Viking Cruise Bar Menu and Viking Silver Spirits Package

Free drinks can be hard to come by on a cruise.

But on Viking Cruises, your bar bill will be zilch if you stick with wine or beer at lunch and dinner – nice, right?

On both of Viking’s river and ocean cruises, house wine and beer is complimentary during these meals.

But what about the cost for other drinks on the Viking Cruise bar menu?

Say you want a lemon drop martini before dinner.

That cost is $7.50 USD on Viking Cruises’ drinks menu. (That is, on the Viking Ocean bar menu; the river cruises have different bar prices.)

But maybe you don’t want to think twice about ordering a cocktail? Or perhaps you’d like to try different premium wines.

Then the Viking Silver Spirits package might be for you.

This all-inclusive drinks package is available on both the ocean and river cruises.

Not sure what to do? Let’s get into the nitty gritty of the different options available…

Viking cruise bar menu

We’ve now enjoyed two Viking cruises.

Our first Viking cruise was a two-week ocean cruise on the Viking Star in the Baltic.

Our second cruise was also an ocean voyage – a 10-day Caribbean cruise on the Viking Sea (from New York to San Juan, Puerto Rico).

Plenty of time to learn more about the drinks and wine on Viking Cruises… A subject, we’ve learned, people are curious about!

Viking Cruise alcohol policy

Here’s all you need to know about the Viking cruise bar menu, bringing wine onboard and more.

Read on!

Contents: Viking drinks menu and cost

Viking Ocean Cruises bar prices

Bar prices on Viking Ocean Cruises are in USD.

Viking Ocean Cruises bar prices average about $5.50 to $8.00 for hard liquor (e.g., a whiskey or Grand Marnier).

Cocktails and martinis cost $7.50 USD. Most beers are $5.00.

Prices include the tip.

Sample: See this sample bar menu (Viking Ocean) for details.

Viking River Cruises bar prices

Bar prices on Viking River Cruises in Europe are quoted in Euros.

Cocktails range from about 7.50 to 9 Euros. For example, a dry martini is 8 Euros and a mojito is 8.50 Euros.

If you’d like a glass of house white or red wine from the Viking River cruise bar menu, the cost is 5 Euros. Premium wines are 7 to 8.50 Euros a glass.

Sample: See this sample bar menu (for Europe Viking River Cruises). Scroll down, as the first page is blank until you get to the bottom.

Viking Ocean Cruises wine

A woman drinks wine on Viking Ocean Cruises.

Free wine

Viking Ocean Cruises is known for its “no nickel-and-diming” philosophy.

As part of that, its prices include complimentary “destination” wines at lunch and dinner in the restaurants, the Explorer’s Lounge (during lunch) and even in the cabins as part of room service.

The wines vary from time to time and on different cruises.

(Several choices of beer are also available for free at lunch and dinner.)

Wine selections

Each night, different complimentary “destination” wines are poured – from Spain one night, perhaps Italy the next, France the third night, and so on.

For example, the destination wine might be a 2015 French Granache/Syrah/Merlot blend from Vaucluse.

Also, the two specialty restaurants – Manfredi’s and the Chef’s Table – serve different complimentary wines than what’s poured in the main restaurant.

Premium wine

There’s an additional charge for premium wine on Viking Cruises.

Viking Ocean Cruises cruise line has a large selection of premium wines – indeed, more than 70 red, white and rosé wines. (There are an additional 15+ choices for sweet wine, port and champagne.)

See this premium wine list. Maybe you spot one of your favorite bottles on this Viking Cruises wine list?

About half of the 70+ red, white and rosé wines are available by the glass. The remaining wines are only available by the bottle. A glass of Viking Ocean Cruises premium wine averages $6 USD.

Prices include a 15% gratuity.

We had a shipboard credit on both our cruises, so we could try some of these premium wines.

On our first Viking Star cruise, we felt no need to order anything beyond the “destination” wines.

We’re not wine snobs, but we like good wine – and we found the “destination” wines were good.

But we couldn’t resist trying the $25 USD p.p. premium wine and alcohol pairings at the Chef’s Table restaurant for the five-course Scandinavian dinner.

The Aquavit went perfectly with the lingonberry-infused salmon tartare topped with caviar!

Some of our favorite premium wines

Overstone Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough – white ($25 bottle)

Marrenon Classique Luberon Blanc, Provence – white ($25 bottle)

Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley – red ($25 bottle)

Nederburg Pinotage, South Africa – red ($25 bottle)

On our second ocean cruise on the Viking Sea, we did order (and enjoy!) some premium wines by the glass at dinner.

