Viking Ra

Sailing the Nile on Viking Ra

The Nile is one of the world’s great river journeys, and Viking Ra is built for it. At just 52 guests she is among the most intimate ways to experience Egypt, with a crew of 55 — meaning more crew than passengers aboard — and an atmosphere closer to a private voyage than a resort ship. She departs from Luxor on a seven-night round-trip, returning to where she began, so the itinerary is a loop through some of Egypt’s most storied sites.

Because every sailing departs from Luxor, the cruise sits naturally in the middle of a wider Egypt trip. Cruise1st books the flights from Australia, the hotels on either side and the transfers as one joined-up holiday — so there is nothing to piece together independently.

On board Viking Ra

Viking Ra carries six spaces that together give a small ship a relaxed, well-considered feel. At the heart of daily life is the Aquavit Terrace®, an al fresco dining venue open for breakfast and lunch where the passing scenery is as much a draw as the food. The Lounge runs floor-to-ceiling windows along its length, making it the natural place to watch the riverbanks slide by over a drink — beverages at the bar carry an individual charge unless a package has been booked. For quieter moments, the Library holds a curated collection of books in a corner set apart from the rest of the ship.

Up top, the Sun Deck gives 360-degree views and doubles as the home of the Walking Track — an easy circuit for anyone who wants to stay active without going ashore. Access to the Sun Deck is restricted during canal passages and under low bridges for safety reasons, which is a practical reality of river cruising anywhere in the world. One feature that sets Viking Ra apart from most river ships is the Herb Garden: a living garden on board whose produce goes directly to the culinary team for the regional dishes served each day.

What the Viking River Fare includes

Viking Ra sails under a single fare structure called the Viking River Fare, and it bundles a great deal into the base price. Every port of call comes with a complimentary shore excursion included, alongside full onboard dining with regional specialities and beer, wine and soft drinks served at lunch and dinner. Coffees, teas and bottled water are available around the clock. Wi-Fi is included, and UNESCO site visits are covered too. For a Nile itinerary built around the great monuments of ancient Egypt, that last point matters: many of the most significant sites along the river carry their own entry arrangements, and having them folded into the fare removes a layer of planning.

Cabins on Viking Ra

Viking Ra carries 24 cabins across three grades, all in a single balcony family. Every cabin opens through floor-to-ceiling glass doors onto a private veranda — the right place for morning coffee with the Nile rolling past — and the layout separates a spacious living area from a dedicated bedroom. The full breakdown of grades and what each includes is on Viking Ra’s cabins and deck plans page, which is where cabin selection is best made.

Viking River Cruises’ wider fleet

Viking River Cruises operates river ships across the world’s great waterways. Here is where the rest of the fleet currently sails, with the busiest programmes listed first.

Rhine River, Europe
Viking Gefjon, Viking Rota, Viking Gersemi, Viking Hervor, Viking Annar, Viking Honir, Viking Dagur, Viking Haki, Viking Sigrun, Viking Sigyn, Viking Herja, Viking Egdir, Viking Hild, Viking Hlin

Danube River, Europe
Viking Eldir, Viking Vali, Viking Lif, Viking Vidar, Viking Aegir, Viking Gullveig, Viking Baldur, Viking Embla

Moselle River, Europe
Viking Idi, Viking Alsvin

Transatlantic
Viking Vela, Viking Astrea, Viking Lyra

Western Mediterranean
Viking Libra

United States
Viking Mississippi

Maas
Viking Mimir

Viking also operates ocean ships — the Viking Cruises page covers the full picture.

Booking Viking Ra with Cruise1st

Cruise1st holds a Best Price Guarantee on Viking Ra sailings, and our Australian cruise experts are on the phone seven days a week if you want to talk through which departure and cabin grade suits your plans. Because the sailing begins and ends in Luxor, most Australian guests will want flights, a hotel night or two in Egypt and airport transfers wrapped into the same booking — that is exactly what Cruise1st Packages are built for, putting the cruise, the flights, the hotels either side and the transfers together as one holiday.

Questions about sailing the Nile on Viking Ra

How many passengers does Viking Ra carry?

Viking Ra carries 52 guests, served by a crew of 55. That ratio — more crew than passengers — means attentive, unhurried service throughout the voyage, and the ship feels genuinely intimate rather than simply small.

Is Wi-Fi included on Viking Ra?

Yes. Wi-Fi is covered under the Viking River Fare, the standard fare for all Viking Ra sailings, so there is no separate charge for staying connected during the cruise.

Are shore excursions included in the fare?

The Viking River Fare includes a complimentary shore excursion at every port of call, as well as visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the route. Given that the Nile itinerary is built around ancient temples, tombs and monuments, this inclusion covers many of the most significant stops on the journey.

What is the Sun Deck like, and when can I use it?

The Sun Deck runs the full width of the ship and gives unobstructed views in every direction. It is home to both the Walking Track and the Herb Garden. Access is restricted during canal passages and when the ship passes under low bridges — a standard safety measure on river ships worldwide — but for most of a Nile voyage it is open and one of the best places on board.

Can Cruise1st arrange the whole Egypt trip, not just the cruise?

Yes. Because Viking Ra sails from Luxor, most Australian guests need flights, often a hotel night at either end, and transfers between the airport and the ship. Cruise1st puts all of that on a single booking alongside the cruise itself — one itinerary, one point of contact, covering the journey from Australia to the Nile and back.