VIKING has named its two newest Nile ships in Luxor. The identical 82-guest Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek (pictured) joined the cruise line’s fleet in Egypt, where they will serve the popular 12-day ‘Pharaohs & Pyramids’ itinerary. The naming ceremony took place at Viking’s exclusive docking location in Luxor, and...
VIKING has named its two newest Nile ships in Luxor.
The identical 82-guest Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek (pictured) joined the cruise line’s fleet in Egypt, where they will serve the popular 12-day ‘Pharaohs & Pyramids’ itinerary.
The naming ceremony took place at Viking’s exclusive docking location in Luxor, and was followed by a celebratory dinner inside the nearby Karnak temples.
Viking’s guests also enjoyed a performance by Sissel Kyrkjebo, one of the world’s leading sopranos, and godmother of Viking Jupiter.
“Today, we are proud to welcome the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek to our growing fleet in Egypt,” Chair & Chief Executive Torstein Hagen said.
“Along with their sister ships, we believe they are by far the most elegant vessels on the Nile.
“As our award-winning fleet on the Nile continues to grow, we look forward to introducing even more curious travellers to this phenomenal destination.”
Edward Herbert served as the ceremonial godfather of Hathor; whose great-great-grandfather, George Herbert, fifth Earl of Carnarvon, was Howard Carter’s benefactor and co-explorer who discovered the intact tomb of the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Tutankhamun in Nov 1922.
Meanwhile, Mohamed El Banna, founder of Cosmos Egypt and a member of the Egyptian Senate, served as the ceremonial godfather of Sobek.
“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,” Hagen pronounced.
“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,” he added.
The two new ships are identical sister ships to Viking Aton and Viking Osiris. MS
