Viking has reached a further construction milestone in the development of its Egypt river programme with the float out of two new vessels, Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet. The ceremony took place at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, marking the first time the hulls entered the water and signalling the transition to the final stage of construction before delivery later in 2026.
The two ships are scheduled to enter service in the autumn of that year, with Viking Ptah expected to debut in September and Viking Sekhmet in November. Both vessels will operate the company’s established 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, which combines land-based touring in Egypt with a multi-day voyage on the Nile River.
Torstein Hagen, chairman and chief executive officer of Viking, indicated that Egypt remained a destination distinguished by its long historical legacy and the cultural significance of the Nile. He noted that the addition of the two ships would allow the company to expand its fleet on the river while welcoming additional travellers interested in exploring the region.
Following the float-out ceremony, both vessels will be transferred to an outfitting berth where interior installations and finishing work will continue prior to delivery.
Once completed, Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet will join a growing group of sister ships already operating for the company in Egypt, including Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, Viking Sobek, Viking Hathor, Viking Amun and Viking Thoth. Each vessel is designed specifically for the conditions of the Nile and accommodates 82 guests in 41 staterooms.
The ships follow a standardised design used across Viking’s Nile fleet. Their layout includes a square bow intended to maximise interior space and the indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace, while the interiors adopt the Scandinavian design style associated with the brand’s broader river fleet.
Demand for Nile voyages has supported the company’s continuing expansion in Egypt. The Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary forms the core of this programme and combines river cruising with guided visits to major archaeological and historical sites.
Passengers typically begin the journey with a 3-night stay in Cairo, visiting locations such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sakkara necropolis, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali and the Grand Egyptian Museum. The programme then continues with a flight to Luxor, where the Nile cruise begins and includes visits to the temples of Luxor and Karnak.
The river portion of the itinerary lasts 8 days and calls at a series of sites along the Nile, including the Valley of the Kings, Esna, Qena, Aswan and the temples of Abu Simbel, alongside cultural visits such as a stop in a Nubian village. The journey concludes with a return flight to Cairo for a final overnight stay before departure.