Overview
Description
Discover grand cities, medieval towns and quaint villages along the “Blue Danube,” highlighting three countries: Hungary, Austria and Germany. Stroll among the stalls at Budapest’s Christmas market and immerse yourself in the cheerful atmosphere of Vienna as you shop for handmade decorations. Visit the fairy-tale village of Regensburg, one of Europe’s best-preserved cities, and delight in the city’s joyful festivities.
Ship Details
The Viking Difference

The Viking Difference
Destination focused and culturally enriching. Discover what makes us the world’s leading small ship cruise line.
Voted #1 for Rivers, Oceans & Expeditions
We are proud to be the first travel company voted #1 across all three categories simultaneously by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler two years in a row.

Before You Go
Before travel, we provide a variety of materials to help guests plan and anticipate their journey, from filmographies that inspire wanderlust to recommended reading that informs and enlightens.
On Board
Onboard activities are designed for enrichment and renewal. We offer lectures on history and art, cooking demonstrations of regional favorites, menus offering regional cuisine and more.
On Shore
On shore, guests might accompany the ship's chef to a local market; go behind the scenes at a famous theater company; tour a private chocolate or car factory; or view a museum's private collection.
Ships Designed for Exploration

Ships Designed for Exploration
Vessels that bring you closer to your destination. At Viking, we build innovative ships that are the right size for the experience—with a signature Scandinavian design that never upstages the destination.
Intimate River Vessels
All the amenities of an elegant boutique hotel, including an unparalleled choice of all-outside staterooms, expansive views from floor-to-ceiling windows and al fresco dining.
We Have Designed Our River Ships
The most elegant vessels that use the available space in the most effective way—which explains why we are known as the small ship experts. From the space-saving square bow to the patented asymmetrical corridor design, our revolutionary and awardwinning Viking Longships have been designed to enhance your journey.
Serene Scandinavian Spaces

Serene Scandinavian Spaces
Elegant, innovative, light-filled spaces where comfort meets discovery.
Viking: Our Norwegian Heritage
Centuries ago, the birth of the Viking Age gave rise to the Norwegian tradition of exploration. Today, Viking proudly carries on this tradition, providing a glimpse into the spirit of Norway with elegant ships built for discovery. Join Karine Hagen, Sr. Vice President of Viking, as she reveals Norwegian influences thoughtfully integrated throughout our ocean ships.
The Lounge
Boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, The Lounge is peaceful, serene and casual. Settle in with a cocktail from The Bar and watch the scenery pass by as you compare notes about the day’s discoveries with new friends.
Aquavit Terrace®
Revolutionary in concept and design, the Aquavit Terrace offers the most al fresco dining on Europe’s rivers. Get to know new friends over breakfast and lunch as you watch Europe’s picturesque riverscapes unfold before you in this relaxing, inviting space.
The Restaurant
Enjoy a multicourse meal featuring regional cuisine and always available classics in the Restaurant, an upscale dining venue with panoramic windows with ever-changing views.
The Library
Tucked in a quiet corner, the onboard Library offers a curated selection of titles. Choose a book and settle in for a good read that is sure to inform and inspire you during your journey.
Sun Deck
On top of the ship, take in 360-degree views as you relax on the Sun Deck. Exercise en plein air on our walking track. And enjoy the fragrances of our onboard herb garden, harvested daily by the culinary staff and infused in our authentic regional dishes. For safety reasons, guest access to the Sun Deck is restricted during lock transits and when the ship is sailing under low bridges.
Unparalleled Staterooms and Suites

Unparalleled Staterooms and Suites
Viking offers a wide range of staterooms & suites.
Thinking Outside the Box
With our exclusive patented corridor configuration—a distinctive feature of our Viking Longships—we are able to offer a variety of stateroom choices, from the deluxe comfort of our spacious Veranda and French Balcony Staterooms to our Veranda and Explorer Suites.
Viking Suite Collection
While other cruise lines call one large room a “suite,” Viking Longships offer river cruising’s first-ever true suites, each with two full-size rooms. These spaces are among the largest suites on Europe’s rivers and provide commanding views, making our innovative Viking Longships the most desirable way to see Europe’s great waterways.
The Fine Art of Detail
After a lifetime spent living in hotels, our Chairman wanted to ensure every detail of our ships was elegantly functional. So we designed easy-to-read and -open premium bath products; intuitive remote controls; large showers with strong water pressure and clear controls; anti-fog mirrors; and heated floors.
Destination-Focused Dining

