October 8, 2026 — Viking has taken delivery of Viking Rota, a new 190-guest Longship that will sail the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.
Cruise Industry News reported the delivery on October 8. The ship has 95 staterooms and takes its name from a Valkyrie of Norse mythology. Its sister, Viking Dagur, was delivered in late July 2026. The delivery date, the shipyard and the date of Viking Rota’s first sailing with guests were not given and are TBA.
Where it will sail
Viking Rota is assigned to the line’s core European itineraries:
- Rhine Getaway
- Grand European Tour
- Danube Waltz
- Tulips & Windmills
- Christmas on the Rhine
- Danube Christmas Delights
The order book
| Fleet | Ships still to come | Fleet size expected |
|---|---|---|
| River | 18 more by 2028 | 114 ships in 2028 |
| Ocean | 11 more by 2032 | 28 ocean and expedition ships in 2032 |
| Expedition | 2 more by 2031 |
Viking president and chief executive Leah Talactac called the delivery “another milestone for our award-winning river fleet.”
What it means for travelers
- More cabins on the most popular rivers. Added capacity on the Rhine and Danube, including the Christmas-market sailings, improves the odds of finding space close to departure.
- Know your gateways. Check the embarkation and disembarkation cities for your specific sailing, then work out which long-haul airport serves each. Some river ports are a train ride from the nearest major airport.
- One-way itineraries need two flight plans. River cruises often start in one country and end in another. Check flights home from the disembarkation city before you book.
- Arrive a day early. River ships do not wait, and catching up means a train to the next town. December Christmas-market sailings coincide with busy holiday flights to Europe.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News — Viking’s Latest Longship, Rota, Joins its European River Fleet
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