On board our Viking expedition ships, each stateroom is equipped with a mini-bar. Your stateroom category will determine whether your mini-bar is replenished daily with drinks and snacks. Purified water is provided in all staterooms and refilled daily. A full listing of amenities by stateroom category can be found on each ship page.

Yes. There are a wide variety of locations for wildlife viewing from the ship. Every room is an observation room with floor-to-ceiling, distortion-free windows throughout the ship and outdoor venues.

Yes. Get to know your Viking ship a little better by taking our virtual 360° tour of the ship’s public spaces and staterooms. DOWNLOAD DECK PLAN OF VIKING POLARIS

Yes, on board expedition ships sailing our polar, Great Lakes and Grand Journeys itineraries are two 6-seater submarines custom-designed to explore underwater in various regions. Trips are approximately 1 hour in total length (30 minutes underwater, plus time to embark and disembark). Submarines dives are part of our optional excursion program and available for viewing, before your departure, on MyVikingJourney.com. Guests can make a reservation for a Submarine Dive ahead of their departure. Date and time will be confirmed on board and charged $499 USD per person (effective for voyages booked after April 1, 2023). This will be added to guests’ onboard account upon completion of excursion. Please note, if a confirmed guest cancels less than 48 hours prior to a scheduled dive, a $299 USD cancellation fee may apply. Submarines may not be available or allowed to be deployed on all itineraries. Learn more about our expedition equipment.

No, we do not have helicopters on board. Learn more about what Expedition Equipment we have available for exploring on our polar, Great Lakes and Grand Journeys itineraries.

Yes, we do on board expedition ships sailing our polar, Great Lakes and Grand Journeys itineraries. We have a fleet of custom designed, easy to operate 2-seater kayaks that feature a pedal system which lets you glide through the water hands-free, maximizing your photo opportunities. (Optional paddles are available, and the seat can be removed and reconfigured for a single guest if requested.) 

Yes, we do have Special Operations boats on board expedition ships sailing our polar, Great Lakes and Grand Journeys itineraries. We have two 12-seater oceangoing Special Operations Boats (next generation RIBs—Rigid Inflatable Boats) with a dual water jet system, individually suspended seats and, when converted to a covered boat, provide the option to sit in an enclosed cabin—all industry-leading features. We also have a fleet of Zodiacs and kayaks.

Yes. We have a fleet of military Pro Zodiacs on board our expedition ships sailing polar, Great Lakes and Grand Journeys itineraries.

Landing craft will be easily accessible for our guests. Embarkation onto our expedition ships will take place either from the midship area and/or The Hangar depending on the type of craft and weather conditions.

All stateroom bathrooms are equipped with premium bath toiletries. A hair dryer is also provided, and irons are available in the complimentary self-service launderettes. Depending on your stateroom category, laundry, pressing and dry cleaning services may be complimentary. If your stateroom category does not include these services, they may be purchased for a modest fee. A full listing of amenities by stateroom category can be found on each ship page.

Viking vessels are generally nonsmoking. In order to accommodate guests who choose to smoke, there is a designated outdoor smoking area. All other areas of the ship, including your stateroom and veranda, are designated nonsmoking areas. Smoking restrictions also apply to e-cigarettes. For Antarctic expeditions, smoking is not allowed on shore in Svalbard and Antarctica.

These vessels are optimally designed for expedition cruising—small enough to maneuver nimbly yet large enough to offer extremely comfortable sailing. At every landing, guests will have the opportunity to venture on shore, weather permitting.

Yes. On board Viking ocean and expedition ships, the Library is located in The Living Room, and has selections specially curated by London bookseller Heywood Hill to enrich and enhance your journey. Learn more about our curated libraries and recommended reading or visit the Ships section for deck plans and details.

On board Viking expedition ships, there are three different temperature pools, including an indoor-outdoor swim-through pool and a retractable dome.

On board Viking expedition ships is The Aula, our auditorium for lectures, presentations and films this unique space features a 4K laser-projected screen which retracts to expose floor-to ceiling windows and 270° views.

