Viking Thoth

The 2025-built MS Viking Thoth is a Nile River cruise ship owned by Viking and designed for cruisetours in Egypt. This top-luxury Nile cruiser is named after the ancient Egyptian god of the Moon, wisdom, knowledge, writing, hieroglyphs, science, magic, art, and judgment.

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

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 Thoth is currently on order/under construction at Massara Shipyard in Cairo.

Viking officially christened Thoth on October 21, 2025. The naming ceremony was part of a group event welcoming a total of nine new riverboats into the fleet: Annar, Dagur, Eldir, Honir (the 100th ship), Nerthus, Gyda (Douro), Amun and Thoth (Nile), and Tonle (Mekong).

Decks and Cabins

Viking Thoth staterooms (41 total) are divided into 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 have cabins.

All Viking Thoth cabins 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 (79x63 inches / 200x160 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 a sofa bed, are also available. Each cabin includes a spacious lounge area furnished with a low table, 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 feature a glass-enclosed shower cubicle, double-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 with satellite reception and on-demand movies), multiple USB ports, refrigerator/mini-bar, electronic safe box (in the closet), telephone, hairdryer, 110/220 V power outlets, and individual air-conditioning.

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

Shipboard facilities and amenities

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

The three-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 2–4), along with a skylight (glass roof cover on deck 5), allow natural light to fill 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 furnishings.

The Atrium’s mid-level (Upper Deck) includes a portside seating area, the starboard Shop (selling gifts, souvenirs, Viking Cruises-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 the portside PC Corner (desks with Internet-connected computers).

Onboard public areas are spacious and well-designed. The interiors of Viking’s Egypt ships blend the company’s signature Scandinavian style with traditional Egyptian design elements, including Arabic geometric patterns and terrazzo flooring.

The Middle Deck (Deck 2) serves as the boarding level, 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 featuring premium outdoor furniture (padded sun loungers and low tables). The aft sundeck is adjacent to the Aquavit Terrace—an outdoor lounge with shaded seating, 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 (a 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.

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 cruisetour itineraries using chartered vessels. Since 2020, the fleet consists of Viking-owned ships navigating 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 7 days of Nile River cruising and begins with a 3-night hotel stay in Cairo, featuring visits 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 roundtrip cruise to Aswan. The table below outlines the 7-day 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 total of approximately 200 ships) are marketed as 5-star, but many do not meet true premium standards. Onboard dining is often buffet-style and less refined. Viking’s Nile cruises deliver a higher level of luxury associated with the brand, though at higher price points.

Viking Thoth cruise fares 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’s “Viking Air” program

Viking’s Nile cruisetour 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 (Nile Ritz-Carlton) and a 1-night stay at the InterContinental Cairo
• Visits to 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, plus the Dendera Temple complex (Hathor)
• Onboard enrichment program (Culture Curriculum) led by an expert Egyptologist, who also guides all shore excursions
• Lectures on topics such as women’s roles in Egypt and current political developments
• Visits to a private home in a traditional Nubian village (from Aswan)
• All meals included: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 9 dinners, featuring both Egyptian specialties and international cuisine

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 Nile River voyages.

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

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

The 4-night Pre-British Collections of Ancient Egypt Package (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), flight from London to Cairo, and all transfers.

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