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Scenic vs. Viking River Cruises

Contributor
Jeannine Williamson

Last updated
Apr 19, 2023

Read time
9 min read

As the world's largest river cruise line, Viking River Cruises is pretty much a household name, thanks to its extensive marketing and links with television programs such as "Downton Abbey" and the radio station Classic FM. If you're thinking about taking a cruise in Europe -- the heart of river cruise territory -- you might also want to take a look at Scenic, the Australian-owned line that started life as a coach tour operator in its homeland in 1986. Since it entered river cruising in 2008, Scenic has offered similar itineraries to Viking River Cruises on an all-inclusive basis.

Want to know the difference between Viking's Longships and Scenic's "Space-Ships?" Then read on for our Viking versus Scenic guide.

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How Do Scenic & Viking River Cruises Compare on Price, Inclusions and Booking Policies?

Comparing like-for-like prices is difficult as Scenic's fares are fully inclusive and Viking's are not. Also, fares on all river cruise lines fluctuate, depending on the date of travel, itinerary and any special early booking deals. On paper, Scenic is more expensive, for example by some $1,000 - $1,200 on a week-long Amsterdam to Basel Rhine cruise. However, with Scenic this fare also included complimentary private door-to-door transfers.

The fare always includes return flights or, in the case of Scenic, the option to travel by rail from London. Both lines require a non-refundable deposit -- 25 percent of the price of the cruise with Viking and $500 per person with Scenic -- with the balance to be paid 90 days before the date of the cruise, or fares paid in full if booked less than 90 days before departure with Viking and 120 days with Scenic.

Choose Scenic If You Don't Want Any Hidden Surprises Scenic prices are fully inclusive, covering all excursions, speciality dining, a mini-bar in every cabin (restocked daily), unlimited drinks throughout the day and onboard gratuities, so once the fare is paid all passengers need to bring is onshore spending money.

Viking's fares for UK passengers also include tips along with most shore excursions, as well as wine and beer at lunch and dinner. Drinks outside mealtimes, aside from tea, coffee and water, cost extra. A Silver Spirits drinks package is available, covering premium wines, cocktails and other drinks and the price varies depending on the length of the cruise.

Choose Viking River Cruises if You Worry About Cancellations Viking River Cruises has a more generous cancellation policy compared to Scenic. Passengers who cancel more than 70 days before a cruise forfeit their deposit, 50 percent of the fare for cancelling between 30 to 69 days prior to departure and the total fare for cancellations less than 30 days before sailing

On Scenic, you'll lose your deposit for cancellations more than 90 days before departure, 50 percent from 62 to 90 days and loss of the full fare for canceling 61 days or less before departure.

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How Do Shore Excursions Compare on Scenic & Viking River Cruises?

Both Viking and Scenic include daily shore excursions in their fares, which are typically guided walking tours around town and coach trips to visit castles and wineries. Both lines use local guides and passengers are issued with personal audio headset systems so they don't miss a word. Viking offers additional excursions, such as theatre and ballet performances, for an additional fee.

Choose Viking if You Want to Focus on the Main Highlights

In each destination, Viking's included daily excursions take in all the main sights, such as Cologne Cathedral or a city tour with an overview of Hofburg Palace and the State Opera House in Vienna, which is ideal for people who are visiting a destination for the first time. Viking is particularly good about providing the option of slow-paced walking tours for passengers with mobility issues (although in common with all lines, excursions are challenging for wheelchair users).

Choose Scenic if You Enjoy Flexibility

In addition to the Scenic Freechoice shore excursion programme, which provides passengers with several choices on the same day, Scenic also has Scenic Enrich tours, such as private concerts and behind-the-scenes tours providing deeper cultural immersion at no extra cost. Additionally, the Scenic Tailormade app provides guided tours so independent passengers can explore using pre-programmed walks with maps and commentary. Active passengers will also enjoy using the fleet's onboard e-bikes for guided or independent trips.

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Viking’s River Cruise Fleet Is Known for its Longships in Europe, Scenic Offers Space-Ships in Europe and Asia

When it comes to size of the fleet, Viking stands head and shoulders above Scenic (and everyone else for that matter). The line now has 55 Longships, carrying 190 passengers, which operate in Europe. With other vessels -- including ships in Egypt, Asia and the US -- its total fleet size stands at more than 70.

Scenic has 13 169-passenger Space-Ships sailing in Europe, and a ship sailing on the Mekong. In Europe, both sail on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, Seine, Rhone, Garonne, Dordogne and Douro. Viking also sails on the Elbe. Both lines offer Christmas market cruises.

Many itineraries are similar, and Viking's size means passengers are likely to get the cruise they want on the date of their choice. The large number of Viking vessels mean the company is better equipped to deal with the low water levels that have plagued European rivers in recent years; switching passengers to identical vessels further upstream or downstream to avoid the affected areas and enabling them to continue their cruise with the minimum of disruption.

