Viking celebrates float out of new Nile river cruise ship Viking Sobek

Viking has celebrated the float out of its newest Nile River cruise vessel, Viking Sobek, marking a significant milestone in her construction as the ship touches water for the first time. 

The event signifies the end of external construction work and the begining of the final fit and finish on her interior, which will be conducted at a wet dock. 

The 82-guest ship, scheduled to launch in late 2024, is part of Viking’s expanding Nile River fleet and will operate the 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 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,” he added.

12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary

The Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary begins with a 3-night stay in a premier Cairo hotel, where guests can explore major landmarks such as the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum. 

Guests then fly to Luxor for visits to the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, followed by an 8-day cruise on the Nile visiting the tombs of Nefertari and Tutankhamun, the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex, and the temples at Abu Simbel. 

Guests also experience the High Dam in Aswan and a vibrant Nubian village. The trip concludes with a return flight to Cairo for one final night in this historic capital.

The float out ceremony for Viking Sobek was held at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, where the ship is being built in the Scandinavian style that is a hallmark of Viking’s award-winning river and ocean fleet. 

The vessel is a sister ship to Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, and the upcoming Viking Hathor, set to debut this summer. 

Noteworthy features aboard these ships include a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. 

The introduction of Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek, will bring Vikings Nile fleet up to six ships by the end of 2024, joining Viking Ra and the MS Antares.

For those wishing to deepen their exploration of Egypt, Viking offers additional trips before and after the main cruise, offering access to rare archives and exhibits. 

The 5-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension begins in London with a Viking Tour Director who specialises in Egyptology. It features exclusive visits to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum and Sir John Soane’s personal museum, which includes candlelit tours mimicking Soane’s historical gatherings. 

Additionally, guests will explore the Petrie Museum and its vast collection of artifacts, and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford for a behind-the-scenes look at the Griffith Institute’s archives on Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

 The extension tour culminates with an exclusive visit to Highclere Castle, home to the Earl of Carnarvon’s private collection of Egyptian artifacts.

A 3-night stay in Istanbul prior to the cruise, offers guests the opportunity to discover historic and religious landmarks like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, and a 4-night post-cruise extension in Jordan offers visits to ancient sites in Petra, Jerash, and the Dead Sea, as well as Crusader-era castles in Kerak or Shobak.