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Viking River Cruises

Viking Lif

Intimate ship Bliss scored

Launched in 2014, Viking Lif (in Norse mythology Lif is the bringer of life to a new world) was designed for river cruising. Since entering the river cruise market, Viking River Cruises has received numerous awards for its itineraries and innovative ship…

  • 190guests
  • 5,000gross tons
  • 10cruises now
  • $2,399fares from

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Cologne's two large churches are visible from the Rhine River.

At a glance

Viking Lif 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, romantic and staterooms (7/10) and lowest for family friendly, party and spa & fitness (2/10). It is rated 4.5 out of 5 by Cruiseable, 4 out of 5 by Berlitz and 4 out of 5 by Cruise Critic. It has 10 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $2,399 to $9,599. 1 of its upcoming sailings dropped in price since the previous weekly fare check.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable
4.5 / 5
Berlitz
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
Launched
2013
Space ratio
3.8
Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew
3.8
Speed (mph)
17
IMO
1212480

Bliss scores

What Viking Lif 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 4.0
  3. Cultural 7.0
  4. Dining 7.0
  5. Entertainment 6.0
  6. Family friendly 2.0
  7. Party 2.0
  8. Romantic 7.0
  9. Spa and fitness 2.0
  10. Staterooms 7.0

About the ship

Launched in 2014, Viking Lif (in Norse mythology Lif is the bringer of life to a new world) 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 programming.

Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 12

  • Cologne's two large churches are visible from the Rhine River.
    Cologne's two large churches are visible from the Rhine River.
  • Klein-Venedig (Little Venice) is a colony of fishermen's houses on the River Regnitz in Bamberg, Germany.
    Klein-Venedig (Little Venice) is a colony of fishermen's houses on the River Regnitz in Bamberg, Germany.
  • The facades of traditional buildings in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
    The facades of traditional buildings in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • The Chain Bridge over the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary.
    The Chain Bridge over the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary.
  • St. Sava Temple in Belgrade, Serbia.
    St. Sava Temple in Belgrade, Serbia.
  • Michaelsberg Abbey in Bamberg, Germany.
    Michaelsberg Abbey in Bamberg, Germany.
  • A close-up of the entrance to Bamberg Cathedral in Germany.
    A close-up of the entrance to Bamberg Cathedral in Germany.
  • The city of Cologne, Germany. See it during a river cruise on the Rhine.
    The city of Cologne, Germany. See it during a river cruise on the Rhine.
  • Sunset over Hamburg, Germany.
    Sunset over Hamburg, Germany.
  • The Rathaus, or city hall, of Hamburg, Germany.
    The Rathaus, or city hall, of Hamburg, Germany.
  • City Hall in Kiel, Germany.
    City Hall in Kiel, Germany.
  • The historic city center of Bamberg, Germany, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    The historic city center of Bamberg, Germany, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On board 4

  • 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 6

  • The river cruise ship Viking Lif in Cologne-Mülheim, Germany.
    The river cruise ship Viking Lif in Cologne-Mülheim, Germany.
  • 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.
  • The river cruise ship Viking Lif in Cologne-Mülheim, Germany.
    The river cruise ship Viking Lif in Cologne-Mülheim, Germany.
  • 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.
  • 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 Lif

Plan my cruise
  1. 14 Night Grand European Tour 14 nights · from Amsterdam Next Sep 23, 2026 12 dates from $5,299
  2. 22 Night European Sojourn and Land Tour 22 nights · from Amsterdam Next Sep 23, 2026 5 dates from $9,299
  3. 10 Night Passage to Eastern Europe and Land Tour 10 nights · from Budapest Next Oct 5, 2026 15 dates from $3,799
  4. 10 Night Passage to Eastern Europe and Land Tour 10 nights · from Bucharest Next Oct 13, 2026 14 dates from $3,799
  5. 22 Night European Sojourn and Land Tour 22 nights · from Bucharest Next Oct 13, 2026 5 dates from $9,599
  6. 14 Night Grand European Tour 14 nights · from Budapest Next Oct 21, 2026 10 dates from $5,499
  7. 7 Night Danube Waltz 7 nights · from Budapest Next Nov 18, 2026 2 dates from $2,499
  8. 7 Night Danube Waltz 7 nights · from Passau Next Nov 25, 2026 2 dates from $2,399
  9. 7 Night Danube Christmas Delights 7 nights · from Budapest Next Dec 2, 2026 4 dates from $3,299
  10. 7 Night Danube Christmas Delights 7 nights · from Passau Next Dec 9, 2026 2 dates from $3,499

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Overheard

“With wood-rich interiors, Viking Lif has a spacious, light-filed feeling with a practical, innovative design. The tastefully decorated restaurant and alternative ‘Aquavit Terrace’ offer good, unfussy food to match.”

Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe

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