river Ship

MS Antares

by Viking River Cruises

About this ship

The MS Antares Ship

  • Built in

    2019

  • Capacity

    62

  • Staterooms

    31

  • Crew

    75

  • Crew to guests

    1 : 0.8

  • Length

    72 m

  • By

    Viking River Cruises

Viking MS Antares offers an exceptional way to explore the timeless wonders of Egypt along the Nile River. Purpose-built for intimate cruising, this elegant ship accommodates just 62 guests, ensuring a personalized and uncrowded experience. Combining Scandinavian refinement with regional flair, MS Antares delivers a serene and sophisticated onboard environment designed to complement the grandeur of ancient Egyptian landmarks.

This ship stands apart through its meticulous attention to detail, showcasing a blend of modern comfort and regional inspiration. The interiors feature light-filled public areas, crisp design accents, and locally crafted artwork. Spacious staterooms offer river views, luxurious bedding, climate control, and well-appointed bathrooms. Select cabins include private verandas or French balconies, allowing guests to soak in the ever-changing landscape of the Nile from the comfort of their room.

Onboard, guests can enjoy an elegant main dining room offering a mix of international cuisine and locally inspired Egyptian dishes made from fresh, regional ingredients. Afternoon tea, curated cocktails, and nightly entertainment add to the refined yet relaxed atmosphere. The sun deck, complete with loungers and a shaded area, offers panoramic views of the Nile’s storied banks.

Cultural enrichment is woven into the voyage, with expert Egyptologists accompanying each journey. These specialists guide shore excursions to legendary sites like the temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, and the Aswan High Dam, providing invaluable context and insights into Egypt’s rich history. Onboard lectures and curated talks enhance the experience, helping guests delve deeper into the art, religion, and legacy of ancient Egypt.

Viking MS Antares also excels in personalized service, with a warm and attentive staff committed to guest comfort. The ship’s small size allows for seamless logistics at each port and fosters a sense of community among travelers. With thoughtful design, immersive programming, and a relaxed onboard vibe, MS Antares is perfectly suited for travelers seeking a culturally rich and luxurious Nile cruise.

Deckplan

Viking River Cruises MS Antares deckplan
  • Lower DeckKitchen · Restaurant · Elevator · Connecting staterooms
  • Main DeckStaterooms 103–106 · Guest Services · Lounge · Bar · Elevator
  • Middle DeckStaterooms 201–214 · Shop · Library · Elevator · Connecting staterooms
  • Upper DeckStaterooms 300–312 · Gym/Spa · Elevator
  • Sun DeckPool

Dining

Dining on board

The 62-guest Ms Antares keeps dining to a single space, the Restaurant, where open seating brings guests together for each meal. Menus lean on regional dishes tied to the ship's route, alongside familiar favorites that stay available throughout the sailing.

Restaurant

Sailings on this ship

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We'll email you the current itineraries we sell on MS Antares, plus the reasons travelers book with Small Ship Travel. Reply anytime to ask about specific cabins, dates, or itineraries.

Suites

Discover suites on this ship

Deluxe French Balcony (A)

sq. feet

  • Stateroom size: 430 sq ft
  • River-view stateroom with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door)
  • Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
  • Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
  • Flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring a selection of live TV channels, complimentary Movies On Demand and in-house programming
  • 220 volt outlets
  • Private bathroom with jet shower, jetted bathtub & hair dryer
  • Plush robes & slippers (upon request)

Deluxe French Balcony (B)

sq. feet

  • Stateroom size: 430 sq ft
  • River-view stateroom with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door)
  • Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
  • Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
  • Flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring a selection of live TV channels, complimentary Movies On Demand and in-house programming
  • 220 volt outlets
  • Private bathroom with jet shower, jetted bathtub & hair dryer
  • Plush robes & slippers (upon request)

Deluxe French Balcony (C)

sq. feet

  • Stateroom size: 430 sq ft
  • River-view stateroom with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door)
  • Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
  • Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
  • Flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring a selection of live TV channels, complimentary Movies On Demand and in-house programming
  • 220 volt outlets
  • Private bathroom with jet shower, jetted bathtub & hair dryer
  • Plush robes & slippers (upon request)

Explorer Suite (ES)

sq. feet

  • Stateroom size: 829 sq ft
  • River-view suite with spacious, separate sitting room & French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door) with views from port and starboard sides
  • Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
  • Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
  • Flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring a selection of live TV channels, complimentary Movies On Demand and in-house programming
  • 220 volt outlets
  • Private bathroom with jet shower, jetted bathtub & hair dryer
  • Premium Freyja® toiletries

French Balcony (D)

sq. feet

  • Stateroom size: 290 sq ft
  • River-view stateroom with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door)
  • Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
  • Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
  • Flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring a selection of live TV channels, complimentary Movies On Demand and in-house programming
  • 220 volt outlets
  • Private bathroom with jet shower, jetted bathtub & hair dryer
  • Premium Freyja® toiletries

Veranda Suite (AA)

sq. feet

  • Stateroom size: 592 sq ft (includes private veranda)
  • River-view suite with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door) off spacious, separate sitting room & full-size veranda in sleeping quarters
  • Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
  • Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
  • Flat-screen TV with infotainment system featuring a selection of live TV channels, complimentary Movies On Demand and in-house programming
  • 220 volt outlets
  • Private bathroom with jet shower, jetted bathtub & hair dryer
  • Premium Freyja® toiletries

On board

Life on board

Spa & fitness

  • Pool
  • Spa

Venues & entertainment

  • Bar
  • Lounge
  • Library
  • Sun Deck

Good to know

Before you sail

Is there Wi-Fi on MS Antares?

