Videos

(dramatic music) - [Narrator] Aswan, Egypt, surrounded by a plethora of Nubian treasures was a fitting location for the naming of the Viking Aton, the identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris.

Our ceremonial godfather was Richard Riveire, who designed our Longships as well as our ocean and expedition ships, and has again, closely collaborated with us to design Viking's distinctive Egyptian fleet. - You have never seen anything like this, at least not on the Nile.

It's really another league by itself.

We have two excellent partners.

They are the builders and then yourself.

We very much appreciate all they've done and the site team has done a wonderful job in getting a phenomenal product.

We are in Egypt for the long term.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for all you. (everyone clapping) (gentle music) - [Narrator] The naming of the Viking Aton drew many dignitaries who've also worked tirelessly with Viking to provide incomparable exploration experiences in Egypt. - I'm very pleased and honored to represent my minister, Mr.

Ahmed Issa who is giving his warm regards and thanks for this beautiful work that we have on the Nile today.

A product that is well done, well studied and implemented as well with a strong partnership between Viking and their partners in Egypt.

I think it's an excellent product that we will all be proud of and more to come.

Look forward to more to come.

Thank you very much. (everyone clapping) - Thank you very much.

Ladies and gentlemen, we now come to the moment where I get to introduce to you the godfather of the Viking Aton.

For more than a decade, Richard Riveire has worked closely with Vikings Chairman Torstein Hagen, to realize the interior design of almost all Viking's ships, river, ocean, and expedition.

Skillfully combining the spirit of the Vikings with the pared-back aesthetic that reflects the company's Norwegian heritage.

Coming from Texas, Richard began his design career early at the age of five, would you believe, when his father in an inspired moment wisely gave him a box of Legos.

As the founding principle of Rottet Studios in Los Angeles, Richard believes in storytelling by design, so less really can be more.

Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together and give a quick welcome to our godfather, Richard Riveire. (everyone clapping) (dramatic music) - Alastair, thank you, it is such a great pleasure.

I've said this before and I'll say it again there is really no greater sense of fulfillment for an architect than to work with an amazing client on a project, projects with breadth and scope and the real ability to kind of affect the human tradition.

And I have to say, in this case, scope and vision from Torstein, and from Viking has been an unbelievable highlight of my career and an unbelievable opportunity for me as a person.

That's been exciting and I feel very, very proud to have this opportunity and thank you for that.

I also have to say, and I've said this too, that architecture is a collaborative art.

It is not something one does by oneself.

You have to have a whole, more than a village actually, of people to do it.

And the vision for Torstein, I also have to give a shout out for Karine Hagen, she's not able to be with us here tonight, but had a huge part of this ship and I wish she was here to get her piece of that credit as well.

It's a very large group of people to do this kind of work, and I appreciate the opportunity. (people clapping) - So now we have arrived at the moment, I get to ask you, Richard, to name your ship. - I name this ship the Viking Aton.

May her passengers and crew always be safe, and may she always have at least a hands breadth of water under her keel. - Perfect. (everyone clapping) - Ready? - Yeah. (buzzer buzzes) (glass shattering) (people cheer) - Yes. (everyone clapping) - [Narrator] The successful naming of the Viking Aton at Aswan closed with a memorable celebration of this very special achievement. (upbeat music) It was an exciting evening along the legendary Nile River that will not soon be forgotten, as this state-of-the-art vessel takes her place in the Viking fleet, making it easier than ever for more curious travelers to explore Egypt's rich cultural treasures in Viking comfort.