- The Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet will both debut later this year.
- They will join their sister ships sailing the 12-day “Pharaohs & Pyramids” itinerary.
- Both ships can host 82 guests in 41 staterooms and feature Viking’s signature space-saving square bow.
Viking has marked a major milestone in the construction of its two new Nile River ships, Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet, with a float out ceremony in Cairo.
It’s the first time Viking Ptah, which will debut in September, and Viking Sekhmet, debuting in November, have touched water. They will now move to the final stage of construction and interior fit-out.
The pair will join the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships in Egypt and will sail Viking’s popular 12-day “Pharaohs and Pyramids” itinerary.
Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, said the float out, which took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo, signified “the further expanding our elegant fleet on the Nile”.
“Egypt is truly a phenomenal destination, distinguished by its remarkable history, enduring culture and the singular power of the Nile,” he said.
“We look forward to … welcoming more curious travellers to experience this extraordinary region in the years to come.”
The new additions bring Viking’s Egypt fleet to eight, joining Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, Viking Sobek, Viking Hathor, Viking Amun, and Viking Thoth.
All vessels are designed with Viking’s distinct Scandinavian style, featuring 41 staterooms, French balconies, an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, and specialised construction for Nile River cruising.
The “Pharaohs & Pyramids” itinerary begins in Cairo with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, before guests are flown to Luxor and take the eight-day roundtrip voyage on the Nile River, with an Egyptologist onboard to share their expertise. The journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.
Cruising in Egypt has been disrupted recently due to the conflict in the Middle East with some cruise lines cancelling or scaling back
