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Viking has named two new river ships, the Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek, in a special ceremony in Luxor, Egypt. These 82-guest vessels are identical sister ships to the Viking Aton and Viking Osiris, specifically designed for Nile River navigation on the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. The Hon. Edward Herbert and Mohamed El Banna served as ceremonial godfathers. Built at Massara shipyard in Cairo, these state-of-the-art ships feature Scandinavian design elements including a square bow and indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. Viking plans to add four more ships by 2026, expanding their Nile fleet to 10 vessels.
Viking ha inaugurato due nuove navi fluviali, la Viking Hathor e la Viking Sobek, durante una cerimonia speciale a Luxor, in Egitto. Queste imbarcazioni, con una capacità di 82 ospiti, sono navi gemelle identiche alla Viking Aton e alla Viking Osiris, progettate specificamente per la navigazione sul fiume Nilo nel viaggio di 12 giorni ‘Faraoni e Piramidi’. L’Onorevole Edward Herbert e Mohamed El Banna hanno ricoperto il ruolo di padrini cerimoniali. Costruite presso il cantiere navale Massara al Cairo, queste navi all’avanguardia presentano elementi di design scandinavo, tra cui un ponte prua a forma quadrata e una terrazza Aquavit al coperto/scoperto. Viking prevede di aggiungere altre quattro navi entro il 2026, ampliando così la propria flotta sul Nilo a 10 imbarcazioni.
Viking ha nombrado dos nuevos barcos fluviales, el Viking Hathor y el Viking Sobek, en una ceremonia especial en Luxor, Egipto. Estas embarcaciones, con capacidad para 82 huéspedes, son barcos gemelos idénticos al Viking Aton y al Viking Osiris, diseñados específicamente para la navegación en el río Nilo en el itinerario de 12 días ‘Faraones y Pirámides’. El Honorable Edward Herbert y Mohamed El Banna fueron los padrinos ceremoniales. Construidos en el astillero de Massara en El Cairo, estos barcos de última generación cuentan con elementos de diseño escandinavo, incluyendo una proa cuadrada y una terraza Aquavit al aire libre/cubierta. Viking planea agregar cuatro barcos más para 2026, ampliando su flota en el Nilo a 10 embarcaciones.
바이킹이 이집트 룩소르에서 특별한 의식으로 바이킹 하토르와 바이킹 소벡이라는 두 새로운 강선을 명명했습니다. 이 배들은 82명의 손님을 수용할 수 있으며, 바이킹 아톤과 바이킹 오시리스의 동일한 자매선으로, 12일 동안의 ‘파라오와 피라미드’ 여행을 위해 특별히 설계되었습니다. 에드워드 허버트 경과 모하메드 엘 반나가 의식의 대부로서 참석했습니다. 카이로의 마사라 조선소에서 건조된 이 첨단 선박은 스칸디나비아 디자인 요소를 특징으로 하며, 네모난 선두와 실내/외 아쿠아비트 테라스가 포함되어 있습니다. 바이킹은 2026년까지 4척의 추가 선박을 추가하여 나일 강 함대를 10척으로 확장할 계획입니다.
Viking a nommé deux nouveaux navires fluviaux, le Viking Hathor et le Viking Sobek, lors d’une cérémonie spéciale à Louxor, en Égypte. Ces navires, pouvant accueillir 82 passagers, sont des navires jumeaux identiques au Viking Aton et au Viking Osiris, spécialement conçus pour la navigation sur le Nil lors de l’itinéraire de 12 jours ‘Pharaons et Pyramides’. L’honorable Edward Herbert et Mohamed El Banna ont été les parrains de la cérémonie. Construits au chantier naval Massara au Caire, ces navires à la pointe de la technologie présentent des éléments de design scandinave, dont une proue carrée et une terrasse Aquavit intérieure/extérieure. Viking prévoit d’ajouter quatre autres navires d’ici 2026, portant ainsi sa flotte sur le Nil à 10 navires.
Viking hat zwei neue Flusskreuzfahrtschiffe, die Viking Hathor und die Viking Sobek, in einer speziellen Zeremonie in Luxor, Ägypten, getauft. Diese Schiffe, die Platz für 82 Gäste bieten, sind baugleiche Schwesternschiffe der Viking Aton und Viking Osiris, die speziell für die Navigation auf dem Nil auf der 12-tägigen ‘Pharaonen & Pyramiden’-Route entwickelt wurden. Der Ehrengast Edward Herbert und Mohamed El Banna fungierten als Zeremonienpaten. Gebaut in der Werft Massara in Kairo, zeichnen sich diese hochmodernen Schiffe durch skandinavische Designelemente aus, darunter ein quadrativer Bug und eine Aquavit-Terrasse im Innen- und Außenbereich. Viking plant, bis 2026 vier weitere Schiffe hinzuzufügen und damit die Nil-Flotte auf 10 Schiffe zu erweitern.
