Viking Radgrid Review

Part of a four-ship order of specially modified Viking Longships, Viking Radgrid launched in 2020, but was parked for a couple of years, before launching in 2022. The ship features a modified hull design and new engines, all of which are designed specifically to allow the ship to sail France's Seine River and dock right within the heart of Paris (water levels dependent).

The 168-passenger ship carries fewer people than Viking's 190-passenger Longships, yet still offer all the trademark features that cruisers have come to expect, including Viking's Scandinavian design and the glass-enclosed Aquavit Terrace at the front of the ship. Similarly, the ship continues to offer a selection of true suites thanks to a unique offset cabin corridor design.

Do not expect any of the features that you can increasingly find on other river cruise lines such as an onboard spa, salon, fitness center, plunge pools or bicycles; Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen has long stated he prefers to use the extra space for accommodations and public areas.

What it does offer is plenty of open space, including an airy two-story atrium topped with a glass skylight and bookended by a cozy library area and computer nook and an elevator.

The adjacent Viking Lounge offers a casual place to meet and mingle with fellow passengers and flows out to the Aquavit Terrace. One deck below, the Restaurant features full floor-to-ceiling windows.

Viking Radgrid Sails Seine Itineraries

Viking Radgrid sails Seine itineraries from Paris to Rouen, in Normandy. The ship begins its cruise in the heart of Paris, at Port de Grenelle, some 10 minutes’ walk from the Eiffel Tower (though note high water levels sometimes forces the ship to moor 11 miles west of the city center in the suburb of Le Pecq).

The ship overnights in the city then heads north west along the Seine to the tiny picture-postcard-perfect village of La Roche-Guyon, topped by the Chateau de La Roche Guyon and the tower of the castle above; it leaves after lunch for Vernon, another small town, with a pretty center and the stop off for one of the highlights of this cruise: Monet’s Garden at Giverny.

The next day it stops at Rouen, a beautiful city with 800 half-timbered houses and a truly stunning cathedral. Rouen is the furthest it can sail and the setting off point for the Normandy Beaches, but it's worth noting it’s still two hours from here to the beaches.

The following day the ship turns round and heads back toward Paris, stopping at another beautiful small town, Les Andelys.

Viking Radgrid Deck Plans Include a Main Restaurant and the Aquavit Terrace

Viking Radgrid follows the exact same deck plans of all other Viking Longships (though slightly smaller), with a main lounge on Deck 3 which leads out to the part-enclosed Aquavit Terrace and a small library area and computer nook. The Restaurant is on Deck 2, as is reception and a small boutique area. There is an elevator connecting Decks 2 and 3. The rest of the interior of the ship consists of cabins; there are no “extras” such as a gym or wellness area.

On the Sun Deck there are covered and uncovered seating options, along with a jogging/walking track that encircles the outer perimeter of the deck.

Viking Radgrid Cabins Include Two Explorer Suites

Viking Radgrid offers an array of rooms, including economical river-view cabins and cabins offering French and step-out balconies, as well as some of river cruising's only true suites. All cabins aboard Viking Radgrid offer Scandinavian decor and amenities like a 42-inch interactive flat-panel television, heated bathroom floors, anti-fog mirrors, spacious showers and Freyja toiletries.

On Viking Radgrid's lowest deck, a series of economically priced river-view staterooms measure 150 square feet and have fixed half-height windows situated near the top of the room. All rooms are equipped with soft mood lighting options; complimentary glass water carafes replenished daily; QuietVox listening devices; a safe; and plenty of storage space in the room's closets and drawers. Passengers will also find North American power outlets and USB outlets available for charging devices (including beside the bed).

At 135 square feet, the ship's French Balcony staterooms are on the tight side but offer good value for those who must have a room with a window that opens. The ship's larger Veranda Staterooms are 205 square feet and include a full step-out balcony with two chairs.

Moving up the accommodations ladder are Viking Radgrid's suites. Veranda Suites are suitably spacious with 275 square feet of living space, and dual French and full step-out balconies. These rooms are true suites in the sense that they offer separate living and sleeping areas, along with a bigger bathroom. Two 42-inch flat-panel interactive television sets are included, with one placed in each room.

The best cabins onboard are the two 447-square-foot Explorer Suites situated all the way aft. Outfitted with a 270-degree wraparound balcony, separate living and sleeping areas, a larger bathroom, and dual 42-inch flat-panel television sets, they are among the largest suites on the Seine. Passengers booking these suites are also entitled to special perks, with Viking throwing in a complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, free laundry service and room service breakfast -- the latter of which is a novelty among European river cruise ships.

Cabins to avoid are the Deck 1 standard cabins near the aft crew stairwell which may be noisy from footfall.

Food on Viking Radgrid Includes Popular Favorites And Regional Cuisine

Viking Radgrid offers two dining venues onboard: a main restaurant and an alternative venue, the forward-facing, glass-enclosed Aquavit Terrace (which serves the same food), and is the only venue with tables for two (all tables in the Restaurant are for four or more).

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in both the Restaurant and the Aquavit Terrace, with meals varying between buffet-style offerings with made-to-order items for breakfast and multi-course dinners.

Cuisine reflects a blend of European and North American favorites, with some dishes offered in a nod to Viking Radgrid's host country of France such as “French Night”, where you will be able to sample the best of Normandy cuisine, with a strong emphasis on cheese, such as baked Camembert, Supreme de Vollaile (chicken in a rich, creamy Normandy sauce) and Medallion de Porc au Cidre (pork medallion in cider), followed by the lightest, loveliest desserts such as crème caramel and tarte tatin.

And if you don’t fancy any of this, you’ll always find ribeye steak, chicken breast and salmon fillet available.

