Review of Viking’s New Nile River Ship Viking Osiris

New Nile River Ship Viking Osiris

By John Roberts

Viking has been offering journeys along the exotic Nile River in Egypt for several years.

But the brand-new 82-pax Viking Osiris is the line’s first ship built from scratch to navigate this immense waterway.

The 82-pax Viking Osiris. * Photo: John Roberts

I joined the new vessel for its naming ceremony and inaugural cruise with some 40 other media and special guests on Viking’s “Pharaohs & Pyramids” itinerary, an 11-night/12-day program that allows adventurers to explore some of Egypt’s most historic sites.

Viking’s 11-night “Pharaohs & Pyramids” itinerary hits the iconic sites of Egypt. * Photo: John Roberts

Viking now boasts three river ships on the Nile, with Osiris joining 62-passenger MS Antares and 48-passenger Viking Ra.

These two other ships were refurbished, while Viking Osiris is the line’s first purpose-built ship on the Nile.

Osiris is the first in an ambitious program to build more ships for Nile cruising. Sister ships Viking Aton (2023), Viking Hathor (2024) and Viking Sobek (2025) are on the way, too.

This was my second Nile River cruise. I had sailed with Viking years ago on a chartered ship, but Viking Osiris offers a much enhanced experience, as the ship is more luxurious and comfortable. Though the overall voyage had a very familiar Viking feel, with excellent crew and food. The shore excursion program was almost identical both times.

RELATED: Here’s Ted’s handy overview of Egypt’s Nile River Valley.

RELATED: Anne Kalosh Reports on Viking’s Flurry of New Ship Arrivals.

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The Viking Osiris Vibe

Carrying just 82 passengers in 41 staterooms, Viking Osiris is in keeping with the Viking traditional elements of sleek Scandinavian design and popular venues found on all other Viking ships (whether on the rivers in Europe or with Viking ocean-going fleet).

The sleek Scandinavian design of Viking Osiris. * Photo: John Roberts

It also features plenty of design touches that honor its place in Egypt, such as papyrus plants by the ship’s aft swimming pool and bamboo reeds in pretty planters in Aquavit Terrace.

Throughout the ship’s public areas and staterooms, you’ll also find photos and artwork from the collection of the Fifth Earl of Carnarvon, the primary benefactor to Howard Carter’s excavation endeavors that resulted in the discovery of King Tut’s tomb a century ago.

Some of the photos and artwork from the collection of the Fifth Earl of Carnarvon. * Photo: John Roberts

This is in keeping with Viking’s relationship with the family whose estate, Highclere Castle, is the filming location for the hit TV series Downton Abbey.

In fact, the Fifth Earl’s great-grandson George Herbert, the Eighth Earl of Carnarvon, is the godfather for Viking Osiris, the first godfather for a Viking vessel.

So, you hear a lot about Howard Carter and King Tut during your voyage, as you would expect, especially when in Luxor across from the Valley of the Kings.

Super Spacious Feel to the New Nile River Ship Viking Osiris

Viking Osiris is incredibly spacious for 82 passengers.

The light and bright design, especially of the three-deck atrium area lets tons of sunlight fill the ship. The design was led by Richard Riveire, a founding principal of Rottet Studio who has designed more than 50 of Viking’s river and ocean ships.

John at the base of the 3-deck atrium. * Photo: John Roberts

He said the aim was to give Viking Osiris the feel of an inviting boutique hotel instead of a cruise ship.

That’s really how it feels, and the effect is immediate as you enter from the gangway and find a bright lobby, with the guest services desk, a seating area, coffee machine, fresh cookies or pastries and art on the walls.

The Public Spaces of Viking Osiris

Viking Osiris is a five-deck ship with a beautiful top Sun Deck area perfect for viewing life along the Nile as you sail.

Views of the bank of the Nile River from the top deck of Viking Osiris. * Photo: John Roberts

The Sun Deck features loungers, couches, rocking chairs and cozy seating areas under canopies to protect from the vicious heat of summer.

We sailed in mid-August (2022), and temperatures were above 105 degrees every day.

To offer refreshing relief, a pool sits at the very back of Deck 4. This was a perfect spot to cool off after a day of shore excursions, a great spot for watching the sunset with a cold beer or cocktail while awaiting dinner time.