Our expedition ships offer free Wi-Fi. You may use your personal device or one of the ship’s computers. Our connection relies on a VSAT satellite terminal—the best possible solution for ocean cruising. Due to the nature of data bandwidth and latency, as well as potential interruptions in satellite signals based on terrain and weather, you may experience slower online connections than you are accustomed to at home. Please note that satellite signal interruptions are more common at the higher latitudes of the polar regions. In order to ensure fair usage for all, we reserve the right to limit heavy-bandwidth applications, downloads or software upgrades so that all our guests have access to Wi-Fi. We suggest that guests limit large uploads/downloads and live streaming. Please download your content prior to your cruise, as bandwidth will affect your service and cannot be guaranteed. We will be happy to help you with your device settings when you are on board. We hope you will understand that we will do our very best to provide you with an enjoyable online experience. Please remember that you will likely be able to access standard Wi-Fi and data roaming services on shore in most of the towns and cities you visit.

Most staterooms have beds that can be set up separated or together. Please inform us of your bed configuration preference so we can make sure your stateroom is set up properly when you arrive. Visit the Stateroom Preferences page in your My Viking Journey account to update this online.

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

The same elegant Scandinavian design of our Viking ocean ships is carried through on our expedition ships. You will find the following areas on our expedition ships that are similar to our ocean ships: the World Café, The Restaurant, the Aquavit Bar and Terrace, the Nordic Spa, Fitness Center, Mamsen’s, the Explorers’ Lounge, Living Room, Manfredi’s, and the Explorers’ Desk. You will also find expedition-specific spaces that will enhance your experience on shore and on board, including: The Aula, Finse Terrace, Expedition Central, the Bow, the Shelter, the Living Room, the Library and Explorers’ Lounge. Learn more about our serene Scandinavian spaces or visit the Ships section for deck plans and details.

Viking will provide all outer clothing and gear required for your expedition, and will also provide a suggested packing list. In the polar regions, Viking will provide a Viking Expedition Jacket for use during your expedition which is yours to keep. Viking will also provide all specialized equipment and tools required for the expedition; however, you should bring your own camera. Learn more about the expedition equipment available on board.

A Nordic Balcony is a floor-to-ceiling balcony concept that is designed to bring the beauty of the outdoors into the comfort of your room, allowing you to truly explore the world in comfort. The balcony is not traditional, but provides you with a choice of how you would like to experience your destination. You may leave it closed as a "wintergarden" and enjoy the breathtaking views, or you can open your room up to the outdoors—the top half of your sash window retracts, transforming your stateroom into a sheltered al fresco observation platform—and experience the fresh air and sounds of nature.

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

Viking Polaris sails to Antarctica and the Arctic.

All staterooms have a color television with a selection of live TV channels, including news, sports and finance channels, on-demand movies and in-house programming. Because satellite coverage is dependent on weather conditions and location, there may be times when programming is temporarily unavailable.

Each airline has its own luggage policy regarding fees and other restrictions; please contact your airline directly for the most up to date information. On board, luggage must be stored in the guest’s stateroom. Additional information will be made available with ample time for you to plan for your voyage. For a full list of allowable and prohibited items on board, you may download our Prohibited Items List (PDF).

Transfers are included with Viking Air purchase. For Antarctica itineraries, transfers will be included from your hotel to your charter flight and your flight to your ship.

Before leaving home, inspect all luggage, equipment and clothing for dirt and organic material and be sure to pack only clean clothing. We will also enact a number of measures—including vacuuming equipment prior to our first field landing and implementing biosecurity stations before and after every field landing—in order to minimize the chance of introducing non-native species and microbes between sites.

For itineraries that travel to the Arctic and Antarctica, every guest must provide a completed Medical Questionnaire signed by their physician. We will provide full details on this form at a later date. For itineraries that travel to other regions, guests are not be required to complete a Medical Questionnaire; however an accessibility form may be required if guests request the use of medical equipment, wheelchairs or scooters. Please contact guest services at 1-855-884-5464 (1-855-8-VIKING) for additional information.

Viking Inclusive Value—We Include More Features & Services Than Others: Keepsake Viking Expedition Jacket (polar itineraries only) All Viking excursion gear needed for any relevant excursions A minimum of one shore excursion per landing day; there may two on some days All onboard restaurants and 24-hour room service Beer, wine and soft drinks with meals Onboard Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) Port charges (if applicable) Charter flights to/from Ushuaia on Antarctica itineraries Hotel night in Buenos Aires on inbound leg to Ushuaia on relevant Antarctica itineraries

Your electronic documents will be emailed to you 14 days prior to your embarkation. You may also access all documents and information regarding your booking by visiting your My Viking Journey account Booking Summary page. In addition to your electronic documents, approximately 14 to 45 days prior to your departure you will receive a package in the mail which will include your personalized embarkation tags and one red transfer sticker per guest if applicable.

