- Two new river cruise ships join the Viking brand.
- The German-built ships join the European fleet of river vessels.
- The Rhine, Main, Danube and Seine rivers will welcome the ships.
Luxury river cruise line Viking has expanded its European fleet once again, taking delivery of two new river ships as demand for Europe’s inland waterways continues to surge.
The company this week confirmed the arrival of the Viking Annar and the Viking Fjolvar, the latest additions to Viking’s growing fleet of European river vessels. The announcement reinforces Viking’s aggressive expansion plans as river cruising continues to attract travellers seeking immersive, destination-focused holidays across the continent.
Built at the renowned Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany, the Viking Annar will sail itineraries across the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, with itineraries that include Rhine Getaway, Grand European Tour, Passage to Eastern Europe, European Sojourn and Christmas on the Rhine.
Meanwhile the Viking Fjolvar has been purpose-built for voyages along France’s Seine River with itineraries that include Paris & the Heart of Normandy and the new Christmastime in Paris & Normandy.
The Viking Annar follows Viking’s signature Longship design and will accommodate 190 guests. The vessel features the line’s recognisable Scandinavian-inspired interiors, veranda staterooms and the popular Aquavit Terrace… an indoor-outdoor dining concept that has become a hallmark of the brand.
Meanwhile, the Viking Fjolvar will host 168 guests and operate Seine itineraries visiting destinations including Paris, Normandy and Rouen, targeting travellers seeking a more intimate French cultural experience.
The delivery of Viking Annar and Viking Fjolvar forms part of Viking’s previously announced plan to add 10 new European river ships by the end of 2026. While not all of the remaining vessels have been formally unveiled, at least one additional ship, the Viking Eldir entered service earlier this year, with several more Rhine, Main and Danube Longships still under construction at Neptun Werft in Germany. Viking has indicated the rollout will continue through 2026 as part of an even broader expansion strategy that will see 22 new river ships join its global fleet by 2028.
Viking chairman Torstein Hagen has pointed to growing demand for culturally immersive travel experiences as a key driver behind the expansion, particularly among North American and Australian travellers increasingly drawn to slower-paced, destination-rich itineraries.
The growth also reflects the ongoing boom in European river cruising, with operators reporting exceptionally strong forward bookings for 2027 departures. Demand has been particularly high for itineraries visiting smaller towns and regional destinations that are difficult to access on larger ocean cruise ships.
River cruising has evolved significantly over the past decade, shifting from a niche holiday product to one of the fastest-growing sectors within the cruise industry. Luxury operators including AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways and APT have all expanded their fleets or introduced new itineraries in response to rising demand.
For Australian travellers in particular, Europe’s rivers continue to hold strong appeal, with many extending their holidays through pre- and post-cruise stays in major capitals including Paris, Budapest and Amsterdam.
Viking remains one of the dominant players in the sector, operating one of the world’s largest river cruise fleets alongside a growing ocean and expedition cruise division.
The arrival of the Viking Annar and Viking Fjolvar signals the company’s confidence that appetite for European river cruising remains far from slowing down, especially as travellers continue prioritising experiential travel, smaller ships and deeper cultural connection over traditional large-scale cruising.
