cruise ships on the nile

The 15 Best Nile Cruises in Egypt: Luxury Sailing from Luxor to Aswan

If you’re planning a trip to visit Egypt , of course, you’ll have to visit the Nile River! It’s the longest river in the world, spanning 11 different countries, and is incredibly important to Egyptians for both sustenance and transportation. And the best way to see the Nile is from aboard a luxury cruise sailing between the ancient cities of Luxor and Aswan.

But finding the best cruise to fit your travel plans can be difficult. They travel on specific weekly schedules and have a set itinerary – usually 3, 4, or 7 nights. Information and reviews on Booking.com are limited and since most cruises are fairly pricey, it’s important to understand what you’ll be getting for your money.

So we’ve compiled a list of the top 9 Nile River cruises to make planning your vacation in Egypt a breeze. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

The Best Luxury Nile Cruises in Egypt

1. alexander the great nile cruise.

The Alexander the Great Cruise is a gorgeous cruise ship offering a 4-night Nile River cruise that departs every Monday from Luxor, and a 3-night Nile cruise that departs every Friday from Aswan. This Nile cruise even offers a free airport shuttle service!

Everyone on staff is incredibly helpful and attentive. If you’d like to pamper yourself during your Nile cruise you can take advantage of the spa services, including a hot spring bath and various massage treatments. And meals are fabulous, with both traditional and international cuisine options. And you’ll love the various evening entertainment that is fun for the whole family!

This luxury Nile cruise ship has an outdoor pool surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs for spending warm days relaxing in the sun. Rooms are spacious, clean, and well-appointed with a tv, premium bedding, a private bathroom, and a mini-bar. It’s definitely worth upgrading to a room with a balcony so you can enjoy the views from the privacy of your own room.

Guests especially love the guided tours along the banks of the Nile River. They will take you to the sites and explain the history in a way that is interesting and easy to digest.

Check Prices on Hotels.com

2. Sonesta Star Goddess Cruises

The Sonesta Star Goddess Cruise is an ultra-luxurious cruise sailing the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan for 4 or 7 nights leaving each Monday. The ship features plenty of activities for guests onboard, including a swimming pool, fitness center, and a spa with a hot tub and sauna. And with 24-hour room service, you’ll have every amenity available during your cruise.

Bedroom suites are large and comfortable with nice bedding, satellite televisions, bathtubs, and large windows to keep them bright and airy. You can enjoy a glass of wine at sunset on your private balcony overlooking the banks of the Nile.

You’ll love to indulge in a massage, body wrap, or a pedicure during your cruise. There’s nothing quite like relaxing in a spa while gazing out over the Nile!

Take advantage of the onboard shopping to pick up a few Egyptian gifts for your friends back home. The ship has a main dining area, a sun deck, and a lounge with a dance floor for the evening entertainment. They can also arrange your daily tours of the various sites along the Nile.

3. M/S Esplanade Cruise

The M/S Esplanade Cruise is a chic, lavish ship offering 4 or 7-night Nile River cruises each Monday from Luxor, and 3 or 7-night Nile cruises from Aswan each Friday.

The most impressive feature of this Nile River cruise in Egypt is the beautiful outdoor pool which is surrounded by comfortable loungers and day beds. It looks so pristine and inviting and is the perfect place to cool off after a long, hot morning exploring the Egyptian ruins.

The spacious rooms have air conditioning, a flat-screen television set, coffee and tea-making facilities, a desk, a hairdryer, and many amenities you may need during your cruise. Your stay on this luxurious cruise ship also includes 2 bars, a sauna, and a rooftop terrace.

All of the public seating areas are decorated with a creative flair and are a great place to hang out and meet new friends from all over the world!

4. Mövenpick Royal Lily Cruise

The Mövenpick Royal Lily Cruise offers either a 4-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, or you can choose to make the trip a 7-day round trip affair! Of course the more nights you can spend on this luxury Nile River cruise line, the better!

The deluxe cabins are about 22 square meters and have two twin beds, large windows and bright, cheery decor. Of course, your room will also be appointed with air conditioning, a flat-screen television set, a minibar, and other amenities you’ll need during your stay. A telephone enabled with international calling is also available in your room.

You’ll appreciate the beautiful outdoor swimming pool, the spacious sun deck, the fitness center, and the sauna and spa facilities. The food is divine and you’ll be treated like royalty by the lovely staff at the Mövenpick. They’ll make your Nile cruise unforgettable!

Check Prices on Booking.com

5. Sonesta Moon Goddess

The Sonesta Moon Goddess Cruise sets sail each Saturday for 3 or 7 nights from Luxor to Aswan. This modern, luxury cruise ship will be your home away from home as you sail down the Nile River, enjoying the sites and sounds from the comfort of your private room.

The cruise ship is outfitted with a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool, a large sun terrace, a fitness center, a relaxing spa, and a bar serving up refreshing cocktails. Enjoy a massage, a facial, or a body scrub while you sip champagne and cruise down the Nile.

The food is delicious and super fresh. The helpful staff can help you in arranging a transfer to and from the airport, as well as any local excursions.

Rooms are simple and classic with comfortable beds, large private bathrooms, plenty of amenities, and private patios. Free toiletries, a tv, a minibar, a private bathroom, and turndown service are just a few of the amenities that you can enjoy. You’ll want to wake up early to catch the sunrise from the comfort of your own room!

6. Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise

The 5-star Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise offers 4-night and 6-night cruises down the Nile between Aswan and Luxor. The friendly staff at the ship tour desk can assist in booking your airport transfer, any daily excursions, and anything else you may need during your stay onboard.

During your Nile cruise, you can take advantage of the fitness center, the terrace with beautiful views of the banks of the Nile, and the lovely spa services which include Thai massage, facials, and body scrubs.

The large rooms have modern decor and come outfitted with a television set, a minibar (stocked with some free items!), coffee-making facilities, a bidet, bathrobes, and a desk. The beds are so comfortable that you won’t want to get up in the morning!

Be sure to book your stay on the Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise well in advance because this one books up fast!

7. MS Chateau Lafayette Nile Cruise

The MS Chateau Lafayette Nile Cruise departs from Luxor every Monday for four nights and from Aswan each Friday for three nights. The staff is exceptional and provides you with a 24-hour help desk and room service. 

The cruise also offers multiple packages to make your cruise experience exceptional. The cruise offers Sightseeing, Happiness, Felucca Breakfast, and Honeymoon/Anniversary packages.

The Sightseeing Package includes transfers to sights, such as the High Dam, Karnak Temple, Valley of Kings, Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, and the Luxor Temple in an air-conditioned bus and includes the entrance fee.  

The cruise provides different spacious room types, including standard twin rooms and deluxe king suites. The rooms are nicely furnished and clean, and each morning, you’ll be able to enjoy the yummy breakfast buffet. The cruise is also outfitted with a fitness center, sauna, swimming pool, bar, and restaurant that you can enjoy during your cruise time.

8. Nile Goddess Cruise

The Nile Goddess Cruise offers 4 or 7-night Nile cruises beginning every Monday between Luxor and Aswan. This beautiful ship has classic decor with dark wooden furniture and traditional touches throughout. You’ll forget that you’re on a ship cruising down the Nile River and not in a 5-star resort!

The Nile Goddess features a rooftop pool with plenty of room for lounging in the sun. Also a fitness center, a peaceful spa with a sauna, and even a nightclub. The lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail at the end of the day, and you’ll love the delicious dishes served for onboard breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The air-conditioned rooms have simple but comfortable decor, a minibar, and a satellite television set. Upgrade to a suite to enjoy a separate seating area and a private balcony.

9. Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise

The Oberoi Zahra offers luxury 5 or 7-day Nile cruises departing from either Luxor or Aswan. You’ll want to check the sailing calendar on their website for specific dates of embarkation. The service that you’ll receive onboard is absolutely impeccable from the moment that you’re greeted until the time that you leave. Take advantage of the free airport shuttle!

The daily excursions are both fun and informational. And you’ll appreciate that they try to time your arrival to avoid the crowds.

The ship has a large and refreshing outdoor pool and a spa where you can indulge in a relaxing spa. You’ll love the evening entertainment after enjoying a delectable meal in the onboard restaurant. Rooms are well-appointed with a minibar, an electric kettle, a large bathroom, and bathrobes. If you want to really treat yourself, opt for a suite with a private deck and hot tub!

10. Nile Carnival Cruise

The Nile Carnival Cruise departs from Luxor every Thursday and from Aswan every Monday. The staff is super friendly and accommodating, and the rooms are clean and spacious, with nice views of the river. 

The Nile Carnival Cruise features a restaurant and a bar, packed lunches, snack bar, and it offers both a continental and buffet breakfast. The rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, and air-conditioning, and there are room, laundry, and ironing services available.

You’ll also be able to relax during your time on board as the cruise has a spa and wellness center that offers massages, beauty services, manicures, and hair treatments. Once you’re done getting pampered, you can enjoy the rooftop swimming pool, hot tub, sun terrace, and game room!

11. Jaz Crown Prince Nile Cruise

The Jaz Crown Prince Nile Cruise departs from Luxor every Saturday for 4-7 nights and every Wednesday from Aswan for three nights. The cruise has an outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace so you can relax and admire the river views from the deck.

The rooms include standard twin and single cabins with air conditioning, a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, and a mini-bar. The cruise also offers an optional Sightseeing Package for an additional price that includes a visit to the Karnak and Luxor Temples, Valley of the Kings, the Botanical Garden, and the Abu Simbel Temple, among other sites.

Each morning you can enjoy the breakfast buffet, and every evening, you’ll love having tea time on the sun deck. After dinner at one of the restaurants, you can attend one of the shows or parties, including a belly dance show, a Nubian show, a cocktail party, or the Galabya party, depending on the itinerary. 

12. M/S Esmeralda Nile Cruise

The M/S Esmeralda Nile Cruise departs from Luxor each Monday for 4-7 nights, and it departs each Friday from Aswan. The cruise features a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, spa, gym, and sun deck. In the evenings, you can attend one of the shows, including belly dancing, Tanoura, and Oriental and Heritage music entertainment.

The rooms on the M/S Esmeralda Nile Cruise include twin cabins, king-sized beds, and presidential suites equipped with an LED TV, a mini bar, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a safety box. Plus, you can even enjoy a private jacuzzi in the presidential suites!

The Garnet restaurant offers a great breakfast buffet with a good selection, and in the evenings, you can enjoy some delicious International dishes, including Chinese, Italian, Oriental Egyptian, and more. The restaurant is beautiful, and you’ll be able to enjoy your meals with a view of the Nile. 

The cruise’s itinerary will take you to the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut on the West Bank, the Edfu and Kom Ombo temples, the High Dam, the Temple of Philae, and the unfinished Obelisk.

13. Movenpick SS Misr Steamer Nile Cruise

The Movenpick SS Misr Steamer Nile Cruise departs on Mondays from Luxor for 4-7 nights and from Aswan on Fridays for three nights. You’ll immediately enjoy the old-time decor throughout the cruise ship as it was built in 1918 by the British Royal Navy. It was turned into a luxury steamer for King Farouk.

The Movenpick SS Misr Steamer offers four cabin options, including the standard, superior, senior suite, and panorama suite. No matter which cabin you choose for your Nile cruise adventure, you’ll enjoy large and panoramic balconies, air-conditioning, and a private bathroom. Other amenities include a TV, a minibar, and a safety deposit box.

You can also savor great quality drinks and cocktails at the Dhabiyyat Bar, and the Marasem Restaurant offers gourmet dishes, so you’ll feel like royalty! After you’re done exploring, you can relax on the large sun deck while sipping your favorite drink next to the swimming pool. 

Check prices on Booking.com

14. Movenpick MS Sunray Nile Cruise

The Movenpick MS Sunray Nile Cruise departs from Luxor each Thursday for 4-7 nights, and it departs from Aswan each Monday for three nights. The cruise features elegant and traditional designs, and it is equipped with a swimming pool, a sundeck with a recreational area, and reading and playroom.

You can choose between the standard, superior, and junior or senior suites with panoramic windows for you to see the Nile. All cabins have air-conditioning, a private bathroom with a bathtub and hairdryer, a TV, a minibar, and a safety deposit box. 

You can enjoy your international meals and breakfast buffet at the main restaurants, and the lounge bar offers afternoon tea and cocktails. You can also enjoy snacks and drinks on the sun deck while you take in all the monument views as you cruise down the Nile. 

15. Steigenberger Legacy Nile Cruise

The Steigenberger Legacy Nile Cruise departs from Luxor on Mondays for 4-7 nights and from Aswan every Friday for three nights. You’ll love the luxurious and modern decor across the cabins and the cruise boat!

The surprisingly stylish rooms are equipped with controllable air-conditioning, a minibar, a safe, a private bathroom, and a balcony with sliding doors that open up to the main and upper decks.

Explore the ship, and you’ll find a restaurant, bar, and lounge, where you can enjoy meals and drinks. The restaurant also offers options for vegetarians, and the staff is very friendly and kind. 

When you’re not taking in the Nile views, you can soak up the sun on the sun deck, splash around in the pool, and sip poolside drinks at the bar. There’s also a souvenir shop, a fitness center, and a beauty salon onboard, so you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay!

We hope you have a wonderful cruise down the Nile River!

Want more help planning your trip to Egypt? Check out our favorite travel guides!

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About the Author:

Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag. Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her! These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

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2 thoughts on “the 15 best nile cruises in egypt: luxury sailing from luxor to aswan”.

Many thanks for great information!

Based on the review here, we booked on the Sonesta Moon Goddess March, 2023. We were disappointed. The rooms were indeed classic and comfortable. The carpets in the hall were old and stained. The HVAC systems in the room did not work properly despite engineering’s best efforts. Hot water was often hard to come by. The most disappointing element was the food. This was served buffet style, and almost never maintained hot. It was as if I had returned to my high school cafeteria. The staff were attentive and tried to please.

The review above does not reflect on the current state of affairs.

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• Egypt Travel Guide
• Nile Cruise Travel Guide

Best Nile Cruise Ships Sailing Between Luxor & Aswan

You may have heard that having a  Nile River Cruise  is a typical experience that you can have in Egypt and many questions may come to your mind when it comes to planning a Nile Cruise tour. The first and the main question is how can you choose a good Nile Cruise and is it really safe to board a Nile Cruise in the middle of  the Nile ? And lots of other questions and through our article, we will introduce the most highlighted issues about the best Nile cruise ships and answer as many questions as we can regarding such a wonderful tour.

First of all, you should know that there are two major classifications for Nile cruises in Egypt based on the type of services and amenities you can find on board, and based on this, here are the  two types of Nile Cruises  that you can choose your Nile Cruise from:

5* High Luxury Nile Cruise Ships

Luxury Nile Cruises are the version of high luxury hotels in Egypt but in a floating shape. If you are looking for the most comfortable accommodation, the greatest notable services, amenities, and facilities, if you are looking for a luxury tour full of passion and excitement, then board one of our 5*high luxury Nile Cruise will definitely fill your satisfaction and make you get back home with a memorable experience and a lifetime adventure. There are some 5* high luxury Nile cruises in Egypt that will allow you to live like a real Pharaoh or a gorgeous queen in the land of miracles as you will receive the most fabulous services ever.

