What visa do I need for an Egypt cruise?

Egypt is a mystical land loved by tourists from all over the world. But, even though visiting pyramids is the most popular out of all the things to do in Egypt, it's not the only one: this country also has amazing beaches. For example, you can travel to Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, internationally recognized spots for scuba diving and snorkeling. 

Many travelers are also choosing to enjoy the comforts of traveling on a cruise to Egypt. There are some cruises that only visit the cities of Egypt and the famous river Nile, and others visit some neighboring countries.

If you’re planning an Egypt trip of this kind, you may be wondering: Do I need a visa if I’m on an Egypt cruise? Find out the answer.

Do I need a visa for Egypt?

Yes, every person traveling to Egypt needs to apply for an Egypt e Visa. You can apply for an online visa if your country is eligible, or in person at an embassy. Use the Visagov eligibility checker.

Only some countries are exempt from one of the Egypt entry requirements: 

• UE countries, USA and Israel: only for trips to the Sinai Peninsula (Sharm al Sheikn, Nuweiba, Dahab and Taba) for no more than 14 nights and 15 days  
• Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates: no more than 180 days  
• Hong Kong, Jordan and Macao: no more than 90 days 
• Malasya: no more than 15 days

Do passengers need a visa for an Egypt cruise?

Yes, everyone needs a visa for traveling on a cruise in Egypt. We won’t be allowed to board without an entry visa on a cruise ship.

What kind of visa do I need for a cruise to Egypt?

The answer depends on the journey Egypt's cruise makes. 

If the cruise of our choice stays inside the country and doesn’t visit any foreign ports, we will need a single entry eVisa for Egypt.

However, some circuits include visits to other countries. In this case, we are going to need other kinds of visas. 

For example, if we take a MSC cruise through the Red Sea, we will also get to visit the countries of Jordan and Saudi Arabia. 

The MSC Cruises visa requirements for this cruise itinerary include:

• A multiple entry eVisa for Egypt, as we will be leaving and entering the country more than once in our trip. 
• A transit visa for Saudi Arabia to be able to get off the cruise in the port of Jeddah. We need this visa because it’s a very short stop, only for a few hours. If we wanted to get off for more than one day, we would have to get a tourist visa that is valid for 90 days. 

Every person boarding a cruise with the same or similar itinerary will have to get both of these visas.

What are the requirements to apply for a visa for a cruise holiday?

Every traveler that wishes to apply for an eVisa for Egypt has to:

• Have a passport. Its validity has to be of at least 6 months from the beginning of the trip.
• Have a clear traveling itinerary.
• Fill out an application form.
• Have a valid credit card to make the payment.

To learn more about the application process, you can read our article on "How to get a visa for Egypt". 

Other tips and advice

• Even though it’s not mandatory, having travel insurance is highly recommended, especially if we’re going to be boarding a cruise in Egypt.
• Make copies of all your important documents and keep them inside a safe while on the Egypt cruise.
• Have a back up plan if you get stranded at any of the cruise’s planned stops.
• Pick the best time to visit Egypt as the country has extreme weather at certain points of the year.
• Carry with you every means of sun protection possible (hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.). 
• Only greet Egyptians with your right hand as the left hand is considered impure.
• Homosexuality is still a crime in the country. 
• Egypt's currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP).
• Make sure you read our security recommendations to avoid running into any issues. Is Egypt safe to visit?