Download the Europe Guests with Special Needs Policy
Download the China Guests with Special Needs Policy

Americans do not require visas for travel to most European countries, however all passengers traveling to Russia, Ukraine & China require a visa. Passengers with passports from countries other than the United States should consult the appropriate consulate or embassy. It is the passenger’s responsibility to obtain any required visas and documentation prior to departure.

Visa informationa and application instructions and forms are available below for download in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.

You must download the forms below, print, and fill in the appropriate information and mail with payment to:

Generations Visa Service
2233 Wisconsin Ave. N.W. #226
Washington, D.C. 20007-4119

Viking River Cruises provides these kits as a service to our passengers; please allow approximately 4-6 weeks for processing by the visa service company.

Call us for more information.

Further questions regarding the Visa application forms can be addressed by calling Generations Visa Service at 800-845-8968.

A travel permit is also required for traveling to Tibet. If you are traveling to Tibet, we will assist you in obtaining that travel permit while you are in China.

You should receive your final documentation three weeks prior to your sail date.

Currently, most international airlines will allow you to check two bags, weighing 70 pounds each. In addition you may carry-on one bag plus a personal item such as a purse or briefcase.

Passengers traveling to China should be aware that they will be traveling on one or more domestic flights within China. The baggage allowance for these flights is different, and is strictly enforced. Excessive baggage fees can be expensive, and excess baggage may be left behind.

Intra-China Flights, Carry-on Baggage: A passenger may carry one piece only. The dimension of each piece shall not exceed 20 x 40 x 55 centimeters (7.8 x 15.6 x 21.45 inches) and the total weight shall not exceed 5 kilograms (11.05 pounds). Any carry-on item in excess of the above must be checked.

Intra-China Flights, Checked Baggage: The checked baggage allowance is based on total weight. Passengers are allowed 20 kilograms (44.2 pounds). Though this allowance is based on weight, if your bag is much larger than 8 x 16x 22 inches, you could be required to check it in at a separate desk.

If you have chosen to book economy/coach class air, and have not requested a Business or First Class upgrade, please be aware that you will be ticketed on a low-fare group ticket, which is non-transferable and non-refundable. Often, travelers request assistance with an upgrade for the return journey home once they arrive at their destination. Although our overseas staff may be able to assist you with this, you will have to pay the full cost of a First or Business Class ticket. If you wish to upgrade at a reasonable cost, you should do this prior to your departure from the U.S. and prior to your flight being ticketed. Please ask your Viking River Cruises Reservations Agent for more information and assistance.

Specific arrival and transfer information varies depending on your city of arrival, which ship you are sailing on and whether or not you have a pre-cruise land tour. Detailed instructions for your individual trip will be provided with your Final Documents.

If you are making your own air arrangements, you may be able to purchase transfers at an additional cost. To do this, Viking River Cruises must receive your flight schedule in writing no less than 30 days prior to departure. We regret that we cannot make reminder calls. If we do not receive your flight schedule, you may not receive your transfers.

Note for China Passengers: If you are providing your own arrival/departure transfers, you should be aware that many flights arrive in China late in the evening and many flights depart from China early in the morning. You may have difficulty in arranging your own transfers if your flights arrive very late or depart very early. We encourage you to discuss this with your Viking River Cruises Reservation Agent, and to consider purchasing the Viking River Cruises transfers prior to 30 days before your departure.

Currencies of countries that do not use the euro (China, Russia, Ukraine and some Eastern European countries) can only be obtained once you arrive in the country. It is a good idea to change a small amount once you arrive at your destination airport, even though you may not need it immediately because Viking River Cruises is providing your transfers.

If we are not providing your transfers, you will need to change at least enough currency for your taxi or other form of transport.

Exchange Rates: The euro and Swiss franc exchange rate remains fairly constant. The exchange rate for currencies in other countries fluctuates more often. You can find the current exchange rates in the financial sections of newspapers and on the Internet. You can find a number of websites by typing "foreign exchange rates" in your search engine. Two specific websites are: xe.com and money.cnn.com/markets/currencies.

