• Once in a Decade Performance: The newly introduced itineraries are designed specifically around the 43rd Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, a historical event performed only once every ten years.
• Preferred Seating and Partnership: Because of Viking’s long-term relationship with the play’s organizers, guests receive guaranteed, premier seating that is highly coveted by international travelers.
• Two Unique Regional Route Options: Travelers can choose between a 13-day Rhine voyage from Amsterdam to Munich or a 12-day Danube journey starting in Bavaria and ending in Budapest.
• Extensive Advance Planning Opportunity: Booking years in advance allows cruise enthusiasts to easily combine premium river transit with a historic European cultural tradition.

The world of luxury river cruising is preparing for a highly anticipated cultural milestone. The award-winning travel brand, Viking, has officially announced the launch of two new river cruise itineraries for 2030. These custom journeys are built around a rare and historic event: the world-renowned Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, which has been performed once every decade for nearly four centuries.

Operating from May through September 2030, these special sailings allow travelers to plan far ahead to secure their places at this legendary performance. The first option, the 13-day “Oberammergau, Innsbruck & the Rhine” itinerary, sails from Amsterdam to Munich. Along the way, guests can explore the fairytale castles of the Middle Rhine, savor the culinary traditions of the Alsace region, and view the alpine peaks of Innsbruck before attending the play. The second option is the 12-day “Oberammergau with Salzburg” itinerary, which begins with the land performance in Bavaria and then cruises the scenic Danube River through Austria and Hungary to Budapest.

Viking has been a primary partner of the Oberammergau Passion Play organizers since 2010, which ensures that all cruise bookings include preferred, reserved seating at the performance. Guests will travel in style on Viking’s signature, state-of-the-art Longships, enjoying top-tier comfort, exceptional dining, and deeply immersive cultural lectures throughout their journey. This forward-looking release provides a wonderful opportunity for curious travelers to guarantee their tickets to a legendary, once-in-a-decade theatrical tradition while enjoying the ease of a premium European river voyage.