- Seven new river ships are to debut this year.
- Three new itineraries in Europe.
- Free flights of up to $2400pp.
Viking, the world’s largest river cruise line, will kick off this year’s European river season with the launch of seven new ships and three new itineraries sailing the Rhine, Main and Seine rivers.
With an order book of 25 additional river ships to be completed by 2028, Viking will have a total fleet of 109 ships plying the various rivers of Europe in 2028.
Two of the three new itineraries will feature sailings on the Rhine and Main rivers from Nuremberg to Basel while the third will sail the Seine from Paris to Normandy.
There’s an 11-day Rhine & Main Explorer voyage from Nuremberg to Basel where guests will be able to discover the hidden gems of southern Germany, Switzerland and France. They will visit Basel, Switzerland’s capital of culture; explore Frankfurt and explore the charming medieval towns of Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria. From castles to rolling vineyards, guests will be able to experience the old and new of these beautiful cities. Prices start from $7195pp.
For those keen to extend their holidays, they have a choice of spending four nights at Prague pre-cruise or four nights exploring the Swiss Alps with a scenic train ride, post cruise.
Viking will also offer a new 11-day Christmas on the Rhine and Main from Nuremberg to Basel where guests will be able to experience the magic of Europe’s Christmas markets along the two rivers. Spend time at the festival market stalls in Basel and Karlsruhe, discover Strasbourg’s Alsatian traditions and wander through Nuremberg’s world-famous Christkindlesmarkt while sipping aromatic mulled wine and picking up handcrafted gifts. Admire the old-world charms of Frankfurt’s Romerberg Square and sample local delights in Wurzburg. Prices start from $8995pp.
If you always wanted to celebrate the Christmas season in the City of Light, then you will be tempted by Viking’s 8-day roundtrip cruise from Paris. You will sail the Seine and take in the serene landscapes of Normandy, visit the charming river town of Rouen and soak in the festive atmosphere of Christmas markets before returning to Paris. Prices start from $6795pp.
Viking is also offering a two-night stay in Paris, pre-cruise and a three-night stay in Belgium, post-cruise.
Here are the highlights of Viking’s 2025 river season
Rhine Getaway, an eight-day Basel to Amsterdam voyage where you will see fortresses, grand cathedrals, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the middle Rhine, one of Europe’s favourite rivers. You will be amazed by the neat terraced vineyards where you can taste the region’s renowned white wines, savour the culinary traditions of Alsace and explore iconic cities such as Amsterdam, Cologne and Basel. Prices start from $5595pp.
Another popular journey, the eight-day Danube Waltz from Budapest to Passau is also on offer where guests can experience the soothing steam of Budapest’s thermal bath, learn the waltz at a Viennese dance school and taste the Austro-Hungarian cuisine in Vienna and Budapest. Take in the beauty of the Wachau Valley and witness the monastic life at an exclusive visit to the Gottweig Abbey. Prices start from $5595pp.
Outside the Danube and Seine rivers, there’s also a growing interest in Portugal’s River of Gold itinerary, a 10-day Lisbon to Porto voyage where guests will be able to experience the newly invigorated Lisbon with its art galleries and trendy restaurants. You will also be able to roam the cobbled streets in Porto, taste some renowned port wine, and traditional dishes and even join in the fado singing as you cruise down the Douro River. The cruise includes a hotel stay in Lisbon. Prices start from $8895pp.
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