This Viking Explorer Suite Review will help you decide if this luxurious cruise cabin is the right choice for you.
Is the Viking Explorer Suite worth it?
Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary promises a deep dive into the wonders of ancient Egypt with the comfort of modern, minimalist luxury. The Explorer Suite sits at the top of the ship’s accommodation options – and I managed to test it out for a week on board the Viking Sobek.
But what is it really like to stay in an Explorer Suite? And is it worth the upgrade? This review takes you behind the stateroom door and gives you everything you need to know.
Also, check out the full Viking Nile cruise review here.
Disclosure: I travelled as a guest for review purposes. As ever, as always, I kept the right to write what I like. Otherwise, what is the point?
What is the Viking Explorer Suite?
On a ship that already prides itself on refined comfort and cultural immersion, the Explorer Suite is the top of the range option. Found only on Viking’s river cruise ships in very limited numbers, with just two per vessel, it’s more a floating apartment than a typical cruise cabin.
Measuring over 400 square feet (around 37 square metres), the suite offers a generous amount of space. Inside, you’ll find a separate bedroom and living area, a full-size bathroom, a walk-in wardrobe, and not one but two outdoor spaces: a private veranda with seating and a French balcony to allow Nile breezes to drift in.
Design-wise, it reflects Viking’s signature Scandinavian style with clean lines, light woods, neutral tones, and thoughtful touches like soft lighting and tactile materials. Everything is geared towards calm and clarity, which can feel surprisingly restorative after a morning battling the desert sun at the Valley of the Kings.
In short, it’s designed not just as a place to sleep, but as a sanctuary to retreat to – something that proves particularly valuable on a trip this packed with early starts and deep historical immersion.
First Impressions of the Viking Explorer Suite
There’s no grand flourish or flashy opulence, but rather a sense of space, light, and calm. At the risk of sounding perhaps obvious, travel in Egypt is a hot, bustling, busy affair. It’s brilliant and I keep going back but it really is a place where you’ll appreciate somewhere cool and calm to retreat to.
The suite itself opens into the living area first – a living room with a sofa, coffee table, writing desk and entertainment system, plus a lovely bookshelf library fully stocked with gorgeous Egyptology related books, plus Agatha Christie’s classic Death on the Nile.
The Explorer Suite is at the bow (front) of the ship, giving views ahead and to the side of the Nile (or the dock.) You’re just below the Captain’s Bridge so have the same magnificent view that they do when passing through locks, past cataracts and the outlines of Luxor and Karnak.
Space and Comfort
On paper, square footage doesn’t always tell the full story. But in the Explorer Suite, the sense of space is immediately noticeable – and, more importantly, useable. Unlike many cruise cabins where clever folding furniture and acrobatics are required just to get dressed, the layout here allows you to move freely, unpack properly, and relax without feeling like you’re living on top of your suitcase.
The Bedroom
The bedroom is a proper room in itself, with a queen-size bed (incredibly comfortable), nightstands, bedside lamps, and room to walk around. You’re not climbing over each other to get to the bathroom in the night or crouching to reach a sock drawer.
The bedroom is similar in style to the deluxe veranda staterooms, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony, so you can watch the palm trees glide by from the comfort of your own bed.
Living Area
The living area makes you feel as though you have your own private ship. There’s space to sit and read while someone else naps or showers. A writing desk with good lighting makes it easy to jot down thoughts or catch up on emails (Wi-Fi permitting), and the mini bar and coffee machine make little rituals – like morning espresso on the balcony – a pleasure rather than a faff.
Walk-in Wardrobe
Then there’s the walk-in wardrobe. For a destination like Egypt, where modest dress codes, heat, dust and early mornings mean more outfit planning than usual, this proves to be a surprisingly useful luxury. Everything has a place: shoes, hats, sunscreen, linen shirts. There’s even a safe for passports and valuables, and plenty of hangers for longer stays. If you need more help on the clothing front, check out our top cruise packing tips.
Bathroom
The bathroom continues the theme: twin sinks, ample counter space, a proper shower (with consistent hot water and pressure), and enough room for two people to actually use it at the same time – without one being wedged behind a door. Plus, there’s a bath.
Outdoor Area
You have a balcony linked to your bedroom.
And finally, the private area at the bow (front) of the ship. Though, you do have to walk into the public corridor for a moment to reach it, this private area is perfect for sun seekers. Personally, I find the Egyptian heat a bit much in the day but relished my having my breakfast out here, watching the Nile wake gently in the morning.
Just a word of warning. You’re right at ground level, so may find yourself face to face with people on land the first time you step outside.
The Suite in Context: Does it Change the Trip?
This is the big question. Is the Viking river cruises’ Explorer Suite worth it?
