With winter in full force, the idea of a warm-weather cruise might be top-of-mind right now. But if you can wait until 2022, there’s a new cruise experience hitting the Nile that will surely reward your patience. On January 26, Viking Cruises announced a new ship in its Egyptian fleet called the Viking Aton, a luxury vessel that will sail the Nile. Currently under construction, it will launch in September 2022 following Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.
Photo: Viking Cruises
Viking’s New Luxury Cruise Ship Will Sail the Nile in 2022
The itinerary starts off with a three-night stay in Cairo, where guests will visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Afterward, they’ll fly to Luxor to visit the temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding the ship and taking an eight-day cruise on the Nile. The ship will dock for various excursions at tombs and temples along the way, such as the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings, among others.
Photo: Viking Cruises
The luxury, state-of-the-art ship can hold 82 guests in 41 rooms and has its own pool and sun deck with 360-degree views. The Aquavit Terrace — an alfresco dining and viewing area for guests to enjoy the beauty of the Nile — will not disappoint.
Photo: Viking Cruises
In a press release, Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, said, “Egypt remains a top destination for many of our guests who are inspired to discover the rich history and beauty of the region. 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.”
Even though 2021 just started, bookings for the cruise are open now so you can already start planning your 2022 vacation. 