Viking has taken delivery of its new riverboat, the Viking Sekhmet , to Egypt . The handover ceremony took place at the Massara Shipyard in Cairo, Egypt.
“The Nile has connected people to Egypt’s history and culture for thousands of years and continues to be a destination that inspires curious travelers,” said Leah Talactac, president and CEO of Viking. “With the arrival of the elegant Viking Sekhmet, we are excited to offer even more opportunities for curious travelers to explore Egypt in Viking comfort.”
With a capacity for 82 passengers in 41 outside cabins, the Viking Sekhmet was built specifically for cruising the Nile River. Inspired by Viking's award-winning river and ocean-going vessels, the Viking Sekhmet and its identical sister ships incorporate the company's signature elegant Scandinavian design, featuring elements such as a distinctive square bow and the Aquavit Terrace, a glass-enclosed space that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor areas.
The Viking Sekhmet will undertake the popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids, as well as the new 12-day Total Eclipse on the Nile, both in 2027.
In both itineraries, passengers begin their journey with a three-night stay in a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can visit some of the country's most iconic sites, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Saqqara necropolis, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, or the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Next, passengers fly to Luxor, where they visit the temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking riverboat for an eight-day round-trip cruise on the Nile. During the cruise, the program includes a visit to the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, as well as excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna; the Dendera Temple Complex in Qena; the Aswan High Dam; and a colorful Nubian village, where passengers will visit a traditional primary school.
Finally, the trip concludes with a flight back to Cairo, where passengers will spend one last night in the ancient city.
Viking maintains its commitment to clearly defined long-term growth plans, as part of its strategy to continue leading the experiential travel segment.
Based on current orders, the company expects to receive an additional 19 river ships by 2028, an additional 11 ocean-going ships by 2032, and two additional expedition ships by 2031.
With these additions, Viking will have 114 river ships in 2028 and 28 ocean and expedition ships in 2032.
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