Viking Atla Review

4.0 / 5.0
198 reviews
See all photos
Editor Rating
4.0
Very Good
Overall
Jamey Bergman
Contributor

Viking Atla glides along the beautiful Danube, one of river cruising's more iconic itineraries including the highly popular Christmas market sailings that begin after Thanksgiving and call on ports like Budapest, Vienna, and Nuremberg among others.

As one of Viking's signature Longships, it boasts many familiar amenities and coordinated interior layout across three floors that is spacious and fitting for its mature clientele.

Viking's sense of Nordic style is on full display here, especially in its airy, dual-level lobby with glass staircase ascending to the second level. A portrait at the top of the staircase is often the topic of conversation that engages guests from various parts of the world as they sip coffee or tea from the nearby beverage station.

This German-made ship does not claim to be a bastion of new amenities for the Viking line. Instead, it delivers a dependable experience for both newbie and veteran customers including a hands-on, multilingual team of staffers that focuses on name recognition and personalization.

A sense of crisp minimalism and clean Scandinavian design prevails. Directly above reception is a small business center for those not traveling with their own devices. Everyone usually finds themselves in the main lounge, which is bright with earthen overtones and floor-to-ceiling windows. Aquavit Terrace also provides a private place to dine with the ship's aquatic contrails in plain view. Both are the setting for daily briefings and occasional entertainers that come aboard for the day. Spacious hallways and various seating nooks around the space create a relaxed vibe without the ship feeling crowded.

Atla excels in the culinary department with a menu that follows the ship's itinerary. Picky eaters or those with dietary requirements, including vegetarian and gluten-free travelers, have plenty to appease their appetite.

Excursions at each port of call last about two hours and feature handy descriptions based upon the level of physical difficulty required. Those that stay behind can take advantage of the free wireless internet aboard (a huge perk), which is speediest when fewer passengers are using it.

Designers were careful to maximize space in cabins with amenities like full-length mirrors to make them feel bigger, small benches that tuck cozily under desks, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs and bathroom and closet doors that slide open. No need to bring electrical converters as international power outlets and USB ports are conveniently placed. Other notable touches include heated mirrors and floors in bathrooms, bottled water replenished daily and turndown service.

All in all, Atla fits Viking's traditional Longship mold offering dependable accommodations and service, colorful itineraries and delicious cuisine.

Pros

Bright and airy lobby; cuisine pairs with ports of call; name recognition from staff

Cons

No spa or fitness facility; few amenities for active travelers

Bottom Line

Well-thought-out design that caters to its target audience

About

Passengers: 190
Crew: 50
Passenger to Crew: 3.8:1
Launched: 2013
Shore Excursions: 23

Sails To

Sails From

Fellow Passengers

As with other Viking itineraries, expect a solid mix of baby boomers and older passengers looking for an upscale, laid-back vacation. The audience skews heavily toward North American and British travelers, but don't be surprised if you hear an Aussie twang thrown into the mix. Families are few and far between, and the minimum age to sail is 18, so you'll never hear the shrill cry of a baby aboard. For those who need nightly entertainment that consists of more than a pianist and a single bar, this may not be the best vacation choice.

Viking Atla Dress Code

Given the clientele profile, most travelers dress in business casual attire during the evenings (often jackets for men) and more comfortable wear during the daytime. While there are no formal evenings aboard the ship, most travelers choose to get spiffed up once the sun sets. Leave the ball gowns and tuxedos at home though.


Viking Atla Inclusions

Viking cruise fare includes wine and beer at lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi and at least one complimentary shore excursion per port (for-fee options are sometimes available). Tips are not included in the cruise fare, except for passengers from Australia and New Zealand. Gratuities are paid at the end of the cruise in cash or by credit card. (Euros are the onboard currency, but dollars are also accepted for gratuities.) The recommended amount on Viking's Europe cruises is 12 euros per passenger, per day, which is divided up among the crew.

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More about Viking Atla

Where does Viking Atla sail from?

Viking Atla departs from Passau and Budapest

Where does Viking Atla sail to?

How much does it cost to go on Viking Atla?

Cruises on Viking Atla start from $1,999 per person.
Viking Atla Cruiser Reviews

An exceptional experience!

The entire Atla crew was outstanding! Service, quality, attention to detail and timeliness was unmatched. The dining experience was five star every meal.Read More
Ordinary Joe

oneFirst Time Cruiser

Age 70s

Romantic Danube delivers as expected

We took the train on our own to Regensburg where we met the Atla.Read More
DNR312

oneFirst Time Cruiser

Age 70s

Better weather ahead

We extended our trip with 2 extra days in Budapest and booked the extension through Viking. We were booked at the New York Palace in Budapest by Viking.Read More
ehbsbb6gc

many10+ Cruises

Age 70s

First Time on a Viking River Cruise

To get on the same flight we had to pay an addition fee to Viking Air to get on the same flights back to Chicago.Read More
Gebhardt

oneFirst Time Cruiser

Age 70s

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