Viking Osiris named in Luxor by 8th earl of Carnarvon, more Nile vessels to comeViking Osiris named in Luxor by 8th earl of Carnarvon, more Nile vessels to come

As part of the intimate event, the company’s first ceremonial godfather, George Herbert, the 8th earl of Carnarvon, did the naming honors.

The 82-passenger Viking Osiris was built at Cairo's Massara shipyard and will sail Viking’s 'Pharaohs & Pyramids' itinerary.

Viking Osiris the first of four sisters

More sister vessels to come

Viking Osiris joins Viking Ra, which launched in 2018. Additionally, in response to strong demand, Viking Aton, an identical sister of Viking Osiris, is to join the fleet in 2023. During the naming festivities, Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen also announced two more sisters, Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek, are under construction and will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.

Significant year for Egypt

The inaugural comes as Egypt marks several key events this year, including the opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum outside of Cairo on the Giza Plateau and the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb by the world’s most famous Egyptologist, Howard Carter, and his benefactor and co-explorer, the 5th earl of Carnarvon.

Lord Carnarvon at the tomb his great-grandfather discovered with Howard Carter

Lord Carnarvon called it a great honor to serve as the godfather for Viking Osiris.

'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,' he said. 'The 5th earl of Carnarvon was one of the great explorers and excavators of his time, and today you may join in his love of the glories of ancient Egypt, all in the exceptional comfort and style of the Viking Osiris.'

Viking's first godparents

Lord Carnarvon lives at the UK's Highclere Castle with the 8th countess of Carnarvon, and they run the estate and business together. He is a keen horseman and sits on the board of the Historic Houses Association. He also takes a considerable interest in conservation and farming and has been an investor in start-up technology businesses.

Together, the Carnarvons are Viking’s first godparents, as Lady Carnarvon is godmother of Viking’s newest ocean ship, Viking Mars, as well as the river vessel Viking Skadi.