace instead of trying to keep up with the rest of the group.

I don't understand why Viking does not have a "gentle walker's" group on the ocean cruises like they do on the river cruises. I am sure there would be enough people to join that group to make it worth having.   We had one very unhappy man on one of our excursions who had a very hard time keeping up because the terrain was very hilly and the cobblestones very uneven and bumpy, and he was very upset that the tour guide would not slow down to his speed. He would have been much happier in a slow/gentle walking group where he could have toured at his own pace instead of trying to keep up with the rest of the group.

Totally agree, you must know your limitations. I pushed myself and lost a pint of blood from my leg injury. Would I still have pushed myself, hell yea.

I was under the impression that Viking only allowed wheelchairs, but not scooters on the ocean ships. I wouldn’t mind so much but we have on more than one occasion been the victim of reckless driving. [emoji33]

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Shore Excursion group say it is too hard to have slow groups when there are so many excursions....but I think they are aware of the concerns on both sides of this issue and are trying to figure it out.

That's good to know. I guess enough people have made comments on their evaluation cards that they are evaluating the situation.

Hateleavingthecats;

Are you able to push a transfer chair? If so, I’d encourage you to look into purchasing one. They’re maneuverable, compact and got us ‘out and about’ more than without. Even if you only used it while onboard, you might find it helpful getting around. I’d suggest finding one that has the largest front wheels in addition to large back ones. They do have a tendency to stop on the smallest of rises or lips. So some caution is needed. Pulling it backwards helps get over those small hurdles.

Pick your tours carefully. I spent a lot of time reading about the various ports and what to expect. I cancelled one tour because it seemed too challenging for my husband. But overall, it went well. We’re also getting to the point where taking private excursions would be best. But on our cruise, outside private tours were quite limited due to our ports of call. It would be beneficial for all if Viking Oceans offered slow walking tours - at least for the popular included ones.

stretchcruz

I totally agree with deec and h20tstr. Viking Ocean really needs a slow walking group. It is not fair to able bodied people on the tours to have to wait for those who are not, and to have to wait for walkers, etc, to be loaded, and it is also disconcerting for those who are not able bodied to realize that they are holding up an entire group because of their special needs. I'm sure that they would rather be in a slow walking group and know that they are not inconveniencing others. I've had a knee replacement and many broken bones, etc, so I am empathetic to both sides. I'm also not ancient (63). (some days it feels ancient). Even if Viking had to have a smaller bus (Avalon did this on our 3 river cruises) for the slow walkers, it would be worth it for everybody.

What is your hurry ? ! You and I are on a 141 day cruise . Please give everyone a break and slow down . The sights you are so eager to see will still be there when you arrive . Just think if you had to switch places with someone in a wheelchair, how long would you last? Most Likely not Long! Also a River Cruise is completely different from a Ocean Cruise - on a river cruise you stop Most Times in the middle of a city . On a world(ocean ) cruise you may and we have docked in commercial ports with no/little facilities for the able body folks, much less small buses for the folks in need ! I take my hat off to the folks who have disabilities, go for it and don’t let anyone put you down for your disabilities.

I am not fortunate enough to be on your world cruise...I still work full time and am currently recovering from a serious surgery that I had just before Christmas. I am simply responding to what other people said. I'm extremely empathetic to folks with disabilities..I am in the health care field. I was simply trying to say (not very successfully obviously) that it benefits both the able bodied and those not so to have separate groups...that way everyone is comfortable. I have enjoyed your posts and pictures and hope to continue doing so. I am sorry I offended you.

Thanks for the reply, you didn’t offend me and I hope you are recovering well ! I just think everyone should slow down and enjoy what you have . Remember at a blink of an eye, you or someone you love, could be forced to live in that wheelchair everyone hates ! Enough Said ! Get Well !

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  • 4 months later...

sweetieweetie

God bless you! I am only in my 50s but I have Multiple Sclerosis and am in a wheelchair the majority of the time. Why I don’t want to slow anyone down, some of these comments seem like I should stay home, not live a life, and prepare for death. I just wanted to thank you for your comments. I wouldn’t wish this disease on anyone but I’m still alive! Again, God bless you.

Karen_Travels

Thanks for the information about accessibility on the cruise. I am also surprised to hear that Viking Ocean doesn't have "leisurely" walking groups like one of our Viking River cruises offered. My mom walks fine but she isn't super speedy and has to be careful on stairs. Being able to join the leisurely group made her feel less pressured for speed (she was far from being the slowest) and it gave me more time to take pictures so I didn't mind the slightly slower pace.

It does seems strange that Viking was able to offer leisurely groups in a number of cities on a river cruise (where there are less than 150 passengers) but doesn't do that on their ocean cruises. With 900+ passengers, it would seem easier to justify offering a slower walking group option for the included excursions, at least, even if the excursions still weren't wheelchair/scooter compatible. Perhaps we just had an exceptional Cruise Director who went beyond the typical Viking policies. The other Viking River cruise we took only had a slower group option in one or two cities (and it seemed to be a "no stairs" rather than "leisurely" in focus).

It's good to know my mom will be able to take it easy on her knees by avoiding stairs on the ship. In November we'll take our first Viking Ocean cruise. Thanks and happy cruising!

Twitchly

Maybe Viking doesn’t offer the slow-walking tours because they would be swamped with takers! I can walk just fine at this point in my life, but I’d much prefer a slower speed so I could take pictures and just soak up a place. I’m much less interested in dashing around in order to cram as many sights as possible into the time.

Of course, DH and I would end up on different tours because that’s exactly what he wants to do!

Elizabetho55

This a difficult subject and my intention here isn’t to offend anyone - only to state some facts. I think that Americans are so accustomed to the ADA laws in our country that they don’t realize that Europe doesn’t have the same requirements. While Viking does target the over 55 demographic I believe they are pretty clear that the cruises are geared towards physically able adults. While they do try to accommodate people who have challenges I don’t believe they are targeting that population. Please read their policy online under FAQs “Can you accommodated Disabled Passengers”. It states: “Viking Cruises welcomes disabled guests but wishes all guests to understand that challenges will exist on board and during shore excursions. Our ocean vessels have elevators, but there may still be thresholds that could make movement difficult. Shore excursions may require movement over cobblestones or up and down stairs”. So while everyone is free to choose Viking they should understand that they may be limited with what they are able to do.

SmoothFlying

I was under the impression that Viking only allowed wheelchairs, but not scooters on the ocean ships. I wouldn’t mind so much but we have on more than one occasion been the victim of reckless driving. [emoji33]     Sent from my iPad using Forums

My wife and I were witness to this situation on a cruise which happened to my sister, who was in our party. All three of us, in single file, on deck five were approaching the aft elevators when suddenly a large man, driving a scooter SOO fast around the elevator area that he lost control and almost turned it over (and would have) if my sis hadn't been there to break his fall !:eek: He GLARED at my sister, and SCREAMED, 'Leave me the HELL alone !!' I know all of this because I was behind her and was shocked at his rudeness. She, also was perplexed and just said too me after he sped off. 'I was just trying to help and make sure he didn't hurt himself'. Guess he didn't see it THAT way. Wonder, WHAT he'd done if my sis had just simply stood aside or kept walking, letting him turn over, with scooter on top.:rolleyes:

Pyroforyou

Whats wrong with most tours being slow walker tours? Nothing. If thats what the passengers want then it should be offered. Since slow walker tours are only on Viking river cruises right now, planning is very important for people who cannot ambulate well. While on the Star this Feb the Explorer desk staff had no idea of how most tours were conducted. Being on the same cruise 2 times in a year led me to see too many variations in how the tour guides conduct their tours. There will always be variations due to local conditions but not major differences for no reason. The forum on CC for disabilities is helpful.

5,000+ Club

This a difficult subject and my intention here isn’t to offend anyone - only to state some facts. I think that Americans are so accustomed to the ADA laws in our country that they don’t realize that Europe doesn’t have the same requirements. While Viking does target the over 55 demographic I believe they are pretty clear that the cruises are geared towards physically able adults. While they do try to accommodate people who have challenges I don’t believe they are targeting that population. Please read their policy online under FAQs “Can you accommodated Disabled Passengers”. It states: “Viking Cruises welcomes disabled guests but wishes all guests to understand that challenges will exist on board and during shore excursions. Our ocean vessels have elevators, but there may still be thresholds that could make movement difficult. Shore excursions may require movement over cobblestones or up and down stairs”. So while everyone is free to choose Viking they should understand that they may be limited with what they are able to do.     Sent from my iPhone using Forums

When we were researching Viking Ocean, I also came across information on the website (don't ask me where) that also stated that the number of handicap accessible cabins on Viking is deliberately limited because of the fact that one must be mobile to enjoy the various excursions. There was also a statement, that due to the steepness of the gangway in some ports or stairs on the gangway in some ports, passengers must be able to debark and embark the ship by themselves without use of mobility assisting devices (wheelchairs, scooters, walkers).

My impression from my research was so strong that Viking was targeting physically fit passengers, that my sister and I debated if we should book a Viking cruise because we both, on occasion, have an issue with a knee that is compromised due to very old knee injuries.

Yes, we booked, but both plan to pack a collapsible cane just in case we have one of those knee days.

Great Review

Sunflower & The Scientist

One evening on our last cruise, my husband and I found it challenging as we walked back from dinner. The ship hit rough waters and literally threw us from side to side as we walked down the hall on more than a few evenings. I was able to laugh it off as I staggered down the hall, but we saw several physically challenged individuals, some on 02 making their way down the halls. It scared us to death and we both said to each other that when that time came for us we would not take those kinds of risk.

We too have been victims of those in scooters. Unfortunately they are dangerous when attempting to operate them on a ship that is being tossed about by rough seas. I am certainly not opposed to those with physical challenges enjoying life to the fullest...three of my children lived their lives in wheelchairs and they experienced wonderful things during their lifetime, BUT we did not do things that could cause them further injuries or cause others to be hurt.

So I'm on both sides of this conversation...but my concern is safety, both yours and mine.

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Viking cruise cabins and suites: A guide to everything you want to know

Gene Sloan

Is a balcony something you can't live without when staying in a cabin on a cruise ship? If so, Viking could be your line.

Viking is one of the only cruise brands in the world that offers a balcony with every cabin on every ocean ship it operates — even the least expensive, smallest cabins. That's something that even the most upscale of Viking's ocean cruise rivals — including Oceania Cruises , Azamara , Seabourn , Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises — can't say.

Viking's ocean ships also offer a large number of suites, many of which are quite spacious. If you're looking for a room that is big and open on an ocean cruise (and are willing to pay extra for it), Viking has plenty of options.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Viking also offers many balcony cabins and suites on its river ships — something that isn't always the case in the river cruise business, where space on vessels is at a premium. However, unlike its ocean ships, Viking's river ships aren't all-balcony-cabin vessels. Some can have as many as 25 cabins per ship that are below the waterline and have windows high in the walls.

Still, even on Viking's river ships, most cabins are balcony cabins.

A Viking cabin primer

Cruising regulars know that most cruise ships offer cabins in four broad categories: windowless "inside" cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

As noted above, though, you'll only find the latter two types of cabins on Viking ocean ships. Viking currently operates nine traditional ocean ships aimed at the English-speaking market and two oceangoing expedition ships. Every single passenger room on all 11 of the vessels is either a balcony cabin or a suite with a balcony. As previously mentioned, that's highly unusual in the cruise business.

viking cruises accessible cabins

Viking is also known for a relatively simple-to-understand array of subcategories of rooms within its balcony-cabin and suite categories. Unlike some cruise brands such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line, which offer as many as 36 different sub-types of cabins, Viking's ocean ships offer just six.

The bottom line is that you'll be much less flummoxed when trying to choose the perfect cabin for you on a Viking ocean ship than when trying to choose a cabin on most other vessels.

Related: The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

When it comes to size, even the smallest cabins on Viking's ocean ships are large by cruise ship standards at 270 square feet, and the largest suites measure nearly 1,500 square feet.

Design-wise, Viking cabins and suites across all categories are modern and elegant in an understated sort of way, with Scandinavian-influenced furnishings and decor that tie to the Norwegian heritage of the company's founder.

You'll find beds topped with crisp, white duvets and Scandinavian throws, comfortable contemporary sofas and chairs in neutral tones, and light wood desks and side tables that combine to offer a residential feel in bedroom areas. Soothing, minimalist colors — think creams, grays and lighter blues — are the order of the day.

Bathrooms in Viking cabins are serene, modernist escapes with luxurious travertine marble-lined walls; Scandinavian-influenced, wood-veneered vanities; shiny white sinks; and chrome fixtures.

viking cruises accessible cabins

Viking is an upscale line — some might even call it a luxury line, though Viking doesn't market itself that way — and Viking cabins and suites have a lot of thoughtful and elegant touches, from sumptuous bedding that envelops you to heated floors in bathrooms. The rooms aren't overly flashy, though.

