Viking River Cruise Excursions
One included tour in every port, optional tours for more — and how that compares with the luxury lines.
Get Free River Cruise QuotesViking river cruise excursions follow a simple model: one included guided tour in every port, with optional tours for those who want more. Here is how that works in practice, and how it compares with the luxury lines.
What Viking Includes Ashore
Viking’s inclusive-value page lists one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call. In most ports that is a guided walking or coach tour of the town’s main sights — Melk Abbey on the Danube, for example, or the old town of a Rhine city. As on most river cruises, guides typically speak through personal audio headsets, so the group can spread out and still hear.
Optional tours
Viking’s itinerary pages also list optional excursions at extra cost — longer day trips, themed tours and evening events. Some itineraries mention Privileged Access visits, where Viking arranges special entry to a site; check the details for your sailing with us.
Viking Compared With the Luxury Lines
| Viking | Scenic / Tauck / Uniworld | |
|---|---|---|
| Included tours | One in every port | Included, often with several choices |
| Choice of included options | Usually one | Scenic Freechoice; Uniworld “Let’s Go” and “Do as the Locals Do” |
| Private events | Varies by itinerary | Scenic Enrich; Tauck exclusive evenings |
| Guide tips ashore | Not listed as included | Scenic and Tauck include gratuities ashore |
Viking’s approach suits travelers who like a clear included tour and want to pick and pay for extras. If you would rather have choice and private events built in, see our sister site Luxury River Cruise Lines.
Getting the Most From Viking Excursions
- Read the daily program the night before; tours leave on time.
- Pick one or two optional tours where the included tour feels short.
- Take a free afternoon in at least one port for cafés, museums or shopping.
- Wear comfortable shoes — many old towns are cobbled and hilly.
Need more ideas in each port? Europe Port Excursions and Shore Activities list things to do. Danube-specific sights are covered by Danube Riverboat Cruises.
Free Time in Port
The included tour usually takes a morning, leaving the afternoon free. In Vienna that might mean a coffeehouse and the Belvedere; in Budapest, a thermal bath; in Amsterdam, a canal walk. Ask the program director for a map and the all-aboard time, and keep the ship’s phone number handy.
Viking Excursion Questions
Are Viking river cruise excursions included?
Viking includes one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call, according to its own website. Optional excursions are offered at extra cost on many itineraries.
What are Viking optional excursions like?
They go deeper or farther than the included tour — for example, Viking’s itinerary pages mention an optional tour on Nuremberg’s World War II history. We can tell you which optional tours run on your sailing.
Can I skip a Viking excursion?
Yes. The included tour is optional; you can explore on your own instead.
Compare Viking With the Luxury Lines
Tell us your dates. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare Viking’s excursions with Scenic, Tauck or Uniworld and send free quotes.
Get Free Quotes