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Viking Cruises Upgrade Guide: Policies, Tips & Eligibility

Does Viking Upgrade Cabins?

Each and every cruiser must have had that feeling of impatient anticipation, as they wonder what their cabin will be like. Although the concept of a free upgrade to a bigger or a more conveniently-placed room is a nice dream that many people use to have, Viking Cruises, as a company that is characterized by its simple refinement and consistency, takes it in a slightly different way. Their creed is that what you pay now is what you get. It is not the case that a spontaneous upgrade is a regular practice. However, Viking does offer certain methods by which the guests can get a superior cabin, which means that a larger or luxurious room will be factored into their travelling plans to begin with, and will make the booking process a matter of control and tranquility, instead of a coin landing on heads. 

Viking Cruise Upgrade Policy

Viking Cruises' approach to cabin upgrades is different from that of many other cruise lines. Rather than offering last-minute complimentary upgrades as a standard practice, their policy is rooted in transparency, consistency, and providing the exact cabin category you book from the start. Here is a detailed breakdown of their cabin upgrade policy:

  • Complimentary/Free Upgrades: Viking's business model is built on providing a consistent and high-quality experience for every passenger. Their ships have very few interior staterooms, and every cabin is thoughtfully designed. As a result, the practice of offering free, last-minute Viking River Cruise Upgrade to fill empty cabins is not part of their operational policy. Guests should not expect to receive a complimentary upgrade.
  • Upgrading at Booking: The most reliable way to secure a better cabin is to simply book it directly. Viking's tiered cabin categories from Veranda Staterooms to Penthouse Suites are designed to give guests clear choices and varying levels of amenities from the outset.
  • Targeted Paid Upgrade Offers: In some cases, as the sailing date approaches, Viking may send a targeted email to guests who have booked a lower-category cabin. This offer allows you to pay a specific amount to move to a higher-category cabin, such as upgrading from a Veranda to a Deluxe Veranda or a Penthouse. These offers are not guaranteed and are based on the ship's inventory.

What are the different cabins Viking Cruise offers?

The staterooms of Viking Cruises have gained a reputation for Scandinavian design, considerate features, and a way of offering an elegant, comfortable home base for your travel. The kind of stateroom that you can get depends on the ship type, i.e., Ocean, River, or Expedition.

Viking Ocean Cruises

The ocean vessels of Viking stand out as there is a private veranda in each stateroom and suite, so that all the guests have a view of the sea. The staterooms are separated into a system of levels, where comfort and size are enhanced with each level.

  • Veranda Stateroom: These are the lead-in cabins and are 270 square feet. They also have a king-size bed, a private veranda, a big screen TV, a mini-bar with water and snacks, and a heated floor bathroom. While you Book an Upgraded Room on Viking Cruisethis can be considered. 
  • Deluxe Veranda Stateroom: Identical size as the Veranda; only that these cabins are in more preferable mid-ship positions and come with additional services such as restocked mini-bar and earlier embarkation.
  • Penthouse Veranda Stateroom: This category has more space with 338 square feet, a larger veranda, and some other amenities like early embarkation, priority reservation of shore excursions, and a coffee machine.
  • Penthouse Junior Suite and Explorer Suites: these suites have much more space to live in, with sleeping and seating quarters that are separated. They are accompanied by a welcome bottle of champagne, free laundry service, and early reservations in restaurants and field trips.
  • Owner's Suite: The largest and richest, the owner can have almost 1,500 square feet with their own living and dining room, individual veranda, and special rights.

Viking River Cruises

The river Longships by Viking also emphasize outside views, but the stateroom categories are changed according to the smaller size of the ships. Before you book an Upgraded Room on Viking Cruiseget enlightened about them: 

  • Standard Stateroom: The cheapest ones are the standard 150 square foot staterooms, whose interior has a half-height picture window.
  • French Balcony Stateroom: These staterooms are 135 square feet with the same floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door that opens onto a railing offering fresh air and a view, but without a step-out balcony.
  • Veranda Stateroom: A larger design measuring 205 square feet, they feature an actual, step-out veranda with chairs and a table.
  • Veranda Suite and Explorer Suite: These are the largest multi-room suites in the river fleet, with a separate living room, more than one balcony, and other facilities.

