Viking unveils 19-day Egypt cruise for 2028

Unbranded river cruise ship on a wide Nile-like river with ancient-style scenery, illustrating VIK’s Egypt itinerary

Key Points

01Viking (VIK) opens bookings for a 19-day Grand Nile Journey in Egypt with departures from 2028
02New itinerary combines four hotel nights in Cairo with a 14-night Nile sailing on Viking (VIK) Ra
03Guests are offered 17 guided tours including major sites in Cairo, Middle Egypt, Luxor and Aswan
04Viking (VIK) plans to expand its 10-vessel Egypt fleet with two more ships in 2028

Viking launches 19-day Grand Nile Journey for 2028

Viking has opened bookings for a new 19-day Grand Nile Journey itinerary in Egypt, with departures beginning in 2028. The program combines an extended hotel stay in Cairo with a long Nile cruise, adding a new option to the company’s Egypt portfolio. The launch is supported by a promotional offer for U.S. residents that runs through October 31.

The itinerary includes four hotel nights in Cairo and a 14-night sailing between Cairo and Aswan aboard the Viking Ra, a 52-guest vessel configured with 26 suites. The structure is designed to give travelers time in the capital city as well as an in-depth river journey along the Nile.

Route, touring program and key sites

Guests on the Grand Nile Journey will participate in 17 guided tours across Egypt. Highlights include visits to the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The cruise segment follows the Nile between Cairo and Aswan, covering both well-known and less frequently visited archaeological sites.

The itinerary features stops in Middle Egypt at the Meidum Pyramid, the Noblemen’s Tombs of Beni Hasan, Tell el-Amarna and the Deir el-Muharraq monastery. It also includes the temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Seti I at Abydos and the Philae temple complex in Aswan. Optional extensions are available in Cairo, Morocco and Jordan.

Fleet presence and capacity in Egypt

Viking currently operates 10 vessels in Egypt and expects two additional vessels to join its Egypt fleet in 2028. The company has recently named two new ships in the region, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet. The Grand Nile Journey will be operated by Viking Ra, which accommodates guests exclusively in 26 suites for a capacity of 52 passengers.

The expanded fleet is positioned to support the broader range of itineraries Viking now offers in Egypt. Alongside Grand Nile Journey, the company continues to market its existing Egypt cruises, which focus on key Nile and Cairo sites.

Positioning within Viking’s Egypt portfolio

The Grand Nile Journey complements Viking’s existing 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. It also sits alongside a 12-day Total Eclipse on the Nile voyage scheduled for 2027, which adds another specialized program to the Egypt lineup. Together, these itineraries provide multiple options for travelers interested in extended cultural and historical exploration along the Nile.

To support initial bookings, Viking is running a Fall Sale promotion for U.S. residents through October 31 that includes reduced airfare, special fares and a $25 deposit for the Grand Nile Journey. This offer is aimed at stimulating early demand for departures starting in 2028.

Key Takeaways

01Viking is expanding its Egypt offerings with a longer, 19-day itinerary that combines an extended Cairo stay with a two-week Nile cruise.
02The Grand Nile Journey leverages Viking Ra’s small-ship configuration and suite-only layout to provide a limited-capacity experience focused on guided touring.
03With 10 vessels currently in Egypt and two more expected in 2028, Viking is building capacity to support a diversified set of Nile-focused itineraries.
04The new itinerary is integrated into a broader Egypt program that also includes the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids and a 2027 Total Eclipse on the Nile voyage.
05Short-term promotional incentives, including reduced airfare and a low deposit for U.S. residents, are being used to drive early bookings for the 2028 launch.

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