Viking Idi

Sailing the Moselle on Viking Idi

The Moselle is the river that makes the strongest case for slow travel: 135 metres of ship carrying just 190 guests past Bernkastel-Kues, Cochem and Koblenz, with vine terraces rising on either side and a different wine town at every bend. Viking Idi was built for exactly this river in 2014 and remains one of only two Viking ships dedicated to it. At 95 cabins and a crew of 53, the ratio of staff to guests gives the ship a quietly attentive feel that larger vessels cannot match.

On board Viking Idi

The layout is shaped around the idea that the river itself is the main attraction, so the spaces that work best on Viking Idi are the ones that keep it visible.

The Aquavit Terrace® is the most distinctive of them: an al fresco dining space that opens the ship up to the passing landscape over breakfast and lunch, drawing in fresh air and natural light in a way a fixed restaurant cannot. The Sun Deck above it gives 360-degree views and a walking track for anyone who wants to stay active between ports — access is restricted under low bridges and during canal passages, as you would expect on a working river ship. The culinary team grows herbs in the on-board Herb Garden and uses them daily in regional dishes, so the aromas of what is coming for dinner occasionally drift up to the deck itself.

Inside, the Lounge runs floor-to-ceiling windows along the river-facing side, with a bar and seating arranged to take full advantage of them. Beverages are charged individually at the bar unless you have added a drinks package to your booking, though beer, wine and soft drinks are already included at lunch and dinner under the standard Viking River Fare. The Library occupies a quieter corner of the ship — a small, curated collection suited to reading between ports rather than a full lending library — and is open to all guests at no charge.

Cabins on Viking Idi

Across 95 cabins there are eight grades spread over three families. The two outside stateroom grades both face the river through half-height picture windows, with individual climate control and a spacious wardrobe — river views without stepping onto a public deck. The two balcony grades step things up with private outdoor access. The four suite grades range from entry-level river views through French balconies — which open the cabin to the air without a full veranda footprint — to full private verandas with their own seating for morning coffee or evening watching. Suites also come with 50% more floor space than standard staterooms, spread across two deck levels for location flexibility. Every grade and the full deck plans are on the Viking Idi cabins and deck plans page.

What the Viking River Fare includes

Every sailing on Viking Idi is sold under the Viking River Fare, which bundles a complimentary shore excursion at every port, full onboard dining with regional specialities, and beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. Round-the-clock coffees, teas and bottled water are also included, as is free Wi-Fi and UNESCO site visits. It is a genuinely generous starting point: the main things that add to the bill are drinks at the bar outside of meals and any optional excursions you choose on top of the included ones.

Where Viking Idi sails

The core programme runs the Moselle out of Trier, heading one-way over seven nights to Bamberg, Nuremberg or Regensburg. Most sailings call at Bernkastel-Kues, Cochem, Heidelberg, Würzburg and Koblenz along the way — though not every sailing visits every port, so check the specific itinerary when you book. This is a seasonal programme, running in November and December and again from April through June; it does not sail year-round. Fares on this route start from A$4,495pp*.

Beyond the Moselle programme that makes up the bulk of the sailings currently on sale, Viking Idi also operates itineraries on the Main and Rhine rivers, with departures from Bamberg, Nuremberg, Amsterdam and Basel. These include one-off sailings that give the ship a wider European range across the season.

If you are thinking about departures that begin or end in Amsterdam, the cruises from Amsterdam page shows every sailing currently on sale from that port.

Viking River Cruises’ fleet on the Moselle and beyond

Viking Idi and Viking Alsvin are the two ships Viking River Cruises keeps on the Moselle. The wider fleet covers most of Europe’s great rivers and beyond — here is how it divides:

Ships that sail the 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

Ships that sail the Danube River, Europe: Viking Eldir, Viking Vali, Viking Lif, Viking Vidar, Viking Aegir, Viking Gullveig, Viking Baldur, Viking Embla

Ships that sail the Transatlantic: Viking Vela, Viking Astrea, Viking Lyra

Ships that sail the Western Mediterranean: Viking Libra

Ships that sail the United States: Viking Mississippi

Ships that sail the Maas: Viking Mimir

The full Viking River Cruises page has the complete fleet alongside everything about what sailing with the line is like.

Booking Viking Idi with Cruise1st

Cruise1st holds a Best Price Guarantee across its Viking River Cruises programme. Because Viking Idi sails from ports in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, Australian guests will need to fly to Europe — and that is exactly what our Cruise1st Packages are built for: flights, hotel nights either side, transfers and the cruise itself, priced and confirmed as a single booking. Australian cruise experts are on the phone seven days a week to help put it together, whether you want a simple week on the Moselle or a longer trip that combines the river with time in Trier, Heidelberg or beyond.

Questions about sailing on Viking Idi

Is the Sun Deck always open?

Not always. Access to the Sun Deck is restricted during canal passages and when the ship passes under low bridges — a practical reality on any European river ship. Outside those moments it is open to all guests and is one of the best places to watch the Moselle landscape go by.

Are drinks included in the fare?

Beer, wine and soft drinks are included at lunch and dinner under the Viking River Fare, as are coffees, teas and bottled water throughout the day. Drinks ordered at the bar in the Lounge outside of mealtimes are charged individually unless you have added a drinks package to your booking.

What shore excursions are included?

The Viking River Fare includes one complimentary shore excursion at every port of call, as well as UNESCO site visits. Additional optional excursions are available to book on top of the included ones, at an extra cost.

Does the ship have Wi-Fi?

Yes — Wi-Fi is included in the Viking River Fare and available to all guests on board.

How many cabins does Viking Idi have, and what are the options?

Viking Idi carries 95 cabins across eight grades. The broadest choice is in the suite family, which runs to four grades and includes private verandas and French balconies at different price points. Outside staterooms offer river views through picture windows at the entry level. The Viking Idi cabins and deck plans page has every grade laid out with deck positions, so you can compare and choose before you book.