Viking Aton

The 2023-built MS Viking Aton is a Nile River cruise ship bought by Viking Cruises for cruisetours in Egypt. The riverboat's itinerary program was initially planned to start in September 2022, but was eventually postponed for a year (August 23, 2023/Maiden Voyage). This top-luxury Nile cruiser is named after the ancient Egyptian god of fertility, agriculture, alcohol, life, vegetation, the dead, the afterlife, and resurrection.

Viking Aton's fleetmates in Egypt are Viking Ra (2018) and Viking Osiris (2022). Unlike Viking Ra (which is a fully reconstructed old vessel), the sisterships Osiris and Aton are newbuilds, with deck designs and venues similar to the ones on Viking OCEAN liners.

Decks and Cabins

Viking Aton staterooms (41 total) are in 4 types/categories, including 12x B-Standard Staterooms (22 m2 / 230 ft2), 21x A-Veranda Staterooms (22 m2 / 240 ft2), 6x AA-Veranda Suites (38 m2 / 410 ft2) and 2x ES-Explorer Suites (49 m2 / 525 ft2). The riverboat has max passenger capacity 82 (all staterooms are with double occupancy).

Veranda Suites and Explorer Suites are with full-size, step-out balconies (off the living room) plus French Balcony (in the bedroom).

The boat has 5 decks, of which 3 are with cabins.

All Viking Aton cabins offer (as standard) the following complimentary amenities and services:

Panoramic riverviews (large windows), most of which are floor-ceiling and opening to a French Balcony. Hotel-style double beds (79x63 inches / 200x160 cm, with under-bed storage for suitcases), luxury Egyptian bedding sets (linens, sheets, duvets), deluxe pillows, bedside tables/cabinets, wall-mounted reading lamps. Optional twin-beds (2 separate lower beds) configurations (plus 1 sofabed) are also available. Each cabin has a large lounge area (furnished with a low table, comfortable sofa/not sofabed, comfortable club chairs, mirrored vanity (writing desk) with a chair, wardrobe (wooden hangers). The en-suite bathrooms are with glass-enclosed shower cubicle, double-sink vanity, anti-fog LED mirror, WC-toilet, undersink storage, premium brand bath toiletries (Freyja), luxury bathrobes. Slippers are provided complimentary upon request.

Other complimentary in-cabin amenities include daily-replenished bottled water, dedicated cabin steward, twice-daily housekeeping service, 40-inch smart HDTV (infotainment system, satellite reception, on-demand movies), multiple USB ports, refrigerator / mini-bar, electronic safe box (in the closet), phone, hairdryer, 110/220 V power outlets, individual air-conditioning.

The riverboat's largest passenger accommodations (both Explorer Suites) additionally offer/as bonus amenities two HDTVs, binoculars, coffee machine, complimentary beverage package (Silver Spirits), Viking Air Plus (VIP services), private airport transfers, free laundry, room service (Breakfast-only), shoeshine service, free replenished daily in-cabin/minibar drinks (Sparkling wine; wines, beers, soft drinks), fruit basket (delivered daily).

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Onboard public areas are spacious and generously sized. The outdoor deck (Pool Deck) has an infinity pool, sunbathing area (with premium garden furniture - loungers and low tables) and shaded seating area (covered with sail-like awnings) with deckchairs and 4-seat tables. Viking's premium Nile cruise ship Aton has an indoor Bar Lounge, Aquavit Terrace, Restaurant, wellness complex (spa, massage rooms, beauty salon with hairdresser-barber services).

Viking Aton cruise ship's interiors are designed by the company's Longships designers. The riverboat's interior blends the line's traditional Scandinavian design with traditional Egyptian elements, including Arabic geometric patterns and terrazzo flooring.

Viking Nile River cruise itineraries

Previously, Viking Cruises Egypt operated Nile River and Lake Nasser cruisetour itineraries with two chartered ships (Steigenberger Omar El Khayam and Mayfair). These riverboats were later replaced with Viking Ra (2018), Viking Osiris (2020) and Viking Aton (2022), which only cruise on the Nile portion (roundtrip from Luxor) with fly-cruise packages inclusive of two flights (Cairo-Luxor-Cairo). Viking's Nile River cruisetour is themed "Pharaohs and Pyramids".

The 12-day itinerary incorporates 7-day cruising on Nile River and starts with a 3-night hotel stay in Cairo and tours to iconic attractions like Grand Egyptian Museum, Great Pyramids of Giza, Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Cruise tourists then fly to Luxor to visit Karnak and the Temples of Luxor before boarding the Viking cruise ship for a 7-night Nile cruise to Aswan and back.

The next table shows the 7-day roundtrip itinerary as a ports sequence.

Tours include a private visit to Nefertari's tomb (Valley of the Queens) and excursions to Khnum Temple (Esna) and Dendera Temple complex (Qena). A visit to a Nubian village is also included.

Most Nile River cruise boats (from a total of ~200 vessels) are marketed as 5-star - but most of them are definitely not premium. The onboard food is buffet-style and far away from gourmet. The major advantage of the Egyptian river cruises are that they are way cheaper in comparison to the European inland cruises. Viking's Nile tours surely bring the luxurious style (generally associated with the Viking brand) to Egypt, along with higher cruise fares.

Viking Aton ship cruise deals are inclusive of:

• 11 Egypt excursions - lead by a local professional guide, with headsets for guests being provided
• Complimentary onboard Internet
• Complimentary onboard drinks (beers, wines, soft beverages) during lunches and dinners)
• ll Government taxes and fees in ports of call
• domestic Egypt flights between Cairo and Luxor; and between Aswan and Cairo
• Airport transfers (on embarkation and disembarkation dates) - only if flights are purchased through Viking Cruises' "Viking Air" flight program.

Viking Aton Nile cruisetour features:

• 7-night Nile River cruising portion
• 12-day itinerary visiting 1 country, 6 ports, 1 city (by land, 3-night hotel stay (Nile Ritz-Carlton Cairo, 1-night hotel stay (InterContinental Cairo Hotel).
• The cruise tour Visits 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites in Egypt, also Dendera Temple complex.
• Onboard Culture Curriculum (enrichment program) with expert Egyptologist (also leading all shore excursions). Lectures onboard are also themed on women's roles in Egypt and on current political events in the country.
• Passengers also visit a private home in an authentic Nubian village (from Aswan).
• Meals (onboard and ashore) dining that is cruise price inclusive includes 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners.
• Onboard meals feature Egyptian specialities. American classic dishes are always available.
• Signature onboard (formal) events are the Welcome Cocktail Reception and the Farewell Dinner.