Free drinks on a cruise are rare unless you’re sailing on a true 5‑star luxury line. Viking may fall just shy of that category, but it still includes complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner on every sailing. The question is: what if you want a pre‑dinner cocktail, a beer by the pool, a nightcap in Torshavn, or mocktails throughout the day?
In this Viking Silver Spirits Guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how drinks work on Viking – from bar locations and typical prices to what the Silver Spirits package really covers and how to decide if it’s worth it for your style of cruising.
- Every major bar option onboard and what they serve
- Typical drink selections and prices
- What the Viking Silver Spirits package costs and covers
- Bring‑your‑own (BYO) rules and corkage
- Simple break‑even maths so you can see if the package pays off
We purchased the Silver Spirits package on our recent cruise – and found it worthwhile. Here’s why.
How to Plan Your Viking Drinks Budget
Before you decide whether the Viking Silver Spirits Guide package is right for you, it helps to map out your overall cruise budget – not just drinks.
If you’re still comparing prices across different sail dates or ships, our guide to how to find the best cruise deals (5 top websites compared) explains where to spot price differences, promotions, and inclusions that affect your onboard spend.
- Use our free Cruise Budget Planner to plug in fares, drink packages, excursions, tips and extras.
- Compare different itineraries and sail dates using a cruise marketplace like CruiseDirect to see how much room you have left for onboard spending.
Once you know your comfortable daily budget, it becomes much easier to see whether paying for Silver Spirits up front or buying drinks à la carte makes more sense.
Viking Silver Spirits Guide
The Viking Silver Spirits Guide is essential for any traveller looking to enhance their cruise experience.
Bars and Venues on Viking Ships
Viking River: Typically 2 bars per ship.
Viking Ocean: Multiple venues, each with its own vibe and menu.
Because the Silver Spirits package is valid across the ship, it’s worth knowing where you’re likely to spend time. The rest of this Viking Silver Spirits Guide focuses mainly on Viking ocean ships, where there are multiple bar venues and more chances to use the package throughout the day and evening.
Key ocean venues and what to expect:
Deck 1:
- The Viking Bar (aka The Living Room) — 24-hour lobby bar for speciality coffees, classic cocktails, and light bites.
- Manfredi’s and The Chef’s Table — each has its own bar with curated wine lists.
Deck 2:
- Theatre Bar — open during shows;
- The Restaurant — order wine/beer/cocktails with meals;
- Torshavn — cabaret-style lounge, usually opens around 9 pm, with top-shelf spirits and live music.
Deck 7:
- Explorer’s Lounge — stellar views, broad spirits list including Scandinavian aquavits;
- Wintergarden — afternoon tea with Champagne and light cocktails;
- Pool Bar — tropical cocktails and ice-cold beers;
- World Café and Aquavit Bar — casual wine/beer/cocktails alongside the buffet and al fresco seating.
In-room and room service:
- Your stateroom mini-bar (varies by category) may include beer, wine, and small spirits.
- 24-hour room service can deliver drinks from around the ship.
Important: Menus vary by venue to match the setting—but you can order any drink available anywhere on the ship from any bar. If it’s not on that bar’s printed menu, just ask.
Regional Menus and Availability
While Viking Ocean ships share a common layout, don’t expect identical drink menus. Selections are tailored to the region and itinerary, often highlighting local wines and craft beers alongside familiar global spirits. This is a plus for discovery: you can sample regional specialities without sacrificing your go-to favourites.
Typical Prices We Saw Onboard:
Note: Prices are shown in USD on most menus (some routes show EUR).
- Wine by the glass: about $7–$10+ (average around $9); sparkling options can be as low as $7.
- Wine by the bottle: wide range from everyday to rare/collector bottles (several hundred dollars).
- Beer: usually $7–$8.
- Cocktails: generally around $11.
- Mocktails: now about $11 (they used to be ~$5.50 on our prior cruise).
- Spirits (typical ranges by pour):
- Brandy/Cognac: $9–$17
Bourbon: $9–$16
Rum: $9–$15
Gin: $7–$18
Vodka: $10–$13
Whisky: $9–$17
Scotch (incl. single malts): $9–$17
Example: Macallan Terra dropped from $24 to $17 since our last voyage.
Fortifieds (vermouth/port): ~$7–$20.
- Brandy/Cognac: $9–$17
Torshavn highlights:
- Premium cocktails: ~$11–$18.
