Viking Delling

Sailing the Rhône on Viking Delling

Viking Delling is 135 metres long and carries 190 guests, served by a crew of 53 — a ratio that keeps the atmosphere personal rather than resort-like. She was launched in 2014 and sails exclusively for Viking River Cruises, whose longship design puts wide windows and an open Sun Deck at the top of the brief. The Rhône is her river, connecting the gastronomic city of Lyon with the lavender-country port of Avignon, and the landscape barely pauses between them.

On board Viking Delling

The ship is designed to give the river back to you at every turn. The Aquavit Terrace® is the most direct expression of that — an al fresco dining space open for breakfast and lunch, where the passing riverbank is as much a part of the meal as what is on the plate. Everything here is included in your cruise.

Inside, the Lounge runs floor-to-ceiling windows along its length, with a bar where drinks are charged individually unless you have added a beverage package. It is the natural place to end the evening after a day ashore. The Library offers a quieter retreat — a curated book collection in a corner of the ship built for focused reading rather than passing through.

Up on the Sun Deck, a Walking Track circles the top of the ship for anyone who wants to stay active between ports. The deck gives 360-degree views as standard, though access is restricted during canal passages and under low bridges for safety. One detail worth noting: the ship keeps an on-board Herb Garden, and the culinary team draws on it daily for the regional dishes served below.

Cabins on Viking Delling

Across 95 cabins there are eight grades to choose from, spread across outside, balcony and suite categories. Outside cabins come with half-height picture windows — more natural light and river connection than a fully interior room, at a lower price. Balcony grades step up from there in two grades of their own. The four suite grades offer either French balconies — opening glass doors that bring river air into the cabin without a full veranda — or private full-size verandas with direct river views. The full breakdown of grades and deck plans is on Viking Delling’s cabins and deck plans page.

What the Viking River Fare includes

Every sailing on Viking Delling is sold under the Viking River Fare, which bundles a good deal into the base price. A complimentary shore excursion is included at every port, full onboard dining with regional specialities is covered, and beer, wine and soft drinks are poured at lunch and dinner as standard — along with round-the-clock coffees, teas and bottled water. Wi-Fi is included, as are UNESCO site visits. It is not an all-inclusive fare, so drinks outside meal times carry an individual charge, but the core of the day ashore and the day on board is taken care of.

Where Viking Delling sails

Viking Delling sails the Rhône River, departing from either Lyon or Avignon on one-way itineraries through the heart of southern France.

The shorter programme — seven nights, running in November and March — boards in Lyon and ends in Avignon, calling at Vienne, Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage, Viviers, Arles and Avignon itself along the way. These are the river’s headline stops: Roman amphitheatres, Côtes du Rhône slopes and the walled city of Avignon in one week. Sailings from A$3,595pp*.

The longer programme is a 14-night journey that starts in Avignon, works back upriver through Lyon, Vienne, Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage and Viviers, then continues north through Rouen and Basel before ending in either Paris or Amsterdam. These run in March and April and combine the Rhône with a broader sweep of western Europe — arriving by river into Paris or continuing to Amsterdam. Sailings from A$11,290pp*.

These two routes account for most of her current programme; there is one further sailing beyond them. All itineraries are one-way. Because both embark in France, the cruise typically sits at the centre of a longer trip — Cruise1st assembles the flights from Australia, any hotels either side and all transfers on the same booking.

Viking River Cruises’ wider fleet

Viking Delling is one of 30 Viking River Cruises ships currently on sale through Cruise1st. The fleet sails across several European and international waterways:

• Rhine River, Europe: Viking Gefjon, Viking Rota, Viking Gersemi, Viking Hervor, Viking Annar, Viking Honir, Viking Dagur, Viking Haki, Viking Sigrun, Viking Sigyn, Viking Herja, Viking Egdir, Viking Hild, Viking Hlin
• Danube River, Europe: Viking Eldir, Viking Vali, Viking Lif, Viking Vidar, Viking Aegir, Viking Gullveig, Viking Baldur, Viking Embla
• Moselle River, Europe: Viking Idi, Viking Alsvin
• Maas: Viking Mimir
• United States: Viking Mississippi
• Transatlantic: Viking Vela, Viking Astrea, Viking Lyra
• Western Mediterranean: Viking Libra

You can browse the full Viking River Cruises programme on the Viking River Cruises page.

Booking Viking Delling with Cruise1st

Cruise1st backs every Viking Delling booking with its Best Price Guarantee and has Australian cruise experts available seven days a week to talk through the options before you commit. Because every sailing departs from France, most Australian guests are flying in — we put the flights, the hotels either side and the transfers together with the cruise as one holiday through Cruise1st Packages, so there is nothing to arrange separately.

Questions about sailing the Rhône on Viking Delling

What is included in the base fare?

The Viking River Fare covers all onboard meals with regional dishes, beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, coffees, teas and bottled water throughout the day, Wi-Fi, and a complimentary shore excursion at every port of call. Alcoholic drinks ordered outside of meal service carry an individual charge.

Can I access the Sun Deck at all times?

The Sun Deck is open to all guests and free to use, but access is restricted during canal passages and when the ship passes under low bridges — a standard safety measure on European river ships where bridge clearances can be tight, particularly in autumn and spring when water levels vary.

What is the difference between a French balcony and a veranda suite?

French balcony suites have floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open fully, letting in river air and an unobstructed view, but there is no outdoor platform to step onto. Veranda suites have a private outdoor deck — your own open-air space directly above the river. The full details of each grade, including what is in each cabin, are on the cabins and deck plans page.

Is the Rhône trip suitable for a first river cruise?

The Rhône is widely regarded as one of the most rewarding introductions to European river cruising. The seven-night Lyon-to-Avignon itinerary is a manageable length, the ports are varied — Roman history in Vienne, wine country at Tournon, Provençal market culture in Arles — and the Viking River Fare means most of what you need on board and ashore is settled in advance.

How do I get to the ship from Australia?

Viking Delling departs from Lyon and Avignon, both of which require a flight from Australia. Cruise1st books the international flights, any hotel nights needed either side of the cruise, and all transfers as part of a single holiday — there is no need to arrange any part of the journey separately.