Viking Gyda

The 2025-built Longship Viking Gyda cruises on the Douro River in Portugal and Spain, with itineraries departing from Lisbon (2-night hotel stay) and Oporto (7-day roundtrip, embarkation/disembarkation). The sailing portion begins in Porto (Oporto).

The riverboat is named after Gyda Eiriksdottir of Hordaland, the daughter of King Eirik of Hordaland (Saga of Harald Fairhair).

Longship Gyda is operated through a partnership between Viking River Cruises and Douro Azul (Portugal’s largest cruise tour company, a subsidiary of Mystic Cruises). Other Portugal-based Viking vessels include sister ships Hemming, Osfrid, Helgrim, Torgil, and Sol.

Viking’s Douro cruise prices (per person, inclusive of flights from the UK) range from GBP 1,300 to GBP 2,300 (peak season rates).

On select Douro River cruisetours, Viking offers roundtrip USA airfare-inclusive deals with discounted pricing on selected cabins, itineraries, or departure dates.

The vessel is currently Portugal-flagged (MMSI 263442856).

The shipbuilder is WestSEA (Viana do Castelo, Portugal).

The vessel was officially delivered to Viking on August 29, 2025.

Viking officially christened Longship Gyda on October 21, 2025. The naming ceremony was part of a group event welcoming nine new riverboats into the fleet globally—Annar, Dagur, Eldir, Honir (the 100th ship), Nerthus, Gyda (Douro), Amun and Thoth (Nile), and Tonle (Mekong).

Cabins

Viking Gyda has a total of 53 staterooms (11 Suites, 24 Balcony, 2 French Balcony, and 16 with non-opening windows) across 8 cabin categories.

All passenger cabins are comfortable and elegantly appointed, featuring amenities such as 40-inch HDTVs, hotel-style beds with premium mattresses, and luxury bath products. Veranda Suites have two full rooms, a step-out balcony (off the living room), and a French Balcony (off the bedroom).

Cabin Types/Categories (number, location), from highest to lowest:

• Suites - AA (x6, Deck 3), AB (x5, Deck 2)
• Balcony Staterooms - A (x13, Deck 3), B (x12, Deck 2)
• French Balcony Staterooms (with floor-to-ceiling door-windows) - C (x1, Deck 3), D (x1, Deck 2)
• RiverView Staterooms - E (x12, Deck 1), F (x4, Deck 1).

Shipboard facilities

Viking Gyda is a modified-design longship (smaller, with reduced passenger capacity), built specifically for voyages on the Douro River. She features an innovative corridor configuration, modern engineering and technology, signature Scandinavian decor, premium stateroom amenities, themed onboard entertainment, and an expert-led enrichment program.

Onboard dining venues include the Gyda Restaurant (main dining room) and the Aquavit Terrace (al fresco). The Aquavit Terrace is located at the bow. The spacious Sun Deck offers 360-degree views, al fresco dining, a swimming pool with a sunbathing area, and shaded seating. Other facilities include an Observation Lounge, Atrium (lobby), Library (Internet area), Shop (gifts and souvenirs), Putting Green (mini-golf), Sky Bar, deck games area (shuffleboard), and an organic herb garden.

The vessel is also equipped with solar panels that supply electricity to the hybrid engines.

The longship has no gym, Jacuzzi, or spa but features a swimming pool on the top deck.

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

Viking cruisetour prices are per person and based on double occupancy. These rates are indicative and may vary depending on travel agency promotions, special offers and discounts, group bookings, or last-minute deals.

Itineraries

Below is the list of Viking Gyda Douro River cruise itineraries, as officially announced by Viking Cruises:

"PORTUGAL RIVER OF GOLD" is a 10-day cruisetour from Lisbon, including a 7-day Douro River cruise from Oporto (roundtrip, starting with an easterly route). These itineraries include 8 complimentary guided tours in Portugal and Spain.

The Douro River route features scenic landscapes with terraced vineyards, picturesque villages and towns, medieval castles, and monasteries. Activities include local food and wine tastings, highlighting traditional Portuguese cuisine and port wines from the Douro Valley region.

The itinerary includes: Lisbon (2-night hotel stay, e.g., Tivoli Lisboa), scenic coach transfer to Oporto (with lunch in Coimbra and embarkation at Vila Nova de Gaia), Foz (fishing village and port wine facilities, with optional excursion to Guimaraes, re-embarkation in Bitetos), Alpendurada Monastery (tour including dining and fado performances), Regua (Lamego tour to the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, visit to Quinta do Seixo winery, re-embarkation in Pinhao), scenic cruising through Valeira and Pocinho locks, Barca d’Alva (excursion to Castelo Rodrigo), full-day excursion to Salamanca Spain (from Vega de Terron) (including lunch and flamenco performance), return to Vega de Terron (overnight), Pinhao (Favaios wine and bread museum, traditional bakeries, visit to Quinta da Avessada winery with dinner and wine tasting), Regua (tour to Vila Real), Gaia (overnight), and Oporto (disembarkation).

An optional 2-night Portugal and Spain extension is available, including visits to Braga (Portugal’s third-largest city) and Santiago de Compostela (capital of Galicia, Spain).

Viking Gyda is one of the latest-generation Viking River Cruises longships, specifically modified for cruising on the Douro River. This patented riverboat design allows for larger passenger accommodations without reducing public space or compromising the vessel’s overall comfort.

Note: You can view CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "Itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.