Viking Vali

Sailing the Danube and Rhine on Viking Vali

Viking Vali makes her home on two of Europe’s most storied waterways. On the Danube she departs Budapest, winding westward through Bratislava, Vienna, the vine-draped Wachau Valley, Krems, Linz and Passau, with some sailings continuing to Regensburg. These are seven-night one-way passages, running in December and April — a compact programme ideal for travellers who want the Christmas-market season or the quiet warmth of early spring. Fares on the Danube start from A$4,995pp*.

On the Rhine she sails south from Amsterdam to Basel over seven nights, calling at Kinderdijk, Dordrecht, Cologne, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Speyer, Strasbourg and Breisach along the way. These departures run in November and December — firmly the festive-markets season — and start from A$5,995pp*. Both rivers are one-way voyages, so guests arrive at one city and leave from another, which is precisely the shape of trip we build around: flights in and out of different cities, hotels at each end and all the transfers in between, arranged as one holiday.

What the Viking River Fare includes

Every sailing on Viking Vali is booked on the Viking River Fare, which bundles a remarkable amount into the headline price. A complimentary shore excursion is included at every port of call, so guests step off the ship with a guided experience already paid for. All onboard dining — regional specialities at every meal — is included, as are beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, and coffee, tea and bottled water around the clock. Wi-Fi is included throughout, and visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the route are part of the programme.

On board Viking Vali

Viking Vali carries 190 guests across 95 cabins, looked after by a crew of 53 — a ratio that keeps service attentive without feeling formal. The ship was launched in 2019 and her godmother is Minxuan Zhao.

The Aquavit Terrace® is the social heart of the ship: a glass-enclosed al fresco dining space at the stern where breakfast and lunch are served with the riverbank sliding past. The Lounge runs floor-to-ceiling windows along its length, making it the natural place to settle in with a drink as the scenery changes — beverages are available at the bar, charged individually unless a package has been added. For quieter moments, the Library holds a curated collection and a corner away from the flow of the ship. The Sun Deck at the top offers 360-degree views and a Walking Track to keep legs moving between ports — access is restricted during low-bridge passages for safety. A small Herb Garden on board supplies the kitchen with fresh herbs daily, a detail that speaks to the care Viking puts into the food.

Cabins on Viking Vali

Across 95 cabins, Viking Vali offers eight grades in three families. Outside staterooms — two grades — look out through half-height picture windows that bring in natural light and river scenery. Balcony cabins — two grades — step up to private outdoor access. Suites span four grades across two deck levels, all with French balconies featuring opening glass doors and direct views from the bed; the top grades add a full-size private veranda. The full breakdown of grades, sizes and what each includes lives on the Viking Vali cabins and deck plans page.

Viking River Cruises’ fleet on the Danube and Rhine

Viking River Cruises operates 30 ships across Europe and beyond. The ships that sail the Danube alongside Viking Vali include Viking Eldir, Viking Lif, Viking Vidar, Viking Aegir, Viking Gullveig, Viking Baldur and Viking Embla.

The ships that sail the Rhine 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 Moselle is covered by Viking Idi and Viking Alsvin. Viking Mississippi sails the United States. The full picture of the line — routes, ships and what sailing with Viking is like — is on the Viking Cruises page.

Why book Viking Vali with Cruise1st

Every Viking Vali sailing currently departs from a European city — Budapest, Amsterdam, Passau, Regensburg or Basel — so for most Australian travellers the cruise sits in the middle of a longer trip. That is exactly what Cruise1st is set up for: we book the flights, the hotel either side and the transfers as one holiday, so there is a single booking to manage and one team to call. Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week before you book, and every booking is covered by our Best Price Guarantee. Prefer to shape it yourself? Our Cruise1st Packages let you choose the cabin grade, the fare inclusions and the travel arrangements around the cruise — all in one place.

Questions about booking Viking Vali from Australia

Does the Viking River Fare really include shore excursions at every port?

Yes. The Viking River Fare includes one complimentary guided shore excursion at each port of call, as well as all onboard meals, beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, coffee, tea and water throughout the day, and Wi-Fi. It is a genuinely inclusive fare structure — there is relatively little to pay for once on board.

Can I travel between the Danube and Rhine on a single itinerary?

The sailings currently on sale treat the Danube and Rhine as separate programmes. The Danube routes run between Budapest and Passau or Regensburg; the Rhine routes run between Amsterdam and Basel. Some longer itineraries in Viking’s broader programme connect the two rivers, but the specific sailings available here are seven nights on one waterway. Contact our team to find out what is bookable across both.

What is the Sun Deck like, and when is it closed?

The Sun Deck runs the full length of the top of the ship and includes the Walking Track, with open views in all directions. The one exception is during canal passages and when the ship passes under low bridges, when the deck is closed for safety — a routine feature of European river cruising that the crew announces in advance.

Is Viking Vali suitable for solo travellers?

Viking Vali’s 190-guest scale and the shared social spaces — the Aquavit Terrace, the Lounge, the Library — make it straightforward to meet fellow guests. The inclusive shore excursions also mean everyone is on the same programme ashore, which naturally brings people together. Contact our team for the latest on solo cabin availability and any applicable supplements.