Viking’s New Longships Debut
By Peter Knego
Aaaah!
Two nights in Paris for a Viking Cruises christening event was the icing on a multi-tiered gateau that finally thawed after a two year, COVID-generated freeze.
Viking Radgrid (right) and Viking Kari at Pont de Grenelle, Paris on the eve of their christening. * Photo: Peter Knego
I arrived at the Pont de Grenelle on March 15, a gray afternoon, delighted to see two of Viking’s new Seine Longships, the Viking Kari and Viking Radgrid, berthed together.
A half mile or so upriver, the scaffold-festooned Eiffel Tower (which is getting a facelift for the 2024 Olympics) presided over the two ships.
And just beyond the bridge looming over their sterns, the crown and torch of La Petite Liberté, one of Paris’ smaller versions of New York’s fixture, stood sentry.
A few days aboard Viking Radgrid
Viking staff warmly greeted me as I donned my mask, sanitized my hands at the Viking Radgrid’s gangway and proceeded to the reception area, where I was welcomed again and presented with the key card for my veranda stateroom, 309.
Veranda stateroom 309 aboard Viking Radgrid. There are 35 of these staterooms on board each of the four Seine Longships. * Photo: Peter Knego
Veranda staterooms measure 205-square-feet and come with a queen or two twin beds; a bathroom with a heated floor (with the turn of a dial) and anti-fog mirror; plenty of storage (including under the bed); and a small balcony, accessed via a floor to ceiling glass door.
They also come with bottled water that is replenished daily, included wi-fi, 220- and-110 volt outlets, USB ports, a 40-inch flat screen Sony TV (with movies on demand and a selection of news channels), phone, safe, mini-fridge, hair dryer and individual climate control.
Each of the Longships has its own dedicated artwork celebrating its Norwegian mythological namesake. This is Radgrid, the Valkyrie summoned by Odin, father of the gods, to select which soldiers are to die and go to Valhalla. * Photo: Peter Knego
VIDEO: Check out Peter’s comprehensive video below of the Viking’s new Longship Viking Radgrid
The long & the short of Viking’s New Longships
After unpacking, I opted to explore the handsome ship, which sports an identical layout and decor to Viking’s patented Longships, but with a slight twist.
In order to dock at the Pont de Grenelle, the Seine Longships are slightly shorter than their sisters at 410, versus 443 feet, and with a capacity for 168, versus 190 guests.
Viking also has pair of 361-foot, 98-guest Longships for the Elbe and four 262-foot, 106-guesters for the Douro.
(Viking’s other river ships — for the Nile, Amazon and Mississippi — are completely different than the Longships and vary in size and capacity. Some are owned by Viking — the Mississippi ones are being specially built for them — and others are chartered. Here’s more info on the entire Viking river cruise fleet.)
Otherwise, minus a few staterooms, like the standard Longships, the Seine Longships have a total of four guest decks, beginning at the top with Sun Deck, the forward portion of which has a telescopic wheelhouse that can be lowered into the ship’s structure to clear low bridges.
Sun Deck also has a walking track (15.95 times around equals a mile), loads of shaded and sunning areas and an herb garden.
The herb garden area on the aft Sun Deck of Viking Radgrid. * Photo: Peter Knego
Scoping out the Upper Deck
The next level down, Upper Deck, features the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, which serves as a buffet style eatery and observation terrace.
The al fresco seating area of the Aquavit Terrace of Viking Radgrid. * Photo: Peter Knego
The exterior portion is shielded with glass bulkheads and the interior portion is underneath a glass roof.
The indoor portion of the Aquavit Terrace with its glass ceiling and buffet counter. * Photo: Peter Knego
Upper Deck continues aft with the Lounge, a handsome space with floor to ceiling windows and a bar that is inspired by the prows of classic viking longships.
The Viking Radgrid’s Lounge is aft-facing. * Photo: Peter Knego
The Lounge is followed by the upper level of the glass-roof-topped Atrium, which has alcoves on either side with an espresso machine, teas and fresh baked cookies, which Viking’s bakers have perfected.
I try to avoid gratuitous sweets whenever possible, but the chewy, crunchy oatmeal raisin cookies win me over every time.
At the top of the grand staircase, each Longship has its own distinctive artwork; otherwise, it would be hard to tell the difference from one ship to another.
