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Viking Offering New Egypt Cruise Ship, Pre-Cruise Program

5/3/2019

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Courtesy of Viking River Cruises
By John Roberts

My Viking Cruises voyage on Egypt's Nile River remains one of the most satisfying travel experiences I have enjoyed. The trip's combination of land and river-based activities and sightseeing offers an ideal way to learn about all the rich culture and history of Ancient Egypt.

When we went on our Egypt cruise, Viking used a charter ship to bring cruisers to such exotic locations as Abu Simbel and Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Edfu. Now, the world's best-known river cruise line has a new ship of its own that is purpose-built to give you an intimate and exhilarating experience in vibrant Egypt.

Viking announced an expansion of its Egypt river cruise program for the 2020 season, which includes the launch of a new ship. Inspired by the design of the award-winning Viking Longships and built specifically for the Nile River, Viking Osiris will debut in September 2020. Viking also will offer two new pre-cruise extensions for passengers who can further immerse themselves in the history of the region before arriving in Cairo for the river cruise portion of their trips.

These five-day extensions to Viking's Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary aim to provide you with privileged access to archives and exhibits in London and Oxford that are not normally accessible to the public. The new Viking Osiris ship and pre-cruise program comes one year after the company launched Viking Ra, a completely renovated vessel and the first one that Viking has owned and operated on the Nile.

"Egypt has inspired explorers for generations, and it remains a top destination for many of our guests," said Viking Cruises chairman Torstein Hagen. "For more than two decades, we have led the river cruise industry with our fleet development and experiences that bring travelers closer to the cultures of the world. We remain committed to Egypt, and we look forward to introducing the historic treasures of the region to even more Viking guests."

About Viking Osiris
The ship will carry up to 82 passengers in 41 staterooms. Viking says that Viking Osiris will be a state-of-the art ship with the clean, elegant Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. Viking is the first and only Western company to build, own and operate ships on the Nile.

New Pre-Cruise Program
Building on the success of the line's Oxford & Highclere Castle program that visits the real Downton Abbey location, the company has developed two new curated pre-cruise extensions so that you can retrace the steps of the world's most famous Egyptologist, Howard Carter, and his benefactor, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon.

Passengers who book the five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension will meet their Viking tour director, an expert Egyptologist, in London and be taken on special tours of two museums: first a private, early morning visit to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum before it opens to the general public, and then a visit to the home and personal museum of world-renowned architect, Sir John Soane, where the tour will be illuminated by candlelight, a re-enactment of how Soane entertained guests and showcased his exquisite collection of Egyptian antiquities, including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus.

You also get to visit London's Petrie Museum, which houses more than 80,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt and Sudan. In Oxford, it's a trip to the Ashmolean Museum, one of the oldest in the world and home to a varied collection of Egyptian mummies and art. Here, you'll go behind the scenes at Oxford University's Griffith Institute to see Carter's archives, which detail the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb.

Finally, you will have an opportunity to visit Highclere Castle -- the country seat of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon -- for a look at the earl's vast private collection of Egyptian artifacts.

About the Pharaohs & Pyramids Cruise
During the 12-day, "Pharaohs & Pyramids" itinerary, you'll see Egypt's cultural treasures in seven destinations. The journey begins with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo. This is where you visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali.

After this, you fly to Luxor and visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding your ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise on the Nile River, featuring privileged access to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens, and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, and a visit to a colorful Nubian village, where you can experience a traditional elementary school.

The voyage concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.

This all sounds so amazing that I think it's time to back to see more.

Thanks for reading,
JR
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Just one of the many memorable moments from our Viking River Cruise in Egypt. Colleen and her fans snap a selfie.
Read all about it: Why a Viking River Cruise is the Perfect Way to Explore Egypt
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Viking River Cruises Hosts Social Media Experts for #VikingSocial

11/18/2014

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Viking Longship Mani, In The Loop Travel's cruise on the Rhine river
My first Viking River Cruise was on Viking Mani this year on the Rhine.
By John Roberts

I'm excited to announce that I will be cruising on Viking Longship Delling as part of Viking Cruises' second social media cruise. We'll be sailing along the Danube River from December 6 to 13 from Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary.

The #VikingSocial initiative aims to increase interest and awareness of just what it's like to go on a river cruise with Viking. So, follow the hashtag #VikingSocial on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all sorts of pictures and updates from some of the most knowledgeable and interactive bloggers in the cruise industry to find out where we are and what we're up to during our voyage.

I'll also be posting photo albums and stories from the trip right here on the blog.

Here is a primer on Viking Cruises to provide a little background for you . . .

