October 1, 2026 — Viking has taken delivery of Viking Sekhmet, a new 82-guest river ship for its Nile program in Egypt.
What happened
Viking Sekhmet was delivered in September 2026 by the Massara shipyard in Cairo. It carries 82 guests in 41 outside staterooms. Its godfather is Michael Consoli, owner of the travel agency franchise Cruise Planners. The ship will sail two 12-day Viking itineraries:
- Pharaohs & Pyramids
- Total Eclipse on the Nile, which debuts in 2027 (departure dates TBA)
Both trips start with three nights at a Cairo hotel, including visits to the Great Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum. Guests then take an included flight to Luxor for an eight-day Nile cruise, with stops at Tutankhamen’s tomb, the Temple of Khnum, Dendera Temple and the Aswan High Dam.
What it means for airline travelers
- Your flight is into Cairo (CAI). The Cairo–Luxor flight is part of the Viking trip, so your own air only needs to get you to and from Cairo.
- Allow a buffer day. Connections to Cairo from North America usually involve a European or Middle Eastern hub. If you’re traveling standby, arrive a day before the hotel portion starts.
- Check entry rules for Egypt before you travel, along with any travel advisories that may affect routings through the Middle East.
- Interline and industry fares: No change to travel-industry rates or eligibility has been announced.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News — Viking Marks Delivery of Sekhmet in Cairo
- Seatrade Cruise News — Cairo’s Massara shipyard delivers Viking Sekhmet
