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(pensive music) - [Narrator] On the banks of the storied Nile River, the city of Luxor made a fitting location for the naming of our two newest sister ships in Egypt, the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek.

Designed for exploration, these elegant vessels are inspired by our award-winning river, ocean and expedition ships, which showcase the signature Scandinavian design for which Viking is well-known.

This wonderful occasion brought together Viking guests as well as Egyptian dignitaries, including valued partners who for years have collaborated with Viking to offer unparalleled opportunities to explore this fascinating country.

As nightfall arrived, guests were welcomed to the dual ship-naming ceremony at Viking's exclusive docking at the legendary Karnak Temple. - My Lords, ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, welcome all of you to our naming ceremony here in Luxor on the banks of the Mighty River Nile.

And so today we will be naming two ships, named after two Egyptian gods, Hathor and Sobek. (audience applauds) - When I came and I witnessed myself the two ships, I was really amazed, yeah.

It was beyond my expectations.

It gives me a great pleasure that there is such an interest to invest here in Egypt and in this very special product.

Thank you for this interest in the investment.

I would like to give my thanks as well to the very lovely staff who were very hospitable and I really sense how keen they are to present all the service at the utmost level for the tourists.

Thank you again for the nice invitation and I wish you all the best of luck.

Thank you so much. (audience applauds) - [Alastair] Thank you very much El Banna, Yomna. (audience applauds) (upbeat music) - Maybe I could take two words about Viking in Egypt.

We have been starting on and off, but I think the last round, we started with in 2022 with new series of ships.

So now there's six ships operating.

We have four more under construction and minister, you said state of the art.

I'm not as modest as you, so I said they're by far the best ships on the Nile.

So we are very, very proud of that. (audience applauds) - I think it's time to name our first ship and so to name his ship it is my pleasure to invite the godfather of the Viking Hathor, the honorable Edward Herbert. (audience applauds) - [Narrator] We were honored as our two newest ceremonial godfathers took center stage to name their ships.

The Honorable Edward Herbert or Eddie whose distinguished family has both historic and contemporary ties to Egypt, served as godfather of the Viking Hathor.

Eddie's great-great-grandfather was the fifth earl of Carnarvon, Howard Carter's benefactor and co-explorer whose excavation uncovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen near Luxor almost exactly 102 years earlier. (audience applauds) - It's a privilege to be here in Egypt following the footsteps of my great-great-grandfather, the fifth earl of Carnarvon.

In Luxor we are in the heart of an ancient civilization with unrivaled history of works and art and beautiful architecture.

Thank you to Torstein, Karine and Viking for having me here this evening to be godfather of Viking Hathor. (audience applauds) - So Edward, are you ready to name your ship? - I name you Viking Hathor.

May your passengers, crew always be safe and may there always be a hands-width of water beneath your keel. (glass shatters) (audience applauds) - Ladies and gentlemen, to name our second ship, the Viking Sobek, on my right, I'm delighted to welcome a man who knows River Nile better than most of us.

He is Mr Mohamed El Banna. - [Narrator] Mohamed El Banna, founder of Cosmos, Egypt and a member of the Egyptian Senate served as godfather of the Viking Sobek.

For more than 15 years, Mr El Banna has been part of the extended Viking family helping to take excellent care of our guests in Egypt. - [Alistair] I have one question for you.

When you first started your travel company in 1977, did you ever think it would end up like this? - No, but we are happy 'cause we worked very hard.

We are happy because we are a partner of Viking.

We're happy to do the best for Egypt.

And now we are.

We have the best ship and the elegant on the Nile - Mohamed El Banna, are you ready to name your ship? - I name you Viking Sobek.

May your passenger and crew always be safe and may you always have a hands-worth of water under your keel. (glass shatters) (audience applauds) (horn blows) - Sister Sissel, thank you.

Eddie, thank you so very much for naming your ship, Viking Hathor.

Yesterday, it was 102 years ago that your great-great-grandfather made world history in the Valley of the Kings behind us here across the Nile.

Today you helped us make Viking history here in Egypt.

It's very meaningful to us that you did this.

It's particularly meaningful to me, of course, because not many of you know, but Eddie is my chosen godson and now he is our chosen godfather of the Viking Hathor and that links you forever, not only to me, but also to the Viking family.

So you did it beautifully and thank you so very much Eddie, and we're all so proud of you, especially me. (audience applauds) So Mr El Banna.

Thank you so much for naming your ship, the Viking Sobek.

We'd also like to thank you for helping us build the great experience that Viking offers in Egypt.

As my father mentioned, next year we should be bringing 20,000 guests to this fascinating country.

And without fail, our guests rate their experience in Egypt and along the Nile as one of the the highest rated in our entire fleet.

So thank you and to all of your team for helping build the great Viking brand in Egypt. (audience applauds) - [Narrator] Following the naming ceremony, guests gathered under the starlit sky for a rare and enchanting evening amid the awe inspiring columns and statues inside the Karnak Temple.

Once the heart of Egyptian civilization, this monument provided a breathtaking backdrop.

Guests also enjoyed a special performance by Sissel, one of the world's leading crossover Sopranos, who beautifully brought multiple cultures together in song. ♪ Waves will bring me home to you ♪ ♪ If the fate allows ♪ ♪ Will I see you on the shore? ♪ ♪ Say you love me as before ♪ ♪ Is our love still deep and strong? ♪ ♪ Holding on the distance long ♪ ♪ I will sail to meet my lovе ♪ ♪ Guided by the stars above ♪ (audience applauds) Festivities, celebrating the arrival of our newest ships continued the following morning with a serene, magical experience onboard colorful hot air balloons rising above the banks of the Nile to welcome the sunrise.

We were treated to spectacular views.

Floating over ancient temples and the Valley of the Kings and Queens at dawn provided a once in a lifetime perspective of this historic land. - That's quite an amazing sight. - [Guest] We never had a view of Valley of the Kings like that before. - [Narrator] These were truly unforgettable moments that many in the extended Viking family will cherish for years to come.

We're delighted to have these new vessels take their place in our award-winning fleet on the Nile.

Together with our other state-of-the-art ships, the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek will make it easier than ever for curious travelers to explore the heart of Egypt in Viking comfort.