Viking just announced plans for a new cruise ship — here's why that's a big deal
Fast-growing Viking on Tuesday did something we haven't seen a cruise line do in many months: It announced plans to add a new, built-from-the-ground-up cruise ship to its fleet.
The California-based cruise operator said it had ordered a new river vessel to operate on the Nile in Egypt that would debut in September of 2022.
To be called Viking Aton, the new vessel will measure just 3,600 tons and hold only 82 passengers. It's designed to sail to such iconic Egyptian sites as the Temple of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings.
The announcement of the new ship is notable at a time when most cruise lines have put ship orders on hold and are actively cutting back their fleets by selling and scrapping vessels.
"Egypt remains a top destination for many of our guests who are inspired to discover the rich history and beauty of the region," Viking chairman Torstein Hagen said Tuesday in a statement accompanying the announcement. "The addition of Viking Aton is a reflection of our continued investment in Egypt; we look forward to introducing the country's cultural treasures to even more Viking guests in the future."
Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises
Viking already has built two ships for the Nile, the 48-passenger Viking Ra and the 82-passenger Viking Osiris. Viking Ra debuted in 2018. Viking Osiris had been scheduled to debut last year, but its unveiling was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It's now scheduled to begin operating in December.
Viking Aton will be a sister ship to Viking Osiris.
Like Viking Osiris, Viking Aton will boast interior spaces with a streamlined, Scandinavian look -- a Viking hallmark. Every cabin will be outward-facing with river views, and the ship will feature spacious suites that have two full-size rooms and balconies.
Five passenger decks on Viking Aton will include a pool-and-sun deck and three cabin decks. Interior areas will include a lounge with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a version of the Aquavit Terrace space found on many Viking ships that offers al fresco dining.
Related: Viking is building its first expedition ships
Viking is, notably, the only Western cruise company that has been building its own cruise ships for the Nile that it also owns and operates. Many other brands charter vessels for use on the Nile.
Viking Aton will be used to increase departures of Viking's 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids cruise tour itinerary, which includes a three-night stay at a hotel in Cairo and a seven-night cruise on the Nile.
The Cairo-based portion of the itinerary includes visits to such iconic sites as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. The cruise portion of the itinerary includes visits to multiple temple and tomb sites including the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of the Queens, the Valley of the Kings and the temples at Abu Simbel.
Viking's announcement came just a day after another cruise line, Azamara, announced it would add a vessel to its fleet over the next year, expanding its passenger capacity by 33%. But Azamara isn't ordering a newbuild vessel (as new ships on order are known in the cruise industry). It's an existing ship the line is purchasing from Princess Cruises.
Related: New Viking itinerary will include after-hours visit to Graceland
Many cruise lines have vessels on order that are scheduled to debut over the next couple of years. But all of the newbuilds were announced before the coronavirus pandemic caused cruising to shut down.
All of the world's major cruise lines halted departures in March 2020, and most major lines remain completely shut down for now. This prompted many lines to pause new ship orders, and some lines also are downsizing their fleets significantly.
Cruise giant Carnival, for instance, has shed four of the 27 vessels it was operating before the pandemic began. Holland America has removed four of 14 ships from its fleet.
Other lines that have cut their fleet sizes in recent months including Royal Caribbean, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.