Viking unveils new ship on the Nile

Viking Osiris’ planned 2020 debut was delayed due to the pandemic

Viking River Cruises officially welcomed its 82-passenger vessel, Viking Osiris, at a naming ceremony held in Luxor, Egypt.

Set on the Nile, Luxor is home to some of Egypt’s most important historic sites, including the temples of Karnak and Luxor. Both will feature prominently in Viking Osiris itineraries. 

In addition, the famed burial site of Egyptian pharaohs, the Valley of the Kings, is just across the river.

Owned and operated by Viking, Viking Osiris is the first Nile River vessel specifically built to Viking’s specifications allowing the Line to ensure a consistent product and service offering to its guests.

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Though Viking Osiris is notably smaller than the typical Viking river ship at just 236 feet in length, it features an entire deck of suites, each comprising two rooms, two of which have glass walls that wrap around the front of the vessel for optimal viewing.  

Viking Osiris is home to just 41 cabins compared to 95 for a typical Viking river ship

The classic Viking decor is accented with a number of touches that tie it to its Egyptian home, including a collection of photographs taken during the excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Viking Osiris is joining Viking’s four-year-old, 52-passenger Viking Ra on the Nile, and the older, 62-passenger Antares. Viking will expand even more on the Nile next year with the debut of a fourth vessel, a sister to Viking Osiris to be called Viking Aton.

Viking Osiris’ first voyage with paying passengers is scheduled for Friday 26 August 2022. Like Viking Ra, Viking Osiris will operate seven-night Nile cruises that Viking will pair with a four-night stay at a hotel in Cairo (three nights before the cruise and one night after) to create an 11-night 'Pharaohs and Pyramids' tour of Egypt.

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The cruise portion of the trip will include visits to the historic temples of Luxor, Karnak, Esna, Dendera and Abu Simbel, as well as a visit to the iconic Valley of the Kings, while the Cairo leg will take guests to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum.

Viking currently operates 80 river ships and seven traditional ocean ships, and recently unveiled an expedition ship.

'Pharaohs and Pyramids' 11-night trip costs from US$5,299 per person, excluding taxes and fees. For more information, visit www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk