Viking includes more drinks in its cruise fare than many mainstream lines, so I would not decide on Silver Spirits by asking only, “Do I drink?” The better question is whether premium wine, cocktails and the freedom to order outside mealtimes would add enough to your holiday to justify buying the package for both guests in the cabin.
What Viking already includes in the fare
I always start with what Viking gives me without an upgrade. House beer, house wine and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, while speciality coffee, tea and bottled water are available throughout the day. If that sounds like your normal routine, you can enjoy a very comfortable Viking cruise without buying a drinks package.
That generous starting point makes Viking different from many mainstream cruise lines. For me, Silver Spirits is less about filling a gap and more about upgrading the choice, the timing and the convenience.
What the Silver Spirits package adds
Silver Spirits opens up premium wines by the glass, cocktails, spirits, beers, mixers and soft drinks across the ship. The real appeal is being able to order what you fancy in a lounge, at the bar or with dinner without mentally adding another charge to the bill.
I also like the freedom to experiment. A cocktail you have never tried or a different wine with dinner feels much easier to order when it is already covered. That sense of freedom is a genuine part of the value, even though it cannot be measured as neatly as the number of drinks.
Do the break-even calculation for your real itinerary
My break-even test uses the drinks I would honestly order, not the maximum I could consume. I write down a typical sea day and a typical port day, then add a pre-dinner cocktail, any premium wine I would choose over the included house pour and an evening drink. I compare that total for both travellers with the full package cost.
The itinerary makes a big difference. If I am ashore from breakfast until shortly before dinner, there are fewer opportunities to use the package. Sea days, leisurely lunches and evenings in the lounges make it easier to find value. I also price the whole cabin, because both guests sharing a stateroom normally buy the package for the full voyage.
Who is most likely to find it worthwhile?
I think Silver Spirits makes its strongest case when choice matters as much as quantity. It suits guests who enjoy cocktails, prefer premium wine to the included house selection or simply like knowing the bar bill has already been settled.
- You regularly order drinks before or after the complimentary meal periods.
- Both people in the cabin have broadly similar drinking habits.
- You enjoy trying unfamiliar cocktails or wines without judging every order by its price.
- Your itinerary includes several sea days or relaxed afternoons onboard.
When paying as you go may be better
I would pay as I go if the included lunch and dinner drinks cover most of what I want, if one person in the cabin drinks much less than the other or if the cruise is packed with long days ashore. The occasional cocktail can look expensive on its own and still cost far less than two full packages.
There is no prize for reaching a daily break-even target. A drinks package should make the holiday feel more relaxed, not turn every evening into an arithmetic exercise. If the figures are close, I would choose the experience I prefer: a predictable upfront cost or the freedom to spend less.
The Cruise Show UK verdict
My verdict is that Viking Silver Spirits can be excellent value if both guests want cocktails and premium choices throughout the day. Viking’s standard inclusions also make it unusually easy to cruise without it. I would price the whole cabin, count the port days and use my normal drinking habits. That simple test gives a much clearer answer than a universal yes or no.