Viking has officially unveiled its two latest river ships, the Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek. Travel Pulse
Viking recently introduced two new river ships, the Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek, in a grand ceremony held in Luxor, Egypt. These two identical sister ships are part of the company’s expanding fleet and will begin sailing on the 12-day “Pharaohs & Pyramids” itinerary, offering guests an immersive experience along the Nile River.
The Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek were constructed at the Massara shipyard in Cairo and are designed to host up to 82 guests, with 41 luxurious staterooms on each ship. True to Viking’s signature Scandinavian style, these vessels feature elegant interiors and offer familiar amenities such as the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, where guests can enjoy panoramic views while dining or relaxing.
These two ships are similar in design to Viking’s existing Nile River ships, including the Viking Osiris and Viking Aton. Along with these four vessels, Viking also operates the Viking Ra and MS Antares in Egypt, further solidifying its strong presence along the Nile. Over the next two years, the company plans to expand even more, with four additional ships joining the fleet. The Viking Amun and Viking Thoth are expected to be launched in 2025, while the Viking Sekhmet and Viking Ptah will set sail in 2026. This expansion will bring Viking’s total number of ships on the Nile River to 10.
During the naming ceremony, Viking honored two special individuals as godparents for the new ships. The Viking Hathor’s godfather is Edward Herbert, whose great-great-grandfather was Howard Carter’s benefactor and co-explorer. Carter, of course, famously discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen in Luxor in 1922. Viking Sobek’s godfather, Mohamed El Banna, is the founder of Cosmos Egypt and a prominent member of the Egyptian Senat, who has been instrumental in providing excellent service for Viking’s guests in Egypt for over 15 years.
Following the ceremony, guests were treated to a special dinner inside the iconic Karnak Temple, accompanied by a stunning performance by Norwegian soprano Sissel Kyrkjebø. Viking’s chairman and CEO, Torstein Hagen, expressed his excitement about the new ships, calling them “by far the most elegant vessels on the Nile.” He also thanked the Carnarvon family for their continued friendship and praised Mohamed El Banna for his invaluable contribution to Viking’s operations in Egypt. With the growth of its fleet on the Nile, Viking looks forward to welcoming more travelers to explore the wonders of Egypt.
