MS Antares

MS Antares at a glance

MS Antares is a purpose-built Nile river ship launched in 2018, designed around an intimate guest experience. A few things to size her up by:

• 62 guests aboard, served by a crew of 75
• 31 cabins across two grades
• Built 2018, operated by Viking River Cruises
• Sails the Nile River, departing from Luxor, Egypt

With more crew than guests, MS Antares operates at a standard of attentiveness that larger ships simply cannot match. Sailings depart from Luxor, Egypt — which means every voyage aboard her is the centrepiece of a longer trip from Australia, with international flights and pre- or post-cruise accommodation to arrange alongside the cruise itself.

Cabins on MS Antares

MS Antares offers two cabin grades, both accommodating two guests and both designed to keep the Nile landscape close at hand. Full layout details are on the MS Antares cabins and deck plans page.

• Deluxe French Balcony (Grade A): At 39.9 m², these staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open onto a French balcony — you get direct river air and an unobstructed view from the comfort of your room without stepping outside onto an open deck.
• Explorer Suite (Grade ES): At 77 m², the Explorer Suite is the largest accommodation aboard. A separate sitting room and French balconies on both port and starboard sides give genuinely panoramic river views — whichever bank the ship is passing, you won't miss it.

Current fares for MS Antares sailings start from A$11,995pp*. Speak to the Cruise1st team to match the right grade to your travel style and budget.

Dining on MS Antares

MS Antares offers a full range of dining venues, from a relaxed main restaurant to speciality experiences that carry a separate charge.

The Restaurant is the main dining venue, included in your cruise fare, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Nile as you eat through regional specialities and classic dishes. For something lighter and more casual, the World Café runs open kitchens with live cooking and international choices, and you can take your plate out to the Aquavit Terrace® — an outdoor dining space that puts the riverbank directly behind your meal.

The Wintergarden serves complimentary afternoon tea alongside the pool, with finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and classical music from the ship's resident musician. Mamsen's®, tucked into the Explorers' Lounge, offers Norwegian specialities at no extra charge across breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For speciality dining, The Chef's Table presents a multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings (reservation and à la carte charges apply), while Manfredi's Italian Restaurant® recreates an Italian trattoria atmosphere with cover charges applying. The Kitchen Table is an interactive culinary experience centred on local ingredients and cooking techniques — confirm with your booking consultant whether this is included in your fare or carries a reservation fee.

Bars, lounges and entertainment

MS Antares carries several social spaces that give the ship a larger feel than its 62-guest capacity might suggest.

The Living Room sits at the heart of the ship and hosts Viking Resident Musicians performing live classical music — entry is free, and it is the natural gathering point between shore excursions. Torshavn® offers an evening lounge atmosphere inspired by Hollywood's golden age of jazz, ideal for a cocktail after dinner (beverages charged separately). The Explorers' Lounge features two-storey panoramic windows and a relaxed space to watch the Nile banks pass — food and beverages are charged separately here too. The Atrium and the Nordic-themed Clinker Bar in the Living Room round out the social spaces.

The Theater hosts lectures, films and TED Talks on a large screen and can be divided into two HD cinema spaces depending on the programme — admission is included in your fare.

Wellness and outdoor spaces

The Nordic Spa is open to all guests at no charge, with individual treatments and classes available at a separate cost. The Fitness Centre is included in your fare and is equipped with treadmills, elliptical machines and exercise bikes, plus open space for yoga and pilates. A Hair Salon is available onboard for styling services charged separately.

Outdoors, the Sports Deck offers a running track, boccie, mini golf and shuffleboard, all included. The ship carries a Main Pool with Retractable Roof — heated and usable in any weather — as well as an Infinity Pool with a hot tub, its floor-to-ceiling windows creating the sensation of swimming at river level.

Why book MS Antares with Cruise1st

A Nile cruise aboard MS Antares is the middle of a longer journey — you are flying to Egypt, and most guests will want accommodation in Cairo, Luxor or both before and after the sailing. Cruise1st books the flights, hotels and transfers alongside the cruise itself, so the whole trip travels on one booking and one point of contact. That is what a Cruise1st Package is: a complete holiday, not just a ship fare.

Our Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week to talk through itineraries, cabin grades and fare inclusions before you commit. And our Best Price Guarantee means that if you find the same cruise cheaper elsewhere, we match it.

Other Viking River Cruises ships

If you are weighing up your options across the Viking fleet, a few other ships worth exploring are Viking Orion, Viking Venus, Viking Mississippi, Viking Vali, Viking Magni and Viking Neptune — each sailing different routes and regions.

Common questions about MS Antares

Where does MS Antares sail?

MS Antares sails the Nile River, with departures from Luxor, Egypt. Current sailings available through Cruise1st depart from September 2026 onwards.

How long are MS Antares cruises?

The Nile sailings available through Cruise1st run up to seven nights. The exact itinerary for each departure is shown on the individual sailing pages.

Do I need to arrange flights separately?

All current MS Antares sailings depart from Luxor, Egypt, so international flights are required from Australia. Cruise1st can book your flights, pre- and post-cruise hotels and transfers as part of a single Cruise1st Package — there is no need to piece the trip together yourself.

Which cabin grade should I book on MS Antares?

The Deluxe French Balcony (39.9 m²) is well suited to guests who want a comfortable stateroom with a direct river view through full-height sliding glass doors. The Explorer Suite (77 m²) suits those who want a separate sitting room and views from both sides of the ship — useful when the ship is navigating close to either bank. Talk to the Cruise1st team to find the grade that fits your itinerary and budget.

Is there a dress code or age restriction on MS Antares?

The facts we hold do not include a specific dress code or age policy for MS Antares. Your Cruise1st consultant can confirm these details directly with Viking River Cruises when you enquire about a sailing.