Instead, they are eminently functional, with storage in all the right places, lots of outlets for charging your devices and lighting right where you need it. We love the reading lights built into the fabric headboards of beds, which come in addition to the lamps on bedside tables. You won't have trouble seeing the pages of the Viking Daily activity newsletter while lying in a Viking cabin bed.

Related: The best destinations you can visit on a Viking cruise

Other little touches in Viking cabins that show the line's attention to functionality include the large and clear lettering on the Freyja toiletries that you'll find in every Viking cabin bathroom. The toiletries were specifically designed with bigger and clearer lettering than is common for toiletries so that the line's older customers (Viking's core market is in the 55- to the 75-year-old range) would have no trouble differentiating the body wash from the shampoo.

viking cruises accessible cabins

In a similar nod to functionality and ease of use, Viking had the remote controls for cabin televisions specially designed so they would only have a few buttons.

Balcony cabins on Viking cruise ships

Viking keeps it simple with the array of balcony cabins on its ocean ships. The line's nine traditional ocean vessels aimed at the English-speaking market each have 418 balcony cabins that can be broken down into three categories:

  • 42 Veranda Staterooms (10% of the total).
  • 272 Deluxe Veranda Staterooms (65% of the total).
  • 104 Penthouse Veranda Staterooms (25% of the total).

The first two categories, Veranda Staterooms and Deluxe Veranda Staterooms, are the same size at 270 square feet (a figure that includes balcony space). They basically look the same. However, the Deluxe Veranda Staterooms, which cost more, have better locations on the ships and come with more amenities and services. These extra amenities and services include:

  • Earlier access to shore excursion reservations (67 days in advance of sailing versus 60 days).
  • Priority access to spa treatment bookings (60 days in advance).
  • One guaranteed priority reservation at every alternative restaurant on board, which can be made 60 days in advance of sailing.
  • Binoculars in the room.
  • Coffee machines with premium coffee and tea selections in the room.
  • A traditional, super-soft Norwegian Marius-weave blanket for use in the room.

Passengers staying in Deluxe Veranda Staterooms can also access their rooms one hour earlier on embarkation day than those staying in Veranda Staterooms.

viking cruises accessible cabins

Both of the first two categories of balcony cabins come with minibars stocked with complimentary soft drinks, water and snacks. In the case of Deluxe Veranda Staterooms, staff replenishes these minibars once per day.

Penthouse Veranda Staterooms offer more space than the latter two categories, at 338 square feet, plus additional amenities and services, including:

  • Priority shore excursion reservations that can be made 77 days in advance of sailing.
  • Two guaranteed priority reservations at each alternative restaurant on board, which can be made 70 days in advance.
  • Priority spa treatment bookings that can be made 70 days in advance.
  • Minibars that include complimentary alcoholic beverages as well as soft drinks, water and snacks (replenished once daily).
  • Complimentary clothes pressing and shoeshine services.
  • A welcome bottle of Champagne.
  • Earlier access to cabins on embarkation day.

Viking's two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, also have three categories of balcony cabins with a similar array of amenities and services. Named Nordic Balcony, Deluxe Nordic Balcony and Nordic Penthouse, the cabins of these three categories are slightly smaller than the cabins of the three balcony cabin categories on the traditional Viking ocean ships at 215, 215 and 269 square feet, respectively. They also have a different type of balcony that makes them feel more spacious than their square footage suggests.

Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris have what some in the cruise industry call an "infinite veranda" — a balcony-like space created by a window wall that opens from the top down. Viking calls them Nordic balconies.

Related: How to get a free or cheap cruise ship cabin upgrade

The majority of Viking river ships, known as Viking Longships, have 61 balcony cabins broken down into two categories: 205-square-foot Veranda Staterooms and 135-square-foot French Balcony Staterooms.

The latter has doors that open onto simple balustrades and not full balconies that you can step onto. This feature is known as a French balcony or Juliet balcony (a nod to the balcony of this type made famous in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"). Technically, these French balconies are balconies, even if they're not quite as satisfying as a balcony with space to lounge.

Including the French balcony cabins, nearly 75% of the cabins on Viking's Longships have balconies.

Viking also offers smaller versions of its Longships that have fewer balcony cabins, as well as a few different types of river ships with varying numbers of balcony cabins.

Suites on Viking cruise ships

The suite choices on Viking ships also are relatively easy to understand. On Viking's traditional ocean ships, there are 47 suites broken down into three categories:

  • 32 Penthouse Junior Suites.
  • 14 Explorer Suites.
  • One Owner's Suite.

The Penthouse Junior Suites measure 405 square feet, including their balcony space, and come with such extra amenities and services as:

  • Priority shore excursion reservations that can be made 87 days in advance of sailing.
  • Three guaranteed priority reservations at each alternative restaurant, which can be booked 80 days in advance.
  • Priority spa treatment bookings that can be made 80 days in advance.
  • Minibars with complimentary alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water and snacks.
  • Complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, pressing and shoeshine services.

In addition to a bed area, Penthouse Junior Suites have a large sitting area with a sofa, coffee table and chairs, and a separate television. The bathrooms are large, too.

Life starts really getting good in the 14 Explorer Suites on Viking's traditional ocean ships. They range in size from 757 to 1,163 square feet, including balcony space, and bring even more enhanced amenities and services.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries

Each of the Explorer Suites is a two-room complex with a well-appointed living and dining area complete with a table that seats four people. Very large master bathrooms feature a double-sink vanity, a spacious glass-enclosed shower and a bathtub (something you won't find in any of the lesser cabin categories on the vessels).

viking cruises accessible cabins

The Owner's Suites, of which there is just one on each traditional Viking ocean vessel, are truly sprawling and impressive complexes that measure 1,448 square feet. They are true owner's suites in that they are used by Viking founder and chairman Torstein Hagen when he sails on the ships, and they feature some of his personal mementos, including family pictures.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge on a suite for your next cruise

Each of the Owner's Suites has a separate bedroom, living room, dining area that seats six people and master bathroom that includes a sauna with a glass wall facing the ocean.

viking cruises accessible cabins

In addition, each of the complexes has a boardroom with a long table that seats 12 people for meetings and catered dinner parties. There's an adjacent pantry that can be used by staff serving room service or catering hosted events. Among other personal touches related to Hagen, the company founder, are book, wine and music collections that he curated for the rooms.

Viking's two oceangoing expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, also have three categories of suites:

  • Nordic Junior Suites (322 square feet).
  • Explorer Suites (548 square feet).
  • Owner's Suites (1,238 square feet).

The typical Viking river ship has nine suites broken down into two categories — 275-square-foot Veranda Suites and 445-square-foot Explorers Suites.

Bottom line

Viking operates ships with a very easy-to-understand array of cabins, unlike some of its competitors.

Every passenger room on its ocean ships is a balcony cabin or a suite, something that is unusual in the cruise world, and these cabins break down into just a few subcategories. This makes the process of booking a room on a Viking vessel relatively simple compared to booking a room on many other ships.

Design-wise, Viking's cabins are relatively upscale, with soothing, Scandinavian-influenced decor and lots of luxury touches like heated floors in bathrooms.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

  • The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
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  • A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
  • 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
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  • What to pack for a cruise

Welcome to Luxury Travel Docs!

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Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Exploring accessibility and comfort: ada compliant cabin on viking ocean cruises jupiter, welcome aboard the viking ocean cruises jupiter, where accessibility meets luxury and comfort. in this blog post, we take you on a tour of cabin 6020, a penthouse junior suite (ps3) that boasts american disabilities act (ada) compliance, ensuring an exceptional experience for all travelers, regardless of mobility needs. let's delve into the details of this remarkable cabin that combines thoughtful design, spaciousness, and stunning views. we highly recommend that you look at the "fit to travel" form from viking ocean cruises prior to booking your holiday. we have provided images of that form below..

viking cruises accessible cabins

A Private Oasis: ADA Cabin 6020

Located on Deck 6 forward, Cabin 6020 offers a tranquil retreat with its inviting interiors and accessibility features. Designed with travelers with disabilities in mind, this cabin provides an unobstructed view of the breathtaking surroundings, making your voyage a feast for the senses.

Spacious Design and Modern Elegance

Upon entering ADA Cabin 6020, you'll immediately sense the spaciousness that sets it apart from other cabins. The soft color palettes and modern design elements create a serene ambiance, setting the stage for a relaxing cruise experience.

The penthouse junior suite layout provides 50 percent more square footage than other cabins, offering ample room to move around comfortably. The option to configure the beds as either a king-size or twin setup ensures a customized sleeping arrangement tailored to your needs.

A Private Veranda Retreat

One of the standout features of Viking Ocean Cruises is their private verandas, and Cabin 6020 is no exception. Accessible through a ramp at the sliding glass door, the veranda provides a perfect space for savoring a morning coffee or toasting with a glass of champagne while enjoying sunsets and the natural beauty around you. The veranda offers two chairs, a table, and a small pane glass window that lets you enjoy the outdoor view even when indoors.

viking cruises accessible cabins

Thoughtful Amenities

Cabin 6020 is equipped with a range of amenities designed to enhance your comfort and convenience. The cabin features a shortened desk compatible with a wheelchair, making it easy to stay organized. A 42-inch flat-screen TV offers entertainment options, including on-demand features like enrichment lectures and guest speakers.

viking cruises accessible cabins

The bathroom is a shining example of accessibility and luxury combined. The well-lit vanity and sink area include grab bars for stability, and the shower features a flat entrance, grab bars, a shower chair, and Freya bath products. There is a retractable clothesline to rinse and hang your items in the shower but fortunately in this category of cabin, PS3, complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, pressing, and shoe shine services keep you looking and feeling your best. The heated floors add an extra touch of indulgence.

viking cruises accessible cabins

Unmatched Storage and Accessibility

Storage space is abundant in ADA Cabin 6020. The closet is designed with open shelves for easy access, and there's ample room to navigate a wheelchair between the bed and closet. Drawers and shelves throughout the cabin offer convenient spaces to store personal belongings.

viking cruises accessible cabins

Thoughtful Service and Considerations

Viking Ocean Cruises places a strong emphasis on guest satisfaction, and ADA Cabin 6020 reflects this commitment. Complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, pressing, and shoe shine services cater to your needs and ensure you're looking and feeling your best throughout your voyage.

Planning to go on a cruise in the future? Check out our  favorite cruise essentials  that will make your cruising life easier!  

viking cruises accessible cabins

We highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the "Fit to Travel" form required by Viking Ocean Cruises (the River Cruises have a different form). This form can be requested from Viking Cruises or ask your travel agent to supply you with a copy. 

viking cruises accessible cabins

The "Fit to Travel" form for Viking Ocean Cruises is a crucial document designed to ensure the safety, well-being, and comfort of passengers with specific medical conditions or mobility needs during their cruise. This form plays a vital role in facilitating communication between the passengers, their healthcare providers, and the cruise line's medical and guest services teams. Let's delve into the details of the Fit to Travel form for Viking Ocean Cruises.

Purpose and Importance:

The Fit to Travel form is intended to gather essential medical and mobility information from passengers who have certain health conditions or require special accommodations due to physical limitations. By providing accurate and comprehensive details, passengers help Viking Ocean Cruises make informed decisions to ensure their safety and comfort while on board.

Information Collected:

Medical History: Passengers are asked to provide details about their medical history, including any existing conditions, recent surgeries, ongoing treatments, and medications. This information allows the cruise line's medical team to understand the individual's health status and needs.

Mobility Needs: Individuals with mobility challenges can specify their requirements for accommodations, such as wheelchair accessibility, assistance with embarkation and disembarkation, or any other mobility-related assistance.

Special Equipment: Passengers who rely on medical equipment, such as oxygen tanks, CPAP machines, or mobility aids, can indicate their equipment needs on the form.

Dietary Restrictions: If passengers have dietary restrictions or allergies, they can detail their dietary preferences and requirements.

Emergency Contact Information: In case of emergencies, the form asks for the contact information of an individual who can be reached during the cruise.

Healthcare Provider Information: Passengers are required to provide contact information for their healthcare provider, including the name, address, and phone number.

Submission and Approval:

The Fit to Travel form is typically provided to passengers at the time of booking or shortly thereafter. It is essential to complete the form accurately and thoroughly. After completing the form, passengers are often required to return it to Viking Ocean Cruises within a specific timeframe, usually two weeks from receipt. The cruise line's medical team reviews the information provided, and based on their assessment, they determine whether the passenger's needs can be accommodated safely and effectively during the cruise.

Collaboration and Communication:

The Fit to Travel form encourages collaboration between passengers, medical professionals, and the cruise line. It ensures that passengers receive the necessary assistance and accommodations, and it helps the cruise line allocate appropriate resources to meet the specific needs of each traveler. Clear and open communication is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable cruise experience for everyone on board.

