Viking Egdir
Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
Launched in 2022, the Viking Egdir is one of the newest additions to the line’s fleet of some 80 river ships. Launched on the Seine in a Paris naming ceremony alongside seven others, Egdir is one of the company’s 65 Longships, a category that evokes the glory days of actual Vikings sailing to far-away lands. Each Longship is almost identical, with stylish Nordic design and décor common across all craft, including unique offset hallways that allow for spacious state room balconies on one side of the ship. The company has also poured significant resources into creating a squared-off bow and quieter engines in the stern, so that the Egdir, like all the ships in its class, can carry more passengers (190) than river ships from other companies.Read More
The ship is named for a mythological Norse herder who strikes his harp to signal the commencement of the epic battle of Ragnarok. It is sleek in a streamlined, straightforward Scandinavian fashion. Comfortable and fashionable, you can dine al fresco on Aquavit Terrace, play a few holes of miniature golf under the sun, or just relax on the bow deck and watch the castles along the Rhine pass by.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Cabins & Staterooms
All state rooms come equipped with a uniform set of lovely amenities and creature comforts, whether you opt for the compact, entry-level, 150-square-foot standard state room or the sprawling (for a river ship) 445-square foot Explorer Suite. Everyone gets premium Freyja toiletries, plush robes and slippers, free WiFi, plenty of power outlets and USB ports, super-comfy Explorer beds, a 42-inch TV with in-cabin entertainment system and luxe bathrooms with heated floors and fog-less mirrors. The most common room (39 total), the 205-foot Veranda Stateroom, strikes a nice happy medium, with a full step-out balcony through a sliding glass door and a queen bed that can be configured as two singles.
Crew are not permitted to lift or push wheelchairs, so guests with physical limitations need to travel with a companion that can help. Wheelchairs shouldn’t be wider than 22 inches, and Viking asks that an accessibility form be filled out and submitted at least 30 days before the voyage. Viking advises that double-berthing is necessary at certain ports, so guests may need to navigate stairs —they encourage people to call with any questions.
Food & Drink
Guests eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in The Restaurant, the ship’s main dining room. Unlike some river ships with other lines, which tuck the dining room away in a dark space on the lowest deck, The Restaurant sits on the middle deck, with tons of light and panoramic views out floor to ceiling windows. Lunch usually mixes buffet and menu items, while dinners offer several courses, soup, salad, mains, desserts. Meals integrate local elements and ingredients, reflecting the culture and flavors of your place on the river. (For example, Weiner schnitzel may be an option in Vienna, or tarte flambé in Strasbourg, made with fresh ingredients from a local market.) As an alternative, Aquavit Terrace is a sunny indoor/outdoor space on the upper deck, serving a lighter menu during the day and, often, offering a more upscale dining experience for dinner. Whatever you choose, the food is prepared with care and, generally, very delicious.
There’s one main bar on board. Beer and wine flows freely at lunch and dinner. If you’re a cocktail lover, or think you’ll head back to the lounge for a single-malt after dinner, you should consider purchasing the Silver Spirits drinks package.
Entertainment
Like most ships on the Rhine or Danube, on-board entertainment is mostly limited to after-dinner performances by local entertainers. Whether a traditional Serbian dance troupe in Belgrade or a ‘50s doo-wop crooner in Frankfurt, the talent level is high. Ships also have a regular on-board pianist and singer who plays crowd-pleasers in the evening, giving you a good reason to get up and dance.
Spa & Fitness
Viking Longships do not have spa or fitness facilities.
Key cruising tips
Health & Safety
Viking has been a leading line when it comes to COVID protocols.
All passengers must be fully vaccinated (boosters are strongly recommended), and they may be asked to provide proof of vaccination prior to embarkation.
Advanced air purification is used in all Viking ships, but masks are not required, though they are encouraged for on shore excursions.
Dress code
There are no formal nights on Viking voyages. During the day, guests feel comfortable around the ship in shorts and a t-shirt. Evenings are “elegant casual,” which mainly means—no jeans in The Restaurant or Aquavit Terrace.
Junior cruisers
Viking ships are adults-only. Minimum age is 18.
Service
The crew on board the Egdir provide impeccable service, delivered in friendly fashion. While there are no butlers, cabin attendants go the extra mile to ensure your needs (and wants) are met. Guest services staff are attentive and informative and will attempt to fulfill all requests. Servers are diligent, often learning the names of guests on board and engaging in conversation, while carrying out their tasks.
Tipping
While optional, guests are offered two options—pre-purchasing gratuities online (at the recommended rate of $18 per person per day) or having them added to your shipboard account (in Europe, 15 euros per person per day). Guests can also carry cash to tip tour guides and drivers, as well as tour directors on land-based extensions (recommended two euros per person per day for guides and directors, one for drivers).