All-Inclusive Viking Longship Cruises: 3, 5 & 7 Days

Thinking about an all-inclusive Viking Longship cruise but not sure where to start?

This guide breaks down realistic costs for 3-, 5-, and 7-day packages, what’s typically included, example itineraries, ways to save, and highly reviewed alternatives if you want a truly “everything included” experience.

What “all-inclusive” means on Viking Longships

Viking River Cruises is known for elegant, value-forward pricing on its Longships throughout Europe, but it’s best described as more-inclusive rather than fully all-inclusive. Fares usually bundle your river-view stateroom, all onboard meals, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, specialty coffees/teas, Wi‑Fi, and one complimentary shore excursion in most ports. You’ll also get cultural enrichment like talks and demonstrations. For current details, check Viking River.

What’s not typically included: gratuities, premium spirits and cocktails, optional tours, spa/salon, laundry, and airfare unless you bundle with Viking’s air program or a travel package. Promotions can change what’s bundled (e.g., free or discounted airfare), so always confirm the latest offer on Viking Special Offers.

If you want a cruise line where virtually everything—gratuities, premium drinks, and many excursions—is included by default, see the “Highly reviewed alternatives” section below.

In short: Viking’s Longships deliver a refined, low-stress way to see Europe with many core costs covered, and you can make the experience feel very close to “all-inclusive” by adding a drinks package and pre-paying gratuities.

Typical costs: 3, 5, and 7-day packages

Pricing varies by river (Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro, etc.), season, cabin category, and promotions. Shorter samplers (3–5 days) appear occasionally via select departures or bundled land/cruise offers, while 7-day cruises are the most common. Use the ranges below as planning benchmarks for entry-level staterooms; balcony and suite categories price higher.

3-day sampler: Approximately $799–$1,499 per person (pp) in shoulder/low season; $999–$1,899 pp in peak. Often tied to partial segments or promotional mini-itineraries; availability varies widely.
5-day short cruise: Approximately $1,299–$2,499 pp in shoulder/low season; $1,699–$2,999 pp in peak. Could be a condensed route or bundled with a pre/post city stay.
7-day standard cruise: Approximately $2,299–$4,199 pp in shoulder/low season; $2,899–$4,999 pp in peak (Danube/Rhine often sit mid-range). Check sample routes like the Rhine and Danube on Viking’s site: Viking River.

These estimates reflect advertised fares and crowd-sourced averages from review and deal trackers; exact pricing changes constantly. For decision support, consult independent overviews like Cruise Critic’s Viking River page and set price-drop alerts.

What’s typically included

River-view stateroom (many with French or full balconies)
All onboard meals, including regional specialties
Beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
Specialty coffees and teas, 24/7
One included tour in most ports (usually a guided city walk or coach tour)
Onboard Wi‑Fi and cultural enrichment programming

Add-ons to consider for a near “all-inclusive” feel: a premium drinks package, pre-paid gratuities, and one or two bucket-list optional excursions.

Sample itineraries by duration

Because 7-day voyages are most common on Viking, 3- and 5-day options are often offered as samplers, partial segments, or as part of a cruise + city-stay bundle. Use these examples as planning templates; port calls and order may vary by sailing date and water level.

3-day Danube sampler (Budapest–Vienna)

Day 1: Budapest, Hungary – Embark, Parliament/Chain Bridge photo sail-away, evening city walking tour. Optional: thermal baths visit or Danube night cruise.
Day 2: Bratislava, Slovakia – Included Old Town tour; optional wine tasting in the Small Carpathians.
Day 3: Vienna, Austria – Included panoramic/old-town walk; disembark or extend with a classical concert night.

Explore full-length Danube options like Romantic Danube on Viking for a weeklong version: Viking River.

