Viking Cruises announced the expansion of its Egypt cruising program for 2020, including a new ship. Viking Osiris draws inspiration from Viking longships and is currently under construction, with a design created specifically for Nile cruises. Two pre-cruise experiences are available starting next year as well, with five days of land-based excursions in London and Oxford.

Viking Osiris offers 41 staterooms, for 82 guests and joins the recently launched Viking Ra.

Pre-cruise experiences for guests include the British Collections of Ancient Egypt experience, wherein they meet with an expert Egyptologist in London for privileged access to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum and the personal collection of Sir John Soane. Later, guests visit the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford and Oxford University’s Griffith Institute. All activities focus on Egyptian artifacts and history.

Then, the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids cruising itinerary takes travelers to seven Egyptian destinations, starting in Cairo before a flight to Luxor, where guests board their cruise ship. Stops include the Valley of the Queens, Esna, Qena and Aswan before returning to Cairo.