Viking Expedition Cruises

The staterooms in the expedition ships are adventure-oriented with features such as outdoor preparation. Every room has a Nordic Balcony, and this is a floor-to-ceiling window that can be brought down at the top to form a shelter observation deck.

  • Nordic Balcony Stateroom: The lead-in category, at 215 square feet. It has a drying closet for outdoor apparel, a bath floor heat, and cabin-mounted binoculars.
  • Nordic Penthouse/Jr. Suite: These are larger and more luxurious, with a laundry service and first priority in making adventure tours and restaurant reservations.
  • Explorer Suite and Owner Suite: Our largest suites, consisting of separate living rooms, dining areas, and large verandahs, are meant to offer you the best luxury experience in the course of your expedition.

Key Factors and Benefits Of Viking Cruise Upgrade

Viking Cruises has a different way of upgrading cabins compared to other cruise lines. Instead of complimentary upgrades at the last minute as a matter of course, their policy lies in a transparent, consistent, and offering the precise cabin type that you have booked from the beginning. The major breakdown of their cabin Viking River Cruise Upgrade policy is as follows:

  • Complimentary/Free Upgrades: Viking operates with a business model that is based on the delivery of a high-quality and continuous experience to all passengers. Their vessels do not have many staterooms on board, and each cabin is well planned. Consequently, their free last-minute upgrades, as a method of filling empty cabins, are not in their working policy. The guest will not be expecting an upgrade with no cost.
  • Upgrading at Booking: The surest method of getting a better cabin is by direct booking. The cabin category levels in Viking, including Veranda Staterooms to Penthouse Suites, are structured to provide the guests with distinct options and diverse degrees of comfort at an initial stage.
  • Paid Upgrade Offers: In certain instances, Viking can target email guests who have booked a lower-category cabin as the sailing date nears. This deal enables you to pay a certain sum to relocate to a higher-grade cabin, e.g., upgrade a Veranda into a Deluxe Veranda or a Penthouse. Such offers have no guarantee and depend on the inventory of the ship.

How to upgrade the cabin with Viking Cruise?

The Viking River Cruise Stateroom Upgrade Advice can be made online, and this has been regarded as one of the most opportune methods that will aid in the booking of the journey. This will be 24 hours a day and seven days a week, and you should have an active internet connection so that you are able to make a reservation without inconvenience: 

  • Visit the official webpage of Viking Cruises.
  • To begin, select the River type from the list of alternatives under the Find A Cruise option.
  • The next step is to choose your region from the list on the page.
  • After completing a few instructions, you will be presented with a form. Choose the date of departure.
  • This must be completed with correct information and any other necessary facts.
  • The journey-related documents will also be included with this form.
  • Pay the cruise fee, follow the instructions on the page, and finish the process.
  • Along with any further information required, a confirmation email will be sent.

Through the Phone: The upgrade of a cruise can be made on the phone. You just have to connect with the executives on the call, and they will provide proper guidance to resolve your concerns. You will directly be connected with the representatives and be able to instantly express your concerns. The following steps are required to connect with the help center:

  • Dial 1 (877) 668-4546, the Viking River Cruise Upgrade phone number, to connect with the representatives. 
  • An auto-generated voice will appear and enlighten you about the further process. 
  • You will be required to press the digit that is connected to the upgrade. 
  • The call will be directed to the concerned department and executives. 
  • Ask them for an upgrade and provide the required information. 
  • They will do the needful, and the new reservation details will be sent via email. 

How much does Viking Air Plus cost? 

Viking Air Plus charges a non-refundable service fee of $150 per passenger. It is an additional fee that provides you with the right to build your trip itinerary (flights, airlines, and more) with a Viking Air Expert over the phone. You will have the capability of specifying flight times, airports, and even including stopovers. This cost is not in regard to the airfare premiums that might be applied to your particular flight options.

How Do I Get a Free Balcony Upgrade on Viking Cruise? 

Even Viking Cruises does not have a regular balancing act of providing a free balcony Viking River Cruise Stateroom Upgrade Advice. Viking operates differently, where their model is built on consistency, and they do not usually provide last-minute free upgrades as some other cruise lines do. Supposedly, the surest method of obtaining a balcony cabin is to reserve one in advance. Nevertheless, Viking can deliver focused, costly upgrade promotions to guests who have placed bookings in the lower category, in case a balcony is free.