Viking has marked a major milestone on the Nile with the float out of its two newest river ships, Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet. The twin vessels have just touched water for the first time at Cairo’s Massara shipyard, ahead of their debuts in September and November 2026. Both ships will join Viking’s expanding Egypt fleet and sail the line’s popular 12‑day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
Owned and operated by Viking, Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet are sister ships to Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, Viking Sobek, Viking Hathor, Viking Amun and Viking Thoth. Designed specifically for the Nile, each carries just 82 guests in 41 outside staterooms and features Viking hallmarks like a space‑saving square bow, an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace and clean, elegant Scandinavian‑inspired interiors. You can find ship details and dates at https://www.viking.com and on the individual ship pages for Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet.
Sailing Pharaohs & Pyramids in 2026 and Beyond
The new ships will operate Viking’s 12‑day Pharaohs & Pyramids journey, a deep dive into ancient Egypt that combines time on land and on the Nile. Guests begin with a three‑night stay at a first‑class hotel in Cairo, visiting highlights such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali and the Grand Egyptian Museum, often in the company of a dedicated Viking Egyptologist.
From Cairo, travellers fly to Luxor to explore the temples of Luxor and Karnak before embarking on an eight‑day roundtrip sailing. The cruise includes the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Khnum at Esna, the Dendera Temple complex at Qena, Abu Simbel, the High Dam at Aswan and a visit to a colourful Nubian village to experience local life and a traditional school. The journey ends with a final night back in Cairo, a fitting close to a voyage along the “gift of the Nile.”
A Growing, Modern Fleet on the Nile
With Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet, Viking continues to build what is now one of the most modern, cohesive fleets on the Nile. The ships share consistent design language and onboard experiences, so returning guests will recognise familiar spaces while benefiting from the very latest hardware. Compact guest capacity keeps the experience intimate, with plenty of room in lounges, on the sun deck and in the Aquavit Terrace to take in river views between temple visits.
Viking’s Egypt expansion also reflects sustained demand for experiential river cruising paired with strong destination content and expert‑led excursions. For travellers planning ahead to 2026 and 2027, the arrival of Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet means more departure dates and more chances to explore Egypt in Viking’s understated, destination‑focused style. For full itinerary details and bookings, visit https://www.viking.com and search for “Pharaohs & Pyramids.”
