Central Holidays Plans Egypt Expansion With Two New Ships

Central Holidays will add two new ships to its fleet on the Nile.

The tour operator currently has 10 ships sailing in Egypt, three of which cater to the U.S. market. In 2020, that number will increase and by 2021, there will be 12 ships, five of which will cater to American travelers.

The timing is certainly right for growth. Egypt has seen a resurgence in popularity in the last two years.

“We have been selling Egypt for many years, but the last year the country has been really popular,” said Baher Ghabbour, SGI chairman (Central Holidays’ parent company) and CEO. “We are approximately 200 percent above our sales in 2017.”

The first of the two ships will enter service in February of 2020. The second will follow one year later. Both of the new vessels are designed for the American market and will offer spacious staterooms with French balconies, a large spa and an a la carte dining experience.

Each vessel will feature 40 suites in three classes, and all cabins are the largest on the Nile River. The standard suites are each 305 square feet, approximately 100 square feet larger than the other ships, and include a French balcony. There are two executive suites onboard, each with a cabin size of 450 square feet and each with a French balcony. The one Owner’s Suite will be 807 square feet and offers a full balcony.

Each of the new ships also features a panoramic elevator and a large spa.

“The ships will have a huge spa; It’s probably going to be the biggest on the Nile,” said Ghabbour. “They will have a sauna, a Jacuzzi and a Turkish bath, all catering to the American market.”

While these are the only two ships planned in Central Holidays’ current expansion, there could be room for more growth.

We believe in the U.S. market,” noted Ghabbour. “If we find that there are more requests, then we will think of adding more capacity to what we have.”