Viking Heimdal

The 2014-built Longship Viking Heimdal cruises on the Saone and Rhone rivers in France, departing from homeports Avignon and Lyon.

This Viking longship is named after Heimdal (Heimdallr) – in Norse mythology, the guardian of the gods and son of the god Odin and the Nine Maidens. Heimdal is also regarded as the creator of the three main social classes among humans (earls, freemen, serfs). At the end of the world, Heimdal and the god Loki will battle and slay each other.

Viking Heimdal was designed by the renowned architects Yran & Storbraaten, known for their work on Seabourn yachts.

The vessel (ENI number 7001979) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057461) and registered in Basel.

Cabins

Viking Heimdal offers two Explorer Suites with spectacular 270-degree views and private wraparound verandas. The seven Veranda Suites feature two full rooms, a veranda off the living room, and a French balcony in the bedroom. There are also 39 Veranda Staterooms, 25 Standard Staterooms, and 22 French Balcony Staterooms across 8 categories.

Cabin types/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

The Observation Lounge and Bar feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors, providing panoramic views. Viking Heimdal’s dining options include the Heimdal Restaurant (main dining room) and the Aquavit Terrace (al fresco dining). The indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace is located at the bow and is an ideal spot for relaxation, along with the Sun Deck, which offers a shaded seating area and 360-degree views. Other facilities include an Atrium (lobby), Library (with Internet access), Shop (gifts and souvenirs), Sky Bar, Herbal Garden, putting green, walking track, and shuffleboard. The Heimdal longship does not have a gym, pool, jacuzzi, or spa.

Viking Heimdal cruise deals 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 Heimdal river cruise prices are per person and based on double occupancy. These rates are indicative and may vary when booking Viking River Cruises France itineraries, depending on travel agency promotions, special offers, discounts, group bookings, or last-minute deals. On select Heimdal France cruise itineraries, the line may also offer discounted round-trip USA airfare (on selected cabins, itineraries, or travel dates).

River Cruise Itineraries

The following are Viking Heimdal river cruise itineraries by theme, as officially announced by Viking Cruises:

• "PORTRAITS OF SOUTHERN FRANCE" – 7-day Rhone and Saone river cruises from Avignon to Chalon, and in reverse from Lyon/Chalon to Avignon. These itineraries include 6 complimentary land tours and excursions in the Provence and Burgundy wine regions of France.
• Also included in Viking France river cruise fares are bus transfers (Lyon to Chalon for embarkation, Avignon to Marseille Airport), a scenic drive (Pommard-Volnay-Meursault), visits to Beaune (cellar wine tasting), Tournon (red wine tasting), and Chateauneuf-du-Pape (wine tasting).

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.

Transfers to/from the Viking Heimdal and airport meet-and-greet services are included in the fare only when air travel is purchased through the Viking cruise line.

Viking Heimdal is part of the latest generation of Viking Cruises longships. This new (patented) river cruise ship design allows for larger accommodations without reducing the size of public areas or compromising the vessel’s overall comfort. The Viking ship Heimdal represents the line’s latest Longship-class riverboat design. Viking Cruises longships feature energy-efficient hybrid engine technology, solar panels, and interior design by Yran & Storbraaten (Norway). The patented “longship” design (by Rottet Studios, USA) enables significantly larger passenger accommodations with full-size balconies. The additional cabin space is achieved by a 1 m (3.3 ft) off-center shift of the deck corridor.

Other Viking cruise ships operating in France include the longships Buri, Delling, and Forseti.

The riverboat’s godmother is Mrs. Susie Barrie – a renowned wine expert (MW – “Master of Wine”), BBC1 TV broadcaster (“Saturday Kitchen” cookery program), and award-winning writer (Gourmand World Award 2006). The ship’s christening ceremony was held in Avignon, France. On March 18, 2014, Heimdal was inaugurated together with the Viking longships Buri and Hermod.

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.