Gyda is a name that appears in various sagas and historical texts. One notable figure named Gyda was the daughter of Eirik, King of Hordaland. According to legend, she played a significant role in King Harald Fairhair’s quest to unify Norway.

Róta - Valkyrie & Warrior Maiden

Róta was a rebellious Valkyrie, one of the fierce warrior women known as the “choosers of the slain” who served Odin. During Ragnarök, the Valkyries chose who would die and escorted souls to Valhalla, a realm of the dead in Norse mythology. Associated with chaos, Róta was often linked to Gunnr, another warrior maiden, and Skuld, the youngest of the Norns—the Norse goddesses of fate.

Valkyrie and Goddess of Healing

The goddess Eir is by many accounts “the best of all physicians.” But scholars differ on the capacity in which she used her power. Some depict her as a goddess of healing, tending to the sick and the war-wounded. Others view her as a horse-riding Valkyrie who rides into battles to decide which soldiers die and which live.

Danish Viking Ruler and Explorer

An alleged son of the Danish king Harald, Torgil sailed westward to Bretland (Wales and Western England), Portugal and Ireland. According to Viking history, he and his brother Frode were the first Northmen to conquer Dublin. Torgil lived to be king of Dublin for many years.

The First Norse God

Buri is the first god in Norse mythology. He was created, not by a mother or father, but by a giant frosty cow named Audumbla. As she licked the salty blocks of ice in Ginnagagap, the shape of a man, Buri, was formed and she nourished him with her milk.

Radgrid was one of the legendary horse-riding Valkyries, the handmaidens of Odin, the father of the gods. These long-haired, beautiful women descended from the skies into battles to decide which soldiers lived and which died. Radgrid’s name translates into “truce of counsel,” suggesting her great power in determining the fate of mortals.

In Norse creation mythology, Vili and his brothers Odin and Ve rise up and slay the primeval Ymir, who had ruled the realm with his race of giants. The brothers then form heaven and earth from Ymir’s flesh, blood, bones and hair.

One of the oldest Nordic-Viking names, “Rolf” came from “Hrodwulf,” a Dark Ages appellation when mostly pagan names tended to extol virtues. One of the most famous kings of antiquity, Rolf gained renown in warfare by assembling the most celebrated warriors of the North, known as Rolf’s Twelve Champions. Equally famous was “Rolf the Ganger,” a Viking chief who sailed the Seine.

Haki - A Norse King

In Norse mythology, Haki was a formidable king who commanded a large army of warriors. His forces defeated the Swedish army led by King Hugleik in the great battle at Fýrisvellir. Haki then proclaimed himself King of Sweden and held this seat of power for three years before he was killed during an attack by two kinsmen of the former ruler, who sought revenge.

Modi is the son of Thor, the most powerful of the Norse gods. Though he inherits his father’s brute strength, he is also known for his fearlessness. Boundless courage emboldens his physical strength all the more.

Name means “Our Faithful”

Truvor, whose name means “our faithful,” took charge of Izborsk, an area near what is now Russia’s border with Estonia, controlling these lands for Kyivan Rus.

A Valkyrie

The daughter of Kjárr of Valland, Alruna (Ölrún in Old Norse) was one of three Valkyries spinning linen on the shore of Wolf Lake, when they were spotted by three brothers who lived nearby. Alruna and Egil, one of the brothers, lived together for seven winters, until Alruna flew off to battle, never to return.

In 2012, the year the first Viking Longships were launched, the editors of Cruise Critic recognised the entire Viking Longship fleet as Best River Cruise Ship. This was the first time this honour had ever been awarded to more than one ship. Viking's fleet has always had a tradition of setting the new standards, and the Viking Longships are no exception. Since their launch, the Longships have received great acclaim for their state-of-the-art engineering, innovative design and outstanding quality.

Tor, a version of the name Thor, is a son of Odin and god of the sky and thunder. Strong and powerful, he is the protector of gods and people and is usually depicted wielding his mighty hammer, Mjolnir.

Hosting 386 guests in 193 all outside staterooms, the new state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi is inspired by our award-winning Viking Longships® and ocean ships and will feature clean Scandinavian design, as well as public spaces that are familiar to guests but that have been reimagined for Mississippi River voyages. Purpose-built for the Mississippi, the ship’s cutting-edge design, expansive windows and comfortable amenities will make it the first truly modern cruise ship in the region.

Named after the ancient Egyptian god of writing and learning, the Viking Thoth is a state-of-the-art vessel—owned and operated by Viking—specifically built to cruise the Nile. Designed in the clean, elegant Scandinavian aesthetic for which Viking is known, she offers the ultimate in comfort.

Son of the mighty Norse god Thor, Magni is believed to be the one god stronger than his father. He is so strong that he is the only one besides Thor to be able to lift Mjolnir, Thor’s mighty hammer.

Nephew of Rurik

The Viking Akun was Rurik’s nephew. He and his brother Igor are named in the Russian Primary Chronicle as signatories of the 944 Rus-Byzantine Treaty. They were prominent Vikings who fought against Byzantium.

Skirnir is a humble servant of the gods. When the lovesick Freyr, god of sunshine and prosperity, falls in love with the beautiful goddess Geror, he sends Skirnir to woo her. The coy goddess refuses Skirnir’s advances until he threatens her with his mystical wand. But Skirnir is smart; for delivering Geror, he requires that Freyr give him his powerful sword as a reward.

The First Woman

In Norse mythology, Embla was the first woman to be created, the mother of the human race. The god Odin and his brothers made Embla, along with Ask, the first man, from two tree trunks found on the seashore. Embla and Ask were then given Midgard, the world of humans, as a place to live and call home.