October 25, 2026 — 5:00am

VIKING SKIRNIR AND VIKING MODI

Launched 2015

The cruise Rhine & Main Explorer, 11 days

Passengers 190

Crew 53

Decks Four

Length 135 metres

Suites 95

A Viking ship on the Rhine

THE SHIP

Owing to a stretch of too-shallow Rhine, I’m on two Viking Longships (Skirnir and Modi), but the coach transfer is made with remarkable efficiency and without much disruption to the itinerary. Because all of Viking’s Longships (there are currently 69) are virtually identical, the onboard experience is uncannily the same.

BOARDING

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Those in suites get priority noon access to their “sleeping quarters”, as Viking sedately puts it; everyone else must wait until 3pm. Many guests have airport transfers, but I’m arriving by train, and a short tram ride takes me to within sight of Viking Skirnir.…