Can You Drink Alcohol on Nile Cruise?

By Michael Ferguson

Are you planning to go on a Nile cruise and wondering if it’s okay to drink alcohol onboard? Well, the answer is not straightforward and depends on various factors. Let’s dive into it.

Understanding the Cultural Context

First and foremost, it’s essential to understand that Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country where alcohol consumption is not widely accepted. However, the country also heavily relies on tourism, and Nile cruises are a popular tourist attraction. Therefore, most of the Nile cruise ships do serve alcohol onboard.

What Do the Cruise Companies Say?

Different cruise companies have different policies regarding serving alcohol onboard. Some of them do not offer any alcoholic beverages at all, while others provide a limited selection of beer and wine. However, some luxury cruise ships have fully stocked bars with various cocktails and spirits.

Rules for Bringing Your Own Alcohol

Most Nile cruise ships do not allow passengers to bring their own alcohol on board. However, some companies permit you to bring one or two bottles of wine or champagne for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. In such cases, you might have to pay a corkage fee.

The Legal Drinking Age in Egypt

The legal drinking age in Egypt is 21 years old. Therefore, if you’re underage, you won’t be allowed to consume alcohol onboard regardless of the ship’s policy.

Drinking Alcohol off the Ship

If you’re interested in trying local beers or wines during shore excursions or exploring nightlife in the cities along the Nile River, you can find some bars and restaurants that serve alcoholic beverages. However, keep in mind that public drinking is illegal in Egypt outside licensed venues.

Conclusion

To sum up, whether you can drink alcohol on a Nile cruise depends on various factors like the company policy and your age. However, it’s essential to respect the cultural norms of the country and avoid excessive drinking on board or in public.