Viking announces sailing of newest Nile ships | News
Viking® today announced that its two newest ships for the Nile River – the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet – have been “floated,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ships have touched water. The Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet will make their debut in September and November 2026 respectively, joining the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships in Egypt sailing Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids route.
“Egypt is a truly phenomenal destination, distinguished by its remarkable history, enduring culture and the unique power of the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman and CEO of Viking. “With the sailing of our two newest ships, we look forward to further expanding our elegant fleet on the Nile and welcoming more curious travelers to experience this extraordinary region in the years to come.”
The traditional funeral ceremonies for the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet took place at the Massara Shipyard in Cairo and are important as they mark the transition of each ship to the final stages of construction. The ships will now be moved to a nearby finishing dock for final construction and interior extension.
Viking’s growing Egyptian fleet
The state-of-the-art Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet are the newest sister ships in Viking’s Egyptian fleet, which also includes the Viking Osiris, the Viking Aton, the Viking Sobek, the Viking Hathor, the Viking Amun and the Viking Thoth. Owned and operated by Viking, each ship accommodates 82 guests in 41 staterooms and features several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a space-saving square bow, an indoor/outdoor Aquavit terrace and an elegant Scandinavian design. Together they represent the most modern sister ships sailing the Nile.
Viking’s Pharaohs and Pyramids Route
During the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, guests begin with a three-night stay at a premier hotel in Cairo, where they can visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara Necropolis, Muhammad Ali’s Mosque or the Grand Egyptian Museum. Accompanied by a Viking Egyptologist, guests then fly to Luxor, where they visit the temples of Luxor and Karnak and embark on an eight-day tour of the Nile River. The sailing includes a visit to Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples of Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, as well as the opportunity to visit a colorful Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional primary school. Finally, the trip ends with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the old city.
Booking details
To make a booking or for more information call 0800 458 69 00 or visit www.viking.com
