Viking Hlin: 118 departures, nearly all in the same direction
42 departures from Basel to Amsterdam and 17 from Amsterdam to Avignon, measured on 25 August 2026, out of 118 in total. No measured departure climbs back from Amsterdam to Basel.
Why the Rhine is sailed downstream
It is not a navigation constraint: a river ship climbs against the current without difficulty and does so daily on the Danube. It is a scheduling choice, and it comes down to air logistics.
Amsterdam is one of the best-served airports in Europe and the natural return point for a North American clientele. Basel is far less so. By placing the arrival at Amsterdam, Viking simplifies the journey home for most of its passengers. The consequence is that a traveller who would rather finish in Switzerland has few options on this river.
What that changes for you
Your air ticket needs to be open-jaw: arriving at Zurich or Basel on a connection, returning from Amsterdam on a direct flight. It is neither costlier nor harder to issue, but it is decided before the ticket is bought.
A second, less obvious consequence: the extra hotel night logically belongs at the start, in Switzerland, rather than at the end. After an overnight flight with a connection, that is not a luxury. Viking Sigrun follows the same pattern with 117 departures, if your dates do not land here.
What 190 berths mean
One hundred and ninety guests over 135 metres, served by 53 crew, in 95 staterooms: 25 Standard, 22 French Balcony, 39 Veranda, 7 Veranda Suites and 2 Explorer Suites. No stateroom sits more than 60 metres from the dining room.
One crew member for every 3.58 guests: that is the Longship-class figure, and it does not generalise to the rest of the river fleet.
Viking Kara offers 151 departures on a comparable pattern, and Viking Mani 76 on the Rhine alone.
Hlín, the one who shelters
Hlín is the goddess to whom Frigg entrusts the protection of those she wishes to keep from harm. Her name means "the one who shelters". She appears in the Völuspá at Ragnarök, when protection finally stops being possible.
Getting there from Montreal
One connection outbound, usually through Zurich, Frankfurt or Paris, for want of a direct flight to Basel. The return from Amsterdam is non-stop on several carriers.
Going through an agency is not optional here
Try it from home: Viking's reservations site redirects Quebec addresses to a page announcing it is unavailable and inviting travellers to reach an agent. 30 seconds is enough to see it. On this line, a Quebec client has no other way in.
Our Viking River Cruises advisors give you in writing, before you book, the exact fare, the inclusions, the exclusions and the conditions. AquaTerra Travels follows Quebec consumer protection rules and participates in the compensation fund for travel agency customers.
