Viking Forseti

Sailing the Garonne on Viking Forseti

The Garonne is one of Europe’s most rewarding river routes, threading through Bordeaux wine country and the towns and châteaux of southwest France — and Viking Forseti is the ship Viking River Cruises keeps on this waterway. Built in 2013 and carrying 190 guests with a crew of 53, she is sized to pass the river’s locks and reach ports that larger vessels cannot. All current sailings are seven-night round-trips departing and returning to Bordeaux, making the city both gateway and homeport. Because you are flying to France, Cruise1st treats the cruise as the centrepiece of a longer trip — booking flights, hotels either side and transfers as one complete holiday, so there is nothing left to arrange separately.

What the Viking River Fare includes

Every Viking Forseti sailing is sold under the Viking River Fare, a structured bundle that covers a great deal from the moment you step aboard. It includes a complimentary shore excursion at every port of call, full onboard dining with regional specialities, beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, and round-the-clock coffees, teas and bottled water. Wi-Fi is included, as are UNESCO site visits. Understanding what the fare covers helps you compare it fairly: the main cost you manage separately is drinks ordered outside meal times at the Lounge bar.

On board Viking Forseti

The ship’s layout is designed to keep the river close at every moment of the day. The Aquavit Terrace® is the al fresco dining space on the lower deck, open for breakfast and lunch with the passing countryside as the backdrop — included in your fare, with no booking required. Above it, the Sun Deck gives 360-degree views and is home to both a Walking Track for a morning stroll and open space for simply watching the landscape unfold. Access to the Sun Deck is restricted during canal passages and under low bridges, which is a natural feature of Garonne sailing rather than an inconvenience.

Inside, the Lounge runs along panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows — a good place to settle after a day ashore, order a drink at the bar (beverages outside the included meal-time package carry an individual charge) and compare notes with fellow guests. The Library offers a curated book collection in a quieter corner of the ship, well suited to anyone who wants an hour of focused reading away from the social spaces. One of the more distinctive touches on board is the Herb Garden — a working garden whose produce the culinary team uses daily in regional dishes, a small detail that connects the cooking directly to the ship and her surroundings.

Cabins on Viking Forseti

Viking Forseti carries 95 cabins across eight grades, divided into three families. The two outside cabin grades share a river-view window that brings natural light and scenery into the room. The two balcony grades step things up with private outdoor access. The four suite grades offer either a French balcony — where you open the doors to river breezes without a full veranda — or a full-size veranda for a more private outdoor retreat. Full grade details, dimensions and deck positions are on the Viking Forseti cabins and deck plans page.

Who Viking Forseti suits

She is, by design, a river cruise ship — intimate in scale, unhurried in pace, and focused on the places she visits rather than on-board entertainment. The Viking River Fare’s built-in shore excursions mean guests who want to explore Bordeaux, the Médoc and the towns of the Garonne valley will find the structure already laid out for them. Travellers who enjoy good regional food and wine in a relaxed, sociable setting — the Aquavit Terrace at breakfast, the Lounge in the evening — tend to find the rhythm of a Garonne voyage fits naturally.

Why book with Cruise1st

Cruise1st’s Best Price Guarantee means the price you see is not bettered elsewhere for the same holiday. Because Viking Forseti sails from France, every booking benefits from our Cruise1st Packages service, which assembles flights from Australia, hotels in Bordeaux and all transfers into a single, joined-up booking alongside the cruise itself. If you want to extend your time in the region before or after sailing, our team can build that in too. Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week — call before you book and they will help you match the right cabin grade and fare to your trip.

Viking River Cruises’ wider fleet

Viking River Cruises operates 30 ships currently on sale through Cruise1st, spread across Europe’s major waterways and beyond. The ships that sail the Rhine River, Europe include 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 and Viking Hlin. The ships that sail the Danube River, Europe include Viking Eldir, Viking Vali, Viking Lif, Viking Vidar, Viking Aegir, Viking Gullveig, Viking Baldur and Viking Embla. On the Moselle River, Europe you’ll find Viking Idi and Viking Alsvin. Viking Mississippi sails the United States, Viking Mimir sails the Maas, and the line also operates ships on Transatlantic routes and the Western Mediterranean. The Viking Cruises page covers the full picture including ocean ships.

Questions about Viking Forseti and the Garonne

Does the Viking River Fare cover shore excursions?

Yes. The Viking River Fare includes a complimentary guided shore excursion at every port of call — there is no need to budget separately for the included programme, though optional extras may carry an additional charge.

Is Wi-Fi included on Viking Forseti?

Wi-Fi is covered under the Viking River Fare at no extra cost, so you can stay connected from your cabin or the ship’s social spaces throughout the voyage.

Can I access the Sun Deck at all times?

The Sun Deck is open and free to use throughout the cruise, with one practical exception: access is restricted during canal passages and when passing under low bridges for safety reasons. These moments are part of the character of Garonne sailing and are generally brief.

What drinks are included with my fare?

Beer, wine and soft drinks are included at lunch and dinner, and coffee, tea and bottled water are available around the clock. Drinks ordered at the Lounge bar outside meal times are charged individually unless you have added a beverage package to your booking.

How do I get to Bordeaux for the cruise?

All Viking Forseti sailings depart from Bordeaux, so you will be flying from Australia to France. Cruise1st books the international flights, any hotel nights in Bordeaux before or after the cruise, and all transfers as part of a single holiday — speak to our Australian cruise experts seven days a week to put the full trip together.