Is the Viking Kitchen Table Excursion Worth It?
(Ad, press trip: I travelled with Viking as part of a press trip, however, all opinions are my own)
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. Not only did I learn a lot about preparing food, but the finished meal was delicious and they were easily able to accommodate for my dietary requirements.
In this blog post I explain what the Kitchen Table offers, who will enjoy it, and how I found my own experience as someone who’s not very experienced at cooking. Find out what makes it unique, and why you should add it to the excursion schedule on your next Viking cruise.
What Is the Viking Kitchen Table?
The Kitchen Table is a small group, premium experience hosted onboard Viking Ocean ships across a variety of itineraries. The class itself takes place in a dedicated, fully stocked kitchen, located on the aft of the first deck. You’ll find it just across from Manfredi’s and a short walk away from the main atrium.
I loved this space and felt like I was walking straight into a high tech set from a cooking show - with screens at the front and spotless, gleaming countertops.
The itinerary for this activity varies depending on whether you book it on a sea day or a port day. On days when the ship is in port, the class includes a visit to a local market where one you will accompany the head chef as he purchases fresh produce to use for the meal.
On sea days, this part of the excursion is omitted and begins with the cooking portion of the day.
When you return from your market visit there will usually be a short break, and in the afternoon your group will be guided into a fully stocked kitchen where the chef will teach you how to cook a delicious three course meal. Fear not, there is no experience necessary for this activity, and this is something that both experienced and novice cooks will enjoy.
Once finished, you will all sit down together to enjoy the meal with a glass of wine and enjoy the fruits of your labour. All guests leave a full length Viking Cruises apron to take home, as well as a proper chef’s hat (as I model below).
What to Expect on the Day
Visit a local market
When booking on a port day, your excursion will likely begin in the morning with a visit to a local market. As a group your chef will guide you through the stalls and purchase ingredients for the meal you will prepare later on.
This is a great opportunity to learn about where your food comes from, and to meet the local people who produce it.
Cook Your Three Course Meal
The cooking class will then take place in the afternoon, and for those attending on a sea day, this will be the first part of your activity. The friendly chef will walk you through the recipe step-by-step, and is on hand to assist with anything you need help with.
The class has a relaxed pace and a fun atmosphere, where everyone has the chance to get involved and ask questions. Don’t forget to dress the part by donning the apron and hat provided!
Relax and enjoying the Food
Once the cooking is complete, you will have the chance to sit down to enjoy the meal together with the rest of your group, complete with a glass of wine.
This is a great chance to socialise with the rest of the attendees, reflect on the things you have learned, and savour your hard work. As the meal is enjoyed in the kitchen itself, this also provides a private dining experience away from the bustle of the public restaurants.
How Much Does the Viking Kitchen Table Cost?
The full Kitchen Table experience with the morning market visit usually costs around $199. It’s likely that this will be slightly less on a sea day, when a market visit isn’t possible.
Although this is a relatively high price point, I do feel that it’s good value considering the number of hours the activity takes, the supervision you receive from the expert chef, and the delicious meal that you get to enjoy at the end.
If this is slightly out of your budget, then it’s worth considering some of Viking’s lower priced cooking classes, which often cost under $100.
Is the Viking Kitchen Table Experience Worth It?
If you enjoy cooking, then you will love this experience.
Not only do you have direct access to one of Viking’s fantastic head chefs, but you’ll also have the chance to cook in a beautiful kitchen with fresh ingredients. The class sizes are small, meaning that you all receive direct supervision from the chef, as well as a helping hand with anything that’s too difficult.
This small class size of around a dozen people also makes it easy to bond with the rest of the group, who will all be fellow guests on your cruise.
For me, this was definitely one of the best and most memorable excursions that I took part in during my Viking cruise around South East Asia.
What are the cons of the Kitchen Table experience?
In my opinion, there are only a few downsides to this activity and it really depends on your personal preferences.
First of all, you need to consider the time commitment. This is a multi-hour experience, likely to take up a sizable portion of your day. If you want to spend your time exploring the port, or don’t enjoy being in the kitchen, then this might not be the activity for you.
