Viking’s newest ships for the Nile, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet, have touched water for the first time, the company said in a press release.

Following the float out ceremonies at Massara shipyard in Cairo, the ships will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

The Viking Ptah is set to debut in September and the Viking Sekhmet in November 2026.

“Egypt is truly a phenomenal destination, distinguished by its remarkable history, enduring culture and the singular power of the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman and CEO of Viking.

“With the float out of our two newest ships, we look forward to further expanding our elegant fleet on the Nile and welcoming more curious travelers to experience this extraordinary region in the years to come.”

The newest sister ships in Viking’s Egypt fleet can each host 82 guests in 41 staterooms, featuring what Viking says is a space-saving square bow, an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace and Scandinavian design.

They will sail the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

The voyage starts with a three-night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where guests can visit sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara or the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Accompanied by a Viking Egyptologist, guests then fly to Luxor to visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak and begin an eight-day roundtrip voyage on the Nile River.

In addition to a visit to the tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings, the sailing includes 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.

At the end, guests fly back to Cairo for a final night in the city.