How Many Drinks Are Included In Viking River Cruises: What Viking River Cruises Guests Should Know for 2026
Let's clear up included drinks and beverage packages with what Viking River Cruises actually publishes, not guesswork.
What's actually bundled comes down to the beverage package structure: Gratuities are not included in the base fare and are auto-charged to your onboard account, generally around $20 per person, per day, unless you adjust the amount at Guest Services.
For anything specific to your sailing regarding included drinks and beverage packages, a quick call to +1-800-406-8495 beats guessing. It helps to check whether gratuities are already included in a package price or added separately at checkout. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drinks are included in Viking River?
It depends entirely on your fare type and any beverage package you've purchased - base fares typically include only water, coffee, tea, and juice, while paid packages unlock unlimited beer, wine, and cocktails. Pricing for packages tends to be updated periodically, so confirming the current rate before your cruise avoids surprises at checkout. That detail alone can save some back-and-forth later.
Is water and coffee always free onboard?
Yes, basic non-alcoholic beverages like water, coffee, tea, and often lemonade or iced tea are included in virtually every cruise fare. This is one of those details worth confirming close to your sail date, since packages and pricing are occasionally refreshed each season. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
Do I need to buy a drink package for everyone in my cabin?
Most lines require all adults in the same cabin to purchase the same beverage package, rather than letting one person buy it and share. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. That's the short version, at least.
Can I buy individual drinks instead of a package?
Yes, à la carte drink purchases are always available and charged to your onboard account, which can make sense if you don't drink often enough to justify a package. Menus and package details can vary slightly by ship, so it's worth checking what's currently offered on your specific vessel. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Is the beverage package worth it for a week-long cruise?
It depends on your habits - if you'd normally have 4+ drinks a day, a package often pays for itself, but light drinkers usually come out ahead paying per drink. It's worth asking whether a package needs to be purchased before boarding to lock in a lower rate versus buying it once onboard. Easy to overlook, but it's worth a mental note.
What beverage package options does Viking River offer?
Our advisors can walk through current package pricing and what's included - call +1-800-406-8495. This is one of those details worth confirming close to your sail date, since packages and pricing are occasionally refreshed each season. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Are mocktails included if I don't buy the alcohol package?
Non-alcoholic specialty drinks like mocktails are sometimes included in a non-alcoholic beverage package, though a basic fare without any package usually only includes water, coffee, tea, and similar basics. For groups sharing a cabin, it's worth checking whether everyone in the room is required to buy the same package. Good to know before you finalize anything.
Does Viking River count a bottle of wine as 'one drink' toward package limits?
Package terms vary - some treat a bottle of wine as several drink equivalents against a daily cap, while unlimited packages don't cap it at all; check your specific package's fine print. This is one of those details worth confirming close to your sail date, since packages and pricing are occasionally refreshed each season. Small thing, but it matters if you're planning around it.
Can I gift my unused drink package days to someone else in my cabin?
Generally no, drink packages are tied to the individual guest who purchased them and aren't transferable to other travelers in the same cabin. Menus and package details can vary slightly by ship, so it's worth checking what's currently offered on your specific vessel. That's the short version, at least.
Is the drink package cheaper if purchased for the whole cruise versus day by day?
Yes, buying the full-cruise package almost always works out cheaper per day than purchasing single-day packages, especially if bought in advance rather than once onboard. This is one of those details worth confirming close to your sail date, since packages and pricing are occasionally refreshed each season. Not a bad idea to keep that in your back pocket.