Viking Osiris’s pool. * Photo: John Roberts

Aquavit Terrace is also on Deck 4, with the popular indoor-outdoor space for Viking ships recreated here as an incredibly relaxing venue serving breakfasts, lunches and dinners in a more casual environment.

The Lounge is the main space for people to gather for port and enrichment talks, live piano music and enjoying cocktails and conversations at the bar.

Couches and chairs fill this space on Deck 4, so you can settle in to gaze out the windows to see the banks of the Nile.

Aquavit Lounge on Deck 4. * Photo: John Roberts

We often spotted children playing and splashing in the waters, shouting “Hello!” and “We love you!”

The green grasses and farmland — with water buffalos, donkeys and cows often in sight — stand in stark contrast with the brown desert and mountains in the distance.

Passenger cabins are located on Decks 1 through 3, with the lobby on Deck 2, and The Restaurant on Deck 3.

A relaxing space around the atrium. * Photo: John Roberts

Dining on Viking Osiris

The Restaurant is open seating, and it features a hybrid buffet/menu service for breakfasts and lunches. We were able to get fresh fruits, nice mueslis, granola, dried fruits, honey, breads and eggs made to order for breakfast.

The breakfast buffet on board Viking Osiris. * Photo: John Roberts

At lunch time, we enjoyed the pasta station with new specialties every day. The menus include a mix of classics to suit Western tastes like a cheeseburger and chicken breast.

A good ole American cheeseburger. * Photo: John Roberts

The falafel burger was a fantastic vegetarian choice and very tasty.

Regional cuisine is also featured, especially on “Egyptian Night” when crew and passengers dress up in modern Egyptian clothing, such as loose-fitting, comfortable and colorful galabeyas.

Our feast included beef kofte, hummus and tahini, pita breads and delicious kebabs and seafood, all served family style at our tables.

The spread on “Egyptian Night.” * Photo: John Roberts

Viking’s Program in Egypt

Viking’s ships all follow the 11-night “Pharaohs & Pyramids” itinerary that starts with a three-night hotel stay at the Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo, followed by a 7-night cruise, and one post-cruise hotel night at the Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo.

Though I was on the special naming cruise, the first voyage of Viking Osiris, and we didn’t follow the exact route that the ship will be running, below is what to expect on the full program.

Following this, I’ll share a recap of what we did on our journey.

Day 1 — Arrive to Cairo and check in to the hotel with the other passengers

The Nile Ritz-Carlton is a luxury hotel with restaurants, a night club, shops, bars, a large resort pool, spa and fitness center. The property is located right next to the Egyptian Museum. Viking includes buffet breakfasts at the hotel, and this is an impressive culinary spread.

Day 2 — In Cairo

Tour the Giza Pyramids and Great Sphinx, as well as Sakkara to see the world’s oldest step pyramid. A lunch buffet is included during your excursions, and breakfast is included at the hotel (dinner is on your own).

The Great Sphinx of Giza. * Photo: John Roberts

Day 3 — In Cairo

Shore excursion to Citadel of the Mountain and Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Then, tour of the Egyptian Museum. Lunch and dinner are on your own in or around the hotel.

Day 4 — Travel to Luxor & board Viking Osiris

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Cairo airport for a flight to Luxor and boarding Viking Osiris for our 7-night cruise. Excursions this day include visits to the Temples of Luxor and Karnak.

The 82-pax Viking Osiris. * Photo: John Roberts

Day 5 — In Luxor

You can join the optional (added fee) early morning sunrise balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings. The included shore excursion is a trip to see the Valley of the Kings and the ancient pharaohs tombs deep in the hillsides.

Then, you’ll see the Valley of the Queens and the burial sites of the pharaohs’ wives. Passengers get special access to the tomb of Queen Nefertari. Return to Osiris to set sail for Qena.

Luxor Temple. * Photo: John Roberts

Day 6 — In Quena

Visit the colorful Temple of Hathor at the Dendera Temple complex.

Our group and Hanan our guide at Dendera Temple. * Photo: John Roberts

Day 7 — In Esna

Options include a tour of the Temple of Khnum or exploring Esna Village and the bustling market areas.

Day 8 — In Aswan

Here, you reach the Aswan High Dam, which regulates the flow of the Nile River and creates the massive Lake Nasser. Tour the dam or visit a market and take a boat ride on the Nile in a traditional wooden felucca.

