Few things in this world could be more enjoyable than spending an entire week sailing up Europe’s legendary Danube River from Budapest to Nuremberg, but Viking River Cruises has a way to spice up this already fantastic itinerary: by sailing aboard two of its newest “Viking Longships”, Viking Freya and Viking Odin.

Viking River Cruises' beautiful new Viking Longships are due to launch in Spring, 2012. Photo courtesy of Viking River Cruises.

Named after the legendary Viking gods, Viking Freya and Viking Odin are designed to take the Viking experience to the next level by offering walls of floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere you go, coupled with some decidedly “big-ship” features like staterooms that feature full-size verandahs, French balconies, and even coveted aft-facing suites that offer wraparound deck space for private 270-degree views.

These ships also feature hybrid-drive engines that propel them up the Danube with remarkably little noise or vibration, and even boast solar panels to assist with the onboard power consumption, and an onboard herb garden.

But at the heart of this classic itinerary are the beautiful cities and towns located along the “blue Danube.”  The full itinerary:

Even if you haven’t been to Budapest before, chances are good you’ve seen it: The Hungarian Parliament Buildings are one of Budapest’s most recognizable landmarks, and one of Europe’s oldest seats of Government. The stunning building is also the featured image on the cover of Viking’s 2012 River Cruise Atlas.

Every day on this itinerary represents a new opportunity to discover something amazing. Why not settle down in the shadow of Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral and enjoy some of the best coffee in Austria. Or join a tour to the brilliant Benedictine Melk Abbey in Melk, Austria and, later, the walking tour of gothic Regensburg?

Viking's Romantic Danube cruise visits beautiful Vienna, Austria in both summer and winter. Photo courtesy of Tourism Vienna

Then, it’s time to transit the Main-Danube canal’s numerous locks on your way to the historic city of Nuremberg, Germany. Although known for the role it played during both the rise and fall of Nazi Germany, Nuremberg is a city that offers an astonishing array of historic sights like the fairytale-esque Nuremberg Castle and the medieval Hospital of the Holy Spirit.

The brand-new Viking Freya and her equally new sister, Viking Odin, sail this 8-day Romantic Danube itinerary between May 5 and December 29, 2012. Additional departure dates are also offered aboard the line’s elegant Viking Legend between May 13 and October 7, 2012.  All three ships can be booked travelling from Budapest to Nuremberg or the reverse.

Viking Legend cruises some of the most famous waterways in Europe. Photo courtesy of Viking River Cruises

Just as the Vikings were some of the earliest seafaring explorers, the new Viking Longships might revolutionize how you view – and sail – the waterways of Europe.

For more information on Viking River Cruises and its fleet, be sure to check out our Viking River Cruises line and river cruise ship profiles here on River Cruise Advisor!

What was supposed to be a lavish christening ceremony in Cologne, Germany on July 2 for Viking River Cruises’ newest river ship the Viking Legend, has been postponed until this fall.

The transfer of the ship from the shipyard to Cologne, Germany, was delayed by low water levels on the Elbe River and unfavorable weather conditions in the North Sea, Viking said.

The brand new ship is still expected to be delivered in time for her maiden voyage, which starts in Amsterdam on July 5. Viking said that cruise departures for the summer months are heavily booked and that the christening will be rescheduled for the fall.

The Viking Legend will be the company’s first new river cruise ship in Europe since the Viking Helvetia launched three years ago. It will also be one of the first river cruise ships with a greener diesel engine that propels an electrical generator.

“At any given moment the ship’s energy needs are automatically calculated and the engines produce and supply only as much energy as needed,” Viking’s VP of nautical operations Thomas Bogler said. “This allows the ship to use 20% less energy than a comparable ship.”

According to Viking, the new ship will also be a quieter ride with four smaller propellers instead of two large propellers. “The diesel engine is smaller than a conventional engine, so it vibrates less, making it very quiet,” Bogler added. “The system also allows us to continue cruising even if one of the engines has to be taken offline for scheduled maintenance — remaining engines will simply produce more output to compensate.”

The 189-passenger ship will sail the 15-day Viking River Cruises Grand European Tour itinerary along the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers between Amsterdam and Budapest. The Legend has 10 scheduled departures on that itinerary in 2009, five in one direction and five in the opposite direction, between July 5 and Nov. 8.

The 443-foot ship will be the longest in the Viking fleet. It will feature 98 staterooms, of which two are 310-square-foot suites. Cabins will include 26‑inch flat-screen televisions, refrigerators, hairdryers and in‑room safes. The Legend will also feature a restaurant, library, sun deck, onboard boutique and an observation lounge.

Viking worked with Norwegian design firm of Yran & Storbraaten to design the ship’s interiors, which will be similar to the that of the Helvetia, Viking Surkov and Viking Kirov, according to the company.

Yran & Storbraaten’s “signature look is a warm neutral palette of colors, bright woods and Scandinavian-inspired design,” stated Mr. Bogler.

When Viking River Cruises christens its new ship early in July in Cologne, Germany, it will also be pulling back the curtain on an extraordinarily efficient and quiet river cruiser that will save fuel and provide an uncommonly quiet ride.

The Viking Legend, which will debut with a classic Grand European itinerary of 15 days on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers between Amsterdam and Budapest, features cutting-edge hybrid propulsion systems that use 20% less energy than a comparable all-diesel ship. The new ship will also provide a quieter ride for guests by using four smaller propellers instead of two large propellers. With electric power supplementing the ship’s propulsion, a smaller diesel engine is required, which further reduces noise and vibration. Viking River Cruises is the first to bring this innovative technology to European river cruises.

Viking Legend has been designed to provide a high standard of luxury. At 443 feet, the three-level Viking Legend will be the longest in the Viking fleet, and will accommodate 189 guests in 98 staterooms.

Amenities include 26-inch flat-screen televisions, refrigerators, hairdryers and in-room safes. The ship’s restaurant will feature seasonal menus and local specialties to complement every destination.

Public spaces include a cozy library, a sun deck with 360-degree panoramic views, an onboard boutique and an observation lounge. Staterooms have been configured to match the shape and dimension of high-end American hotel rooms, and for guests who insist on plenty of elbow room, Viking Legend takes river cruising to a new level with two of the largest suites in Europe, measuring 310 square feet each. Viking Legend’s décor will be similar to that of the line’s newest ship, Viking Helvetia, and most recent renovations, like Viking Surkov and Viking Kirov.