Viking has taken delivery of the Viking Eldir, the outstanding cruise company’s newest Viking Longship. Built at Meyer’s Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany. The 190-guest Viking Eldir joins the award-winning river cruise company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art sister ships and will sail Viking’s popular European itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.
“We are pleased to welcome the Viking Eldir to our growing river fleet,” said Viking Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen. “With our exclusive docking locations, we proudly bring our guests closer to destinations along the great rivers of the world. Now, with the addition of our newest Viking Longship, we look forward to inviting even more curious travelers to explore Europe in Viking comfort.”
The Viking Eldir
The Viking Eldir longship will make its sold-out inaugural voyage on March 25, 2026, departing on a 14-day “Easter” cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Eldir , whose name means “fire-stoker,” is a servant of the sea giant Ægir in Norse mythology. Much like the popular Viking brand itself, Eldir is recognized for his loyalty and service.
Hosting 190 guests in 95 staterooms, the Viking Eldir was built specifically to navigate the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, the Viking Eldir features Viking’s elegant Scandinavian design and industry-leading innovations for which Viking is known, including a space-saving square bow, three full decks, indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, asymmetric corridor and true two-room suites. The Viking Eldir will sail popular itineraries that include Rhine Getaway, Grand European Tour, Passage to Eastern Europe, European Sojourn and Christmas on the Rhine.
For the largest accommodations on the ship, you’ll need to book early for the 445-square-foot Explorer Suite, which features a private wraparound balcony with 270-degree views off a spacious, separate sitting room, and a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door. The large private bathroom has a roomy glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror, hair dryer, and premium Freyja toiletries.
Other luxury perks for Explorer Suite guests include welcome champagne, fruit and mini-bar restocked daily, binoculars, plush robes & slippers, the Silver Spirits beverage package, and twice-daily housekeeping, complimentary in-room breakfast, laundry and shoe shining service.
Viking’s Growing Fleet
Viking remains focused on well-defined growth plans to maintain a leadership position in experiential travel. Based on Viking’s committed order-book, the company expects to take delivery of 22 additional river ships by 2028, 10 additional ocean ships by 2031, and two additional expedition ships by 2031. Viking will have 112 river ships in 2028 and 25 ocean and expedition ships in 2031. With bookings for Viking’s popular voyages often selling out well in advance, the dramatic increase in the superb brand’s fleet will be a tremendous boon in booking opportunities for travelers.
