Viking floats out two newest Nile ships ahead of Egypt deployment in 2026

Viking has marked a key construction milestone for its expanding Egypt programme with the float out of two new Nile river vessels, Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet.

The ships were floated out at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, signifying their first contact with water and transition into the final phase of construction ahead of their planned entry into service later in 2026.

The vessels are scheduled to debut in September and November 2026, respectively, and will operate the company’s established 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. Their introduction will further increase capacity on the Nile, where Viking has been steadily growing its presence with a fleet of purpose-built ships.

“Egypt is truly a phenomenal destination, distinguished by its remarkable history, enduring culture, and the singular power of the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO, Viking. “With the float out of our two newest ships, we look forward to further expanding our elegant fleet on the Nile and welcoming more curious travellers to experience this extraordinary region in the years to come.”

Following the float out, both vessels will be transferred to a nearby outfitting dock, where interior installation and final construction work will be completed ahead of delivery.

Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet will join a growing fleet of sister ships already operating in Egypt, including Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, Viking Sobek, Viking Hathor, Viking Amun, and Viking Thoth.

The ships are designed specifically for Nile operations and reflect a standardised approach across the fleet, with each accommodating 82 guests in 41 staterooms.

The vessels incorporate design elements consistent with Viking’s broader river fleet, including a square bow intended to maximise interior space, as well as the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. Interiors follow a Scandinavian design approach, aligned with the company’s established onboard product.

The continued expansion of Viking’s Nile fleet comes amid sustained demand for Egypt itineraries, which combine river cruising with land-based touring. The Pharaohs & Pyramids programme remains central to this offering, integrating time in Cairo with a multi-day cruise along the Nile.

Guests begin with a three-night stay in Cairo, with access to sites including the Great Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. The itinerary then continues with a flight to Luxor, where the river cruise portion begins, including visits to the Temples of Luxor and Karnak.

The eight-day Nile sailing includes stops at key archaeological and cultural sites, such as the Valley of the Kings, Esna, Qena, Aswan, and Abu Simbel, alongside community visits including a Nubian village experience.

The journey then concludes with a return to Cairo for a final overnight stay.

The addition of Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet will bring further uniformity to Viking’s Egypt operations, reinforcing its position as one of the largest operators of modern river vessels on the Nile.

Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary overview (not included in word count)

• Three-night hotel stay in Cairo
• Visits to:
  • Great Pyramids of Giza
  • Sakkara necropolis
  • Mosque of Muhammad Ali
  • Grand Egyptian Museum
• Flight to Luxor
• Eight-day Nile river cruise including:
  • Temples of Luxor and Karnak
  • Valley of the Kings (including Tutankhamen’s tomb)
  • Temple of Khnum (Esna)
  • Dendera Temple complex (Qena)
  • Abu Simbel temples
  • Aswan High Dam
  • Nubian village visit
• Final overnight stay in Cairo before departure