The Fit to Travel form is a vital tool that exemplifies Viking Ocean Cruises' commitment to passenger safety and satisfaction. By completing this form, passengers provide essential information that enables the cruise line to create a welcoming and accommodating environment for individuals with medical conditions or mobility challenges. This proactive approach ensures that all passengers can embark on a cruise with confidence, knowing that their well-being is a top priority.

Since this is a penthouse junior suite, lets review the benefits of this cabin category:

The Splendor of a Penthouse Junior Suite on Viking Ocean Cruises

Imagine stepping into a world of refined luxury, where every detail has been carefully crafted to provide an extraordinary experience. The Penthouse Junior Suite on Viking Ocean Cruises is a sanctuary of elegance and indulgence, offering an array of exclusive amenities and personalized services that redefine the meaning of opulence. In this segment, we explore the remarkable offerings that come with a Penthouse Junior Suite, making it an unrivaled choice for travelers seeking the pinnacle of comfort and sophistication.

Spacious Serenity

As you enter your Penthouse Junior Suite, the first thing that strikes you is the sheer magnitude of space. With 50 percent more square footage compared to other cabins, this suite allows you to spread out, unwind, and relish in the feeling of unrestricted freedom. The thoughtful layout encompasses various distinct areas, from the lavish bedroom to the inviting living space, each exuding an air of refined sophistication.

Priority Privileges

In addition to the abundant space, Penthouse Junior Suite guests enjoy a host of exclusive privileges that enhance their overall cruise experience. Priority shore excursion reservations ensure you secure your spot on the most sought-after adventures at each port of call. Dining reservations become a breeze with priority access, allowing you to savor exquisite culinary creations in the ship's acclaimed restaurants at your preferred times.

A Toast to Welcome

Upon arrival, you'll discover a welcome bottle of champagne awaiting you in your Penthouse Junior Suite. This delightful gesture sets the tone for a voyage filled with celebratory moments and unforgettable memories. Raise your glass to the beginning of a truly exceptional journey.

Personalized Veranda Bliss

The Penthouse Junior Suite boasts a private veranda that transcends ordinary balcony spaces. This outdoor haven is an ideal spot to indulge in quiet mornings with a cup of coffee or bask in the golden hues of sunset with a glass of champagne in hand. The veranda is furnished with two chairs and a table, inviting you to immerse yourself in the captivating sights and sounds of the open sea.

The Perfect Night's Sleep

Choose your preferred sleeping arrangement – a king-size bed or twin beds – and sink into the embrace of plush linens and sumptuous comfort. For those seeking an extra layer of indulgence, your room steward can provide a feather mattress topper, ensuring a restful slumber that rejuvenates you for each day's adventures.

Entertainment and Enrichment

The Penthouse Junior Suite is equipped with a 42-inch flat-screen TV, offering a wide range of entertainment options. Tune in to informative enrichment lectures or catch up on the latest news from channels like MSNBC and Fox News. Delve into the world of National Geographic or explore the ship's collection of recorded programs tailored to enrich your journey.

Exquisite Bathing Experience

The luxurious bathroom within your Penthouse Junior Suite is a haven of comfort and relaxation. Heated floors create a cozy atmosphere, while the well-lit vanity area features an anti-fog mirror and ample storage for your toiletries. The shower is designed for ease of use, with grab bars, a shower chair, and Freya bath products that elevate your bathing ritual.

Impeccable Service

Throughout your voyage, the dedicated staff of Viking Ocean Cruises ensures that your every need is met. Complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, pressing, and shoe shine services keep you looking and feeling your best. It's the thoughtful touches like these that set the Penthouse Junior Suite experience apart, ensuring that you can focus on indulging in the pleasures of your journey.

Cabin 6020 on the Viking Ocean Cruises Jupiter stands as a testament to the cruise line's dedication to creating an inclusive and luxurious experience for all guests. Its ADA-compliant design, spacious layout, and thoughtful amenities ensure that every traveler can enjoy a memorable and comfortable journey. As you plan your next cruise adventure, consider ADA Cabin 6020 for a remarkable and accessible escape on the high seas.

viking cruises accessible cabins

2 comments:

Thanks. Very helpful. Do you know how wide the bathroom entrance is? Also, are elevators and public areas generally wide for a normal size wheelchair? The Viking website says 22" maximum, which is very narrow. Thanks!

We didn't measure the bathroom entrance but a normal wheelchair should fit. Regarding the hallways, a wheelchair should fit but it won't roll well due to the elevated fire door frames. We can't say for the elevators, since we rarely took them. You need to know that Viking must approve the wheelchair and you will have to submit dimensions to them ahead of the cruise. Some cruisers have successfully taken one this size. https://amzn.to/3At2KP2

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Viking Sea cabins and suites

Viking sea staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Viking Sea cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Viking Ocean (Viking Cruises) en-suite amenities and services.

The Viking Sea cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Owners Suite

Layout (floor plan).

The Owner's Suite is the ship's largest cruise stateroom and offers the following complimentary amenities and services:

  • King-size / double bed with premium linens, cashmere blankets
  • 2x large TVs (interactive / infotainment system with complimentary movies-on-demand and Internet)
  • binoculars (in-cabin use only), Espresso coffee machine
  • Mini-bar (replenished daily, complimentary) stocked with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water, snacks
  • Premium robes (thick cotton), slippers, brand toiletries, hairdryer
  • phone (direct-dial, satellite and cell service)
  • electronic safe (in the closet)
  • 110/220 V power outlets
  • complimentary Wi-Fi and Internet
  • Welcome Aboard gifts (bottle of champagne)

Viking Ocean Cruises Owner Suite passengers enjoy the following bonus perks (complimentary amenities and services):

  • Priority services - check-In, embarkation and early stateroom access, dining reservations, shore excursion reservations
  • Complimentary services - shoeshine, pressing, dry cleaning, laundry, Internet

Viking Sea Owners Suite photo

Explorer Suite

Explorer Suites offer the following complimentary amenities and services:

  • Large flat TV (interactive / infotainment system with complimentary movies-on-demand and Internet)

Viking Ocean Cruises Explorer Suite passengers enjoy the following bonus perks (complimentary amenities and services):

Viking Sea Explorer Suite photo

Penthouse Junior Suite

Penthouse Junior Suites offer the following complimentary amenities and services:

  • Large TV (interactive / infotainment system with complimentary movies-on-demand and Internet)

Viking Ocean Cruises Penthouse Junior Suite passengers enjoy the following bonus perks (complimentary amenities and services):

Viking Sea Penthouse Junior Suite photo

Penthouse Veranda Cabin

Penthouse Veranda cabins offer the following complimentary amenities and services:

Viking Ocean Cruises Penthouse Veranda passengers enjoy the following bonus perks (complimentary amenities and services):

  • Complimentary services - shoeshine, pressing, laundry, Internet

Viking Sea Penthouse Veranda Cabin photo

Veranda Cabin

Balcony cabins ("Deluxe Veranda" and "Standard Veranda") offer the following complimentary amenities and services:

  • 40-inch TV (interactive / infotainment system, Internet)
  • Premium robes (thick cotton), slippers, luxury bath products, hairdryer

Deluxe Veranda passengers enjoy as priority services dining and shore excursion reservations. The mini-bar (replenished daily) is complimentary and stocked with soft drinks, bottled water, snacks.

Standard Veranda cabins (categories V1 and V2) are all located on deck 3 and have no minibars. The bottled water is complimentary and replenished daily.

Viking Sea Veranda Cabin photo

Viking Sea cabins review

Follows the review of Viking OCEAN's ship Viking Sea staterooms as furniture, price-included amenities and complimentary services:

  • Decor - light woods, nautical colors
  • King-size bed "Viking Explorer" (deluxe mattresses and linens, Cashmere blankets), optional twin beds configuration.
  • Luxurious private bathroom (with heated floor and heated mirror), glass door shower, hairdryer, premium bath products and toiletries (by Freyja), deluxe bathrobes, slippers, towel warmers, plenty of storage space.
  • The seating area is furnished with a sofa, coffee table, vanity desk with chair, wardrobe. There is a full-length mirror (with mini lights) that can double as a night light. The switch on/off button is conveniently positioned by the bed.
  • Satellite phone (direct-dial, located on the vanity desk), smart HDTV (3D, Infotainment / interactive TV system for Internet access, room service ordering, movies-on-demand, live webcams views, Viking Cruises channel for news, enrichment lectures and port talks), in-room binoculars, personal safe, individual climate control, 220V / 110V voltage power outlets (European and American standard plugs). The room's key-card must be inserted into a slot (located by the entry door) to power the cabin's electrical outlets and lights.
  • Coffee machine, mini-bar (replenished daily with bottled water, soft drinks, snacks).

On all cabin decks, there is a launderette (free of charge passenger-use laundromats). These are self-service laundry rooms equipped with ironing boards, washers and dryers. Detergent is provided (also complimentary).

All cabin categories enjoy complimentary movies on demand and room-service (24-hour). All Suite-categories enjoy complimentary laundry, pressing, shoeshine (plus Deluxe cabins).

  • Welcome Champagne bottle (Suites and Deluxe cabins).
  • Priority cabin access: Explorer and Junior Suites (upon embarkation- 11 am), Penthouse Veranda (1 pm), Deluxe Veranda (2 pm), Standard Veranda (3 pm).
  • Priority dining room reservations (in brackets- days prior to departure): Explorer Suite (90), Junior Suite (80), Penthouse Veranda (70), Deluxe Veranda (60), Standard Veranda (none).

All guests (excluding only those in Standard Balcony rooms) also enjoy priority reservations on each of the Viking Ocean cruise shore excursions.

Veranda and Deluxe Veranda cabins (categories V and DV) are very similar (sized 225 ft2 / 21 m2, with additional 45 ft2 / 4 m2 balconies). Each of those has lounge areas (2 armchairs, coffee table); and the balcony is furnished with 2 chairs plus 1 table (height suitable for outdoor dining). The difference is that V-Veranda cabins are without mini-bar, and their guests can't pre-book dinner reservations at the ship's restaurants. Veranda staterooms also have no binoculars, coffee machines and cashmere blankets (standard amenities for all other grades). Also, on embarkation day Deluxe Verandas passengers can check-in 1 hour earlier than veranda (at 2 pm instead of 3 pm).

Penthouse Veranda (category PV) balcony cabins are larger (sized 280 ft2 / 26 m2, with additional 60 ft2 / 6 m2 sized balconies) and with upgraded services. The veranda's furniture is the same as the lower balcony categories. The seating area has a sofa, coffee table, 1 easy chair. These rooms offer more storage space (extra drawers), slightly larger bathroom (incl larger shower stall). Extra services include priority dining reservations (at the MDR and both alternative restaurants Chef's Table and Manfredi's), also complimentary pressing and a shoeshine. On embarkation day, Penthouse Veranda passengers can access their cabins early (at 1 pm).

Penthouse Junior Suite (category PS) represent the ship's smallest suite accommodations (sized 335 ft2 / 31 m2 with additional 70 ft2 / 7 m2 sized balconies). The lounge area has a comfortable couch, coffee table, 2 easy chairs, 2 HDTVs (1 TV hanging across the bed, 1 TV for the seating area). The bedroom is divided from the living area with a curtain. Bonus amenities are early check-in on embarkation day (at 11 am), guaranteed dinner reservations (at the Chef's Table and Manfredi's specialty restaurants), complimentary laundry, dry-cleaning, pressing and a shoeshine. There are two wheelchair-accessible Mini-Suites offering roll-in shower and roll-out balcony.

Explorer Suite (category ES) cabins size vary between 460-700 ft2 / 43-65 m2, with additional 165-490 ft2 / 15-46 m2 sized balconies. These suites location is forward and aft (on the boat's corners) giving them panoramic views on two sides (plus portside or starboard). In comparison to the forward-facing Explorer Suites, the aft-facing suites have larger balconies (furnished with single beds), smaller living rooms, larger bathrooms (with windows looking out onto the balcony / the forward-facing suites are with TV instead of balcony window). Also, the fore-located suites are with glass windbreaks on their balconies (which also don't wrap around all the way like the aft verandas). Explorer Suite has a 4-seat dining table, living room (couch, coffee table, 2 armchairs, walk-in closet). Perks are similar to Penthouse Suites.

Viking OCEAN's Explorer Suite bathrooms are among the best-rated at sea. Each of those has a glass-enclosed shower-bathtub compartment with ocean views, a separate sitting area and a most spacious double-sink vanity area with plenty of storage drawers. Among the suite bathroom's features are also Italian handcrafted fixtures and the heated tile floor. You can see all the bath's details in the combo photo below.

