Egypt’s cruise comeback highlighted by Norwegian Viva Alexandria Port calls

Egypt’s resurgence as a cruise destination is gathering pace, with Alexandria Port recording multiple high-profile visits this autumn, signalling renewed confidence in the country’s Mediterranean and Red Sea potential after a decade of gradual recovery.

The Port of Alexandria welcomed three calls from Norwegian Viva between September and October 2025, bringing nearly 14,000 passengers to the historic coastal city. The calls form part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s expanded Eastern Mediterranean programme, linking Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt.

During the vessel’s most recent visit on October 13th, port officials and representatives from several Egyptian ministries gathered to oversee operations, underscoring the growing importance of cruise tourism within the country’s wider economic revival.

According to the Alexandria Port Authority, the 2023-built Norwegian Viva was safely escorted into port by tugs, pilot boats, and security vessels, with continuous monitoring via radar to ensure smooth operations.

The General Administration of Passenger Movement coordinated disembarkation procedures, and passengers engaged in guided tours to Egypt’s cultural landmarks before the ship continued to Greece the following day.

Norwegian Viva’s next visit on October 21st will coincide with a nine-night sailing from Piraeus to Istanbul, visiting ports including Mykonos, Rhodes, Kusadasi, Limassol and Santorini, an itinerary reflecting Alexandria’s return to high-end cruise circuits after years of limited inclusion.

Alexandria has also hosted several other major ships this season, including Aroya from Saudi Arabia’s AROYA Cruises, Nieuw Statendam and Oosterdam from Holland America Line, and Resilient Lady from Virgin Voyages.

Their calls mark one of the port’s busiest autumns in recent years and underline Egypt’s steady re-emergence as a cruise hub on both the Mediterranean and nascent Red Sea cruise circuits.

The renewed activity follows a decade-long effort by the Egyptian government to restore the country’s maritime tourism credentials.

While Nile River cruising rebounded earlier in the decade, driven by the launch of new luxury vessels such as Viking Osiris, Viking Aton and Viking Sobek, sea cruising has only recently begun to recover momentum.

Investment in port infrastructure, including expansions at Alexandria, Safaga, and Sharm El Sheikh, has coincided with a more stable security environment and rising interest from global cruise operators seeking to diversify Mediterranean itineraries.

After years of relative quiet, Egypt’s Mediterranean gateway now appears firmly back on the cruise map.

With further calls planned into early 2026 and a growing number of operators showing renewed interest in both Red Sea and Nile itineraries, the country’s strategy to reconnect cultural heritage with modern maritime tourism is beginning to pay off.