Monday, April 1, 2024

10 Thrilling Experiences On A Viking Nile River Cruise

viking cruise egypt

The ship embarks on a new 11-night "Pharaohs & Pyramids" Egypt cruisetour that begins with a three-night hotel stay in Cairo, followed by a flight to Luxor. There, passengers board the ship for a seven-night sailing on the Nile to Aswan, with a return flight to Cairo for an additional hotel night. While on the same deck, the Aquavit Terrace is on the other end of the ship rather than being just behind the main lounge. The main atrium was also redesigned, now stretching one deck higher than on most other ships with two skylights allowing plentiful natural light.

More about Viking Osiris

Mingle with locals at a typical Egyptian souk or browse one of Cairo’s fascinating museums.

Royal Viking Lounge Bar

King Tutankhamun’s mummy is on display within the tomb, and you can also visit the crypts of some of the most notable pharaohs of ancient Egypt. These three structures, built more than 4,500 years ago, make an amazing spectacle in the hot desert. The symmetry and size offer a testament to the architectural mastery of ancient Egyptians who built these fantastic tombs for the pharaohs. You can even venture inside the Great Pyramid, creeping along a tight and hot passageway to the King’s Chamber. The ship features two whirlpool tubs, one on the Pool Deck and another on the uppermost Sun Deck.

Thrilling Experiences On A Viking Nile River Cruise

In addition to the Viking Aton and the Viking Osiris, the Viking Hathor will join the other ships in the Egypt fleet, the Viking Ra and the MS Antares. In response to strong demand, Viking will have six ships sailing the Nile by 2025 with the addition of a new sister ship, the Viking Sobek, which is also under construction and will be delivered in 2025. Viking Osiris and Viking Aton both carry up to 82 passengers on five spacious decks and the ships are outfitted with roomy staterooms, lounges, restaurants, bright public areas, and a beautiful open sun deck.

While the main lounge is laid out in a familiar fashion to other ships, it has Egyptian-themed artwork and photography. You’ll also notice that the entrance to al fresco desks is on the side and closer to the center of the ship (due to its shorter length) rather than at the back of the lounge. One of the newest and most stylish boats on the Nile that was built on the year 2008, this deluxe cruise boat is tastefully decorated throughout in a contemporary style and equipped to cater to your every need. With high standards of service, accommodation and Egyptian hospitality, you can relax in comfort and watch the ever- changing scenery unfold before eyes. There are five decks and a host of on board facilities to enjoy and you can be assured of wonderful Egyptian hospitality throughout your cruise.

Explorer Suite (ES)

If you're an exceptionally light sleeper, avoid cabins on Deck 3 (where all the suites are located), as they sit right below The Lounge, so some footsteps or furniture movement noise is inevitable, depending on the time of day. On our cruise, we ran a "white noise" app on our phone that effectively drowned out any external noise. Viking Osiris cabins span Decks 1 through 3 and overall are spacious and offer lots of space, no matter the category. These cabins are modern through and through, and no detail was missed, from heated bathroom floors to multiple USB ports and outlets for charging power. The 68 exterior deluxe cabins, measuring 23 square meters, all have full-length opening panoramic windows and balcony rail.

Many passengers will have sailed with Viking before and are fans of the cruise line. During your trip, you might purchase a traditional galabeya, to wear on Egyptian night. Women in Egypt often wear head scarves or abayas, and dress overall is modest. While visiting women can -- and do -- wear shorts or shorter dresses, you might feel out of place by doing so. Consider garments with longer sleeves that can be rolled up, or breezy layers and scarves to cover shoulders and lower necklines, especially for visits to religious sites. There truly are no cabins to avoid on Viking Osiris, as there is a nice range for everyone.

Lunch and dinner times depend on the tour times, and local entertainers may sometimes board to add some fun to the experience. Viking's Nile ships are smaller than the line’s “Longships,” with only 41 cabins for 82 guests (less than half the size of Longships). But, the public areas seem rather spacious thanks to the traditional lounge area plus numerous other seating options.

viking cruise egypt

Viking unveils ‘Viking Hathor’ for 2024 Nile journeys, expands Egypt fleet - Travel And Tour World

Viking unveils ‘Viking Hathor’ for 2024 Nile journeys, expands Egypt fleet.

Posted: Fri, 22 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Many of the design influences of the main restaurant are drawn from Egyptian markets using woven accents and wood panels. Lunch and dinner tend to be three courses, rather than four on other ships, but guests are always encouraged to order what they would like. In the cabins, Viking’s signature toiletries, heated bathroom floors and towel racks, and bottled water are standard. If you’ve sailed with Viking before, only the size of the ship and some of the artwork may seem different. The Viking ships in Egypt showcase the company's signature Nordic design inspirations with minimalist, colorful design as well as the square-like bows that allow it to travel more efficiently with more space for passengers.

While the temples of Karnak and Luxor are notorious as two of Egypt’s most famous temples, cruisers on a Viking Nile River voyage will get to see many other spectacular temple sites along the journey. While in Luxor, you also will be able to visit King Tut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Viking takes cruisers over for a full tour of the impressive burial sites, with the tombs carved deep inside the mountains. Viking also offers Viking Aton, which debuted in August 2023, so even more cruisers have a chance to take a voyage in style in this exotic destination. Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

The ship shines when it comes to Egyptian dishes, and those who want to explore new dishes will be rewarded with flavorful options that you will remember for ages. We adore the little spaces Viking has created for guests to escape, especially the small window-side seating area in the Deck 3 Atrium. It sits in its new place with a striking facade of four enormous statues of Ramses II guarding the entrance of the sandstone temples.

Discover its secrets with Viking as our expert Egyptologists take you from the pyramids of Cairo and the temples of Luxor to the desert outpost of Aswan and beyond. The ship's main dining room, The Restaurant, is located on Deck 3, offering three meals a day. Directly above it is Aquavit Terrace, a Viking staple that features an indoor/outdoor space offering a more casual approach to dining.

The ship is exceptionally appointed, with large cabins, nooks aplenty for escaping and viewing areas for watching life unfold on the Nile. Shore excursions are fascinating, though a little exhausting, and crew -- especially the onboard program directors -- are 100% passenger focused. Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, and Esna all offer opportunities to visit small and large souks (marketplaces), where you can shop for souvenirs, regional foods, spices, or other items of interest. Here, you’ll get to engage with very friendly people who rely heavily on tourist dollars for income.

In Quena, a town right on the river, you’ll be amazed by the blue colors of the murals and art on the walls of the well-preserved Dendera Temple of Hathor. At Esna, you can explore the temple dedicated to the water god Khnum, who was worshiped as the guardian of the Nile’s headwaters. With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money.

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