Viking Vidar

Sailing the Danube on Viking Vidar

Viking Vidar was built in 2015 for Viking River Cruises and is one of eight ships the line runs on the Danube. She carries 190 guests and 53 crew along a river whose UNESCO heritage sites, medieval old towns and vineyard-covered hillsides are among the most rewarding in European river cruising. At 135 metres she threads comfortably through the river’s locks and low bridges, her Sun Deck closing briefly for passages before reopening to 360-degree views of the landscape.

What sets a Viking Vidar sailing apart from many river holidays is what comes with the fare before you spend another cent. The Viking River Fare includes a complimentary shore excursion at every port, full onboard dining with regional specialities, beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner, round-the-clock coffees, teas and bottled water, free Wi-Fi, and UNESCO site visits — the kind of bundling that makes budgeting a Danube trip straightforward. Drinks beyond the included package carry a charge at the bar.

On board Viking Vidar

The ship’s public spaces are arranged around the Danube views that make the journey itself the attraction. The Aquavit Terrace® is the al fresco dining space at the bow, open for included breakfast and lunch while the river slides past — a natural place to strike up conversation with fellow guests. Inside, the Lounge runs floor-to-ceiling windows along its length, with a bar and a front-row seat for the scenery whether you are docked in Vienna or moving through the Wachau gorge.

The Sun Deck at the top of the ship doubles as an open-air walking track, so staying active on a river cruise that is otherwise very unhurried is easy and entirely free. A quieter counterpart is the Library, a curated book collection tucked away for focused reading away from the social areas. One of the more distinctive touches aboard is the Herb Garden — a small green corner where fresh herbs are grown and harvested daily by the culinary team for the regional dishes served in the dining spaces.

Cabins and suites on Viking Vidar

Viking Vidar has 95 cabins across eight grades, divided into outside staterooms, balcony staterooms and suites. Outside cabins share a queen-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens and a half-height picture window that fills the room with river light. Balcony grades step up to private outdoor access, while the four suite grades spread across decks 2 and 3, each offering a French balcony with an opening glass door or a full-size private veranda — your own outdoor space for morning coffee as the Danube countryside drifts past. Full grade descriptions, floor plans and deck-by-deck layouts are on the Viking Vidar cabins and deck plans page.

Where Viking Vidar sails

All eight sailings currently on sale sail the Danube River, departing from Budapest. The main grouped programme is a series of seven-night one-way sailings departing Budapest in April and May 2027, calling at Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, the Wachau Valley, Linz and Passau on westward runs, or Kalocsa and Osijek on eastward departures toward Bucharest. Itineraries vary — these ports feature on most but not all sailings in the group. Fares for this programme start from A$7,295pp*.

Beyond this April–May programme, six further individual sailings round out the season, with departures also from Amsterdam, Bucharest and Passau, and durations ranging from 7 to 21 nights. Because every sailing departs from a European port, the cruise is the middle of a longer trip — Cruise1st books the flights, the hotel either side and the transfers as one complete holiday.

Viking River Cruises’ Danube fleet

Viking Vidar sails alongside seven other Viking River Cruises ships on the Danube. Below is the full group; each carries the same approach to included fares and regional itineraries.

• Viking Eldir
• Viking Vali
• Viking Lif
• Viking Vidar (this ship)
• Viking Aegir
• Viking Gullveig
• Viking Baldur
• Viking Embla

Viking River Cruises also operates ships on the Rhine, the Moselle, the Maas and the Mississippi, and ocean ships under the Viking Cruises banner. The full river programme is listed on the Viking River Cruises page.

Booking a Viking Vidar sailing with Cruise1st

Because Viking Vidar’s Danube itineraries all depart from continental Europe, most Australian travellers combine the cruise with flights, pre- or post-cruise hotel nights in Budapest, Vienna or Amsterdam, and airport transfers. Cruise1st’s Cruise1st Packages pull all of that into one booking — see how our packages work. Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week to help pick the right cabin grade, the right sailing length and the inclusions that suit your trip, and our Best Price Guarantee applies site-wide.

Questions about sailing on Viking Vidar

What is included in the Viking River Fare?

The Viking River Fare covers a shore excursion at every port of call, all onboard meals with regional specialities, beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, unlimited coffees, teas and bottled water throughout the day, free Wi-Fi, and visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites along the route. Bar drinks beyond the included beverages are charged individually.

Can I access the Sun Deck at all times?

The Sun Deck is open to all guests and free to use, but access is restricted during canal passages and when the ship passes under low bridges — a standard safety measure on European river ships. Outside those brief windows it is the best spot on board, with a walking track and uninterrupted views in every direction.

How long are the Danube sailings on Viking Vidar?

Current sailings range from 7 to 21 nights. The core spring 2027 programme out of Budapest runs for 7 nights; longer itineraries — up to 21 nights — depart from Amsterdam and other ports and cover a wider stretch of the river. The full range is shown on each sailing’s listing page.

Which ports does Viking Vidar visit on the Danube?

Ports visited depend on the specific sailing, but the Budapest-departing programme most commonly calls at Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, the Wachau Valley, Linz and Passau heading west, or Kalocsa and Osijek heading east toward Bucharest. Not every port appears on every departure — the individual sailing pages show the confirmed stops for each itinerary.

Does Viking Vidar have a lift?

Viking Vidar’s suite grades are spread across decks 2 and 3, and the cabin overview notes convenient lift access to those mid-ship locations. For detailed accessibility information, our team can advise before you book — Australian cruise specialists are available seven days a week.