Viking Announces New Offerings for European River Voyages

Viking (www.viking.com) (NYSE: VIK) today announced a range of new European river voyage experiences that are now open for booking. Highlights include scenic Zeppelin airship excursions in Germany, offering guests on select Rhine River itineraries aerial views of Cologne and the Ruhr Valley, along with new culinary and cultural shore excursions, small group shore excursions and expanded options for land extensions across Europe.

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Viking today announced a range of new European river voyage experiences that are now open for booking. Pictured here, Viking Executive Chairman Torstein Hagen on board a Zeppelin airship, an experience featured in two new excursion offerings on select Rhine River itineraries. For more information, visit www.viking.com

“Europe remains a favorite destination for our guests—particularly those interested in experiencing a river voyage for the first time,” said Torstein Hagen, Executive Chairman of Viking. “As we continue to expand our offerings in Europe, we are pleased to introduce new experiences that allow our guests to engage with their destination in the Viking way—through local food, culture and traditions, or even from the air in a Zeppelin.”

New Shore Excursions

Beginning in the 2026 season, Viking has added to its extensive shore excursion offerings with a collection of experiences for its Rhine, Danube, Seine and Elbe river itineraries. Highlights of the new excursions include:

• Zeppelin Flight Over the Ruhr Valley – Board a Zeppelin airship to view the picturesque Ruhr Valley from a new perspective. Drive to Essen/Mülheim Airport, where your Zeppelin awaits. First conceived in 1893 by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, these remarkable airships became a popular mode of travel during the early 20th-century. Take in stunning views as the Zeppelin gently ascends to just over 1,000 feet. Glide through the air over lush forests and Lake Baldeney, watching as the landscape unfolds beneath you. Soar above the Ruhr Valley, once Germany’s economic powerhouse, and see the Zeche Zollverein—a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Eiffel Tower of the Ruhr”—before returning to the airport. (Available on select Rhine River itineraries.)
• Zeppelin Flight Over Cologne – Take flight on a Zeppelin airship and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Cologne’s striking monuments. Drive to the Bonn-Hangelar Airfield, where your Zeppelin awaits. As you settle into your seat, the airship will slowly ascend to its cruising altitude of 1,000 feet. Glide through the sky above the Rhineland, watching as the landscape unfolds beneath you. Soar over Cologne, seeing its Trade Fair complex and the Lanxess arena. Follow the arches of the Hohenzollern Bridge to the Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO-listed site and an impressive example of Gothic architecture. On your return, you will spot Cologne’s modern landmarks, including the Musical Dome and the Mediapark, before descending. (Available on select Rhine River itineraries.)
• Dinner at Nikolaihof Winery – Visit Austria’s Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and renowned region to explore Nikolaihof Winery, one of the oldest wineries in Austria. Learn how it was one of the first in Europe to implement a biodynamic process and visit its cellar, where you can see its oak wine barrels and sample some of its wine. Finally, sit down for a dinner of seasonal dishes made from locally sourced game and produce, some of it grown right on the winery’s grounds. (Available on select Danube River itineraries.)
• Dürnstein on Foot & Local Dinner – Explore Dürnstein, a town that dates to the 12^th century, on a guided walking tour through its historic streets to learn about its rich history including the castle’s 13^th-century construction and connection to Richard the Lionheart, followed by a dinner at Alte Klosterkeller, a former monastery cellar, to enjoy regional dishes paired with local wine. (Available on select Danube River itineraries.)
• Sights & Flavors of Belgrade – Take in the sights of Belgrade as you visit a local market and join a cooking class to prepare your own lunch. Set off with your guide on a drive through the city to see some of its most iconic sights. Visit the Kalenić Market, Belgrade’s largest open-air market, where you can stroll through stalls and purchase ingredients for your upcoming cooking class where you will prepare and enjoy traditional Serbian dishes. (Available on select Danube River itineraries.)
• Red Stone Castle & Wine Tasting – Discover the heart of Slovakian wine country with a visit to the picturesque Little Carpathians and the well‑preserved Red Stone Castle, a former 16th‑century fortress transformed into an aristocratic residence. Explore its grand interiors and cellar complex before visiting a local winery to sample the region’s specialty white wines. (Available on select Danube River itineraries.)
• Sights and Tastes of Rouen – Explore Rouen during the Christmas season and discover some of its iconic landmarks and taste the local fare. Begin at the Rouen Cathedral, a structure that has evolved over 800 years and features a blend of early Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. Learn the history of the area in the Old Market Square, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Pause at various boulangeries and patisseries to sample local treats and take in the atmosphere of Rouen’s café culture. (Available on the Christmastime in Paris & Normandy itinerary.)
• Flavors of Berlin – Experience Berlin during the Christmas season, sampling the flavors of Germany’s capital city. With your guide, visit some of the city’s culinary institutions. At Lindner, the city’s renowned fine foods shop celebrated for its house-made butter, you will enjoy a taste of Berliner Boulette—a flat meatball flavored with onions—along with other delicacies. Admire Berlin’s colorful street art en route to EAT Berlin, located amid a network of picturesque art nouveau courtyards. Local cheeses, mustards, pestos (sauces) and more are sold here, with lots of items to sample. At the popular Curry 61, order currywurst, a city favorite. No food tour of Berlin would be complete without a taste of traditional coffee and cake from one of the city’s many cafés. (Available on the Christmas Along the Elbe itinerary.)

New Small Group Experiences

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