Viking, a frontrunner in river and ocean cruises, has introduced the arrival of their latest ship designed particularly for the Nile River; Viking Sobek. This marks a major milestone within the vessel’s development, because it was just lately “floated out” for the primary time, signifying its entry into the ultimate development part.
The 82-guest Viking Sobek is ready to debut in Fall 2024 and can be a part of Viking’s already spectacular fleet crusing the Nile River. It should function on Viking’s fashionable 12-day itinerary, “Pharaohs & Pyramids.”
A Dedication to Exploring Egypt in Fashion
Torstein Hagen, Viking’s Chairman and CEO, expressed the corporate’s continued enthusiasm for Egypt, highlighting its wealthy historical past and enduring attraction to vacationers. He believes Viking’s vessels, together with the Viking Sobek and its sister ships, characterize probably the most elegant ships navigating the Nile. Viking is keen to welcome much more friends to discover this charming area.
The Viking Sobek: Combining Custom with Modernity
The standard float out ceremony held on the Massara shipyard in Cairo signifies the Viking Sobek’s transition into the ultimate development stage. It should now be moved to a close-by outfitting dock for the completion of development and inside design.
The Viking Sobek boasts a state-of-the-art design impressed by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships. It options the signature components that Viking friends have come to understand, such because the distinctive sq. bow and the favored indoor/outside Aquavit Terrace. With the addition of the Viking Sobek and its sister ship, the Viking Hathor, Viking may have a complete of six ships crusing the Nile by the top of 2024. The Viking Ra and MS Antares are the opposite vessels at the moment in Viking’s Egypt fleet.
An immersive Journey Via the “Pharaohs & Pyramids” Itinerary
Viking’s “Pharaohs & Pyramids” itinerary provides a 12-day exploration of Egypt’s wonders. The journey begins with a three-night keep in an opulent Cairo lodge, permitting friends to go to iconic landmarks just like the Nice Pyramids of Giza, the Sakkara necropolis, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Visitors then fly to Luxor for exploration of the Temples of Luxor and Karnak earlier than embarking on an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River aboard a Viking river ship.
Highlights of the cruise embrace visits to the tomb of Nefertari within the Valley of the Queens, the tomb of Tutankhamun within the Valley of the Kings, excursions to varied temples (Khnum in Esna, Dendera complicated in Qena, Abu Simbel), the Excessive Dam in Aswan, and a colourful Nubian village the place friends can expertise a conventional elementary faculty. The journey concludes with a remaining evening in Cairo earlier than departure.
Acclaim and Recognition for Viking’s Nile River Cruises
Viking’s dedication to excellence on the Nile has garnered important recognition throughout the journey business. Previously yr alone, the Viking Osiris acquired reward from each Condé Nast Traveler (“Greatest New Cruises” in Scorching Listing 2023) and Forbes (“Greatest Luxurious River Cruise of 2024”). TIME journal additionally included Giza and Saqqara on its “World’s Biggest Locations” 2023 checklist, particularly mentioning Viking’s Nile River cruises. TIME acknowledges Viking as one of many few cruise traces providing stops at each Giza and the village of Sakkara, recognized for its energetic excavation websites of animal and human mummies.
Enhancing Your Egyptian Journey with Pre and Publish Extensions
For these in search of a extra intensive Egyptian expertise, Viking gives Pre and Publish Extensions providing unique entry to historic websites and displays. The five-day “British Collections of Historic Egypt” extension permits friends to delve deeper into the world of Egyptology. Highlights embrace a non-public, early morning go to to the Egyptian Assortment on the British Museum earlier than public opening, a candlelit tour of famend architect Sir John Soane’s house and private museum showcasing his Egyptian artifacts, and unique entry to Howard Carter’s archives at Oxford College, detailing the invention of Tutankhamun’s tomb. The extension additionally contains visits to the Petrie Museum in London and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
Viking extends the chance to discover past Egypt with extra pre and submit extensions. Visitors can select a three-night Pre-Extension in Istanbul to go to historic and non secular websites just like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Following the Nile River cruise, a four-night Publish-Extension to Jordan provides the possibility to discover Roman ruins at Jerash, Crusader-era castles, and the breathtaking misplaced metropolis of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
