Viking has expanded its renowned Egypt cruise fleet, welcoming two stunning new ships, the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek, in a festive ceremony in Luxor. This event celebrates Viking’s growing presence in Egypt and its dedication to bringing travelers a unique and luxurious Nile River experience. The Viking Hathor was ceremoniously named by The Hon. Edward Herbert, whose great-great-grandfather famously supported Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb. The Viking Sobek was named by Mohamed El Banna, founder of Cosmos Egypt and a member of the Egyptian Senate. Both ships are sister vessels to the Viking Aton and the Viking Osiris, designed specifically for Viking’s popular Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, and built at Cairo’s Massara shipyard.
“Today, we are proud to welcome the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek to our growing fleet in Egypt. Along with their sister ships, we believe they are by far the most elegant vessels on the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “We are very grateful for our continued close friendship with the Carnarvon family and that Eddie has honored us by serving as godfather of the Viking Hathor. For more than 15 years, Mohamed El Banna has been a part of the extended Viking family, helping to take good care of our guests in Egypt, and it is a great honor that he is serving as godfather of the Viking Sobek. As our award-winning fleet on the Nile continues to grow, we look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to this phenomenal destination.”
The Viking Hathor, the Viking Sobek & Viking’s Growing Egypt Fleet
Designed to host 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek feature Viking’s signature Scandinavian elegance with modern amenities like the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. Viking has further expansion plans for its Egypt fleet, with four new ships scheduled to launch by 2026. Viking’s Egypt cruises continue to attract luxury travelers, with recent accolades from Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes, and TIME, reinforcing Viking’s reputation as a top choice for Nile River adventures. For travelers looking to experience Egypt in style, Viking’s Nile River cruises provide a seamless blend of luxury, history, and cultural immersion.
Discover Egypt with Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary
Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary offers an unforgettable journey through Egypt’s most iconic sites, starting with a three-night stay in Cairo. Guests visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and other famous landmarks before flying to Luxor to embark on an eight-day Nile River cruise. Along the Nile, travelers explore the Valley of the Kings, including Tutankhamen’s tomb, as well as the Valley of the Queens, the temples of Luxor and Karnak, and ancient sites like the Dendera Temple and Abu Simbel.
About Viking Cruises
Viking was rated #1 for Rivers, as well as #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions, by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year. This achievement marked the first time a travel company won these three categories in back-to-back years. Viking’s Egypt ships have also been included in Condé Nast Traveler’s “Hot List” the last two years. Viking was also named a “Best Luxury River Cruise of 2024” in Forbes’ “Best Luxury Cruises” list. Additionally, TIME magazine featured both Giza and Saqqara on its “World’s Greatest Places” 2023 list, mentioning sailing the Nile River with Viking. TIME notes that Viking is among the very few who stop in both Giza and the village of Sakkara, where excavation sites, like the megatombs of animal and human mummies, are active.
Whether you’re captivated by Egypt’s ancient wonders or Viking’s world-class service, the Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek offer a refined way to experience this timeless region. Explore more about Viking River Cruises and Egypt here.
