Viking Mani

Sailing the Rhine on Viking Mani

Viking Mani threads one of Europe’s great rivers, covering ground that takes in Swiss border towns, the vine-terraced banks of the German Rhineland, Cologne’s twin-spired cathedral and the windmill-dotted lowlands of the Dutch delta. At 135 metres long and carrying 190 guests with a crew of 53, she is sized precisely for the Rhine’s locks and harbours — small enough to dock in the heart of each city, large enough to offer a genuine range of spaces on board.

She sails exclusively as a one-way voyage, always between Basel in Switzerland and Amsterdam in the Netherlands, in either direction. All four departures currently on sale run in November and December 2026, making Viking Mani a natural choice for travellers who want a classic European Christmas-market cruise.

The Rhine programme in both directions

Both routes cover the same stretch of river and take seven nights, but they run in opposite directions and the rhythm of the journey differs meaningfully.

Basel to Amsterdam — departing in November and December 2026, sailing downstream through Breisach, Strasbourg, Mannheim, Speyer, Heidelberg country, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Cologne and Dordrecht before arriving in Amsterdam. Fares for this route start from A$3,195pp*.

Amsterdam to Basel — departing in November 2026, sailing upstream and calling at Kinderdijk, Dordrecht, Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg and Breisach before reaching Basel. Fares for this direction start from A$4,595pp*. Sailings in both directions are one-way, so they pair naturally with time in either city at either end — and because these ports mean flying to Europe, Cruise1st books the flights, hotels and transfers alongside the cruise as one complete holiday.

The ports listed are those that most sailings on each route call at; individual departures may vary. For every sailing currently on sale, the Amsterdam cruises page shows what is available from that end of the route.

On board Viking Mani

The ship is designed for the view, and almost every public space is oriented towards the water passing outside. The Aquavit Terrace® extends out over the river at the stern — an al fresco dining space for breakfast and lunch where the landscape literally unfolds around you, included in every fare. When the weather turns, the Lounge offers the same panoramic perspective through floor-to-ceiling windows, with a bar for drinks (charged individually unless a package is booked) and the easy sociability that river ships do well.

The Sun Deck runs the full width of the ship and carries a Walking Track for anyone who wants to stay active while watching the Rhine go by. Access is restricted during low bridge passages, as it is on all Rhine vessels. A quieter retreat is the ship’s Library, a curated collection tucked into a calm corner of the vessel, included for all guests. One detail that sets Viking Mani apart is her working Herb Garden — a small green space on board where fresh herbs are grown and harvested daily for the galley, feeding directly into the regional dishes served at meals.

Cabins on Viking Mani

Across 95 cabins there are eight grades in three broad families. Outside staterooms come in two grades and feature half-height picture windows that frame the passing river without you needing to step outside. Balcony cabins add a French balcony — a full-height glass door that opens to bring in river air and light. Suites occupy four grades and divide between those with French balconies and those with a full private veranda, the most direct connection to the river the ship offers. The Viking Mani cabins and deck plans page has every grade in full, with layouts.

What the Viking River Fare includes

Viking River Cruises operates a single bundled fare structure called the Viking River Fare. It is not a bare-bones ticket: included in every booking are a complimentary shore excursion at every port of call, all onboard dining with regional specialities, beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, and unlimited coffees, teas and bottled water throughout the day. Wi-Fi is also included, as are visits to UNESCO-listed sites on the itinerary. It is a meaningfully all-in starting point, and the things it does not cover — premium beverages, optional excursions beyond the included one per port — are clearly separated rather than hidden.

Viking River Cruises’ wider fleet on the Rhine and beyond

Viking Mani is one of fourteen Viking River Cruises ships currently sailing the Rhine. The others on that river 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 line also sails the Danube, the Moselle and the Maas, and operates ships in the United States and beyond. Viking Vali is among the Danube options, and Viking Mississippi sails the American river of the same name. The broader Viking Cruises family extends to ocean ships as well.

Booking Viking Mani with Cruise1st

Because every Viking Mani sailing departs from either Basel or Amsterdam, the cruise is the centrepiece of a wider Europe trip — and Cruise1st books the flights from Australia, the hotels in Basel or Amsterdam either side of the river, and all transfers as one complete holiday. That means one conversation, one booking, and specialists available seven days a week to put it together. Cruise1st also backs every booking with a Best Price Guarantee, and the full range of Cruise1st Packages — cruise, flights, hotels and transfers bundled — is available on these sailings.

Questions about Viking Mani on the Rhine

What time of year does Viking Mani sail?

All current sailings depart in November and December 2026. This is the Rhine’s Christmas-market season, when the towns along the route — Strasbourg, Cologne, Rüdesheim and others — host some of Europe’s most celebrated festive markets. It is a deliberately seasonal programme rather than a year-round one.

Can I travel in one direction and fly home from the other end?

Yes — all sailings are one-way, arriving at the opposite city from where they begin. Cruise1st can arrange the flights into one city and home from the other, along with any hotels at either end, as part of a single booking. That is the most practical way to travel this itinerary from Australia.

Is the Sun Deck accessible throughout the voyage?

The Sun Deck is open to all guests and free to use, and it carries the ship’s Walking Track for anyone who wants to exercise with a view. Access is restricted during canal passages and when passing under low bridges, which is standard on all Rhine river ships and not specific to Viking Mani.

How many guests does Viking Mani carry?

Viking Mani carries 190 guests, served by a crew of 53 — a ratio that keeps the experience personal. At 95 cabins, nearly every sailing will feel sociable but never crowded, and the ship’s public spaces are sized to match: the Lounge, Aquavit Terrace and Library are all genuinely comfortable rather than overstretched.