Viking Helgrim

The 2019-built Longship Viking Helgrim cruises on the Douro River in Portugal and Spain, with itineraries departing from Lisbon (including a 2-night hotel stay) and Oporto (7-day roundtrip embarkation/disembarkation). The sailing portion begins in Porto (Oporto).

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

Viking’s Douro cruise prices (per person, including flights from the UK) typically range from GBP 1,300 to GBP 2,300 (peak-season rates). On select Douro River cruise itineraries, the company may offer round-trip USA airfare-inclusive deals with discounted pricing on selected cabins or departure dates.

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

The vessel is Portugal-flagged (MMSI number 263673966) and registered in Lisbon.

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

In 2019, together with Helgrim, Viking River Cruises launched the standard longships Einar, Sigrun, Sigyn, Tir, Ullur, and Vali. The seven-ship “virtual” naming ceremony was held on March 19, 2019, via satellite connections across four river ports—Basel, Switzerland (Sigrun and Einar), Rostock, Germany (Ullur and Sigyn), Brunsbüttel, Germany (Vali and Tir), and Oporto, Portugal (Helgrim). The Helgrim’s godmother is Natalia Hofmann (fashion entrepreneur).

Cabins

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

All passenger cabins are comfortable and elegantly appointed, featuring amenities such as 40-inch HDTVs, hotel-style beds, premium mattresses, and luxury bath products. Veranda Suites include two full rooms, with a step-out balcony (from the living room) and a French balcony (from 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 glass doors) - C (x1, Deck 3), D (x1, Deck 2)
• RiverView Staterooms - E (x12, Deck 1), F (x4, Deck 1).

Shipboard facilities

Viking Helgrim is a modified-design Longship (smaller, with reduced passenger capacity), purpose-built for Douro River voyages. She features an innovative corridor layout, modern engineering and technologies, signature Scandinavian decor, premium stateroom amenities, themed onboard entertainment, and an expert-led enrichment program.

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

The vessel also features solar panels supplying electricity to her hybrid power system.

The Longship does not have a fitness/gym room, jacuzzi, or spa but features a swimming pool on the Sun Deck.

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

Viking 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.

Itineraries

The following are Viking Helgrim Douro itineraries by theme, as officially announced by Viking River Cruises:

"PORTUGAL RIVER OF GOLD" is a 10-day cruisetour from Lisbon, including a 7-day Douro River cruise from Oporto (roundtrip, starting eastbound). These packages include 8 complimentary guided excursions in Portugal and Spain.

The Douro River itinerary features scenic landscapes with terraced vineyards, picturesque villages, small towns, and historic castles and monasteries. Highlights include local food and wine tastings of traditional Portuguese cuisine and port wines in the Douro Valley.

The list of port activities and cruisetours includes: Lisbon (2-night stay at a luxury hotel such as Tivoli Lisboa), scenic bus transfer to Oporto (including lunch in Coimbra and embarkation at Vila Nova de Gaia), Foz (fishing village and port wine facilities, with optional excursion to Guimarães and re-embarkation at Bitetos), bus transfer to Alpendurada Monastery (including dining and fado performances), Regua (tour to Lamego and the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, visit to Quinta do Seixo winery, re-embarkation at Pinhao), passing through the Valeira and Pocinho locks, Barca d’Alva (excursion to Castelo Rodrigo), full-day tour to Salamanca (Spain) from Vega de Terrón (including lunch and flamenco performances), overnight stay in Vega de Terrón, Pinhao (visit to Favaios and Quinta da Avessada winery with dinner and wine tasting), Regua (tour to Vila Real), Gaia (overnight stay), and Oporto (disembarkation).

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