What happened to Viking Fontane?

Viking Fontane, christened Theodor Fontane, was sold in March 2017 to Luther Travel Cruises AG and renamed MS Junker Jörg. She sails the Elbe, the Oder and the Baltic coast.

Why are Elbe ships so small?

The Elbe runs without regulating barrages and its level can drop very low. Ships serving it are under one hundred metres long and draw about one metre so they can keep moving in low water.

Which ships does Viking run on the Elbe today?

Viking operates Viking Beyla and Viking Astrild, two new builds from the Neptun Werft yard designed for the shallow draught the Elbe requires.

What happens if the Elbe is too low?

Lines move guests onward by coach to the scheduled calls and the cruise continues from a fixed mooring. It is worth having that policy confirmed in writing before paying a deposit.

Viking Longships Fontane

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Viking Longships Fontane

The Viking Longship Fontane is a Viking Longship Fontane operated by Viking River Cruises, offering river cruise itineraries across Europe along the continent’s main waterways. The Viking Longship Fontane features a contemporary Scandinavian design, with modern cabins, comfortable relaxation spaces, and refined onboard dining. As part of the Viking Longship class, it emphasizes comfort, natural light, and a strong connection with European river landscapes. The Viking Longship Fontane operates culturally focused itineraries with stops in various European cities, allowing guests to discover local heritage, history, and traditions along the rivers. The Viking Longship Fontane is well suited for travelers seeking a European river cruise that combines modern comfort, elegant surroundings, and cultural exploration in an intimate and refined setting.

Itineraries of the Viking Longships Fontane

Price and Availability Notice
Prices displayed are provided for informational purposes only. They reflect the rates in effect at the time of their most recent update and are shown in Canadian dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise specified.

Supplier rates, exchange rates, taxes and fees, room or cabin categories, and promotions are subject to change at any time. The applicable price is the one confirmed by a travel advisor at the time of booking, subject to availability. Only the confirmed price shall be considered valid.

It is the traveler's responsibility to confirm the price, inclusions, and applicable terms and conditions before making a reservation. While every effort is made to keep our content up to date, transmission, display, or pricing errors may occur. In such cases, the correct price will be communicated to the traveler before any booking is confirmed. Certain terms, restrictions, and exclusions may apply.

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decks plans

Deck - 2

Upper Deck

Deck - 1

Main Deck

Technical specifications

Decks: 2

Viking Fontane: sold in 2017, now sailing as Junker Jörg

The ship Viking marketed as Viking Fontane is today named MS Junker Jörg. She was sold in March 2017 to Luther Travel Cruises AG of Basel and has sailed since 2018 on the Elbe, the Oder and the Baltic coast, with Lutherstadt Wittenberg as her home port.

A ship built for a difficult river

Her christening name was Theodor Fontane, in 1991. She measures ninety-four metres eighty by eleven metres, and her draught goes down to one metre. That figure explains everything else.

The Elbe runs free, without the barrages that regulate the Rhine and the Danube. Its level sometimes drops low enough to hold a ship in place for days, and lines then move their guests onward by coach. A hull drawing one metre, driven by water jets rather than propellers, is the engineering answer to that problem.

Fifty-six cabins, one hundred and twelve guests, twenty-six crew, three decks. She is a small ship, and on the Elbe that is a virtue.

Her sister went the same way

Clara Schumann, built at the same yard and marketed by Viking for two seasons as Viking Schumann, also left the fleet. She is now MS De Amsterdam.

Who sails the Elbe for Viking today

Viking replaced both ships with two new builds from the Neptun Werft yard, Viking Beyla and Viking Astrild, designed for the same draught constraints.

Before you book the Elbe

Low water is a real risk on this river, more so in late summer. Ask what the line does when a ship cannot move, and get the answer in writing before you pay a deposit. An advisor can walk you through it at 1-866-628-6241.

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