The only one Owner's Suite (category OS, deck 7 location forward-starboard) is the ship's largest accommodation (sized 1320 ft2 / 123 m2, with additional 175 ft2 / 17 m2 balcony). The Owners Suite has a living room (couch, coffee table, chairs, wet bar), separate dining area (6-seat dining table), walk-in closet, powder room, separate bedroom (king bed, walk-in closet), separate boardroom (meeting room with locked doors, 10-seat table, guest bathroom, butler's pantry with a small oven), master bathroom (double sink vanity, large power-shower), oceanview sauna room (unique feature). The large veranda is furnished with 2-seat wooden loungers (cushioned), table, 2 chairs. Among the Suite's perks are custom stocked mini-bar, early check-in (at 11 am), guaranteed dinner reservations, complimentary laundry, dry-cleaning, pressing, shoeshine.

The complimentary 24-hour Room Service menu includes pasta (3 sauces are offered - bolognese, pesto, Pomodoro), grilled salmon, cured Norwegian salmon (gravlax/gravadlax), grilled chicken, burgers (incl veggie), chef salad, cheese plates. Breakfast options include hot/cold sandwiches, French toast, pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, fresh fruits.

Viking OCEAN cruise deals are all-inclusive, meaning they offer as complimentary (included in the Viking cruise fares):

  • 1 complimentary excursion in each of the ports of call along the cruise itinerary route
  • complimentary drinks, including alcohol (beers and house wines at lunch and dinner). The selection of wines includes red and white, and occasionally rose,
  • free Wi-Fi (shipwide coverage), free Internet (unlimited access)
  • free of charge specialty restaurant dining (excepting only the lowest category Balcony cabins).
  • Tipping/gratuities - the recommended per day gratuity is USD 14 per person, is automatically added to the passenger's onboard account. Adjustments can be made at the customer service (reception) desk located in the Lobby area on deck 1. Alcoholic drink purchases levy a 15% gratuity (automatic).

All beverages served at the onboard lounges and bars cost extra. Prices are around $6 (cocktail), $4 (beer), $5-6 (wine by the glass). Viking Cruises "Silver Spirits" drink package costs $420 per cabin (for two passengers) and offers unlimited cocktails ($9 limit), beers and premium wines (by the glass), plus one bottle of sparkling wine, specialty coffees, unlimited soda (soft drinks).

Viking Sea cabin and suite plans are property of Viking Ocean (Viking Cruises) . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

Red Hot Cruise & Travel

Are Viking River Cruises Wheelchair Friendly: Everything You Need to Know

Viking River Cruises, known for it’s luxurious and immersive travel experiences, has become increasingly popular among travelers seeking to explore the world's most captivating waterways. However, for those with limited mobility who rely on wheelchair access and accommodations, the question arises: are Viking River Cruises wheelchair friendly?

Does Viking Have Wheelchairs?

Viking River Cruises does provide wheelchairs for the convenience of their passengers. Their standard wheelchair rental is the most affordable option available, allowing for easy accessibility on the cruise ship. These wheelchairs are lightweight and can be easily transported, making them ideal for individuals with mobility restrictions.

The lightweight transport wheelchair offered by Viking is of medical quality and meets the necessary standards for safety and comfort. It’s designed with detachable, swing-away footrests, providing added convenience for passengers. Additionally, this wheelchair can be folded and stored in the trunk of any car, making it highly accessible for those who require mobility assistance while on land.

As such, their wheelchairs are designed to facilitate easy movement throughout the ship, allowing individuals with mobility limitations to navigate the various areas and amenities with ease. The wheelchairs are also equipped with features that ensure a comfortable and secure ride for passengers.

This will enable the crew to make necessary arrangements and accommodations for individuals with mobility limitations. By providing this information prior to boarding, Viking River Cruises can ensure a seamless and inclusive experience for all passengers.

Accessibility Options for Other Mobility Aids, Such as Scooters or Walkers

When considering Viking River Cruises, it’s essential to know about their accessibility options for other mobility aids, including scooters or walkers. The company is committed to providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all guests, including those with limited mobility. While Viking River Cruises welcomes mobility aids like scooters, walkers, and manual wheelchairs, it’s important to note that the ship’s design may have some limitations.

For example, the width of the cabin doorways and corridors might be narrower than some mobility aids require. Additionally, the ship may have thresholds or steps that could present obstacles for certain mobility aids. However, Viking River Cruises aims to accommodate guests to the best of their ability.

If you plan to bring a mobility aid, it’s advisable to discuss your specific needs with Viking River Cruises before your trip. They can provide detailed information about the accessibility features onboard and any limitations you may encounter. This way, you can ensure a safe and comfortable experience while enjoying the breathtaking riverside views and cultural experiences that Viking River Cruises offer.

The accessibility of cruises for people with disabilities varies depending on the type of ship and the cruise line. Oceangoing vessels generally offer more disability-friendly amenities and services, while some river cruise ships can also accommodate passengers with disabilities to some extent. Many cruise lines have dedicated departments that aim to assist and accommodate passengers with disabilities. However, it’s important to note that there may still be limitations and challenges in ensuring full accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities on these cruises.

Are Cruises Good for People With Disabilities?

Cruises can be a great option for people with disabilities, offering a unique and accessible way to travel the world. While oceangoing vessels tend to be more disability-friendly, with larger ships offering more amenities and accessible features, some river cruise ships are also able to accommodate passengers with disabilities, albeit with certain limitations.

Most cruise lines recognize the importance of accessibility and have dedicated departments to assist passengers with disabilities. These departments can help with pre-cruise planning, ensuring that accommodations and amenities are suitable for individual needs. They can also offer guidance on accessible shore excursions, providing options for passengers to explore destinations with ease.

When it comes to river cruises, it’s important to note that many river cruise ships are smaller and may not have the same level of accessibility as larger oceangoing vessels. It’s always a good idea to inquire with the cruise line about their accessibility options before booking.

While not all river cruises may be suitable for wheelchair users or individuals with limited mobility, some routes may be more accessible than others. For example, cruises along the Rhine or Danube rivers in Europe tend to have more developed infrastructure and may offer better accessibility options.

They can provide specific information about the ships accessibility features, cabin options, and available amenities.

Source: Cruising With a Disability – Cruise Critic

From accessible cabins and public areas to ramps and elevators, Viking aims to create a comfortable and inclusive environment for all guests. Moreover, their dedicated staff members are trained to assist individuals with disabilities and offer personalized support throughout the cruise. However, it’s essential for wheelchair-bound travelers to consider certain factors such as the availability of mobility aids and limitations in specific port destinations.

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Viking Expeditions – Accessibility

Viking Expeditions makes every effort to accommodate passengers with special needs or disabilities on their exciting expedition cruises. Each ship, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris have ADA-compliant handicap accessible staterooms, both of which fall into the Nordic Junior Suite category. Due to the expedition nature of these voyages, guests with disabilities may find it difficult to navigate some shoreside activities due to varying landscapes.

For more in-depth information relating to your personal needs and the itinerary on which you are sailing, please call your cruise consultant at 1-800-377-9383!

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How to choose the perfect stateroom on a viking ocean cruise.

Posted by David Porter on Friday, November 11, 2016 · 88 Comments  

Viking Ocean Cruises Stateroom Guide

How to choose the right stateroom on a viking ocean cruise.

Now that we’ve sailed with Viking Ocean Cruises on the Viking Star and have given you the first impressions from our sailing, we thought it might be helpful to circle back around and offer you some help on how to choose a stateroom that’s right for you.

One of the first things to know is that all of the Viking Ocean Cruises ships are identical, so our Viking Ocean Cruises Stateroom Guide will help you regardless of which of the Viking ocean ships you’re considering.

If you’re looking for our guide on choosing the right stateroom on a V iking River Cruise , then please click here.

The Viking Ocean Cruises ships hold a maximum of 930 passengers with 465 staterooms divided into the following categories:

  • 42 Veranda (V) staterooms
  • 272 Deluxe Veranda (DV) staterooms
  • 104 Penthouse Veranda (PV) staterooms
  • 32 Penthouse Junior Suites (PS)
  • 14 Explorer Suites (ES)
  • 1 Owner’s Cabin (OS)

As you can see, Viking Ocean Cruises has designed every stateroom to have a veranda with the smallest offering passengers a comfy 270 sq. ft. This size is quite a departure from competitor ships where many of the entry level staterooms can be as small as 150 sq. ft.

All right, let’s start  by exploring the specific differences between the various staterooms, and we’ll share our opinions at the end of this article.

Highlights of the Viking Ocean Cruises Staterooms

Note: click on all of the photographs below to see larger views.

Veranda Staterooms

There are 42 Veranda Staterooms (V) on each of the Viking Ocean Cruises ships. These staterooms are located on Deck 3 with the V1 staterooms towards the front and the V2 staterooms towards the rear.

Each room has the following features:

viking-ocean-cruises-veranda-stateroom

  • 11:00 a.m. embarkation
  • 3:00 p.m. stateroom access
  • Priority shore excursion reservations: 60 days prior
  • King-size Viking Explorer bed with luxury linens
  • Large flat-screen LCD TV
  • Luxury toiletries

viking-ocean-veranda-stateroom-scheme

  • Security safe, hair dryer, 110/220 volt outlets
  • Interactive TV & movies-on-demand
  • 24-hour room service

Deluxe Veranda Stateroom s

When choosing a stateroom remember that there are 272 Deluxe Veranda Staterooms (DV) on each of the Viking Ocean Cruises ships with classifications going from DV1 – DV6.  Besides earlier access to your stateroom and shore excursion reservations, the biggest difference between these staterooms is the location on the ship.  You will also find a small difference in price between each of these categories.  Let me explain:

  • DV1 – there are just a dozen or so of these staterooms and they are located in premium spots on the ship alongside the Explorer Suites.  These sell out quickly as there are so few of them.
  • DV2 – there are quite a number of these stateroom located primarily mid-ship on decks 5 and 6.
  • DV3 – again, just a handful located in desirable locations on the ship.
  • DV4 – there are quite a number of these staterooms located primarily mid-ship on deck 4.
  • DV5 – about 25 of these located on deck 4 fore and aft.
  • DV6 – less than 20 of these located on deck 3 just behind the atrium.

The Deluxe Veranda Staterooms are physically identical to the Veranda Staterooms and offer the following improved features:

  • 2:00 p.m. stateroom access
  • Priority shore excursion reservations: 67 days prior
  • 1 guaranteed priority reservation at each specialty restaurant (60 days prior to departure)
  • Mini-bar with soft drinks, water & snacks, replenished once daily
  • Luxury robes, slippers & toiletries
  • Direct dial satellite phone & cell service

Penthouse Veranda Staterooms

There are 104 Penthouse Veranda Staterooms (PV) on each of the Viking Ocean Cruises ships.

These staterooms are the largest of the Veranda Staterooms, are located on decks 5 and 6 and come with the following more improved features:

viking-oceans-penthouse-veranda

  • 1:00 p.m. stateroom access
  • Priority shore excursion reservations: 77 days prior
  • 2 guaranteed priority reservations at each specialty restaurant (70 days prior to departure)
  • Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water & snacks, replenished once daily
  • In-suite binoculars, coffee maker & cashmere blanket

viking-oceans-penthouse-veranda-scheme

  • Shoe shine & pressing
  • Bottle of champagne

Penthouse Junior Suites

There are 32 Penthouse Junior Suites (PS) on each of the Viking Ocean Cruises ships.  These junior suites each feature a close-off between the bedroom and living area and come with the following features:

penthouse-junior-suite-viking-star

  • 11:00 a.m. priority stateroom access
  • Priority shore excursion reservations: 87 days prior
  • 3 guaranteed priority reservations at each specialty restaurant (80 days prior to departure)

penthouse_jr_suite_500x275v2_hrztl_tcm13-2539

  • Laundry, dry cleaning, shoe shine & pressing

Explorer Suites

There are 14 Explorer Suites (ES) on each of the Viking Ocean Cruises ships. Each of these suites is large, luxurious, has the very best locations on the ship with expansive verandas, and are certain to appeal to luxury travelers looking for the quiet ship experience that is found with Viking.

viking-ocean-explorer-suite

  • Priority shore excursion reservations: 97 days prior
  • 3 guaranteed priority reservations at each specialty restaurant (90 days prior to departure)

viking-ocean-explorer-suite-configurations

  • * Stateroom configuration varies depending upon the location on each deck

Stateroom Comparison Chart

Note: click charts for much larger views.

screen-shot-2016-11-07-at-2-36-06-pm

After you choose a stateroom, the next decision is where on the ship you’d like your stateroom to be located.  So, to help with your choice, here’s a peek at the various decks on Viking Ocean Cruises ships.

Note: click on the images below for much larger views.

screen-shot-2016-11-07-at-2-54-09-pm

Putting it all together to choose the perfect stateroom

At the end of the day, I suppose it will be your wallet that will determine which of the staterooms will best suit your needs.  But once you choose a stateroom that best matches your finances, you will also notice that the staterooms also have a further division into various classes.  For example, the Deluxe Veranda (DV) has six different classifications (DV1 – DV6) depending on its location on the ship.  Therefore, a DV1 stateroom, as it has a better location on the ship, will carry a higher price tag than a DV6 stateroom.

