Alexandria is one of the busiest Mediterranean stops on Egypt itineraries, and it is also one of the most squeezed. The port sits close to the centre, which helps, but the sights are spread over the city and the ship will not wait. A little arithmetic beforehand saves a lot of anxiety.
Work out your real time ashore
Take the time you are allowed off the ship and subtract the time for port formalities at each end, usually thirty to forty-five minutes. Then subtract a safety margin of an hour. What remains is your sightseeing window. A ship that is in port from eight until five leaves you closer to six hours than nine.
Five or six hours: the half-day tour
The half-day private tour is built for exactly this. It takes about five hours from pick-up at the port and covers the fort at Qaitbay, the Roman theatre at Kom el-Dikka and the library. You see the city's three layers: medieval, Roman and modern. It leaves a margin in case the traffic is bad.
Eight hours or more: the full day
If you have a full day, the eight-hour private tour adds the Catacombs, Pompey's Pillar and a seafront lunch. The car and guide are waiting at the port, and we aim to bring you back in good time, with the drive along the Corniche saved for the end.
Rosetta and Cairo: ask first
Rosetta takes about seven hours and works for a long stop. Cairo by road is thirteen hours and uses about six on the highway, so it only suits an overnight call or a very late departure. Tell us your times and we will say honestly whether it fits.
- Up to 5 hours ashore: half-day city tour.
- 7 to 9 hours ashore: full-day city tour or Rosetta.
- Overnight or late departure: the Giza day, if you really want it.
- Evening in port: the food walk, if the ship stays late.
What a private pick-up changes on a port day
On a ship's own coach tour you follow a group, a flag and a fixed list. On a private tour the car waits at the port, the guide knows your all-aboard time and the pace is yours. If you run out of energy early, you can drop a stop and sit with a coffee. If you love the library, you can stay longer. The driver also knows the traffic, which in Alexandria can add a surprising amount of time along the Corniche.
Common mistakes on a short Egypt port call
The most frequent one is trying to fit too much in. Alexandria has a long list of attractions, and a day call lets you see perhaps four. The second is forgetting that the walk back through port security takes time. The third is eating a long lunch far from the port. Pick a plan with a lunch stop near the sea, tell your guide the deadline, and enjoy the day without clock-watching.
Bring some Egyptian pounds for tips and drinks, though cards work at the larger shops. Check that your phone has roaming set up, or download an offline map before you leave the ship. Carry the ship's contact number, and tell the guide the name of your berth. If you buy souvenirs, keep them in a bag you can carry through the port security check easily.
Each trip page lists the pick-up options and what is included. Send us your ship name and all-aboard time and we will check the plan.
Plan with us
A cruise stop in Alexandria: what fits into your time ashore
Docking at Alexandria for the day? See what fits into five, eight or ten hours ashore, and how private pick-ups from the port keep you on time.