The highlight is the optional (offered an additional cost) excursion available to Abu Simbel, to see the stunning Great Temple of Ramses II, the longest-ruling pharaoh in Ancient Egypt.

Day 9 — In Aswan

Tour a Nubian village to meet with school children, a local family at their home and then visit Philae Temple dedicated to Isis and Kom Ombo temple.

Day 10 — In Edfu

A fun day starts with a ride in a traditional caleche horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus, or choose to visit a market with the chef to learn how the traditional Egyptian Night tasting menu is prepared.

Later, sail to Luxor.

Day 11 — In Luxor & disembark Viking Osiris

You head to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. You will check in to your luxury hotel and have optional tours available, as well as free time for dining on your own. A buffet lunch is provided.

Day 12 — In Cairo

Head home OR to your post-cruise extension to Jordan for the four-night program to see the Lost City of Petra.

Our Experience on a Nile Cruise aboard Viking Osiris

We arrived in Cairo after a flight from Denver that went through Frankfurt, Germany.

Check-in at the Nile Ritz-Carlton hotel in Cairo with the other passengers for our three-night stay went smoothly after our transfer from the airport just before midnight.

Nile Ritz-Carlton. * Photo: Nile Ritz-Carlton

Viking arranges greeters to meet you at the airport and facilitate everything in the process, from getting through immigration and into a transport shuttle to safely and comfortably reach your hotel.

We checked in, grabbed a room-service meal and crashed for about six hours before it was time to hit the ground running.

The next morning, we dug into our buffet breakfast and soon gathered to meet our guides and get on the buses for a day of exploring the Great Pyramid Complex in Giza.

Time to Tour Egypt!

We had two Egyptologists for this cruise: Hanan El Beih and Salah Tawfeek would be taking care of our two groups (of about 12 to 14 people each).

Hanan was our guide, and we could immediately tell that she has special energy and passion for teaching us about Ancient Egypt.

This first day was filled with all the classic things you might expect on a trip to Egypt.

The classic camel ride & photo op! * Photo: John Roberts

We saw the Pyramids of Giza, took a camel ride and posed for photos in front of the complex and then stopped by the Sphinx.

It was hot (up to 108 F!), and Hanan made sure we always had a bottle of water in hand to keep sipping.

Egypt is HOT! * Photo: John Roberts

After a nice buffet lunch at a hotel in Giza, we headed back to our hotel in Cairo to relax and refresh before an evening visit to the Egyptian Museum. Afterwards, we enjoyed a dinner with new friends at the Vivo Restaurant within the Nile Ritz-Carlton.

Soon after, we were ready to catch up on our sleep, still feeling a little jet-lagged yet plenty excited with all we had already seen and done.

The next morning, we flew to Luxor and boarded the ship for our very first look at the new Viking Osiris.

VIDEO: Below, John shows us around his AA Veranda Suite, #307

It was shining in the sun while tied up along the banks of the Nile at an exclusive pier facility that has been secured by Viking.

This allows two Viking ships here at the same time, and we were parked right behind Viking Ra.

Viking crew members rolled out the red carpet and welcomed their first passengers with cold drinks and cool-towel compresses.

We checked out our room — number #307, a AA Category Veranda Suite measuring 409 square feet including a separate sitting area and a balcony — dropped off our backpacks and headed to lunch at The Restaurant.

John’s suite, number #307, a AA Category Veranda Suite measuring 409 square feet including balcony. * Photo: John Roberts

The living room of John’s suite, #307 * Photo: John Roberts

We were home!

In the late afternoon, we took a small boat across the Nile to the west bank and a tour of the Valley of the Kings.

The small boat to cross the Nile. * Photo: John Roberts

This complex of hillside burial sites for the pharaohs is a fascinating place, and we descended down steps deep into the hillside to see the ornate and colorful wall decorations, with ancient drawings depicting religious texts and imagery.

We even saw the burial chamber of King Tut, whose body is still on display here.

King Tut in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings. * Photo: John Roberts

Balloon Ride — WOW!

We remained in Luxor for another day and received a 3:30 a.m. wake-up call to go back to the Valley of the Kings. This time, we would explore from the air on a sunrise balloon ride over the beautiful valley.

The breathtaking scene of balloons at dawn. * Photo: John Roberts

After another boat ride across, we assembled at a large expanse to watch the balloons gradually take shape as the hot air was pumped into the fabric.

