Tourists in Egypt will be spoilt for choice come October when a brand-new river ship sets sail along the Nile River. 

Viking Cruises confirmed this week that Viking Thoth, a new 82-passenger ship, is on track to welcome its first guests in five month’s time. 

The ship ‘floated out’ of the Massara shipyard in Cairo this week, marking the ship’s first contact with water and more significantly, its move from exterior construction to interior. As part of the final phase of construction, the ship’s insides will be fitting out, including guest rooms, public areas and other spaces onboard the vessel. 

Speaking at the ‘float out’ ceremony, Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking, described Egypt as a destination “of great interest to our guests”. 

“With two new ships, the Viking Thoth and the Viking Amun, debuting in 2025, we are very proud to continue expanding our elegant fleet and introducing more curious travellers to this phenomenal region,” he said. 

Egypt is a significant destination for Viking Cruises with eight ships currently sailing along the Nile River, and 10 by the end of 2025. The cruise line is so committed to the destination that it named several of its local ships after ancient Egyptian gods and leaders including Viking Hathor, Viking Osiris and Viking Ra.

When it sets sail, Viking Thoth will have 41 stateroom with signature Scandinavian design. It will also have an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace with al fresco dining, as well as a pool and sun deck with 360-degree views, a lounge and bar with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, as well as a library and more. 

The ship will operate on Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary which takes in Cairo, the Great Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammed Ali, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. 

Viking is the latest cruise line to invest in the Egyptian and Middle Eastern market, following Celestyal Cruises’ decision to add news destinations to its local itineraries, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia, as well as the recent launch of the first Arabian cruise line, AROYA Cruises.