Viking Eir

Our home for the week was the Viking Eir, named after the Goddess of Healing. It is a 443-feet longship that was built in 2015. The Viking Eir carries 190 passengers and 50 crew. On our cruise, 10 cabins were set aside in case there was a COVID outbreak.

We had Cabin 231 on the starboard side. I liked being on the starboard side going upriver. After the commentary ended on the Middle Rhine, we were able to go to our cabin and see the rest of the castles, which happened to be on the starboard side.

The cabin was 205 sf, which included the veranda. There was plenty of space for 2 passengers. You could have the bed separated or made up as a single bed. There were nightstands and US & European plugs on each side of the bed.

The bathroom had plenty of storage but I did wish there were more hooks for hanging things.

Toiletries were good quality and there was a bar of soap. There was tissue paper. It was not Kleenex but it was okay.

The shower had a door so you didn't have the dreaded curtain stick to you. Inside the shower, there is a line to dry clothes but it wasn't very far from the wall. I was glad I brought 2 plastic hangers to dry my clothes.

42-inch flat-screen monitor and mirror on the wall opposite the bed. There was satellite TV with CNN, CNBC and National Geographic. There were also movies-on-demand and you could watch programs broadcast from the lounge. There was a bow cam but the camera lens was dirty so the view was poor. There was a navigational channel but it didn't work the entire week. You get free WiFi so you could follow where you were on Google Maps on your phone.

There was a fridge and 6 drawers to store your clothes. Bottled water and hand sanitizers were supplied.

There was a phone and a charging station for your listening devices (used on tours). There were both US & European plugs at the desk.

Our balcony had 2 chairs and a small table.

Closet area with safe.

Hanging closet with wood hangers.

Full-length mirror.

You can request robes & slippers. The slippers were not plush--United has better slippers in Business Class.

I was able to pack for the week in a Roll-on. I brought 3 pairs of shoes: a pair of walking shoes (which I wore on the plane), a pair of sandals and a pair of evening shoes with 1-inch heels. The evening shoes came in handy for the Captain's Welcome Dinner and the Farewell Dinner.

The Eir has 4 decks. The upper deck is the Sun Deck and it had plenty of seating. When the ship is docked, umbrellas can be placed on the tables to provide shade. When the ship is moving, you can grab an umbrella from Guest Services and hook the handle under the armrest to provide shade.

The Wheelhouse is where the captain sits. The Wheelhouse can be lowered to go under low bridges.

Midship, there is a covered area with seating underneath. There is a track surrounding it for those wishing to run or walk to get their exercise.

Herb garden, putting green and shuffleboard. No pool and no jacuzzi. Beyond this, at the ship's aft, was a small smoking area.

On the Upper Deck, there is a library.

Internet station with 2 computers if you didn't bring your own.

Sitting area.

More sitting area.

Snack and coffee/tea station. You'll find pastries in the morning and cookies the rest of the day.

The officers onboard.

The Lounge had floor to ceiling windows.

The Bar.

Entertainment in the evening on most nights was a piano player.

The Buffet.

Aquavit Terrace.

Lounge area next to the Buffet.

Stairway from Upper to Mid deck. There is also an elevator.

The Restaurant, located in the Middle Deck.

Program Director's desk.

Guest Services.

Tiny Gift Shop.

Cabins are located on the Upper, Middle and Main Deck. Cabins on the Main Deck have a small window at the top so you really don't get a view as you sail. They're known as duck-view rooms. While there are many YouTube videos recommending the duck-view rooms, I'm glad I got a balcony room. I was able to sit on the balcony and watch the scenery go by. Not all the scenery was good but there was plenty to enjoy from the balcony.

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