The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities has launched a new Digital Visa-on-Arrival System to simplify entry procedures for international travelers. The pilot phase of the new system has begun at Cairo International Airport, and will be rolled out nationwide.
It comes amid a Nile cruise boom that’s growing because Egypt is seen as a safe travel region in the Middle East, while other destinations remain threatened by continuing conflicts. In addition, Cairo is also seeing a tourist surge to experience the new Grand Egyptian Museum.
Yet another cruise line is launching a new ship on the ancient river. Century Cruises, best known for Yangtze River cruses in China, will debut two itineraries in 2027. The purpose-built MS Terramar has only 20 cabins, each with a private balcony, that range from 323 square feet for the Junior Suite to 463 for the Royal Panoramic Suite.
“Our guests have been asking us for years if we’d ever bring the Century experience to the Nile,” said David Fredericks, President and General Manager of Century Cruises Inc. As demand grows, Century Cruises plans to further expand its Nile River program with additional departures and new vessels in the coming years, he added.
Other companies are expanding their Nile offerings as well:
Viking now has 10 ships doing the Nile, including four new 82-passenger ships doing its popular Pharaohs & Pyramids itineraries.
AmaWaterways is is adding two new custom-designed ships to its existing Nile fleet—the AmaNubia in September 2026 and the AmaCleo following in 2028.
Abercrombie & Kent has added a fifth ship, A&K Sanctuary, also known as Nile Seray. It’s Abercrombie & Kent’s fifth and most spacious Egyptian riverboat, featuring suites starting at 355 square feet,
TUI Cruises, has also added three new ships. Sirius, & Viking Thoth: Part of a fresh wave of modern ships hitting the Nile water to match increased tourism demand following the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is offering more options with its S.S. Sphinx and River Tosca.
And Avalon Waterways, which had cancelled cruises on the 51-guest MS Farah because of uncertainty earlier in the year Is resuming them in September. According to company president Pam Hoffee, demand for Egypt remains exceptionally strong, with 2027 bookings currently up more than 60 per cent compared to the same time last year.
Story bv Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
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