5* Deluxe Nile Cruise Ships

There are many  5* deluxe Nile cruises  in Egypt that you will enjoy the most while getting on the board of any of them and have some wonderful time while making use of their interesting facilities for travelers on their board. It is very important for you to notice that there are many 5* deluxe Nile cruises that aren’t recommended because they have old furniture and the food served there isn’t of high quality as other cruises. That is why you need to make sure that you are booking your Nile cruise tour with a trusted travel agency to get the most incredible adventure you have always wanted.

We always make sure that we choose the best Nile cruises especially those which were recently renovated to offer an amazing experience that can’t be forgotten and we keep update the list of our 5* Nile cruises based on our guests’ reviews and feedback so we keep working with specific ones, add more to our list, and omit some others from our list if they have any negative feedback.

Top Deluxe & High Luxury Nile Cruise Ships

Here is a list of the most recommended 5* deluxe & 5* high luxury Nile cruises based on their classification in Egypt:

The Best 5* High Luxury Nile Cruise Ships

1. mayfair ship, 2. oberoi zahra ship, 3. oberoi philae ship, 4. movenpick royal lily ship, 5. farah ship, 6. acamar ship, 7. sonesta moon goddess ship, 8. tulip ship, 9. sanctuary sun boat iii ship.

The charming  Sanctuary Sun Boat III Nile cruise  has been classified among the top 5* high luxury cruise in Egypt with its fabulous Spa, gym, lounges, outside dining, and other luxury features. There are 36spacious cabins on its board and 3 spacious suites.

The Best 5* Deluxe Nile Cruise Ships

1. crown jewel ship, 2. crown prince nile cruise, 3. nile style ship, 4. moon dance ship, 5. concerto ship, 6. steigenberger regency ship, 7. steigenberger minerva ship, 8. steigenberger legacy ship, 9. nile premium ship, 10. sonesta nile goddess ship, 11. crown jubilee ship.

In order to get on the board of  MS Crown Jubilee Nile cruise , you need to check-in either on Thursday from Luxor for the 4 or 7 nights tour or on Monday from Aswan for the 3 nights tour. On the board of such a deluxe Nile cruise, you will find an amazing restaurant that serves the best oriental & international cuisine in Egypt. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, an amazing bar, truly interesting cabins with a TV screen with satellite channels and of course a private bathroom. There is a sun terrace on the board of Ms. Crown Jubilee to enjoy the terrific beauty of the view all around you.

Best Egypt Nile River Cruises

There are tens of other interesting  Nile River Cruises  through which you will have the chance to enjoy the most magnificent sightseeing in both  Luxor  and  Aswan  and we are always available for you so that you send us your request and it is going to be our responsibility to provide you with the most unforgettable  and the safest tour in your life. Just contact us “ Trips in Egypt ” and let us achieve your dreams.

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Share Your Comment

What should i wear while being in egypt.

You should wear whatever you want. It is advised to wear something light from cotton or linen, comfortable and put on sunblock during your time in Egypt in the summer and wear comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the sandy terrain.

What to Pack for Your Egypt Tour?

You should bring a brimmed hat and sunglasses if you not used to the Egyptian sun &pack everything you could ever need and put in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.

Are All Nile Cruises Available at Any Time?

Yes, it is available all years. as the Nile from Aswan to Luxor takes three to four days of sailing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the total cost of 600$ and the Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan take four to five days in Saturday, Monday and Thursday for the coast of 650$.

Why book Trips in Egypt?

We have experience in vacation planning for more than 10 years & our staff consists of the most professional operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort create the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time advisors to fit your every possible need during your time in egypt. we always keep in mind that your safety & comfort are our main priority until you return home.

Is it safe to travel to Egypt?

Yes, it is absolutely safe to travel to egypt, You will feel secure in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is very peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt and construct an entire environment dedicated for ensuring the lives of all tourists.

What are Egypt's Visa Requirements?

They are very simples, If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries(check the link), have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD entry fee in cash. As for the E-Visa for 30 days, you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could be one of the countries eligible for a free visa for 90 days.

What is the Weather is Like?

The temperature of Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c, Summer in Egypt is somehow hot and winter is cool and mild but sometimes it becomes cold at night. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 ¡ÆC in the wintertime to 23 ¡ÆC in the summertime and average high temperatures vary from 17 ¡ÆC in the wintertime to 32 ¡ÆC in the summertime while the temperature is moderate all along the coasts.

What is the Best Time of Visit Egypt?

It is known the best time to travel to Egypt is in the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a bit tropical, a warm atmosphere with a winter breeze. You will also be notified a week before your trip if the weather is unsafe or if any changes have been made.

Should I Give Tips in Egypt?

It is totally up to you, but if you choose to you can tip the servers at your restaurant 5-10% by handing it to them directly and 5 Egyptian Pounds as a general tip of anyone.

Can I Enter the Pyramids?

Yes, you can enter the pyramids for the small fee of 20$.

How to Enjoy Egypt During Ramadan?

Ramadan is a special time of year for Muslims that should be celebrated by non-Muslims and feel the essence of the Islamic culture. You can fast with the Muslim or just observe but you are always welcome to join the celebrations and festivals.

Company Core Values

About Trips In Egypt

Trips In Egypt was founded in 2002 when it launched, since then the company specialized in providing trips in Egypt only which includes tour packages, vacations, Nile cruises, day trips, shore excursions, and any kind of trips in Egypt.

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Nile River Cruises

Find the right river cruise for you on the Nile departing in 2024/2025. Trips are most popular in May, with the most river cruise departures on this route then.

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250+ nile river cruises with 7,178 reviews.

• In-depth Cultural
• River Cruise
• Christmas & New Year

11-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel, Dendarah, Abydos & Alexandria

Heartfelt thanks for your exceptional guidance throughout our 11-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel, Dendarah, Abydos & Alexandria tour. Your expertise and passion made every moment memorable. Your dedication, Mansoor, ensured an unforgettable journey. We deeply appreciate your efforts.

Nile Jewel - 5* Cruise

We just finished 9 days on the Nile Jewel tour. The whole tour is well organised. We were met by a tour operator at the airport. Our tour guide for the trip Ramez was full of great knowledge and he was fun and friendly. Our group was small with just 10 people. We felt safe the whole time with Ramez and he kept us up to date with the itinerary. We packed alot in and there were a lot of early starts. The hotels were 3 star and they were clean & comfortable. The best accommodation we had was on the Nile Cruise ship. The food is buffet style in the hotels and on the boat, it is quite similar. There are also stops at different stores as well. We had a great trip and a good experience of Egypt.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

4 Days 3 nights 5 stars Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor

It was great to experience the Egyptian ruins and the Nile cruise...the tour guide did a good job as well. Thank you

Pharaohs Nile Cruise Adventure - Return Intra-Flights Included

We joined the tour as three people, my friend and my sister. We were welcomed as soon as we landed in Egypt in the middle of the night. Ahmed welcomed us at our hotel and helped us with early check-in. A smooth transfer was made by plane to Luxor. Our guide Ahmed Saladino welcomed us in Luxor. We spent 5 days with our guide Saladino. It went perfectly for us. Saladino was very knowledgeable and helpful in every aspect. Our balloon tour money, which was canceled due to wind, was refunded without any problems. Our group was quite harmonious. Many thanks to our guide Saladino, who did his best for us, and to tourradar and beyond the nile for the smooth organization. As soon as we were picked up from the airport, we were sent off from the airport with a warm farewell. The points I will criticize are; The ship is tired of years and unfortunately full of old materials. Even though the staff is devoted, this ship should definitely be better.

