Viking Eldir: Viking Welcomes Newest Longship to Sail Iconic Rhine, Main and Danube River Cruises

Viking has officially taken delivery of Viking Eldir, the newest Viking Longship purpose‑built for Europe’s great rivers and now joining the line’s award‑winning river fleet.

Viking Eldir: The newest Viking Longship in Europe

Delivered at Meyer’s Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock‑Warnemünde, Germany, Viking Eldir becomes the latest in Viking’s series of state‑of‑the‑art Longships. The 190‑guest ship hosts 95 staterooms and is designed specifically to navigate the Rhine, Main and Danube, unlocking some of Europe’s most popular river cruise itineraries.

Explorer Suite

On board, guests can expect Viking’s signature Scandinavian design and industry‑leading innovations, including a space‑saving square bow, three full decks, the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, an asymmetric corridor layout and true two‑room suites. The result is a ship that feels light, modern and cleverly configured, with plenty of spots to watch the river scenery glide by.

Veranda Suite

Where Viking Eldir will sail

Viking Eldir will operate a selection of Viking’s most sought‑after European river itineraries, giving guests a choice of classic week‑long journeys and extended cruises. These include:

• Rhine Getaway – typically an eight‑day voyage between Amsterdam and Basel, showcasing castles, vineyards and storybook towns along the Rhine.
• Grand European Tour – a comprehensive itinerary linking the Rhine, Main and Danube between Amsterdam and Budapest for an in‑depth 15‑day journey through the heart of Europe.
• Passage to Eastern Europe – extending along the lower Danube to explore countries like Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.
• European Sojourn – a longer Amsterdam‑to‑Bucharest voyage that stitches multiple rivers and regions together into one grand cruise.
• Christmas on the Rhine – festive sailings visiting traditional Christmas markets in riverside cities and towns, complete with seasonal décor and regional treats on board.

These itineraries are supported by Viking’s included excursions, which typically feature guided walking tours, cultural experiences and time to explore independently in port.

A growing river, ocean and expedition fleet

The arrival of Viking Eldir comes as Viking continues a well‑defined long‑term growth plan aimed at maintaining its leadership in experiential travel. Based on the company’s current orderbook, Viking expects to take delivery of 22 additional river ships by 2028, 10 more ocean ships by 2031 and two additional expedition vessels by 2031.

By 2028, Viking projects it will operate 112 river ships worldwide, alongside a combined 25 ocean and expedition ships by 2031. For travellers, that expansion means more departure dates, more itineraries and more chances to secure popular routes that often sell out well in advance.