Viking river ships carry about 190 guests and dock right in town, while Viking ocean ships carry 930 to 998 guests and cover more coastline with sea days in between. Both are adults only at 18 and up, and both include an excursion in every port, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and Wi-Fi.
River is for towns. You walk off the ship into Vienna or Cologne.
Ocean is for coastlines. Norway, Iceland, the Mediterranean.
The ocean ships include every restaurant with no cover charge, plus the thermal suite in the spa.
Ocean costs more. A 7 night Iceland sailing on Viking Sea, July 26, 2027, was listed from $7,599 per person for a balcony. A 7 night river cruise starts under $2,000.
We lived in Norway, and the fjords from the water are the reason to pick ocean.
Gratuities on the ocean ships run $20 per guest per day.
Quick answers
Is Viking adults only?
Yes. Both river and ocean are 18 and up.
Which is cheaper, Viking river or Viking ocean?
River. Seven nights on the river starts under $2,000 per person in 2027, and ocean sailings start much higher.
Do you get seasick on a river cruise?
Rarely. Rivers are calm. The ocean ships do have sea days.
Are specialty restaurants included on Viking ocean?
Yes. Every restaurant is included with no cover charge.
Which Viking cruise is best for a first timer?
The river. Short distances, a town every day and nothing to plan.
Want help planning this one?
Tell me who’s coming and roughly when, and I’ll take it from there.
Plan my trip with NicoleTake the 2 minute trip quizKeep planning: Viking river cruise cost 2027 and our Norway travel guide.
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Adventures We Seek is my travel blog and planning resource. Trips are booked through Favorite Grampy Travels. Prices and dates last checked October 2026 and change often.
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