The Viking Sobek is a lovely ship, with a sun deck with plenty of shade, interior design with great windows and the glorious Aquavit Terrace, which offers great indoor and outdoor seating with unobstructed views of the Nile. Plus, a small pool for a dip.
So, you don’t really need the Explorer Suite for the view. It’s the view plus solitude (and air conditioning) that it provides.
Egypt is exhilarating, yes – but also intense. The early mornings, the midday heat, the sensory overload of Cairo’s traffic and the sheer scale of historical sites like Karnak and Abu Simbel can be overwhelming and it’s hard to really describe this before you get there yourself. As a result, it’s refreshing to return to a home base, with somewhere quiet to decompress, rehydrate, and reflect – and rally yourself for the next adventure.
For Introverts
For introverts, the suite offers a welcome buffer from the sociable nature of group travel. You can engage fully during the day, then retreat into your own space without feeling rude or reclusive. Discover how to make the most of your solo cruise here.
For Couples
For couples, the dual balconies and separate spaces provide room to breathe – although the Nile river ships also have veranda suites, which have a French balcony in the bedroom and full veranda balcony for the living room area, though with less space and without the view ahead.
Larger Groups
If you’re travelling as part of a bigger trip – parents and adult children, perhaps – then it’s a treat to have this large lounge space and outdoor area just for your group.
Special Occasions
And, of course, if it’s your honeymoon or a special birthday, well, it’s just nice to have the best on offer.
The Downsides
With all of that said, though, I do feel the need to point out that this is a very busy itinerary compared to other cruise tour offers. You won’t have days spent at sea, so it’s worth asking yourself whether the time spent in your room will make much difference to you.
The standard staterooms on the lower deck have fixed, closed windows, but the rest (veranda suites and veranda staterooms) have private verandas themselves.
It’s also worth noting what the suite doesn’t change: the daily shore excursions, the dining menus, the onboard lectures, and the overall itinerary remain the same for all guests. So do hotel transfers, roundtrip flights, air taxes, air fuel surcharges, additional airline-imposed baggage charges, dining experiences, beverage package, access to the infinity pool, tour guides, days of departure, extra days. In short, the rest of the trip doesn’t change.
Plus, while indoors you have a lot of privacy, on the outdoor deck, if you look up, you will see this:
Practical Considerations
As with any upgrade, the Explorer Suite raises a few practical questions – most notably, is it worth the price? While only you can ultimately answer that, it helps to weigh the experience against your priorities and travel style.
Availability
Firstly, availability is limited. With only two Explorer Suites per ship on the Egypt itinerary, they book up well in advance – often as much as a year or more ahead. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and you’re even slightly tempted, it’s worth deciding early.
Pricing
Then there’s the price premium. The Explorer Suite is significantly more expensive than a standard stateroom or even the Veranda suites.
Suitability
In terms of who it suits, the suite is ideal for couples, solo travellers who value space and quiet, and anyone travelling to mark a special occasion. It’s also useful for those with medical needs or who simply prefer a more independent rhythm to their travel day. However, as Viking ships are adults-only, it’s not suitable for families with younger children.
Working on board
Wi-Fi is complimentary throughout the ship, but speeds can be variable – understandable given the geography, but something to keep in mind if you’re planning to work remotely or upload large batches of photos. That said, the desk space and general comfort make it an excellent choice for slow travel or quiet creativity.
Final Thoughts: Is it Worth it?
So – is the Viking Explorer Suite on the Egypt itinerary worth the upgrade?
Let’s face it, the suite doesn’t fundamentally change the route, the temples, or the stories you’ll hear. But it does change how you feel along the way. Less rushed, more rested. Less crowded, more connected. And on a journey that’s as physically demanding and intellectually rich as this one, that can make all the difference.
It’s not a necessity, of course. Viking’s standard cabins are still elegant and efficient, and the overall quality of the ship, staff, and excursions is high throughout. But the Explorer Suite offers more than just extra elbow room. It adds a new dimension of ease and serenity – something that’s surprisingly rare on such an action-packed itinerary.
Ultimately, while the shared sundeck is beautifully arranged and rarely crowded, there’s something uniquely personal about watching Nubian villages and palm groves pass by from your own private veranda, coffee in hand, in pyjamas if you wish.
If you’re celebrating something, travelling with a partner, or simply want to make this ancient adventure as restorative as it is revealing, then the Explorer Suite quietly makes its case.
Note: This Explorer Suite review applies to the Viking Sobek, one of the Viking fleet that travels along the Nile. It does not apply to Viking ocean cruises, the Viking Star, European river cruises, expedition ships, Viking longships or Viking Mississippi. When it comes to booking cruises, we’d always recommend using a travel agent familiar with cruise lines who can talk you through the different cruise fares, air fares and any extra charges.
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