Viking® (NYSE: VIK) has announced its two newest ships for the Nile River—the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet—have been “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ships have touched water. Set to debut in September and November 2026, respectively, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet will join the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships in Egypt and will sail Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
“Egypt is truly a phenomenal destination, distinguished by its remarkable history, enduring culture, and the singular power of the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “With the float out of our two newest ships, we look forward to further expanding our elegant fleet on the Nile and welcoming more curious travelers to experience this extraordinary region in the years to come.”
The traditional float-out ceremonies for the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo and are significant because they mark each ship’s transition into the final stage of construction. The ships will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.
Viking’s Growing Egypt Fleet
The state-of-the-art Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet are the newest sister ships in Viking’s Egypt fleet, which also includes the Viking Osiris, the Viking Aton, the Viking Sobek, the Viking Hathor, the Viking Amun, and the Viking Thoth. Owned and operated by Viking, each ship hosts 82 guests in 41 staterooms and features several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a space-saving square bow, an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace and elegant Scandinavian design. Together, they represent the most modern sister ships sailing the Nile River.
Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids Itinerary
During the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, guests begin with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can visit iconic sites, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, or the Grand Egyptian Museum. Accompanied by a Viking Egyptologist, guests then fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak and begin an eight-day round-trip voyage on the Nile River. The sailing features a visit to the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, as well as the opportunity to visit a colorful Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional elementary school. Finally, the journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.