Viking offers a number of extras, like complimentary Champagne or mimosas at breakfast and free-flowing beer, wine and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner. An optional package known as Silver Spirits can be purchased for a reasonable price, making additional beverages free to order (except for top-of-the-range liquor and wines). Note too, that if you have the Silver Spirits package, you can order anything off the wine menu without an asterisk.

In front of the Viking Lounge, the Aquavit Terrace offers up casual breakfast, lunch and dinner in a light-filled setting that features 180-degree walls of glass that can be fully opened, turning the venue into a lovely alfresco dining space (but note, in inclement weather, the space is limited to just a handful of small tables which are at a premium – we saw one passenger gatecrash a private event to sit at the table for more than an hour just to ensure he had it for dinner). Passengers should try to dine here at least once.

Viking also offers a “French Tea” on this itinerary, a bit like an English Afternoon Tea, but with a French twist – think eclairs and light pastries.

Around-the-clock coffee (including specialty coffees), teas and water are available at stations situated just outside the Viking Lounge. Snacks like cookies and muffins are also staple items at these stations.

Viking labels every allergen and food type, and there is always one or two vegetarian options available per meal (tell your server ahead of time).

Shore Excursions on Viking Radgrid

The shore excursions offered on Viking Radgrid are outstanding, the highlight being the trip to the Normandy Beaches, which is included in the cruise fare.

There is usually one included excursion per stop, with one or two optional excursions (for fee).

Most have two designations, with a less active option for those who walk slower/have mobility issues.

You can of course branch out on your own as this is a very leisurely itinerary with two- sometimes three overnights, depending on water levels, so it’s hard to miss the ship (except when it moves in one day). Also, many of the villages are tiny and can be seen on foot in a few minutes.

The Normandy Beaches: There are two options here – the U.S. or Commonwealth tour, both of which take all day and involve a two-hour drive there and back.
U.S. Tour: This tour includes a stop at the Caen Memorial Museum, which includes an exhibition specifically focusing on D-Day and the weeks after; and another on the war in general. There is also a short film with archive footage about the landings. There is also a café and a restaurant, and the tour includes a stop for lunch.

Then it is on to the American cemetery at Colville-sur-Mer, which overlooks Omaha Beach and is where 9,400 American servicemen are buried. You can walk round the rows and rows of white crosses and Stars of David, but not among them (unless you are a relative). There is also a wall for those whose bodies were never recovered, and a memorial for ceremonies, as well as a visitor center. Viking had organized a special memorial service for passengers, many of whom were connected to the war.

Commonwealth Tour: This stops at Bayeux for the Tapestry, then onto Juno Beach, where the Canadians landed, where the museum offers insights into Canadian life before, during and after the war. You can also visit the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian cemetery. This is followed by the Pegasus Museum, with information on Pegasus Bridge, which was taken by the British so as to prevent a German counterattack. Then, drive to the British cemetery at Ranville, the first village to be liberated by the British.

Paris: Viking offers a number of tours here, at both ends of the cruise – the bus tour of the city and a visit to Napoleon’s Chateau are included; there are also a number of optional tours.

These include “Scenic Paris and Highlights of the Louvre”, “Flavors of Paris” and a walking tour of Montmartre Hill, “Paris by Night” and a trip to Versailles.

If you haven’t been to Paris before, Scenic Paris and Highlights of the Louvre are a must, but note, you will be dealing with vast crowds in both venues at any time of year.

By contrast, Flavors of Paris is a wonderful tour for those who want to get a little more under the skin of the city, or have perhaps already seen the marquee sights. The walking (and Metro) tour takes place in the boho-chic area of St Germain and includes stops in a market to sample local cheese, wine and meats, followed by a stop in a patisserie and a specialist cheese store.

Monet’s Garden: This is an included tour and includes a visit to the enchanting gardens and estate that inspired one of history’s great painters, founder of impressionism Claude Monet. A short drive takes you to Giverny, the village that Monet called home from 1883 until his death in 1926. At the Monet Foundation, you will explore the artist’s home and gardens, now a museum dedicated to the great painter.

Worth noting: The Monet Foundation is not available before April 1 or after November 1; during that time, a visit to the village of Auvers-sur-Oise, favored by van Gogh and other artists, will be substituted.

Other tours: Rouen Farm & Countryside is a visit to a cider farm, and gives you an insight into the importance of calvados and cider in Normandy; Picturesque Hornfleur is a long day (5.5 hours), but lives up to its billing; Hornfleur is a beautiful coastal town. Viking also includes walking tours to the Chateau and Tower in La Roche and Richard the Lionheart’s castle in Les Andeleys.

Lectures and Enrichment on Viking Radgrid

Due to the nature of the cruise – i.e. all-day excursions, there are only a limited number of lectures – the Cruise Director, Mia, provides most of the enrichment in her port talks – detailed, insightful looks at where we the ship is headed to next, put into historical context, with particular reference to WW2. These port talks take place every evening before dinner.

In addition, there is an enrichment lecture on the Impressionists, who were deeply inspired by the architecture and scenery along this stretch of the river; and also a cooking class one day on how to make a local dessert.

Nightlife on Viking Radgrid

Passengers head up to the lounge after dinner, for live music from a pianist most nights. One night, the Cruise Director comperes a well-attended Family Feud. The bar tenders will mix up a good selection of cocktails, which are included in the Silver Spirits Beverage Package. Do not expect late night dancing; most guests are tucked up in bed by 10.30 p.m. or so.

Is Viking Radgrid Family Friendly?

The minimum sail age for Viking River cruises is 18-years-old, so there are no family facilities.