Nile cruise shipLuxury flagshipsLuxor → Aswan

MS Viking Ra

An all-suite Nile ship for 52 guests

MS Viking Ra is a Nile cruise ship operated by Viking (Viking River Cruises / Viking River Cruises Egypt), built 2018 and refurbished 2017. It has 24 cabins and 24 suites for up to 52 guests.

Good to know

An all-suite Nile ship for 52 guests. An all-suite Viking ship carrying 52 guests on a 12-day Cairo round trip, suited to travellers who want two-room suites and a small-ship pace on the Nile.

Class Luxury flagshipsCabins 24 · up to 52 guestsRoute Luxor → Aswan

Operator: Viking (Viking River Cruises / Viking River Cruises Egypt)
Accommodation: 24 cabins · 24 suites
Guests: Up to 52
Decks: 5
Dimensions: 75 × 16 m
Built: 2018 · refit 2017
Route: Cairo - Luxor - Qena - Luxor - Esna - Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor - Cairo (roundtrip Cairo)
Departures: Friday departures.
Season: Year-round, with continuous departures September through December and a gap June to August.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

About MS Viking Ra

The MS Viking Ra is an all-suite ship carrying just 52 guests across five decks, designed in the clean Scandinavian style Viking is known for. Every accommodation is a two-room suite of 27 m² (291 sq ft): the Veranda Suites pair a veranda off the living room with a French balcony in the bedroom, while the Suites frame the river through large picture windows.

The restaurant is set behind floor-to-ceiling windows for open Nile views, and the Sun Deck offers 360-degree views with a swimming pool and two Jacuzzis, plus a lounge and bar. Free WiFi is available throughout.

The ship sails the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, a Cairo round trip with 11 guided tours that threads Luxor, Esna, Aswan, Kom Ombo and Edfu.

Highlights

All-suite, 52 guests only
Two-room suites of 27 m²
Sun Deck pool and two Jacuzzis
Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling river views
Free WiFi throughout

At sail

Day by day

The classic rhythm on the Luxor to Aswan corridor. Exact order flips with the direction of sailing; the temples are the same either way.

Day 1
Embark at Luxor
Board after lunch, then Karnak and Luxor Temple with the evening light on the East Bank.
Lunch · Dinner
Day 2
The West Bank, then sail
Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut in the morning quiet, back for lunch as the ship sails south.
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 3
Edfu and Kom Ombo
The Temple of Horus by caleche or coach in the morning; the double temple at Kom Ombo toward sunset.
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 4
Aswan
Philae Temple and the High Dam, with a felucca sail around the islands in the afternoon.
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Day 5
Disembark at Aswan
Ashore after breakfast; Abu Simbel works as an early-morning extension by road or air.
Breakfast

The fine print

What's included and what isn't

Many ship fares bundle guided shore excursions with an Egyptologist; it varies by package, and your quote states exactly what applies.

Included

Accommodation aboard MS Viking Ra in the cabin booked
Meals aboard per the boat's published programme
Sun deck, pool, spa, gym and lounge throughout
Wi-Fi on board

Not included

Drinks beyond water, tea and coffee served with meals
Gratuities for the crew
Temple entrance fees and Egyptologist guiding, unless your package states them
Transfers and extensions such as Abu Simbel, unless quoted

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Veranda Suite - 27.0 sqm
Suite - 27.0 sqm
Dining: Restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic Nile views
Facilities: Sun Deck with 360-degree views
Swimming pool
Two Jacuzzis
Lounge & Bar
Restaurant
Guest services area
Free Wi-Fi
Spa · pool · gym: Pool and two Jacuzzis on the Sun Deck. No spa or gym.
Itineraries: Pharaohs & Pyramids (12 days, Cairo to Cairo roundtrip, 11 guided tours)

Keep planning

Plan your Nile cruise

Nile River Cruise: the complete guide Luxury Nile cruises Viking Nile cruises The cheapest time to cruise the Nile

What guests say

Independent traveller reviews of MS Viking Ra, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.

3 out of 5via Tripadvisor (15)

★★★★★
“This is the BEST SHIP DESIGN ever! The ship is small and extremely comfortable.”
— Lion575110+ Cruises · via Cruise Critic

Good to know

MS Viking Ra questions, answered

How much does MS Viking Ra cost?

Advertised rates start from US$6,999 per person; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does MS Viking Ra have?

24 cabins and 24 suites, for up to 52 guests.

What route does MS Viking Ra sail?

Cairo - Luxor - Qena - Luxor - Esna - Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor - Cairo (roundtrip Cairo), departing Friday departures..

What's included on MS Viking Ra?

Viking Inclusive Value: one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call; all onboard meals; beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner; free Wi-Fi; port taxes & fees; visits to UNESCO sites; enrichment lectures; 11 guided tours.