Viking Eistla

The 2014-built Longship Viking Eistla cruises on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, visiting the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria, with departures from Amsterdam, Budapest, Nuremberg, and Passau. This Viking longship is named after Eistla – in Norse mythology, one of the nine mothers of the god Heimdallr, known as “the guardian of the gods.”

Viking Eistla, like other Viking longships, was designed as a “green ship” by the renowned architects Yran & Storbraaten, featuring solar panels, hybrid energy-efficient engines, and an organic herb garden.

The vessel (ENI number 7001987) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057466) and registered in Basel.

Cabins

Approximately three-quarters of Viking Eistla cabins feature either a French balcony or a full veranda, while suites offer both. The ship has 95 outside staterooms (2 Explorer Suites, 7 Veranda Suites, 39 Veranda Staterooms, 22 French Balcony Staterooms, and 25 Standard Staterooms). All suites have two rooms, with a veranda off the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom. Explorer Suites provide 270-degree panoramic views of the river and surrounding scenery.

Cabin types and categories (number, location), from highest to lowest:

• Suites – ES (x2, Deck 3), AA (x7, Deck 3)
• Balcony Staterooms – A (x20, Deck 3), B (x17, Deck 2)
• French Balcony Staterooms (with floor-to-ceiling door-windows) – C (x5, Deck 3), D (x15, Deck 2)
• RiverView Staterooms – E (x18, Deck 1), F (x7, Deck 1)

Shipboard facilities

Dining options onboard Viking Eistla include the Eistla Restaurant (main dining room) and the Aquavit Terrace (al fresco). Additional facilities include an Observation Lounge, Atrium (lobby), Library (with Internet access), Shop (gifts and souvenirs), and a top deck with a shaded relaxation area, Sky Bar, herbal garden, putting green, walking track, and shuffleboard. The Eistla longship does not have a gym, pool, jacuzzi, or spa.

Viking Eistla cruise fares include Internet (Wi-Fi), all tours and excursions, ground transfers, live evening entertainment, daily lectures, food and wine tastings, 24-hour coffee and tea, and daily replenished bottled water.

Viking Eistla river cruise prices are per person and based on double occupancy. These rates are indicative and may vary depending on travel agency promotions, special offers, discounts, group bookings, or last-minute deals. On select itineraries and dates, Viking may offer discounted round-trip airfare from the USA (available for certain cabins or sailings).

River Cruise Itineraries

Below is a list of Viking Eistla river cruise itineraries (by theme), as officially announced by Viking Cruises:

• “GRAND EUROPEAN TOUR” – 14-day Rhine and Danube cruises from Amsterdam to Budapest and the reverse. These itineraries include passage through the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal (Germany), visits to 5 countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands), and 13 complimentary land tours and excursions. Departures from Budapest begin sailing on the evening of the second day and end in Amsterdam (with an optional 2-night Amsterdam hotel package). Disembarkation in Budapest offers an optional 3-night Prague hotel package (Czech Republic).
• “DANUBE WALTZ” – 7-day river cruises from Budapest to Passau and the reverse. These itineraries visit 4 countries and include 6 complimentary land tours and excursions. Disembarkation in Passau includes a bus transfer to Munich and an optional 3-night Prague hotel package. Embarkation in Passau includes a transfer from Munich.
• “LEGENDS OF THE RHINE” – 7-day river cruises from Amsterdam to Frankfurt and the reverse. These itineraries visit 2 countries (the Netherlands and Germany) and include 7 complimentary land tours and excursions. Disembarkation in Frankfurt offers an optional 2-night Nuremberg hotel package, while disembarkation in Amsterdam offers optional 2-night Amsterdam and 3-night Bruges (Belgium) packages.
• “ROMANTIC DANUBE” – 7-day river cruises (also offered as “Christmas Markets” itineraries) from Nuremberg to Budapest and the reverse. These itineraries visit 3 countries (Austria, Germany, Hungary) and include 6 complimentary land tours and excursions. Disembarkation in Nuremberg offers optional hotel packages (2 nights in Nuremberg or 3 nights in Prague, Czech Republic). Departures from Germany begin sailing on the second day via the Main-Danube Canal and end in Budapest (with an optional 2-night Budapest hotel package).

Note: You can view CruiseMapper’s list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the “itinerary” section of our River Cruises hub, where all companies and their fleets are listed.