Viking Grows Egypt River Cruise Universe, I Remember My Personal Experience

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

Great news for Nile River adventurers! Viking® has announced a significant milestone in constructing their newest ship, the Viking Hathor. This state-of-the-art vessel will debut in August 2024 and join Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

First, features of the new Viking Hathor, then more information on the Viking Egypt program, followed by some personal memories of our trip to Egypt and then on to Jordan.

  • Accommodating 82 guests
  • Featuring elegant Scandinavian design
  • Sailing the popular Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary

The Viking Hathor & Viking’s Growing Egypt Fleet

Hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the new, state-of-the-art Viking Hathor is inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships with the elegant Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. An identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris and the Viking Aton, the Viking Hathor features several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. Viking will have six ships sailing the Nile by 2025 with the addition of another sister ship, the Viking Sobek, which is already under construction and will be delivered next year. Additional ships in the Egypt fleet currently include the Viking Ra and the MS Antares.

Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary

During the 12-day, Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, guests begin with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, or the Grand Egyptian Museum. Guests then fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River, featuring visits to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, and a visit to a colorful Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional elementary school. Finally, the journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.

Recently, the Viking Osiris was named one of the “Best New Cruises” in Condé Nast Traveler’s “Hot List” and the “Best Luxury River Cruise” in Forbes’ “Best Luxury Cruises” list. Additionally, TIME magazine featured both Giza and Saqqara on its “World’s Greatest Places” list, recommending sailing the Nile River with Viking. TIME notes that Viking is among the very few who stop in both Giza and the village of Sakkara, where excavation sites, like the megatombs of animal and human mummies, are active.

Great news for anyone looking to extend their Egyptian adventure with Viking! Viking offers Pre and Post Extensions that provide Privileged Access to exclusive archives and exhibits, making your trip even more unforgettable:

  • Privileged Access: Get a closer look at Egyptian history with exclusive access to archives and exhibits not normally open to the public.
  • Expert Egyptologist: Travel with a Viking Tour Director, an expert Egyptologist who will share their knowledge and insights throughout your journey.
  • Unique Experiences: Immerse yourself in Egyptian culture with unique experiences like a private, early morning visit to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum.
  • World-Renowned Museums: Visit renowned museums like the British Museum, the Petrie Museum, the Ashmolean Museum, and Oxford University’s Griffith Institute.
  • Exclusive Visits: Enjoy exclusive visits to Highclere Castle to view the Earl of Carnarvon’s magnificent private collection of Egyptian artifacts.

Additional offerings include a three-night Pre-Extension in Istanbul, where guests can visit the timeless city and important religious sites including the “Blue Mosque” and the legendary Hagia Sophia. After concluding the river voyage, guests can also extend the journey with a 4-night Post-Extension to Jordan—Petra, Dead Sea & Ammanto view Roman antiquities at Jerash, Crusader-era castles at Kerak or Shobak and experience the lost city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I have not personally sailed with Viking in Egypt but a recent, comprehensive trip in Egypt & Jordan with Abercrombie & Kent visited a lot of the same places on the Nile. At the time, I collected admission tickets to all the attractions we visited. Here are images of those tickets: