Planning a luxurious cruise vacation can be exciting, but it’s crucial to understand the finer details before booking. One common question is: Are meals included on Viking Ocean Cruises? This post will provide a comprehensive answer, clarifying what’s covered, what’s extra, and help you budget effectively for your Viking Ocean cruise. We’ll explore the dining options, potential additional costs, and answer your frequently asked questions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable cruise experience.
Viking Ocean Cruise Dining: What’s Included
Viking Ocean Cruises prides itself on offering an all-inclusive experience, and this extends significantly to dining. The core meal plan is indeed included in the cruise fare. This means breakfast, lunch, and dinner are generally provided in various dining venues on board. This covers a wide range of cuisine, and we will examine the details more below. Understanding what’s offered from the start prevents surprises later on.
World Café
- The World Café is a buffet-style restaurant offering a diverse range of international cuisine, available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This means you will find everything from traditional American breakfast fare to a vast selection of international options for lunch and dinner. The offerings change daily, ensuring variety for your entire cruise.
- It’s a casual and flexible dining option, perfect for quick bites or more leisurely meals. The World Café is usually open extended hours to cater to various schedules. This means you can easily grab a quick lunch between shore excursions or a late-night snack.
Main Restaurants
- Viking Ocean Cruises boasts multiple elegant main dining rooms where you can enjoy a more formal, sit-down dining experience. These restaurants provide a sophisticated setting with a carefully curated menu featuring regional specialties and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Expect a higher level of service and ambiance here. The Main Dining Rooms often require reservations, so early planning is key.
- Menus in the Main Dining Rooms generally change daily, offering a varied selection of dishes. You can find classic favorites, as well as innovative and modern dishes. There is usually a daily printed menu available so you can peruse the choices for the evening. This selection provides something for everyone’s tastes.
Specialty Restaurants
While most dining is included, some specialty restaurants might incur an extra charge. This is common on many cruise lines. These specialized venues often feature a more unique ambiance, perhaps a specific cuisine or even a unique culinary experience.
Understanding Additional Dining Costs on Viking Ocean Cruises
While the core dining experience is included, there are certain aspects that are not included and might incur extra charges. Knowing these ahead of time will help you plan your onboard budget more effectively. We’ll highlight some potential extra costs related to food and beverages.
Specialty Dining
- As mentioned, certain specialty dining venues onboard might charge extra. This is because they offer unique menus and dining experiences. These might include upscale steakhouses or restaurants offering a specific style of cuisine like French or Italian.
- The charges for specialty dining can vary depending on the specific restaurant and the cruise. This can be confirmed on your itinerary or upon checking in. It is usually a fixed price per person for a set menu, or you can find choices on an ala carte menu.
Room Service
- Room service is typically available, but there might be an added fee for certain items. Basic room service for breakfast might be included but ordering more complex items may require a fee.
- The convenience of having food delivered to your cabin is worth considering, but factor in the additional charges. Check your cruise documents for further details on room service charges.
Drinks
- While water is typically included, alcoholic and specialty non-alcoholic beverages are usually not included. This means cocktails, premium wines, and imported beers are additional expenses.
- Viking does offer beverage packages that you can purchase at the start of the cruise to help manage beverage costs. However, this is an optional purchase and is considered an add-on to the standard cruise fare.
Are Meals Included for All Passengers on Viking Ocean Cruises?
The inclusion of meals generally applies to all passengers, regardless of cabin class. However, remember the distinction between standard dining options and specialty dining experiences.
Standard Dining
- The standard dining options such as the World Café and the Main Dining Rooms are typically included for all passengers. This provides a comprehensive array of dining options for everyone on the ship regardless of the accommodation type.
- This commitment to all-inclusive dining is a significant selling point for Viking and sets it apart from some other cruise lines where certain dining options are linked to higher cabin classes.
Specialty Dining
- As previously noted, specialty restaurants often require additional payment. Even in higher-class cabins, there’s often a separate charge. This allows all passengers to enjoy the standard dining options without restriction.
- The costs for specialty dining are consistent across all cabin classes, avoiding the impression of “hidden fees” based on the cabin you booked.
Debunking Common Myths About Viking Ocean Cruise Meals
Myth 1: All Drinks Are Included.
This is incorrect. While water is usually complimentary, alcoholic and many specialty non-alcoholic beverages are not included in the standard cruise fare and are an extra expense.
Myth 2: Only Buffet-Style Dining Is Included.
This is false. Viking Ocean Cruises offers a range of dining options including formal sit-down restaurants along with the World Cafe buffet. The formal dining options are an included part of the fare.
Myth 3: Tipping for Dining Staff Is Optional.
While not mandatory, tipping is customary and expected in the cruise industry. Viking Ocean Cruises often includes gratuities in their fare, but it’s often possible to add more at your discretion.
FAQ
What time are meals served?
Meal times generally follow a typical schedule: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Specific times can be found in your cruise documentation or on board once you’ve arrived.
Can I make reservations for included restaurants?
Reservations might be recommended for the main dining rooms, especially during peak hours. However, the World Cafe is generally open with no reservations needed.
What if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?
Viking Ocean Cruises caters to various dietary needs. It is recommended that you inform them of any restrictions or allergies when booking or at least several weeks prior.
Are there any kid-friendly meal options?
Viking Ocean Cruises is geared toward an adult audience. While there are options that may appeal to children, there might not be a dedicated kids’ menu. Contact the company directly to verify options available.
Can I bring my own food and drinks onboard?
Generally, this isn’t permitted. However, you can usually bring a small amount of snacks or non-alcoholic beverages for personal consumption, but restrictions may apply.
What type of cuisine is offered?
Viking offers a wide range of cuisine, including international options, regional specialties, and some healthier choices. The menus change daily, offering a vast array of flavors throughout your trip.
What are the alternatives if I don’t like the food options on one evening?
You can always try a different restaurant or revisit a previous option. The multiple dining venues onboard offer variety, and you can always check the next day’s menu for preferred options.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, meals are largely included on Viking Ocean Cruises, providing a comprehensive and enjoyable dining experience as part of your cruise fare. However, it’s vital to understand that certain specialty dining venues and additional drinks come with extra costs. By carefully reviewing this information and understanding the inclusive and exclusive aspects of the dining program, you can plan your cruise budget effectively and enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation. Book your Viking Ocean cruise today and experience the wonderful world of Viking dining!