Nile Adventure - Felucca cruise

Prachtige, vrij intensieve rondreis door Egypte. Heel veel gezien in korte tijdspanne, wat wel resulteert in korte nachten. Maar genoten van elk moment. Mochten we het opnieuw doen, dan zouden we wel wat extra rustdagen bijboeken. Een avontuur met een supertoffe groep!!! Dankjewel @ Mina , onze gids. We hadden getwijfeld om de reis te annuleren omwille van de toestanden in Israël.... maar hebben hier helemaal niks van ondervonden. We hebben ons geen moment onveilig gevoeld. Als vrouw kan je ook gerust in topje en short rondlopen, geen probleem.

• Coach / Bus

Felucca Odyssey (5 & 4 Star Hotels)

The tour guide/ Egyptologist Mo is very knowledgeable and thoughtful throughout the tour. He ensures everything goes smoothly. Highly experienced and professional. Mo went above and beyond to ensure us beat the crowds when visiting places and so much more. Couldn’t not thank him enough for this once a life time experience! Wonderful human. :) Thank you Mo! :) Sophie

• €150 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

9 Days Nile Jewel (Cairo, Cruise, Hurghada) Superior hotels

The places we stayed were nice, with comfy beds and quiet rooms. If you're traveling with a student, bringing their student card can get you half-price entrance fees – a handy tip. The rides were clean, and we felt safe with the drivers. The only tough part was getting up early often. Also, for the flight to Aswan, going at 9 instead of 6 would have been better. The guides were great and made the trip enjoyable.

Egypt Nile Jewel

Excellent organisation including the Egyptian team Thanks everyone

Holiday In Egypt 4 Days – 3 Nights Nile Cruise From Cairo by Flight

This was without a doubt an absolutely perfect experience. The guide Anas could not have been more gracious, informative and knowledgeable. All of the stops were stunning and the pleasant shoreline views along the way made the whole experience exciting and charming. The meals were fantastic and everyone aboard was there to help. The day tours were exactly as described and some surprisingly fun activities on the boat only enhanced the experience. I highly recommend taking this cruise package.

Egypt Adventure

The Intrepid tour and our guide was excellent! However, I booked my tour through TourRadar, and TourRadar was a disaster from beginning to end, with very slow responses to any questions. I received my voucher only one week before departure, and they did not pass over the information to Intrepid about my late arrival on the opening day. Originally, I was booked via TourRadar on a different tour with a different company, but this was cancelled by TourRadar only 6 weeks before departure and long after confirmation was given and I had booked my flight tickets. So it was pure luck that Intrepid had a tour on the same dates.

Best of Egypt

This tour exceeded my expectations. The arcahealolgical sites, tombs and temples from 1000s of years ago are just jaw dropping. And then there were the pyramids. Egypt is a very safe country with lovely people. This tour has a good itinerary filled with activities and our CEO/tour guide Said was just extraordinary. Accomodation and transport were very good too. Highly recommend this for anyone planning to see Egypt.

Egypt Nile Adventure

The route was well planned and if we had tried to plan it ourselves without a tour guide, we wouldn't have been able to do half of it. The tour guide, George Tamer, was very helpful and friendly throughout the whole tour, giving loads of information regarding the highlights of the Egyptian sites and history. We were lucky that we got into a small group of 5 people and therefore we were able to move around using a smaller bus.

Cairo and Nile Cruise Tours - Included Internal Flights

Fabulous trip. There were many early starts, but that is to be expected when there is so much to see and do. The guides were fantastic and we were kept informed at all times as to what to expect and times etc. Would highly recommend this tour

• €110 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Splendours of Egypt (Classic, Summer, 12 Days)

Thank you, Insight Vacations, for making our dream come true! We have had a fantastic experience in Egypt since 26.2.2018 to 09.03.2018 and really appreciate true dedication and top level of professionalism demonstrated by our Tour Director Mohammed Abd Allah, our guide Ramaddan and coordinator Rafaat. Those people were always there to deal efficiently with any request or wish we had and answer any question. We can highly recommend them as well as the company in general as the best facilitators of international travel ever. They provided us with a safe and reliable way to get introduced to the wonders of Egypt as well as it's friendly and hospitable people.

King Ramses - 13 days

What an experience! One I will truly treasure and never forget. I was a bit worried about what Egypt would be like but it was better than I expected. On the go and Mo Mo organize everything, so you don’t have to worry about accommodation or missing out on any of the sites. We saw so many sites from ancient times that were mind blowing. All the accommodation we stayed at were 4-5 star hotels. We did do the sleeper train which was an experience, but really not bad. The Nile Cruise was beautiful and very relaxing. Abu Simbel and the pyramids was definitely a highlight of mine. We also were taken to local stores where we could buy jewelry, perfume and alabaster. The Red Sea was spectacular, a perfect way to end the tour by the beach. The resort that we stayed at was so nice. MoMo was full of knowledge about all the sites we visited and explained things well. Egypt is full of beautiful and happy people and some of the most beautiful sites! I’m so happy I booked this tour.

Reviews of Nile Cruises

Nach langer Recherche habe ich unter dem Dach von TourRadar dieses Angebot von Vacations to go travel entdeckt, daß alles beinhaltete, was wir auch sehen wollten. Unsere Reise fand ab dem 18. März 2024 statt, im Ramadan, was aber eigentlich kein Problem ist. Touristen wird Essen und Trinken tagsüber nachgesehen. In Kairo empfing uns der sehr sympathische und humorvolle Michael herzlich, brachte uns schnell durch die Einreiseformalitäten, half beim Gepäck und sogar beim Erwerb einer SIM-Karte. Im Hotel organisierte er den Check-in und entließ uns in den Luxus vom Steigenberger El Tahrir (klasse Unterkunft, super Verpflegung und Service!). Pünktlich am nächsten Morgen stellte er uns unseren deutschsprachigen Führer für Kairo Sameh vor. Sameh ist warmherzig, persönlich, sehr versiert und mit Herz dabei. Auf unsere Wünsche ist er immer eingegangen. Er beantwortete alle unsere Fragen, zeigte und erklärte uns auch Sachen, die eher Insiderwissen sind. Aber auch über das zeitgenössische Ägypten haben wir viel erfahren. Wir haben ihn gleich in unser Herz geschlossen. Dann ging es per Flug nach Assuan, wieder gut betreut durch Michael. In Assuan wurden wir freundlich in Empfang genommen. Am nächsten Morgen empfing uns unser Führer für Oberägypten Hani. Hani ist ebenfalls deutschsprachig, herzlich, sehr versiert und mit sehr viel Engagement dabei. Auch er berücksichtigte unsere Wünsche; wie in Kairo wurden unsere Fragen beantwortet, wir erfuhren Insiderwissen und auch das moderne Ägypten kam nicht zu kurz – inklusive einem Basarbesuch mit Tee und Wasserpfeife nach Feierabend! Als mein Mann an Bord des Schiffes (Steigenberger Legacy; ebenfalls klasse Unterkunft, super Verpflegung und Service) dann mit Fieber zusammenbrach, kümmerte er sich sehr um uns; mit dem kompetenten Arzt an Bord sorgte er dafür, daß er am nächsten Tag sogar die weiteren Touren mitmachen konnte. Von Luxor dann ging es zurück nach Kairo, wo uns wieder Michael umfassend betreute. Am nächsten Tag übernahm wieder Sameh exzellent die Führung. Wir hatten mit Vacations to go travel die eigentlich im Reiseplan stehende Tour nach Alexandria in einen Tag in Kairo getauscht. Hier hatte Sameh dann als Überraschung eine Tour über einen Basar mit Lebensmitteln und anderem eingeplant, den eigentlich nur Einheimische besuchen und die sich gelohnt hat. Mit unseren Führern haben wir wirklich Glück gehabt; kompetent, sehr sympathisch und engagiert dabei. Empfehlenswert! Dendarah und Abydos sind wunderbar und absolut empfehlenswert, die lange Fahrt lohnt sich wirklich! Hinzugebucht hatten wir die Derwisch-Tanzveranstaltung Tanoura in Kairo und Abu Simbel, beides sehr empfehlenswert. Die Fahrer waren alle sehr freundlich und professionell und haben uns sicher durch den chaotischen Verkehr und die teilweise schwierigen Straßen gefahren. Ägypten hat uns wirklich begeistert! Die Leute sind freundlich und wir fühlten uns nirgendwo unsicher. Die pharaonische Kultur ist überwältigend! Die Reise können wir wirklich weiterempfehlen! Marianne

A variety of experiences both day and night, cruise up the Nile was great, gravity resort was superb, pyramids awesome, lots of temples

What a Great experience! The staff is so very friendly and our Guide Wael was very enthusiastic, friendly and knew a lot of fun facts and interesting stuff about everything! We absolutely recommend this trip.