In our opinion, Viking Ocean Cruises has built a ship that will nicely meet the needs of a great swath of the boomer travelers – you should be able to choose a stateroom that fits your needs perfectly.

Want Some Help?

It’s certainly no secret that you can call Viking Ocean Cruises direct to book your cruise.  However, if I can offer a shameless plug for our travel agency, here’s a few reasons you may want to consider having us come alongside and help you plan a fun Viking Ocean Cruise:

  • The cost is exactly the same booking direct with Viking or booking directly with us.
  • We sometimes have additional perks like shipboard credits to share with you through our various industry affiliations.
  • If Viking finds that a particular cruise is selling tickets as well as they want, it is not uncommon for them to issue a special “flash sale” that will not appear on their website but we will have access to. We keep a close eye out for these sales and publish them in our Saturday morning newsletter.
  • As we have personally sailed with Viking, and have been to many of the destinations they visit, we have a great deal of personal advice to send your way.
  • And lastly, our first goal as a relationship driven organization is to earn your trust and bring value to the relationship.  We understand that you may need help with travel options in the future, and we’d love to have you as a client and help you with all of your travel needs. We are certainly not limited to just Viking! As a full-service travel agency, we can bring you help and advice on nearly any travel option you can dream up.

To book a fun Viking Ocean Cruise, or to get your Viking questions answered, call our travel agency at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request ( click here ) and we’ll reach out to you.

Link: Viking Ocean Cruises Website Note: all photos and charts courtesy of Viking Ocean Cruises.

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Category: Blog , Travel News & Tips · Tags: Travel News , Viking Ocean Cruises

88 Comments on “ How to Choose the Perfect Stateroom on a Viking Ocean Cruise ”

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We are retired so have flexibility. We would like to cruise the Mediterranean right after first of year. Should we book now or will better offers come along?

Hi Kathleen, I don’t know if you checked the availability on Viking’s website: http://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans?agenturlid=roamingboomers but availability is VERY limited.

Therefore, the hope of a special offer to increase bookings is very unlikely. Our recommendation is to book now. You might also enjoy this article that we just wrote about the best way to make a Viking booking: https://www.theroamingboomers.com/best-way-to-book-an-ocean-or-river-cruise/

For our help, call (480) 550-1235. Thanks! 🙂

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Your comparison of state rooms is very helpful. However perhaps you should point out that the Excursion booking in advance according to state room category means that those in the lower categories at the end of the line can be seriously disadvantaged. We are booked into a Veranda Stateroo for our upcoming cruise to Japan and have discovered that all the prime iconic sites are fully booked – the reason for spending so much money on the cruise was to be able to visit them and now we find we cant. e.g for the two days we are docked at Hiroshima not one paying excursion is available to us. Many other excursions in the cruise are also fully boked. We feel this to be very unfair,and that we have been discriminated against by wealth. Surely Excursions should all be released at the same time and not with a possible 40 ,day difference. Perhaps it would be helpful if you could warn your clients about this.

Hi Catherine,

Thank you for stopping by and sharing kind words about our website. Here is a link to a helpful chart that describes who can book what and when by cabin category: https://www.theroamingboomers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Ocean-Stateroom-Amenities-Chart.pdf

First of all, don’t forget that everyone gets a complimentary shore excursion in every port. So, everyone gets a complimentary tour that will give you the highlights in each port.

However, after that, the optional shore excursions are bookable by stateroom category with the Suites getting first dibs and the regular Veranda staterooms getting the last availability. And as there are only 42 Veranda staterooms on the Viking ships, there are a lot of folks ahead of you vying for the available optional excursions.

With this being the case, we recommend that: 1) consider booking at least a DV6 if this is a problem for you. 2) Mark the date that the shore excursions come available to you and call right away. Most people forget and tend to want to book these shore excursions at the last minute.

If it’s not too late, maybe the best course of action would be to upgrade to a DV6 and get access to those shore excursions at an earlier date.

Again, thanks for stopping by, and we hope you enjoy your Viking Ocean Cruise in Japan.

I’m looking at the Romantic Danube Viking Cruise. What does River-view stateroom with half-height picture window mean (stateroom E&F)? Do you have to stand in the room to see out the window?Stateroom size: 150 sq ft River-view stateroom with half-height picture window

Trying to find out is the Deluxe Verandah and above can accommodate a couple and a 20 yr old grandson.

Hi Melissa,

Hi,I am trying to figure out what is the best part of the ship to not get Sea Sick. We are booked for the Viking Homelands which has been my dream for many years. I do get a little sick with a lot of ship movement so I was wondering what is best for that since this is an Ocean Cruise. Thank you so very much.

Hi Christine,

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We have booked a DV2 room on the Viking Star on level 6. It appears that this room is directly under the main pool. Have we made a mistake? Is there going to be a lot of noise above us?

If you can, you might want to move forward under the Wintergarden. If not, however, it’s not like this boat is full of 30-year-old partiers. The ship is going to be pretty quiet after dinner.

We’re sure we want a Deluxe Veranda category but as you said within that category there are different locations. We were leaning toward a DV4 but can you mention any other advantages of location on the ship in terms of forward, aft, which deck, port or starboard. Also just to doublecheck within the categories DV1-DV6 you get the exact same amenities? Thanks so much, your article is helpful!

The amenities for DV1 through DV6 are identical. The only difference is the location on the ship. I generally don’t make a big deal out of which side of the ship you sail on as you will ultimately be sailing in the shipping lanes 20 or more miles out to sea. That far out, you really can’t see much. The DV2 and the DV4 staterooms are popular as they are more midship and will offer less movement should you get into high seas.

We are booked for a 28 day ocean cruise in room 6060 on Sun across from the elevators….will this be noisy?

I wouldn’t worry about it. With these ships being full of baby boomers and older, the ships are pretty quiet and most everyone is in bed after dinner. 🙂 Have fun!

We’re looking at a Norway cruise in May of 2021. Will we spend much time on the veranda (we like it outside, did an Alaskan cruise in June, and spent most of the at sea time on the veranda)? Is it worth the money to upgrade from Penthouse Suite to Explorer Suite? I saw a review that said the ES 3000 (bow on deck 3) was noisy from anchors and thrusters – is that the case? And is it a good idea to use Viking Air to make flight arrangements? Thanks!

Thanks for stopping by. I wonder, with all of the questions, if it might make more sense for us to chat on the phone. Please feel free to give me a call at 480-550-1235. Thanks. I think the suite question is more of a personal preference kind of thing. If you plan to spend a lot of time on your deck, those Explorer Suites are very nice. My personal favorite on these ships are the Penthouse Jr. Suites. However, I would not likely spend a whole lot of time on my deck, so the Penthouse Jr. is kind of like Goldilocks, “just right”. Again, happy to talk on the phone.

Thanks very much! I’m at work – I’ll call from home either tonight or over the weekend.

We are booking a Viking Homelands cruise next May. We prefer an aft Explorer Suite. Wondering about the two suites on Deck 6 below the infinity pool. Any recommendation?

Well, if you’re not already working with a travel advisor, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend that you book with our company. Here’s an article that might help you understand why: https://www.theroamingboomers.com/best-way-to-book-an-ocean-or-river-cruise

With regards to your concerns about being below the infinity pool, keep in mind that Viking’s ships are full of 70-year-olds. Not a party ship by any stretch of the imagination. Therefore, the only sounds that you are likely to hear are the occasional movements of a chair on the deck above your head. And the most pronounced of this would likely be in the early evening as people are getting ready for dinner and the staff is preparing the area for the evening. And, as most are sound asleep by 10:00, I don’t know that I’d be too worried about it. I hope this helps. 🙂

We’re booked on a 2021 Western Mediterranean Ocean cruise on Viking (unfortunately rescheduled from this year) and I’m currently researching a possible 2022 In Search of Northern Lights cruise. The ships, although different names, look identical in their layout. We’re booking a DV4 on our first cruise and we’ll be on Deck 8. I noticed that on the ship’s layout there are only a few DV4 rooms on Deck 7 and Deck 8 and the rest are suites. Wondering if you’ve seen this layout on the cruise(s) you’ve been on and can comment on how the location is? Also can you comment on using Hurtigruten Expedition instead for Northern Lights? Thanks!

Hi Deborah,

Just so you know, Viking’s ships are all identical when it comes to stateroom layouts. The DV4 staterooms are all on deck 4 with a few DV1s on decks 7 & 8. If you don’t mind being towards the front of the ship, we like the location of the DV1s on decks 7 & 8. If you like, please give us a call and we’d be happy to help you with the booking.

With regard to Hurtigruten, they are a completely different kind of experience as they are expedition ships. We like that, you just have to be careful NOT to get on one of their “mail ships” that stop in every port along the way. Hurtigruten’s new expedition ships are beautiful and we look forward to sailing with them ourselves one day.

What are the differences between Explorer Suite 1 and 2. We already know about the location but my question is which has more windows and light in it, explorer Suite 1 (forward) or Explorer Suite 2?

Hi Dr. Burrus, thanks for stopping by. The ES1 suites, on the front of the ship, are larger with larger verandas. I’m not certain about the glass space from one to the other, but I would guess that the ES1, being larger, might have more light in the room. Did that answer your question? If not, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] .

We have the option of booking cabin 8001, but will this be noisy with the Explorer lounge next door and foot traffic to that area? Cabins are very limited on the cruise we are booked on. Basically, is upgrading to this cabin worthwhile?

Stateroom 8001 is a fairly quiet area of the ship. Generally speaking, folks are going to enter the Explorers’ Lounge from deck 7. If you’re booking is a new booking w/ Viking, without vouchers, give me a call as we have perks to share. However, if you are booking with a voucher from a direct booking w/ Viking, we can’t help. 480-550-1235

What a great help your website is. The comparison chart helps so much. You have done so much of the comparison work, I feel like I need to send you a fee.

LOL. You don’t need to send us a fee, but we’d love to help you with your booking. 🙂

We would like to talk with you. I have researched 2022 Baltic cruises pretty thoroughly and keep coming back to Viking. We haven’t decided between Russia & Baltic Sea and Viking Homelands but we know the door is closing on both. If we could design our own cruise, it would end in Copenhagen because we want to visit the south of Sweden for a short time. But we could travel from Stockholm or Bergen. And, we want to use our reward miles to fly first class or at least business. That’s a brief description of what we are working with. Per the Cruise Critic article today, I would love to think Viking would add more Baltic cruises next summer. We would like to know how you could help us and the cost for your service.

We are booked on the Viking Jupiter suite 408, DV4. It is just above the atrium, above the life boats and by the stairs. They chose this for us. we are light sleepers, Will any of these things cause problems? Thank you

Hi Sue, Viking’s staterooms all have 4 digits. Can you give me a better number?

Jupiter ship to Iceland in August. What about cabins on back of ship? Also is one side preferable to another? Traveling around country clockwise. Should we be on starboard side?

Thanks for stopping by. From a wave movement perspective, midship is desired. However, if not available, then the ship’s rear would be more desirable over the very front.

If you’re talking about Viking’s Iceland’s Natural Beauty, this itinerary sails clockwise around the island, so the starboard (right) side of the ship would be preferable.

If you would like our help to place the booking, just complete this form: https://info.theroamingboomers.com/personal-information-request

We are on the Viking Jupiter DV4 room 4080. Is this the same room you had and if so how was the room

When we last sailed with Viking, we were in a Penthouse Veranda #6001. We loved it. Have fun on your cruise. 🙂

hello, we are on the viking star world cruise jan 2022 and are booked in pv2. a room in ps3 just opened up, but is a handicap room. Would this be a better room? what is the advantage, disadvantage of a handicap room. thx

The handicapped rooms are designed for those who use a wheelchair. For example, a shower that can accommodate a wheelchair rolling in. It would NOT be a desirable room for those who are not handicapped.

We are scheduled to cruise on the Viking sky in room 5001 explorer es1. A balcony is very important to us. I am hearing that the es1 balcony is very closed in? Should I try to get a different room?

We prefer the suites on the back of the ship. While the deck is more narrow, it provides a fair amount of shade. Also, there is less wave movement in the back of the ship versus the front.

We are in a room DV2 on Viking Sky and across from the Lift. Are we able to hear the Lift each time it is used in evening?

We generally like to keep our clients away from the lift and the stairs. However, these are pretty quiet ships and don’t have kids running up and down the stairs. So, if you can move, do. But if not, I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. I doubt you’ll hear a thing.

We are going on the Greek Odyssey Cruise at the end of this month. We are in DV6 3065 which appears to be somewhat midship. Any thoughts on this room? Also, we are probably going to book another cruise while on the ship. Can we use your agency as a referral?

