Strong Demand Leads Viking to Add 2024 Departure Dates For Its Newest Nile River Ship Viking Hathor
Viking has just announced the addition of voyages on its newest Nile River ship, the Viking Hathor. The brand new vessel debuts in 2024 with the company’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
Demand for travel in Egypt is strong as reflected in Viking’s 2023 season being sold out, with some 2025 sailings quickly selling out.
Strong Demand for Egypt Cruises
The Viking Hathor joins the company’s expanding fleet of purpose-built ships on the Nile River and Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, said “Egypt continues to be one of our most popular destinations. As a country rich with history and culture, we are pleased to bring the Viking way of exploration to Egypt for our guests. With the addition of the Viking Aton this summer and the Viking Hathor next summer, we are looking forward to meeting the growing demand in the region.”
In addition to the Viking Aton and the Viking Osiris, the Viking Hathor will join the other ships in the Egypt fleet, the Viking Ra and the MS Antares. Viking will have six ships sailing the Nile by 2025 with the addition of a new sister ship, the Viking Sobek, which is also under construction and will be delivered in 2025.
Torstein Hagen is the Chairman of Viking
Viking’s river fleet in Egypt has been exceptionally well-received and in its debut year the Viking Hathor’s identical sister ship, the Viking Osiris, was named as one of the “Best New Cruises” in Conde Nast Traveler’s “2023 Hot List.”
And, when Time magazine featured Giza and Saqqara on its “World’s Greatest Places of 2023” list, it recommended a Viking Nile River cruise adding that Viking is among just a few who stop in both Giza and the village of Saqqara (also known as “Sakkara”) where excavation sites including megatombs of animal and human mummies, are active.
The Viking Hathor & Viking’s Expanding Egypt Fleet
The new, state-of-the-art Viking Hathor is designed with the same award-winning Scandinavian design seen on Viking river and ocean ships. The Viking Hathor hosts 82 guests in 41 staterooms, and is identical to its sister ship the Viking Aton, which is set to debut this August 2023.
The Viking Osiris is another sister ship and was named in 2022, and each features the same stunning appointments that Viking guests have come to love. This includes a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace.
Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary
Guests who book the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary start with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo. During this time they may visit iconic sites including the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and the necropolis of Saqqara.
Next, guests fly to Luxor to see the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River. During the cruise guests receive Privileged Access to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings, as well as 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, and a visit to a colorful Nubian village. At the village guests can tour a traditional elementary school, and the journey ends with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.
The New, State-of-the-Art Viking Hathor Set to Debut
Viking guests can also access Pre and Post Extensions that provide Privileged Access to archives and exhibits. The five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension begins in London with a Viking Tour Director and an expert Egyptologist who accompany guests to two museums. At the British Museum guests will view the Egyptian Collection, and then tour the home and personal museum of world-renowned architect, Sir John Soane. Illuminated by candlelight, guests see a re-enactment of how Soane entertained guests and revealed his stunning collection of Egyptian antiquities, including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus.
Guests also enjoy Privileged Access to London’s Petrie Museum and the Ashmolean Museum plus a behind the scenes look at Howard Carter’s archives at Oxford University.
There is also a new three-night Pre-Extension in Istanbul, where guests can visit religious sites including the “Blue Mosque” and the legendary Hagia Sophia.
Guests can also extend their journey with a 4-night Post-Extension to Jordan – Petra, Dead Sea & Amman to view Roman antiquities at Jerash, Crusader-era castles at Kerak or Shobak and experience the lost city of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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