Viking has held the naming ceremony for its newest river ship, Viking Osiris, in Luxor, Egypt.

As part of the event, the line’s first ceremonial godfather, George Herbert, the eighth Earl of Carnarvon, offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship.

The naming of the ship comes as Egypt marks several key events this year, including the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum outside Cairo on the Giza Plateau, and the 100^th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb by Howard Carter, and his benefactor and co-explorer, the fifth Earl of Carnarvon.

The 82-guest Viking Osiris has been built specifically to navigate the Nile and will sail the line’s Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

It joins Viking Ra, which launched in 2018. Viking Aton, an identical sister ship to Viking Osiris, will join the fleet in 2023.

Viking growing its Nile fleet

The line’s chairman Torstein Hagen also revealed that an additional two sister ships, Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek, are under construction and will be delivered in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Hagen said: “Egypt has always drawn curious explorers for its rich history and ancient antiquities, and ever since we first began operating on the Nile in 2004, our guests continue to be amazed by the country’s many cultural treasures.

“Today we are pleased to officially welcome Viking Osiris to our growing fleet on the Nile river, which allows us to welcome even more curious explorers to this incredible destination.”

Lord Carnarvon added: “It is a great honour to be asked to be godfather to Viking Osiris, one of the most beautiful river vessels to have ever graced the Nile.

“This is especially the case in the centenary year of my great-grandfather’s discovery of the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, and no doubt he and my great-grandmother, Lady Almina, would have been delighted to board the Viking Osiris had it been sailing in their day.”