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What Is It Like On a Viking River Cruise?
How Formal Are Viking Cruises? Dress Code Explained
If you’re not sure what to pack for a Viking cruise, then you’re in the right place.
Understanding Viking’s dress codes can be confusing, as they often differ from other mainstream cruise lines, with conflicting information shared by cruisers online.
Fear not! In this blog post I will outline the differences between a Viking river cruise and a Viking ocean cruise, and clarify which types of clothing are needed for each voyage.
Is the Kitchen Table Worth It on Viking Cruises?
Read my full review and learn what to expect from this excursion.
An onboard cooking experience offered by Viking Cruises, the Kitchen Table is available to book on their ocean ships. It’s a great way to liven up a relaxing day at sea, meet some new people, and learn how to cook a delicious three course meal from one of their onboard chefs.
I took part in one of these group cooking classes during a cruise around South East Asia onboard the Viking Venus in 2025, and found it to be a huge amount of fun.
First Time On Viking Cruises? What to Expect + Essential Tips
If you’re thinking about booking a Viking cruise, then you’re in the right place.
I’ve sailed with Viking multiple times over the last few years and have absolutely loved each of my experiences. From travelling around South East Asia to sailing down the Seine at Christmas time, I’ve experienced what both their ocean and river ships have to offer.
This blog post will include tips for first time Viking cruisers, including what to expect on embarkation day, what’s included in the cost of your cruise, and how to get the most out of your holiday.
London Tilbury Cruise Port - A Complete Guide
If you’ve booked a cruise that sails from the UK, then you may find yourself embarking at London Tilbury.
Despite its deceptive name, this cruise port is actually located in Essex, in a town slightly to the east of Greater London. This means that your journey will require a bit of forward planning in order to make it as smooth as possible.
Crystal Symphony Suite and Guest Room Guide
Here is my complete guide to all of the guest rooms and suites available onboard the Crystal Symphony.
I love exploring cruise ships, and during my sailing onboard the Crystal Symphony I was delighted to find that staff had opened a number of cabins for guests to view. While all of the room categories are beautiful in their own way, it was really interesting to see how they differ and have a nose around two of the most luxurious accommodation options onboard.
Crystal Cruises Food and Dining Guide
Here is my full guide to food and dining onboard Crystal Cruises.
As one of the world’s leading ultra luxury cruise lines, dining onboard Crystal Cruises is an absolute delight.
With food offered on an all inclusive basis, there is a total of eight restaurants for guests to choose from (if I include the gelato bar!) Both of Crystal’s ships, Serenity and Symphony have identical food offerings, with the same eateries on each ship. The only venue that costs an additional fee is the vintage room, which offers dinner with guided wine pairings.
Ambassador Cruise Line Ambience Cabin Tour & Review
Here is a full tour and review of my room on Ambassador’s ship Ambience - suite 11147.
I was so excited when I found out that Ambassador had booked me a suite on their lovely ship Ambience.
I sailed in August 2025 on a three day round trip from London Tilbury to Honfleur, travelling with my sister. As it was her first ever cruise, it was lovely to have the extra space and all of the additional treats that come with having a suite.
Ambassador Cruise Line Ambience Ship Tour & Review
Here is my full review and tour of Ambassador Cruise Line’s ship Ambience, which entered their service in 2022.
Relaunched in 2022, Ambience is Ambassador Cruise Line’s second ship. I sailed with her in 2025 on a three night return sailing from London Tilbury to Honfleur - a location that I previously visited with Viking Cruises!
Crystal Symphony Ship Tour and Review
Here’s my full ship tour and review of the Crystal Symphony.
Known to be one of the world’s most luxurious cruise lines, Crystal Cruises has had a turbulent history in recent years. Founded in 1988, Crystal traded for more than 30 years before going bankrupt in 2022 due to the collapse of its parent company.
Crystal Symphony Cabin Tour and Review (9019)
Viking River Cruises - Food and Dining Guide
Here’s my full guide to dining onboard a Viking river cruise.
