Viking Hathor

The 2024-built MS Viking Hathor is a Nile River cruise ship operated by Viking for cruisetours in Egypt. This top-luxury Nile cruiser is named after the ancient Egyptian goddess Hathor (from the House of Horus), the mother of Horus and the consort of Ra (the sun god).

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

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

Like her sisterships, Viking Hathor was constructed at Cairo's Maasara Shipyard, owned by The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co).

Viking Hathor was launched (floated out) on March 26, 2024, at Maasara Shipyard, after which she was moved to the outfitting dock for interior work.

The ship was officially delivered on August 10, 2024.

Decks and Cabins

Viking Hathor staterooms (41 total) are available in 4 categories: 12 B-Standard Staterooms (22 m2 / 230 ft2), 21 A-Veranda Staterooms (22 m2 / 240 ft2), 6 AA-Veranda Suites (38 m2 / 410 ft2), and 2 ES-Explorer Suites (49 m2 / 525 ft2). The vessel 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) as well as a French balcony in the bedroom.

The vessel has 5 decks, 3 of which accommodate passenger cabins.

All Viking Hathor cabins include the following standard 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, luxury Egyptian bedding (linens, sheets, duvets), deluxe pillows, bedside tables, and wall-mounted reading lamps. Optional twin-bed configurations (two separate lower beds) and a sofabed are also available. Each cabin features a spacious lounge area furnished with a low table, comfortable sofa (not a sofabed), armchairs, and a mirrored vanity (writing desk) with a chair, as well as a wardrobe (with wooden hangers). The en-suite bathrooms include a glass-enclosed shower, double-sink vanity, anti-fog LED mirror, WC (toilet), under-sink storage, premium Freyja bath products, and luxury bathrobes. Slippers are provided upon request.

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

The vessel’s largest accommodations (Explorer Suites) additionally include two HDTVs, binoculars, a coffee machine, a complimentary beverage package (Silver Spirits), Viking Air Plus (VIP services), private airport transfers, complimentary laundry, breakfast room service, shoeshine service, a fully stocked minibar with daily replenished beverages (sparkling wine, wines, beers, soft drinks), and a daily fruit basket.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

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

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

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

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

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

Onboard public areas are spacious and generously sized. The interiors of the new Viking Egypt ships are designed by the company’s Longship design team, blending Scandinavian style with traditional Egyptian elements, including Arabic geometric patterns and terrazzo flooring.

Middle Deck (Deck 2) serves as the primary boarding deck, with two midship entrances (sliding glass doors on portside and starboard) 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 outdoor furniture (padded sun loungers and low tables). The aft sundeck is adjacent to the Aquavit Terrace, an outdoor shaded lounge area equipped 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 viewing area).

The Sun Deck (Deck 5) features a large forward sunbathing area with deluxe loungers, as well as 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 stairs (forward, midship, and aft stairways).

Viking Nile River cruise itineraries in Egypt

Previously, Viking Cruises Egypt operated Nile River and Lake Nasser cruisetour itineraries using chartered vessels. Since 2020, the fleet consists of Viking-owned ships operating on the Nile only (roundtrip from Luxor), with fly-cruise packages that include two domestic flights (Cairo–Luxor–Cairo).

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

The 12-day itinerary includes a 7-day Nile River cruise and begins with a 3-night hotel stay in Cairo, featuring visits to iconic landmarks 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 cruise to Aswan and back. The table below shows the 7-day roundtrip itinerary as a sequence of ports.

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

Most Nile River cruise vessels (from a total of approximately 200 ships) are marketed as 5-star, but many do not meet premium standards. Onboard dining is often buffet-style and not comparable to gourmet cuisine. The main advantage of Egyptian river cruises is their relatively lower cost compared to European inland cruises. Viking’s Nile tours, however, bring the brand’s signature luxury experience to Egypt, along with higher cruise fares.

Viking Hathor cruise deals include:

• 11 Egypt excursions led by a professional local guide, with headsets provided for guests
• Complimentary onboard Internet and beverages (beer, wine, and 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 cruisetour features:

• 7-night Nile River cruise
• 12-day itinerary visiting 1 country, 6 ports, and 1 inland city (including a 3-night hotel stay in Cairo and a 1-night hotel stay at the InterContinental Cairo Hotel)
• 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 guides all shore excursions. Lectures cover topics such as women’s roles in ancient Egypt and the country’s modern political landscape
• Visits to a private home in a traditional Nubian village (from Aswan)
• All meals included: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 9 dinners, featuring Egyptian specialties alongside classic American 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 pre- and post-cruise packages as optional extensions to its premium Nile River voyages.

The 3-night Pre-Istanbul Package (priced from US$1400 per person) includes 3 hotel nights in Istanbul (at The Westin Istanbul Nisantasi Hotel or similar), 3 breakfasts, 2 guided tours (Istanbul Old City Tour, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace), a flight from Istanbul to Cairo, and all transfers.

The 4-night Pre-Jerusalem Israel Package (priced from US$2400 per person) includes 4 hotel nights at the Orient Jerusalem Hotel (or similar), 8 meals (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner), 3 guided tours (Bethlehem Walking Tour, Jerusalem City Tour, Israel Museum Tour), a flight from Tel Aviv to Cairo, and all transfers.

The 4-night Pre-British Collections of Ancient Egypt Package (priced from US$3700 per person) includes 2 hotel nights in London (Rosewood Hotel), 2 hotel nights in Oxford (Old Bank Hotel), 6 meals (4 breakfasts, 2 lunches), 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), a flight from London to Cairo, and all transfers.

The 4-night Post-Petra Jordan, Dead Sea and Amman Package (priced from US$2200 per person) includes a flight from Cairo to Amman, 4 hotel nights (1 at the Dead Sea, 2 in Petra, 1 in Amman), 8 meals (4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners), 4 guided tours (Ancient Town of Madaba, Dead Sea Museum, Petra, Amman, Jerash), and all transfers. The return flight from Amman is not included.