A positive sign for cruise travel’s future, Viking has announced its intent to launch an additional new riverboat on the Nile River in Egypt. Viking Aton will be a sister ship to Viking Osiris, which is scheduled to come online this December. Aton will begin welcoming guests in September 2022.
At a time when cruise lines are still proceeding with existing ship orders, adding an extra newbuild to the list is a great show of confidence in the market’s long-term prospects.
“Egypt remains a top destination for many of our guests who are inspired to discover the rich history and beauty of the region,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, in a press release. “We will always maintain our commitment to creating meaningful experiences that are focused on the destination. The addition of Viking Aton is a reflection of our continued investment in Egypt; we look forward to introducing the country’s cultural treasures to even more Viking guests in the future.”
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Aton and Osiris — inspired by the line’s Viking Longships in Europe — will join Viking’s first owned and operated riverboat in Egypt, the redesigned, 2018-launched Viking Ra. Both riverboats are currently under construction.
Egypt remains a top destination for many of our guests who are inspired to discover the rich history and beauty of the region.
Aton will sport Viking’s signature Scandinavian style and accommodate 82 guests in 41 all-outside staterooms and suites. The ship will also feature a pool and sun deck, the Viking Lounge for indoor observation and an Aquavit Terrace for al fresco dining.
Aton will traverse Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, which begins with a three-night hotel stay in Cairo. Highlights include the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali before guests fly to Luxor to visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak and join the ship for an eight-day voyage.
Viking Aton will feature a pool and sun deck.
Credit: 2021 VikingAlong the way, guests will also see the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens, the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan.
Also available is a five-day cruise extension — British Collections of Ancient Egypt — that follows Egyptologist Howard Carter’s archaeological journey in London. Other options include a pre-cruise trip in Jerusalem and a post-cruise extension in Jordan to see Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and more.
The Details
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