Viking Floats Out Newest Egypt Ship, Viking Osiris
Viking’s plans for Viking Osiris, due to arrive this summer, underscore Viking’s commitment to Egypt. On January 27, 2022 Viking announced that the 82-guest Viking Osiris was “floated out.” This is a significant construction milestone as it signifies that it is the first time the ship has touched water. The traditional float out ceremony for Viking Osiris took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo. Now the ship will be moved to a nearby dock for final construction and interior build-out.
The new ship is inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships and will host 82 guests in 41 staterooms. The magnificent ship will ply the Nile River on Viking’s bestselling 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. Viking Osiris will join the company’s other ship on the Nile, Viking Ra, which launched in 2018. Additionally, in response to strong demand, Viking Aton, an identical sister ship to Viking Osiris, will join the fleet in 2023.
The ship’s launch coincides with several key events taking place in Egypt in this year. These include the debut of the Grand Egyptian Museum on the Giza Plateau and the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb by Howard Carter.
Viking Osiris Debuts in Summer 2022
Torstein Hagen is the Chairman of Viking and he stated, “Our guests are curious explorers, and just as the iconic explorers before them, they choose Egypt as a destination because of its unparalleled access to history and antiquities.”
“This rings as true today as it did a century ago and is what we continue to hear from the guests who are currently sailing with us on the Nile, as well as the many we have hosted in the last year. We are proud to be the only western company to build, own and operate ships on the Nile—and we will always maintain our commitment to creating meaningful experiences that are focused on the destination. Particularly during this milestone year for Egypt, we look forward to welcoming guests on board Viking Osiris and introducing them to the country’s many cultural treasures.”
Viking Osiris Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary
Guests on the 12-day, Pharaohs & Pyramids cruise launch their itinerary with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, the site of the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, and beginning in late 2022, the new Grand Egyptian Museum.
Next, guests fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River. During their cruise they enjoy Privileged Access to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings. Also on tap are 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. The magnificent journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for one final night in the historical city.
Viking Osiris Debuts This Summer
Viking also offers Pre and Post Extensions that provide Privileged Access to archives and exhibits. Guests on the five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension will begin the journey in London, and have access to an expert Egyptologist, plus Privileged Access to two museums: the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum and a visit to the home and personal museum of world-renowned architect, Sir John Soane.
London’s Petrie Museum, the Ashmolean Museum, and Oxford University’s Griffith Institute will be visited, and guests enjoy a Privileged Access visit to see Carter’s archives, and a Privileged Access visit to Highclere Castle, the country seat of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, to view the Earl’s magnificent private collection of Egyptian artifacts.
There is also a Pre Extension in Jerusalem where guests will explore the ancient history and vibrant culture of Israel’s fascinating capital and a 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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