Viking Takes Delivery of 82-Guest Nile Ship Sekhmet
Built for Nile operations, the 72-meter Viking Sekhmet carries 41 outside staterooms and 48 crew members, with an Aquavit Terrace offering indoor and outdoor space.
Viking announced on September 29, 2026, that it has taken delivery of the 82-guest Viking Sekhmet, its newest Nile river ship. The delivery ceremony was held at Massara shipyard in Cairo.
The vessel joins a series of identical sister ships operating Viking’s Egypt itineraries. Across its river operations, the company expects to receive 19 additional ships by 2028 under its committed orderbook, bringing its river fleet to 114 vessels that year.
“The Nile has connected people with the history and culture of Egypt for thousands of years, and it continues to be a destination that inspires curious travelers,” said Leah Talactac, Viking’s president and chief executive officer.
Ship design and accommodation
Built specifically for Nile operations, the 72-meter Viking Sekhmet has 41 outside staterooms and a crew complement of 48. Accommodation ranges from 232-square-foot Standard Staterooms to 677-square-foot Explorer Suites, with Veranda Staterooms and Veranda Suites also available.
The ship shares its sisters’ Scandinavian styling, square bow and Aquavit Terrace, which provides both indoor and outdoor space. Its design draws on features used aboard Viking’s river and ocean vessels.
Cairo stays and a Luxor roundtrip
Viking Sekhmet will operate the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, combining hotel stays in Cairo with an eight-day Nile cruise sailing roundtrip from Luxor.
Travelers begin with three nights at a Cairo hotel. Visits can include the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, alongside the pyramids at Giza and the Sakkara necropolis. Guests then fly to Luxor and visit the Luxor and Karnak temples before boarding.
The river portion includes the Valley of the Kings, where guests visit Tutankhamen’s tomb. Other excursions take in the Dendera temple complex at Qena and the Temple of Khnum at Esna.
At Aswan, the program includes the High Dam and a visit to a Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional elementary school. After the cruise, travelers fly back to Cairo for a final overnight stay.
The delivery announcement did not specify the ship’s first departure date. In 2027, Viking Sekhmet will also operate the new 12-day Total Eclipse on the Nile itinerary, which follows the same combination of Cairo stays and river cruising.
