Review: Viking Aton

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for? Viking is all about learning: extensive onboard libraries that tie back to the destination, accoladed experts offering onboard talks and guided excursions, and a crowd that values thought-provoking conversation over dinner. Their ships have consistent layouts and restaurant concepts with familiar Scandinavian design, intended to create the feeling that you’re ‘returning’ every time you board a ship—and after, now, three cruises on the line, I have to say it works..

Tell us about the ship in general I boarded the 82-passenger Aton in August 2023, for the ship’s christening. Though the Aton is the newest of Viking’s ships on the Nile, it follows the exact blueprint of the Osiris which hit the water last summer. (And, entirely Egyptian-built at a shipyard in Cairo, the vessel feels like big news for local industry as well.) Two older ship designs are also on the river, and two more, in the style of Aton, are to come, joining the brand’s fleet of about 80 river ships around the world. Viking regulars will notice subtle design details, like a nod to Egyptian columns running against the walls of the foyer and vintage Egyptian photographs sprinkled throughout, but otherwise the interiors are quintessentially Viking: Nordic, minimalistic, and built of blond wood.

Who is onboard? Being on the ship’s first voyage, the crowd was primarily industry folk—though I expect, like other Viking sailings to bucket-list destinations, there will be a mix of retirees sparing no expense to see the world, 50-plus cruise lovers, and a smattering of multi-generational families. As an adults-only ship, though, like all from Viking, it will be a grown-up affair.

Describe the cabins The rooms largely mirror what you’ll find on other Viking ships. In my suite I had a desk and a wall covered in books, along with a living room, bedroom, balcony, and walk-in closet, all of which stretched over a whopping 400 square feet—not too shabby for an intimate river sailing. Sizing down means you’re looking at a veranda stateroom (almost 240 square feet, without that living room space or walk-in closet), or a slightly smaller standard stateroom with no veranda. While there’s no owner’s suite on this ship, a hallmark splurge on Viking ocean and expedition sailings, there are two Explorer’s Suites (525 square feet), with a spacious veranda (lounge-chairs included) on the bow. Because Viking doesn’t do interior rooms, all categories offer nice, airy spaces to rest your head each night—and wake up to a view of the gently ebbing Nile come morning.

Tell us about the crew Whenever Viking launches a new ship, they kick things off with a 50/50 split of Viking veterans from other ships around the world, and new, local staff, transitioning to a more endemic makeup with time, the brand tells me. As I was on the very first sailing, some teammates were still learning the ropes—particularly in the restaurants and at the bar, where the peculiarities of how Americans like to modify their orders presented a world of surprises for the staff. The attempt to please, though, meant that minor confusions over things like a request for water with some lime juice were met with big smiles and an eagerness to figure it out (the bartender, at first, was prepared to hand-squeeze an entire glass of fresh lime juice for me before we got on the same page). The effort to make guests happy possibly surpassed that which I’ve experienced on other Viking sailings (which says a lot, for a brand that consistently prioritizes guest happiness).

Off-board, the Egyptologists guiding the excursions are mind-blowingly talented. The Egypt-born guides I joined for tours would easily, graciously shift gears between answering questions about religion in present-day Cairo to reading hieroglyphics on ancient tombs.

What food and drink options are available on board? Sadly, the absence of Mamsen’s, the beloved snack bar onboard many Viking ships, means no Norwegian waffles with brown cheese and berries, which I have come to love over the years. But each day, the menu in The Restaurant (and the indoor-outdoor extension of it, the Aquavit Terrace) included a mix of international dishes (from eggs benedict at breakfast to poached salmon at dinner), but the highlights were often those celebrating local flavors, like a falafel burger, or an entirely-Egyptian dinner (sans menu) on the last night of the trip. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if the kitchen staff leaned harder in that direction—some dishes, which you might be surprised to see on offer (like brown-butter scallops) just didn’t land as solidly as the airy hummus or hibiscus tea. Take the chance to get to know the local cuisine better, even when more familiar options are tempting.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting? There’s no spa on board—or gym—though there is a strip of a pool on the back of the ship.

Activities and entertainment Educational talks are the entertainment this crowd looks for, and while they vary by sailing, I loved a presentation by an art curator about a recent London exhibit she put together highlighting the interpretation and recreation of ‘Ancient Egypt’ in art and fashion over the last century.

How was the experience for families? This is a great ship to bring your parents or adult-children on—what says bonding like seeing the Great Sphinx together?—but children are not allowed.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out? The Aton does all the Egypt classics, bringing travelers from Cairo where several days of on-shore excursions are on offer, to classic Nile destinations like Luxor and Aswan. The real Viking difference is not only the expert guides, but the access Viking has managed to secure: think an after-hours visit to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, after everyone else has left, or a sneak preview of the soon-to-open (and highly anticipated) Grand Egyptian Museum. My biggest regret is that I couldn’t do the usual combinations of tacking on extensions offered in Jordan and Israel, which are beloved by many of Viking’s travelers to Egypt.

Are there any stand out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise? There is a water refilling station near the entrance of the ship, though you’d hardly know it—plastic water bottles are everywhere onboard. I would advise all travelers to bring a reusable water bottle to fill up. It’d be even better if Viking said goodbye to the plastic and left a canteen in each room, for use during the sailing.

Anything we missed Even if it’s 110 degrees Fahrenheit out (it might be, if you visit in summer like I did), make sure to spend some time on the top deck as the ship sails. It’s easy to retreat into the air conditioning, but there’s nothing like feeling that hot air whip across your face and waving to kids playing in the Nile as you go past—I promise they’ll wave back. Also, spring for the hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

Cruising down the Nile is already an epic experience—Viking ensures that with expert guides and comfortable digs, you can soak up the destination in its fullest.