Viking River Cruises’ new Nile river ship will be named Viking Ra in honor of the Egyptian sun king. The recently purchased Nile cruise ship is being stripped down to the steel to become a brand new luxury cruiser.
Viking Ra will accommodate 48 guests in 24 suites, 20 of which will have both verandahs and a French balcony in the bedroom. The ship is being rebuilt by a team of nautical engineers and architects including the same interior design team responsible for the award-winning fleet of Viking Longships. The decor will blend Scandinavian design with local influences like traditional geometric Arabic patterns and terrazzo floors. In addition to a spa and two Jacuzzis, the ship will feature a pool on the rear of the top deck.
The Viking Ra will launch in March, 2018 and sail on a 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids program. It starts with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo.
Participants then fly to Luxor, where they will visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before continuing on an eight-day round-trip cruise on the Nile River to Aswan, featuring privileged access to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, and a visit to a Nubian village to visit a traditional elementary school.
