• Home
  • About Us
    • About Us & Our Travel Agency
    • Travel Booking and Planning Services
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Privacy Policy
  • Travel Destinations
    • North America
      • USA Travel
      • Canada
      • Mexico
    • Europe
    • Oceania
    • Asia
  • Contact Us
  • Travel Booking and Planning Services

Roaming Around the World

Travel Advisors & Travel Blog

  • Need Help Planning or Booking?
    • Travel Booking and Planning Services
    • Destination Inspiration
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Travel Guides & Tips
    • Cruising Tips
    • Destination Guides
    • The Ultimate Travel Packing Checklist and Packing Tips
  • Travel Blog Posts
    • Archived travel updates
    • Travel Guides and Tips
    • Cruise Blogs
    • Mexico Blogs
    • South America Blogs
      • Ecuador Blogs
    • Food & Drink Blogs
You are here: Home / Blogs / Egypt’s Modern Day Ruins: The Nile River Cruises of Yesteryear

Egypt’s Modern Day Ruins: The Nile River Cruises of Yesteryear

August 19, 2015 By John Widmer 1 Comment

This is a different glimpse at Nile River cruising and the current state of tourism along the famed river.

Nile River trips have been a fairly common touristic voyage, which visit many of Egypt’s ancient temples along the way. In fact, there are more than 350 river cruise boats ready to ply the route between Luxor and Aswan. Yet in today’s post-revolution Egypt, only about fifteen of these ships remain in operation. That’s only about 4% of these ships that are being used.

This has left hundreds of once-luxurious river cruise boats frozen in time. Since 2011, tourism in Egypt has dwindled from massive tourist hoards to now what is only a slow trickle. The strong summer heat further subdues visitors. The slow trickle of tourists has nearly come to a halt, a stark contrast against the backdrop of the mighty Nile.

Nile river cruise ships that are no longer in operation lay docked along the bank.

Instead of tourist masses lining the River Nile, now are these ghost ships. Dozens upon dozens of former river cruises now lay stacked up against one another protruding from the river banks around Luxor.

Furniture is covered with blankets on one of the former luxury liners that plied the Nile River

The furniture inside is left to collect dust. The interior of the ships have virtually turned into ovens, baking in the 115 F (46 C) degree heat. Air conditions hasn’t been run for years now and these extreme conditions are beginning to show. Blankets now cover much of the furniture in perhaps a weak attempt to protect what is left.

Matresses lay on the floor next to the grand staircase of a Nile River Cruise ship that no longer operates.

A few mattresses are haphazardly placed across the lobby for security guards to sleep and thwart any would-be pillagers. In areas where formal balls were once held, now sits a plain-clothed guard watching wrestling from a tiny TV rigged up by wiring strewn across the width of the ship. He casually puffs on a cigarette with one hand, filling the gloomy lobby with smoke, as he grips an assault rifle in his other hand.

The upper deck of a dilapidated Nile River cruise ship

A thin layer of water somehow remains unevaporated in the pool, perhaps periodically being filled to prevent further corrosion. The upper deck’s astroturf is rolled up and lounge chairs have given way to the elements and lay fallen apart. The worn lifesavers lining the rails provide for great irony, as its the ships themselves that now need saving.

A worn life saver hangs on the rails of a Nile River cruise ship that has fallen to disrepair

We asked why some of the hundreds of boats have not been sold or relocated elsewhere. It was explained that it has always been believed that the strong tourism which once was, will again resume. There are murmurs and hopes that additional boats will resume operation this upcoming winter.

But just as the country is returning to order and people are beginning to say its “safe to travel in Egypt again,” new threats of Isis emerge in the region, which further takes its toll on a nation that desperately needs tourism to come back.

Meanwhile touring Egypt this summer is providing a rare opportunity to have these once overcrowded sites completely to yourself. It’s actually a pretty special time to travel through this historic land.

Khafre Pyramid without any tourists

It’s sad to see these luxury liners falling into disrepair. They are perhaps becoming Egypt’s modern day ruins. We’ll hope alongside the Egyptians that these ships will return to their glory days and once again ply this classic Nile route. Until then, its interesting to marvel at these now dilapidated vessels and imagine what once was.

Filed Under: Blogs, Misadventures Around the World, Posts Tagged With: Africa, Egypt

Comments

  1. Andrea says

    August 20, 2015 at 10:47 PM

    So sad to see this but it makes sense for the current conditions. Assuming things stay safe, people will return. Egypt is one of the best historical tourist sites in the world.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow the adventure!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

About Us

From travel bloggers to trusted travel advisors, we’ve spent years exploring 100 countries and now use that knowledge to help others travel better. Whether you're planning a cruise, a luxury escape, or a tailored adventure, we’ll create the perfect trip for you! Read More…

Copyright © 2025 Roaming Around the World