Just ahead of the first day of Spring, Viking announces it has opened dates for all 2025 European river voyages in response to an unprecedented level of demand from UK travellers.
Wendy Atkin-Smith, Managing Director of Viking UK, said: “The start of 2023 has been incredibly busy and successful for us – so much so that our European river sailings and other itineraries including the Nile are almost fully booked this year. Whilst 2024 European river itineraries still have some availability, UK guests have been planning ahead and booking for next year already, so in order to meet demand we have made the decision to open 2025 sailing dates across a wide range of destinations earlier than we ever have before. My advice to both returning and new guests would be to book early so that you have the best chance of securing your preferred itineraries, on dates that suit you best and in your stateroom of choice to match.”
To celebrate the launch of its 2025 river voyages, Viking has announced an early booking offer. If guests book their 2025 European river journey by 31 December 2023 they will save £1,000 per person and receive a complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package.
Viking’s most popular European river itineraries include:
- Rhine Getaway (8 days; between Basel and Amsterdam) – Explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers, the Rhine. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and spectacular scenery of the Middle Rhine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times. Savour the various culinary traditions of Alsace. From Amsterdam and Cologne to Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture.
- Romantic Danube (8 days; between Budapest and Regensburg) – Visit Budapest’s Castle District and cross the famous Chain Bridge. Explore Göttweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most revered monastic centres, and make dumplings with Wachau Valley apricots. Visit historic Salzburg. Spend two days in Vienna and celebrate the city’s musical heritage at a concert featuring works by Mozart and Strauss. With medieval towns, grand cities and stunning scenery, this 8-day journey on the “Blue Danube” is one you are sure to love.
- Grand European Tour (15 days; between Budapest and Amsterdam) – Admire the Rhine Valley vistas from a 900-year-old castle. Sample the food and wine of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Learn the Viennese waltz and linger in Budapest’s Café Gerbeaud. Indulge all your senses on this 15-day journey spanning the best of Europe. Our most iconic itinerary traces 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.
- Lyon & Provence (8 days; between Avignon and Lyon) – Tap into your inner van Gogh at an Arles painting class. Discover Roman Provence at Les Arènes amphitheater and the Pont du Gard. Explore Avignon’s Palace of the Popes. Excite your palate in Lyon, capital of French gastronomy. Savour Beaujolais wines. Hunt for truffles and see how chèvre cheese is made. Come and witness the beauty that inspired artists like Cézanne and Chagall on this 8-day Rhône cruise.
- Portugal’s River of Gold (10 days; between Lisbon and Porto) – Experience the renaissance of Lisbon, newly invigorated with trending galleries and restaurants. Explore two of Iberia’s oldest university towns: Coimbra, Portugal and Salamanca, Spain. Roam the port warehouses of Porto. Enjoy traditional cuisine, wine and fado singing. Cruise the Douro River Valley, the world’s oldest demarcated wine region and a UNESCO Site. Our 10-day cruisetour includes a hotel stay in Lisbon and the added bonus of a visit to Spain.
New river itinerary for 2024 – Paris & D-Day 80th Anniversary
As well as opening bookings for 2025, Viking announces its new Paris & D-Day 80th Anniversary cruisetour for the 2024 European river season. With departure dates running from March through to November 2024, the special 12-day cruisetour from London to Paris will commemorate Operation Overlord and the historic battles of Normandy, which took place nearly 80 years ago and served as the catalyst to the liberation of Western Europe from German occupation.
“Many of our guests, particularly those with family members who served in the armed forces, have a keen interest in World War II history,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “In keeping with our commitment to offer experiences for The Thinking Person, we are pleased to unveil this special voyage that commemorates the 80th Anniversary of D-Day—one of the most significant milestones in modern history.”
Guests booked on Viking’s new Paris & D-Day 80th Anniversary voyage begin their journey in London to visit historic World War II sites—including the Churchill War Rooms, where the D-Day landings were prepared in England, and Bletchley Park, the home of the World War II codebreakers. Guests will also learn about Britain’s Special Forces and its allies during a visit to the Imperial War Museum London and experience Gunwharf Quays, the D-Day Museum and Southwick House.
After four days in England, guests continue on to Paris to embark on an award-winning Viking Longship®. Sailing roundtrip from Paris, guests will have the chance to explore Giverny and visit the beautiful gardens and charming farmhouse where Claude Monet lived and worked, trace the footsteps of Joan of Arc in Rouen, and walk the hallowed ground at Normandy’s American Military Cemetery and World War II beaches.
Hosting 168 guests in 84 staterooms, Viking Longships on the Seine River are built specifically to navigate into the heart of Paris, with an exclusive docking location at Port de Grenelle, just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. The ships feature an Aquavit Terrace and a wide variety of stateroom choices, as well as Viking’s signature Scandinavian design aesthetic. The vessels also have a hybrid propulsion system with batteries and are also equipped for shore power to reduce reliance on fuel while in port. Onboard solar panels further contribute to the ships’ energy efficiency.
Now travelling to all seven continents, Viking has welcomed 15 new ships to its fleet since 2020—including eight new Viking Longships on the rivers of Europe, new purpose-built vessels on the Mekong, Nile and Mississippi rivers; two new, identical ocean ships; and Polar Class expedition vessels.