Similarly, if you book on a sea day and want to spend most of your time relaxing, then you probably won’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
It’s also worth considering the price before you book. At $199 I think this is a very reasonable price considering everything that you get as part of the experience. If you’re travelling on a budget and have limited spending money for activities and excursions, then this might not be your top priority (of course, it’s totally up to you and what your priorities are!)
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Book This Experience
The Kitchen Table is perfect for anyone who enjoys eating delicious food, cooking and learning about other cultures. No experience is needed prior to attending the class, and the resident chef is on hand to help if you are unsure about anything.
Don’t worry if you’re a bit of a fussy eater like me; I don’t eat meat or cheese but the chef was easily able to make sure that my food was cooked separately and to my requirements.
It also was lovely to sit down together and enjoy the meal that we’d cooked. This isn’t a dodgy high school cooking class, and the chef will make sure that the food is prepared to the high standard that you expect from a meal onboard Viking Cruises.
Who is this class not for?
The Kitchen Table probably isn’t for you if you’re travelling on a budget, and prefer to make use of Viking’s free included excursions. You also won’t enjoy this if you don’t like cooking or spending time in the kitchen - it is a cooking class after all.
How The Kitchen Table Compares to Other Viking Excursions
Viking is known for including a wide variety of enriching, cultural excursions at each of their ports, including one free excursion at each stop. This means that if you’re travelling on a budget, then you don’t need to pay for any excursions during your trip.
On top of these you will find a number of paid experiences at a variety of price points, and one of these is the Kitchen Table.
In my opinion, this excursion is a premium experience that really does stand out from the rest. The entire setup is fantastic - from the beautiful kitchen where you will prepare your meal, to the expert chef who will guide you through the experience - everything is top quality.
For me, the Kitchen Table has to be one of the best excursions that Viking has to offer.
Tips for Booking the Kitchen Table Experience
As with all cruise excursions and activities, it’s best to book as early as possible to secure your spot. This is even more important with the Kitchen Table experience, as each class only hosts around a dozen guests, making spaces very limited.
Prior to sailing, you will receive an email advising you to book your excursions online on your Viking Journey account. Booking will open at different times depending on the class of your stateroom.
For example, the most exclusive Owner’s Suite will have access 177 days before they sail, and those travelling in Veranda Staterooms have access 130 days prior to the sail date.
If you have any questions while onboard, then I recommend visiting Guest Services who can provide you with any information you need. If you weren’t able to book before sailing, then give them a call from your stateroom to ask if there are any places available.
I’ve found that they are are very friendly and always happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Viking Kitchen Table Experience
How long is the Kitchen Table Excursion?
This activity usually lasts around three hours, with an additional 1 - 2 hours spent exploring the market in the morning (if attending on a port day).
Do you need any cooking skills to take part?
No cooking skills are required to take part in the class. Whether you consider yourself to be a complete beginner or a seasoned chef, I genuinely think you will enjoy this as long as you love food!
Is wine included in the meal?
Yes, wine is included with the meal and is included in the cost of the class.
Is the Kitchen Table available on river and ocean cruises?
No, the Kitchen Table is only available on Viking Ocean Cruises.
Is it worth it for non-foodies?
Honestly, if you aren’t into food, then you probably won’t want to spend your day in the kitchen! If you are however interested in learning new skills, trying new food and making friends, then I think you’ll love this.
The Final Verdict
Should you book the Kitchen Table during your Viking cruise?
If you enjoy cooking and eating delicious food, then I definitely think that this class will be worth it for you. Ultimately this is a fun, low pressure activity designed for maximum enjoyment in a small group environment.
The activity itself is slow paced, with plenty of help from the resident chef. This makes it suitable for all skill levels, and the supervision from the chef ensures that you will end the day with a delicious three course meal.
If you don’t enjoy cooking, or have other priorities for your day, then this might not be for you.
Personally, I highly recommend this excursion and feel that most Viking cruisers will find it to be a lot of fun.
Read More About Viking Cruises
Viking Ocean Cruise Food and Dining Guide