Viking Rota

The 2026-built Longship Viking Rota cruises on the Rhine and Danube rivers, visiting destinations in Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia. The vessel departs from homeports Basel, Amsterdam, Budapest, and Passau.

This Viking Longship is named after Rota—in Norse mythology, a rebellious Valkyrie associated with chaos and often linked to Gunnr (another Valkyrie) and Skuld (the youngest of the Norns, the goddesses of human fate). The Valkyries are warrior maidens serving Odin, also known as the “choosers of the slain.” During Ragnarok (the prophesied end-of-the-world events), the Valkyries chose who would die and escorted their souls to Valhalla (the realm of the dead).

The vessel (ENI number tba) will be Switzerland-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Basel.

The list of Viking's 2026-inaugurated Longships includes Viking Rota, Viking Sjofn, Viking Haki, and Viking Fjolvar.

On December 5, 2023, the company announced a shipbuilding order for 10 Viking Longships—8 to be deployed on the rivers Rhine, Main, and Danube, and 2 in France (Seine River). The newbuilds were scheduled for delivery in 2025 (6 units: Annar, Gyda, Honir, Eldir, Dagur, Nerthus) and in 2026 (4 units: Rota, Haki, Sjofn, Fjolvar).

All Viking Longships are equipped with solar panels (mounted aft on the Sun Deck) and hybrid (diesel-electric) powerplants based on energy-efficient marine engines.

Cabins

Viking Rota has a total of 95 staterooms (9x Suites, 39x Balcony, 22x French Balcony, and 25x Porthole with non-opening windows) across 8 cabin categories and accommodates a maximum of 190 passengers.

Longship Rota features two aft-located Explorer Suites with wraparound balconies providing 270-degree panoramic views. The seven Veranda Suites each offer two separate rooms and feature a step-out balcony (accessed from the living room) and a French balcony (in the bedroom). The 39 Veranda Staterooms are equipped with step-out balconies.

The Longship accommodates up to 190 passengers (maximum capacity, served by 53 crew), who are provided with complimentary modern hotel amenities and premium travel and leisure services.

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

• Suites - ES-Explorer (x2, Deck 3 aft), AA-Veranda (x7, Deck 3 portside)
• Balcony Staterooms - A (x20, Deck 3 starboard), B (x17, Deck 2 starboard)
• French Balcony Staterooms (with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors) - C (x5, Deck 3 portside aft), D (x15, Deck 2 portside)
• Riverview Porthole Window / Standard Staterooms - E (x18, Deck 1 midship), F (x7, Deck 1 midship aft)

Shipboard facilities

The Observation Bar Lounge features floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto the Aquavit Terrace. This bow-facing indoor-outdoor venue is designed for relaxation and alfresco dining. The Sun Deck is served by the Aquavit Terrace staff and offers 360-degree unobstructed river views. This top deck includes a forward Sun Deck with Sky Bar (outdoor seating with tables and deckchairs), SkyLight (glass roof over the Atrium), Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge), a midship shaded seating area (covered by a large retractable awning and encircled by a walking track), a sunbathing area (with deckchairs and loungers), and an aft Sun Deck with a putting green (mini-golf), Herb Garden, and deck games area (shuffleboard and giant outdoor chessboard).

Onboard dining options include the Rota Restaurant (main dining room) and the Aquavit Terrace (Lido Buffet with sliding glass doors opening onto the alfresco terrace). Additional facilities include a two-deck Atrium (Lobby Hall with a 24-hour Reception Desk), Library (Internet Lounge), and Shop (gifts and souvenirs).

Viking Cruises Longships do not have a swimming pool, Jacuzzi (outdoor whirlpool), wellness facilities (spa/beauty salon, sauna, fitness/gym room), or self-service laundry facilities (laundromats).

One elevator (passenger lift) connects only Decks 2 and 3. All decks are interconnected by stairs—forward (Grand Staircase in the Atrium), midship, and aft.

Itineraries

Below is a list of Viking Rota river cruise itineraries by theme, as officially announced by Viking River Cruises for the inaugural 2026 season:

• "GRAND EUROPEAN TOUR" is a 15-day Rhine and Danube cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, and the reverse from Budapest to Amsterdam. The itinerary includes passage through the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal (Germany), visits to 4 countries (Hungary, Austria, Germany, Holland), and 12 complimentary guided tours. On departures from Budapest, the cruise begins on the evening of the second day and ends in Amsterdam (with an optional 2-night hotel package). Disembarkation in Budapest offers an optional 3-night Prague hotel package (Czech Republic).
• "RHINE GETAWAY" is an 8-day Rhine cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, and the reverse. The itinerary visits 4 countries and includes 6 complimentary guided tours. Disembarkation in Amsterdam offers optional post-cruise hotel packages, including "Best of Holland" and "Best of Belgium" (both 3-night stays).
• "DANUBE WALTZ" is a 7-day Danube cruise from Budapest to Passau, and the reverse. It visits 4 countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary) and includes 6 guided tours. Passau disembarkation includes a bus transfer to Munich, with an optional 3-night Prague hotel package. Passau embarkation includes a bus transfer from Munich and an optional 2-night Budapest hotel package.
• "TULIPS and WINDMILLS" is a 10-day spring-themed cruise in Belgium and Holland (roundtrip from Amsterdam), with 8 complimentary tours. Highlights include an Amsterdam canal cruise, IJsselmeer/Zuiderzee cruising, visits to Paleis Het Loo gardens, Kinderdijk windmills, Antwerp, Ghent (with Bruges excursion), Walcheren region, Delta Works, Rotterdam (with Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse), and overnight stays in Amsterdam.
• "CHRISTMAS ON THE RHINE" is an 8-day holiday-themed voyage from Amsterdam to Basel. It includes scenic cruising along the Waal and Merwede rivers, visits to Christmas markets in Dordrecht, Cologne, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Mannheim, Speyer, Strasbourg, and Breisach, plus Middle Rhine scenic cruising (Lorelei Rock). Includes 8 guided tours.
• "DANUBE CHRISTMAS DELIGHTS" is an 8-day holiday-themed voyage from Budapest to Passau (and reverse), visiting 4 countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Germany) and including 6 guided tours. Ports of call include Budapest (overnight), Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, Wachau Valley (scenic cruising), Linz, and Passau (overnight).

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

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

Airport transfers and meet-and-greet services are included only when airfares are purchased through Viking Cruises (via the Viking Air package).