Viking® has proudly announced the addition of two new river ships to its award-winning fleet in Egypt. The Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek were named in a special ceremony in Luxor, Egypt, marking a significant expansion of Viking’s presence on the Nile River.

A Celebration of Heritage and Exploration

The naming ceremony was a grand affair held at Viking’s exclusive docking location in Luxor. The Hon. Edward Herbert, whose great-great-grandfather, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, famously co-discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamun and served as the ceremonial godfather of the Viking Hathor. Mohamed El Banna, founder of Cosmos Egypt and a member of the Egyptian Senate, was the ceremonial godfather of the Viking Sobek. This event not only celebrated the launch of these state-of-the-art vessels but also honoured Egypt’s rich history and cultural heritage.

“Today, we are proud to welcome the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek to our growing fleet in Egypt. Along with their sister ships, we believe they are by far the most elegant vessels on the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “We are very grateful for our continued close friendship with the Carnarvon family and that Eddie has honoured us by serving as the godfather of the Viking Hathor. For more than 15 years, Mohamed El Banna has been a part of the extended Viking family, helping to take good care of our guests in Egypt, and it is a great honour that he is serving as the godfather of the Viking Sobek. As our award-winning fleet on the Nile continues to grow, we look forward to introducing even more curious travellers to this phenomenal destination.”

An Evening to Remember

Following the naming ceremony, guests were treated to a celebratory dinner inside the historic Karnak Temple. The evening was further enriched by a performance from Sissel Kyrkjebø, one of the world’s leading crossover sopranos and godmother of the Viking Jupiter®, who sang the national anthems of Egypt, Norway, and the United Kingdom in their native languages.

Honouring a Legacy

The Hon. Edward Herbert, godfather of the Viking Hathor, is the son of George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, and Fiona Carnarvon, the Countess of Carnarvon. His great-great-grandfather, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, played a pivotal role in the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb. This legacy is celebrated in Lady Carnarvon’s book, The Earl and the Pharaoh: From the Real Downton Abbey to the Discovery of Tutankhamun, which explores the life and achievements of the 5th Earl.

Highclere Castle, Egypt & Viking

Viking has long offered guests unique experiences at Highclere Castle, home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and the filming location of Downton Abbey. The castle houses a collection of photographs taken by the 5th Earl, documenting the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and daily life in early 20th-century Egypt. With the Carnarvon’s permission, Viking shares this private collection with guests aboard the Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek and their sister ships, the Viking Osiris and Viking Aton.

Exclusive Pre and Post Extensions

For those looking to extend their exploration of Egypt, Viking offers exclusive pre- and post-extensions. The five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension includes privileged access to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum, a candlelit tour of Sir John Soane’s Museum, and visits to the Petrie Museum and the Ashmolean Museum. Guests will also enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Oxford University’s Griffith Institute to see Howard Carter’s archives and an exclusive visit to Highclere Castle.

Mohamed El Banna, Godfather of the Viking Sobek

Mohamed El Banna, a prominent figure in Egypt’s tourism industry, has been a key partner for Viking for over 15 years. As the founder of Cosmos Egypt, he has played a crucial role in promoting exploration along the Nile River. His contributions to the travel industry and his dedication to providing exceptional experiences for Viking guests have made him a valued member of the Viking family.

Viking’s Growing Egypt Fleet

The Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek, hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, are designed with Viking’s signature Scandinavian elegance. These ships feature a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. They join Viking’s existing Egypt fleet, which includes the Viking Ra and the MS Antares. Viking plans to expand further with the addition of the Viking Amun and Viking Thoth in 2025 and the Viking Sekhmet and Viking Ptah in 2026.

With these new additions, Viking continues to offer unparalleled experiences on the Nile, inviting travellers to explore the wonders of ancient Egypt in comfort and style.