Viking marks float out of newest Nile river cruise vessel Viking Thoth in Egypt

Viking has marked a key construction milestone for its newest Nile River cruise vessel, Viking Thoth, which was officially floated out at the Massara shipyard in Cairo. 

The 82-guest ship is scheduled for delivery in October 2025 and will operate Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

The float out ceremony marks the first time the vessel has touched water and signals its transition to the final stage of construction. Viking Thoth will now move to an outfitting dock for interior work and finishing.

“Egypt is a country of profound historical and cultural significance, which makes it a destination of great interest to our guests,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. 

“With two new ships, Viking Thoth and Viking Amun, debuting in 2025, we are very proud to continue expanding our elegant fleet and introducing more curious travellers to this phenomenal region,” he added.

Viking Thoth will be the latest addition to Viking’s expanding presence on the Nile. Designed to carry 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the ship follows the same design principles as Viking’s other river and ocean vessels, with a square bow, Scandinavian-inspired interiors, and the Aquavit Terrace, an indoor/outdoor lounge space. 

The ship is an identical sister to Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, Viking Sobek, Viking Hathor, and Viking Amun.

In addition to Viking Thoth, the cruise line plans to introduce four more ships to the Nile in the next two years, bringing the company’s Egypt fleet to 12 vessels by 2027. Existing ships also include the Viking Ra and MS Antares.

The Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary begins with a three-night hotel stay in Cairo, giving guests time to visit key sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. 

Guests then fly to Luxor for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile, with stops at landmarks including the Temples of Karnak and Luxor, the tombs of Nefertari and Tutankhamen, and temples in Esna, Qena, and Abu Simbel. 

The itinerary concludes with a return to Cairo for a final night before departure.