Viking Kadlin

Sailing the Danube on Viking Kadlin

The Danube is Europe’s second-longest river, threading through some of the continent’s most rewarding cities and landscapes, and Viking Kadlin is built to follow it from end to end. At 135 metres she fits the river’s locks and bridges while carrying 190 guests in genuine comfort, with a crew of 53 looking after them. Her 2016 build means she reflects the considered design Viking River Cruises brought to the longship era: panoramic windows in the Lounge, a herb garden on deck, and a fare structure that includes far more than most passengers expect before they board.

All four sailings currently on sale are one-way journeys of between 7 and 14 nights on the Danube, departing from Budapest, Vienna, Regensburg or Constanta on Romania’s Black Sea coast. The itineraries connect these cities in various combinations, so a guest choosing the longer sailings can follow the Danube from the Germanic reaches near Regensburg all the way down to where the river meets the sea. Because every departure is in Central or Eastern Europe, the cruise sits naturally in the middle of a longer trip — Cruise1st books the flights from Australia, the hotel nights either side and the transfers as one joined-up holiday.

For port detail on two of her most-visited stops, the pages for Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria list every sailing from those cities.

On board Viking Kadlin

Viking Kadlin’s public spaces are designed around the idea that the river itself is the main attraction. The Aquavit Terrace® extends al fresco dining forward so guests can watch the banks pass over breakfast and lunch. Above it, the Sun Deck gives 360-degree views and a walking track for anyone who wants fresh air and movement while the ship is underway — access is restricted during low-bridge passages for safety. The Lounge runs floor-to-ceiling windows along its length, making it one of the better places on any river ship to watch an evening arrival into port with a drink in hand; beverages carry an individual charge unless a package has been booked.

Two more spaces give the ship an unhurried feel. The Library holds a curated collection and a quiet corner away from communal areas — useful for the longer passages between cities. The Herb Garden is a working green space on deck: Viking’s culinary team draws from it daily to flavour the regional dishes served in the dining room, and guests are welcome to visit it at any point in the voyage. Both are open to everyone and included in the cruise.

Cabins on Viking Kadlin

Viking Kadlin carries 95 cabins across eight grades, divided between outside staterooms, balcony cabins and suites. The outside grades share a half-height picture window that fills the cabin with river scenery and natural light, and 12 noon embarkation with 3 PM stateroom access gives guests time to settle in before the ship departs. The balcony grades step up to private outdoor space. Suites offer 50% more floor space than standard inside staterooms, and within that category guests can choose between a French balcony — opening fully to fresh air and river views without a full veranda — or a cabin with a full-size veranda and direct outdoor access. The full breakdown of grades, dimensions and deck positions lives on the Viking Kadlin cabins and deck plans page.

What the Viking River Fare includes

Viking River Cruises operates a single structural tariff — the Viking River Fare — and it covers more than many rival river fares. Included in every booking: 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 across the ship, and UNESCO World Heritage site visits are part of the programme. For Australian guests considering which cabin grade to choose and how to combine the fare with pre- and post-cruise arrangements, Cruise1st’s specialists can walk through the options — the whole holiday, from the flight out to the flight home, goes on one booking.

Viking River Cruises’ Danube fleet

Viking Kadlin sails alongside several other Viking River Cruises ships on the Danube. The ships listed below are those currently on sale from Australia on this river — each links to its own page:

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

Viking River Cruises also operates ships on the Rhine, the Moselle, the Maas and the Mississippi, among other waters. The full picture of what the line offers is on the Viking River Cruises cruise line page.

Booking Viking Kadlin with Cruise1st

Cruise1st offers a Best Price Guarantee on Viking Kadlin sailings, and Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week before you book. Because every sailing departs from Central or Eastern Europe, the cruise is the middle of a longer trip — Cruise1st books the flights, the hotel either side and the transfers as one joined-up holiday through Cruise1st Packages. Whatever cabin grade and fare combination suits your plans, we put it together on a single booking.

Questions about sailing the Danube on Viking Kadlin

Is Wi-Fi available on Viking Kadlin?

Yes. Wi-Fi is included in the Viking River Fare across the ship, so there is no charge for staying connected during the voyage — including in cabins.

What happens to the Sun Deck when the ship passes under low bridges?

Access to the Sun Deck is restricted during canal passages and when the ship passes under low bridges, for passenger safety. This is standard practice on European river ships and is noted in Viking Kadlin’s onboard information.

How long are the Danube sailings on Viking Kadlin?

Current sailings run between 7 and 14 nights, all as one-way journeys. The shorter departures typically cover a single stretch of the river — such as Budapest to Vienna or Regensburg to Budapest — while the longer itineraries follow the Danube from the German reaches down through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and into Romania, ending or beginning at Constanta on the Black Sea coast.

Can Cruise1st arrange flights and hotels alongside the cruise?

Yes. Because every Viking Kadlin sailing departs from Europe, most Australian guests need flights and often a hotel night or two at each end. Cruise1st books the international flights, pre- and post-cruise hotel stays and airport transfers together with the cruise as a single Cruise1st Package — one booking, one contact point, looked after by local specialists seven days a week.

Which cabin type is right for a first Danube river cruise?

The outside staterooms offer the most affordable way to have a river-view cabin with natural light and scenery, and 12 noon embarkation means you can be settled in before the ship moves. Guests who want to step directly into fresh air from their cabin will find the balcony and suite grades worthwhile on a longer sailing. The Viking Kadlin cabins and deck plans page shows every grade side by side to help narrow the choice.