Viking Takes Delivery of Viking Rota, a 190-Guest Longship for the Rhine, Main and Danube

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	28 ocean and expedition ships in 2032

Viking president and chief executive Leah Talactac called the delivery “another milestone for our award-winning river fleet.”

What it means for airline 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, which is when most industry rates appear.
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 standby plans. River cruises often start in one country and end in another. Check loads 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 heavy holiday loads to Europe.
Industry rates: nothing was announced with this delivery. Ask Viking or your interline agency what is currently offered.