  • Viking is the fastest-growing river cruise line, having added more than 30 ships in recent years, with 13 more coming in 2015, including the line's first ocean cruise ship. That means it will have 67 ships on the world's waterways. Viking started in 1997 with four ships.
  • Our #VikingSocial cruise will be on the Viking Longship Delling. Viking Longships feature 95 cabins, for a capacity of 190 passengers based on double occupancy. The longships are 443 feet long. Like most river ships, they contain four decks (including a top sun deck with the captain's wheelhouse). Unlike many river ships, they do not have a fitness center or small pool.
  • The river ships travel in Europe, Russia, Asia and Egypt, with plans in the works for putting ships on the Amazon and Mississippi rivers.
  • Viking also has three more ocean ships scheduled. They will join 930-passenger Viking Star, which is due to debut in May 2015. 

I have been on one other Viking River Cruise, and I thoroughly enjoyed the intimate atmosphere, delicious food and high level of service from the crew. I can't wait to share this experience with you.

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I'll soon be making Viking Longship Delling my home away from home. Follow along with #VikingSocial

Elsewhere . . .

I was honored to be part of a roundtable discussion this week on the fantastic Royal Caribbean Blog podcast along with RC Blog creator and podcast host Matt Hochberg, From The Deck Chair Blog's Aaron Saunders and Cruise Critic Managing Editor Colleen McDaniel.

We all were on pre-inaugural cruises on the brand-new Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's revolutionary ship. Check out the podcast for our impressions of Quantum.

Norwegian Cruise Line says it is bringing a host of new entertainment to Norwegian Epic in 2015, including "Priscilla Queen of the Desert -- the Musical" and "Burn the Floor -- Ballroom Blitz." Also, the ship will add a new Beatles-inspired venue called The Cavern Club, which will offer British pop experience. The entertainment additions will all be in place by October 2015. Epic will move to its new homeport in Barcelona at the end of April 2015.

Cruise Critic unveiled its 2014 editors' picks this week. The cruise review website's awards "are chosen by Cruise Critic's international team of editors, based on the lines and ships they feel best represent excellence in each of the designated categories." Check out the list here.

Thanks for reading.

Travel happy!

JR

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Viking River Cruises Keep You Moving

9/10/2014

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By John Roberts

ABOARD VIKING MANI -- River cruises hold their own for us active types, what with their hop-on, hop-off accessibility to quaint and historic towns and flexible excursion options.

We've found a range of ways to plot out your daily port stops during our first few days on our Viking River Cruise. We've put a lot of mileage on our feet while enjoying the brand-new Viking Longship Mani just by sticking with the line's included excursion program.

We've toured Basel, Switzerland, Breisbach, Germany, and Strasbourg, France, so far, with three more towns to see before wrapping up in Amsterdam.

You can find several ways to keep amply active on river cruises, which correctly have the reputation for being a more relaxed and slower-paced way to vacation. But this doesn't mean you can't set your own pace.


I've noticed at least four ways a Viking River Cruise rates well for active travelers.  
Viking Mani docks at a park in Kehl, Germany
Our ship, the Viking Mani, docks at a park in Kehl, Germany, where we see runners, bikers and rollerbladers enjoying a sunny day.
1. You Dock Where the Action Is -- Your vessel pulls tight up alongside scenic and historic areas. Along the Rhine, we sit alongside towns filled with restaurants, historic buildings and shopping that you can explore. Viking cruises include one daily excursion in your fare at each port stop. But if you choose to go it on your own for a day to avoid the masses, you can spend the day hiking, walking, running, biking, etc., on the gorgeous parks and paths that run parallel to the river. We spotted people floating in tubes, kayaking and even waterskiing in the Rhine this week. 

Viking River Cruise tour guide in Germany
You can enjoy a tour that Viking has arranged -- or go on your own with the help of the line's program manager and concierge staff.
2. Design Your Own Excursion -- If you're interested in doing something in a town on your stop, just ask. Viking's program directors and concierge staff can call ahead and help you make arrangements for any adventure that you are interested in. Hiking in the Black Forest or maybe a balloon ride in France, perhaps? 

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Still got energy after your morning excursion? Head out for an afternoon tour to complete your action-filled day.
3. Double Up -- Viking generally offers mix of afternoon excursions (added fee) in a port so you can really wear yourself out. You can do a city walk in the morning or a bus tour with stops at several historical sites. Then, come back to the ship for lunch and head out for another tour, like a vineyard tour and wine tasting or visit to a WWII museum or cathedrals. We've been so tuckered out from our morning tours and fighting off jet lag that we have had to forgo the afternoon options so far in favor of glorious naps.

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A river cruise will bring right into everyday life in historic villages.
4. Ships Stay Late -- At many port stops, you get yet one more chance to wander out to explore the villages you dock alongside. Vessels sometimes stay as late as 11 p.m. in towns, so you an walk off that big dinner and enjoy the city lights on a stroll. With our comparatively tame participation, so far, in the wide range of activities we have at hand, we still tally six or seven miles a day on our feet.

Thanks for reading.
Travel happy! 
JR
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