Viking Rolf

Sailing the Rhine on Viking Rolf

Viking Rolf works the Rhine end-to-end, running 7-night one-way passages between Basel in Switzerland and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Every sailing is a linear journey through the river’s most celebrated stretch: the gorge towns, the cathedral cities and the flat waterlands of the Dutch delta. Because both Basel and Amsterdam are destinations guests fly to from Australia, the cruise sits naturally at the centre of a wider European trip — Cruise1st books the flights, the hotels either side and the transfers as one joined-up holiday.

Sailings from Basel head north to Amsterdam, departing in December and March, calling at ports that include Breisach, Strasbourg, Speyer, Mannheim, Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Cologne and Kinderdijk — though the precise call pattern varies by departure. Fares on this direction start from A$5,095pp*.

The southbound direction — Amsterdam to Basel — departs in March and December, following the same river in reverse and also calling at Dordrecht among its stops. Fares on this direction start from A$5,395pp*. Both directions are one-way sailings, so there is real flexibility in how you shape the trip around them: explore Amsterdam before you board, or linger in Basel and the Swiss countryside after you disembark. For sailings departing from Amsterdam, see cruises from Amsterdam.

What the Viking River Fare includes

Viking River Cruises sails Viking Rolf on a single fare structure — the Viking River Fare — that bundles a generous set of inclusions into the base price. Every port stop comes with a complimentary shore excursion, so the UNESCO heritage sites and old-town walking tours along the Rhine are covered from the start. Onboard, all meals are included, with regional specialities prepared daily using herbs from the ship’s own garden. Beer, wine and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner, and coffee, tea and bottled water are available around the clock. Wi-Fi is included fleet-wide, so staying connected between ports costs nothing extra.

On board Viking Rolf

At 135 metres and 190 guests, Viking Rolf is shaped for the river rather than the open sea: shallow enough for the Rhine’s narrower reaches, long enough to feel genuinely spacious for her guest count of 190, and crewed by 53 people. The spaces on board are purposeful and unhurried.

The Aquavit Terrace® is the social heart of the ship at mealtimes — an al fresco dining area where breakfast and lunch are served with the river passing alongside. The Lounge runs floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views, with a bar for drinks at your own pace. The Library offers a curated book collection in a quiet corner, good for the quieter stretches of the voyage. Up top, the Sun Deck gives 360-degree views and a Walking Track for anyone who wants to stay active between ports — though access is restricted during canal passages and under low bridges for safety. A small Herb Garden on board supplies the culinary team with fresh herbs for the regional dishes served each day.

Cabins on Viking Rolf

Across 95 cabins there are eight grades to choose from, divided into outside staterooms, balcony staterooms and suites. Outside cabins — across two grades — offer river views through half-height picture windows, bringing in natural light and scenery without stepping onto a public deck. Balcony grades come in two further grades. The four suite grades range from French-balcony options — with an opening glass door for fresh river air — through to cabins with a full private veranda, which is the only way to have genuine outdoor space from your own room. The Viking Rolf cabins and deck plans page has every grade in full, with measurements and deck positions, for anyone ready to choose.

Viking River Cruises’ Rhine fleet

Viking Rolf is one of fourteen Viking River Cruises ships currently sailing the Rhine. The others on this waterway are 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.

Viking also operates ships on other European rivers and beyond. On the Danube you’ll find Viking Vali, Viking Eldir, Viking Lif, Viking Vidar, Viking Aegir, Viking Gullveig, Viking Baldur and Viking Embla. The Moselle is covered by Viking Idi and Viking Alsvin. On the Mississippi in the United States sails Viking Mississippi, and Viking Mimir works the Maas. The line’s ocean and expedition fleet — including Viking Orion and Viking Neptune — operates under Viking Cruises.

Why book Viking Rolf with Cruise1st

Because every Viking Rolf sailing departs from either Basel or Amsterdam, the cruise is the centrepiece of a longer European journey — and that is exactly where Cruise1st adds the most. We book the flights from Australia, the hotel nights either side of the cruise and all the transfers, bundled with the cruise itself as one holiday: one booking, one team to call. Our Cruise1st Packages are built for exactly this kind of trip. We also back every booking with our Best Price Guarantee, and our Australian cruise specialists are available seven days a week to help you match the right cabin grade and departure to what you actually want.

Questions about sailing the Rhine on Viking Rolf

Which direction is better — Basel to Amsterdam or Amsterdam to Basel?

Both cover the same river and the same headline ports; the difference is sequence and timing. The Basel-to-Amsterdam direction departs in December and March — well-suited to travellers who want to end in Amsterdam and explore the Netherlands after the cruise. Amsterdam-to-Basel runs in March and December as well, finishing in Switzerland, which suits anyone planning to extend into the Alps or central Europe. The shore excursions and onboard experience are identical whichever way you travel.

Is Wi-Fi included, and does it reach the cabins?

Wi-Fi is included across the ship under the Viking River Fare — there is no charge to connect. Viking River Cruises confirms this as a fleet-wide inclusion on Viking Rolf.

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

Access to the Sun Deck is restricted during canal passages and whenever the ship passes under low bridges, for passenger safety. This is normal on the Rhine and affects all river ships navigating the same waterways — the interruptions are brief and the deck reopens once the passage is clear.

Can I book just the cruise, or does Cruise1st put together the whole trip?

Cruise1st puts together the whole holiday — flights from Australia, hotel nights in Basel or Amsterdam either side of the cruise, transfers between airport, hotel and ship, and the cruise itself — on a single booking. You can discuss exactly what you need with our team, who are available seven days a week, and shape the package around your travel dates and preferences.

How many guests does Viking Rolf carry?

Viking Rolf carries 190 guests, served by a crew of 53. At that ratio — roughly one crew member for every four guests — the service level on board sits well above what a larger ship can offer, and the ship never feels crowded even when fully booked.