5-day Rhine highlights (Basel–Strasbourg–Koblenz)

Day 1: Basel, Switzerland – Embark; Old Town stroll and cathedral visit.
Day 2: Breisach/Black Forest, Germany – Included village walk; optional Black Forest excursion.
Day 3: Strasbourg, France – Included Petite France & cathedral tour; optional Alsatian wine route tasting.
Day 4: Speyer or Rüdesheim, Germany – Included town tour; optional Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Museum or cable car to the Niederwald Monument.
Day 5: Koblenz & Middle Rhine Gorge, Germany – Castle-spotting along UNESCO-listed gorge; disembark or continue to Cologne.

For a fuller version, compare with Viking’s Rhine Getaway and similar routes highlighted on independent reviews like Cruise Critic.

7-day classic Danube (Passau–Vienna–Budapest)

Day 1: Passau, Germany – Embark; old town and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Day 2: Linz & optional Český Krumlov – Included Linz walk; optional UNESCO-listed Český Krumlov.
Day 3: Wachau Valley & Melk Abbey, Austria – Scenic cruising and included Melk Abbey tour.
Day 4: Vienna, Austria – Included city tour; optional Schönbrunn Palace or Mozart/Strauss concert.
Day 5: Bratislava, Slovakia – Included Old Town walk; optional wine and castle visit.
Day 6: Budapest, Hungary – Included panoramic tour; optional Parliament interior or market tour.
Day 7: Budapest – Disembark; extend your stay with a hotel package.

How to save and find deals

Watch Wave Season (Jan–Mar) and shoulder seasons. Many lines push strongest promos early in the year and for spring/fall departures. Keep an eye on Viking Special Offers and general deal roundups like Forbes Advisor.
Bundle air with your cruise. Viking frequently runs free/discounted air on select sailings. Compare the package vs. DIY air before booking.
Travel in shoulder/low season. Late March–April and October–November often price lower than peak summer or Christmas markets.
Leverage a trusted travel advisor. Advisors can spot combinable promos, group space, and better cabin placement; find one via CLIA.
Use price alerts and re-fare if allowed. Set alerts with trackers like Cruise Critic Price Drops and ask your advisor about adjusting if the fare drops before final payment.
Be flexible on ship and direction. Longships across the fleet share a near-identical layout; switching direction (e.g., Budapest→Passau vs. Passau→Budapest) can reduce price.
Consider cabin trade-offs. French balconies can be hundreds less than full/veranda suites; you’ll still enjoy the same dining and tours.
Prepay gratuities and consider a drinks package. It simplifies budgeting and helps the trip feel more all-inclusive.
Protect deals with insurance. A policy can safeguard nonrefundable promos; compare plans at Squaremouth.

Highly reviewed options if you want truly all-inclusive

If your absolute priority is a resort-like, fully inclusive experience (gratuities, many premium drinks, and more excursions included), consider these highly reviewed river cruise brands as alternatives or comparison points to Viking’s Longships. They’re not “resorts” on land, but they do deliver a more all-inclusive package onboard:

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours – Often includes gratuities, a wide range of premium beverages, butler service, and many tours; see Scenic River Cruises.
Tauck River Cruising – Known for intimate group touring and inclusions (gratuities, many drinks, signature experiences); explore Tauck River Cruises.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises – Boutique ships with high-touch service and broad inclusions; details at Uniworld.
Emerald Cruises – Strong value with lots included and contemporary ships; see Emerald River Cruises.

For ship consistency and destination depth, Viking remains a category leader; start with its Longship overview here: Viking Longships. Independent accolades can help you gauge fit, such as the river line rankings from Travel + Leisure.

FAQs

Do 3- or 5-day Viking Longship packages run year-round?

Not usually. Viking’s bread-and-butter is the 7-day (and longer) format. Shorter samplers appear occasionally or via bundled cruise + city-stay offers. Check periodically on current offers.

Are wine and beer included all day?

They’re included with lunch and dinner. For cocktails and premium pours, consider a drinks package or pay as you go.

Can I add a resort stay to my cruise?

Yes—many travelers add a pre/post hotel package through Viking or a travel advisor. While European “all-inclusive resorts” are less common in river cities, you can easily bundle centrally located hotels with breakfast or half-board.