It should be noted that although the lines describe their vessels as Longships and Space-Ships, they are exactly the same size at 443 feet in length (the maximum allowed on European rivers). Although Viking has more cabins, it has created extra public space at the front of its Longships by blunting the bow to create the Aquavit Terrace; while Scenic has fewer cabins and uses the resulting space for additional public areas such as a gym

How Do Cabins Compare on Scenic and Viking River Cruises?

The staterooms on both lines have a modern vibe, with Viking favouring minimalist Scandinavian style and Scenic leaning toward boutique hotel-style chic. Both are well equipped with comfortable beds, large TVs with on-demand films, entertainment and Wi-Fi. Scenic provides robes and slippers in the cabin and they are also available on Viking but you have to request them from the front desk. Scenic's bathrooms feature L'Occitane toiletries and Viking uses its own Freyja brand.

Viking Longships have 95 cabins in five categories. Water level cabins, with a fixed window, are 150 square feet; French Balcony cabins measure 135 square feet; and Veranda Cabins are 205 square feet in total. Veranda Suites are 275 square feet and the two Explorer Suites are 445 square feet. There are no single or disabled cabins.

Scenic also has five categories on its 85-cabin Space-Ships; while they are called suites, they all comprise one room in varying sizes. Standard Suites on the lower deck are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. These cabins, and ones in higher categories, have "sun lounge" balconies, which are fully retractable glass windows that lower to let in fresh air and can be closed off from the rest of the cabin with folding glass doors. Junior Suites are 240 to 250 square feet, Royal Suites 305 to 360 square feet and the two Royal Panorama Suites measure up to an impressive 475 square feet, among the largest you'll find on rivers. For solo travellers, there is one single cabin that is 129 square feet. There is also one wheelchair accessible cabin.

Choose Viking if You Want Walkout Balconies and Two-room Suites

If you want to step outside your cabin and sit on a "proper" balcony, or want a suite that lives up to the name and is made up of two rooms rather than one large space, then go for Viking.

Choose Scenic if You Want to be Pampered

On Scenic, all passengers have butlers, with the level of service depending on the cabin category. Butlers in all cabins will shine shoes, arrange shore excursions and bring drinks Services for passengers in higher suites include room service breakfast, laundry and suitcases packed and unpacked.

How Do Dining Compare on Scenic & Viking River Cruises?

When it comes to the overall standard of food, both lines are about the same, although Scenic has more choice in dining venues and options. Both serve well-presented, tasty dishes that showcase regional specialties as well as familiar dishes. There is buffet breakfast and lunch, with the option to order menu items served to the table, and dinner is always served. Both have a set lunch and dinner time and operate on a free seating basis (aside from Scenic's speciality restaurants). Viking fares include wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner.

The attractive indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace at the front of Viking Longships is available for a lighter breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a similar set up in the lounge on the Space-Ships, plus a cafe serving sweet and savoury snacks outside dining times.

Choose Scenic if You Like Speciality Restaurants and Want all Drinks Included

Each evening, the forward section of the Scenic lounge becomes the Italian restaurant Portabellos or the French restaurant L'Amour (depending on the itinerary), and every passenger can dine here at least once during their cruise. In the main restaurant is Table La Rive, a 10-person chef's table exclusively available to upper deck passengers. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service and passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites benefit from full in-suite dining options. Passengers can order unlimited drinks throughout the day and there is a mini-bar in every cabin (restocked daily).

Choose Viking if You Are Fine With a La Carte Drinks and No Room Service

Viking does offer the Silver Spirits drinks package, , which covers unlimited premium wines, beers, cocktails and juices for the duration of the cruise. Passengers are also welcome to bring wine and other drinks to consume onboard. Viking does not offer room service.

What Does Each Line’s Enrichment Programme Look Like?

Both lines offer an enrichment programme when the ships are sailing and on some evenings in port. On both lines these include cooking demonstrations, talks and performances by local musicians, singers and dancers. Viking errs toward more in-depth sessions, such as illustrated talks on a country's history and geography, while Scenic often presents participatory activities that might include an onboard Viennese waltz lesson when the ship is docked in Vienna.

How Do Scenic and Viking River Cruises Compare on Onboard Amenities?

Choose Viking if You Don't Need a Gym or Spa

With Viking, the destinations are the stars of the show, so although passengers travel in comfort they won't find any onboard extras such as pools, gyms, bikes or a spa. The only nod to fitness is a walking track on the upper deck. If required, the onboard concierge can book hair appointments and spa treatments at various ports of call.

Choose Scenic if You Want More Fitness Amenities and a Spa

Scenic goes the extra mile on the fitness front. In addition to a walking track on the sun deck, its ships have small gyms with cardio equipment and free weights. Electrically assisted bicycles, which passengers can use on a first-come-first serve basis and on guided tours, are also available. There is a splash pool on the upper deck and a massage room, offering for-fee treatments.

The Bottom Line: Which River Cruise Is Best for Me?

Viking is a good choice for passengers who are happy to hand over the day-to-day organisation to the line and go with the flow rather than be faced with too many choices. Scenic is great for active travellers who are happy to pay higher fares for more inclusions and not be faced with a large bar tab or a bill for additional excursions the end of their cruise.

Publish date April 19, 2023
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