Many of you have asked about the value of Viking included shore excursions, whether they’re worth it, and if you need to upgrade them. The bottom line is that the included excursions are your starting point, and calculating their value is highly subjective (because different people value different things), but it’s a bit more nuanced than is indicated in the brochures.
VIKING’S Shore Excursion Program:
- RIVER: Viking and just about all its competitors include excursions in your fare, and they’re a great way to get oriented to your port of call.
- OCEAN: Most of Viking’s competitors DON’T include shore excursions (so this is a key differentiator for Viking).
- BASIC EXCURSIONS: Viking offers “orientation” or “highlights” tours. They are basic, and not intended to be all things to all people. Viking is very transparent about this. If you’re looking for deep-dive or a life-changing experience, you should pay to upgrade.
- OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS: Viking offers upgraded or optional excursions for an additional fee. You can also book independent shore excursions.
The SHORE EXCURSION VALUE EQUATION
- Determining the value for you will require a bit of arithmetic. Start by calculating your COST PER DAY (cruise fare divided by days on board). This gives you “apples to apples”.
- DEDUCT the value of the Viking included excursions that you intend to take (the basic excursions are usually worth between $60 and $100). Don’t include the value of excursions that you intend to upgrade or NOT participate in.
- Now compare the cost of Viking compared to other cruise lines.
PRO TIPS
- VIKING included excursions are your starting point. They’re NOT designed to be the highlight of your trip. Viking has lots of optional excursions that fit that bill.
- Use included excursions for ORIENTATION and/or TRANSPORTATION, and then do your own thing. This might require some research in advance of your trip.
- Remember there is NO CREDIT for missed excursions.
- DON’T feel locked into the included excursions. If there’s a paid option that better meets your needs, then it’s probably money well spent.
- Don’t forget about independent shore excursions. They often have smaller groups sizes, and are better priced than those offered through the cruise lines.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
The Viking included excursions are convenient, and remove decision fatigue. They are also your starting point – so use them as the foundation of your travel experience, not the finish line.
The PODCAST: Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED
One of the biggest selling points of Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises is that they include at least one shore excursion in every port. But does that automatically make Viking the best value? In this episode of UNPACKED, Bob and Kim take a practical look at Viking’s excursion program and compare it to other cruise lines
In Case You Missed It:
VIKING MIRA launched this week, and VIKING is continually adding more ships and itineraries. Here’s a look into their upcoming plans:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/viking-whats-new/
OUR CLIENTS. We ended up on the cruise with a group of our clients a couple of years ago, and discovered they were very much like us:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/our-clients-and-our-backstory/
NATIONAL PARKS. Bob and I just finished a trip with TAUCK to Utah that included some National Parks (more on that soon!). Our National Parks are often overlooked as the spectacular destinations that they are:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/time-to-visit-our-national-parks/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
VIKING EXPEDITION: It will feel very familiar to past Viking OCEAN guests, but the expedition itineraries are structured a bit differently than Viking Ocean journeys.
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!
Have something to say about this?
Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0cc5RfwZjdBkgeJcGp8usdJNj7VNnaSDauFcBzeaH71pcU5xogjxwJr1gbyU3jQh6l
Today’s Travel Opportunities
OCEANIA: Small-Ships. Great Food.
Oceania offers a shore excursion credit on every cruise, so that guests can make their own choices about shore activities. We’re also running a PRIVATE SALE with them in June, with additional amenities not available elsewhere, so this is the BEST TIME to book an Oceania cruise.
CANADA & NEW ENGLAND: Montreal to New York departing October 17 for 11-days
- Visit Quebec City, Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, Sept-Iles, Havre Saint Pierre, Corner Brook, Halifax, Sydney, and Saint-John.
- Fares from $6390
HAWAII & ALASKA: Vancouver to Honolulu departing September 19 for 16-days
- Start in Vancouver and visit Ketchikan, cruise the Holkham Bay Glacier Fjords, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Kahului, Nawiliwili, and finish in Honolulu.
- Fares from $3,910
Your Oceania fare includes SPECIALTY DINING, GRATUITIES, WIFI, and a choice of a SHORE EXCURSION CREDIT or BEER/WINE with meals.
Here’s MORE information on OCEANIA if you want to take advantage of our PRIVATE SALE:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/oceania-cruises-explained-the-unicorn-cruise-line-for-food-lovers/
UNIWORLD Boutique River Collection
Uniworld likes to experiment with different itinerary ideas, so why not try a train and riverboat experience in ITALY:
ITALY by Train & Riverboat: Sicily to Venice departing September 7, 2027 for 13-days
- Start in Taormina and visit Ragusa, Palermo, Maratea, Verona, Venice, Mazzorbo, and Chioggia
- Fares from $20,519
TULIP CRUISE: Amsterdam to Antwerp for 10-days
- Start in Amsterdam and visit Zaandam, Hoorn, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Ghent, and finish in Antwerp.