Wi-Fi is free on Viking's river ships across Europe, Egypt, and the Mississippi, and shared computers are available on board. The connection runs over cellular or satellite, so expect speeds to dip in locks, valleys, and remote stretches of river.

What is the dress code on MS Antares?

Daytime dress is casual: shorts in warm weather, slacks or jeans, and comfortable walking shoes. Evenings are elegant casual, with no formal nights; a jacket and tie are optional. Pack modest attire for shore excursions that visit religious sites.

Gratuities

Gratuities are always at your discretion. Viking publishes a recommended rate per guest, per night, which can be prepaid before sailing or settled on your shipboard account. We go over the details with you when you book.

Are special dietary requirements catered for?

Vegetarian options appear at every meal, and the galley can prepare low-salt, diabetic, gluten-free, and low-cholesterol meals with advance notice. Tell us about dietary needs when you book, at least 90 days before departure, and remind the maitre d' once on board.

Is MS Antares accessible for guests with reduced mobility?

Guests who need mobility support travel with a companion who can assist, and wheelchairs must be no wider than 22 inches. Viking requires an accessibility form at least 30 days before departure; we take care of submitting it when you book with us.

What is the smoking policy on board?

The ships are nonsmoking throughout, including staterooms and verandas, with one designated outdoor smoking area. The policy covers e-cigarettes as well.

Is there a laundry service on board?

Laundry and pressing are complimentary in some stateroom categories and available for a modest fee in the rest, arranged through your stateroom steward. Dry cleaning is not offered on board. Ships on the Mississippi add free self-service launderettes.

Itineraries on this ship

All routes on MS Antares

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Viking River Cruises logo

Why Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises is the largest river cruise line in the world, known for elegant ships, destination-led itineraries, and a strong cultural program. The voyages run along Europe's great rivers and reach the Nile, the Mekong, and the Mississippi, pairing comfort and enrichment with real time ashore. A modern fleet of purpose-built longships and a focus on thoughtful design set the tone for the whole experience.

The Viking River Experience: Purposeful Design, Meaningful Travel

Viking's river ships are built for comfort and discovery in equal measure, with a relaxed but refined feel on board. Each carries fewer than 200 guests, so the setting stays intimate, with generous public areas, all-outside staterooms, and attentive service from departure to return.

  • All-outside staterooms, many with full verandas or French balconies
  • Destination-led cuisine and wine pairings in both casual and formal dining venues
  • An included daily shore excursion with knowledgeable local guides
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour specialty coffees, and onboard cultural enrichment
  • An adults-only environment (guests must be 18 or older)
  • Carefully chosen programming, from lectures and tastings to concerts and hands-on workshops

Built for discovery, Viking's river cruises ask you to slow down and read each region more closely than a packed land tour allows.

Iconic Itineraries Across Europe and Beyond

Whether you sail the heart of Europe or reach farther afield, Viking's itineraries balance the must-see landmarks with the smaller places that travelers tend to miss. Longer port time, well-built excursions, and curated cultural access run through every voyage.

Signature Voyages Include:

  • Grand European Tour, cruising the Rhine, Main, and Danube between Amsterdam and Budapest, with historic cities, castles, and vineyards along the way.
  • Danube Waltz, taking in the Old World charm of Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia through grand capitals and storybook towns.
  • Rhine Getaway, visiting Cologne, Strasbourg, and the castles of the Middle Rhine on a scenic route through four countries.
  • Paris and the Heart of Normandy, running through the French countryside from Paris to the Normandy beaches, with real depth on history, art, and food.
  • Pharaohs and Pyramids, sailing the Nile aboard a Viking-owned vessel for a close look at ancient Egypt.
  • Magnificent Mekong, an enriching route through Vietnam and Cambodia aboard the 80-guest Viking Saigon.

Every itinerary reflects Viking's interest in history, culture, and authenticity, giving guests an educational way to see the world.

A Curated Selection by Small Ship Travel

We include Viking River Cruises in our collection for its consistent standards in design, service, and cultural engagement. Viking's commitment to immersive travel lines up with our own aim of building voyages that reward curiosity.

We work directly with Viking to help you choose the right itinerary, stateroom, and add-ons, so the trip fits your interests. Whether you are a first-time river cruiser or a returning guest after something new, we bring the insight and the follow-through to keep your voyage smooth.

Book with Confidence

Booking with Small Ship Travel gives you advisor-led planning, pre and post-cruise arrangements, and added value on your Viking river voyage. We handle the details from start to finish, so you can settle into the discovery, comfort, and cultural richness Viking is known for.

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