Viking's newest Nile River ship, the 82-passenger Viking Aton, has been launched, marking a significant construction milestone and the ship's first contact with the water. The Viking Aton will debut in August 2023, sailing the 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary.
Viking has experienced strong demand in Egypt, with the 2023 season sold out and many sailing dates for 2024 already sold.
“We are delighted with the continued strong interest in our Nile River cruises,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We are proud to be the only Western company that builds, owns, and operates ships on the Nile.”.
The launching ceremony took place at the Massara shipyard in Cairo. It will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior fitting out.
The Viking Aton accommodates 82 guests in 41 cabins and features the elegant Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. An identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris, the Viking Aton boasts a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. Along with the Viking Osiris, the Viking Aton will join the Viking Ra, which launched in 2018. In response to strong demand, Viking will have six ships sailing the Nile by 2025 with the addition of two new sister ships, the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek, which are already under construction and due for delivery in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary begins with a three-night stay in Cairo. Guests then fly to Luxor before boarding a Viking riverboat for an eight-day round-trip cruise on the Nile River. Finally, the journey concludes with a return flight to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city. For guests wishing to extend their trip, Viking also offers Pre- and Post-Cruise Extensions.
