Signature highlights
The ship features Viking’s Longship layout, a full-width Aquavit Terrace, a spacious Sun Deck, walking area and panoramic public spaces. Its 135-meter profile is designed for European river navigation.
Viking Bestla
Viking Bestla is a 190-guest Viking River Cruises river cruise ship, in service since 2012. This page collects its itineraries, ports of call and technical specifications. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.
✓ Adults seeking a quiet, small-ship atmosphere
✓ Scenic river cruisers who value panoramic viewing spaces
✓ Travelers preferring included dining and complimentary Wi-Fi
Viking Bestla at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 11%
A small expedition-size ship at 2,354 gross tons — #434 of 566 ships we track. 12 tons of ship per guest.
Best for
- Adults seeking a quiet, small-ship atmosphere
- Scenic river cruisers who value panoramic viewing spaces
- Travelers preferring included dining and complimentary Wi-Fi
- Guests choosing between river-view, French-balcony and veranda cabins
Think twice if you want
- Families traveling with children under 18
- Travelers wanting a pool, spa or fitness center
- Guests needing elevator access to every cabin deck
- Passengers seeking casinos or formal nightlife
Live Position ● 17 hours ago
Heading to: STRASSBOURG
0.0 knots
Moored
Position data may be outdated.
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About Viking Bestla
Viking Bestla is a 190-guest Viking Longship built for European river cruising. Its compact 135-meter design offers 95 cabins across three accommodation decks, plus a Sun Deck, restaurant, lounge and Viking’s indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace. The ship is intended for destination-focused Rhine, Main and Danube voyages, with Scandinavian-inspired public spaces and a relatively intimate onboard atmosphere.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- Viking River Cruises AG
- Builder / shipyard
- Meyer Werft GmbH & Co. KG, Papenburg, Germany
- Registry / flag
- Switzerland (confirmed by the ship’s AIS identity)
- Call sign
- HE7467
- IMO number
- 8339926
- MMSI
- 269057467
- Draft
- 1.5 m
Onboard Experience
Pools, spa & wellness
The Sun Deck includes an outdoor walking area, but no onboard pool or large resort-style wellness complex is verified for this ship.
Accessibility
Elevator service runs from the Middle to Upper Deck; the official page notes that categories E and F do not have elevator access.
Environmental features
Viking identifies its Longship design with environmentally considerate features such as energy-efficient hybrid propulsion and onboard solar panels; ship-specific implementation details were not separately verified.
Deck plans
Venues Cabins only Both · Tap a deck to see what's on it
Deck 4 · Sun Deck
Sun Deck Solar Panels Herb Garden Walking Track BridgeDeck 3 · Upper Deck
Aquavit Terrace & Lounge Lounge & Bar Library Bar Buffet Grills French Balcony Stateroom Veranda Stateroom Veranda Suite Explorer SuiteDeck 2 · Middle Deck
Restaurant Onboard Shop Buffet Guest Services Kitchen French Balcony Stateroom Veranda StateroomDeck 1 · Main Deck
Standard StateroomView the official Viking Bestla deck plans from Viking River Cruises →
Cabins & suites
Oceanview 26%
Balcony 64%
Suite 9%
| Category | Type | Cabins | Size | Sleeps | Decks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard StateroomCodes E and F; half-height picture window; no elevator access. | Oceanview | 25 | 150 sq ft | 2 | 1 |
| French Balcony StateroomCodes C and D; floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening to a French balcony. | Balcony | 22 | 135 sq ft | 2 | 2, 3 |
| Veranda StateroomCodes A and B; full-size private veranda. | Balcony | 39 | 205 sq ft | 2 | 2, 3 |
| Veranda SuiteCode AA; separate sitting room, full-size veranda and French balcony. | Suite | 7 | 275 sq ft | 2 | 3 |
Dining, bars & venues
3 included 1 extra cost in the fare, by the line's own published policy.
Dining
Restaurant
Included
The main dining room serves onboard meals with panoramic river views.
Aquavit Terrace & Lounge
Included
An indoor-outdoor bow venue offering casual dining and river views.
Bars & lounges
Lounge & Bar
Varies
The observation lounge provides seating, entertainment and bar service.
History & sister ships
Other Longship ships
Viking Baldur Viking River Cruises · 2012
Viking Buri Viking River Cruises · 2012
Viking Embla Viking River Cruises · 2012
Viking Ingvi Viking River Cruises · 2012
Viking Jarl Viking River Cruises · 2012
Viking Lif Viking River Cruises · 2012
Viking Odin Viking River Cruises · 2012
Viking Tor Viking River Cruises · 2012
Viking Ve Viking River Cruises · 2012
Viking Vidar Viking River Cruises · 2012
Viking Vili Viking River Cruises · 2012
Viking Aegir Viking River Cruises · 2013
No itineraries found for this ship.
Viking Bestla FAQ
What flag does Viking Bestla sail under?
Viking Bestla is registered in Switzerland.
How many passengers does Viking Bestla hold?
Viking Bestla carries about 190 guests with roughly 51 crew.
How old is Viking Bestla?
Viking Bestla entered service in 2012.
How big is Viking Bestla?
At 2,354 gross tons and 135 m long, Viking Bestla is a small expedition-size ship — larger than 11% of the 566 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.
What is the dress code on Viking Bestla?
Daytime dress is casual. Evening dress is elegant casual, and there are no formal nights.
Is dining included on Viking Bestla?
All onboard dining is included. Beer, wine and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, while other drinks may cost extra.
How does tipping work on Viking Bestla?
Gratuities are discretionary. Guests may pre-purchase gratuities or have a discretionary service charge added to their shipboard account, with changes handled through Guest Services.
Is Wi-Fi included on Viking Bestla?
Wi-Fi is complimentary, although connection speed and availability can vary because the service relies on cellular and satellite connections.
Is Viking Bestla accessible for guests using wheelchairs?
The ship has elevator service between the Middle and Upper decks only. Main Deck Standard Staterooms in categories E and F do not have elevator access, and guests should confirm mobility requirements with Viking before booking.
Are children allowed on Viking Bestla?
Viking requires all guests to be at least 18 years old on the embarkation date and does not provide facilities or services for younger guests.