Sarah Bretz, ContributorViking announced today that its newest ship for the Nile River, Viking Sobek, has been floated out. This marks the first time a ship touches water, and is a major milestone in the construction process.
Viking Sobek is scheduled to debut this fall and will operate Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
“Egypt has always captivated curious travelers with its rich culture and history, and it continues to be a destination of interest for our guests,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “We believe the Viking Sobek and her sister ships are by far the most elegant vessels on the Nile, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests to explore this fantastic region.”
The float out ceremony took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo. The vessel will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.
Viking Sobek will be able to accommodate 82 guests in 41 staterooms. An identical ship to Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, and the new Viking Hathor, which is scheduled to debut this summer, Sobek features many aspects familiar to Viking guests. These include the cozy and modern Scandinavian design that Viking is known for, as well as the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace.
By the end of 2024, Viking is scheduled to have six ships sailing on the Nile River. Additional vessels in the line’s Egypt fleet include Viking Ra and the MS Antares.
Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary
During the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, guests begin with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, or the Great Egyptian Museum.
Travelers then fly to Luxor where they can visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding the river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River. One highlight includes visits to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. Excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, and a visit to a colorful Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional elementary school are also popular shore options during the voyage.
The journey concludes with a flight back to a Cairo for a final night in the city.
Pre and Post-Trip Extensions
For those who wish to extend their journey in Egypt, Viking also offers pre and post extensions that provide Privileged Access to archives and exhibits.
Guests on the five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension will begin the journey in London, where they’ll meet their Viking Tour Director, an expert Egyptologist, and experience Privileged Access to two museums: first, a private, early morning visit to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum before it opens to the general public — and then a visit to the home and personal museum of world-renowned architect Sir John Soane, where the tour will be illuminated by candlelight, a re-enactment of how Soane entertained guests and showcased his exquisite collection of Egyptian antiquities, including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus.
Guests will also visit London’s Petrie Museum, which houses over 80,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt and Sudan.
In Oxford, guests will visit the Ashmolean Museum, one of the oldest in the world, and home to a varied collection of Egyptian mummies and art — and go behind the scenes at Oxford University’s Griffith Institute, where they will enjoy a Privileged Access visit to see Howard Carter’s archives, which detail the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Lastly, travelers will have further Privileged Access with an exclusive visit to Highclere Castle to view the Earl of Carnarvon’s magnificent private collection of Egyptian artifacts, as well as archives and exhibits not usually accessible to the public.
Additional offerings include a three-night pre-extension in Istanbul, where guests can visit sites like the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. After concluding the river cruise, guests can also extend the journey with a four-night post-extension to Jordan — Petra, Dead Sea & Amman to view Roman antiquities at Jerash, Crusader-era castles at Kerak or Shobak, and experience the lost city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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