Did we like the premium wines better than the complimentary wines?

Mmmm. Yes, some, for sure.

But some of the complimentary wines were just delightful too – like the Sacchetto Pino Grigio Blush (paired with the gazpacho on the “Sweet and Salty” five-course menu at the Chef’s Table).

Viking Ocean Cruises wine menu

Here’s a sample page of Viking’s white wine menu:

And here’s a sample page of Viking Ocean Cruises red wine menu:

Viking Ocean Cruises wine menu (red wine)

No corkage fees

Want to buy a special bottle of wine ashore and bring it onboard to drink in the restaurant at dinner? No problem.

Unlike many other cruise lines, the Viking Ocean Cruise alcohol policy is much more liberal.

And there’s no corkage fee.

For our Viking Sea cruise, we brought onboard a couple of nice bottles we’d bought in New York.

And the waiters served them the same professional way in the restaurant as the ship’s wines, even popping the white in an ice bucket.

Free mini-bar

If you’re booked in a Penthouse Veranda (or higher-category cabin), your free in-room mini-bar is also stocked and replenished with alcoholic beverages.

Viking River Cruises wine

At lunch and dinner, house wine is complimentary.

And if you wish to bring wine onboard, again, there’s no corkage fee.

The Viking River cruise alcohol policy is similar to the ocean cruise policy.

You can bring wine and alcohol with you onboard to drink on your stateroom balcony or in public spaces (including the ship’s restaurants).

This is definitely something to remember when you’re cruising, say, along the Rhine River (or any other European river)!

Think of all those lovely French wines you could pick up in a little wine store in Strasbourg! Or the fresh German Reisling you could buy in Koblenz for sipping on your balcony.

Viking Silver Spirits package

Viking Ocean Cruises Silver Spirits package

Beverage packages are quite popular on cruises (see, for example, our article on Holland America Line’s drink packages).

On Viking, you have the option to upgrade your cruise by buying the Viking Silver Spirits premium beverage package.

The Viking Cruise drink package is available on both the ocean and river cruises.

Viking Ocean Cruises Silver Spirits package

The cost for the Viking Silver drinks package is $19.95 USD per night per guest.

The total cost varies according to the length of the ocean cruise.

For a 7-night cruise, the cost is $139.65 USD p.p.

For a 14-night cruise, the cost is $279.30 USD p.p.

Beverage gratuities are included in the package.

See the rates for the Viking Ocean Silver Spirits package (still effective as of March, 2023).

Note: Both guests in the stateroom must buy the package.

Viking River Cruise Silver Spirits package

Costs for the upgraded drinks package on the river cruises also vary, depending on the length of the river cruise.

Rates are:

$150 USD p.p. for a 7-night river cruise

$299 p.p. for a 14-night cruise

See all Silver Spirits river cruise drinks rates here (for guests booking via a US order form).

Note: Like with the ocean cruises, both guests in the stateroom have to get the package.

What does the Viking Cruises drinks package cover?

The package gives you unlimited access to:

Any drinks up to $18.00, including premium wines by the glass, champagne, cocktails, beer and aperitifs
A selection of wines, which change twice per cruise
15% discount on premium beverages above $50
A selection of beers
Soft drinks and juices

The Chef’s Table premium wine pairing is also complimentary.

For premium wines, only those wines that are available by the glass are included in the package (about half the wines).

Note: Wines that are only available by the bottle are not included in the Viking drinks package.

How to buy the Viking cruise Silver Spirits package

You can buy the Viking Cruises beverage package at any time after you’ve booked your cruise, either through your “My Viking Journey” account or by calling Viking at 1-888-207-8826.

You can also purchase the package onboard if you didn’t buy it in advance.

Is the Viking Silver Spirits package worth it?

Is the Silver Spirits beverage package on Viking Cruises worth it?

So, is the Silver Spirits beverage package worth it?

That depends.

We’ve mentioned that beer and certain wines by the glass are complimentary at lunch and dinner. Soft drinks are free too at mealtimes.

Specialty coffees like cappuccino, tea and bottled water are free 24 hours a day.

So you have to consider three things.

First, would you prefer the premium wines?

Second, do you like cocktails and drinks other than wine and beer? They’re not included in either the Viking River or Viking Ocean cruise drink package.

And, third, how much do you think you’ll drink?

