Last Updated on: 1st February 2024, 07:31 pm
#1 top pick Luxury Cruise
4 Night Luxury Nile Cruise Egypt with Free Abu Simbel
- ? Spend four nights aboard a luxury Nile cruise with all meals included
- ? Go sightseeing with a multilingual guide
- ? Visit Karnak, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Horus, Temple of Kom Ombo, Abu Simbel, Temple of Philae, Aswan Dam
- ? Round-trip transfers to and from the cruise port are included
- ? Duration: 5 days (4 nights)
- ? Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (20 reviews)
#1 top pick Dahabyia Cruise
4 Night Luxury Dahabyia Sailboat VIP Nile Cruise
- ? Live a unique Dahabiya Nile Cruise experience sailing with Queen Tye Dahabiya, a traditional style boat
- ? Go sightseeing with an experienced Egyptology guide
- ? Visit all important monuments from Luxor to Aswan
- ? Round-trip transfers to and from the cruise port are included
- ? Duration: 5 days (4 nights)
- ? Rating: new activity on Viator
Main Topics of How To Choose the Best Nile Cruise
Use these insider considerations when booking to experience this ancient waterway right.
Before we begin, I’d like to tell you that out of all the 15 days I spent in Egypt, I liked the 5 ones on the Nile cruise the most.
There’s nothing better than enjoying time on the deck with your friends while the boat sails to take you to beautiful temples and towns.
Types of Nile Cruises
Nile cruises range from large ships carrying up to 300 people to more intimate 5-star dahabiya sailboats limited to just 12 passengers for a private yacht-style feel.
Assess each type of vessel below when booking. This will have a direct influence on your Nile cruising experience.
Premium Cruise Ships
These 3-5 deck cruise ships offer the most amenities like spas, pools and evening entertainment alongside comfortable cabins, multiple dining venues and top service.
Expect 100-200 fellow passengers. While stops can feel more rushed to keep schedules, comprehensive shore excursions are included in fares that run $250+ nightly.
Click here to see more such a premium Nile river cruise details and to book your dates.
Click here to find out more about another luxury Nile cruise that included a hot air balloon ride at Luxor.
Budget/Standard Cruise Ships
Affordable cruises on smaller, simpler ships often with amenities like small pools and bars provide the essential Nile tour experience.
With 50-100 passenger counts, standard vessels offer basic comfort, buffet dining and still include shore trips. Nightly rates average $125-200 per person.
Click here to see a budget Nile cruise and book your cabin now.
Dahabiyas Sailboats
For exclusivity under billowing sails, book a private multiroom dahabiya holding just 1-12 guests in ultimate comfort.
Click here to see more details of this dahabyia luxury sailboat cruise and make your booking now.
These intimate hardwood boats move slowly, stopping wherever you wish between sights.
Customizable for relaxation or adventures, expect all-inclusive gourmet meals and a private feel with prices starting around $800 nightly.
Choosing Your Ideal Nile Route
Nile cruise duration typically ranges between 3 and 7 nights with routes flowing between Luxor and Aswan or reversed.
Determine your ideal embarkation points and trip length by the landmarks you want to see.
Luxor to Aswan (or reverse)
This round trip route allows cruisers to start and end journeys at either bustling city while sailing leisurely between Egypt’s greatest concentration of attractions spanning landmarks like Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Philae Temple on Aswan’s island, and monumental Nubian sites near the High Dam.
Longer Cruises to Cairo
Extend immersive cruising further by opting for longer 10-14 night sailings originating in Cairo, transiting through less visited Delta region ports before concluding by Aswan or Luxor. Traverse lesser seen landmarks while unwinding on deck taking in timeless Nile vistas between world wonders.
Factoring Season, Budget and Style
Carefully weigh the following elements when identifying your perfect Nile cruise match.
High and Low Season
While weather stays mild year-round, peak winter months draw bigger crowds and higher fares.
Booking shoulder spring or fall seasons nets savings, thinner visitor count at sites and flexible rescheduling if plans change.
Budget Reality Checks
Keep expenditures in check by confirming upfront what’s included with fares like guided onshore tours, beverage packages, wi-fi connectivity etc.
Review fine print on extra fees like visa services, air conditioning surcharges or imported alcohol upcharges that hike final totals.
Personality and Pace Priorities
Your preference for lively atmosphere or refined tranquility determines if large festival boats suit you better than intimate, romantic sailboats.
Ensure shore excursion paces work for your mobility and adventure levels. Kids clubs and multilingual guides indicate family friendly ships as well.
What To Expect – My Tips to You
In high season, namely from November to February, the Nile is chocked full of cruise ships.
Sometimes you need to pass through one, two or even three ships to get to board your boat. The staff would be looking at you how you fight to carry your suitcase along the narrow decks. They won’t lift one finger to help you. At least I know they didn’t help us.
All cruise ships on the Nile stop by the same monuments and temples. You’ll always be in a crowd while on solid land.
Some stops occur after dark. Get your tripod with you to take photos of those temples.
The clean towels in your cabin will always take funny animal shapes. That’s they way of the staff to tell you they expect some tips.
The cabins are nice and roomy enough to make the journey quite pleasant. We even had a tiny but functional bath tub in our bathroom.
Even the older ships boast beautiful handrails and wooden fixtures.
Booking a Nile cruise requires balancing destination wishlists with on-board atmospheres. But asking the right questions helps narrow the perfect vessel to drift past ancient wonders upon just like Egyptian royalty.
Explore this mighty river in style!
Before you go, check out my article about the best time to visit Egypt.
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