Viking New Nile River Ship Viking Sobek, Plus Added 2026 Nile River Voyages
Viking has announced that guests are now able to book voyages on its newest Nile River ship, the Viking Sobek. This state-of-the-art vessel debuts in 2025, becoming Viking’s sixth ship sailing the popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
The Viking Sobek will host 82 guests in 41 staterooms, all of which feature the cruise line’s trademark, award winning Scandinavian design.
At this point in time, Viking’s 2024 Egypt season is almost sold out and 2025 is already selling very well. Because of the popularity of this itinerary Viking has moved up the date of Viking Sobek’s debut season as well as all 2026 departure dates for guests wishing to sail on the Nile River.
Torstein Hagen is the Chairman of Viking
Torstein Hagen is the Chairman of Viking and he is pleased with guests’ continued interest in experiencing Egypt on board Viking’s award winning fleet. He stated that he is “proud to be the only western company to build, own and operate ships on the Nile. With the addition of the Viking Sobek, we will offer the largest fleet and the most elegant ships on the Nile, by far. We look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to the rich history, culture and antiquities of Egypt in the coming years.”
The Viking Sobek & Viking’s Growing Egypt Fleet
Viking is experiencing a banner year, with the company accruing an unprecedented level of awards and accolades in 2023. The company garnered the top spot in the categories for oceans, rivers and expeditions by readers in Travel + Leisure’s 2023 “World’s Best Awards.”
At the same time Viking was voted the best in oceans, rivers and expeditions categories by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. This is the first time a single cruise line has received these honors by both respected publications within the same year.
Additionally, Sobek’s identical sister ship, the Viking Osiris, was named one of the “Best New Cruises” in Condé Nast Traveler’s “2023 Hot List” and the “Best Luxury River Cruise” in Forbes’ 2023 “Best Luxury Cruises” list, in its debut year
Also in 2023, Time magazine recommended sailing the Nile River with Viking, noting that the cruise line is one of a select few that stop in both Giza and the village of Saqqara, where excavation sites, like the mega-tombs of animal and human mummies, are active.
Viking’s Award Winning Egypt Fleet Expands
Guests on Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary begin their adventure with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can tour the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Saqqara and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. From there guests fly to Luxor, where they can view the Temples of Luxor and Karnak.
Next up, guests board a world-class Viking river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River. During this opulent adventure, guests are given Privileged Access to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings. They are also provided with excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the High Dam in Aswan, and a visit to a colorful Nubian village. After a whirlwind Egyptian exploration guests fly back to Cairo for one final enchanted night in the ancient city.
Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary
Viking guests may also book Pre and Post Extensions which allow for Privileged Access to historical archives and exhibits. Guests who choose the five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension begin their journey in London, where they will join an expert Egyptologist as they are granted Privileged Access to two museums.
The first is a private, early morning visit to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum followed by a visit to the home and personal museum of world-renowned architect, Sir John Soane. Once there, guests will take part in a candlelight re-enactment depicting how Soane entertained his guests, including a viewing of his unparalleled collection of Egyptian antiquities, which includes a 3,000-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus.
In addition to this once in a lifetime opportunity, Viking guests will also visit London’s Petrie Museum, home to over 80,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt and Sudan. They will tour Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum which houses a varied collection of Egyptian mummies and art, as well as enjoy Privileged Access at Oxford University’s Griffith Institute, home to Howard Carter’s archives detailing his discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb.
Finally, guests enjoy Privileged Access to Highclere Castle where the Earl maintains a magnificent private collection of Egyptian artifacts, archives and exhibits, not normally accessible to the public.
Viking Guests Enjoy Privileged Access on the Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary
Guests can also book a new three-night Pre-Extension in Istanbul to experience the “Blue Mosque” and the legendary Hagia Sophia. Guests can also choose to extend their journey in Jerusalem, or choose a four-night Post-Extension to Jordan 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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