Two New Viking Ships Set to Enhance Egypt River Cruises as Construction Milestone Reached in Cairo

(IN SHORT) Viking has floated out two new Nile River ships, the Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet, marking a key milestone ahead of their launch in late 2026. The vessels will join the company’s growing Egypt fleet and operate the popular Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, which combines a Nile cruise with guided cultural experiences across Egypt. Designed for 82 guests, the ships feature modern amenities and Scandinavian design. The expansion reflects Viking’s continued investment in experiential travel and its commitment to meeting growing demand for Nile River cruises.

(PRESS RELEASE) LOS ANGELES, 2026-Apr-1 — /Travel PR News/ — Viking has reached a major construction milestone with the float-out of its two newest Nile River ships, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet, marking the first time both vessels have entered the water. The ships are scheduled to debut in September and November 2026, respectively, further expanding Viking’s presence in Egypt.

The float-out ceremonies took place at a shipyard in Cairo and signal the transition of both vessels into the final phase of construction. Following this stage, the ships will move to an outfitting dock where interior installation and finishing work will be completed ahead of their launch.

Once operational, the Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet will join an expanding fleet of Nile vessels that includes the Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, Viking Sobek, Viking Hathor, Viking Amun and Viking Thoth. Each ship is designed to host 82 guests across 41 staterooms, offering a consistent onboard experience defined by Scandinavian-inspired design, modern amenities and features such as an indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace.

Torstein Hagen highlighted Egypt’s enduring appeal as a destination rich in history and culture, noting that the addition of new ships will allow more travelers to explore the Nile in comfort and style.

The vessels will operate Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, which combines a river cruise with guided land experiences. The journey begins with a stay in Cairo, where guests visit major landmarks including the Great Pyramids of Giza, before traveling to Luxor to embark on an eight-day Nile cruise.

The itinerary includes visits to significant historical sites such as the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Karnak, Abu Simbel and Aswan’s High Dam, along with cultural experiences like visiting a Nubian village. The trip concludes with a return to Cairo for a final night.

With a fleet of more than 100 ships operating across rivers, oceans and expedition routes worldwide, Viking continues to strengthen its position in experiential travel by expanding capacity in high-demand destinations such as Egypt.

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Email: vikingpr@edelman.com

SOURCE: Viking Cruises