You should enjoy that room. It’s relatively midship and not too far from the elevators. And when you’re ready for your next cruise, we’d be honored to help.

Which are larger in square footage on the Viking Jupiter: the ES1 suites aft on Deck 4 or 5? Thanks!

The ES1 suites are in the front of the ship. ES2 Deck 4 = 883 sq. ft ES2 Deck 5 = 980 sq. ft ES2 Deck 6 = 850 sq. ft.

We sailed with Viking in the ES2 on deck 6. You should know that if you get into some rough seas, it is possible that you could get some spillage from the infinity pool above your head on your day bed on decks 4 & 5. Just a little insider’s tip. 🙂

Yes, I misspoke about aft. I’m still interested in which of the ES1 suites are larger, Deck 4 or Deck 5. Thanks.

ES1 Deck 4 = 1259 sq. ft ES1 Deck 5 = 1130 sq. ft.

If we can help with a new booking, just give us a call. 🙂

Is PV1 suite 6008 back or front of ship? Also, is one level better than another … especially views and motion? Thank you! Marg

6008 is in the front of the ship. We prefer the PV1s towards the back for less wave movement. If you need help with booking, please feel free to give us a call: https://www.theroamingboomers.com/best-way-to-book-an-ocean-or-river-cruise/

Are the DV6 cabins located above the night club Torshaven noisy?

It depends on what is going on in there. I’d spend just a few more $ and get into a DV4.

We just returned from a Viking Ocean to Iceland and wished someone would’ve warned us about being in the back of the ship on deck 6(6096), as we heard constant noise from the crew above us dragging chairs/tables about from as early as 5a till well past midnight. It was unbelievable and totally ridiculous that there wasn’t some type of soundproofing put in during the building of this brand new ship(Mars). Hope folks will think about this when booking…I know we will if we ever go again.

We are interested in sailing on the Viking Sea for the Empires of the Mediterranean cruise from Athens to Venice. Do you happen to know the square footages on each deck for the Explorer Suite – ES2.

ES2 Deck 4 = 883 sq. ft ES2 Deck 5 = 980 sq. ft ES2 Deck 6 = 850 sq. ft.

Explorer Suites: ES3 – would you recommend/compare 3001 and 3095. Thank you

I would choose 3095. The view from the veranda is better as you’re looking right out over the ocean. 3001 has quite a bit of ship between you and the ocean. Also, it seems to me that the ride is better in the ship’s rear than the very front as the propellers seem to have a grounding effect. Although, I have no scientific proof of that. Give us a call, and we’d be happy to help you with the booking. And, we have perks.

Thanks for all your information. Very informative. We’re booking a 29 day cruise and will get a PS1 cabin. Do you see any advantage/disadvantage to 8016 and 8002? These are the two currently available. Thanks

I would choose 8016. It’s a little more midship and perhaps a better ride if you get into some waves. Please feel free to call our office for booking information. We’ve got VIP perks for you.

We have never cruised with Viking Ocean and are considering a Mediterranean cruise for 2023. Would Black Friday or Cyber Monday give any better pricing?

Thanks for stopping by. With Viking, the biggest challenge is availability for their Med cruises in 2023. Therefore, I’d recommend booking as soon as possible. Further, with great demand come higher prices, not lower. So while I don’t know what Viking may or may not do come Cyber Monday, I wouldn’t wait. Feel free to give me a call to discuss this further.

Hello, I found your website and it is great, information totally useful for anybody. We booked for first time a Viking Cruise (Neptune) for next 15 August 2024 from Bergen to London. We are worried because it is not a cheaper one, it is expensive but ship looks great. We book cabin 5056 (DV2), do you think is a good idea? good choice? We tried to upgrade to DV! but is full. Hope we are doing well. Thanks in advance and Regards Federico from Spain

Thanks for the article, we are booked on the Viking Neptune January 9,2024 World Journeys (121 days) in a Penthouse Veranda stateroom which is 338 sq.ft..

I am not sure the size is big enough for the long cruise and would like length ft X width ft of the stateroom to determine better if this is large enough for us. Is this available ?

I have considered a Penthouse Junior suite but non available. Does Viking have some sort of wait list?

Appreciate your feedback

I checked with our Viking representative, and he could not put his hands on a chart showing room measurements other than square feet. Also, Viking does not have a waiting list, so you’re best to keep an eye on their website for fallout. It’s not uncommon for there to be cancelations prior to people making the large final payment.

Hi – my husband and I are interested in the South American tour on the Viking Jupiter – looking at the Penthouse Junior Suite… My husband needs grab bars for getting off the toilet and for using the shower. He is not wheelchair-bound (although he does need it for shore excursions). We carry stick-on bars for the bathroom, but need a tile or glass wall for that to work – do you know if the shower wall next to the toilet is near enough for this to be feasible in the PJS? Which are the desirable suite numbers for this?

I’ll look into this for you and get back to you offline. Thanks for reaching out.

is there noise from the laundrettes on each floor?

Not much. Perhaps a little from people congregating and talking. But I wouldn’t be too concerned. When booking staterooms, we tend to avoid that area, but it shouldn’t be a serious worry if everything else is sold out away from the laundrette.

I’m interested in DV1 category starboard aft staterooms. Which is the best floor to be on, 4 or 5? I see floor 5 is under the infinity pool, stateroom 5211 specifically. Is stateroom directly below, 4123 better for unobstructed view?

I’m interested in the Mediterranean odyssey cruise 5/8-5/20/2024 delux veranda room on 6th level.. Is that a good location?

Please give us a call to discuss 480-550-1235

Please call to discuss 480-550-1235

Hello. I see in the earlier post here that the Viking ES2 aft explorer suites on the ocean. Cruises are stated to vary slight in size from the 5th deck to the 4th deck with the es2 aft being about 100 sqft larger on the 5th deck. Viking has told me twice now that ‘all es2 the aft are the same size’. Is this true? Can any compare being on the fifth deck for an es2 vs being on the fourth deck. Does the overhang from deck seven cause less sun on the fifth deck? I know the rooms are both great back there but curious about size and also overhang from above. Thanks!!

I sent you an email. Hard to answer this question here.

We cruised on Viking Sky in a PV2 suite. This time we are looking at Viking Star cabins 5025, 4039, 4041 or 5004 There is a substantial difference in price My concern is the lack of storage space i.e., drawers, and size of room. This is New York to Bergen. Could you provide information on these level of cabins

I just got this information from our Viking rep:

Cabins 4039 4041 are dv4 ( deluxe verandas ) 270 sq feet vs PV 338 sq feet The bathroom is the same size I imagine dressers and storage area would be same if not very similar to size Pv has 12 more sq feet on balcony and 56 sq feet more inside Dv 213 interior 57 veranda 35 bathroom Pv 269 interior 69 veranda 35 bathroom These are the cabin sizes in sq feet

The other big advantage to the PV staterooms is that you can book shore excursions before all of the DV staterooms. Plus, you get early specialty dining reservations, some stocked alcohol in your fridge, and earlier check-in aboard ship.

If you book with us today, we have $400 in shipboard credits to add to your booking.

Hi, thanks for your article and comments. Super helpful.

We are given the option of 3097 or 4097. Which is better to avoid seasickness?

Hi Mary Kay,

3097 is a DV1, where 4097 is a DV4. So there are price differences between the two. The DV4s and DV2s are generally the most midship, and generally, the staterooms folks gravitate to if they are worried about seasickness. However, 3097 is in the back of the ship and will give you beautiful 180º views. So, I would pick the DV1 if you don’t mind the additional expense.

Secondly, as it doesn’t cost you any more money to book with an expert travel advisor, I recommend finding one. And in particular, one that has been on these ships multiple times to guide you better. And, of course, we’d be happy to help. Just give us a call.

Also, if you are worried about seasickness, try the new Relief Bands now available. My wife used them with great success on our last cruise: https://www.reliefband.com/

Call us, and we would be happy to help you with this booking or take over the booking if made within the last 60 days.

David Porter 480-550-1235

I have never been on a cruise ship and was looking at Viking Sea to go up the Pacific Coastline, was interested in a PV1 cabin, one available 6015 or much further back, which would be better for comfort? Thank you

Thanks for reaching out. For less possible wave motion on the ship, we prefer the PV1s toward the aft of the ship. If you need help booking and would enjoy our additional perks, please call me at 480-550-1235. Thanks.

Hi David. we have done River Cruises (through your office of course) and are now looking at an ocean cruise. Italian Sojourn. I think we have decided on a Deluxe Veranda room but not sure about which category. Thinking of one of the less expensive ones. Considering where we are sailing, etc. what is your recommendation? Any specials going on? Thanks for the continued help!

Question- On the western Mediterranean viking cruise leaving from Rome, Is it best to be in an odd # stateroom on the right side of the ship? That way at port and at sea, you are facing the scenic landscape?

We don’t recommend that our clients worry too much about what side of the ship they are on. However, yes, if you can book the cruise facing the land, then that’s what we generally will look for first. However, keep in mind, that in many locations, you will be sailing in the shipping lanes that are 20-30 miles out to sea and there is very little land to see from that distance. So, yes, but the side facing the land, but don’t get hopes too high that you will always see land.

currently booked on viking mars sailing august 17 have pv2 cabin 5028 booked looking at pv1 cabin 5090.looking at changing to cabin5090 is $100 more . also looked at the penthouse junior suite. seem to pricey. are they worth it ?

Hi Tuxedo Pat,

When we book Viking’s Penthouse Veranda (PV) staterooms, we default for the PV1 staterooms towards the aft of the ship vs. the bow. There is more wave movement in the bow of the ship. I prefer the Penthouse Junior Suite over the Penthouse Veranda as we enjoy the larger bathroom, and one can close off the living area from the bedroom. I am an early riser.

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Some cruise lines try to be all things to all people. Viking isn’t one of them.

Since its founding in 1997, the upscale cruise brand has carved out a niche catering to a certain type of thoughtful, inquisitive, generally older traveler looking to explore the world and learn a thing or two along the way.

Most Viking customers are approaching their retirement years — or are already there — and they’re eager to finally see all the places they didn’t have time to visit when raising kids and establishing careers in their younger years.

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For this subset of travelers, Viking offers a wide range of both ocean and river cruise itineraries that have a heavy focus on the destinations visited. These aren’t cruises where it’s all about the ship.

Viking voyages bring a lot of extended stays in ports where passengers get more time to explore historical sites and experience the local culture than is typical on cruises. Unlike most lines, Viking offers included-in-the-fare tours in every port, allowing every passenger on board to get a guided experience during stops without having to pay extra. (In general, Viking voyages are highly inclusive, in keeping with its “no nickel-and-diming” philosophy.)

On board, Viking’s programming revolves heavily around what the line calls “cultural enrichment” — lectures by experts on topics related to the places its ships visit, as well as cultural and culinary offerings that often have a local tie-in.

What Viking ships don’t offer is a lot of onboard amusements aimed at families and younger travelers. In fact, the line doesn’t even allow children under the age of 18 on its ships. It’s one of the only major cruise brands in the world with such a rule.

Viking ships also don’t cater to the party crowd. If it’s a floating celebration you’re looking for in a vacation, this isn’t the line for you.

As Viking founder Torstein Hagen likes to say, a Viking cruise is the “thinking person’s cruise, not the drinking person’s cruise.”

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

3 things TPG loves about Viking

  • Its focus is on destinations and enrichment.
  • The elegant, Scandinavian-influenced design of its ships.
  • Its “no nickel-and-diming” philosophy.

What we could do without

  • The lack of fitness centers on Viking river ships.

The Viking fleet

Viking has more ships than any other major cruise brand in the world, more than 90 in all. It also has both ocean ships and river ships — something that is unusual among major lines. Despite this, it has one of the easiest-to-understand fleets.

That’s because the vast majority of Viking’s ocean vessels are carbon copies of each other. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Ditto for the line’s river vessels.

Viking currently operates 11 ocean ships, nine of which are nearly identical. The exceptions are two recently unveiled Viking ocean vessels specifically designed for expedition cruising — a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft.

The nine nearly identical ocean ships — Viking Saturn, Viking Neptune, Viking Mars, Viking Venus, Viking Jupiter, Viking Orion, Viking Sky, Viking Sea and Viking Star — began rolling out in 2015. Each has the capacity for 930 passengers. Six more nearly identical vessels are scheduled to debut between 2024 and 2028, and Viking has options with a shipyard to order four more of the ships for delivery in 2029 and 2030.

At 47,800 tons, these ocean ships are less than a fourth the size of the giant megaships being built by the likes of Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, in keeping with Viking’s focus on intimate, upscale voyages. Big floating resorts, they aren’t.

Note that there is one more vessel in this same series, called Zhao Shang Yi Dun, that has been permanently transferred to a joint venture that operates for the China market. When it debuted in 2017, it originally catered to the North American market and was called Viking Sun.

