Viking Alsvin Review

Passengers on Viking Alvsin are typically in the 60 to 65 age range with a small percentage just under 60 and an even smaller number younger than 50. Most are North Americans. Most are well-traveled and a large majority has cruised more than once, often on ocean cruises. First-time river cruisers and first-time visitors to Europe are commonplace. Loyalty to the Viking brand is evident among those who have previously experienced river cruising. On our cruise, several couples had cruised with Viking more than seven times, with three previous cruises being the average among returning Viking cruisers.

Couples make up the majority of travelers, but women traveling solo or with friends also make up a considerable percentage of the passenger roster. River cruises tend to bring passengers in fairly close contact with one another during tours and meal times. The crew on Alvsin does a nice job of breaking the ice and creating a sense of comradery among passengers to make that closeness more comfortable.

The official dress code calls for country club casual for evenings with slightly dressier attire on the nights of the captain's welcome and farewell parties. In practice, many passengers wear casual and functional travel clothes throughout both the day and evening. Jeans or slacks with collared shirts are the norm for men, with women primarily in comfortable slacks. Shorts and T-shirts are appropriate daytime attire for both men and women during warm-season cruises and comfortable shoes are the rule, not the exception.

Busy days in port often leave little time for changing prior to dinner, meaning almost anything other than shorts would be acceptable in the public areas in the evening. Often the addition of a jacket, sweater or dressy top are a sufficient distinction between day and evening attire.

Viking Alvsin Inclusions

One shore excursion is included in each port of call, including the pre- and post-cruise extensions. The excursions are usually an overview of the port and its history. Points of interest are visited, either on foot or as drive-bys in motor coaches. One wine tasting excursion may also be included. Bottled water is handed out at the beginning of each tour during the cruise portion of the trip.

Airport transfers are included when air is purchased through Viking. Viking personnel meet you at the airport, shepherd you to transfer vehicles and hand you off to a Viking welcome desk at the arrival hotel. At the end of your cruise, a Viking staff member accompanies you on the transfer to the airport to assist you in finding the proper airline check-in desk.

On the prepackaged cruise tours, transfers between hotels and the ship are included in the cruise fare and typically have walking tours or free time at designated stops incorporated into the transfer. Meals are not included in these transfer tours.

Wi-Fi is included throughout the ship. Multiple devices may be connected at no additional charge. The Wi-Fi speed is limited by location and overall volume of use. Expect signal good enough to check emails and load a few webpages, but not for streaming content. Two laptop computers are available to use in the library area on Deck 3.

Beer, wine and soft drinks are included at no additional charge during lunch and dinner. Beer choices include a German beer on tap and several bottled and canned beers that may change with the region. Included wines consist of a choice of one red or one white; there may be an alternative available if the primary choice is not to your liking. Pours are generous, continuing even when after-dinner conversation stretches the evening a bit.

Tips are not included in the cruise fare, except for passengers from Australia and New Zealand. Gratuities are paid at the end of the cruise in cash or by credit card. (Euros are the onboard currency, but dollars are also accepted for gratuities.) The recommended amount on Viking's Europe cruises is 12 euros per passenger, per day, which is divided up among the crew.