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

Yes. We offer complimentary house wines, beers and soft drinks with onboard lunches and dinners, plus specialty coffees and assorted hot teas that are available 24 hours a day. For those who would like to upgrade and enjoy unlimited beverages, Viking offers a Silver Spirits beverage package, which covers any drinks (excluding champagne) up to $18.00 USD, including premium wines and house champagne by the glass, cocktails, all house pouring wines, beers, liquors, well drinks, mixers/long drinks and soft drinks throughout the day for $25 per night per guest. You may purchase the package prior to sailing, including on the My Viking Journey Dining & Beverage page, or once you are on board. You can also use the Silver Spirits Beverage Package Order Form (PDF) to purchase the package for yourself or as a gift for another Viking guest. Please note you must be 21 years of age or older to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. Both guests in a stateroom must purchase the package for the full length of the cruise in order for it to be valid.

Viking welcomes disabled guests; however, guests must realize there are inherent risks associated with traveling on board ships that are unique to cruise travel. For people who are ill, or have a mental or physical disability or impairment, the risks can be more significant. Guests must be able to independently move around the ship in case of an emergency or rough seas, deal with the lack of immediate access to medical services in certain parts of the world, and acknowledge that access to some areas of the ship and ports of call may be limited or impossible. Shore excursions may require the ability to embark and debark Kodiak and RIB boats, walk on icy and snowy surfaces, up and down inclines, and traverse difficult terrain, as well as go up and down stairs. We reserve the right to determine whether a guest is fit to travel and to deny boarding in the event that a guest represents a risk to themselves or to the safety and well-being of those on board the ship. When you make your reservation, please advise us of any disability that will require special attention while sailing on a Viking cruise and provide a completed Fit to Travel Form along with a physician’s letter. Should you have any medical, physical or other special needs, check the fleet information on our website to gain an understanding of the layout and accessible features of the Expedition ships and contact a Viking Expert at 1-855-884-5464 (1-855-8-VIKING) directly with additional questions and to obtain a copy of our policy statement.

In most cases, we can. Every meal has vegetarian options and the chefs will make reasonable efforts to accommodate special requests. Guests requiring special meals (low salt, diabetic, gluten-free or low cholesterol) should alert us 90 days prior to departure over the phone at 1-855-884-5464 (1-855-8-VIKING) or online on the Dietary Restrictions page in your My Viking Journey account. Guests should also inform the Maître d’ when on board. While we take steps to minimize the risk of cross contamination, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free kitchen.

Yes, you will have the use of a complimentary washer and dryer during your time on board. Irons and ironing boards are additionally available free of charge. A full listing of amenities by stateroom category can be found on each ship page.

Although most services are included in your cruise fare, discretionary purchases will be charged to your shipboard account. These accounts, along with all prices and currency on board the ship, are in US dollars and may be settled in cash or with a major credit card before disembarking the ship; traveler’s checks are not accepted.

Yes, we have a physician and a nurse on board all expedition ships. The doctor is available at any time in case of emergency.

With Viking Inclusive Value, there is no additional charge should you wish to dine in one of our alternative restaurants where available, including Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant and The Chef’s Table.

During the day, dress is casual—slacks or jeans and comfortable shoes/boots that are appropriate for excursions/landing or enjoying the ship. Swimsuits, brief shorts, cover-ups and exercise attire should be reserved for the Fitness Center and pool areas. There are no “formal nights” in the evening; evening dress is “elegant casual” for all dining venues, performances and special events. On these occasions, required attire for ladies includes a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. A tie and jacket are optional; jeans are not permitted. The evening dress excludes the World Café, where the dress remains casual, including jeans and boots, after 6:00 PM.

