Viking Var

The 2013-built Longship Viking Var cruises on the Danube and Rhine rivers across Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland, departing from homeports Amsterdam, Basel, Budapest, Nuremberg, and Passau.

This Viking longship is named after Var (also spelled Vor) – in Norse mythology, the goddess of oaths and contracts among humans, including wedding vows between men and women. She is also one of the handmaidens of the goddess Frigg (wife of Odin).

The vessel (ENI number 7001963) is currently Switzerland-flagged (MMSI 269057417) and registered in Basel.

Cabins

Approximately three-quarters of Viking Var cabins feature either a French balcony or a full veranda, while suites offer both. Onboard, there are 95 outside staterooms (2 Explorer Suites, 7 Veranda Suites, 39 Veranda Staterooms, 22 French Balcony Staterooms, and 25 Standard Staterooms) across 8 categories. All suites include 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. Guests can choose from various stateroom categories, deck locations, and onboard amenities to enhance their cruise experience through Europe’s destinations. Viking Var accommodates 190 passengers, offering comfortable amenities such as 40” flat-panel TVs and in-room refrigerators.

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

Viking’s “green” ships feature solar panels, energy-efficient hybrid engines, and an onboard organic herb garden. Dining options on Viking Var include the main Restaurant and the Aquavit Terrace (al fresco dining). Additional facilities include an Observation Lounge, Atrium (lobby), Library (with Internet access), Shop (gifts and souvenirs), and a Sun Deck with shaded seating areas, Sky Bar, putting green, walking track, and shuffleboard. The Viking Var longship does not feature a gym, pool, whirlpool, or spa.

Viking Var cruise fares are inclusive of Wi-Fi Internet, 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 Var river cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and are indicative only. Final rates may vary depending on travel agency promotions, special offers, discounts, group bookings, or last-minute deals. On select itineraries and departure dates, Viking may also offer discounted round-trip USA airfare packages (available for specific cabins or sailings).

River Cruise Itineraries

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

• “HEART OF GERMANY” – 6-day Main River cruises from Frankfurt to Nuremberg and reverse. These itineraries include 6 complimentary shore excursions, as well as bus transfers from Frankfurt to Heidelberg (full-day tour), Wurzburg (full-day tour with transfer to Rothenburg and embarkation in Gerlachshausen), and Nuremberg (overnight stay). Optional hotel packages are available in Germany (2 nights in Nuremberg or Cologne/Koln) and the Czech Republic (3 nights in Prague).
• “ROMANTIC DANUBE” – 7-day cruises from Nuremberg to Budapest and reverse. These voyages visit 3 countries (Austria, Germany, Hungary) and include 6 complimentary excursions. Disembarkation in Nuremberg offers optional hotel stays (2 nights in Nuremberg or 3 nights in Prague). Departures from Nuremberg begin sailing on Day 2 through the Main-Danube Canal (including lock passages) and conclude in Budapest (with optional 2-night hotel stay).
• “DANUBE WALTZ” – 7-day cruises from Budapest to Passau and reverse. These itineraries visit 4 countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary) and include 6 complimentary excursions. Passau disembarkation includes a bus transfer to Munich, with an optional 3-night Prague hotel stay. Embarkation in Passau includes transfer from Munich.
• “RHINE GETAWAY” – 7-day cruises from Amsterdam to Basel and reverse. These voyages cover 4 countries (Holland, Germany, France, Switzerland) and include 6 complimentary excursions. Highlights include stops in Mannheim (for Heidelberg tours with re-embarkation in Speyer) and Kehl (for Strasbourg tours). Disembarkation in Amsterdam offers optional 2-night hotel stays.

Note: You can see 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.

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

Viking Var 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 overall comfort. The ship represents the line’s most advanced Longship-class riverboat concept. Viking Cruises longships feature energy-efficient hybrid engine technology, solar panels, and interiors designed by “Yran & Storbraaten” (Norway). The patented “longship” design (by “Rottet Studios”, USA) enables significantly larger staterooms with full-size balconies. The additional cabin space is achieved by shifting the deck corridor off-center by 1 m (3.3 ft).

The riverboat’s godmother is Mrs. Geraldine Norman – founder of the “Times-Sotheby Art Index” (which tracks fine art prices), a leading expert on the history of the Hermitage Museum, editor of the “Hermitage Magazine”, and co-creator of two exclusive Viking Cruises Russia itineraries in St Petersburg (“Hermitage - Behind Closed Doors” and “Glories of the Hermitage”). The ship’s christening ceremony was held in Amsterdam, Holland, setting a Guinness World Record for “Most Ships Inaugurated in One Day by One Company”. On March 20, 2013, Var was inaugurated together with the Viking longships Aegir, Atla, Bragi, Embla, Forseti, Jarl, Rinda, Skadi, and Tor. Four of the vessels were present in Amsterdam, while the other six participated via live satellite video link from the Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock, Germany.

Note: You can see 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.