Viking Sekhmet

The 2026-built MS Viking Sekhmet is a Nile River cruise ship operated by Viking for cruisetours in Egypt. This top-luxury Nile vessel is named after Sekhmet (also known as Sachmis), the ancient Egyptian warrior goddess and goddess of medicine, consort of Ptah.

Viking Sekhmet’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 the 2027-built Geb and Anubis.

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

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

Decks and Cabins

Viking Sekhmet staterooms (41 total) are available in 4 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 vessel has a maximum passenger capacity of 82 (all staterooms are double occupancy).

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

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

All Viking Sekhmet 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, and wall-mounted reading lamps. Optional twin-bed configurations (two separate lower beds, plus one sofa bed) are also available. Each stateroom features a spacious lounge area furnished with a low table, comfortable sofa (not a sofa bed), armchairs, mirrored vanity (writing desk) with a chair, and a wardrobe with wooden hangers. En-suite bathrooms include a glass-enclosed shower, double-sink vanity, anti-fog LED mirror, WC, under-sink storage, premium Freyja bath products, and luxury bathrobes. Slippers are available 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, 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 ship’s largest accommodations (Explorer Suites) also include additional perks such as two HDTVs, binoculars, a coffee machine, complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, Viking Air Plus (VIP services), private airport transfers, complimentary laundry service, breakfast room service, shoeshine service, a fully stocked mini-bar replenished daily (sparkling wine, wines, beers, and soft drinks), and a daily fruit basket.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Viking Sekhmet 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 (spa, relaxation lounge, massage rooms, hair salon, or fitness center).

The three-deck-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 windows on both port and starboard sides, along with a glass-roof SkyLight (deck 5), allow abundant natural light.

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

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

The upper level (Pool Deck) features the Library (starboard seating area with books and magazines) and the portside PC Corner (Internet workstations).

Public spaces are spacious and elegantly designed, combining Viking’s Scandinavian style with traditional Egyptian elements such as Arabic geometric patterns and terrazzo flooring.

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

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

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

The Sun Deck (Deck 5) features a large forward sunbathing area with loungers and a shaded seating area with sofas, chairs, and tables.

One lift (passenger elevator) connects all cabin decks, and all decks are also interconnected by stairs (forward, midship, and aft).

Viking Nile River cruise itineraries in Egypt

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

Viking’s Nile cruisetour 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, including visits to 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 Luxor temples before embarking on a 7-night roundtrip cruise to Aswan.

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

While many Nile River cruise ships are marketed as 5-star, their standards often fall short of true luxury. Viking’s Nile fleet distinguishes itself by offering a consistently high-end experience, reflected in both onboard quality and pricing.

Viking Sekhmet cruise deals include:

• 11 Egypt excursions (led by professional local guides 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 and Aswan–Cairo)
• Airport transfers (only when flights are purchased through Viking Air)

Viking’s Nile cruisetour also features:

• 7-night Nile River cruise
• 12-day itinerary visiting 1 country, 6 ports, plus a 3-night Cairo hotel stay (Nile Ritz-Carlton Cairo) and a 1-night stay (InterContinental Cairo)
• Visits to 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites and the Dendera Temple complex (Hathor)
• Onboard cultural enrichment program led by an expert Egyptologist (who also guides shore excursions)
• Lectures on Egyptian history, culture, women’s roles, and current events
• A visit to a private home in a traditional 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 and land extensions)

In 2023–2024, Viking Cruises Egypt introduced optional pre- and post-cruise extension packages:

The 3-night Pre-Istanbul Package (from US$1,400 per person) includes hotel stays in Istanbul, breakfast meals, 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, meals, guided tours (Bethlehem, Jerusalem, 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 and Oxford, museum visits (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 a flight from Cairo to Amman, hotel stays, meals, guided tours (Madaba, Dead Sea Museum, Petra, Amman, Jerash), and transfers. Return flights from Amman are not included.