Viking takes a middle-ground approach to drinks that’s actually quite refreshing. Unlike the “all or nothing” stress of big mainstream lines, Viking gives everyone a solid baseline: beer, wine, and soft drinks are included with every lunch and dinner at no extra charge. For many, this “mealtime” inclusion is plenty, especially since specialty coffees and teas are available 24/7. 

But if you’re the sort who likes a poolside drink in the afternoon or a nice whiskey after the show, they have an “upgrade” called the “Silver Spirits.” It’s a simple-minded way to make the ship an open bar without the nonsense of tiers or the heavy daily rates.

What Drinks Are Included on Viking Cruises?

Viking’s approach is refreshing because they don’t treat every drink like a transaction. For most travelers, what’s already included in the base fare is surprisingly generous—you get high-quality house wines, beers, and sodas flowing freely during lunch and dinner. Outside of meal times, specialty coffees, teas, and bottled water are available 24/7 without you ever needing to pull out a key card. It feels less like a “package” and more like a standard of hospitality where the essentials are simply taken care of as part of the voyage.

• Mealtime Drinks: Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks included during every lunch and dinner.
• All-Day Caffeine: Specialty coffees (lattes, cappuccinos) and hot teas available 24/7 at self-serve stations.
• Hydration: Free bottled water available in your stateroom and refilled daily.
• Room Service: Free beverages are often available via 24 hour room service.

What is the Viking Cruises Silver Spirits Beverage Package?

It’s Viking’s attempt to fill the void between their standard “wine at dinner” and an all-inclusive experience. For a flat daily fee, it effectively opens up the entire ship’s bar menu, covering premium cocktails, spirits, and upgraded wines by the glass that usually carry a price tag. It’s perfect for those who want to order a martini in the Explorer’s Lounge or a high-end whiskey after a show without signing individual receipts. Essentially, it takes the math out of your vacation, giving you the freedom to explore the menu’s top-shelf options anytime.

What are the Drinks Included in the Silver Spirits Package?

The Silver Spirits package is basically the “upgrade button” for anyone who wants to move beyond the standard house wine and beer served at meals. It covers any drink on the ship up to $18, which is great because almost every cocktail, premium spirit, and high-end glass of wine falls under that cap. You aren’t just limited to the dining room anymore; you can grab a top-shelf gin and tonic by the pool or a glass of real French champagne in the lounge without ever seeing a bill.

• Premium Selection: Includes craft cocktails, house champagne, and a wide array of spirits like aged whiskeys and rums.
• Upgraded Wines: Access to a much larger list of premium wines by the glass beyond the daily “destination” pours.
• Anytime Access: Covers drinks at all bars and lounges throughout the day, not just during lunch and dinner.
• Extra Perks: You get the premium wine pairing at The Chef’s Table and a 30% discount on ultra-expensive bottles.

What is the Silver Spirits Package Price?

Viking keeps the math incredibly simple when it comes to upgrading your bar experience. For 2026, the Silver Spirits package is priced at a flat $27 per person, per night. Because your initial cruise fare already covers house wine, beer, and sodas during lunch and dinner, you’re essentially paying this extra fee to unlock an “open bar” status for the rest of the day. It’s one of the most transparent prices in the industry, especially considering it covers almost everything on the menu up to $18 per glass.

Does Viking Offer Unlimited Alcohol Packages?

Viking doesn’t really have an “unlimited” package in the way big mainstream lines do, because they already include so much in your base fare. Instead of a high-priced pass to get you to “break even,” they offer the Silver Spirits Beverage Package as a simple upgrade for everything outside of mealtimes. Since house beer and wine are already flowing freely at lunch and dinner, this package basically turns the rest of the ship into an open bar, covering almost any cocktail, spirit, or premium glass of wine up to $18 whenever you want it.

How to Purchase the Viking Drink Package?

Getting the Silver Spirits package sorted is actually a pretty low-stress process, and you’ve got a couple of different ways to handle it depending on how much you like to plan ahead. Most people prefer to tick it off the list before they even leave the house so they can step on board with a “zero balance” mindset. You can jump onto the “My Viking Journey” portal online or give your travel agent a quick call to add it to your booking. If you’re still on the fence, there’s no pressure; you can wait until you’re actually on the ship, try the house wine on the first night, and then just sign up at any bar or the Guest Services desk.

• Pre-Cruise Online: Log into the My Viking Journey website at least seven days before you sail to add the package to your cart.
• Through an Agent: If you booked with a travel advisor, they can add the package to your reservation with a single phone call.
• Onboard Sign-up: You can purchase the package on the first day of your cruise at any bar; your key card will be updated instantly.
• Stateroom Rule: Keep in mind that both people in your cabin have to buy the package for the entire length of the cruise.
• Flexible Payment: If you buy it on board, you can often use your onboard credit to cover the cost, which is a great way to use up “free” money from your booking.

Is the Viking Silver Spirits Package Worth It?

Determining if the Silver Spirits package is “worth it” really depends on your drinking style, especially since beer and wine are already free at meals. For 2026, the $27 daily price is a low hurdle; if you enjoy two cocktails a day (usually $9–$12 each) or a glass of real champagne, you’ve basically paid for it. The real value isn’t just in the math, though—it’s the freedom to order a premium whiskey or an Aperol Spritz by the pool without a second thought. If you’re happy with house wine at dinner, skip it; if you want the ship to feel truly all-inclusive, it’s a steal.

What are the Tips for Saving Money on Viking Drinks?

Since Viking is already pretty generous with the basics, you don’t actually have to spend a fortune to keep a glass in your hand. The biggest win is simply leaning into their “included” culture. Because house wine and beer are free at lunch and dinner, you can save your “spending money” for those specific moments when you want something fancy. Plus, Viking has a very laid-back policy about bringing your own bottles on board, which is a total game-changer compared to the strict rules on most other cruise lines.

• Bring Your Own: You are allowed to bring your own wine or spirits on board and drink them anywhere, even in restaurants, without a corkage fee.
• Leverage Mealtimes: Enjoy the complimentary house pours during lunch and dinner rather than ordering from the bar menu right before you sit down.
• Self-Serve Stations: Skip the paid bottled water and sodas by using the 24/7 complimentary coffee and tea stations located around the ship.
• Onboard Credit: Check your booking for “free” onboard credit and use that to pay for the Silver Spirits package rather than using your own cash.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Viking drink experience is designed to be as relaxed as the ship’s Scandinavian decor. By including beer and wine at every meal, they’ve already removed the biggest “hidden cost” of cruising for most travelers. Whether you stick with the generous house pours or upgrade to the Silver Spirits package for a bit more top-shelf freedom, the focus remains on simple, high-quality hospitality. It’s an approach that respects your budget while ensuring a premium glass is never out of reach, allowing you to focus on the destination rather than your bar tab.

FAQs

Q.1 What is Vikings’ free beverage package?

Ans: Complimentary inclusive wines, beers, and soft drinks with onboard lunches and dinners, plus specialty coffees and assorted hot teas that are available 24 hours a day.

Q.2 What is the average price for a drink package on a cruise?

Ans: With alcoholic drink packages typically ranging from around $60 to over $100 per person, per day.

Q.3 How much extra should you tip on a Viking cruise?

Ans: Viking recommends $20 per guest, per day. If your itinerary includes a land portion, this sum is shared with the land-based Program Director.

Q.4 Can you take a bottle of wine on a Viking River cruise?

Ans: Yes! Unlike ocean cruises, Viking River Cruises welcomes guests to bring their own bottles on board with no corkage fees.

Also Read: Regent Seven Seas Cruises Drink Package 2026 Guide