Signature highlights
A small 62-guest ship with a 75-person crew, sun-deck pool, shaded outdoor seating, and panoramic public spaces.
MS Antares
MS Antares is a 62-guest Viking River Cruises river cruise ship, in service since 2007. This page lists 1 upcoming departure across 1 itinerary in Africa & Middle East, day by day and port by port.
✓ Adults-only cultural travelers
✓ Guests preferring a small ship
✓ Travelers wanting spacious river-view accommodations
MS Antares at a glance
Best for
- Adults-only cultural travelers
- Guests preferring a small ship
- Travelers wanting spacious river-view accommodations
- Passengers who enjoy lounges and lectures
- Pool and sun-deck users
Think twice if you want
- Families traveling with children
- Travelers seeking nightlife or production shows
- Guests needing step-free access to every deck
- Passengers wanting several dining venues
- Travelers dependent on high-bandwidth internet
About MS Antares
MS Antares is a compact Viking Nile River ship built in 2007 and refurbished in 2018. The 236-foot vessel accommodates 62 guests with a 75-person crew, creating an unusually high level of onboard staffing for a river ship. Its traditional design includes French-balcony staterooms, a sun deck with a swimming pool and shaded seating, an open-seating restaurant, a lounge with panoramic windows, a library, a fitness center, and a massage room. The ship is designed for intimate cruising on Egypt’s Nile.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- Viking River Cruises
Onboard Experience
Pools, spa & wellness
Onboard wellness facilities include a fitness center and massage room; the sun deck also has a swimming pool.
Deck plans
Venues Cabins only Both · Tap a deck to see what's on it
Sun Deck · Sun Deck
Pool Sun DeckUpper Deck · Upper Deck
Gym/Spa Explorer Suite Deluxe French Balcony French BalconyMiddle Deck · Middle Deck
Library Shop Veranda Suite Deluxe French Balcony French BalconyMain Deck · Main Deck
Lounge Bar Guest Services Deluxe French Balcony French BalconyLower Deck · Lower Deck
Restaurant KitchenView the official MS Antares deck plans from Viking River Cruises →
Cabins & suites
Suite 10%
Balcony 90%
| Category | Type | Cabins | Size | Sleeps | Decks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer SuiteCategory ES; includes a French balcony. | Suite | 1 | 829 sq ft | 2 | Upper Deck |
| Veranda SuiteCategory AA; includes a full-size private veranda and a French balcony. | Suite | 2 | 592 sq ft | 2 | Middle Deck |
| Deluxe French BalconyCategories A, B and C; category A is on the Upper Deck, B on the Middle Deck and C on the Main Deck. | Balcony | 22 | 430 sq ft | 2 | Main Deck, Middle Deck, Upper Deck |
| French BalconyCategory D. | Balcony | 6 | 290 sq ft | 2 | Main Deck, Middle Deck, Upper Deck |
Dining, bars & venues
4 included 1 extra cost in the fare, by the line's own published policy.
Dining
Restaurant
Included
The open-seating dining room serves included onboard meals.
Bars & lounges
Bar
Varies
The bar serves drinks in the main lounge.
History & sister ships
- 2007Entered service.
- 2018The ship was refurbished, including updates to its interiors and onboard public spaces.
- 2020Viking acquired the vessel, which entered its fleet as MS Antares; it was formerly known as MS Amarco II Antares.
Where MS Antares sails, month by month
| Oct 26 |
Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa & Middle East | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| From / night | 0 | $545 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ports it visits most
Explore This Ship
Jump from MS Antares sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
All 1 itinerary and their departure dates
- 11 Nights Africa Cruise 16 Nov 2026
All Upcoming Departures
| Departure | Return | Itinerary | Nights | Region | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 16, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | 11 Nights Africa Cruise | 11 | Africa & Middle East | Book → |
MS Antares FAQ
How many passengers does MS Antares hold?
MS Antares carries about 62 guests with roughly 75 crew.
How old is MS Antares?
MS Antares entered service in 2007 and was last refurbished in 2018.
What is the dress code on MS Antares?
Daytime dress is casual. Evening dress is elegant casual, with no formal nights; religious-site excursions require clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
What dining is included on MS Antares?
The ship has one open-seating Restaurant on the Lower Deck, and onboard meals are included in the standard Viking fare.
How does tipping work on MS Antares?
Gratuities are discretionary, although Viking may pre-sell them or add a discretionary service charge to the shipboard account. Additional tips for local guides and drivers are also optional.
Is Wi-Fi included on MS Antares?
Wi-Fi is included, but connection speed and availability can vary because the service relies on cellular or satellite connections.
Is MS Antares accessible for wheelchair users?
Guests must be able to move independently during an emergency and travel with an able-bodied companion who can provide assistance. The elevator serves the passenger decks but not the Sun Deck, which is reached by stairs.
Can children travel on MS Antares?
Viking requires guests to be at least 18 years old on the day of embarkation and does not provide children’s facilities or services.