Viking Rinda

Sailing the Danube on Viking Rinda

Viking Rinda has been threading the Danube since 2013, connecting the medieval riverside town of Regensburg in Germany with the baroque grandeur of Vienna, the twin cities of Budapest and — on longer sailings — the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta. All four sailings currently on sale are one-way journeys, running between 7 and 14 nights, so guests travel a continuous stretch of the river rather than doubling back. The Danube is one of Europe’s great storytelling rivers, and Rinda’s itineraries are built around landing guests in the middle of that story: imperial palaces, Ottoman-era markets, vineyard slopes and UNESCO-listed old towns appear along the bank as the ship moves quietly downstream.

Departures are spread across four embarkation cities — Vienna, Budapest, Regensburg and Constanta — meaning the route can be joined from whichever end suits the wider trip. Because guests are flying into Europe from Australia, Cruise1st treats the cruise as the centrepiece of a longer holiday, bundling flights, hotels and transfers into one booking under our Cruise1st Packages service.

What the Viking River Fare includes

Every Viking Rinda sailing is sold under the Viking River Fare, which bundles a meaningful set of inclusions into the base price. At every port of call, a complimentary shore excursion is included — so the UNESCO sites and city walking tours that most river cruise lines charge separately for are already in the fare. Onboard, all meals are covered, cooked with regional specialities and accompanied by beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. Coffee, tea and bottled water are available around the clock. Wi-Fi is included throughout. The fare is not fully all-inclusive — premium drinks and optional shore experiences beyond the included excursion carry a separate charge — but the core of a Danube holiday is covered from the moment guests step aboard.

On board Viking Rinda

Rinda is a compact, purposeful ship designed for a river rather than an ocean, and her spaces reflect that. The Aquavit Terrace® is an al fresco dining extension that opens along the side of the ship, letting guests eat breakfast and lunch with the riverbank moving past — it is one of the defining features of Viking’s longship design and is included for all guests. When the weather turns or the light changes, the Lounge offers panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows; drinks are ordered at the bar and charged individually unless a package has been booked.

The Sun Deck runs the full width of the top of the ship, with 360-degree views and a Walking Track for anyone who wants to stay active between ports. Access is restricted during low bridge passages and canal transits for safety — a reminder that this is a working river, not a lake. Below deck, a small Library holds a curated collection of books for quiet hours, and an on-board Herb Garden supplies the kitchen with fresh herbs throughout the voyage. All of these spaces are open to every guest at no extra charge.

Cabins on Viking Rinda

Rinda carries 95 cabins across eight grades, divided among three cabin families. The outside staterooms (two grades) feature half-height picture windows that frame the river without a balcony — good natural light and uninterrupted views at a more compact footprint. The balcony cabins (two grades) step things up, while the suite categories (four grades) range from French-balcony options — floor-to-ceiling doors opening onto a railing rather than a walkout terrace — through to cabins with a full private veranda. Full grade details, dimensions and deck positions are on the Viking Rinda cabins and deck plans page.

Viking River Cruises’ Danube fleet

Viking River Cruises runs a large fleet across Europe’s major waterways. The ships sailing the Danube alongside Viking Rinda are Viking Eldir, Viking Vali, Viking Lif, Viking Vidar, Viking Aegir, Viking Gullveig, Viking Baldur and Viking Embla. The line also operates ships on the Rhine (including Viking Gefjon, Viking Rota and others), on the Moselle, on the Maas, and on the Mississippi in the United States — Viking Mississippi sails that American river programme. Ocean voyagers may recognise the brand through Viking Cruises, the ocean arm of the same company. Full details of every ship and its current sailings are on the Viking River Cruises page.

Why book with Cruise1st

Cruise1st backs every booking with a Best Price Guarantee and has a team of Australian cruise experts available seven days a week — before the booking is made, not just after. Because Viking Rinda sails from European cities that most Australian guests will need to fly to, we put the flights, hotels and airport transfers on the same booking as the cruise through Cruise1st Packages. That means one point of contact for the whole trip, from home to the Danube and back.

Questions about cruising the Danube on Viking Rinda

What is the difference between a 7-night and a 14-night sailing?

All current sailings are one-way journeys along the Danube, so the longer sailings cover more of the river rather than repeating the same stretch. A 14-night voyage is likely to run from one end of Viking Rinda’s Danube programme — Regensburg in Germany — all the way through to Constanta on Romania’s Black Sea coast, taking in Vienna and Budapest along the way. A 7-night sailing covers a shorter segment. The itinerary page for each sailing shows the exact ports and sequence.

Are shore excursions included in the fare?

Yes. The Viking River Fare includes a complimentary guided shore excursion at every port of call, which typically covers the headline UNESCO or cultural site in each city. Optional extensions or specialist tours beyond the included excursion are charged separately.

Is Wi-Fi available throughout the ship?

Wi-Fi is included for all guests under the Viking River Fare, covering both cabins and the ship’s public spaces.

Can access to the Sun Deck be restricted?

Yes — Viking Rinda sails through a number of canal passages and under low bridges along the Danube route. For safety during those sections, the Sun Deck is temporarily closed. This is a standard feature of European river cruising and is noted in the ship’s own venue description.

How do I get to the ship from Australia?

Viking Rinda departs from cities in Austria, Germany, Hungary and Romania, all of which require a flight from Australia. Cruise1st books the flights, any hotel nights needed either side of the cruise, and the transfers between airport and ship as part of the same holiday — so there is one booking, one point of contact, and nothing to coordinate separately. Speak to our team seven days a week to put the full trip together.