- Rare selections: e.g., aged Armagnacs, including vintages dating back to the 1930s—expect premium pricing (hundreds for a 40 ml pour).
Gratuities are included on drink purchases, so no need to add a tip (unless you want to add extra).
The Viking Silver Spirits Beverage Package: Cost and Coverage
Understanding the Viking Silver Spirits Guide allows for better planning of your onboard spending.
Price: $27 per person, per night, for the full cruise duration.
Both guests in the same stateroom must purchase it (even if one doesn’t drink).
Example: 15-day cruise = 14-night package = $378 total per person.
Pro tip: Add the package when booking to lock the rate. We delayed on an earlier cruise and saw the nightly price jump (e.g., from $20 to $25). Booking early protects you from increases.
Obviously, prices and menus can change, so use this Viking Silver Spirits Guide as a reference only and always check Viking’s official Silver Spirits Beverage Package page for the latest details before you sail.
What’s included and capped:
- Ocean cruises: Any drink up to $18 per glass is included.
- River cruises: Almost everything except “treasure wines”; you’ll get 30% off treasure wines by the bottle.
- Bottles-only wines: Not included; if the bottle is $50+, you receive 30% off.
- Over-the-cap items: If a drink exceeds $18 per glass, you pay full price (not just the difference). Similarly, glasses or bottles over $50 are eligible for 30% off.
- Added perks: Complimentary premium wine pairing at The Chef’s Table and 50% off premium wine tasting events.
- Room service and carry-over: You can order included drinks via room service. Buy a bottle at a bar and bring it back to your stateroom; unfinished bottles can travel with you around the ship.
Bring Your Own Drinks (BYO): Viking’s Generous Policy
- You can bring your preferred beverages onboard on embarkation and from ports of call—spirits, beer, wine.
- No corkage fees (unlike some lines that charge ~$25/bottle). You can enjoy your own drinks anywhere on the ship, including restaurants.
Does Silver Spirits Pay Off? Real-World Math and Mindset
Break-even guidelines:
- Beer drinkers: ~3–4 beers/day generally covers the daily cost.
- Cocktail and premium spirits fans: Often 2 premium pours or cocktails will do it.
- Wine lovers: One pre-dinner glass, wine with dinner, and a nightcap can easily exceed $27.
- Mocktail enthusiasts: At ~$11 each, ~3 mocktails/day breaks even—even for non-drinkers.
As a rough guide, if you typically enjoy two to four paid drinks a day (including mocktails), the package will usually at least break even – and often come out slightly ahead – especially on longer itineraries where prices can vary by region.
Beyond the math:
Convenience: No second-guessing whether to order that pre-dinner negroni, a Champagne at tea, or a poolside beer.
Exploration: We tried more drinks (including mocktails) than we would have a la carte—especially valuable when menus vary by region.
Our verdict: We bought the package and found it worthwhile for both cost coverage and carefree enjoyment throughout the day.
Practical Tips
- Ask for off-menu items: Bars can fetch wines/spirits from elsewhere on the ship.
- Pair with specialty dining: The Chef’s Table premium pairing is included—great value.
- Prices can change: Menus and pricing vary by ship, region, and even sailing—use these numbers as a guide, not a guarantee.
- Lock it in early: If you’re leaning “yes,” add it at booking to protect the rate.
Conclusion: Is Viking Silver Spirits Right for You?
Ultimately, this Viking Silver Spirits Guide is about helping you decide whether to prepay for something you’ll genuinely use. If your day includes a pre‑dinner cocktail, wine or beer with meals and perhaps a nightcap – or you simply value the freedom to order without tallying every glass – the Viking Silver Spirits package is usually excellent value.
Beer‑focused guests who average 3–4 drinks a day also tend to come out ahead. Even non‑drinkers sharing a stateroom with someone who drinks can find value through mocktails, speciality coffees and the sheer convenience of a worry‑free experience.
We decided to purchase the package on our recent Viking cruise and, after running the numbers and enjoying the flexibility, we’d do it again. Just remember that exact menus and pricing will vary by ship and region, so use this guide to set expectations – then relax and enjoy your sailing.
For more tips on getting the most from your voyage, see our Viking ocean cruise tips, our detailed Viking Mediterranean Odyssey review, and our cruise budgeting guide.
For more tips on getting the most from your voyage — and to see how Viking compares with other premium cruise lines for comfort, inclusions and overall value — read our complete guide to the best cruise lines for seniors.
