Viking (NYSE: VIK) has celebrated the naming of its newest river ships, the Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek, with a special event in Luxor, Egypt. The Hon. Edward Herbert, great-great-grandson of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who co-explored King Tutankhamun’s tomb with Howard Carter, served as ceremonial godfather for the Viking Hathor. Mohamed El Banna, founder of Cosmos Egypt and a member of the Egyptian Senate, was the ceremonial godfather of the Viking Sobek.
Both ships, identical to the Viking Aton and Viking Osiris, are designed to navigate the Nile on Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. “We are thrilled to welcome Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek to our expanding fleet in Egypt,” said Torstein Hagen, Viking Chairman and CEO, who expressed gratitude for the close bond Viking shares with the Carnarvon family and El Banna’s contributions to Viking’s Egyptian operations.
The naming ceremony took place at Viking’s exclusive dock in Luxor and included a celebratory dinner at Karnak Temple. Guests were treated to a performance by Sissel Kyrkjebø, celebrated soprano and godmother of the Viking Jupiter®, who performed national anthems of Egypt, Norway, and the UK.
Honoring the Legacy of the Carnarvon Family and Egypt
The Hon. Edward Herbert, son of the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, follows in his parents’ footsteps in his role as godfather. Lord Carnarvon became Viking’s first godfather in 2022, and Lady Carnarvon is the godmother of Viking’s Longship, the Viking Skadi, and ocean ship, Viking Mars®. Edward’s great-great-grandfather, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, spent 16 years in Luxor and famously uncovered King Tutankhamun’s tomb with Carter in 1922. Lady Carnarvon’s book, The Earl and the Pharaoh: From the Real Downton Abbey to the Discovery of Tutankhamun, details this groundbreaking discovery.
A Unique Connection Between Highclere Castle and Egypt
For years, Viking guests have enjoyed unique access to Highclere Castle, home to the Carnarvon family and the filming site of Downton Abbey. The 5th Earl’s photography from his time in Egypt, documenting the excavation and daily life there, is now shared with Viking guests aboard Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek, as well as their sister ships.
Expanded Experiences in Egypt
Viking offers exclusive Pre and Post Extensions for guests wishing to delve deeper into Egypt’s ancient history. The five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension begins in London with Privileged Access® visits to the British Museum and Sir John Soane’s candle-lit museum, showcasing a 3,000-year-old sarcophagus. Guests also visit the Petrie Museum in London, the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, and Oxford University’s Griffith Institute, where they access Howard Carter’s original Tutankhamun excavation records. The journey concludes with an exclusive viewing of the Earl of Carnarvon’s private collection at Highclere Castle, offering an extraordinary glimpse into Egypt’s history.