Viking Heimdal

Viking Heimdal at a glance

Viking Heimdal is a 135-metre river ship built in 2014 and operated by Viking River Cruises. She carries 190 guests looked after by a crew of 53, spread across 95 cabins. She sails the Rhône — one of Europe's most storied river routes — with departures from Avignon and Lyon in France.

• Cabins: 95 | Length: 135 m
• Current itineraries: Rhône River, Europe
• Sailings up to 14 nights, departing from September 2026

Dining on Viking Heimdal

Viking Heimdal has eight distinct dining venues, from an included main restaurant to specialist experiences that carry a separate charge.

The Restaurant is the main included dining room, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the riverbank as you work through regional specialities and timeless classics. For casual eating by the water, the Pool Grill on Deck 7 serves freshly prepared dishes and a small salad bar, also included in your fare. The World Café takes an open-kitchen approach — live cooking, international dishes, premium sushi and seafood — and you can carry your plate out to the Aquavit Terrace®, the ship's al fresco deck set directly above the water.

For a more relaxed moment, the Wintergarden on Deck 7 Midship serves complimentary afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones and pastries to the sound of classical music. Mamsen's®, found in the Explorers' Lounge on Deck 7, brings Norwegian specialities — breakfast through dinner — at no extra cost, honouring the Nordic heritage at the heart of Viking's identity.

Two venues carry a separate charge. Manfredi's Italian Restaurant® on Aft Deck 1 delivers authentic Italian trattoria cooking, including the option of a private dining room. The Chef's Table, also on Aft Deck 1, offers a multi-course tasting menu paired by sommeliers — reservations required. The Kitchen Table on Deck 1 Aft is an interactive culinary experience built around local ingredients and regional cooking techniques; confirm inclusion at booking.

Bars, lounges and social spaces

Viking Heimdal's social heart is The Living Room, where generous seating, a calm atmosphere and live classical music from the Viking Resident Musicians give you a natural place to unwind. The Nordic-inspired Bar — known as the Clinker Bar — sits within the Living Room atrium, its design evoking ancient longships; beverages are charged separately unless covered by your package.

Torshavn® channels the golden age of jazz lounges, with live music and cocktails in an atmosphere that suits an unhurried evening. The Explorers' Lounge pairs two-storey panoramic windows with a spirit of grand voyages, making it an ideal spot to watch the Rhône scenery pass. The Atrium offers a more open, social meeting point for drinks and conversation, while the Pool Bar keeps refreshments close at hand when you are near the water.

Pools, wellness and activities

The ship carries two pool experiences. The Main Pool with Retractable Roof allows year-round swimming regardless of weather, and doubles as an outdoor cinema in the evening. The Infinity Pool — one of the first of its kind at sea — is surrounded by teak decking and floor-to-ceiling windows that make the Rhône feel like the room itself; a hot tub sits alongside it.

The Nordic Spa is open to all guests at no extra charge — access to the sauna and snow grotto is complimentary, while individual treatments are charged separately. The Fitness Center provides treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise bikes and open space for free weights, yoga and pilates; equipment use is complimentary. On the open air Sports Deck, you can run, play boccie, mini golf or shuffleboard — though guided classes such as yoga carry a separate charge.

The Theater seats up to 450 guests for lectures, films and TED Talks, and can be configured as two HD cinemas — all included in your fare.

Cabins on Viking Heimdal

Viking Heimdal offers three cabin grades, each sleeping two guests. Full deck plans are on the Viking Heimdal cabins and deck plans page.

• Standard Stateroom E (13.9 m²) — a river-view stateroom with a half-height picture window providing direct natural light and riverside scenery.
• Veranda Stateroom A (19.0 m²) — a suite-grade cabin with a full-size private veranda giving you direct access to the river air, ideal for sunrise views or a quiet evening drink.
• Explorer Suite ES (41.3 m²) — a wraparound veranda with 270-degree river views, the most spacious option aboard and the one for guests who want the Rhône as a constant presence.

Prices for Rhône sailings start from A$4,195pp*. Our cruise experts can walk you through which grade and fare combination suits your trip best.

Where Viking Heimdal sails

All current sailings on Viking Heimdal follow the Rhône River through southern France, with itineraries of up to 14 nights. Departures run from Avignon and Lyon, two cities that put the ship at the centre of Provence and the Burgundy wine country respectively. Because every sailing departs from France, all guests will need to fly — something CruiseAway handles as part of a DreamAway Package that covers flights, hotels and transfers alongside the cruise itself.

Why book Viking Heimdal with CruiseAway

CruiseAway's cruise experts know these ships and fares in detail — they can match you to the right cabin grade, explain what is and is not included, and make sure your fare structure suits how you like to travel. Because every Viking Heimdal sailing requires flying to France, the cruise is the middle of a longer trip: our DreamAway Packages bring the flights, hotel nights either side and transfers into one booking, so nothing is left to piece together separately. CruiseAway also backs every booking with its Best Price Guarantee.

Other Viking ships you may be considering

If you are weighing up ships before deciding, CruiseAway also features other Viking River Cruises vessels: Viking Astrild, Viking Forseti and Viking Ullur are all part of the same fleet and worth comparing depending on your dates and preferred itinerary. For ocean sailing with Viking, Viking Sea, Viking Star and Viking Sky are also on the site.

Common questions about Viking Heimdal

Which cabin grade on Viking Heimdal is best for first-time river cruisers?

The Veranda Stateroom A is a popular starting point — at 19.0 m² it includes a full private veranda so you can step outside at any time, without the commitment of the larger Explorer Suite. The Standard Stateroom E at 13.9 m² is the entry point if you plan to spend most of your time in the ship's public spaces and ashore.

What is included in the Viking Heimdal cruise fare?

The base fare covers all meals in The Restaurant, World Café, Pool Grill, Aquavit Terrace, Wintergarden afternoon tea and Mamsen's. Pool and spa access, The Theater, Sports Deck, Fitness Center and Guest Services are also included. Manfredi's Italian Restaurant, The Chef's Table and The Kitchen Table carry additional charges, as do most beverages, spa treatments and guided fitness classes — unless you have booked a package that covers them.

Do I need to book flights separately for a Viking Heimdal cruise?

Every current sailing on Viking Heimdal departs from France — either Avignon or Lyon — so you will need to fly from Australia. CruiseAway can arrange the entire journey as a DreamAway Package, including return flights, hotel stays either side and all transfers, so you book it as one holiday rather than in separate pieces.

How many guests does Viking Heimdal carry?

Viking Heimdal carries 190 guests looked after by a crew of 53, across 95 cabins. The guest-to-crew ratio is part of what makes the onboard experience feel attentive on a river itinerary where port time is generous and evenings aboard tend to be social.

When does Viking Heimdal sail the Rhône in 2026?

Sailings on Viking Heimdal currently available through CruiseAway depart from September 2026, running from Avignon and Lyon along the Rhône River. Itineraries run up to 14 nights. For the full list of departures and current availability, browse the Avignon cruise search or the Lyon cruise search directly.