Viking Ptah

The 2026-built MS Viking Ptah is a Nile River cruise ship acquired by Viking for cruisetours in Egypt. This top-luxury riverboat is named after the ancient Egyptian creator god Ptah (husband of Sekhmet), the patron of craftsmen and architects.

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

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

The Nile cruiser Viking Ptah is currently under construction at Massara Shipyard in Cairo.

Decks and Cabins

Viking Ptah staterooms (41 total) are divided into 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 accommodates up to 82 passengers (all staterooms are double occupancy).

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

The ship has 5 decks, 3 of which include cabins.

All Viking Ptah staterooms include 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 (linens, sheets, duvets), deluxe pillows, bedside tables/cabinets, and wall-mounted reading lamps. Optional twin-bed configurations (two separate lower beds, plus a sofabed) are also available. Each cabin features a spacious lounge area furnished with a low table, comfortable sofa (not a sofabed), club chairs, a mirrored vanity (writing desk) with a chair, and a wardrobe with wooden hangers. The en-suite bathroom includes 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, 40-inch smart HDTV (infotainment system with satellite reception and on-demand movies), multiple USB ports, refrigerator/mini-bar, electronic safe (in the closet), telephone, hairdryer, 110V/220V power outlets, and individual air-conditioning.

The largest accommodations (Explorer Suites) also include bonus amenities such as two HDTVs, binoculars, a coffee machine, complimentary beverage package (Silver Spirits), Viking Air Plus (VIP services), private airport transfers, complimentary laundry, breakfast room service, shoeshine service, a replenished daily mini-bar (sparkling wine, wines, beers, and soft drinks), and a daily fruit basket.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Viking Ptah features an indoor Bar Lounge, Aquavit Terrace (outdoor lounge), and a Main Dining Room/Restaurant. Unlike most large Nile cruisers, the vessel does not include a wellness complex, which typically consists of a spa, relaxation lounge, massage rooms, hair salon, and fitness room.

The three-story Atrium is a panoramic midship area spanning Decks 2-4, designed with an open floor layout supported by eight columns. Floor-to-ceiling windows on both port and starboard sides, along with a glass Skylight on Deck 5, provide abundant natural light.

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

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

The upper Atrium level (Pool Deck) includes the Library (with seating and bookshelves) and a portside PC corner with Internet-connected computers.

Onboard public areas are spacious and well-designed, blending Scandinavian aesthetics with traditional Egyptian elements such as Arabic geometric patterns and terrazzo flooring.

The Middle Deck (Deck 2) serves as the boarding deck, with two midship entrances (sliding glass doors on both portside and starboard) for embarkation and disembarkation.

Aft on the Pool Deck (Deck 4) is the infinity swimming pool with a sunbathing area furnished with padded loungers and tables. Adjacent is the Aquavit Terrace, an outdoor lounge with shaded seating, sofas, tables, and chairs.

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

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

One lift (passenger elevator) connects all cabin decks, and all decks are accessible via stairs located forward, midship, and aft.

Viking Nile River cruise itineraries in Egypt

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

Viking’s Nile cruise program is themed "Pharaohs and Pyramids."

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

The following table outlines the 7-day cruise portion itinerary:

Tours include a private visit to Nefertari’s tomb (Valley of the Queens), as well as 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 fleet of approximately 200 ships) are marketed as 5-star, though many do not meet premium standards. Viking’s Nile cruises bring the brand’s signature luxury experience to Egypt, along with higher pricing compared to typical Nile cruises.

Viking Ptah cruise deals include:

• 11 Egypt excursions led by a professional local 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), available only when flights are purchased through Viking Cruises’ "Viking Air" program

Viking’s Nile cruisetour includes:

• 7-night Nile River cruise
• 12-day itinerary visiting 1 country, 6 ports, and 1 city, including a 3-night hotel stay in Cairo (Nile Ritz-Carlton) and 1-night stay (InterContinental Cairo)
• Visits to 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as the Dendera Temple complex (Hathor)
• Onboard enrichment program led by an expert Egyptologist (who also leads shore excursions), with lectures on ancient Egypt, women’s roles, and modern-day topics
• A visit to a private home in a Nubian village (from Aswan)
• Included meals: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 9 dinners, featuring Egyptian specialties alongside international cuisine

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

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

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

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

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

The 4-night Pre-British Collections of Ancient Egypt Package (from US$3,700 per person) includes hotel stays in London (Rosewood Hotel) and Oxford (Old Bank Hotel), meals, exclusive museum access (British Museum, Sir John Soane’s Museum, Griffith Institute, Highclere Castle), guided tours, flight to Cairo, and transfers.

The 4-night Post-Petra, Dead Sea and Amman Package (from US$2,200 per person) includes flight from Cairo to Amman, hotel stays (Dead Sea, Petra, Amman), meals, guided tours (Madaba, Dead Sea Museum, Petra, Amman, Jerash), and transfers. Return flights from Amman are not included.