Viking® Welcomes Newest Nile River Ship, Viking Hathor, to Its Expanding Fleet

Viking® has proudly announced the addition of its newest ship, the Viking Hathor, to its growing fleet on the Nile River. The delivery ceremony took place at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, Egypt, marking an exciting new chapter in Viking’s commitment to offering unparalleled river cruising experiences. The 82-guest Viking Hathor will soon begin sailing Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, bringing guests even closer to the ancient wonders of Egypt.

“We are proud to welcome the Viking Hathor to our award-winning river fleet,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “With its abundance of cultural treasures and ancient antiquities, Egypt has always been a destination of great interest to curious travellers, including our guests. We believe our ships are by far the most elegant vessels sailing the Nile River, and we look forward to introducing even more explorers to this fantastic destination in the years to come.”

The Viking Hathor and Viking’s Expanding Egypt Fleet

The Viking Hathor hosts 82 guests across 41 staterooms, showcasing Viking’s signature elegant Scandinavian design. This new ship is an identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris and the Viking Aton, featuring distinctive elements familiar to Viking travellers, including a square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. Viking’s Egypt fleet also includes the Viking Ra and the MS Antares, each offering unique experiences along the Nile.

Exploring Egypt: The Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary

Guests aboard the Viking Hathor will embark on the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, which begins with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo. This leg of the journey includes visits to iconic landmarks such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Following their time in Cairo, guests will fly to Luxor, where they can explore the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding their Viking river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile. Highlights of this cruise include visits to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens, the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, and the temples at Abu Simbel. Additionally, guests will experience the vibrant culture of a Nubian village, including a visit to a traditional primary school. The journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in this ancient city.

Viking’s Prestigious Recognition & Accolades

Viking’s dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed. The company has been rated #1 for Rivers, Oceans, and Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveller in their most recent Readers’ Choice Awards. The Viking Aton was also named one of the “Best New Cruises” in Condé Nast Traveller’s “Hot List 2024,” while the Viking Osiris received accolades as one of the “Best New Cruises” in the “Hot List 2023” and was named the “Best Luxury River Cruise of 2024” by Forbes in their “Best Luxury Cruises” list. Moreover, TIME magazine highlighted Viking’s unique itineraries in their “World’s Greatest Places” 2023 list, noting the inclusion of both Giza and Sakkara, where active excavation sites provide a rare glimpse into ongoing discoveries.

Extended Journeys and Exclusive Access

For those looking to further immerse themselves in Egypt’s rich history, Viking offers several Pre and Post Extensions with Privileged Access to exclusive sites and exhibits. One notable extension is the five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt, starting in London. This journey includes private visits to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum, the home of architect Sir John Soane, and London’s Petrie Museum. In Oxford, guests will explore the Ashmolean Museum and gain behind-the-scenes access to the Griffith Institute’s archives, including Howard Carter’s notes from the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. The extension concludes with an exclusive visit to Highclere Castle to view the Earl of Carnarvon’s private collection of Egyptian artefacts.

Additional offerings include a three-night Pre-Extension in Istanbul and a four-night Post-Extension to Jordan, where guests can explore Petra, the Dead Sea, and Amman, further enriching their journey through ancient civilisations.

Booking Information

To book your voyage or to find out more, call 0800 458 69 00 or visit www.viking.com.