Editor's note: Mayfair is no longer in active use by Viking River Cruises.
Viking Mayfair
Viking's ms Mayfair: Sail the Nile to explore an ancient culture
Snapshot
Refurbished in 2012, this intimate, contemporary ship carries just 150 guests along the Nile River in spacious suites and staterooms. Since entering the river cruise market, Viking River Cruises has received numerous awards for its itineraries and innovative ship designs and onboard programming.
Who will like sailing on Viking ms Mayfair
Viking River Cruises attracts an older demographic that is continuously getting younger. If you have an interest in exploring art, culture or history, then sailing on ms Mayfair will make an ideal vacation, especially with the onboard educational activities available.
Where ms Mayfair sails
ms Mayfair sails the "Pathways of the Pharaohs" itinerary in Egypt. The 12-day journey cruises the Nile River and sails across Lake Nasser to the monumental statues of Rameses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel.
River cruising is about destination immersion
River cruising is about the destination probably more so than the ship. While enjoying the creature comforts of ms Mayfair, make sure to take advantage of opportunities to connect with local culture, history and highlights of the places that you visit. Don't be surprised to see local dishes on the menu or local entertainers sharing music, dancing and stories.
Viking includes daily tours with the cruise fare, which makes the hassle of figuring out logistics less challenging. Most tours are done around lunch and then you are free to do what you choose until the ship leaves the dock.
You will be given a nightly briefing in the evening before dinner to get updates on the next day’s call to discuss the upcoming day’s activities, tours and logistics. Plan to attend the session to discover highlights of the upcoming town's history, art, food, music and architecture of the cities and towns visited.
EmsiProduction / Creative Commons BYFishermen on the Nile River in Luxor, Egypt.
Dining
Viking ms Mayfair has one restaurant. The atmosphere is casual yet elegant. Dinner is at a set time and you are welcome to sit with whomever you wish.
This from the cruise line’s website about their dining options on board: “For breakfast, choose from a selection of pastries, cereals, breakfast meats, egg dishes, fresh fruit and selected cheeses. At lunch, select from the soup and sandwich bar, or from a choice of entrées and dessert. And for dinner, expect a five-course menu with regional specialties. Wherever you sail, you will find enhancements reflecting the itinerary — it is all part of experiencing the local culture."
Entertainment & activities
Ride a camel near the pyramids at Giza, sample local Nubian cuisine, take in traditional performances of folk music and dance, see the treasures of King Tutankhamun, sail a felucca on the Nile, and enjoy a sound and light show at Abu Simbel. These in-depth experiences are included as an essential part of discovering more about the places through which you cruise, and each activity is planned specifically to illuminate each itinerary.
Sometimes you want to dig a little deeper. Viking offers a series of onboard multimedia talks to shed light on the history and culture of the places you visit. Topics may include Egypt’s 5,000-year-old dynasties, hieroglyphics, ancient Egyptian building techniques, archaeological excavations of Egypt’s treasures, and key words and phrases in the local language. These presentations provide a context for your own observations, enhancing your travel experience.
Your take
Have you cruised on Viking's ms Mayfair? What was it like? We'd love to hear about your own experience.
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Interested in a cruise on this ship?
Top highlights on this ship
- All staterooms are outside with river view
- All decks have deluxe staterooms have large windows
- Private bathroom with bathtub and shower
- Flat-panel television with an infotainment system and satellite
- Restaurant with panoramic views
- Observation lounge and bar
