Viking Helgrim

The 2019-built Longship Viking Helgrim cruises on Douro River in Portugal and Spain, with itineraries departing from Lisbon (2-night hotel stay) and Oporto (7-day roundtrip, embarkation/disembarkation). The sailing part starts from Porto (Oporto).

Longship Helgrim is operated via a partnership between Viking Cruises and Douro Azul (Portugal's largest cruise tour company, subsidiary of Mystic Cruises). The other Viking cruise ships in Portugal are Hemming, Torgil, Osfrid and Gyda.

Viking's Douro cruise prices (per person, inclusive of flights from the UK) range from GBP 1300 up to GBP 2300 (peak season rates pp). On select Viking Douro River cruise tours, the company offers round-trip USA airfare inclusive deals with discounted pricing on select cabins or itineraries/dates).

Viking Helgrim is a modified design longship (smaller, with reduced passenger capacity). This luxury boat was built exclusively for Douro River cruise tours and features innovative corridor configuration, modern engineering and technologies, signature Scandinavian decor, premium stateroom amenities, themed onboard entertainment, expert-led enrichment program.

The boat is Portugal-flagged (MMSI number 263673966) and registered in Lisbon.

The shipbuilder is WestSEA (shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal).

In 2019, together with Helgrim, Viking River Cruises launched the standard longships Einar, Sigrun, Sigyn, Tir, Ullur and Vali. The 7-ship "virtual" naming ceremony was via satellite connections and held on March 19, 2019, in four riverports - Basel Switzerland (Sigrun and Einar), Rostock Germany (Ullur and Sigyn), Brunsbuttel Germany (Vali and Tir) and Oporto Portugal (Helgrim). The Helgrim boat's godmother is Natalia Hofmann (fashion entrepreneur).

Cabins

Viking Helgrim has a total of 53 staterooms (11 Suites, 24 Balconies, 2 French Balconies, 16 with a non-opening window) in 8 grades/categories.

All passenger cabins are comfortable and elegant, with amenities like 40-inch HDTVs, hotel-style beds, premium mattresses, luxury bath products. Veranda Suites are with two full rooms, a step-out balcony (off the living room) and a French Balcony (off the bedroom).

Cabins Types/Categories (number, location), high to low

• Suites - AA (x6, deck3), AB (x5, deck2)
• Balcony Staterooms - A (x13, deck3), B (x12, deck2)
• French Balcony Staterooms (with floor to ceiling door-windows) - C (x1, deck3), D (x1, deck2)
• RiverView Staterooms - E (x12, deck1), F (x4, deck1).

Shipboard facilities

Viking Helgrim is a modified design longship (smaller, with reduced passenger capacity). This luxury boat was built exclusively for voyages on the Douro River and features innovative corridor configuration, modern engineering and technologies, signature Scandinavian decor, premium stateroom amenities, themed onboard entertainment, expert-led enrichment program.

Onboard dining venues include Helgrim Restaurant (dining room) and Aquavit Terrace (al fresco). The Aquavit Terrace is located at the bow of the ship. The spacious Sun Deck offers 360-degree views, al fresco dining, a swimming pool with sunbathing area, shaded seating. Other facilities include an Observation Lounge, Atrium (lobby), Library (Internet), Shop (gifts, souvenirs), Putting Green/Mini-Golf, Sky Bar, Deck Games/Shuffleboard, Organic Herb Garden.

The riverboat also has solar panels providing electricity to the hybrid engines.

The longship doesn't have a gym room, jacuzzi, spa, but has a swimming pool on its top deck.

Viking Helgrim cruise deals are inclusive of Internet (Wi-Fi), all tours/excursions, ground transfers, live evening entertainment, daily lecturers, food and wine tastings, 24-hour coffee/tea, replenished daily bottled water.

Viking cruise tour prices are per person and based on double occupancy. These are only indicative of Viking cruise rates. They might be different when you book your Viking River Cruises Portugal deals, influenced by travel agency promotions, special offers and discounts, group travel booking or last-minute deals rates.

Itineraries

Follows the list of Viking Helgrim Douro river cruise itineraries as themes, officially announced by the Viking Cruises line:

"PORTUGAL RIVER OF GOLD" is a 10-day cruisetour from Lisbon, including a 7-day Douro River cruise from Oporto (roundtrip, starting with an easterly course). These deals are inclusive of 8 complimentary land tours/guided excursions in Portugal and Spain included in the fares.

The Douro River itinerary route features unique scenery with beautifully terraced vineyards, picturesque villages and small towns, medieval castles and monasteries. Among the special activities are the local food and wine sampling of traditional Portuguese cuisine and port wines in the Douro Valley region.

The list of port activities and cruisetours includes: Lisbon (Tivoli Lisboa or similar 2-night Lisbon luxury hotel package included), scenic bus ride to Oporto (included lunch in Coimbra, boarding the ship at the "Vila Nova de Gaia" dock), Foz (fishing village, port wines-making facility, with optional excursion to Guimaraes /embarkation again in Bitetos), bus travel to Alpendurada Monastery (traditional inn and museum, including dining and fado performances), Regua (Lamego tour to the "Shrine Of Our Lady Of Remedy" /pilgrimage site, visiting Quinta do Seixo /port wines-making facility, embarkation again in Pinhao), passing through 2 of the Douro River's locks (at Valeira and the Pocinho Dams), Barca d’Alva (bus travel to Castelo Rodrigo), full-day long tour to Salamanca Spain (from Vega de Terron) with included restaurant lunch and flamenco performances), embarkation again in Vega de Terron (overnight dock), Pinhao (bus tour to Favaios /wine-bread themed museum, traditional bakeries, also visiting the Quinta da Avessada winery /included dinner and wine tasting), Regua (tour to Vila Real), Gaia (overnight dock) and Oporto (disembarkation).

There is an optional 2-night Portugal and Spain travel and hotel package offered for visiting Braga (3rd-largest city in Portugal) and Compostela (the capital of Galicia /autonomous community in Spain).