Viking has celebrated the start of its 2025 European river season as its award-winning fleet embarks on their journey across the continent’s most scenic waterways.
With the official start of spring in Europe, Viking continues to expand its destination-focused offerings with the introduction of seven new sister ships, which hosts 190 or fewer guests and are designed specifically for European rivers. Viking is also sailing three new itineraries this year, as well as its popular Viking journeys.
Viking also took delivery of its new river vessel, Viking Nerthus, earlier this week. The ship was specifically built to sail the Seine River. Based on the committed orderbook, the company expects to take delivery of 25 additional river ships by 2028 and nine additional ocean ships by 2030. With these orders, Viking will have 109 river ships in 2028 and 21 ocean and expedition ships in 2030.
Viking’s river voyages in Europe
Sailing March through December, Viking will introduce three new itineraries on the Rhine, Main, and Seine rivers, offering guests the opportunity to explore more of Europe in the Viking way; and it will continue to offer its popular European river voyages.
Highlights of the 2025 European river season include:
- NEW! Rhine & Main Explorer (11 days; Nuremberg – Basel)
Guests can discover the hidden gems of southern Germany, Switzerland, and France. It includes a visit to Basel, Switzerland’s capital of culture, Frankfurt’s vibrant cityscape, and the medieval towns of Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria. - NEW! Christmas on the Rhine & Main (11 days; Nuremberg – Basel)
This itinerary lets travellers experience the magic of Europe’s Christmas markets along the Rhine and Main rivers. They can browse festival stalls in Basel and Karlsruhe, discover Strasbourg’s Alsatian traditions, and wander through Nuremberg’s world-famous Christkindlesmarkt while savouring mulled wine and handcrafted holiday treats. - NEW! Christmastime in Paris & Normandy (8 days; roundtrip from Paris)
Viking takes guests to celebrate the holiday season in the “City of Light” before setting sail through the serene landscapes of Normandy. Followed by a visit to the charming riverside town of Rouen to soak in the festive atmosphere of Christmas markets and return to Paris to enjoy its world-famous holiday illuminations. - Rhine Getaway (8 days; Basel – Amsterdam)
Guests can explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers, discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhine – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They can also taste the region’s renowned white wines and savour the various culinary traditions of Alsace. With calls in Amsterdam, Cologne and Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture. - Danube Waltz (8 days; Budapest – Passau)
This journey lets travellers soak up soothing steam at a Budapest thermal bath. They can also learn to waltz at a Viennese dance school, savor Austro-Hungarian cuisine in Vienna and Budapest, and admire the Wachau Valley’s beauty. Other highlights include exploring lesser-known Central European cities like Bratislava and Passau witnessing daily monastic life on an exclusive visit to Gottweig Abbey. - Romantic Danube (8 days; Budapest – Regensburg)
Viking’s itinerary visits Budapest’s Castle District and crosses the famous Chain Bridge. Guests can explore Gottweig Abbey and make dumplings with Wachau Valley apricots. With medieval towns, grand cities and stunning scenery, this eight-day journey on the “Blue Danube” is one travellers are sure to love. - Paris & the Heart of Normandy (8 days; roundtrip from Paris)
Docking in the heart of Paris, guests can admire views of the Eiffel Tower and a replica of the Statue of Liberty. They can experience history firsthand at the Normandy beaches and delight in Rouen’s Gothic architecture. Guests can also explore Giverny and the charming house and gardens where Claude Monet lived and worked, the setting inspiring many of his masterpieces. - Grand European Tour (15 days; Amsterdam – Budapest)
Guests can amire Rhine Valley vistas from a 900-year-old castle, sample the culinary delights of Austria’s Wachau Valley, and learn the Viennese waltz, visit Melk’s Benedictine Abbey. They can also delve into Nuremberg’s World War II history while indulging their senses on this 15-day journey spanning the best of Europe, tracing the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers between the windmill-dotted waterways of Holland and the stunning landscapes of Hungary, with engaging encounters at every bend. - Portugal’s River of Gold (10 days; Lisbon – Porto)
Viking takes guests to experience the renaissance of Lisbon, newly invigorated with trending galleries and restaurants. They can also explore two of Iberia’s oldest university towns: Coimbra, Portugal and Salamanca, Spain. Guests also have the opportunity to roam the port warehouses of Porto, enjoy traditional cuisine, wine, and fado singing, and cruise the Douro River Valley, the world’s oldest demarcated wine region and a UNESCO Site.