Viking’s two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, are smaller than the above vessels, as is typical for expedition ships, and carry 378 passengers at maximum occupancy.

Then there are the river ships. At last count, Viking had 80 river ships in its fleet — an astounding number that is the result of blistering growth over the past decade. (As recently as 2012, the line operated just 29 river ships.)

As noted above, almost all of Viking’s river ships are of the same basic design and are known as the Longships — a reference to the historic vessels used by Vikings in the Middle Ages.

Most Viking Longships are 443 feet long, the perfect length to fit into the locks on many of Europe’s rivers. Viking has also built slightly shorter versions of the Longships measuring 262 feet, 361 feet or 410 feet in length specifically to sail on rivers where lock sizes or other navigational factors require a smaller vessel. The 410-foot-long versions of the vessels, for instance, were specifically built to be able to sail into the heart of Paris on the Seine River.

While most Viking river ships are Longships, there are a few exceptions in the Viking river fleet. Viking operates several smaller, purpose-built vessels on the Nile River in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. It also has several older river vessels that predate the Longships that operated in Russia and Ukraine until recently. (For now, river cruise itineraries in both countries are on hold due to the Ukraine war.)

Viking also recently began sailings on the Mississippi River  with a new ship specifically designed for the river and its tributaries.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

Destinations and itineraries

Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line, mostly due to the fact that it operates both ocean cruises and river cruises.

Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note.

You’ll find Viking river ships operating on the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; and the Moselle and Elbe in Germany. Until recently, Viking also operated cruises on the Volga in Russia and the Dnieper in Ukraine. (As noted above, sailings on the latter two rivers are on hold due to the war in Ukraine and may not resume for many years.)

Viking also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, and it recently began trips on the Mississippi River.

The line’s ocean ships can be found in nearly every ocean and sea around the world, from North America to Europe and Asia.

Viking’s ocean ships have a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which the line considers its home turf. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) It’s also a big player in the Mediterranean. You’ll find Viking’s ocean ships in other key cruise destinations as well, such as Alaska, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, Canada and New England, South America, Asia and Australia.

In addition, in early 2022, the line began its first cruises to Antarctica with its first expedition ship, Viking Octantis. That summer, the same vessel launched the line’s first voyages in the Great Lakes — a destination that only a handful of cruise operators visit.

You’ll find everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages among the line’s voyages.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking ship

Who sails Viking

Most Viking passengers are North Americans who are approaching retirement age or already retired. The company’s core market is people who range in age from 55 to 75 years, although it does draw some passengers who are younger or older.

In general, it’s an educated crowd, with many passengers coming from professional backgrounds or a life of running their own businesses. They’re often people who have spent years focused on work and building up savings for retirement, and they’re finally ready to start enjoying the fruits of their labor by spending some of the savings on travel to places they’ve long put off visiting.

They’re also people who can afford a relatively high-end vacation experience. While Viking doesn’t market itself as a luxury line, some would call it that. Viking vessels are full of luxury touches, with the pricing to match (see more on what Viking trips cost at the bottom of this story).

In general, you’ll find a lot of couples on Viking ships and some solo travelers. You’ll also find the occasional multigenerational group — a retired couple traveling with their working-age adult children, for instance.

However, unlike nearly every other cruise brand, what you won’t find are families with young kids. As noted above, Viking doesn’t allow passengers under the age of 18 on its ships — a key differentiator for the brand as compared to other cruise lines.

Cabins and suites

Is a balcony something you can’t live without when staying in a cabin on a cruise ship? Viking could be your line.

Viking is one of the only cruise brands in the world that offers a balcony with every cabin on every ocean ship it operates — even the least expensive, smallest cabins. That’s something that even the most upscale of Viking’s ocean cruise rivals including Oceania Cruises , Azamara , Seabourn , Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises can’t say.

Viking’s ocean ships also offer a large number of suites, many of which are quite spacious. Even the smallest cabins on Viking’s ocean ships are large by cruise ship standards at 270 square feet, and the largest suites measure nearly 1,500 square feet.

If you’re looking for a big open room on an ocean cruise (and are willing to pay for it), Viking offers you plenty of options.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking cabins and suites

Viking also offers lots of balcony cabins and suites on its river ships, something that isn’t always the case in the river cruise business, where space on vessels is at a premium. Unlike its ocean ships, Viking’s river ships aren’t all-balcony-cabin vessels.

Designwise, Viking cabins and suites across all categories are modern and elegant in an understated sort of way, with Scandinavian-influenced furnishings and decor that tie to the Norwegian heritage of the company’s founder.

You’ll find beds topped with crisp, white duvets and Scandinavian throws, comfortable contemporary sofas and chairs in neutral tones, and light-wood desks and side tables that combine to offer a residential feel in bedroom areas. Soothing, minimalist colors — think creams, grays and lighter blues — are the order of the day.

Bathrooms in Viking cabins are serene, modernist escapes with luxurious travertine-lined walls, Scandinavian-influenced wood-veneered vanities, shiny white sinks and chrome fixtures.

In keeping with the high-end nature of the brand, Viking cabins and suites have a lot of upscale touches, from sumptuous bedding that envelops you to heated floors in bathrooms. The rooms aren’t overly flashy, though.

What they are is eminently functional, with storage in all the right places, lots of outlets for charging your devices and lighting right where you need it. We love the reading lights built into the fabric headboards, which are in addition to the lamps on bedside tables. You won’t have trouble seeing the pages of the Viking Daily activity newsletter while lying in a Viking cabin bed.

Other little touches in Viking cabins that show a line thinking about functionality as much as decor include the large and clear lettering on the Freyja toiletries that you’ll find in every Viking cabin bathroom. The toiletries were specifically designed with bigger and clearer lettering than is common for toiletries on cruise ships and at hotels so that the line’s older customers would have no trouble differentiating the body wash from the body lotion and shampoo.

Restaurants and dining

The number of restaurants and other dining options that you’ll find on Viking ships will vary greatly depending on whether you are sailing on an ocean or a river ship.

All of Viking’s oceangoing ships, which are much bigger than its river ships, have at least four and usually more outlets serving food of some sort.

Every one of the line’s 930-passenger ocean ships has a main restaurant (called, simply, The Restaurant) with rotating menus that include dishes that tie to the destination where the vessel is sailing. There also are casual buffet eateries called World Cafe on every vessel. You’ll probably eat most of your meals in one of these eateries.

The main restaurants on these ships are notable for their walls of glass that can slide open to create al fresco dining, something that is unusual in the cruise world.

Each of the 930-passenger ocean ships also has two smaller restaurants with specialized cuisine: Manfredi’s, a high-end Italian eatery, and The Chef’s Table, which offers a five-course tasting menu themed around a specific cuisine that changes every few days.

There’s no extra charge for dining in the smaller restaurants, but reservations are required. Each passenger is only allowed to make one to three reservations per cruise at the eateries, depending on which category of cabin they have booked.

Viking’s bigger ocean ships also have poolside grills that serve made-to-order gourmet hamburgers and other grill items. Passengers can grab a snack — with a Norwegian twist — at the forward-facing lounges atop the ships, which are home to a small food counter called Mamsen’s. Named after Viking founder Torstein Hagen’s mother (Ragnhild “Mamsen” Hagen), it offers authentic tastes of Norway such as traditional heart-shaped waffles, specialty cakes and the brown goat cheese that is found around the country.

Passengers will also find finger sandwiches, scones and teas in the afternoon at the glass-topped Wintergarden lounge at the top of every vessel.

The line’s smaller expedition ocean ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, offer four of the above venues: The Restaurant, World Cafe, Manfredi’s and Mamsen’s.

Viking’s river ships, by contrast, typically offer just two eateries: a main restaurant where passengers eat most of their meals and a smaller, casual buffet with indoor and outdoor seating.

Fun fact: The Manfredi’s restaurants on Viking ocean ships are named after former Silversea Cruises owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, a friend of Viking founder Torstein Hagen. Some Silversea ships, in turn, have lounge areas named after Hagen.

Entertainment and activities

Many of the activities on board Viking’s ocean ships revolve around “cultural enrichment,” to use a phrase often used by Viking executives. On any given day, you might find an expert on one of the destinations you’re visiting lecturing in the theater, or a classical musician performing in the central atrium, known as The Living Room. The ships also offer some traditional entertainment, including production shows with singers and dancers.

On the line’s river ships, you’ll also find onboard lectures, usually related to the destinations the ships are visiting, as well as destination-related demonstrations and tastings. (On a Seine River voyage, you might have a tasting of local French cheeses or French wines, for instance).

You’ll also find live piano music in the evenings in river ship lounges.

Theaters, lounges and shows

Each of the line’s ocean ships has a theater at its front that is home to production shows, movie showings (with fresh popcorn available) and enrichment lecturers.

In keeping with Viking’s focus on cultural immersion, lecturers often have expertise related to the places you’ll be visiting on your sailing. The line also draws a wide range of interesting and accomplished people from all walks of life to serve as guest lecturers, including well-known academics, diplomats and even astronauts.

In addition to the theater, a secondary lounge space on the ships called Torshavn is home to musical entertainment at night. It’s also known for an extensive collection of Armagnacs, with one from almost every year of the past eight decades. (A fun game is to try the Armagnac from your birth year. Just be careful — some years are far more expensive than others.)

You’ll also find musicians including pianists and guitar players performing at times in the Viking Living Room — a three-deck-high, atrium-like space at the center of the ship. Filled with comfortable seating areas and home to a bar, the Viking Living Room serves as a central meeting point for passengers throughout the day and night. It’s also home to the ship’s Explorers’ Desk — the equivalent of a guest relations area on other ships.

There’s also live music at night in the Explorers’ Lounge, a two-deck-high observation lounge and bar area at the very top of the ship. The Explorers’ Lounge also is home to Mamsen’s, the food counter serving tastes of Norway mentioned above.

The pool deck and other venues

The centerpiece of the top deck of each of Viking’s ocean ships is the main pool area, which is home to a pool, hot tub and rows of lounge chairs, as well as comfortable seating areas.

The entire main pool area is covered with a glass magrodome that can be opened on short notice on warm and sunny days — or closed if the ship encounters inclement weather.

Just behind the main pool area on each of the ocean ships is a lovely, glass-topped lounge with comfortable seating called the Wintergarden that is home to afternoon tea. A den of serenity, it’s one of our favorite places on these vessels.

A secondary pool area with an infinity pool is at the back of each of the ships.

Other interior spaces that are part of the ocean ships include a stylish spa with a thermal suite area that is open to all passengers at no extra charge (something that is not common on cruise vessels) and a fitness center.

Note that Viking river ships do not have fitness centers, which is relatively unusual for river ships. Viking has long argued that few of its customers use fitness centers and the space that would be devoted to one is better used for other things. However, if you’re fitness-obsessed, Viking river ships may not be the best choice for your river trip.

Related:  The 12 cruise ships with the most spectacular attractions at sea  

Children’s program

Viking does not allow children under the age of 18 on its vessels and thus has no children’s programs on any of its vessels.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

Viking operates international itineraries where a passport is required. Passports must be valid for at least six months. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Viking adds an automatic service gratuity (which it calls a “hotel and dining charge”) of $17 per person per day to final bills, depending on your cabin category. If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can adjust this amount before disembarking at the Explorers’ Desk. (You can also increase the tip amount if so desired.) Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars and for drinks at restaurants.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship  

As part of Viking’s “no nickel-and-diming” philosophy, the line offers free Wi-Fi service to passengers on all its ships throughout sailings. Note that internet service can be slow at times of heavy use, as is typical on cruise vessels. In addition, in order to ensure fair usage for all, the line limits some heavy-bandwidth applications, downloads and software upgrades.

Related:  Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board  

Carry-on drinks policy

Unlike many lines, Viking allows you to bring your own wine, Champagne, beer and liquor onto ships at embarkation with no limits. The line also doesn’t charge a corkage fee.

Smoking policy

On all ships, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas. It’s forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

Some Viking ships, including all of the line’s ocean vessels (including its one expedition vessel), have self-serve launderettes on cabin decks with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. The launderettes are stocked with detergent for the washing machines that, unlike on many cruise ships with launderettes, do not come with an extra cost.

In addition, most Viking vessels offer laundry and pressing services. Such services are complimentary for passengers staying in certain categories of cabins. Otherwise, fees are comparable to what you’ll pay cleaners at home. Dry cleaning is available on the line’s ocean ships but not on Viking river ships.

Viking’s recently unveiled Mississippi River ship offers self-service launderettes but no send-out laundry and pressing service.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Electrical outlets

All of the line’s vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets in rooms as well as European-style, 220-volt outlets and USB ports in cabins.

The currency used on Viking ships is U.S. dollars.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on Viking ships.

During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it’s a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you’re bound for the top deck, a short-sleeve shirt and shorts are just fine.

