Viking River Cruises is the world's largest river cruise operator and the company that effectively created the modern market for European river cruising. Founded in 1997 by Torstein Hagen, Viking grew from a small fleet on Russian rivers to become the defining name in the sector.
Viking's longships sail the Rhine, Danube, Elbe, Moselle, Seine and Rhône, connecting iconic cities — Amsterdam, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Strasbourg, Lyon, Paris — with smaller towns and villages that larger vessels can't reach. The ships carry around 190 guests and are designed with an emphasis on views, light and Scandinavian simplicity.
All itineraries include port charges, a shore excursion in each port, onboard meals and Wi-Fi. The no-children, no-casino policy mirrors the ocean fleet and reinforces the line's adult-focused, culturally curious positioning.