Is This Too Risky For You?

A Nile cruise has to be one of the most fantastic experiences, especially if you love river cruising and the history of this beautiful country. Way back in 2010 58,000 of us Brits took an Egyptian river cruise, that amount had gone down to just 3,600 in 2016. Of course, this was mostly down to the terrorist attacks and the revolution which does not make great reading for anyone looking to visit.

There are still people travelling to Egypt and the country has stabilised, so of course within the cruise industry the “murmurings” are when will river cruises come back? Lo and behold Viking river cruises announced they will be  sailing down the Nile on a Pharaohs and Pyramids tour in March of next year. The ship is the Viking Ra which only takes 48 passengers, but enough for them to test the waters perhaps. It is a 12 day cruise which will include a 3 night stay in Cairo before a flight to Luxor and a 8 day round trip cruise to Aswan. Interestingly, the cruise is from Southern Egypt. When I cruised the Nile it was from Cairo to Luxor, but times change and of course this is more as I mentioned earlier, to test the waters.

The Ra certainly sounds lovely with the standards you expect from Viking. A spa, 2 jacuzzis and a pool on board. 24 all suite staterooms across 3 cabin categories including 2 veranda suites.  Sounds great doesn’t it? A wonderful country with the most fantastic historical gems, there really is nothing quite like Egypt. BUT – the foreign office has advised against all but essential travel by air to Sharm El Sheikh. Yep this is not the Nile but is on the Red sea coast and part of Egypt. Would you believe that the foreign office has not issued any advice for Cairo? That is interesting.

I personally loved Egypt and the Nile cruise was fantastic, would I do it again now – I don’t think I would if I am honest.  I do sincerely hope that it all gets back to what it was as it was really fantastic and something I think you would all love – just not yet.

Your thoughts as always, would be welcome.

Till next time x