Evenings have an official dress code, but it’s not too formal. The line asks passengers to keep things “elegant casual” when heading to any of the ship’s dining venues, performances or special events. To Viking, that means a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women, and trousers and a collared shirt for men. A tie and jacket for men are optional. Jeans are not permitted.

This evening dress code is not enforced at the casual World Cafe eateries on Viking ocean ships, where passengers can go even more casual in the evenings.

Related:  Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Viking cruise loyalty program

Viking doesn’t have a loyalty program in the traditional sense — one where passengers earn points every time they travel with the brand and progress through multiple tiers that bring an ever-expanding array of perks. However, it does offer a few basic perks for past guests.

Once you travel with the brand for the first time, you will automatically be enrolled in the Viking Explorer Society. As part of this society, you will receive:

  • A credit of $200 per passenger anytime you book a Viking voyage within one year of your last Viking voyage. If you reserve within two years, you receive a $100 credit.
  • An invitation to a members-only Viking Explorer Society cocktail party when sailing on Viking ships.
  • Early word by email or regular mail on new Viking Cruises itineraries and new ships, as well as special limited-time offers.

Note that the credits mentioned above cannot always be combined with promotions the line offers.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s cruise loyalty program

How much does a Viking cruise cost?

Viking sailings aren’t inexpensive. Ten-night “Greek Odyssey” voyages to the Greek Islands start at $3,999 per person. That works out to roughly $800 per day for a couple sharing a room. Some of the line’s more exotic sailings, such as its expedition trips to Antarctica, cost even more. Fourteen-night Antarctica trips start at $13,995 per person — about $2,000 per day for a couple.

Related: 6 ways to travel to Antarctica in luxury and style

Still, as is typical for cruise lines at the high end, Viking includes a lot in its base price. In addition to a room on board and all meals, the fares include beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; specialty coffees, teas and bottled water around the clock; shipboard Wi-Fi; and (perhaps most notably) a shore excursion in every port. The latter is something relatively few lines roll into their base fares, and shore excursions can be expensive.

Viking also includes access to the thermal areas of its spa in its base fares. Such access almost always comes with an extra charge on cruise vessels.

Viking fares do include port taxes and fees, which can add up to hundreds of dollars per sailing. Most other lines do not include port taxes and fees in their base fares and add them later in the booking process.

Note that Viking does charge extra for two key things that many luxury lines such as Silversea, Seabourn and Regent do not: alcoholic drinks at bars and gratuities. This is one reason some cruisers do not consider Viking at quite the same level as those other brands.

How to book

If you’re sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to Viking.com and book directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we always recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises.

A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. An agent can also help you if something goes wrong  before, during or after your voyage.

If you’re sure that Viking is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all of the line’s many itineraries in detail and, preferably, has sailed on or at least inspected some of the line’s vessels, too, to understand the various cabin types and onboard amenities.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles  

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card spending when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There’s also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which offers 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel (and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining).

Bottom line

Viking can be defined as much by what it isn’t as what it is. It’s not a line for families with young children. It’s not a line that offers megaships topped with every sort of amusement known to humans. And it’s not a line for the party crowd.

What it is is a line that has focused very specifically on “thinking person’s cruises” that offer a deeper dive into the destinations that its ships visit than is typical at many lines. It’s all about exploring the world and doing so in comfort.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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  • A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
  • 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
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SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

The ultimate guide to Viking cruise ships and itineraries

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Unparalleled Staterooms and Suites

Viking offers a wide range of staterooms & suites.

viking cruises accessible cabins

The Perfect Retreat

Begin each day refreshed in any of our five categories of spacious rooms, including some of the largest suites at sea. All come with king-size beds, large showers, heated bathroom floors, LCD TVs, multiple US/EU outlets and USB ports, private verandas, 24-hour room service and more.

viking cruises accessible cabins

Our Penthouse Veranda

A relaxing home away from home, the Penthouse Veranda is our highest-rated stateroom with thoughtful design touches, including 25% more room, plentiful drawers and storage, binoculars to enjoy the view, priority restaurant and shore excursion reservations, and a welcome bottle of champagne.

viking cruises accessible cabins

The Fine Art of Detail

After a lifetime spent living in hotels, our Chairman wanted to ensure every detail of our ships was elegantly functional. So we designed easy-to-read and -open premium bath products; intuitive remote controls; large showers with strong water pressure and clear controls; anti-fog mirrors and heated floors.

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My Viking Journey

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Already booked? Log in to the My Viking Journey guest portal to learn more.

Welcome to My Viking Journey, our online portal designed exclusively for guests to prepare for their upcoming voyage. Here you can customize your travel experience, so all the details are taken care of before you depart. Create an account today with your booking number in order to:

Manage Your Viking Experience

The countdown to your departure has begun. Now is a great time to complete your Guest Information Form, make payments, confirm preferences or print your travel documents.

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Learn about our immersive shore excursions and reserve one or more for each port on your voyage.

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Enjoy a virtual tour of your ship by exploring each deck, including the spacious public areas and your stateroom. Learn about onboard amenities, enrichment offerings and make dining reservations or spa appointments.

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IMAGES

  1. Viking Ocean Cruise Ships Cabin Guide and Review: 6020 ADA

    viking cruises accessible cabins

  2. Viking cruise cabins and suites: A guide to everything you want to know

    viking cruises accessible cabins

  3. Viking River Cruises

    viking cruises accessible cabins

  4. How to Choose Your Stateroom on a Viking Ocean Cruise

    viking cruises accessible cabins

  5. Viking Ocean Cruises Veranda Cabin Review

    viking cruises accessible cabins

  6. Viking Ocean Cruise Ships Cabin Guide and Review: Standard cabins

    viking cruises accessible cabins

VIDEO

  1. Why Should I Choose a Viking Cruise for My Next Adventure?

  2. Viking Cruises Cruise Ship and Cabin tour

  3. Viking Cruises Long Ship Cabin Tour Category AA Verandah Suite

  4. Onwards

  5. Uncover the Hidden Riches of the Rhine with Viking!

  6. CLASSIC CRUISE SHIP CABIN CLEAN OUT AND RESTORATION CAN WE SAVE THIS CABIN? ALLPOWERS S2000 REVIEW

COMMENTS

  1. Viking River Cruises Accessibility

    Viking River Cruises endeavors to reasonably accommodate special access needs, but they cannot guarantee that they will be able to do so in all cases. Guests are strongly encouraged to advise their agents of any accessibility requirements prior to booking so we can work with Viking to determine if reasonable accommodations are available.

  2. A Guide to Accessible River Cruises

    Viking: Viking does not have any designated wheelchair-friendly cabins. Most ships have elevators; some ships have split-level decks and/or significant thresholds that could make movement difficult.

  3. Our experience

    It states: "Viking Cruises welcomes disabled guests but wishes all guests to understand that challenges will exist on board and during shore excursions. Our ocean vessels have elevators, but there may still be thresholds that could make movement difficult. ... that also stated that the number of handicap accessible cabins on Viking is ...

  4. Viking cruise cabins and suites: A guide to everything you want to know

    An Explorer Suite bathroom on a Viking ocean ship. VIKING CRUISES. Viking is an upscale line — some might even call it a luxury line, though Viking doesn't market itself that way — and Viking cabins and suites have a lot of thoughtful and elegant touches, from sumptuous bedding that envelops you to heated floors in bathrooms.

  5. Exploring Accessibility and Comfort: ADA Compliant Cabin on Viking

    A Private Veranda Retreat. One of the standout features of Viking Ocean Cruises is their private verandas, and Cabin 6020 is no exception. Accessible through a ramp at the sliding glass door, the veranda provides a perfect space for savoring a morning coffee or toasting with a glass of champagne while enjoying sunsets and the natural beauty around you.

  6. Viking Oceans Accessibility

    Viking Oceans Accessibility. Viking Ocean Cruises tries to reasonably accommodate special access needs, but they cannot guarantee that they will be able to do so in all cases. Guests with disabilities are encouraged to cruise aboard Viking Oceans' voyages with the understanding that there may be some difficulties onboard, or when going on ...

  7. Viking Sea Cabins & Staterooms on Cruise Critic

    Viking Sea's two accessible cabins are found in this category. Suite: Starting at 757 square feet, including veranda space, the ship's 14 Explorer Suites are the only cabins onboard that include ...

  8. Viking Sea cabins and suites

    The Viking Sea cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and ... pressing and a shoeshine. There are two wheelchair-accessible Mini-Suites offering roll-in shower and roll-out balcony. Explorer Suite (category ES) cabins size vary between 460-700 ft2 / 43-65 m2, with ...

  9. Viking Cruises for the Disabled Reviews

    RHINE RIVER CRUISE (2023-09-24 TO 2023-10-02) EMBARKATION 9/24 UBER driver arrived 10 minutes early than 5 AM reservation but that was fine.

  10. Viking Star Cabins & Staterooms on Cruise Critic

    Cabins. Cruise Critic. Staff. Keeping it simple, Viking Star only offers a handful of cabin categories, all with private verandas. Decor, as befits the ship's theme, is contemporary with a simple ...

  11. Are Viking River Cruises Wheelchair Friendly: Everything You Need to Know

    Source: Cruising With a Disability - Cruise Critic. Conclusion. From accessible cabins and public areas to ramps and elevators, Viking aims to create a comfortable and inclusive environment for all guests. Moreover, their dedicated staff members are trained to assist individuals with disabilities and offer personalized support throughout the ...

  12. Viking Expeditions

    Viking Expeditions - Accessibility Viking Expeditions makes every effort to accommodate passengers with special needs or disabilities on their exciting expedition cruises. Each ship, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris have ADA-compliant handicap accessible staterooms, both of which fall into the Nordic Junior Suite category.

  13. Welcome to our Viking Longship 360°

    Our small, modern Viking Longships are elegantly designed for discovery and comfort. Each longship is identical and features all outside staterooms, serene Scandinavian spaces and light-filled public areas. To begin, select an area to explore from the menu on the right.

  14. Unparalleled Staterooms and Suites

    The Fine Art of Detail. After a lifetime spent living in hotels, our Chairman wanted to ensure every detail of our ships was elegantly functional. So we designed easy-to-read and -open premium bath products; intuitive remote controls; large showers with strong water pressure and clear controls; anti-fog mirrors; and heated floors. The Viking ...

  15. How to Choose the Right Stateroom on a Viking River Cruise

    Stateroom size: 205 sq. ft. Hotel-style beds 79 inches x 63 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration) Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open to a full-size veranda. Private bathroom with shower and premium bath products. Telephone, refrigerator, safe, hair dryer & bottled water replenished daily.

  16. Viking Orion Cabins & Staterooms on Cruise Critic

    Viking Orion has two ADA-compliant rooms, both at the Penthouse Junior Suite level. The ship has no connecting cabins. Balcony: Viking Orion's entry-level cabins, Veranda and Deluxe Veranda ...

  17. Viking Truvor Cruise: Expert Review (2023)

    Built in the former East Germany in 1987 for Soviet vacationers (think bare-bones cabins and bathrooms so small the sink doubled as a shower), the 204-passenger Truvor was renovated from stem to ...

  18. How to Choose a Stateroom on a Viking Ocean Cruise

    These staterooms are located on Deck 3 with the V1 staterooms towards the front and the V2 staterooms towards the rear. Each room has the following features: Size including veranda: 270 sq. ft. 11:00 a.m. embarkation. 3:00 p.m. stateroom access. Priority shore excursion reservations: 60 days prior.

  19. The ultimate guide to Viking cruise ships and itineraries

    The Viking fleet. Viking has more ships than any other major cruise brand in the world, more than 90 in all. It also has both ocean ships and river ships — something that is unusual among major ...

  20. Viking Ocean Cruises®

    So we designed easy-to-read and -open premium bath products; intuitive remote controls; large showers with strong water pressure and clear controls; anti-fog mirrors and heated floors. Cruise with Viking on new, elegant small ships with only 930 guests. Included excursions in every port and free Wi-Fi. No casino, no kids, no nickel and diming.

  21. My Trip

    Create An Account. Log in to My Viking Journey today - using your booking details, it is quick, secure and easy. Login to My Viking Journey & personalize your cruise experience. Manage your shore excursions & see your dining options. Sail on our award-winning Viking Longships®.

  22. Russian River Cruise Tips

    Once unthinkable as a vacation destination, Russia has become more accessible than ever, with cruise stops available along the country's interior lakes and rivers (not to mention the Baltic and ...

  23. Viking Truvor

    The Viking Truvor (Russian: Викинг Трувор) (formerly Sergey Kirov) is a Dmitriy Furmanov-class (302, BiFa129M) Soviet/Russian river cruise ship, cruising in the Volga - Neva basin. The ship was built by VEB Elbewerften Boizenburg/Roßlau at their shipyard in Boizenburg, East Germany, and entered service in 1987.Her home port is currently Saint Petersburg.