Will your combined consumption of premium wines and bar drinks for the two of you be more than, say, $560 USD for a 14-night ocean cruise (or $278 for a 7-night cruise)?

If you’re not a wine or beer drinker and you prefer cocktails and other liquor, then obviously the package could be worth it.

It may also be worth it if you’d like a cocktail before dinner in one of the lounges (maybe a pool cocktail on a sea day too) and enjoy trying top quality wines.

Another point: You might like the convenience of Viking’s drinks package, so you can order a cocktail or premium glass of wine whenever you want, without having to worry about your total bill at the end of your cruise.

Viking’s prices are actually pretty fair prices (especially considering the cruise drink packages on other lines).

Note: You can still buy premium wines or cocktails even if the Viking Silver Spirits beverage package cost doesn’t make sense for you.

What’s your experience with the Viking drink package?

What do you think? Would you get the Viking Silver Spirits package?

Let us know in the Comments section below. We like hearing from readers :-).

You can also see comments from other Viking Cruises’ guests.

About the authors

Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.

Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!

Tracy O.

Monday 29th of May 2023

Does anyone know what beers are available on Viking Ocean Cruises (specifically Mediterranean cruises)? I'm particularly looking to see if Blue Moon or Shock Top are available. Thanks!

Janice and George

Tuesday 30th of May 2023

We don't know about Blue Moon or Shock Top. But you can expect beers such as Budweiser, Corona, Peroni, Carnegie Porter, Brooklyn Lager and Warsteiner. Check out the list of beers on Pages 4 and 5 of this drinks menu. (We've linked to this menu right near the top of the post.)

Patricia H.

Wednesday 24th of May 2023

We have always enjoyed the Silver Spirits package on our Viking Ocean cruises. The package was free last November on our Athens/Istanbul cruise and we were comped the SS pkg on the 1st week of our Rome/Athens cruise. But I was told there's no drink pkg available on Viking's Nile River cruises. All drinks are charged outside of lunch and dinner. No Mimosas or Bloody Marys at breakfast, I guess! Is this because it's a much smaller ship? (82 pax)

Sorry, but we don't have an answer for this :-). If you go, you'll love Egypt! We did.

Linda

Friday 19th of May 2023

I understand that there are complimentary sodas with meals. What if you are by the pool and want to have a soda from the bar? Are you charged for that soda?

Saturday 20th of May 2023

Hi Linda,

Most staterooms (all except the 42 Veranda or V Staterooms) have a mini-fridge stocked with 6 complimentary sodas in your mini-fridge. Your mini-fridge is restocked once daily, complimentary (so the sodas are replenished, complimentary).

Technically, we believe club soda (sparkling water) is free by the pool and in the bars, but you'll be charged for soft drinks like Coke. But it's not really an issue if, when you've finished your lunch, you take a can from the World Cafe out to the pool.

Also the Pool Grill on Deck 7 (same deck as the pool) serves lunch until about 3:00 pm, so you can grab a soft drink there to drink by the pool.

And if you still want a soft drink by the pool outside of these hours or at the Pool Bar, the cost per drink is reasonable (under $4 USD). So if you buy one soft drink a day for a 14-day cruise, you're looking at around $100 USD - which hopefully doesn't break the bank :-).

Dan

Friday 12th of May 2023

I see Crown Royal on the drinks menu, but I've also heard from current cruisers that it is not available on Viking's river cruises?

Monday 15th of May 2023

Sorry, but we can't give you a definitive answer on this... We do know from personal experience that sometimes what's on the cruise drinks menu may not be available at any given time. A lot depends on how much people drink of a particular brand at various times and where/when the ship can restock their supply. In general, cruises do try to offer similar replacement brands :-).

Barb Garfold

Friday 5th of May 2023

We are traveling on a Mediterranean and Italian Sojourn cruise at the end of this month - Viking Sky. We've chosen not to purchase the Silver Spirits package because we are wine drinkers, specifically Italian wine drinkers. We will arrive in Italy one week before embarking and have wine tastings scheduled in Northern Italy during that week. Our plan is to purchase local wines at every port to take onboard because we love the various varietals throughout Italy. However, I'm curious about the minibar in the PV rooms. Do they supply the minibar with 375ml bottles of wine? We aren't interested in soft drinks, beer or spirits. Thanks!

Sunday 21st of May 2023

Just ask your room steward to swap out the other drinks and substitute wine. Your request can be accommodated in a Penthouse Veranda suite :-).

Viking Cruise Bar Menu: Everything You Want to Know!