Viking has officially taken delivery of its newest vessel deployed on the Nile River - Viking Sobek, following a formal ceremony at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, Egypt.
The 82-passenger ship joins Viking's expanding fleet on the Nile and will operate the popular 12-day "Pharaohs & Pyramids" itinerary.
The 5-deck Viking Sobek has 41 staterooms and showcases Viking's signature Scandinavian design, aligning with the fleet’s award-winning river and ocean vessels.
As a sistership to Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, and Viking Hathor, Sobec features Viking’s distinctive square bow and Aquavit Terrace, offering both indoor and outdoor seating. This new addition joins the Viking Ra and MS Antares as part of the fleet operating on the Nile.
Viking plans further expansion with the introduction of 4 more Nile ships: Viking Amun and Viking Thoth (2025), followed by Viking Sekhmet and Viking Ptah (2026), which will bring the Nile fleet to a total of 10 vessels.
The Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary includes a 3-night stay in Cairo, allowing guests to explore iconic landmarks such as the Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. The journey continues with a flight to Luxor, where travelers visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before embarking on an eight-day round-trip cruise on the Nile. Highlights of the cruise include visits to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens, the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, and excursions to the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan. The itinerary concludes with a final night in Cairo.
In addition to its Egyptian voyages, Viking also offers unique experiences related to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb through its connection to Highclere Castle, the estate famously known as the setting for Downton Abbey. George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, godfather of the Viking Osiris, is the descendant of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who was a benefactor and co-explorer in the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb alongside Howard Carter in 1922. Viking has been granted access to the Carnarvon family’s private collection of photographs documenting the tomb's excavation, which is shared with guests onboard the Viking Osiris and her sister ships.
For guests seeking to extend their exploration, Viking offers exclusive pre- and post-cruise extensions. The British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension, for example, includes privileged access to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum in London, as well as behind-the-scenes visits to the Petrie Museum and Oxford University's Griffith Institute, where guests can view Howard Carter's archives. The extension culminates with a visit to Highclere Castle, where travelers can explore the private collection of Egyptian artifacts belonging to the Carnarvon family, offering a unique glimpse into the history of Egyptology.