Recently acquired ship will be completely refurbished before starting service in March 2018
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Viking River Cruises is to welcome a new ship to its river fleet in March 2018.
Recently acquired, Viking Ra is named in honour of the Egyptian sun god Ra and also pays homage to Norwegian explorer’s Thor Heyerdahl and his papyrus-reed boats Ra and Ra II. The vessel has been stripped back to the steel and will now be redesigned and refurbished by the same team who work on Viking’s longships. Interiors will feature Viking’s signature Scandinavian designs blended with local influences, such as traditional geometric Arabic patterns and terrazzo floors.
Once rebuilt and refurbished, Viking Ra will boast 24 suites with balconies, a spa, a restaurant, a clinker-built bar, a lounge with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, two Jacuzzis and a pool at the back of the ship. The Pool and Sun Deck will also feature a seating area covered by ‘sail-shades’ inspired by local dhow ships and mashrabiya-influenced screens.
Viking Ra will debut on the Nile in Egypt in March 2018 and will sail 12-day ‘Pharaohs & Pyramids’ itineraries. Starting with a three-night stay at a hotel in Cairo, the cruise tour includes visits to sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the new Grand Egyptian Museum and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Guests will then fly to Luxor, where they will visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding Viking Ra for an eight-day roundtrip on the Nile.
Highlights will include a call in Aswan, where the guests will get privileged access to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens; excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna; a visit to the Dendera Temple complex in Qena; and a trip to a Nubian village where guests can experience a traditional elementary school. All excursions will be led by Viking’s expert Egyptologist. Finally, the journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo and another overnight in the city.
“Egypt is one of the most intriguing countries in the world, and it remains a top destination for many of our guests,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking Cruises. “For two decades, we have led the industry in river cruising with our innovative ship design and itineraries that bring our guests closer to the cultures of the world. We are committed to Egypt, and with the introduction of Viking Ra, we look forward to providing our award-winning service to our guests on the Nile – and to their experiencing this culturally rich region in the Viking way.”