When is the best time for a cruise to Egypt?
If you’re planning a cruise to Egypt, late autumn through spring (roughly October to April) is a comfortable and convenient time to travel. Days are generally sunny and dry, with Alexandria and Port Said on the Mediterranean coast feeling a little fresher than inland locations.
The conditions in these months are particularly well-suited to the full-day sightseeing trips offered on our Egypt itineraries: coach rides inland, time on foot at the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, and walks through the older quarters of Cairo or along Alexandria’s waterfront.
Depending on dates, your Egypt cruise may also coincide with highlights in the cultural calendar, such as Coptic Christmas on January 7 or Sham el-Nessim, a festival to welcome the beginning of spring.
What is the weather like in Egypt?
Inland cities like Cairo and Giza are hot, dry and with lots of desert landscapes, making them quite different to the somewhat cooler cities of Alexandria and Port Said on the Mediterranean coast. These port cities (and other Egyptian coastal towns) experience the occasional winter shower, but overall Egypt has a very low level of rainfall.
During the months when MSC Cruises offers its selection of Egypt cruises, it’s very likely you’ll encounter good weather. October and November tend to be warm and sunny, making these great months for maximising your time ashore. Things cool down a little in December and January, but temperatures stay comfortable, with Alexandria sitting at around 18°C on a typical January day and Cairo being a few degrees warmer.
By March and April things start to warm up before summer brings hotter inland conditions – yet another reason why those cooler months mentioned above are ideal when you’re planning a cruise for Egypt.
Where do cruise ships dock in Egypt?
When you’re on a cruise in Egypt, there are two main ports of call: Alexandria and Port Said. Alexandria is perhaps the more famous of the two, a vibrant Mediterranean city associated with Alexander the Great, the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina and a long sweep of seafront districts along the Corniche.
Port Said, meanwhile, owes its existence to the Suez Canal, whose construction began here in 1859. A few ageing buildings from that period still survive, but today the city is mainly a working port, where you can watch freight vessels manoeuvring through the canal. Shopping is a popular pastime here, either in the bazaar or downtown boutiques.
Both ports offer excellent access to shore excursions in Cairo and the Giza Plateau, providing opportunities to view world-famous landmarks and sites. These include the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Valley Temple of Khafre – all unmissable highlights of holidays to Egypt.
However, each city has its own charms and each offers more alongside its Cairo access. Alexandria, for example, boasts the Citadel of Qaitbay (an impressive coastal fort), verdant Montazah Palace Gardens, the mysterious and ancient Catacombs of Kom al-Shoqafa and a Roman amphitheatre at Kom el-Dikka. All these sights, and many more, are available to explore on dedicated Alexandria excursions.
How much is a cruise to Egypt?
MSC Cruises has built a wide range of Egypt itineraries to accommodate varying budgets and travel styles. Explore our website for the latest cruise deals to Egypt and find the perfect trip for you and your wallet. Then, all you need to do is look forward to experiencing soaring pyramids, Nile views and ancient treasures.
What to pack for a cruise to Egypt?
Packing for a cruise to Egypt is relatively straightforward, as sailings take place during the cooler part of the year, but it still pays to plan for a mix of conditions. Days ashore are often sunny and mild, while mornings, evenings and time on deck can feel cooler, especially in winter, so it’s worth packing a few warmer pieces. For shore days, pack something light to throw on, so that coastal breezes don't catch you off guard.
Comfortable walking shoes are a must, as some sightseeing excursions in Cairo, Giza and Alexandria can cover a lot of ground. A small day bag and reusable water bottle will also be useful for excursions, and remember to pack modest clothing if you plan to visit mosques or religious sites, since shoulders and knees must be covered by both men and women. Sunglasses, a hat and good-quality sunscreen are all essentials, even outside summer.
Even though rain is not common, the Mediterranean coast can occasionally see showers in winter, so a compact waterproof layer is worth adding into your case.
Finally, don’t forget swimwear for the pool or spa, plus something smarter for evening dining on board. If your voyage includes more formal nights on the ship, check MSC Cruises’ dress code and pack accordingly.
What currency does Egypt use?
The local currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Notes run from 1 to 200, with the smaller denominations (5, 10 and 20) becoming the most useful for day-to-day spending.
It’s sensible to keep some small notes handy, as change can be hard to come by in some markets and small shops. Cards are accepted in larger hotels and tourist restaurants, but cash is often the better option for bazaars, cafes and taxis. ATMs can be found in ports and city centres.
What is the time zone in Egypt?
For most of the Egypt cruise season offered in MSC Cruises’ itineraries, Egypt will be two hours ahead of the UK. This narrows down to one hour for several weeks in spring, when the UK moves its clocks forward in late March but Egypt doesn’t follow until late April. Keep these subtle time shifts in mind when planning your Egypt holidays to make things as efficient as possible.
What other countries are included in a cruise that goes to Egypt?
Our cruises to Egypt call at several other Mediterranean ports along the way. Most itineraries depart from Venice - Marghera, whose canals, gondolas and palazzos make a memorable starting point.
From Italy, Adriatic routes head southeast into Greek waters, with some routes calling at Katakolon, your gateway to ancient Olympia – the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Heraklion on Crete puts you within minutes of Knossos, the Bronze Age palace at the heart of Minoan civilisation. Rhodes is another highlight, with its UNESCO-listed medieval walled city, anchored by the Palace of the Grand Master.
Itineraries also stop in Limassol on Cyprus, where a medieval castle, a breezy seafront promenade and the clifftop ruins of ancient Kourion make for a rewarding visit ashore before setting sail for Port Said and Alexandria.
On the return leg, most cruises visit Split in Croatia, where Diocletian’s Palace – built by a Roman emperor as his retirement residence – now houses atmospheric restaurants, bars and shops.
Where do Egypt cruises depart from?
All of our Egypt-bound cruises depart from Italy, with most launching from the lagoon city of Venice - Marghera, providing the chance to see one of Europe’s dream destinations before setting sail. The other starting point is Bari, in southern Italy, where you can stroll around Bari Vecchia – the old town – or take a trip to see the UNESCO-listed Trulli houses in nearby Alberobello before boarding.
Sailings from both Venice and Bari travel to ports in Greece and Cyprus before arriving in Egypt. These are among the best Egypt cruises for travellers who want to combine Egypt with visits to other famous ancient archaeological sites around the Eastern Mediterranean.
Is it possible to visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx from MSC Cruises’ ports in Egypt?
It’s easy to visit the world-famous Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx during your Egypt cruise, since our shore excursions to Cairo run from both Alexandria and Port Said.
Typically offered as full-day trips, these excursions travel inland to the Giza Plateau, where several pyramids rise above the desert sands alongside the enigmatic Great Sphinx and the Valley Temple of Khafre, where pre-burial mummifications took place.
The tallest of the Pyramids of Giza is the Great Pyramid, the only surviving site from the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. For many passengers, visiting these millennia-old archaeological landmarks will be an unforgettable highlight of their Egypt holidays.