Destination-Focused Dining
Regional cuisine, always available classics and the most al fresco dining on any waterway.
The Restaurant
Enjoy a multicourse meal featuring regional cuisine and always available classics in the Restaurant, an upscale dining venue with panoramic windows with ever-changing views.
Aquavit Terrace®
Revolutionary in concept and design, the Aquavit Terrace offers the most al fresco dining on Europe’s rivers. Get to know new friends over breakfast and lunch as you watch Europe’s picturesque riverscapes unfold before you in this relaxing, inviting space.
A Culinary Experience
The ship’s highly trained chefs are passionate about food and committed to providing an enriching culinary experience. With flavors accented from our onboard herb garden and a wide selection of regional wines, you will find that with Viking, dining is part of the journey.
Onboard Enrichment

Onboard Enrichment
Onboard experiences designed to optimize onshore discovery.
Guest Lectures & Port Talks
Complement your onshore experiences with our onboard lecture program, designed to shed light on your destination’s art, architecture, music, geopolitics, natural world and more. Also, gain an overview of your next day’s port of call through informative multimedia presentations covering the history and culture of your destination, as well as highlights of must-see landmarks.
Destination Performances
Each Viking itinerary includes one or more Destination Performances representing the most iconic cultural performing art form of the region—whether it be Portuguese fado with its melancholy melodies and poignant lyrics; or Viennese opera.
Craft & Cooking Demonstrations
Local artisans demonstrate time-honored craft traditions of your destinations, such as glassblowing, lace making and wooden shoemaking. Our culinary demonstrations present recipes of regional treats and drinks—Austrian apple strudel, Rüdesheim Coffee and more.
Classical & Regional Musicians
From local ensembles to acclaimed choirs, we invite on board a wide range of talented musicians to perform well-known and lesser-known melodies. We hope you will find yourself transported by their performances and enjoy some of the benefits of classical music—lifting your spirit, soothing your soul and adding to your onboard enrichment.
Destination Insights
Join us for a special series of short films, screening on your stateroom television, intended to inform you about the iconic destinations and little-known gems you will be visiting. This series provides insights and information intended to deepen your understanding—and enjoyment—of the time ahead, and perhaps encourage you to engage with your destinations in a way you otherwise would not have.
Viking Curated Library
The onboard Library was curated by Heywood Hill, an independent London bookseller and Royal Warrant holder, who dedicated hundreds of hours to understanding the unique, inquisitive nature of our guests. From art to history to destination-focused reading, each book was hand-selected to enhance your experience, both on board and at your destination.
Onshore Experiences

Onshore Experiences
Designed to take guests closer, The Viking Way®
Local Life
Viking provides fascinating insights into Local Life during excursions that reveal the rhythms of daily living in your destination. Taste your way through a culinary tour of Budapest. Meet some winsome children at a Viking-sponsored elementary school in China. This is the ideal way to experience a place like a local.
Working World
Witness the inner workings of a historic Kinderdijk windmill. Tour the impressive wine cellars of a Wachau Valley winery. Learn the intricate art of truffle hunting from a local Périgord farmer and his hound. Glimpsing the world at work helps you tap into its passions and see its people anew.
Privileged Access
We have arranged exclusive entry for Viking guests to cultural treasures all around the world. Visit seldom-seen collections with before- and after-hours access to world-class museums; be a special guest at private homes and palaces not open to just anyone; or attend cultural performances of folklore, ballet and opera to get an insider’s view during these private tours.
Viking Inclusive Value

Viking Inclusive Value
Across the Viking fleet, pricing that covers everything guests need—and nothing they do not.
MORE FEATURES, SERVICES AND EXCURSIONS INCLUDED
- One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
- 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
- Port taxes & fees
- Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
- Visits to UNESCO Sites
- Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
YOUR STATEROOM INCLUDES:
- River-view stateroom
- Bottled water replenished daily
- 110/220 volt outlets
- Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers (upon request)
- 40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more
- Telephone, safe, refrigerator
- Individual climate control
- *All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.
What Viking Is Not

