Built in
2025
Capacity
190
Staterooms
95
Crew
53
Crew to guests
1 : 3.6
Length
135 m
US outlets
Yes
By
Viking River Cruises
Viking Eldir is a distinguished member of Viking’s acclaimed Longship fleet, designed for immersive and intimate journeys along Europe’s storied waterways. Named after a figure from Norse mythology—Eldir, the loyal servant of the god Loki—the ship reflects the spirit of attentive service and quiet strength, offering guests a seamless blend of modern design, cultural enrichment, and panoramic river cruising.
Purpose-built to traverse the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, Viking Eldir is engineered for both form and function. Its innovative design features a patented square bow and asymmetric corridor layout, optimizing space efficiency without expanding the vessel’s size. These features allow the ship to pass through narrow locks and under low bridges while offering larger staterooms and expanded public areas. The result is a floating boutique hotel that comfortably accommodates up to 190 guests in a peaceful, spacious environment.
Accommodations aboard Viking Eldir are elegant, minimalist, and designed with the traveler in mind. Every stateroom faces the river and is bathed in natural light. Standard Staterooms feature large picture windows, while French Balcony and Veranda Staterooms offer floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. Guests seeking added luxury can choose Veranda Suites or Explorer Suites, both of which include separate living areas, oversized bathrooms with heated floors, and generous private verandas. Each room comes equipped with hotel-style beds, premium linens, a refrigerator, ample storage, and an infotainment system with films, documentaries, and music.
Public areas aboard Viking Eldir encourage both social engagement and quiet reflection. The indoor Lounge, with its panoramic windows and cozy seating, serves as the ship’s cultural hub—home to daily briefings, lectures, and evening entertainment. Just beyond the Lounge, the Aquavit Terrace offers an indoor/outdoor space for casual meals and relaxed conversation. Up on the Sun Deck, guests can take in 360-degree views of the European countryside, stroll the walking track, or lounge under shaded canopies.
Dining is an essential part of the Viking Eldir experience, with meals that celebrate regional culinary traditions. The main dining room offers open seating and curated menus that reflect local flavors—whether it’s a traditional Bavarian pork dish, Austrian pastries, or Hungarian stews. The Aquavit Terrace provides a more informal setting for breakfast and lunch, ideal for those who prefer alfresco dining. Complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, and dietary needs are easily accommodated.
Shore excursions aboard Viking Eldir are curated to immerse guests in the culture, history, and flavors of each destination. Each day includes at least one included excursion, such as walking tours, museum visits, or UNESCO World Heritage site explorations. Optional experiences allow for deeper engagement—think local cooking classes, wine tastings, or concerts in historic venues—all led by knowledgeable local guides.
Dining
The Viking Eldir's two dining venues cover the day from morning to night. The Restaurant serves open-seating breakfast, lunch, and dinner with menus inspired by the destinations on the itinerary, and the Aquavit Terrace offers a casual, al fresco alternative.
Sailings on this ship
We'll email you the current itineraries we sell on Viking Eldir, plus the reasons travelers book with Small Ship Travel. Reply anytime to ask about specific cabins, dates, or itineraries.
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On board
Good to know
Wi-Fi is free on Viking's river ships across Europe, Egypt, and the Mississippi, and shared computers are available on board. The connection runs over cellular or satellite, so expect speeds to dip in locks, valleys, and remote stretches of river.
Daytime dress is casual: shorts in warm weather, slacks or jeans, and comfortable walking shoes. Evenings are elegant casual, with no formal nights; a jacket and tie are optional. Pack modest attire for shore excursions that visit religious sites.
Gratuities are always at your discretion. Viking publishes a recommended rate per guest, per night, which can be prepaid before sailing or settled on your shipboard account. We go over the details with you when you book.
Staterooms on Viking's European river ships carry both 110V US-style outlets and 220V outlets that take German Schuko two-pin plugs. If you need an adapter, any travel or electronics store will have one.
Vegetarian options appear at every meal, and the galley can prepare low-salt, diabetic, gluten-free, and low-cholesterol meals with advance notice. Tell us about dietary needs when you book, at least 90 days before departure, and remind the maitre d' once on board.
Guests who need mobility support travel with a companion who can assist, and wheelchairs must be no wider than 22 inches. Viking requires an accessibility form at least 30 days before departure; we take care of submitting it when you book with us.
The ships are nonsmoking throughout, including staterooms and verandas, with one designated outdoor smoking area. The policy covers e-cigarettes as well.
Laundry and pressing are complimentary in some stateroom categories and available for a modest fee in the rest, arranged through your stateroom steward. Dry cleaning is not offered on board. Ships on the Mississippi add free self-service launderettes.
Viking River Cruises is the largest river cruise line in the world, known for elegant ships, destination-led itineraries, and a strong cultural program. The voyages run along Europe's great rivers and reach the Nile, the Mekong, and the Mississippi, pairing comfort and enrichment with real time ashore. A modern fleet of purpose-built longships and a focus on thoughtful design set the tone for the whole experience.
Viking's river ships are built for comfort and discovery in equal measure, with a relaxed but refined feel on board. Each carries fewer than 200 guests, so the setting stays intimate, with generous public areas, all-outside staterooms, and attentive service from departure to return.
Built for discovery, Viking's river cruises ask you to slow down and read each region more closely than a packed land tour allows.
Whether you sail the heart of Europe or reach farther afield, Viking's itineraries balance the must-see landmarks with the smaller places that travelers tend to miss. Longer port time, well-built excursions, and curated cultural access run through every voyage.
Signature Voyages Include:
Every itinerary reflects Viking's interest in history, culture, and authenticity, giving guests an educational way to see the world.
We include Viking River Cruises in our collection for its consistent standards in design, service, and cultural engagement. Viking's commitment to immersive travel lines up with our own aim of building voyages that reward curiosity.
We work directly with Viking to help you choose the right itinerary, stateroom, and add-ons, so the trip fits your interests. Whether you are a first-time river cruiser or a returning guest after something new, we bring the insight and the follow-through to keep your voyage smooth.
Booking with Small Ship Travel gives you advisor-led planning, pre and post-cruise arrangements, and added value on your Viking river voyage. We handle the details from start to finish, so you can settle into the discovery, comfort, and cultural richness Viking is known for.
consultation
Reach out to our travel concierges today to create your perfect journey.