It was our turn, and we joined about a dozen others filling a large basket below the balloon. Our pilot Tarek lifted our airship gently above the valley as the sun poked over the mountains.

Balloons over Valley of the Kings & Valley of the Queens. * Photo: John Roberts

It was a majestic and thrilling experience to see the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, as well as the Temple of Hatshepsut from such a dramatic vantage point. (If you don’t love heights, you might think twice about this one.)

Reflections of a beautiful scene. * Photo: John Roberts

VIDEO: Here’s John’s video of his amazing early morning balloon ride.

On to the Famed Karnak Temple

Later in the morning, after a nourishing breakfast, we were ready for the day’s heat as we explored the Karnak Temple Complex and Luxor Temple.

Karnak Temple is one of the largest temples in the world and is the most-visited site in Egypt other than the Great Pyramid Complex in Giza.

Statues at Karnak. * Photo: John Roberts

We sailed to Quena, and it was marvelous to be back on the Nile River watching the brown waters flowing past the hull of our ship.

After a morning on the river, enjoying breakfast and taking in the quietude from the Sun Deck, we arrived to a town known mostly for its incredibly well-preserved Dendera Temple of Hathor. This is one of the most popular and powerful goddesses in Egyptian lore, known as the goddess of love, beauty, music, dancing, fertility and more.

Outside wall at Temple of Hathor. * Photo: John Roberts

The temple complex features bright colors still visible and, and a restoration project continues to reveal more and more of its beauty.

After our tour of the temple and return to the ship, we had a late-afternoon sailaway on our way to Esna.

In Esna the next day, cruisers got more temple time with an excursion to the Ancient Temple of Esna and a walking tour of the town with chances to shop.

It was our last day onboard Osiris, and I made sure to finally have a dip in the pool. A cold beer and warm sunset put a wonderful capper on the trip.

We would disembark in Luxor the next day and begin our flights back home.

John cooling off in the Viking Osiris’ refreshing pool on Deck 4. * Photo: Colleen McDaniel

The Post-Cruise Option to Jordan

Viking features a four-day post-cruise add-on to go to Jordan once your Nile River cruise is over. From Cairo, you fly to Jordan for tours to Petra, the Red Sea and Amman.

You will visit Roman-era antiquities and sites at Jerash, as well as castles from the era of crusaders.

The highlight will be the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Lost City of Petra.

John’s Parting QuirkyCruise Tips for Your Nile Cruise

• Comfortable shoes are a must. You will be walking a lot, often on uneven and slippery surfaces.
• Bring a water bottle, plenty of sunscreen and brimmed hats and sunglasses.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting fabrics that protect from the sun while allowing you to stay cool. Scarves can be versatile as shoulder, head and neck covering, too.
• Attend the enrichment talks from your Egyptologists. You will hear so many interesting details about Egypt, the state of modern society in the country, as well as learn about the history, culture and all the legends of Ancient Egypt.
• Our guides Hanan and Salah gave a couple talks during our voyage, and they were eager to answer any questions.
• The ship does not have a gym, so if you are workout inclined, you can pack some exercise bands to use on the Sun Deck. We did a yoga session and workouts with the assistance of our Peloton app viewed through a laptop.
• Learn the phrase “shokran” to say “thank you” and “la shokran to say “no, thank you.”
• These come in handy to be polite to people in Egypt or to shoo away the very aggressive street vendors throughout the towns and sites who you will encounter.

What’s Included in the 11-night Viking Osiris Nile River Cruise Tour?

• 7-night cruise on Viking Osiris
• 3-night Cairo hotel stay pre-cruise
• 1-night Cairo hotel stay post-cruise
• One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
• Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
• Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
• 24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water
• Port taxes & fees
• Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
• Visits to UNESCO Sites
• Enrichment lectures & destination performances

VIDEO: Enjoy John’s Viking Osiris ship tour below.

In Conclusion …

A Viking Osiris cruise tour is an amazing way to see this famous waterway and learn about the incredible history of ancient Egypt. Though keep in mind, the pace is intense, and so is the heat in the middle of summer.

While this time of year offered few crowds, those who can’t stand the heat will want to look at taking this cruise between October and April.

Here’s more info on the Viking Osiris Nile River cruise-tour.

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