Viking Idi Review

4.0 / 5.0
195 reviews
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Editor Rating
4.0
Very Good
Overall
Jamey Bergman
Contributor

What first strikes you as you step onboard Viking Idi, one of Viking's numerous Longship-class sisters? Sunlight. Streaming in through the glass-enclosed, two-story atrium is enough light to allow real flowers to grow. With backlit marble panels rising above a terrazzo floor and wood-and-glass staircase, and pale, earth-toned decor, the space has energy and natural appeal. If the ambience reminds some of Seabourn's Odyssey class, that's not a coincidence -- the vessels share the same lead designer, Norwegian firm Yran & Storbraaten.

Beyond the airy vibe of its public spaces, Viking Idi and the rest of Viking's longships float a whole raft of features that are true innovations in European river cruising.

There is a sense of minimalism on Idi and the other longships. You can perhaps best see the efficiency and maximization of available area onboard in the surprising new signature spaces that have been conjured: the Aquavit Terrace, the two largest true suites on a riverboat in Europe (each with separate living room and bedroom), not to mention seven slightly smaller true suites with separate living and sleeping rooms, and an increased number of cabins with full and French balconies.

Don't be fooled, though; creating those spaces was more hard work than magic. The designers' creation of such spaces required a lot of rethinking about the basic structure of river ships. To fit under the bridges and through the locks of Europe's inland waterways, riverboats have to meet specific size requirements. If length or depth is extended past those limits, the ship won't sail.

As a workaround, designers blunted the traditional pointy-nosed bow of Viking's ships to provide more space. The result was Aquavit Terrace. A lovely open-air cafe on the ship's bow, the venue provides something of a river rarity: an alternative casual eatery with indoor/outdoor seating.

It also positioned interior corridors off-center to accommodate cabins -- full balconies on one side and narrower cabins, some elevated to suites with separate sleeping and living areas, placed sideways on the other side.

Less visible, but no less cutting-edge, are the ship's "green" advances, including hybrid diesel-electric engines which burn less fuel and produce 20 percent fewer emissions, making longships cleaner and quieter than their competitors. There are even solar panels on the sun deck that help to fuel the engines. And the ship's chef maintains an organic garden on Idi's upper deck during growing season.

About

Passengers: 190
Crew: 48
Passenger to Crew: 3.96:1
Launched: 2014
Shore Excursions: 61

Sails To

Sails From

Fellow Passengers

The general age for river cruise passengers is 60 and older, but Idi and other Longships, with their contemporary design, were built with an eye toward attracting a slightly younger traveler. Regardless of age, passengers tend to be well-traveled (though many are visiting Europe for the first time).

Viking Idi Dress Code

Casual, comfortable attire is encouraged for both ship and shore on Viking Longships. The must-pack item is, without question, a comfortable pair of walking shoes for shore tours. As the ship sails in Europe, with its lovely and historic landscapes, tours frequently involve cobblestones and other uneven surfaces. Both the staff and the daily program provide ample notice when this is the case.

Generally, passengers "dress up" to varying degrees in the evenings, but never to the level of a big-ship formal night. Most don the kind of attire worn at a country club dinner, but others don't bother to change from their sensible shore excursion gear. Save your best outfits (maybe casual dresses for women and collared shirts and blazers for men) for events like the Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners.

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More about Viking Idi

Where does Viking Idi sail from?

Viking Idi departs from Budapest, Paris, and Prague

How much does it cost to go on Viking Idi?

Cruises on Viking Idi start from $2,899 per person.
Viking Idi Cruiser Reviews

Despite the high water levels, the crew did an excellent job.

Both the Idi and Alsvin were identical ships with very few cosmetic differences. Hotels booked as part of the cruise in both Zurich and Paris were excellent.Read More
Down Easter

many10+ Cruises

Age 68s

Almost crusing on the flooded Rhine River, but not a total loss thanks to Viking's superior management and resourcefulness.

This was our first cruise of any sort and we wanted to experience the Swiss, German, and French Christmas Markets while being pampered on the beautiful Viking River ship Idi.Read More
Hill Country Texas

oneFirst Time Cruiser

Age 78s

Viking had the cruise and tours so very well organized. Everyone on the ship was so nice, fun and helpful

Thanks to every crew member on the Viking Idi for a wonderful cruise and trip. We can't wait to figure out where our next cruise will be.Read More
lsobkowiak

couple2-5 Cruises

Age 70s

A Wonderful Time

We LOVED our time with Viking!Read More
Prince of Moskova

couple2-5 Cruises

Age 60s

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