Bookings made January 16, 2020 or later will adhere to this policy: Our onboard staff is dedicated to providing you with the best cruise experience possible, and it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of their service. How much you choose to tip is a personal matter and completely at your discretion. To save you worry over whom to tip and how much, we automatically add a discretionary hotel and dining charge of $17.00 USD per guest per day to your shipboard account, which appears on your final invoice at the end of your cruise. This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide your cruise experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff and others. Please note that this charge excludes bar gratuity; a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts or pay in cash, stop by Guest Services at any time. You may also wish to tip your local excursion guides and/or drivers; we suggest doing so in cash at the end of each tour. For your convenience, you can pre-purchase gratuities at our standard recommended rate in My Viking Journey. This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide for your cruise experience, including your Program Director, waitstaff, stateroom stewards, galley staff, nautical staff and others.

Yes. Our Viking Expedition Team will provide daily briefings, and our Viking Resident Scientists will present enriching lectures on the flora and fauna of the area, glaciology, marine biology and other related topics. Learn more at the Expeditions Enrichment page.

Yes. ATMs are a good source of cash domestically and overseas; however, they may or may not be conveniently located in the larger cities and may be rare in smaller towns. And your itinerary may not always allow you sufficient time to locate one. Your Guest Services staff or tour guide may be able to assist you. Depending on itinerary, when available, ATMs dispense local currency for internationally accepted ATM cards and/or credit cards, and have a service fee. If you are planning to use ATMs, you should confirm with your bank prior to departure that your ATM/credit card and Personal Identification Number (PIN) will work abroad. Please note, limited ATMs may be available on our Arctic and Antarctic ports.

Mastercard, Visa and American Express are accepted in major shops, restaurants and hotels, as well as on board to settle your shipboard account. Smaller shops and those in rural areas may not accept credit card payments. Notify your credit card companies that you will be traveling abroad to avoid holds on your account. Many countries require the use of a PIN for credit card transactions. Should you plan to use your credit card, be sure to setup your PIN and confirm activation with your credit card company prior to your departure. Also, credit cards with magnetic strips may not work in automated overseas ticketing machines, such as transit vending systems, as these require chip-and-PIN type cards; contact your credit card company for details.

We do not have a foreign currency service available on board. For incidentals and small vendors, we recommend getting local currency, which can be purchased in the ship’s terminal or from ATMs. Should you wish to use ATMs, confirm with your bank prior to departure that your ATM/credit card and PIN will work abroad and inquire about possible foreign transaction fees. Also notify your credit card company that you will be traveling abroad to avoid unnecessary holds on your account.

There is no currency in Antarctica. Where needed, US dollars, pound sterling and euros are generally accepted.

Some activities are more physically challenging than others. We will provide as much flexibility as possible for our guests. Participation in different activities off the ship is entirely optional. Other activities are easy and achievable for all. The activities we offer will all be available either one or several times during the voyage. Some we will strive to offer every day when we are in the destination.

Yes, hiking/walking sticks and trekking poles are permitted. We supply trekking poles to any guests who would like to use them.

Within the perimeter of the available landing area we will often allow guests to roam freely. Some sites are very confined, and require guidance in order to not inadvertently disturb dense concentrations of animal life or protected cultural heritage. In these instances, we will post Expedition Team members to assist.

Yes. There are a wide variety of locations for wildlife viewing from the ship. Every room is an observation room with floor-to-ceiling, distortion-free windows throughout the ship and outdoor venues.

Yes, weather permitting.

The majority of our polar Viking Expedition Team has significant years of experience operating in the polar regions. For Antarctica and the Arctic, all Viking Expedition staff have passed a Field Staff Online Assessment ensuring they possess advanced knowledge of the destination and understand all rules and regulations, operational procedures, and destination-specific aspects. The 36-person Viking Expedition Team includes your Expedition Leader, boat drivers, polar bear guards, kayak guides, submarine pilots and more, all with relevant specialist certifications and all meeting the required maritime safety competence for serving at sea. Our Viking Resident Scientists, also on board, are selected by our partners at University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute or The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and have significant academic backgrounds in their lecture fields.

On polar itineraries, outside temperatures will vary. On the coldest days temperatures may be as low as 14°F/-10°C, while on the warmest days they can reach the high 60s F/15–20°C.

No wildlife sightings can be guaranteed; however, you may see gentoo and chinstrap penguins, leopard and elephant seals, humpback and minke whales, orcas, and Arctic terns.