Viking Lif

Viking Lif at a glance

Viking Lif is a river cruise ship built in 2014 and operated by Viking River Cruises. She carries 190 guests and 53 crew, with 95 cabins across her 135-metre hull. She sails the Danube River through Central and Eastern Europe, with departures from Budapest, Hungary, Amsterdam, Passau, Germany and Bucharest, Romania. Itineraries run up to 21 nights.

• Cabins: 95
• Region: Danube River, Europe
• Operator: Viking River Cruises

Cabins on Viking Lif

Viking Lif offers three cabin grades, from a river-view stateroom to a wraparound suite — full deck plans are on the Viking Lif cabins and deck plans page.

The Standard Stateroom (Grade E) is 13.9 m² and sleeps two. Its half-height picture window frames the river scenery, giving you natural light and a view without a private outdoor space.

The Veranda Stateroom (Grade A) steps up to 19.0 m² and adds a private veranda — your own outdoor retreat from which to watch the Danube banks slide past at your own pace.

At the top of the range, the Explorer Suite (Grade ES) offers 41.3 m² of space for two guests, with a separate sitting room and a wraparound 270-degree veranda. For river cruising, that vantage point is genuinely unusual — three-quarters of the horizon is yours.

Dining on Viking Lif

Viking Lif carries a full range of dining venues, from an included main restaurant to speciality tables that carry a separate charge.

The Restaurant is the main dining room, included in your fare, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a menu of regional specialities and classics. World Café offers open kitchens with live cooking and international dishes — you can eat inside or step out onto the Aquavit Terrace®, where outdoor dining sits directly above the water and the passing riverbanks become part of the meal.

Pool Grill keeps things casual with freshly prepared dishes and a salad bar, all included, while the Wintergarden serves complimentary afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and classical music by the main pool. Mamsen’s®, situated in the Explorers’ Lounge, brings Norwegian specialities — available at breakfast, lunch, afternoon breaks and dinner at no extra cost, honouring the Hagen family matriarch whose name it carries.

For something more considered, Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant® recreates a trattoria setting with authentic Italian cuisine (cover charges apply), while The Chef’s Table offers a multi-course tasting menu paired by sommeliers (reservations required, à la carte pricing). The Kitchen Table is an interactive culinary experience centred on regional ingredients and cooking techniques — confirm inclusion at the time of booking.

Bars and lounges

The social heart of the ship is The Living Room, a generous lounge where Viking Resident Musicians play live classical music and curated activities give each evening a gentle rhythm. Entry is free; beverages are charged separately unless your package covers them. The Clinker Bar within the Living Room atrium takes its design cues from ancient Nordic longships, creating an atmospheric spot for a drink.

Torshavn® channels the golden age of jazz lounges, with live music and cocktails in an intimate setting. The Explorers’ Lounge wraps two-storey panoramic windows around a space inspired by the great voyages of discovery — ideal for watching the scenery change over a drink. The central Atrium provides another sociable meeting point, and the Pool Bar keeps refreshments close to the water.

Entertainment and wellness

Viking Lif’s Theater screens lectures, films and TED Talks on a large screen and can be divided into two HD cinemas depending on the programme — all included in your fare. The Sports Deck offers a running track, boccie, mini golf and shuffleboard, with guided classes such as yoga available for a separate charge.

The Nordic Spa is open to all guests at no entry charge, with a sauna and snow grotto available to use freely; individual treatments and classes carry a separate fee. The Fitness Center includes treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise bikes and free-weight space, with equipment use complimentary. A Hair Salon offers cuts, styling and the Royal Nordic Hair Ritual, charged separately.

The ship carries two pools: a heated main pool with a retractable roof for year-round swimming and evening film screenings, and the Infinity Pool — among the first of its kind at sea — framed by floor-to-ceiling windows that make the surrounding water feel continuous with the world beyond the hull.

Why book Viking Lif with Cruise1st?

Every sailing on Viking Lif departs from a European port — Budapest, Amsterdam, Bucharest or Passau — which means flying is part of the trip. Cruise1st can book the flights, the hotel either side and the transfers alongside the cruise itself as a single Cruise1st Package, so nothing falls through the gaps between separate bookings. Our Best Price Guarantee means you won’t find the same sailing cheaper elsewhere. And if you want to talk through cabin grades or fare inclusions before you commit, our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week.

Common questions about Viking Lif

Where does Viking Lif sail?

Viking Lif sails the Danube River through Central and Eastern Europe. Current sailings depart from Budapest, Amsterdam, Bucharest and Passau, with itineraries of up to 21 nights. She is operated exclusively by Viking River Cruises.

Which cabin should I book on Viking Lif?

If you want the best river views without the suite price, the Veranda Stateroom at 19.0 m² gives you a private outdoor space for watching the Danube. The Explorer Suite at 41.3 m² is the right choice if you want a separate sitting room and the widest possible outlook — its 270-degree wraparound veranda is the standout feature aboard. The Standard Stateroom at 13.9 m² suits guests who prioritise value and spend most of their time on deck. Full layouts are on the cabins and deck plans page.

What is included in the fare on Viking Lif?

The Restaurant, World Café, Aquavit Terrace, Pool Grill, Wintergarden afternoon tea and Mamsen’s are all included in your cruise fare, as are the main pool, Infinity Pool, Nordic Spa access, Fitness Center, Sports Deck and all entertainment in The Theater. Speciality dining at Manfredi’s, The Chef’s Table and some Kitchen Table experiences carries a separate charge, as do most beverages, individual spa treatments and some fitness classes.

Do I need to fly to join Viking Lif?

Yes — all current sailings depart from European ports. Cruise1st can arrange the full journey as a package, including flights, hotels and transfers, so the entire trip sits on a single booking. Speak to our Australian cruise experts seven days a week for help putting it together.

What other Viking River Cruises ships can I compare?

If you’re deciding between vessels in the Viking fleet, you can also explore Viking Vali, Viking Magni, and the ocean-going Viking Orion, Viking Venus, Viking Neptune and Viking Mississippi — each a separate ship in the same fleet. The Viking River Cruises page lists the full programme.

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