The Small Ship CollectiveViking River
The most recognizable name in river cruising, and the one I have sailed myself on the Nile.
Viking River carries the same inclusions as Viking Ocean: one shore excursion at every port, onboard Wi-Fi, and wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Additional excursions, tipping, and an optional drink package are extra. It is an adult-only environment, eighteen and up.
I have sailed Viking River myself, most notably on the Nile. We chose Viking for our Egypt trip because of the infrastructure they had built around it, and once we were there, it was clear why. The trip started with three days on land in Cairo and the surrounding area, then a flight down to Luxor for a seven day river cruise along the Nile, then a flight back to Cairo, where the cruise portion ended. We stayed on afterward for a post-cruise extension to Jordan, and the whole thing was breathtaking from start to finish.
Why does that matter to you? Because this is not a trip I am recommending from a brochure. I lived every stage of it, the logistics and the infrastructure as much as the temples and the sunrise, and I know exactly what it takes to make a trip this layered actually work.
What I loved most was how small the experience stayed. There are only forty guests on board at any time, split into two groups, each with a dedicated Egyptologist for the entire trip. Ours brought ancient Egypt to life, but she also gave us a real feel for day-to-day life and culture today, down to teaching us some basic phrases in Arabic and even to write our names in hieroglyphics.
A few moments from that trip will stay with me for the rest of my life. A hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the Valley of the Kings, which I do not think any excursion anywhere else will ever top. The optional flight to Abu Simbel, the temple that was disassembled piece by piece and rebuilt to escape being flooded by the Nile. And Petra, followed by a private side trip Bob and I arranged ourselves into Wadi Rum, one of my favourite places on the planet.
Ships I have personally sailed
Viking RA.
Best for
Travellers drawn to a small-ship, deeply immersive style of touring, especially in destinations like Egypt where the land and river portions work together as one trip. Anyone who wants a dedicated expert guide rather than a generic tour, and river cruising well beyond the standard European rivers.
Partnership Benefits
Through my relationship with Viking, I have access to additional onboard credits, a referral incentive for anyone who sends a new client my way who books with them, and meaningful group benefits for larger sailings. Details vary by sailing, so reach out and I will walk you through exactly what applies to your situation.
Some of the Best Viking River Experiences
- A hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the Valley of the Kings
- The optional flight to Abu Simbel
- Exploring Petra
- A private side trip into Wadi Rum
- Learning some basic Arabic phrases and how to write our names in hieroglyphics with a dedicated Egyptologist
"If Viking River is on your list of cruise ships to try, let's talk about which itinerary actually fits the trip you are picturing."
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