There’s so much to love about Viking River Cruises, and the food is definitely one of them.
I first sailed on a Viking river ship in 2024 for a Christmas cruise along the Seine that began and ended in Paris. There were so many things that I enjoyed about this trip, and the onboard dining was definitely a highlight.
Viking Ocean Cruises - Food and Dining Guide
Here’s my full guide to food and dining onboard the Viking Ocean fleet.
Dining onboard a Viking ship is always a luxurious experience.
With several delicious restaurants to choose from each and every day, it can be difficult to choose favourite. I particularly love the variety available in the World Cafe, the Norwegian style waffles in Mamsen’s and the pasta in Manfredi’s!
Viking Ocean Cruise Ship Tour and Review
I couldn’t quite believe my luck when Viking Cruises emailed to ask if I’d like to join them for a two-and-a-half week trip around Southeast Asia. I replied almost immediately - yes please!
We embarked the cruise in Bangkok, after a brief pre-extension at the stunning Shangri-La Bangkok hotel. After spending an additional few days docked in Laem Chabang, we departed for Cambodia, Vietnam, and finally, glittering Hong Kong.
Viking Venus Cabin Tour and Review
Here’s a full tour of my Deluxe Veranda Stateroom onboard the Viking Venus.
When embarking on a long trip it’s important to have a clean and comfortable base to rise in each morning and return to each night.
That’s exactly what I had on my recent cruise around Southeast Asia, sailing on the lovely Viking Venus, and residing in stateroom 4035. I have fond memories of my time spent in this cabin - although I have to admit, this is the tidiest I kept it during the whole trip.
What to Pack for a River Cruise
Here are the essentials that you need to pack for your next river cruise.
If you’re reading this blog post then you’re probably about to set off on a river cruise.
You’ve made a great choice - river cruises are a fantastic way to travel, and the small size of the ships means that you’re able to dock right in the centre of the action.
Viking River Cruise Ship Tour and Review
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.
What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise
I first cruised the Caribbean onboard P&O’s Arvia at the beginning of 2024, and while I didn’t know quite what to expect, I had an absolutely amazing time!
Our 14 day fly cruise started and ended in Bridge Town, Barbados, with flights to the country from London Gatwick Airport. During the trip we visited lots of fantastic islands, including Tortola, Antigua, Martinique, St Maarten, Saint Kitts, and Saint Lucia, with plenty of relaxing sea days in between.
For those wondering when to cruise the Caribbean, the best time to sail is over the winter months, when the weather is more comfortable. It’s also outside of their hurricane season, which takes place between June and November.
5 Cruise Lines with Stunning Onboard Libraries
While many of the world’s most recent and largest cruise ships have foregone libraries in favour of revenue generating spaces, there are a number of lines which continue to champion the written word.
Here I will introduce you to five of the world’s most literature friendly cruise lines, all with stunning libraries onboard their ships.
What to Pack for a Norwegian Fjords Cruise
In 2023 I set off for my first ever cruise onboard P&O’s Iona. I honestly had no idea what to expect from the holiday, but I was very keen to explore Norway and curious about how it would feel to travel on a cruise ship.
I ended up having an absolutely fantastic time and the trip ignited a love of cruising for myself and my partner. Having said that, as this was our first ever cruise, we had no idea what to take with us (and didn’t research very well either!)
Welcome to the Viking Skaga - one of Viking Cruises’ noble river ships. She takes her name from an ancient Norse myth, where the Valkyrie Skaga rode into battle and escorted the dead to Valhalla, before preparing them to fight in the epic battle of Ragnarok.
A relatively new ship, the Viking Skaga only entered the fleet in 2020. At just 410 feet and carrying 168 guests and 48 crew, she was built specifically to sail down the Seine in France, although the specific itinerary will vary depending on the time of year. I was fortunate enough to join the ship for her week long Christmas on the Seine cruise, which starts and ends in Paris, calling at Vernon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Honflour (via an excursion) and Les Andelys along the way.