Currency Exchange: Many locations will accept major credit cards, but for incidentals and small vendors you will need some local currency. ATM machines will dispense local currency for internationally accepted ATM cards and/or credit cards. They are usually conveniently located in large cities, but are limited in smaller towns and rural areas as well as throughout Eastern Europe, China, Russia and Ukraine.

You can exchange cash and traveler's checks for local currencies at hotels, banks and exchange bureaus. Many of our ships can exchange cash or traveler’s checks for some local currencies. By law, ships cannot exchange cash or traveler's checks for certain Eastern European, Chinese, Russian or Ukraine currencies.

Credit Cards: Your credit card will be accepted to settle your incidentals bill at all hotels, onboard all ships, and in major shops and restaurants ashore.

Onboard Currency: The onboard currency on European ships is the euro; on the Ukraine ship, the hyrwna; on Russian ships the unit (1 unit = 1 euro); on Chinese ships, the renminbi.

Shipboard Account: All onboard purchases are billed with a guest check and added to your personal shipboard account. At the end of the cruise, you will receive a total bill, which can be paid with cash or charged to a credit card.
 

Packing Tips: Take only what you need; don’t over pack. Save room for souvenirs and purchases. Pack flat and full to avoid wrinkling. Bring wardrobe basics; mix and match around one or two colors. Don’t pack anything valuable, fragile or perishable. Label your luggage with an outside tag, and place an identification card inside each suitcase.
Essential Items: We highly recommend that you bring the following items.

• A good, comfortable pair of broken-in walking shoes.
   
• A pair of shoes for restaurants (loafers, sandals, etc). In some restaurants ashore, sneakers and similar sport shoes are not acceptable for evening dining.
   
• Collapsible umbrella (which can double as a sunshade parasol) and/or lightweight raingear.
   
• A lightweight jacket and a warm sweater/sweatshirt. Ladies will want to bring a nicer warm wrap, and gentlemen a nicer jacket, for evening wear.
   
• Sunglasses, sun block, sun hat or visor. This is especially important if you are traveling to Tibet. Sun is much stronger in the rarified atmosphere of high altitudes.
   
• Toiletries: all your daily essentials.
   
• Prescription medications: sufficient supply for the entire trip plus legible written prescription in case of loss. Keep medications in their original, labeled container. Always pack your medications in your carry-on bag!
   
• Eyeglasses, contacts, contact lens solution. You may want to bring along a written prescription for your eyewear in case of loss.
   
• Over the counter medications: cold remedy, aspirin/pain reliever, antacid/stomach upset remedy, Band-Aids, Neosporin or other anti-bacterial medication.
   
• If you are traveling to Tibet or during the spring, autumn or winter, you will need a warm coat, gloves and water-resistant footwear.
   

Optional Items: The following items might be things you wish to bring with you.

• Electrical converter & plug adapter if you bring an American electrical appliance. You will need a converter for 220 volts, 50 cycles. Most of your hotel rooms and the Reception Desk onboard ship have hairdryers.
   
• Travel alarm clock with illuminated face.
   
• Pocket-sized calculator for determining exchange rates.
   
• Small, Swiss Army type utility knife. Remember to pack this in your checked luggage!
   
• Travel journal/notepad and reading material.
   
• Home address book for sending postcards. A useful tip to avoid bringing your entire address book is to pre-write names and addresses of people to whom you want to send postcards on sheets of self-adhesive labels. It saves time and space in your luggage.
   
• Small, basic sewing kit with a few extra buttons. Remember to pack scissors in your checked bag!

Photography Equipment: Bring a sufficient supply of film and extra batteries. Though film is generally available in Asia, the selection can be limited and more expensive. If you are bringing a digital camera, you should bring extra memory chips. If you have a Polaroid, the instant photos can be excellent for cultural exchange, and you can leave a memento of your visit with newfound friends.

We suggest that you have a physical check-up before your trip, and discuss the type of trip in which you are participating with your physician. If you plan to travel to Tibet, it is important to inform your physician of the altitude of Lhasa (12,090 feet), since it is not recommended for people with certain conditions.

You and your physician can access much more, very detailed health information for travelers (including tips on staying healthy while traveling) on the CDC website, cdc.gov. Click their "Traveler's Health" link or call toll-free 24-hours at 1-877-394-8747.