Viking Geb

The 2027-built MS Viking Geb is a Nile River cruise ship operated by Viking for cruisetours in Egypt. This top-luxury Nile cruiser is named after the ancient Egyptian god of the earth and husband of the sky goddess Nut. Geb symbolizes fertility and the life-giving power of the soil and was also associated with healing.

Viking Geb's fleetmates in Egypt include Antares (2007), Ra (2018), and the sister ships Osiris (2022), Aton (2023), Hathor (2024), the 2025-built Sobek, Amun, and Thoth, the 2026-built Ptah and Sekhmet, and the 2027-built Anubis.

Unlike Viking Ra (a fully reconstructed older vessel), the sister ships are newbuild Nile cruisers, featuring deck layouts and venues similar to those on Viking OCEAN vessels.

The Nile cruiser Viking Geb is currently on order and under construction at Massara Shipyard in Cairo.

Decks and Cabins

Viking Geb staterooms (41 total) are available in 4 categories: 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 a maximum passenger capacity of 82 (all staterooms are double occupancy).

Veranda Suites and Explorer Suites feature full-size, step-out balconies (off the living room) plus a French balcony in the bedroom.

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

All Viking Geb cabins offer the following complimentary amenities and services:

Panoramic river views through large windows, most of which are floor-to-ceiling and open to a French balcony. Hotel-style double beds (79 x 63 inches / 200 x 160 cm, with under-bed storage for suitcases), luxury Egyptian bedding sets (linens, sheets, duvets), deluxe pillows, bedside tables/cabinets, and wall-mounted reading lamps. Optional twin-bed configurations (two separate lower beds, plus one sofa bed) are also available. Each cabin includes a spacious lounge area furnished with a low table, comfortable sofa (not a sofa bed), club chairs, mirrored vanity (writing desk) with a chair, and a wardrobe (with wooden hangers). The en-suite bathrooms feature a glass-enclosed shower cubicle, dual-sink vanity, anti-fog LED mirror, WC (toilet), under-sink storage, premium-brand bath toiletries (Freyja), and luxury bathrobes. Slippers are provided upon request.

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

The riverboat’s largest accommodations (both Explorer Suites) additionally offer bonus amenities, including two HDTVs, binoculars, a coffee machine, a complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, Viking Air Plus (VIP services), private airport transfers, complimentary laundry service, breakfast room service, shoeshine service, and a daily replenished minibar (sparkling wine, wines, beers, and soft drinks), as well as a daily fruit basket.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Viking Geb features an indoor Bar Lounge, Aquavit Terrace (outdoor lounge), and a Main Dining Room/Restaurant. Unlike most large Nile cruisers, the vessel does not have a wellness complex, which typically includes a spa, relaxation lounge, treatment rooms (for massages), a hair salon (hairdresser/barber services), and a fitness room (gym).

The 3-story-high Atrium is a panoramic midship area (on decks 2-3-4) with an open-floor design supported by eight columns. Floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows (on both port and starboard sides across decks 2-3-4), along with a skylight (glass roof on Deck 5), allow abundant natural light into the space.

The Atrium’s lower level (Middle Deck) houses the Lobby Hall with the Reception/Guest Services Desk (24-hour assistance, cashier services, cruise tour information) and a small portside seating area with comfortable furniture.

The Atrium’s mid-level (Upper Deck) includes a portside seating area, a starboard-side Shop (offering gifts, souvenirs, Viking-branded merchandise, clothing, jewelry, and books), and public restrooms.

The Atrium’s upper level (Pool Deck) features the Library (starboard seating area with books and magazines) and the portside PC Corner (desks with Internet-connected computers).

Onboard public areas are spacious and well designed. The interiors of the new Viking Egypt ships are created by the same designers behind the Viking Longships, blending Scandinavian style with traditional Egyptian design elements such as Arabic geometric patterns and terrazzo flooring.

Middle Deck (Deck 2) serves as the main boarding deck, with two midship entrances (sliding glass doors on both port and starboard sides) facilitating embarkation and disembarkation.

Aft on the Pool Deck (Deck 4) is the swimming pool (aft-facing infinity pool) with a sunbathing area furnished with premium garden furniture (padded loungers and low tables). The aft sundeck connects to the Aquavit Terrace—an outdoor shaded lounge area with comfortable sofas, tables, and chairs.