Positive
- Viking’s Egypt fleet expansion demonstrates strong market presence and growth
- Company ranked #1 for Rivers, Oceans, and Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in 2024
- Planned addition of 4 more ships by 2026 shows strong business expansion
Insights
The launch of two new Nile River ships, Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek, represents a strategic expansion of Viking’s luxury river cruise operations in Egypt. This development is part of a larger fleet expansion plan that will add four more vessels by 2026, bringing the total to 10 ships on the Nile. While the immediate revenue impact may be modest given the 82-guest capacity per vessel, the long-term growth trajectory in the luxury travel segment shows promise.
The company’s market positioning is strengthened by recent accolades, including being rated #1 for Rivers, Oceans and Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler. The exclusive docking locations and privileged access partnerships with prestigious institutions demonstrate Viking’s competitive advantage in the premium travel market segment.
The Identical 82-Guest Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek Join the Company’s Award-Winning Fleet in Egypt
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Viking® (www.viking.com) (NYSE: VIK) today named its newest river ships, the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek, with a special celebration in Luxor, Egypt. The Hon. Edward Herbert, served as ceremonial godfather of the Viking Hathor; his great-great-grandfather, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, was Howard Carter’s benefactor and co-explorer, whose excavation uncovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen near Luxor almost exactly 102 years ago on November 4, 1922. Mohamed El Banna, founder of Cosmos Egypt and a member of the Egyptian Senate, served as the ceremonial godfather of the Viking Sobek. The Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek are identical sister ships to the Viking Aton and the Viking Osiris and are state-of-the-art vessels designed specifically to navigate the Nile River on Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary and built at Massara shipyard in Cairo.
Viking today named its newest river ships, the Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek, with a celebration in Luxor, Egypt. Designed specifically to navigate the Nile River, the state-of-the-art ships were built at the Massara shipyard in Cairo and will sail Viking’s popular Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. Pictured here, the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek at Viking’s premier docking location at the Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt. For more information, visit www.viking.com. (Photo: Business Wire)
“Today, we are proud to welcome the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek to our growing fleet in Egypt. Along with their sister ships, we believe they are by far the most elegant vessels on the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “We are very grateful for our continued close friendship with the Carnarvon family and that Eddie has honored us by serving as godfather of the Viking Hathor. For more than 15 years, Mohamed El Banna has been a part of the extended Viking family, helping to take good care of our guests in Egypt, and it is a great honor that he is serving as godfather of the Viking Sobek. As our award-winning fleet on the Nile continues to grow, we look forward to introducing even more curious travelers to this phenomenal destination.”
The naming ceremony of the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek took place at Viking’s exclusive docking location in Luxor and was followed by a celebratory dinner inside the nearby Karnak Temple. Viking’s guests also enjoyed a performance by Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter®, who sang the Egyptian, Norwegian and United Kingdom’s national anthems in their native languages.
The Hon. Edward Herbert, Godfather of the Viking Hathor
The Hon. Edward Herbert is the son of George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, and Fiona Carnarvon, the Countess of Carnarvon. In his new godfather role, Edward joins his father and mother, who are also Viking’s first “godparents.” In 2022, Lord Carnarvon became Viking’s first godfather, fulfilling the role for the Viking Osiris. Lady Carnarvon is the godmother of a Viking Longship, the Viking Skadi and an ocean ship, the Viking Mars®. Edward’s great-great-grandfather, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, spent 16 years working in Luxor and later in 1922, with his colleague Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen. In Lady Carnarvon’s newest book, The Earl and the Pharaoh: From the Real Downton Abbey to the Discovery of Tutankhamun, she explores the unparalleled life of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and tells the behind-the-scenes story of the historic discovery.
Highclere Castle, Egypt & Viking
For years Viking has offered a variety of ways for its guests to experience life at Highclere Castle, which is the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and the historic estate best known as the filming location of Downton Abbey. Among the 5th Earl’s many talents, he was an avid amateur photographer with an artistic eye for composition. His photographs are at Highclere Castle currently, stored in photo albums in The Library, and show the process of discovering and excavating the tomb of Tutankhamen, as well as scenes of daily life in Egypt of the period. With kind permission, the Carnarvons have allowed Viking to share this private collection for guests sailing on board the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek, as well as their sister ships, the Viking Osiris and the Viking Aton.
