George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, has acted as godfather to the latest in a fleet of new Viking river ships to be deployed on the Nile.
The naming ceremony for Viking Osiris by the company’s first ceremonial godfather was held in Luxor.
Designed specifically to navigate the Nile, ship was built at Massara shipyard in Cairo and will operate Viking’s ‘Pharaohs and Pyramids’ itinerary.
The 82-passenger Viking Osiris joins Viking Ra which entered service on the Nile in 2018.
Viking Aton, an identical sister ship to Viking Osiris, will join the fleet in 2023.
Two more sister ships, Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek, are under construction and will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
Viking chairman Torstein 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 River in 2004, our guests continue to be amazed by the country’s many cultural treasures.
“We are pleased to officially welcome the Viking Osiris to our growing fleet on the Nile River, which allows us to welcome even more curious explorers to this incredible destination.
“During this milestone year for Egypt, we are also very grateful for the continued close friendship with the Carnarvon family, and that Lord Carnarvon has honoured us by serving as the first godfather in our history.”
Lord Carnarvon added: “It is a great honour to be asked to be godfather to the 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 Pharoah 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.”