What Viking Is Not
We do not try to be all things to all people. Instead, we focus on delivering meaningful experiences to you.
No children under 18
No casinos
No nickel and diming
No charge for Wi-Fi
No charge for beer & wine with lunch & dinner
No umbrella drinks
No photography sales
No art auctions
No inside staterooms
No smoking
No waiting in lines
No formal nights, butlers or white gloves
Day by Day Itinerary
-
1
Day 1: Budapest
Riverside beauty and a vibrant cultural scene blend together in Budapest to form one of Europe’s most rewarding cities. Hungary’s enchanting capital s…
-
2
Day 2: Scenic Sailing: Danube Bend
Take in the natural beauty of the fabled “Blue Danube” as you pass through the Danube Bend, considered one of the most beautiful sections of the river…
-
2
Day 2: Budapest
Riverside beauty and a vibrant cultural scene blend together in Budapest to form one of Europe’s most rewarding cities. Hungary’s enchanting capital s…
-
3
Day 3: Vienna
The yuletide season transforms Vienna’s beautiful squares into delightful Christmas markets. Festive lights illuminate the Old Town. The Schönbrunn ma…
-
4
Day 4: Vienna
Vienna is considered one of Europe’s greatest cultural hubs. Its art scene has long been established with the Hapsburg’s collection of fine art, now h…
-
5
Day 5: Scenic Sailing: Wachau Valley
Sail through a scenic tapestry of hillside vineyards, charming towns and castle ruins in Austria’s Wachau Valley, celebrated as perhaps the most sceni…
-
5
Day 5: Krems
A small university town at the eastern end of the Danube’s Wachau Valley, Krems is surrounded by terraced vineyards. In its heyday, during the 12th ce…
-
6
Day 6: Passau
Centered around the beautiful St. Stephen’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ, the romantic market stalls of the Christkindlmarkt are a d…
-
7
Day 7: Regensburg
The UNESCO World Heritage city of Regensburg is transformed during the holiday season as its medieval streets are donned with festive cheer. Narrow pa…
-
8
Day 8: Regensburg
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.
Available Dates & Pricing
Pricing Details
Cabin Pricing
Christmas on the Danube
| Category | Cabin Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| AA | Veranda Suite | $7,149 |
| A | Veranda Stateroom | $4,799 |
| B | Veranda Stateroom | $4,599 |
| C | French Balcony | $4,399 |
| D | French Balcony | $4,299 |
| E | Standard | $3,599 |
| F | Standard | $3,499 |
Must be Purchased by: Dec 13, 2026
Price History
Lowest Price
- Aug 21, 2025 $3,499
- Jan 13, 2026 $3,499
- Feb 2, 2026 $3,499
- Feb 24, 2026 $3,499
Outside
- Aug 21, 2025 $3,499
- Jan 13, 2026 $3,499
- Feb 2, 2026 $3,499
- Feb 24, 2026 $3,499
Balcony
- Aug 21, 2025 $4,199
- Jan 13, 2026 $4,299
- Feb 2, 2026 $4,399
- Feb 24, 2026 $4,299
Suite
- Aug 21, 2025 $6,999
- Jan 13, 2026 $7,149
- Feb 2, 2026 $7,149
- Feb 24, 2026 $7,149
Gallery
About Viking River Cruises
History
Viking was founded in 1997 with the vision that travel could be more destination focused and culturally immersive.
The company expanded into the American market in 2000, establishing a sales and marketing office in Los Angeles, California. Since then, Viking has grown to a fleet of more than 90 vessels, offering river, ocean and expedition voyages on all seven continents. Viking provides destination-focused itineraries for curious travelers, with each journey including a shore excursion in every port and an onboard and onshore enrichment program that provides deep immersion in the destination through performances of music and art, cooking demonstrations, informative port talks and carefully selected guest lecturers.
With more than 450 awards to its name, Viking is a leader in the industry and was rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans (for ships sized 500 to 2,500 berths) and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler for the second year in a row in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. This marks the first time a travel company has won these three categories in back-to-back years.
Europe River Ships and Itineraries
Sailing Europe’s storied rivers, the award-winning fleet of identical Viking Longships® offer a variety of stateroom categories and true two-room suites with full-size verandas. Onboard amenities include a restaurant, bar and lounge, library and expansive sun deck. The ships feature al fresco dining on the revolutionary indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, elegant Scandinavian design and environmentally considerate features, such as solar panels, an onboard organic herb garden and energy-efficient hybrid engines for a remarkably smooth ride.
Europe river voyages range from 8 to 23 days, with itineraries featuring Europe’s Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle, Elbe, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers.
Viking also offers voyages on Egypt’s Nile River and Southeast Asia’s Mekong River.
Mississippi River Ship and Itineraries
Viking launched destination-focused travel experiences on the Mississippi River in 2022, with sailings ranging from 8 to 15 days between New Orleans, Louisiana and St. Paul, Minnesota.
Viking’s arrival brings modern river voyages to the Mississippi and represents a major commitment to tourism and economic development in many communities along the river. Currently scheduled ports of call on Viking’s new Mississippi River itineraries comprise seven U.S. states: Louisiana (Baton Rouge, Darrow, New Orleans and St. Francisville); Mississippi (Natchez and Vicksburg); Tennessee (Memphis); Missouri (Hannibal, St. Louis); Iowa (Burlington, Dubuque and Quad Cities); Wisconsin (La Crosse); and Minnesota (Red Wing, St. Paul).
The Viking Mississippi hosts 386 guests and features some of the largest staterooms across the cruise industry, where each guest has a sweeping view of the river and landscape beyond.
- Phone: (855) 632-6823
- 5700 Canoga Avenue #200, Woodland Hills, CA, 91367, USA
Destination-Focused Dining

