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Viking River Cruises

Viking Hlin

Intimate ship Bliss scored

Launched in 2014, Viking Hlin (named for the Norse goddess of protection) was designed for river cruising. Since entering the river cruise market, Viking River Cruises has received numerous awards for its itineraries and innovative ship designs and onboard…

  • 190guests
  • 5,000gross tons
  • 5cruises now
  • $2,499fares from

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A Viking Longship sails through a charming village. A typical itinerary will allow passengers to spend the better part of a day exploring cities, towns, castles and museums with a guide or on their own.

At a glance

Viking Hlin is an intimate-size cruise ship operated by Viking River Cruises, in service since 2014. It carries 190 guests and 50 crew (3.8 guests per crew member) at 5,000 gross tons. It ties with 54 other ships as the 2nd largest of 73 Viking River Cruises ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for active, cultural, dining and staterooms (7/10) and lowest for party (1/10). It is rated 4 out of 5 by Cruiseable and 4 out of 5 by Cruise Critic. It has 5 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $2,499 to $5,499. 8 of its upcoming sailings dropped in price since the previous weekly fare check.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable
4 / 5
Cruise Critic
4 / 5
Guests
190
Crew
50
Gross tons
5,000
Decks
4
Length
443 ft
Beam
37 ft
Maiden voyage
2014
Space ratio
3.8
Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew
3.8
Speed (mph)
17

Bliss scores

What Viking Hlin is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

  1. Active 7.0
  2. Adventure and nature 3.0
  3. Cultural 7.0
  4. Dining 7.0
  5. Entertainment 6.0
  6. Family friendly 2.0
  7. Party 1.0
  8. Romantic 6.0
  9. Spa and fitness 2.0
  10. Staterooms 7.0

Our review

Viking Hlin: Comfortable sailings through the Rhine Gorge

The 190-passenger Viking Hlin visits charming river towns along the storied Rhine Gorge, bookended by Amsterdam and Basel, Switzerland. 

Some of the innovative spaces on Viking Hlin include the indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace at the bow of the ship, an expansive Sun Deck and interiors that represent spacious public spaces, lots of natural light and light-blonde wood accents. Viking Hlin is a "green" ship because of energy-efficient hybrid engines, solar panels and an organic herb garden.

Longships transport guests in comfortable, understated elegance, with hotel-style beds and amenities like 26-inch flat-panel TVs and in-room refrigerators. Since entering the river cruise market, Viking River Cruises has received numerous awards for its itineraries and innovative ship designs and onboard programming.

Who will like sailing on Viking Hlin

If you have an interest in exploring art, culture or history, then sailing on Viking Hlin will make an ideal vacation, especially with the onboard educational activities available.

Where Viking Hlin sails

Viking Hlin currently sails a limited number of 7-night "Rhine Getaway" itineraries from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, or the reverse journey. Stops along the way include Cologne, Speyer, Heidelberg,  Strasbourg and other river towns.

Read the full review

River cruising: It's about destination immersion

River cruising is about the destination probably more so than the ship. The ports of call shadow the onboard amenities; however, Viking helps guests learn about the local culture, history and highlights of the places that they visit. Don't be surprised to see local dishes on the menu or local entertainers sharing their music, dancing and stories.

Viking Hlin includes daily tours with the cruise fare, which makes the hassle of figuring out logistics less challenging. Most tours are done around lunch and then you are free to do what you choose until the ship leaves port. You'll be given a nightly briefing in the evening before dinner to get updates on the next day’s call to discuss the upcoming day’s activities, tours and logistics. Plan to attend the session to discover highlights of the upcoming town's history, art, food, music and architecture.

