Viking Osiris

The 2022-built MS Viking Osiris is a Nile River cruise ship owned by Viking and operated for cruisetours in Egypt. The riverboat's itinerary program was originally scheduled to start in September 2021 but was postponed for a year, with the Maiden Voyage on August 27, 2022. 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 Osiris' fleetmates in Egypt include Antares (2007), Ra (2018-built), and the sister ships Aton (2023), Hathor (2024), the 2025-built Sobek, Amun and Thoth, the 2026-built Sekhmet and Ptah, and the 2027-built Geb and Anubis.

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

The vessel was launched (floated out) from drydock on January 26, 2021, at Cairo's Maasara Shipyard, owned by The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co).

The Viking riverboat Osiris was officially christened on August 22, 2022, in Luxor. The naming ceremony was led by godfather George Reginald Oliver Molyneux Herbert (born 1956, British peer and farmer), the 8th Earl of Carnarvon.

Decks and Cabins

Viking Osiris staterooms (41 total) are available in four types/categories, including 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 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 boat has 5 decks, of which 3 have cabins.

All Viking Osiris cabins offer the following complimentary amenities and services as standard:

Panoramic river views are provided through large windows, most of which are floor-to-ceiling and open to a French Balcony. Hotel-style double beds (79x63 inches / 200x160 cm, with under-bed storage for suitcases) are fitted with luxury Egyptian bedding sets (linens, sheets, duvets), deluxe pillows, bedside tables/cabinets, and wall-mounted reading lamps. Optional twin-bed (two separate lower beds) configurations, as well as a sofa bed, are also available. Each cabin features a spacious lounge area furnished with a low table, a comfortable sofa (or sofa bed), club chairs, a mirrored vanity (writing desk) with a chair, and a wardrobe with wooden hangers. The en-suite bathrooms include a glass-enclosed shower cubicle, double-sink vanity, anti-fog LED mirror, WC-toilet, under-sink storage, premium Freyja-brand bath toiletries, and luxury bathrobes. Slippers are provided complimentary 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, a refrigerator/mini-bar, an electronic safe (in the closet), a telephone, a hairdryer, 110/220 V power outlets, and individual air-conditioning.

The riverboat's largest passenger accommodations (both Explorer Suites) also include additional benefits such as two HDTVs, binoculars, a coffee machine, a complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, Viking Air Plus (VIP services), private airport transfers, complimentary laundry, breakfast-only room service, shoeshine service, and a minibar stocked daily with sparkling wine, wines, beers, and soft drinks, as well as a daily fruit basket.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Viking's ship Osiris features an indoor Bar Lounge, Aquavit Terrace (outdoor lounge), and a Main Dining Room/Restaurant. Unlike most large Nile cruisers, this riverboat 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 (small gym).

The 3-story-high Atrium is a panoramic midship area (on decks 2, 3, and 4) with an open-floor design supported by eight columns. Floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows (mounted portside and starboard on decks 2, 3, and 4), as well as a skylight (glass roof cover on deck 5), allow 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, cruisetour information) and a small portside seating area with comfortable furniture.

The Atrium's mid-level (Upper Deck) features a seating area (portside), the starboard Shop (selling gifts, souvenirs, Viking Cruises-branded merchandise, clothing, jewelry, and books), and public restrooms.

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

Onboard public areas are spacious and generously sized. The interiors of Viking Cruises Egypt ships are designed by the company's Longships designers, blending traditional Scandinavian design with Egyptian elements, including Arabic geometric patterns and terrazzo flooring.

Middle Deck (2nd floor) is the boarding deck, with two midship entrances (sliding glass doors on portside and starboard) facilitating passenger and crew embarkation and disembarkation.

Aft on the Pool Deck (4th floor) 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 lounge/shaded seating 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 (outdoor bow-facing viewing area).

The Sun Deck (top deck/5th floor) features a large forward-located sunbathing area with deluxe loungers and a shaded seating area (covered with sail-like shades) furnished with sofas, chairs, and tables.

One lift (passenger elevator) connects all cabin decks.

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 ships. Since 2020, the fleet consists of Viking-owned vessels navigating only the Nile portion (roundtrip from Luxor), with fly-cruise packages inclusive of two domestic flights (Cairo-Luxor-Cairo).

Viking's Nile River cruisetour 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 Temples of Luxor before boarding the ship for a 7-night cruise to Aswan and back. The table below outlines the 7-day roundtrip cruise itinerary.

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 boats (from a total of approximately 200 vessels) are marketed as 5-star, but many do not meet premium standards. Onboard food is typically buffet-style and not gourmet. The major advantage of Egyptian river cruises is that they are significantly more affordable compared to European inland cruises. Viking's Nile tours, however, bring the brand's signature luxury style to Egypt, along with higher cruise fares.

Viking Osiris cruise deals are inclusive of:

• 11 Egypt excursions led by a local professional guide, with headsets provided
• 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-Cairo 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 cruising
• 12-day itinerary visiting 1 country, 6 ports, and 1 city by land, including a 3-night hotel stay (Nile Ritz-Carlton Cairo) and 1-night stay (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 covering topics such as women's roles in Egypt and current political developments
• A visit to a private home in an authentic Nubian village (from Aswan)
• Included meals: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 9 dinners, featuring Egyptian specialties alongside American classics

Signature onboard (formal) 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 (Westin Istanbul Nisantasi Hotel or similar), 3 meals (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 in 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 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.