For guests who are interested in extending their exploration of Egypt, Viking offers Pre and Post Extensions that provide Privileged Access® to archives and exhibits. Guests on the five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension will begin the journey in London, where they will meet their Viking Tour Director, an expert Egyptologist, and experience Privileged Access to two museums: first a private, early morning visit to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum before it opens to the general public —and then a visit to the home and personal museum of world-renowned architect, Sir John Soane, where the tour will be illuminated by candlelight, a re-enactment of how Soane entertained guests and showcased his exquisite collection of Egyptian antiquities, including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus. Guests will also visit London’s Petrie Museum, which houses more than 80,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt and Sudan. In Oxford, guests will visit the Ashmolean Museum, one of the oldest in the world, and home to a varied collection of Egyptian mummies and art—and go behind the scenes at Oxford University’s Griffith Institute, where they will enjoy a Privileged Access visit to see Howard Carter’s archives, which detail the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb. Lastly, guests will have further Privileged Access with an exclusive visit to Highclere Castle to view the Earl of Carnarvon’s magnificent private collection of Egyptian artifacts, as well as archives and exhibits not normally accessible to the public.
Mohamed El Banna, Godfather of the Viking Sobek
With his exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and deep interest in world cultures, Mohamed El Banna was destined for a career in the travel industry. He completed a bachelor’s degree in commerce and began working in tourism in 1970. Seven years later, he founded Cosmos Tourism Company—now Cosmos Egypt—a Cairo-based tour operator and the country’s oldest destination management company. He continues to run the business with his son, Sherif El Banna, who serves as CEO. Viking has proudly partnered with Cosmos Egypt and Mr. El Banna for more than 15 years to promote exploration along the Nile River. As Viking’s exclusive tour operator in Egypt, the company continues to handle all ground operations and transportation for shore excursions and helps source English-speaking tour guides and Egyptologists. Mr. El Banna also helped Viking create its operational division in Egypt, which now includes more than 500 company employees that work in the country. Through these extensive partnerships, Viking consistently provides its guests with an award-winning and seamless travel experience in Egypt. As one of Egypt’s most devoted ambassadors for travel, Mr. El Banna has held several influential government positions throughout his distinguished career. Previously, he was a member of the Chamber of Tourism from 1986 to 1994 and served two terms as the Deputy of the Tourism and Antiquities Committee in the House of Representatives from 2005 to 2015. Currently, he is a senator in the Egyptian Senate, a role he will fulfill through the end of his five-year term in 2025.
The Viking Hathor, the Viking Sobek & Viking’s Growing Egypt Fleet
Hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the new Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek are inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships with the elegant Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. An identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris and the Viking Aton, the Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek feature several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. Other ships in the Egypt fleet include the Viking Ra and the MS Antares. Viking plans to welcome four additional ships in the next two years—the Viking Amun and the Viking Thoth in 2025 and the Viking Sekhmet and the Viking Ptah in 2026—which would bring Viking’s fleet to 10 vessels on the Nile River.
Viking was rated #1 for Rivers, as well as #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions, by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards for the second consecutive year. This achievement marked the first time a travel company won these three categories in back-to-back years. Viking’s Egypt ships have also been included in Condé Nast Traveler’s “Hot List” the last two years. Viking was also named a “Best Luxury River Cruise of 2024” in Forbes’ “Best Luxury Cruises” list. Additionally, TIME magazine featured both Giza and Saqqara on its “World’s Greatest Places” 2023 list, mentioning sailing the Nile River with Viking. TIME notes that Viking is among the very few who stop in both Giza and the village of Sakkara, where excavation sites, like the megatombs of animal and human mummies, are active.
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. Guests then fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River, featuring visits to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and 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, and a visit to 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.
Media Assets
For more information about Viking, or for images and b-roll, please contact vikingpr@edelman.com
About Viking
Viking (NYSE: VIK) was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans, and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2023 and 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a “World’s Best” for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com. For Viking’s award-winning enrichment channel, visit www.viking.tv.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241105245545/en/
Email: vikingpr@edelman.com
Source: Viking
FAQ
How many guests can the new Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek ships accommodate?
Both the Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek can accommodate 82 guests in 41 staterooms.
What is Viking’s (VIK) expansion plan for its Nile River fleet by 2026?
Viking plans to add four additional ships – Viking Amun and Viking Thoth in 2025, and Viking Sekhmet and Viking Ptah in 2026 – bringing their total Nile fleet to 10 vessels.
Where were the new Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek ships built?
The ships were built at the Massara shipyard in Cairo, Egypt.
What itinerary will the new Viking ships operate on the Nile?
The ships will operate on Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, which includes a three-night stay in Cairo and an eight-day Nile River cruise.