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Popular Cruise Ships

• River Tosca from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
• S.S. Sphinx from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
• MS Farah from Avalon Waterways
• AmaDahlia from AmaWaterways
• AmaLilia from AmaWaterways
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• Viking Aton from Viking Cruises

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International Versions

• Deutsch: Nilkreuzfahrten
• Français: Croisières fluviales Nil
• Español: Cruceros fluviales por el Nilo
• Nederlands: Riviercruises op de Nijl

Here’s what it’s like to take a Nile cruise in 2022

Oct 16, 2022 • 7 min read

Plan your trip of a lifetime in Egypt with this guide to cruising on the Nile © Lauren Keith / Lonely Planet

Egypt is nothing short of a miracle. Though the forbidding Sahara encroaches from every direction, the Nile River splashes a verdant green ribbon through the country, sometimes managing to push the desert sands only a few hundred feet back from the riverbank.

One of the world’s longest and most legendary rivers, the Nile travels more than 6500km (4100 miles) through five countries, but it’s most closely connected with Egypt. And indeed, so much of Egyptian history has unfolded along the Nile that nearly all of the country’s major cities and ancient tombs and temples are located along this lush life-giving artery.

The ancient Egyptians used the river as a highway, dispatching trade and military expeditions and toting statues of their gods between temples. The 5th century BCE Greek historian Herodotus famously called Egypt the “gift of the Nile,” and even now, millennia later, cruising the Nile is still the best way for travelers to see Egypt’s gifts for themselves.

Ready to embark on the trip of a lifetime? Here’s what you need to know about picking the best Nile river cruises.

Why are so many travelers talking about Egypt in 2022?

Nowhere else in the world is the past so intertwined with the present than in Egypt, and 2022 promises to be a blockbuster time to experience them both.

Lonely Planet named Egypt one of the top 10 countries to visit this year , and the long-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum is expected to open in November to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun , the famous golden pharaoh and “boy king.”

September marked 200 years since the Rosetta Stone was translated, which revealed the meanings of the hieroglyphs and recaptured knowledge that had been lost for centuries. New archaeological discoveries continue apace in Luxor, Saqqara and elsewhere that keep rewriting history.

Tourism hit a record high in Egypt in 2019 and was expected to grow even more in 2020, but we all know what happened then. Like many places, tourism in Egypt has now entered recovery mode, making the coming months a great – and still relatively quiet – time to visit. 

Some Nile cruise companies continued construction projects that have seen new boats launched on the river, including the August 2022 debut of the Viking Osiris , a brand new 82-passenger vessel built specifically to navigate the Nile.

Why you should take a Nile cruise when you visit Egypt

While cruises might get a bad rap elsewhere in the world, traveling by boat on the Nile is a time-honored tradition that stretches back to the pharaonic era.

Along the riverbanks, life carries on in the way that it has since time immemorial: mudbrick houses poke out from behind the foliage, children wave excitedly at passing ships, a lone man paddles a blue-painted canoe piled high with alfalfa for his hungry livestock, palm trees heavy with golden dates sag as they await the harvest.

In a fast-paced world, opportunities to simply sit back and watch life glide by are few and far between. Sitting outside on the Osiris ’s balcony traveling at the speed of the river, I felt like I was watching a slow travel TV show – at once both an outside spectator and also completely immersed in it.

In ancient times, mastering the river helped rulers unite the country, and most temples are built within easy reach of the water. Sure, Egypt’s modern-day road and rail network can transport you to these temples overland, but if you skip a cruise on the Nile, the magic of the journey will certainly be missing.

How to choose a Nile cruise itinerary

The vast majority of Nile cruises operate in both directions between Luxor and Aswan in southern Egypt, making stops in Edfu, Kom Ombo and sometimes other small towns.

Which Nile cruise you pick depends on the usual two travel constraints: your budget and your time. Certain boats sail only on certain days, and Nile cruises can be as short as three days, but more commonly last five days.

Most luxury cruises on the Nile, including Viking’s Nile cruises, require signing up for a full Egypt-wide itinerary that starts and ends in Cairo , an excellent option for first-time visitors.

With little signage at historic sites and prices always open to negotiation, Egypt is a tricky place for independent travel. Unless you want to spend your precious vacation time bargaining with taxi drivers and tour guides everywhere you go, it’s best to join a tour for your first visit and leave the logistics to someone else.

What I liked in particular about Viking’s Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary is that it includes two unusual stops that aren’t standard ports of call for most Nile cruises. 

The ship travels north of Luxor to Qena for passengers to disembark and visit the gorgeous Temple of Hathor at Dendera , where the ceilings have recently been cleaned, exposing beautifully painted zodiac symbols and the warped body of the sky goddess Nut, who swallows the sun every night and gives birth to it the next morning. 

The boat also stops in Esna for the Temple of Khnum , a small but wonderfully preserved structure. Look up to spot the column-topping capitals, each of which has a colorfully decorated, unique bouquet of palm fronds, bunches of grapes, lotus flowers and papyrus shoots.

In Luxor, you’ll get private access to the show-stopping tomb of Nefertari – arguably the most beautiful burial site in the entire country (and certainly the most expensive at LE1400, about US$72) where nearly every square inch is painted in stunningly vibrant bas-reliefs – as well as the chance to see the stark dichotomy of Egypt’s landscapes from the sky in the basket of a gently drifting hot air balloon.

Tours of the temples and tombs are led by local expert Egyptologists who explain and translate the meanings of the hieroglyphs before your very eyes. 

A few companies offer Nile cruises from Cairo, but these sailings are rare, usually operating just once a month – if at all – and take significantly longer because of the distance involved. But you’ll get the chance to check out off-the-beaten-track tombs and temples between Cairo and Luxor that see few visitors.

What is it like on board the Viking Osiris ?

Decked out in a sleek Scandi color scheme of blond wood and blue textiles that are drenched in natural light thanks to huge floor-to-ceiling windows across much of the ship, the Viking Osiris is an oasis of calm that’s a treat to return to after a long and dusty day of exploring. 

The cruise ship has 41 cabins across three decks, plus two upper levels with an indoor/outdoor dining space with windows that fold away for al fresco evenings, a cozy bar and lounge with a resident piano player in the evenings, an infinity-style pool at the back of the boat and a sun deck for days of lazy lounging.

Travelers can check out books from the on-board library’s exquisite collection to read up on Egyptian history on their voyage.

The guest rooms are surprisingly spacious, with comfy hotel-like beds, plenty of wardrobe and storage space, and good-sized bathrooms. Many staterooms come with balconies.

The ship is partially powered by solar panels, and you can see how much electricity is being generated by the sun as well as the carbon dioxide savings on a screen inside.

What travelers should know before visiting Egypt

Almost all nationalities need a visa to visit Egypt , which you can get on arrival at the airport or apply for online in advance if you’d rather skip the line. The cost of a single-entry Egyptian tourist visa is USD$25, payable in cash at the airport or by card online.

