Last week, Peru’s regional director of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Gina Guerrero, might have let the cat out of the bag a little early with an announcement that Viking River Cruises intends to start operations on the Amazon by year’s end.
“California-based Viking River Cruises will build two 100-meter long river cruise ships with a carrying capacity of 100 people, which are scheduled to be delivered by the second half of 2014,” stated Guerrero, whose comments were published by both Peru This Week and the Peru News Agency.
At this point, Viking has not issued a formal press release on the matter. Either way, the Amazon seems like the next logical step for the line, which will christen 14 brand-new Viking Longships this month in a spectacular ceremony in Avignon, France, later this month.
Viking has also quietly added another exotic destination back to its roster, scheduling a handful of departure dates on the line’s Pathways of the Pharaohs itinerary along Egypt’s Nile River this fall.
So far, seven departure dates from October 10, 2014 to December 5, 2014 have been made available for booking aboard the MS Mayfair and the MS Omar El Khayam. Viking is even offering a 2-for-1 deal on all-inclusive air pricing from various gateway cities in the United States and Canada.
Each departure includes the following:
- 3-night Nile River cruise with river-view stateroom
- 3-night Lake Nasser cruise with river-view stateroom
- 3 nights in Cairo: superior first class Cairo InterContinental Semiramis; 1 night in Luxor: superior first class Luxor Sonesta; 1 night in Cairo: superior first class Cairo CityStars (or similar)
- Fully escorted 18 guided tours led by experienced Egyptologists
- Most meals: 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 9 dinners, featuring regional specialties and including Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner and Captain’s Farewell Dinner
- Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with onboard dinner and lunch service
- Visit 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Intra-Egypt flights
- Culture Curriculum: Enjoy the in-depth narration by our Egyptologist guides; attend a Nubian evening event aboard; ride a camel
- All port charges
We love that Viking is tentatively dipping its toes back into the Nile. Hopefully, the company’s actions will help restore the river cruise industry in Egypt to its former, pre-Arab Spring glory.
More information on Viking River Cruises can be found by viewing our complete company profile here on River Cruise Advisor.
Leave a Reply