- Departures March through April from $4,094
CRYSTAL CRUISES Ocean Luxury
The Crystal ships were built for over 1000 guests, but they have retrofitted them to carry only 700. You’ll notice the extra space!
JAPAN: Hong Kong to Yokohama departing April 23, 2027 for 15-nights
- Start in Hong Kong and visit Xiamen, Shanghai, Busan, Hiroshima, Kyushu Island, Wakayama, Nagoya, and end in Yokohama (Tokyo).
- Fares from $9070
NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA: Auckland to Brisbane departing March 3 for 15-nights
- Visit Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Melbourne (overnight), Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane.
- Fares from $10,690
- OR stay on board for 29-nights, travelling up the Australian East Coast towards Bali, and stop in at Airlie Beach, Cairns (overnight), Papua New Guinea, Darwin, and Komodo Island before arriving in Bali for an overnight stay for an additional $8340.
CRYSTAL has the most loyal clientele in the industry, and is working hard to attract new clients:
- STATUS MATCH: If you’re a loyalty member on one of Crystal’s competitors, Crystal will offer 5% OFF for new guests.
- REFERRAL DISCOUNT. If you’re previous Crystal guest, and you refer someone else, those new-to-Crystal guests get 5% off their cruise AND you get the equivalent discount off YOUR next Crystal Cruise.
WINDSTAR Yachting Experiences
With a maximum of only 342 guests, it’s only a bit larger than a river boat, and as a member of the James Beard Foundation, you’ll enjoy the elevated culinary experience.
ICELAND: Round-trip from Reykjavik for 7-days
- Visit Reykjavik, Sertsey Island, Helmaey Island, Seydisfjordur (overnight), Akureyri, Isafjordur, Grundarfjordur.
- 2027: Depart July or August from $4,741
CARIBBEAN: San Juan round-trip departing November 29 for 14-days
- Warm weather escapes, Island Hopping, beaches
- Start in Puerto Rico, and then spend the next two weeks visiting US Virgin Islands, Gustavia, Brasseterre, St. Maarten, Great Harbour, British Virgin Islands, St. George’s, Bequia, Mayreau, Les Saintes, and Marigot.
- Fares from $4966
REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with HX
You’ve never seen ALASKA like this. If you’d like to see more wildlife & scenery, and fewer shopping malls, then this is the way to go:
Outdoor ALASKA: Vancouver to Anchorage for 10-days
- You’ve been to ALASKA, but not like this. If you prefer a nature walk, or sea kayaking to the souvenir shops on the pier, this is the right choice for you. This is also a great way to check out an Expedition Cruise, not too far from home.
- Depart Vancouver, sail the Inside Passage, then to Misty Fjords, Klawock, Fjords of the Alaskan panhandle, Icy Strait Point, Glacier Bay, Valdez, Prince William Sound, and then on to Anchorage
- 2026: There’s not much space left, but there is a 5% discount on departures this year with fares from $4867
- 2027: Departures May through July from $5299
OR – if you prefer a warm-water destination:
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS and Quito for 9-days
- 2-nights in Quito, then fly to Galapagos (included in fare) for 6 nights. Visit Mosquera Inlet, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station in Port Ayora, Espanola Island, Eden Islet.
- 2026: July through December from $6753
- 2027: January through December from $7705
- See our video blog from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER Luxury RAIL Journeys
We just finished travelling with Rocky Mountaineer! First in the CANADIAN ROCKIES, and then in US on CANYON SPIRIT from Denver to Moab. More on that soon….
Here are two itineraries from the CANADIAN ROCKIES, where the scenery is spectacular, and can be easily added on to ANY Alaskan cruise that starts or finishes in Vancouver.
Circle Journey: Vancouver round-trip for 12 -nights
- If you really want a comprehensive feel for the spectacular Canadian Rockies, this is the trip for you.
- Vancouver, Kamloops, Banff (3-nights), Lake Louise (2-nights), Jasper (2-nights), Quesnel, Whistler, Vancouver.
- Departures available April through October from $8528
Vancouver to Calgary for 7-nights
- Spend 1-night in Vancouver, then board the train to Kamloops, and then follow on to Lake Louise for 2-nights, Banff for 2-nights, and then finish in Calgary.
- Departures available May through October from $3698
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation (even if you booked ON BOARD).
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