Egypt is a traditional, Muslim-majority country, so both men and women should dress modestly when visiting. For tips on what to pack, local etiquette and more, check these 14 things to help you plan your visit to Egypt .

Lauren Keith traveled on the Viking Osiris cruise by invitation from Viking River Cruises .

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Popular Nile River cruise ships Explore all cruise ships

• Steigenberger Royale
• from ₽ 8,275 / day

• Steigenberger Regency

• Steigenberger Legacy
• from ₽ 7,266 / day

• Steigenberger Minerva

• Nile Queen II
• from ₽ 15,440 / day
• 10.0   Exceptional
• 1   Review

• Jaz Crown Jewel
• from ₽ 5,147 / day
• 9.6   Exceptional

Small Ship Cruises in Nile River

Welcome to the land of the Pharaohs and the majestic Nile River, the longest river in the world. Embark on a Nile River cruise and discover Egypt's rich history, culture, and natural beauty. From ancient temples and tombs to stunning landscapes and exciting adventure activities, a Nile River cruise has something for everyone.

About Nile River Cruises

A Nile River cruise is a popular way to explore Egypt and for a good reason. The Nile River has been the lifeblood of Egypt for thousands of years, and many of the country's most famous historical sites are along its banks. A Nile River cruise allows you to visit these sites comfortably and in style without the hassle of navigating the country's often chaotic roads and public transportation.

Small ship cruises are an especially popular option for the Nile River, as they offer a more personalized experience and the opportunity to visit more remote areas that larger ships cannot reach.

Cruise itineraries vary, but most Nile River cruises begin in either Aswan or Luxor and typically last between three and seven nights. During the cruise, you will visit some of Egypt's most iconic sites, such as the Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings, and Abu Simbel. Many itineraries also include stops at lesser-known sites, allowing you to discover hidden gems.

In addition to exploring historical sites, many Nile River cruises offer adventure activities such as hot air balloon rides, camel treks, and snorkeling in the Red Sea. Whether you're looking to soak up the sun on deck or get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling excursion, a Nile River cruise has something for everyone.

Best Time to Cruise the Nile River

The best time to cruise the Nile River is during the winter months, from November to February. The weather is mild and pleasant during this time, with temperatures averaging between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 and 26 degrees Celcius). This is also the peak tourist season so you can expect larger crowds at popular sites.

If you're looking to avoid the crowds and save money, consider cruising the Nile River during the shoulder season, which runs from March to May and from September to October. During these months, the weather is still mild, but there will be fewer tourists, allowing for a more peaceful and authentic experience.

From Where Do Nile River Cruises Depart?

Nile River cruises typically depart from either Aswan or Luxor. Aswan is located in southern Egypt and is a popular starting point for cruises that travel north to Luxor. Aswan has many iconic sites, including the Temple of Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk.

Luxor , located in central Egypt, is Nile River cruises' other main starting point. Luxor is known as the "world's greatest open-air museum" and is home to some of Egypt's most famous historical sites, including the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Karnak.

Top Things to See and Do on a Nile River Cruise

Visit the Temple of Karnak: Located in Luxor, the Temple of Karnak is one of the largest religious complexes in the world. Built over 1,500 years, the temple is a marvel of ancient engineering and features an array of impressive structures, including the Great Hypostyle Hall and the Avenue of Sphinxes.

Explore the Valley of the Kings: Located on the West Bank of the Nile River, the Valley of the Kings is the final resting place of many pharaohs from the New Kingdom period. Visitors can explore the underground tombs and marvel at the intricate hieroglyphics and artwork.

Take a hot air balloon ride over Luxor: Get a bird's-eye view of Luxor and the Nile River by taking a hot air balloon ride. This unique and unforgettable experience allows you to see the ancient temples and monuments differently.

Visit the Temple of Abu Simbel: Located near the southern border of Egypt, the Temple of Abu Simbel is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most impressive monuments in Egypt. Built by Ramesses II, the temple is known for its towering statues and intricate carvings.

Visit the West Bank : The west bank of the Nile River is home to many of Egypt's most famous historical sites, including the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Take a guided tour of these sites to learn more about Egypt's rich history and culture.

Shop at the markets: No trip to Egypt would be complete without a visit to the bustling markets or souks. You can find everything from spices and textiles to jewelry and souvenirs here. Be prepared to haggle for the best price!

In conclusion, a Nile River cruise is an unforgettable way to explore Egypt's wonders. From the ancient temples and tombs to the stunning natural beauty and exciting adventure activities, there is something for everyone on a Nile River cruise. Whether you're a history buff, an adventure seeker, or simply looking to relax and soak up the sun, a Nile River cruise is the perfect way to experience all Egypt offers.

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17 of the best Nile cruises for 2024

Pyramids, desert tombs and secrets that span millennia – a voyage along the world’s longest river reveals the best of egypt past and present. but which is the best nile cruise for you.

S ailing through timeless landscapes on a cruise is the best way to see the River Nile. It’s one of the richest destinations on earth and has long enticed and seduced travellers, from pharaohs and prophets to modern-day adventurers, to say nothing of fictional Agatha Christie characters. Sailing on the world’s longest river, which flows through 11 African countries for 4,100 miles before spilling out into the Mediterranean, is a breathtaking experience, and there are more cruise lines plying the Nile than ever.

So which one to take? The majority of itineraries cover the Upper Nile — a section of the river in southern Egypt known for the country’s most impressive and important ruins and archaeological discoveries, such as the Valley of the Kings in Luxor — and end some 150 miles downstream in Aswan. The trick is to find the right way to explore this amazing river, whether that’s aboard a brand new riverboat, a restored paddle steamer or a luxury dahabiya modelled on a traditional sailing boat. Here are the best Nile cruises.

Main photo: traditional felucca boats on the Nile at Luxor (Getty Images)

1. MS Darakum, book via Riviera Travel

Best for watching the world go by Those who like to take the long route and stay on a boat for the duration of their Egyptian adventure in Egypt will enjoy a cruise on the 52-cabin MS Darakum. Thanks to its very low draft, it is one of the very few vessels that can sail from Cairo to Luxor. After an intoxicating few days in the capital, exploring its markets, mosques and ancient wonders, it’s time to travel south. The beauty of covering a much longer distance than a traditional Nile cruise is the extra time it allows to simply sit and watch the world go by. Riviera Travel’s Wonders of the Nile itinerary is sprinkled with long and leisurely sailing days where there’s little to do except relax on the sun deck and gaze out at the small farms and date plantations, before retreating inside to attend the fascinating onboard lectures.

Passengers 104 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price £££

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2. MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus, book via Exodus

Best for ticking off the sights All of Egypt’s most significant sites are given adequate attention on Exodus’ nine-day premium Nile cruise. After time in Cairo and a short flight to Luxor, it’s time to board for a voyage through 7,000 years of history. The traditional-style ships include large royal suites and very high levels of service and comfort throughout. As well as all the usual big hitters, there are plenty of offbeat options that make this an eye-opening choice for the curiously minded traveller. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the impressive seventh-century St Simeon Monastery, the nearby traditional Nubian village and the chance to see Cleopatra’s unfinished obelisk.

Passengers 126 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome N Price ££

3. MS Nile Plaza, book via Titan Travel

Best for cruising in style The MS Nile Plaza first took to the water in 1990 but was refurbished a few years ago to modernise the onboard amenities and bring a new lease of life to the decor. The interiors, including the 55 spacious cabins, are tasteful, with rich wooden panels and neutral tones broken up by art deco-inspired light fixtures and calming house plants. Titan Travel’s eight-day Egypt’s Timeless Riches trip includes a voyage on the four-star MS Nile Plaza, starting and ending in Luxor. It begins in spectacular style with visits to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens before setting sail to Edfu and onwards to Aswan.

