Viking Sekhmet

Viking Sekhmet at a glance

Viking Sekhmet is a purpose-built Nile river ship launching in 2026, operated by Viking River Cruises. Designed for an intimate experience on the river, she carries just 82 passengers supported by a crew of 48 — a ratio that allows for attentive, unhurried service. With 41 cabins across three grades, the ship is built to keep numbers small and the atmosphere calm.

• Crew: 48
• Cabins: 41, across three grades
• Route: Nile River, departing Luxor, Egypt
• Operator: Viking River Cruises

All current sailings depart from Luxor, Egypt, running up to seven nights along the Nile. Because Egypt is the departure country for every voyage, most Australian travellers will be starting a longer trip — something our team is well-placed to build around the cruise.

Cabins on Viking Sekhmet

Viking Sekhmet offers three cabin grades, ranging from a practical river-view stateroom to a premium suite with a full veranda. Full deck plans are available on the Viking Sekhmet cabins and deck plans page.

• Standard Stateroom B — 21.6 m², sleeping two, with a half-height picture window giving a direct outlook onto the river.
• Veranda Stateroom A — 22.2 m², sleeping two, with a full private veranda that opens directly to river views and the outdoor air that standard staterooms lack.
• Explorer Suite ES — 48.8 m², sleeping up to four, with a separate sitting room and full veranda — nearly twice the space of a standard stateroom, and the right choice for those who want to unwind in genuine suite comfort.

All three grades are open to all guests; no cabin grade is restricted to an enclave or private area of the ship.

Dining on Viking Sekhmet

The ship carries several dining venues, most included in the cruise fare, giving guests a varied choice of settings and styles across each day.

The Restaurant is the main dining room, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a menu of regional specialities and classic dishes — included in your fare and ideal for long, relaxed evening meals as the Nile passes by. World Café runs open kitchens with live cooking and a wide international spread, including premium sushi and seafood, with the option to eat outdoors at Aquavit Terrace® directly above the water. For something lighter and informal, the Pool Grill serves freshly prepared poolside dishes alongside a salad bar.

The Wintergarden offers a complimentary afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and international teas to classical music — a particularly welcome pause on a warm afternoon. Mamsen's®, located in the Explorers' Lounge, brings authentic Norwegian specialities to any time of day at no extra cost.

For a more special occasion, Manfredi's Italian Restaurant® serves authentic Italian cuisine with à la carte pricing, The Chef's Table offers a multi-course tasting menu with sommelier-paired wines (reservations required, charges apply), and The Kitchen Table delivers a hands-on culinary experience built around local flavours and ingredients.

Bars and lounges

Viking Sekhmet's social spaces are designed to draw guests together without ever feeling crowded, thanks to that small guest count.

The Living Room sits at the heart of the ship, with generous seating, live classical music from the Viking Resident Musicians and a calm, convivial atmosphere — entry is included, with beverages charged separately. Torshavn® channels the feel of a golden-age jazz lounge, ideal for an evening cocktail alongside live music. The Explorers' Lounge wraps two-storey panoramic windows around a spot inspired by grand voyages of discovery, while the Atrium provides a bright, central meeting point. The Bar — the Clinker Bar within the Living Room atrium — brings a Nordic longship aesthetic to your drinks hour.

Pools, wellness and activities

For a river ship, Viking Sekhmet offers a surprisingly full wellness and leisure programme. The Main Pool with Retractable Roof is heated and usable year-round; in the evenings it doubles as a poolside cinema under the open sky. The Infinity Pool features floor-to-ceiling windows that blur the boundary between pool and river, with a hot tub and teak surround — both pools are included in the fare.

The Nordic Spa is open to all guests without charge; individual treatments and classes carry a separate fee. The Fitness Center has treadmills, elliptical machines, exercise bikes and open space for yoga and pilates — use of equipment is complimentary, though some classes are charged. A Hair Salon rounds out the wellness offering, with services charged separately.

On deck, the Sports Deck offers a running track, boccie, mini golf and shuffleboard, all included in the fare. Guided activities such as yoga classes carry a separate charge. The Theater, which seats up to 450 and can be divided into two HD cinemas, hosts lectures, films and TED Talks at no extra cost — a particularly thoughtful feature for guests who want to understand the history and culture of the destinations they are passing through.

Booking Viking Sekhmet with CruiseAway

Because every Viking Sekhmet sailing departs from Egypt, the cruise sits in the middle of a longer journey for most Australian travellers. CruiseAway's DreamAway Packages bring the flights, hotel nights either side and all transfers together on a single booking, so nothing falls through the gaps. Our cruise experts know these Nile itineraries and can advise on which cabin grade suits your travel style and budget, and our Best Price Guarantee means you book with confidence. Current sailings on the Nile start from A$11,895pp*.

Common questions about Viking Sekhmet

When does Viking Sekhmet launch?

Viking Sekhmet is a new ship launching in 2026. The first sailings currently on sale depart from Luxor, Egypt from September 2026 onwards, running up to seven nights along the Nile River.

How many passengers does Viking Sekhmet carry?

Viking Sekhmet carries 82 passengers, served by 48 crew across 41 cabins. That ratio — roughly one crew member for every two guests — contributes to the attentive, uncrowded atmosphere the ship is designed around.

Which cabin grade is right for me on Viking Sekhmet?

If you want the most space and the best outdoor access, the Explorer Suite ES at 48.8 m² with a full veranda and separate sitting room is the standout choice. Guests who want a private outdoor space without the full suite footprint should consider the Veranda Stateroom A and its full private veranda. The Standard Stateroom B is a comfortable twin room with a half-height picture window directly onto the river, and the right pick if you plan to spend most of your time in the ship's shared spaces and ashore.

Do I need to book flights separately?

All current Viking Sekhmet sailings depart from Luxor, Egypt, so Australian travellers will need to fly. CruiseAway can combine your cruise with flights, hotels and transfers as a single DreamAway Package, which means one booking, one point of contact and no loose ends.

Are there other Viking River Cruises ships I can compare?

Yes. If you are weighing up different ships in the Viking fleet, you can browse Viking Astrild, Viking Forseti and Viking Ullur as other river ships in the same fleet, or explore the full range of Viking River Cruises offers to see what else is sailing. For ocean voyages from the same operator, Viking Sea, Viking Star and Viking Sky are also available to compare.