Death on the Nile or is it Life after Death?

Did you know that 10 Years ago around 60,000 British Holidays makers took a Nile cruise compared to approximately 4000 in 2016.  That is a staggering decline in anyone’s books and despite the troubles in Egypt a decline that no-one could have possibly anticipated.

No one can deny that Egypt has had its troubles with the Egyptian revolution in 2011 leading to a coup and the leadership changing hands twice before the 2014 Leader General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi took power.  There have been a number of terrorist attacks including a Russian plane which was allegedly destroyed by ISIS in 2015 killing 224 people and 3 foreign tourists were stabbed by two suspected Islamic State militants who stormed into a hotel in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Hurghada in January 2016. The most recent attack involved 26 people, including children,who were killed and 25 who were wounded in a gun attack on a bus carrying Coptic Christians south of Cairo.  Culminating in Thomas Cook Holidays cancelling all flights to Sharm el Sheik last month for the Winter 2017/2018 and Summer 2018 seasons, following Foreign office advice.

So, what does all this have to do with Cruising?

Well there is no denying that the Nile is unique among river cruises for the sights it offers along its shores and for this reason some of the Largest River Cruise companies are taking stock.

Last year despite the troubles some 260,000 British tourists still visited Egypt so there is obviously still a demand there. So much so that one of the Market leaders Viking Cruises has decided to Launch a new Nile Cruise ship, the Viking Ra. This a 48 Passenger ship with 24 Luxury Suites and will start sailing the Nile in March 2018. The 12 Day Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary will feature a 3 Night stay in Cairo before the 8 day Cruise from Luxor to Aswan. They will join the likes of Uniworld, who are one of the few companies still operating in the region and hope that the days of Nile Cruising will come back with a flourish.

There is currently no Foreign office advice relating to Cairo and the areas where you join and leave the Nile cruises other than to be vigilant.

Have you been on a Nile Cruise, Or fancied one but were put off? Is it time to sail back down the Nile?

What do you think?