The Upper Deck level of the Viking Radgrid’s Atrium with the painting inspired by the ship’s Valkyrie namesake at the top of the stairs. * Photo: Peter Knego
On the Radgrid, the colorful artwork by Roy Lauritsen abstractly depicts the ship’s namesake, a horse riding Valkyrie and handmaiden of Odin, father of the Viking gods.
The library nook in the aft portion of the Viking Radgrid’s Upper Deck atrium. * Photo: Peter Knego
The elevator (which links the three bottom decks) on the starboard side and seating alcoves continue to a library and computer gallery (a nice convenience for those who do not bring their own laptops), leading to a long bloc of accommodations.
On the port side, there are seven suites with verandas and bedrooms with French balconies and three French balcony staterooms.
The “piece de resistance” accommodations are located near the stern, a pair of 445-square-foot Explorer’s Suites.
They have a wraparound balcony, a large living room, separate bedroom and a bathroom with a handy shower that has a “fog” setting in its glass for instant privacy.
The spacious living room of an Explorer’s Suite. * Photo: Peter Knego
Meanwhile, on the starboard side of Upper Deck, there are 18 veranda staterooms.
Middle Deck begins with the galley and Restaurant, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and warm wood tones.
Simple, sophisticated elegance, Viking style: the aft portion of the Restaurant in an aft-facing view. * Photo: Peter Knego
Next up, the lower level of the Atrium, has another seating alcove on the port side and a reception and shop area.
The Reception area on Middle Deck. * Photo: Peter Knego
The accommodation that follows includes 18 veranda staterooms and 15 French balcony staterooms.
On the lowest level, Main Deck there are 22 standard staterooms with a small waterline window.
Although I was pretty much (French) toast after the redeye flights from San Diego to Paris, I had to cross over to the little island across from Pont de Grenelle, Ile Aux Cygnes, for some views of the ships and a chance to get up close to La Petite Liberté.
La Petite Liberté, one of Paris’ smaller versions of New York’s iconic lady. * Photo: Peter Knego
After a delightful and early dinner, which began with a succulent salad with brie-topped baguette toast, we watched through the full-length windows as the Radgrid and Kari maneuvered to make space for their two other Seine sisters, Viking Skaga and Viking Fjorgyn. Finally I then managed to get back to my stateroom for a full night’s rest.
A garden fresh salad starter with toasted brie baguettes aboard Viking Radgrid. * Photo: Peter Knego
March 16, 2022 is Christening Day
There wasn’t enough time to take one of the tours Viking offered this morning, so I fueled up with a hearty omelette and hash browns for breakfast in the restaurant, then embarked on a three-mile downstream run along the Left Bank of the Seine, taking good care not to slip on the cobblestones that dominated parts of the river walk.
Once back at Viking Radgrid, I decided to take a brisk walk upstream.
Christening day view from the perspective of Viking Radgrid. From left to right: Viking Kari, Viking Skaga and Viking Fjorgyn. * Photo: Peter Knego
Even though the weather was not the most photogenic, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity of enjoying the Parisian scenery without the throngs that would soon be invading in the spring.
I had hoped to visit the Musee D’Orsay but by the time I got there, I would have only had twenty five minutes to explore, so continued my power walk to Ile de Seine, to get my first ever glimpse of Notre Dame.
A 45-minute walk from Viking’s Paris dock, Ile de Seine is home to the legendary Notre Dame cathedral. * Photo: Peter Knego
While not at her best, it was an historic chance to capture her with giant crane hovering above, as the restoration following the devastating fire continues.
By the time I got back to the ship, I had well earned the delicious lunch that was offered, beginning with a perfect salad nicoise, followed by ginger carrot soup and a huge garden burger paired with gratuitous and delicious sweet potato fries.
A true Salad Nicoise, Viking style. * Photo: Peter Knego
Impossible burger with sweet potato fries. * Photo: Peter Knego
Viking’s bakers deserve extra props for turning what would seem like an ordinary sandwich into an epicurean feast with perfectly cooked breads.
Press conference with Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen
Afterwards, I joined the press group aboard Viking Kari for a conference headed by Viking’s chairman, Torstein Hagen.
Torstein Hagen, Viking’s charismatic chairman, hosts a press conference on board Viking Kari. * Photo: Peter Knego
After two years of dormancy, 2022 is shaping up to be a milestone year for the line, which will see all 73 of its river ships up and running by early April and will herald eight Viking Ocean ships after introducing the new Viking Mars and Viking Neptune in May and September, respectively.
