Viking Sjofn

Viking Sjofn at a glance

Viking Sjofn is a river cruise ship built in 2026 and operated by Viking River Cruises. She carries up to 190 guests, served by a crew of 53, across 95 cabins. At 135 metres in length, she is purpose-built for Europe's waterways, and her current sailings take her along the Rhine — one of the continent's great river routes — departing from Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Basel in Switzerland. Itineraries currently on sale run up to nine nights.

Dining on Viking Sjofn

Viking Sjofn offers a broad range of dining venues, from the inclusive main restaurant to speciality experiences that carry a separate charge.

The Restaurant is the ship's main dining room, set on Deck 2 Aft with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the passing riverbank. Regional specialities and timeless classics are served here and it is included in your cruise fare. For something lighter and more informal, the World Café on Deck 7 Aft runs open kitchens with live cooking, offering international dishes alongside premium sushi and seafood, with the option to eat outside on the Aquavit Terrace® — an alfresco dining space directly above the water.

The Pool Grill on Deck 7 provides casual poolside bites including a salad bar, all included in your fare, while the Wintergarden on Deck 7 Midship serves complimentary afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and classical music beside the main pool. Mamsen's®, located in the Explorers' Lounge on Deck 7, brings Norwegian specialities — breakfast through to dinner — at no extra cost, honouring the Nordic heritage of the Hagen family.

For a more special evening, Manfredi's Italian Restaurant® recreates an Italian trattoria on Aft Deck 1, with à la carte pricing and a private dining room option. The Chef's Table, also on Aft Deck 1, offers a sommelier-paired multi-course tasting menu by reservation. The Kitchen Table on Deck 1 Aft is an interactive culinary experience built around regional ingredients — confirm at booking whether it is included or carries a reservation fee.

Bars and social spaces

Viking Sjofn's social heart is The Living Room, where generous seating, a calm atmosphere and live classical music from the Viking Resident Musicians make it the natural place to unwind. Adjacent to it, the Bar — known as the Clinker Bar — takes its design cues from ancient Nordic longships and sits within the Living Room atrium; beverages carry a separate charge unless covered by your package.

Torshavn® evokes the golden age of Hollywood jazz lounges and offers live music alongside cocktails and premium spirits in the evenings, with beverages charged separately. The Explorers' Lounge wraps two-storey panoramic windows around its seating, giving a sweeping view of the passing riverscape — food and beverages are charged separately unless covered. The central Atrium rounds out the social spaces as a bright meeting point for guests throughout the day.

Entertainment and activities

The Theater seats up to 450 guests and screens lectures, films and TED Talks on a large format screen; it can also be divided into two HD cinemas. All admission is included in your fare. The Sports Deck offers a running track, boccie, mini golf and shuffleboard, all included, though guided classes such as yoga carry a separate charge.

The Main Pool features a retractable roof for year-round swimming whatever the weather, and in the evening the poolside screen shows films under the open sky. The Infinity Pool — among the first of its kind on a river ship — is surrounded by teak decking and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the river, with a hot tub alongside; use is included in your fare.

For wellness, The Nordic Spa provides complimentary access to its sauna and snow grotto, with individual treatments charged separately. The Fitness Centre offers treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise bikes and open space for yoga and pilates, all complimentary. The onboard Hair Salon is available for styling and the signature Royal Nordic Hair Ritual at a separate charge.

Cabins and suites on Viking Sjofn

Viking Sjofn offers three cabin grades across her 95 cabins, all sleeping two guests. Full layouts and deck-by-deck positions are shown on the Viking Sjofn cabins and deck plans page.

• Outside Stateroom E (13.9 m²) — a river-view cabin with a half-height picture window bringing in natural light and the passing scenery without an outside step.
• Veranda Stateroom A (19.0 m²) — adds a private outdoor veranda, giving you a dedicated river-view space of your own away from the shared public decks.
• Explorer Suite ES (41.3 m²) — the flagship cabin grade, with a wraparound 270-degree veranda delivering panoramic views from multiple vantage points that a standard veranda simply cannot match.

Sailing the Rhine with Viking Sjofn

All current sailings take Viking Sjofn along the Rhine through Europe, departing from either Amsterdam in the Netherlands or Basel in Switzerland. The Rhine connects some of Central Europe's most celebrated cities, landscapes and wine regions, making it one of the most rewarding river routes on the continent. Current itineraries on sale run up to nine nights, with departures from late September 2026 onwards. Browse all available Viking River Cruises itineraries to see the full range.

Why book Viking Sjofn with Cruise1st

Because every departure boards in either the Netherlands or Switzerland, the cruise sits in the middle of a longer trip — and that is exactly where Cruise1st's Cruise1st Packages earn their place. We book the flights, the hotel either side and the transfers as one holiday, so nothing falls through the cracks between separate bookings. Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week to help you choose the right cabin grade and fare inclusions for your travel style, and every booking is backed by our Best Price Guarantee.

Other Viking ships to consider

If you are comparing ships within the Viking fleet, Cruise1st also features Viking Vali and Viking Magni as other river ships in the same fleet, as well as ocean ships including Viking Orion, Viking Venus and Viking Neptune. You can also explore Viking Mississippi, which sails a different waterway entirely. Each sails a distinct itinerary, so the best starting point is the route and departure that suits your calendar.

Common questions about Viking Sjofn

When does Viking Sjofn start sailing?

Viking Sjofn was built in 2026 and her first sailings currently on sale depart from late September 2026. She is a brand-new addition to the Viking River Cruises fleet, so 2026 is her inaugural season on the Rhine.

Which cabin grade should I book on Viking Sjofn?

The Outside Stateroom E is the entry point, offering a river-view picture window in a compact 13.9 m² layout. The Veranda Stateroom A steps up to 19.0 m² and adds a private outdoor veranda — worth considering if you want your own outdoor space without competing for a seat on the public decks. The Explorer Suite ES at 41.3 m² brings the wraparound 270-degree veranda, making it the natural choice for guests who want the most immersive river views from their own cabin.

Do I need to book flights separately?

All current sailings depart from Amsterdam or Basel, so Australian guests will need to fly to Europe. Cruise1st can bundle your flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels and transfers into a single Cruise1st Package — call our team seven days a week to discuss options.

Are meals included on Viking Sjofn?

The Restaurant, World Café, Aquavit Terrace, Pool Grill, Wintergarden and Mamsen's are all included in your cruise fare. Speciality venues — Manfredi's Italian Restaurant, The Chef's Table and The Kitchen Table — carry à la carte charges or reservation fees. Beverages at the bars are generally charged separately unless you have purchased a beverage package.

What is there to do on an evening on board?

Evenings on Viking Sjofn have plenty of variety. The Theater runs films and lectures included in your fare. Torshavn offers live music in a jazz-lounge atmosphere. The Living Room hosts the Viking Resident Musicians. The infinity pool and main pool — with its poolside film screen — stay open into the evening, and the Explorers' Lounge provides a panoramic backdrop for a nightcap.