Destination-Focused Dining
Regional cuisine, always available classics and the most al fresco dining on any waterway.
The Restaurant
Enjoy a multicourse meal featuring regional cuisine and always available classics in the Restaurant, an upscale dining venue with panoramic windows with ever-changing views.
Aquavit Terrace®
Revolutionary in concept and design, the Aquavit Terrace offers the most al fresco dining on Europe’s rivers. Get to know new friends over breakfast and lunch as you watch Europe’s picturesque riverscapes unfold before you in this relaxing, inviting space.
A Culinary Experience
The ship’s highly trained chefs are passionate about food and committed to providing an enriching culinary experience. With flavors accented from our onboard herb garden and a wide selection of regional wines, you will find that with Viking, dining is part of the journey.
Onboard Enrichment

Onboard Enrichment
Onboard experiences designed to optimize onshore discovery.
Guest Lectures & Port Talks
Complement your onshore experiences with our onboard lecture program, designed to shed light on your destination’s art, architecture, music, geopolitics, natural world and more. Also, gain an overview of your next day’s port of call through informative multimedia presentations covering the history and culture of your destination, as well as highlights of must-see landmarks.
Destination Performances
Each Viking itinerary includes one or more Destination Performances representing the most iconic cultural performing art form of the region—whether it be Portuguese fado with its melancholy melodies and poignant lyrics; or Viennese opera.
Craft & Cooking Demonstrations
Local artisans demonstrate time-honored craft traditions of your destinations, such as glassblowing, lace making and wooden shoemaking. Our culinary demonstrations present recipes of regional treats and drinks—Austrian apple strudel, Rüdesheim Coffee and more.
Classical & Regional Musicians
From local ensembles to acclaimed choirs, we invite on board a wide range of talented musicians to perform well-known and lesser-known melodies. We hope you will find yourself transported by their performances and enjoy some of the benefits of classical music—lifting your spirit, soothing your soul and adding to your onboard enrichment.
Destination Insights
Join us for a special series of short films, screening on your stateroom television, intended to inform you about the iconic destinations and little-known gems you will be visiting. This series provides insights and information intended to deepen your understanding—and enjoyment—of the time ahead, and perhaps encourage you to engage with your destinations in a way you otherwise would not have.
Viking Curated Library
The onboard Library was curated by Heywood Hill, an independent London bookseller and Royal Warrant holder, who dedicated hundreds of hours to understanding the unique, inquisitive nature of our guests. From art to history to destination-focused reading, each book was hand-selected to enhance your experience, both on board and at your destination.
Onshore Experiences

Onshore Experiences
Designed to take guests closer, The Viking Way®
Local Life
Viking provides fascinating insights into Local Life during excursions that reveal the rhythms of daily living in your destination. Taste your way through a culinary tour of Budapest. Meet some winsome children at a Viking-sponsored elementary school in China. This is the ideal way to experience a place like a local.
Working World
Witness the inner workings of a historic Kinderdijk windmill. Tour the impressive wine cellars of a Wachau Valley winery. Learn the intricate art of truffle hunting from a local Périgord farmer and his hound. Glimpsing the world at work helps you tap into its passions and see its people anew.
Privileged Access
We have arranged exclusive entry for Viking guests to cultural treasures all around the world. Visit seldom-seen collections with before- and after-hours access to world-class museums; be a special guest at private homes and palaces not open to just anyone; or attend cultural performances of folklore, ballet and opera to get an insider’s view during these private tours.
Serene Scandinavian Spaces

