Viking have floated out their newest ships on the Nile River, set to debut in spring.
The Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet have been “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ships have touched water.
Set to debut in September and November respectively, the ships will join the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships in Egypt and will sail Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
“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 of 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.”
The traditional float out ceremonies for the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo and are significant because they mark each ship’s transition into the final stage of construction.
The ships will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.
Each ship in the Egypt fleet host 82 guests in 41 staterooms and feature a space-saving square bow, an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace and elegant Scandinavian design.
Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary
Guests begin with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can visit sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali or the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Accompanied by a Viking Egyptologist, guests then fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak and begin an eight-day roundtrip voyage on the Nile River.
The sailing features a visit to the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan.
Also included is the opportunity to visit a colourful Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional elementary school. Finally, the journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.