Here’s more info on Viking’s 73 river ships.
Viking’s expedition division is also off to a rousing start with the Viking Octantis, a striking, 30,000 gt, 378-guest polar class vessel having just been introduced in January.
Now working her way up through the Caribbean from Antarctica to her christening in New York on April 8, the Octantis will be joined by her identical sister, Viking Polaris later this year.
Nose to nose and eye to eye, the four Seine Longships were gathered at Pont de Grenelle. * Photo: Peter Knego
After our briefing, we headed pierside as canapés and champagne circulated and crew gathered on the bows of their respective Longships.
To pierside for canapés & champagne to celebrate Viking’s New Longships
Led by Viking’s brand representative Karina Hagen (the lovely “voice” of the Viking television commercials who tantalizingly urges viewers to “explore the world in comfort”), five Godmothers worked their way past the crowd and onto a large stage set up with a huge video screen backdrop.
Karina Hagen (far right) looks on as five Godmothers and eight captains gathered to welcome Viking’s newest Longships to the fleet. * Photo: Peter Knego
The five present godmothers for Viking’s New Longships were Karryn Christopher (Executive VP of Signature Travel Network — Viking Geresmi), Helen Deutscher (prodigy violinist and singer — Viking Egdir), Brenda Hunsberger (Sr. VP of AAA Club Alliance — Viking Hervor), Kari Garmann (Norwegian politician and banker —Viking Kari) and Muriel Wilson (Director of Event Strategies and Sponsorships for Virtuoso Travel — Viking Skaga).
Three “remote” godmothers included Ghislaine Wood (Deputy Director, Sainsbury Center and curator for the Ocean Liner Exhibit at the Victoria and Albert — Viking Fjorgyn), Alma Deutscher (Composer, Violinist, Pianist and Singer — Viking Gymir), and Dr. Janie Deutscher (Author and Educator — Viking Radgrid).
Both in person and via satellite, each made a short speech and pushed (either in person or via proxy) a button that launched a bottle of Gammel Opland aquavit (a flavored Scandinavian spirit distilled from potatoes or grains) into the bow of each new ship.
Gammel Opland is made in the same county in Norway where Chairman Hagen’s mother, Ragnhild, was born and seems to be a lucky one at that, since no crew members were sent scrambling afterwards to “break their bottles.”
Crew watch from the prows of Viking Radgrid and Viking Fjorgyn during the ceremony. * Photo: Peter Knego
8 New Viking Longships christened
The four Seine ships were alongside, two-by-two, during the ceremony and included:
- Radgrid — a horse riding Valkyrie
- Kari — Norse God of the North Wind
- Skaga — another Valkyrie
- Fjorgyn — Norse Goddess of the Earth
Meanwhile, four other new Viking Longships, which will be sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, were tied up in Amsterdam and included:
- Geresemi — Norse Goddess of Beauty
- Gymir — a Norse giant
- Egdir — Norse watchman of the Giants
- Hervor — another Valkyrie
And so ended a flawless event enjoyed by those present and hundreds more via satellite.
From there, we had a short time to file our stories, then rode via coach to the Hotel d’Evreux, a private chateau next to the Ritz, where a magnificent celebratory dinner was savored.
The author dressed elegantly for the Viking Longships Christening dinner in Paris. * Photo: Peter Knego
Once back at the ship, I was out like a broken streetlamp on the Champs Elysees, catching up on rest before heading off on my next adventure.
RELATED: Here’s Judi Cohen’s review of the Viking Einar.
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HEIDI SARNA
A terrific piece about Viking, the leader in river cruising, and here, an in-depth look at the line’s newest vessels lined up in Paris and ready to explore amazing Europe’s network of navigable rivers.
Thank you
Ted
Thanks so very much, Ted! Such a pleasure to be a contributor to this fantastic site you and Heidi founded. Hope to see you before much more time passes. Thank you for all the trailblazing you have done for the likes of us.
Great article. I am sailing on the Fjorgyn in August and did not realize this was a new ship. Is this the first year in the water?
Thank you so much. As for FJORGYN and her sisters, I believe some were completed before or during the Covid shut down and one or two may have actually sailed for a short time. I know the RADGRID was actually built in 2020 from her builder’s plate. Sorry I don’t have more specifics on their actual operations prior to the christening.