Foyer aboard the Viking Hlin.
The foyer aboard the Viking Hlin. Courtesy of Viking Cruises

On board highlights

Dining

Where to eat on Viking Hlin

  • The Restaurant
    The Restaurant Varied · Breakfast, lunch & dinner
    No additional cost
  • Aquavit Terrace
    Aquavit Terrace Varied · Breakfast, lunch & dinner
    No additional cost

Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 1

  • Bridges in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
    Bridges in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

On board 5

  • During your European cruise on a Viking Longship, you'll rendezvous with fellow guests in Viking Alsvin's spacious foyer before embarking on an excursion ashore.
    During your European cruise on a Viking Longship, you'll rendezvous with fellow guests in Viking Alsvin's spacious foyer before embarking on an excursion ashore.
  • The spacious, contemporary foyer of Viking's Longships evokes elegance and style.
    The spacious, contemporary foyer of Viking's Longships evokes elegance and style.
  • A view of the foyer on the fleet of Viking Longships that sail Europe's waterways.
    A view of the foyer on the fleet of Viking Longships that sail Europe's waterways.
  • Take in picturesque European landscapes and historic villages from the Aquavit Terrace aboard your Viking Longship.
    Take in picturesque European landscapes and historic villages from the Aquavit Terrace aboard your Viking Longship.
  • Head to the contemporary Aquavit Terrace aboard your Viking Longship to relax, meet new friends and take in Europe's scenic waterways.
    Head to the contemporary Aquavit Terrace aboard your Viking Longship to relax, meet new friends and take in Europe's scenic waterways.

Staterooms 4

  • Never miss a moment of your cruise with uninterrupted views and a private balcony in the Veranda Suite of a Viking Longship.
    Never miss a moment of your cruise with uninterrupted views and a private balcony in the Veranda Suite of a Viking Longship.
  • An exterior stateroom aboard your Viking Longship will give you access to riveting views and bracing ocean breezes as you travel Europe's waterways.
    An exterior stateroom aboard your Viking Longship will give you access to riveting views and bracing ocean breezes as you travel Europe's waterways.
  • Experience dramatic sunsets in the comfort of your own retreat when staying in an Explorer Suite aboard your Viking Longship.
    Experience dramatic sunsets in the comfort of your own retreat when staying in an Explorer Suite aboard your Viking Longship.
  • Unwind after a day of sightseeing in the upscale Veranda Suite during your Viking River Cruises travels through Europe's waterways.
    Unwind after a day of sightseeing in the upscale Veranda Suite during your Viking River Cruises travels through Europe's waterways.

More photos 4

  • A Viking Longship sails through a charming village. A typical itinerary will allow passengers to spend the better part of a day exploring cities, towns, castles and museums with a guide or on their own.
    A Viking Longship sails through a charming village. A typical itinerary will allow passengers to spend the better part of a day exploring cities, towns, castles and museums with a guide or on their own.
  • Relax, be open to new vistas and meet interesting new people in the cocktail lounge aboard your Viking River cruise ship as you travel Europe's waterways.
    Relax, be open to new vistas and meet interesting new people in the cocktail lounge aboard your Viking River cruise ship as you travel Europe's waterways.
  • At night the Aquavit Terrace aboard your Viking Longship transforms into a festive atmosphere perfect to enjoy a summer evening floating on Europe's waterways.
    At night the Aquavit Terrace aboard your Viking Longship transforms into a festive atmosphere perfect to enjoy a summer evening floating on Europe's waterways.
  • Enjoy contemporary cusine in a light-filled setting as you take in Europe's breathtaking views aboard a Viking River cruise ship.
    Enjoy contemporary cusine in a light-filled setting as you take in Europe's breathtaking views aboard a Viking River cruise ship.

Sailing now

Cruises on Viking Hlin

Plan my cruise
  1. 7 Night Rhine Getaway 7 nights · from Basel Next Sep 20, 2026 42 dates from $2,499
  2. 14 Night Lyon Provence and the Rhineland 14 nights · from Amsterdam Next Sep 27, 2026 21 dates from $5,499
  3. 7 Night Rhine Getaway 7 nights · from Amsterdam Next Sep 27, 2026 42 dates from $2,499
  4. 7 Night Christmas on the Rhine 7 nights · from Basel Next Nov 29, 2026 6 dates from $3,299
  5. 7 Night Christmas on the Rhine 7 nights · from Amsterdam Next Dec 6, 2026 4 dates from $3,299

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