A Quick Review of Nile Cruises in Egypt

Sailing the Nile on a cruise is a must for anybody visiting Egypt; it’s a chance to unwind while learning about the country’s rich history.

Types of Boats.

There are different types of boats, the Dahabiya cruise boats, and the feluccas. The first type groups medium-sized boats powered by solar energy with about 40 cabins, large dining rooms, swimming pools, gyms, and other services. They usually cover the stretch between Luxor and Aswan for the duration of 3 or 4 days, but there are also longer cruises (6 or 7 days) that also reach Abu Simbel. The Dahabiyas are smaller wooden sailboats, they have 10 cabins, while the feluccas are very small sailboats without cabins.

 

How to book a trip on one of the cruise ferries on the Nile

Because there are more than 300 cruise ships that leave from many different ports, guests can choose from many different options. Before booking a Nile cruise, it’s a good idea to check out the ship’s amenities, the services it offers, the trip’s schedule, and, of course, what other people have said about it. This information should be on the site of the cruise company. If you follow this advice while on a cruise down the Nile, you’ll have a much better time.

Also, you should think about the following things, which are among the most important to think about:

• The day the cruise leaves port and starts its trip across the Nile.
• The space of each room, and the food on the cruise.
• User reviews on a variety of travel review sites like TripAdvisor may provide valuable insight into how other consumers feel about a product.

 

Ideas on the prospect of Nile cruises

Most Nile cruises include full-board service, which includes not just meals but also drinks like tea and coffee. Only a small handful of ships provide comprehensive itineraries, and those ships are few (meals, water, drinks, coffee, tea, local alcohol, etc).

Nile Cruise Programs

Egypt Nile cruises offer classic programs that can generally be summarized in 3 itineraries:

1- A Classic Cruise trip in 8 days / 7 nights starting and returning to Luxor or Aswan.

2- A Classic Cruise trip in 5 days / 4 nights cruise from Luxor or Aswan. See a typical program:

• Day 1: Meet and assist at Luxor airport or train station, transfer and board the Nile cruise before lunch, then visit and ride to the East Bank (Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple). – Overnight in Luxor.
• Day 2: West Bank Tour – Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut Temple. Overnight in Edfu.
• Day 3: Visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the Temple of Sobek and Heroes in Kom Ombo. Overnight in Aswan.
• Day 4: Visit the High Dam, the Temple of Philae, and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan. Overnight in Aswan.
• Day 5: disembarkation after breakfast. Optional visits for those on board an afternoon flight. Transfer to Aswan airport or train station.

2- A Classic Cruise trip in 4 days / 3 nights cruise from Aswan or Luxor. See a typical program:

• Day 1: Meet and assist at Aswan Airport or Railway Station, transfer and embark on the Nile Cruise before lunch: visits to the Great Dam, Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan. – Overnight in Aswan.
• Day 2: Tour to the Temple of Sobek and Haeroris in Kom Ombo. – Overnight in Edfu.
• Day 3: Visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, the eastern shore (Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple). – Overnight in Luxor.
• Day 4: West Bank Tour – Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut Temple. Then transfer to Luxor airport or train station.

Lately, new 14-day cruises are being organized that depart and return to Cairo, which allows you to discover the whole of Egypt in a single itinerary.

“Egypt Accessible Travel” offers some of the best Nile cruises available in both quality of service and cost:

• Luxury Cruises like Sonesta St. George I & Sonesta Moon Goddess
• Deluxe Nile Cruises MS Nile Goddess, Movenpick Royal Lily, and Movenpick Royal Lotus
• Standard 5-star cruises such as Steigenberger Minerva.

 

When to take a Nile cruise trip?

The peak season is from November to February when temperatures are often lower than in the prior shoulder season (June to August), typically higher. It’s best to go in the morning when it’s cooler and spend the rest of the day doing things ashore, like shopping and seeing the felucca. There will be more time for fun activities.

 

How to reach the Cruise?

From Luxor:

You can reach Luxor in various ways:

• From Cairo by train or internal flight.
• From Hurghada, by bus or by car.
• Flights also depart from Sharm El Sheikh.

From Aswan:

You can reach Aswan in various ways:

• From Cairo by train or internal flight.
• By bus from Hurghada.

Schedules

Usually, the check-in time is 11:00 in the morning, before lunch. So, those who arrive early in the morning can start their tours directly after arriving from the airport or train station, before it gets too hot.

The check-out time is 8:00 in the morning. If the return flight or train is in the afternoon, it is still possible to use the cruise facilities, but not the cabin or the restaurant, and you can also leave your luggage and do a few more laps.

Recommended clothing

During the day, it is preferable to wear light clothing due to the hot summer weather. It is advisable to wear opaque, not tight, but soft and comfortable clothing.
Beach costumes are allowed on the Nile cruise. You can have breakfast and lunch in the same clothing, but it is recommended that you dress elegantly for dinner.

Entertainment on Cruises

On many cruises, a cocktail party is organized on the first day. During this event, complimentary drinks are served, and each manager introduces their crew to guests on board. Another event often organized is the festival in Galabia (traditional tunic), usually run by tour guides. To participate in the party, you will need to have a Galabia. You can buy one (which costs around $ 10-15) and rent one from an onboard bazaar shop. Another type of entertainment is the Nubian show presented by Nubian dancers and singers dressed in their traditional costumes. Last night’s show consists of many performances, including a belly dance show and a show of Nubian jugglers, singers, and groups.

 

If you are ready to book, it is best to check the prices and special offers of the Nile cruises.

Have a nice trip with us!