Forward on the Pool Deck is the Salon/indoor Bar Lounge, connected via glass doors to an open-air promenade (bow-facing outdoor viewing area).

The Sun Deck (Deck 5) features a large forward sunbathing area with deluxe loungers and a shaded seating area covered with sail-like canopies, furnished with sofas, chairs, and tables.

One lift (passenger elevator) connects all cabin decks, and all decks are interconnected via stairways (forward, midship, and aft).

Viking Nile River cruise itineraries in Egypt

Previously, Viking Cruises Egypt operated Nile River and Lake Nasser cruise tour itineraries using chartered vessels. Since 2020, the fleet consists of Viking-owned ships navigating only the Nile portion (roundtrip from Luxor), with fly-cruise packages including two domestic flights (Cairo-Luxor-Cairo).

Viking’s Nile River cruise tour is themed “Pharaohs and Pyramids.”

The 12-day itinerary includes 7 days of Nile River cruising and begins with a 3-night hotel stay in Cairo, featuring tours to iconic attractions such as the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Guests then fly to Luxor to visit Karnak and the Luxor Temples before embarking on a 7-night Nile cruise to Aswan and back. The following table shows the 7-day roundtrip cruise itinerary.

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

Most Nile River cruise vessels (out of approximately 200) are marketed as 5-star, but many do not meet premium standards. Onboard dining is typically buffet-style and not comparable to gourmet cuisine. A key advantage of Egyptian river cruises is their lower cost compared to European inland cruises. Viking’s Nile cruises, however, offer a more luxurious experience aligned with the brand’s standards, reflected in higher fares.

Viking Geb cruise deals include:

• 11 Egypt excursions led by a professional local guide, with headsets provided
• Complimentary onboard Internet and beverages (beer, wine, soft drinks) during lunch and dinner
• All government taxes and port fees
• Domestic flights within Egypt (Cairo-Luxor and Aswan-Cairo)
• Airport transfers (on embarkation and disembarkation dates) when flights are purchased through Viking Cruises’ “Viking Air” program

Viking’s Nile cruise tour features:

• 7-night Nile River cruise
• 12-day itinerary visiting 1 country, 6 ports, and 1 city (including a 3-night hotel stay in Cairo and a 1-night hotel stay)
• Visits to 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Egypt, as well as the Dendera Temple complex (Hathor)
• Onboard Culture Curriculum (enrichment program) led by an expert Egyptologist, who also accompanies all shore excursions; lectures also cover women’s roles in Egypt and current political topics
• A visit to a private home in an authentic Nubian village (from Aswan)
• Included meals: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 9 dinners, featuring both Egyptian specialties and international dishes

Signature onboard events include the Welcome Cocktail Reception and the Farewell Dinner.

Viking Cruises Egypt tour packages (optional hotel+land travel)

In 2023-2024, Viking Cruises Egypt introduced optional pre- and post-cruise packages as extensions to its premium Nile River voyages.

The 3-night Pre-Istanbul Package (priced from US$1,400 per person) includes 3 hotel nights in Istanbul (Westin Istanbul Nisantasi Hotel or similar), daily breakfast, 2 guided tours (Old City, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace), flight from Istanbul to Cairo, and all transfers.

The 4-night Pre-Jerusalem Package (priced from US$2,400 per person) includes 4 hotel nights in Jerusalem (Orient Jerusalem Hotel or similar), 8 meals, 3 guided tours (Bethlehem, Jerusalem City, Israel Museum), flight from Tel Aviv to Cairo, and all transfers.

The 4-night Pre-British Collections of Ancient Egypt Package (priced from US$3,700 per person) includes 2 nights in London (Rosewood Hotel), 2 nights in Oxford (Old Bank Hotel), 6 meals, 4 privileged-access visits (British Museum, Sir John Soane’s Museum, Griffith Institute, Highclere Castle), 3 guided tours (Petrie Museum, Oxford Walking Tour, Ashmolean Museum), flight to Cairo, and all transfers.

The 4-night Post-Petra, Dead Sea and Amman Package (priced from US$2,200 per person) includes flight from Cairo to Amman, 4 hotel nights (Dead Sea, Petra, Amman), 8 meals, 4 guided tours (Madaba, Dead Sea Museum, Petra, Jerash), and all transfers. The return flight from Amman is not included.