Passengers 110 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome N Price ££

4. Oberoi Zahra, book via Hotels.com

Best for maxed-out luxury Devotees of the namesake hotel chain can enjoy the brand’s luxury on the water aboard the plushest boat on the Nile. The modern and minimalist Oberoi Zahra enjoys prime position at its private mooring spot on the banks of the corniche in Aswan. Its elevated approach doesn’t end there. As well as offering trips to the temples of Edfu and the island of El Nabatat on itineraries that include a four-day trip from Luxor, the boat has plenty to keep guests entertained, from a library and games room to a gym and open-air pool. At night, astrology lectures reveal how the night sky influenced life in Egypt in the past. The 27 cabins are tasteful, and decorated in a natural colour palette; both of the suites have a private terrace and a hot tub.

Passengers 54 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome N (minimum age is 12) Price £££

5. Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau, book via Sanctuary Retreats

Best for families and groups of friends This 164ft-long traditional dahabiya sailing boat may be small but it is perfectly packaged. The first of its kind on the Nile, it is available through Sanctuary Retreats for private charter with personalised week-long itineraries to suit specific interests. This cruise is a great option for families or groups of friends looking for privacy and flexibility. On board there is a heated plunge pool and six individually designed cabins influenced by the country’s culture, geography and heritage, including the white Farouk Suite on the upper deck, where the decor is inspired by Egyptian royalty. Guides can be arranged according to guests’ interests — from food to history.

Passengers 12 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y (aged over ten) Price £££

sanctuaryretreats.com

6. SS Sudan, book via Original Travel

Best for Agatha Christie lovers One of the most historic and atmospheric vessels to ply the Nile’s waters, this celebrated 19th-century steamer once welcomed Agatha Christie aboard. It is widely believed that it was that trip in 1933, accompanying her husband on an archaeological mission, which paved the way for one of her most accomplished murder mysteries. Following Kenneth Branagh’s 2022 adaptation of Death on the Nile , the SS Sudan is the perfect ship for fans of the Queen of Crime; there are cabins named after Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot. The boat exudes opulent period charm, from the teak decks and parquet flooring to the brass bed frames in many of the rooms. Guests also have exclusive access to a network of expert archaeologists who will help bring the historical ruins to life.

Passengers 46 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites Y Children welcome Y Price £££

originaltravel.co.uk

7. SS Sphinx, book via Uniworld

Best for first-timers The SS Sphinx showcases the very best of Egypt, both old and new, in the utmost comfort. Uniworld’s 11-night Splendours of Egypt & The Nile itinerary provides the perfect introduction to Egypt. The Cairo-to-Cairo trip begins with highlights that include the Pyramids of Giza, as well as tea with a Nubian family and even a spot of fishing and birdwatching. The onboard experience is no less delightful, with 42 suites decked out with Egyptian art, hand-carved furniture, a massage room, swimming pool and two gourmet dining rooms. Trips include guided tours of the Egyptian Museum and sailing on a felucca.

Passengers 84 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price £££

uniworld.com

8. SS Misr, book via Noble Caledonia

Best for traditionalists Misr, which means “Egypt” in Arabic, is a propeller steamer that has long enjoyed a romance with this country. Built in Preston in 1918 by the Royal Navy, in 1938 it was converted into a luxury yacht that played host to King Farouk, the country’s penultimate monarch. The vessel has now been fully restored to its former glory, and its three, four and seven-night trips are known for celebrating local food — and there’s a rather regal feeling inside the main Marasem restaurant, with framed photos of past royalty dotted about and waiters smartly dressed in attire that takes its inspiration from the glory days of Farouk. The food is largely international but local flavours are celebrated in dishes such as bessara, a local dip made from fava beans.

Passengers 45 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites Y Children welcome Y Price ££

noble-caledonia.co.uk

9. MS Esplanade, book via Mayfair Cruises

Best for R&R A sophisticated option, focusing on the Upper Nile, the MS Esplanade offers cruises of up to seven nights (minimum three nights) that take in both the east and west banks of Luxor, the Horus temple at Edfu and even the mummified crocodiles of Kom Ombo. When it comes to relaxation, guests can spend time in the hushed spa on the lower deck or relax on one of the shady poolside cabanas on the breezy top deck.

Passengers 150 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price ££

mayfaircruises.com

10. La Flaneuse du Nil, book via Authentic Hotels

Best for return visitors For those who have already sailed the Nile and may be looking for something different, La Flaneuse du Nil is a tempting alternative. While most boats travel north from Aswan towards Luxor, this intimate five-day cruise heads south into Lake Nasser bound for the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel. Powered by sails and tugs, just like the original dahabiyas that were once a regular sight on the waterway, this cosy vessel showcases the subtle beauty of the vast man-made reservoir that straddles Egypt’s border with Sudan. The boat sails at a leisurely pace, with stops for lake swims, sunset hikes and solitary mornings on quiet beaches, as well as guided trips to some of the most impressive ancient wonders Egypt has to explore.

Passengers 14 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y (aged over six) Price ££

authentichotels.com

11. Sanctuary Sun Boat III, book via Sanctuary Retreats

Best for fun on the river An extremely attractive boat, and one of the few vessels to (occasionally) cruise from Cairo to Aswan, the Sanctuary Sun Boat III takes its inspiration from the glamour of the 1920s and 1930s. Think ecru tones, four-poster beds draped in the finest Egyptian linen and entertainment in the form of belly dancers and whirling dervishes. There are modern touches, too, with air conditioning and a swimming pool on the Cleopatra Oasis sundeck: the perfect spot on which to sip a hibiscus juice and watch the world go by.

Passengers 36 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y (aged over ten) Price £££

12. RV Da Vinci, book via CroisiEurope

Best for value With its understated style, the RV Da Vinci is a good choice for passengers who want to travel in more contemporary surroundings. Built in 1993 and fully refurbished since, it offers a comfortable base to travel on the classic route from Luxor or add on a few days in Cairo. CroisiEurope’s eight-day Land of the Pharaohs cruise includes excursions to all the headline sights, such as the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Kom Ombo, and options to book others such as a breathtaking balloon ride over the Nile Valley or the evocative sound and light show at Karnak. At the end of the day, enjoy a final cocktail as the sun goes down — all drinks are included in the fare.

Passengers 108 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price £

croisieurope.travel/en

13. River Tosca, book via Uniworld

Best for children Luxury line Uniworld has expanded its family-friendly Generations programme with an all-new multigenerational itinerary in Egypt. The adapted version of its 11-night Splendours of Egypt and the Nile holiday is aboard the River Tosca and includes child-friendly menus and two dedicated family hosts to oversee activities for junior cruisers aged four to 12 and teen cruisers. Alongside famous sights such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak, activities include a football match with local children and some of the ship’s crew, sand dune boarding, swimming in the Nile, exploring the river by bike and traditional felucca, and a behind-the-scenes visit to the captain’s wheelhouse. While youngsters are having fun with the onboard hosts, adults can relax on the sun deck with its shaded cabanas and swimming pool.

