Viking Cruises announced an expansion of its Egypt cruising program for 2020, adding a new ship designed specifically for the Nile. The new vessel, Viking Osiris, draws stylistic inspiration from Viking longships and is currently under construction with features tailored to river cruising on the Nile. The announcement also introduced enhanced pre-cruise experiences beginning next year, including five-day land programs in London and Oxford.
Viking Osiris will accommodate 82 guests across 41 staterooms and will join the recently launched Viking Ra in Viking’s Nile fleet.
Viking’s new pre-cruise options focus on Egyptology and museum collections. One option, the British Collections of Ancient Egypt experience, pairs guests with an expert Egyptologist in London for privileged access to the Egyptian collection at the British Museum and to the personal collection of Sir John Soane. The program continues in Oxford with visits to the Ashmolean Museum and the Griffith Institute at Oxford University, offering deeper context on artifacts, inscriptions and Egypt’s ancient history.
The core cruise itinerary, Pharaohs & Pyramids, spans 12 days and visits seven destinations across Egypt. The journey begins in Cairo, followed by a short flight to Luxor where guests embark on their ship. The cruise itinerary includes visits to the Valley of the Queens, Esna, Qena and Aswan before the voyage concludes back in Cairo. Throughout the itinerary, travelers can expect guided visits to major archaeological sites and curated onboard programming that complements the shore excursions.
With the addition of Viking Osiris and expanded land programs, Viking aims to offer a more integrated Egypt experience that combines museum access, academic insight and comfortable river travel. The smaller-capacity ship and specialized shore programs are designed to appeal to travelers seeking in-depth cultural and archaeological exploration of ancient Egypt while enjoying the amenities and service associated with Viking cruises.