Serene Scandinavian Spaces
Elegant, innovative, light-filled spaces where comfort meets discovery.
Viking: Our Norwegian Heritage
Centuries ago, the birth of the Viking Age gave rise to the Norwegian tradition of exploration. Today, Viking proudly carries on this tradition, providing a glimpse into the spirit of Norway with elegant ships built for discovery. Join Karine Hagen, Sr. Vice President of Viking, as she reveals Norwegian influences thoughtfully integrated throughout our ocean ships.
The Lounge
Boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, The Lounge is peaceful, serene and casual. Settle in with a cocktail from The Bar and watch the scenery pass by as you compare notes about the day’s discoveries with new friends.
Aquavit Terrace®
Revolutionary in concept and design, the Aquavit Terrace offers the most al fresco dining on Europe’s rivers. Get to know new friends over breakfast and lunch as you watch Europe’s picturesque riverscapes unfold before you in this relaxing, inviting space.
The Restaurant
Enjoy a multicourse meal featuring regional cuisine and always available classics in the Restaurant, an upscale dining venue with panoramic windows with ever-changing views.
The Library
Tucked in a quiet corner, the onboard Library offers a curated selection of titles. Choose a book and settle in for a good read that is sure to inform and inspire you during your journey.
Sun Deck
On top of the ship, take in 360-degree views as you relax on the Sun Deck. Exercise en plein air on our walking track. And enjoy the fragrances of our onboard herb garden, harvested daily by the culinary staff and infused in our authentic regional dishes. For safety reasons, guest access to the Sun Deck is restricted during lock transits and when the ship is sailing under low bridges.
Ships Designed for Exploration

Ships Designed for Exploration
Vessels that bring you closer to your destination. At Viking, we build innovative ships that are the right size for the experience—with a signature Scandinavian design that never upstages the destination.
Intimate River Vessels
All the amenities of an elegant boutique hotel, including an unparalleled choice of all-outside staterooms, expansive views from floor-to-ceiling windows and al fresco dining.
We Have Designed Our River Ships
The most elegant vessels that use the available space in the most effective way—which explains why we are known as the small ship experts. From the space-saving square bow to the patented asymmetrical corridor design, our revolutionary and awardwinning Viking Longships have been designed to enhance your journey.
The Viking Difference

The Viking Difference
Destination focused and culturally enriching. Discover what makes us the world’s leading small ship cruise line.
Voted #1 for Rivers, Oceans & Expeditions
We are proud to be the first travel company voted #1 across all three categories simultaneously by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler two years in a row.

Before You Go
Before travel, we provide a variety of materials to help guests plan and anticipate their journey, from filmographies that inspire wanderlust to recommended reading that informs and enlightens.
On Board
Onboard activities are designed for enrichment and renewal. We offer lectures on history and art, cooking demonstrations of regional favorites, menus offering regional cuisine and more.
On Shore
On shore, guests might accompany the ship's chef to a local market; go behind the scenes at a famous theater company; tour a private chocolate or car factory; or view a museum's private collection.
Unparalleled Staterooms and Suites

Unparalleled Staterooms and Suites
Viking offers a wide range of staterooms & suites.
Thinking Outside the Box
With our exclusive patented corridor configuration—a distinctive feature of our Viking Longships—we are able to offer a variety of stateroom choices, from the deluxe comfort of our spacious Veranda and French Balcony Staterooms to our Veranda and Explorer Suites.
Viking Suite Collection
While other cruise lines call one large room a “suite,” Viking Longships offer river cruising’s first-ever true suites, each with two full-size rooms. These spaces are among the largest suites on Europe’s rivers and provide commanding views, making our innovative Viking Longships the most desirable way to see Europe’s great waterways.
The Fine Art of Detail
After a lifetime spent living in hotels, our Chairman wanted to ensure every detail of our ships was elegantly functional. So we designed easy-to-read and -open premium bath products; intuitive remote controls; large showers with strong water pressure and clear controls; anti-fog mirrors; and heated floors.
Viking Inclusive Value

Viking Inclusive Value
Across the Viking fleet, pricing that covers everything guests need—and nothing they do not.
MORE FEATURES, SERVICES AND EXCURSIONS INCLUDED
- One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
- 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
- Port taxes & fees
- Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
- Visits to UNESCO Sites
- Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
YOUR STATEROOM INCLUDES:
- River-view stateroom
- Bottled water replenished daily
- 110/220 volt outlets
- Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
- Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror
- Premium Freyja® toiletries
- Plush robes & slippers (upon request)
- 40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more
- Telephone, safe, refrigerator
- Individual climate control
- *All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.
What Viking Is Not

What Viking Is Not
We do not try to be all things to all people. Instead, we focus on delivering meaningful experiences to you.
No children under 18
No casinos
No nickel and diming
No charge for Wi-Fi
No charge for beer & wine with lunch & dinner
No umbrella drinks
No photography sales
No art auctions
No inside staterooms
No smoking
No waiting in lines
No formal nights, butlers or white gloves
Enquire About This Cruise
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