Viking Announces Float Out of Newest Nile River Ships; Set to Debut in Fall 2026, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet Touch Water for the First Time
Published on 04/02/2026
at 11:25 am EDT - Modified on 04/02/2026
at 11:26 am EDT
Los Angeles - Viking (www.viking.com) (NYSE: VIK) today 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 roundtrip 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.
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About Viking
Viking (NYSE: VIK) is a global leader in experiential travel with a fleet of more than 100 ships, exploring 21 rivers, five oceans and all seven continents. 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 and #1 for Oceans five years in a row by Conde Nast Traveler in the 2025 Readers' Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a 'World's Best' by Travel + Leisure-no other travel company has simultaneously received such honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit www.viking.com.
Viking Holdings Ltd provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans, and lakes around the world. The Company offers travel experiences on all seven continents in all three categories of the cruise industry - river, ocean, and expedition cruising. Its cruise line offers experiences on all seven continents with itineraries across five oceans, 21 rivers and five lakes, and a focus primarily on destinations in Europe and the Mediterranean, rather than the Caribbean. The Company’s fleet includes 58 longships accommodating 190 passengers, 11 ocean ships, including the Viking Yi Dun, accommodating 930 or 998 passengers and two expedition ships accommodating 378 passengers. Its in-house operations include Nautical, Hotel Services and Land Operations Departments. Its fleet comprised of various ships, such as Viking Gymir, Viking Fjorgyn, Viking Radgrid, Viking Kari, Viking Vilhjalm, Viking Hermod, Viking Hemming, Viking Neptune, Viking Polaris, Viking Octantis, among others.
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Viking Announces Float Out of Newest Nile River Ships; Set to Debut in Fall 2026, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet Touch Water for the First Time