Viking Egil

Sailing the Danube on Viking Egil

Viking Egil works one of Europe’s great river corridors: the Danube, running west from the Hungarian capital through Slovakia, Austria and into Bavaria. All current sailings are 7-night one-way journeys departing from Budapest, finishing in either Passau or Regensburg in Germany. The route is a seasonal one, with departures in December 2026 and April 2027, making it well-suited to both a festive Christmas-markets run and a spring trip when the valley is flowering and the light is long.

On the two grouped routes currently on sale, most sailings call at Vienna, Bratislava, Krems, the Wachau Valley, Linz, Passau and Regensburg — though the exact ports vary by departure, so treat that as a guide to the shape of the journey rather than a fixed timetable. Prices for these routes start from A$5,595pp*. The route covers half of Viking Egil’s current programme; two further one-off departures are also on sale from Regensburg and Passau respectively.

On board Viking Egil

At 135 metres and built for the Danube’s locks and bridges, Viking Egil has the purposeful, uncluttered feel of a well-designed river ship. The 53-strong crew looks after 190 guests, a ratio that keeps the atmosphere personal rather than resort-like.

The Aquavit Terrace® is the ship’s signature open-air dining space — a glass-enclosed al fresco area at the bow where breakfast and lunch are served with the river passing on both sides. It is one of the most distinctive spots on any Viking river ship and especially good in the Wachau Valley, where vineyard terraces rise steeply from the bank.

Inside, the Lounge runs floor-to-ceiling windows along the waterline, making it the natural place to settle with a drink and watch the towns and countryside slide by. Beverages at the bar carry an individual charge unless you have added a drinks package, but the space itself is open to all guests. The Library occupies a quieter corner of the ship — a curated collection suited to reading about the countries you are passing through or simply switching off between port days.

Up on the Sun Deck, a Walking Track circles the top of the ship for anyone who wants to stay active. The deck gives 360-degree views and is the best place to be when the ship moves through open stretches — though access is restricted during canal passages and under low bridges for safety. A working Herb Garden sits on deck too; the culinary team harvests from it daily to season the regional dishes served in the dining room.

The Viking River Fare — what is included

Viking Egil sails exclusively under the Viking River Fare, which bundles a meaningful set of inclusions into the base price. Every guest receives a complimentary shore excursion at each port of call, full onboard dining with regional specialities, and beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, as well as unlimited coffees, teas and bottled water throughout the day. Wi-Fi is included across the ship, and UNESCO World Heritage site visits are built into the programme. It is not a bare-bones fare — the shore excursions alone represent what many lines charge as a substantial add-on.

Cabins on Viking Egil

The ship carries 95 cabins across eight grades, divided into three families. The two outside stateroom grades feature a half-height picture window — the river is visible from the cabin without stepping outside. The two balcony grades step things up with private outdoor access. The four suite grades, spread across decks 2 and 3, all carry either a French balcony with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors or a full-size private veranda — the difference being whether you step out onto a railing or onto a proper outdoor deck. Full dimensions, layouts and deck plans are on the Viking Egil cabins and deck plans page.

Viking River Cruises’ Danube fleet

Viking Egil sails alongside a number of other Viking River Cruises ships on the Danube. The ships that sail the Danube River, Europe currently on sale with Cruise1st include:

• Viking Eldir
• Viking Vali
• Viking Lif
• Viking Vidar
• Viking Aegir
• Viking Gullveig
• Viking Baldur
• Viking Embla

Viking also operates ships on the Rhine, the Moselle, the Maas and in the United States. A wider look at the line’s river and ocean fleet is on the Viking Cruises page.

Booking Viking Egil with Cruise1st

All sailings currently on sale depart from Europe, so the cruise is the centrepiece of a longer trip from Australia. Cruise1st puts the international flights, any hotel nights in Budapest, Passau or Regensburg either side, and the airport transfers on the same booking as the cruise — one conversation, one itinerary. That is what Cruise1st Packages are built to do, and Australian cruise experts are on the phone seven days a week to shape it around what you actually want. Cruise1st also backs every booking with its Best Price Guarantee.

What to know before you sail on Viking Egil

What does the Viking River Fare include?

The Viking River Fare covers all onboard dining, beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, unlimited hot drinks and water throughout the day, Wi-Fi, a shore excursion at every port and included UNESCO site visits. Beverages beyond the included ones — spirits, premium wines — carry an individual charge at the Lounge bar.

Can I access the Sun Deck at all times?

The Sun Deck is open during open-water and riverside stretches, but access is restricted during canal passages and when the ship passes under low bridges. This is a safety requirement on all river ships of this type and applies to the walking track as well.

Are the Danube sailings suitable for solo travellers?

The ship carries 190 guests and 53 crew. The included shore excursions and the communal design of the Aquavit Terrace and Lounge mean there are natural points in every day to meet other guests. Whether solo supplement applies depends on the cabin grade and sailing — our team can advise when you call.

What is the difference between a French balcony and a full veranda in the suites?

A French balcony in the suite grades means floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open fully to the river air, but with a railing rather than a walkout deck — fresh air and unobstructed views without an outdoor floor area. A full veranda adds the outdoor space itself, so you can sit outside your cabin at a table or chair. Both are in the suite family; the cabins and deck plans page shows which grades carry which.

How far in advance should I book a Christmas-markets sailing?

The December 2026 Danube departures are among the most in-demand Viking river sailings each year — Christmas markets in Vienna, Bratislava and along the Bavarian stretch attract a loyal repeat audience and cabins, particularly suites, go early. If a festive sailing is on your list, it is worth getting in touch with Cruise1st as soon as the dates suit you.