Viking has officially taken delivery of its newest Nile River vessel, the Viking Sobek, following a formal ceremony at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, Egypt. The ship, with a capacity of 82 guests, joins Viking's expanding fleet on the Nile and will operate the company’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
The Viking Sobek, accommodating 82 guests in 41 staterooms, showcases Viking's signature Scandinavian design, aligning with the fleet’s award-winning river and ocean vessels. As an identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, and Viking Hathor, she features the line’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 additional ships: the Viking Amun and Viking Thoth in 2025, followed by the Viking Sekhmet and Viking Ptah in 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 Tutankhamen 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 Tutankhamen’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.