Nile Cruise Guide

The Nile cruise is a fascinating way to explore the lovely and interesting cities of Luxor and Aswan. Every year, thousands of people sail on the Nile — exploring the waters

Many cruise ships add to the luxury of this experience by offering 5-star hotel facilities to vacationers who want to enjoy the Nile experience. While you can explore Luxor and Aswan via road, the cruise ships help you to avoid the stress associated with road travel. The calmness of the sea, coupled with the fact that you can always return to your lodge on the ship after every adventure, makes the Nile cruise experience worth trying. 

As you cruise the Nile, you'll get to stop at multiple locations, such as Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, and Edfu. Often, your best option for a Nile cruise is from Luxor to Aswan although going vice versa is equally fun. 

One of Egypt's most ancient cities, Luxor, is situated in the country's south. A typical Nile cruise will start at Luxor and then make its way to Aswan. The journey duration varies based on the cruise, but it takes at least four days to enjoy the adventure. However, most extended cruises often last seven days, giving you plenty of time to unwind and take in the surroundings.

Nothing is more fascinating than exploring the ancient temples, towers, monuments, and relics built thousands of years ago that still have intriguing legends and mysteries surrounding them.

Attractions Sites You'll See During a Nile Cruise and Tips to Help You Enjoy the Experience 

A typical Nile cruise takes at least four and as many as 12 days. During those days, you can expect an excursion to Abu Simbel. Places such as Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener’s Island, and the Agha Khan Mausoleum are top places to visit. 

The timeless beauty of the river Nile adds to the charm of the tour as you'll get to see deserts, green areas, and villages as your cruise ship takes you to each location. The local herders, fishermen, and vacationers like you will be a common sight as your cruise takes you around. 

Of course, you don't want to spend most of your vacation observing the intriguing Nile from a ship. So, you'll have the opportunity to leave the ship and walk into these tourist locations.    

On an Egypt Nile cruise, the city of Luxor is a must-see destination. As stated earlier, you can cruise from Luxor to Aswan or vice versa. However, what you should know is that the entire city of Luxor is like a museum. Often called the world's largest open-air museum, it houses a museum that bears its name and the ruins of Karnak. 

As your cruise ship leaves Luxor for Aswan, you can expect to see a Coptic cathedral, especially Saint Michael's Coptic orthodox cathedral. The museums and souks are some best places to visit. But remember, always visit the souks with your guide for the best experience. 

A Guided Tour 

A tour guide or Egyptologist is always part of a cruise experience. Of course, there may be times you want to sit in silence and be enthralled by the art, landscape and culture of the locals, yet there are times you'd appreciate information or interesting facts about the things you see along the way. For example, when you visit the crocodile mummification museum or Edfu temple, seeing may not be sufficient as information about these locations helps you find them more interesting. However, when you feel like enjoying just the view, the ship's sundeck is an ideal place to stare endlessly and relish every beautiful detail of the Nile area and beyond.  

Luxuries of Onboard a Luxury Cruise ship 

What luxuries can you expect onboard a cruise ship? The cruise liners in Egypt luxury tour packages are different. Each has 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star facilities. The type of luxury tour in Egypt you choose will often indicate the level of luxury you'll enjoy. Regardless of the cruise ship, the rooms are commonly well-designed to give you a good view of the Nile. Balconies, bathtubs, and pools are common on most Nile cruise ships. Other amenities may include massage services, a bar section, a sundeck, and fancy restaurants that serve meals and high-quality wines. 

The following are the most significant suggestions and tips that you should definitely take into account if you want to take an Egypt Nile cruise

Get Necessities 

It is wise to ask your tour guide to obtain a local SIM card for you once you arrive in Egypt so you can use it on the ship of your Nile cruise to access the internet whenever you want. This is because some Nile cruises in Egypt do not provide WiFi services. 

You should pack appropriate clothing that will keep you comfortable throughout your trip to Egypt and that best fits the weather when you are there. Keep in mind that Egypt is a Muslim nation and that you should respect its traditions and practices when you are there. Some other important items to bring on a Nile Cruise tour include your bug spray, flashlight, tissues, hand sanitiser, anti-diarrhoea medication, and binoculars. Because most sites occasionally have sand and hills, you should wear good walking shoes. 

To avoid dehydration and to fully enjoy your trips while in Egypt, water is a necessity to have with you. It is strongly advised to drink bottled water rather than tap water because it is unsafe.

Since all tourist attractions accept payments made with credit/debit/cards, it is strongly advised that you only carry a small quantity of cash with you.

Weather

Egypt has a hot climate all year long, so no matter when you decide to travel, you can anticipate wonderful weather

Since this is in the centre of North Africa, the summers can get quite hot, so if you're not acclimated to the oppressive heat and humidity, you might want to consider winter travel. Egypt's winters are seldom chilly, at least during the day, and from November to March, average temperatures hover around 20 degrees Celsius. However, the nights can be chilly, particularly if you go through the desert. Egypt experiences a busy winter season, with December and January particularly busy because of the European school breaks.

Choosing a Cruise

You must choose how long you want to spend on a Nile cruise, but you should also think about how much you want to spend and how comfortable you want to be. While you cruise from Luxor to Aswan, the most opulent ships will take care of all your travel requirements, and you can spend a fortune and enjoy all the luxuries of a five-star hotel. Alternatively, you may go on a budget-friendly cruise, where everything is paid for separately, and your accommodations are simple and devoid of excitement.

Many ships will also offer a variety of cabin alternatives, and you can pay to upgrade your obstructed view to a full balcony or a magnificent suite from a modest cabin. 

What Your Cruise Services Should Include

Every cruise offers accommodations with full board. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all available to be consumed while travelling; all meals are provided buffet-style, and drinks are made separately. There are plenty of options for international cuisine if you don't want to try Egyptian food. You will sample a number of traditional delicacies on the ship if you choose to consume them while you are travelling.

One benefit of sailing the Nile is that all the included excursions are tourist destinations, so you don't have to worry about that.

Should You Cruise Upstream or Downstream 

There is no straightforward response to the topic of whether you should sail upstream or downstream because it is totally a matter of personal preference.

Yes, a lot of stuff may be more influenced by your schedule than your preferences. The benefit of beginning at Aswan and going downstream is that such cruises normally take one night less, which is helpful if you only have a short time for your trip.

The journey will be a little slower and more leisurely if you start in Luxor and sail upstream, giving you more time on the Nile cruiser to enjoy the Egyptian surroundings. The fact that it is probably the most natural way, as great explorers and ancient navigators also took it, is another benefit of going upstream. The scenery gets more exotic the further south you travel upstream on the Nile.

Your adventure will end in the Nubian plains, with your final stop being the magnificent site of Abu Simbel, located right before the Egyptian border with Sudan. That said, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings undoubtedly rank among Egypt's most spectacular sites, so there is something to be said about leaving Luxor on your final visit