Passengers 82 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price £££

14. MS Radamis II, book via Travel Department

Best for solo travellers If you’re fed up with being stung by single supplements, don’t want to set sail with loved-up couples, or simply just enjoy travelling alone then check out the Travel Department’s dedicated single sailings. The company charters this comfortable ship which has 75 cabins, and for solo travellers it makes for an exclusive and intimate holiday. The sun deck bar is a top spot to mingle over cocktails with newfound friends and enjoy barbecues. The supplement-free solo itineraries take in a seven-night Nile cruise, with included shore trips to the Temple of Horus, the Valley of the Kings, the High Dam and the temples of Karnak and Luxor. At the end of the cruise you’ll fly and flop with a couple of days of relaxation in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada. The tour operator also uses the vessel for its escorted group tours on the Nile.

traveldepartment.co.uk

15. Sonesta Dahabeya Amirat, book via Sonesta

Best for groups You can sail the Nile in style on this twin-masted dahabiya, which harks back to the graceful travel of bygone times. Inspired by the 19th-century vessels used by royalty and aristocrats, this intimate and sophisticated 14-passenger ship is the smallest in the fleet owned by the international Sonesta hotel group. It’s a wonderful choice for extended families or groups of friends who want to book an entire ship for an exclusive holiday. Sumptuous cabins are decked out in blue, gold and cream and guests can wallow in baths after a busy day sightseeing. The ship goes back and forth on week-long trips between Luxor and Aswan and wherever possible sails under wind power.

Passengers 14 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome Y Price £££

sonesta.com/sonesta-dahabeya-amirat

Two ships to look out for in 2024

16. tui al horeya, book via tui.

Best for home comforts Tui River Cruises is launching its first Nile ship in November 2024. Charter flights from Gatwick and Manchester are being laid on to dovetail with the sailings, which are aimed squarely at the British market. The five-deck ship is being fully refurbished for Tui and seven-night round-trip sailings from Luxor will include two excursions to the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo. Other optional shore tours will be available to purchase, such as the atmospheric sound and light show at Karnak and a visit to a Nubian village. Tui Al Horeya will have a top-deck pool and an area for alfresco dining on warm Egyptian nights.

Passengers 145 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites N Children welcome N Price £

17. AmaLilia, book via AmaWaterways

Best for being pampered AmaLilia, set to sail on the Nile in 2024, would impress even the most discerning pharaoh with its marble bathrooms, heated pool, massage treatments — and even a nail bar. Its suites are stylish and contemporary, and the decor throughout the ship has an understated elegance, showcasing Egyptian ornaments and artwork. Thoughtful itineraries will take guests on excursions to often-overlooked places, including the sacred city of Abydos — a necropolis for the earliest Egyptian kings, where the mortuaries include the Temple of Seti I, completed in 1279BC — and the Abdeen presidential palace for lunch. AmaLilia is an almost identical ship to AmaWaterways’ first Nile ship AmaDahlia, with the addition of more plush suites.

Passengers 72 Private guides Y Private access to historical sites Y Children welcome Y (aged over four) Price £££

amawaterways.co.uk

Additional reporting by Jeannine Williamson

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Nebu Nile Cruise

Description.

• Inquire Now

Nebu Nile Cruise is designed to be one of the most luxurious and comfortable 5 star luxury cruise liners on the Nile. The boat offers comfortable luxury accommodation, privacy and plenty of breathing space. The cuisine is delightful and relaxation options are superb.

Nebu Nile Cruise has always enjoyed a reputation of being one of the quieter boats on the Nile in regards to its overall occupancy. This is noticeable as soon as you board the boat and is continues throughout even your room will be bigger that the average boat on the Nile.

Book your Nile River Cruise from Luxor or Aswan on Nebu Nile Cruise Now.

Tour Details

Nebu nile cruise facilities, accommodation.

The brand-new, custom-built m/s Nebu offers the finest and newest accommodations sailing the Nile today. With just 40 cabins, this will be the most luxurious and exclusive way to sail this ancient waterway. Cruise to legendary archaeological sites, relax on the sun deck, take a dip in the swimming pool, savor delectable cuisine, or retire to your spacious cabin. Independent travelers can take advantage of four custom-built solo cabins, and staterooms offer private bathroom with bathtub and hair dryer, sitting area, individually controlled air-conditioning, minibar, safe, telephone, and TV with video channels

• Staterooms (counting suites): 40
• 4 Supplement-free solo cabins
• 4 adjoining cabins to stay close to friends and family
• Solo Connections — Exclusive onboard events
• Exclusive concierge service available on every departure
• A restaurant featuring sumptuous international cuisine
• A bar/lounge, perfect for socializing or enjoying onboard entertainment
• A sun deck and swimming pool on the top deck
• Top-deck breakfast dining
• A fitness center
• An elevator
• Onboard spa
• All staterooms feature a private bathroom and hairdryer, sitting area, large windows for optimal views, individual temperature controls, minibar, safe, telephone, and TV with video channels

Other Facilities

Air condition, private bath with shower, doctor available 24 hours, nebu nile cruise itinerary, 04 days / 03 nights program (every wednesday), day 01: aswan city tour - aswan on.

Upon arrival to Aswan , you will be met and greet by our English-speaking representative who will transfer you by private A-C van to your fabulous Nile cruise ship. Check in before 12:00 PM. At the beginning you will have your Lunch meal on board. After Lunch, you will be transferred to visit The High Dam , which has been erected by the Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1960 AD to protect Egypt from the Nile flood. After that you will enjoy sailing on the Nile by a motor boat to reach Temple of Philae , which was erected during the Graeco-Roman period and was dedicated to goddess Isis. At last you will be escorted to visit The Unfinished Obelisk , which was made out of red granite and was dedicated to god Amun Ra. After finishing your tour, you will return to your ship. At night, free at leisure on your own in Aswan. [L-D]

Meals Included:

N.B : If your arrival time to Aswan is so early, so we will start the tour direct upon arrival as the cruise check in time at 12:00 and we don't want our guest waste their time waiting at the lobby for check in.

Day 02: Kom Ombo - Edfu & ON

Breakfast will be served on board your ship. After that you will join your Egyptologist tour guide to visit one of the most wonderful temples in Egypt, Temple of Kom Ombo , where the two gods Sobek & Haroeris were worshipped for a while. Get back to your ship and enjoy your lunch on the sun deck, watching the unique landscape of the great river Nile. Afternoon, enjoy chariot riding to Temple of Horus in Edfu, which is considered to be one of the most well preserved temples in Egypt. After finishing your tour, you will be transferred back to your ship. Afternoon, you willmenjoy relaxing on board your ship. Dinner will be served on board. At night Egyptian Folkloric Show party will be operated by staff on board.

Day 03: Luxor West Bank - Luxor ON

Breakfast on the Nile cruise. After that you will start your magical tour in Thebes, the sacred land by exploring the west bank of Luxor including Valley of the Kings , which considers as the royal cemetery of the Theban kings and rulers of ancient Egypt, and the place where our Pharaohs were buried. After that, you will proceed to visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari. This temple is considered as one of the most wonderful examples of the Architecture in ancient Egypt, because it was totally carved inside the mountain. At the end of the tour you will visit Colossi of Memnon , which is belonging to king Amenhotep III. After that you will return to your ship to have your lunch. Afternoon, free at leisure. Dinner and overnight on the cruise.

Day 04: Check Out - Luxor East Bank

Check out after breakfast (at 08:00 AM). After that you will enjoy your tour discovering the East Bank of Luxor, including the most wonderful Karnak Temples Complex , which is considered to be the biggest complex construction in the world covering an area of a hundred. Finish your lovely tour in Temple of Luxor , built by one of the kings of the 12th dynasty & completed by the well know king Ramses II. After finishing your day tour, you will be transferred by private A-C van to your location in Luxor (where our services will be ended).

05 Days / 04 Nights Program (Every Saturday)

Day 01: luxor east bank - luxor on.

Upon arrival at Luxor airport or station, our representative will transfer you to your Nile Cruise by a private A/C van. Embarkation before 12:00 PM. Afternoon, you will discover the East bank of Luxor including Karnak Temples Complex , which are the largest structures ever build in the history of the mankind. The principal building is that of god Amun Ra, since it was considered the house of god on the earth, the earlier structure date back to the middle kingdom, but there are some references which refer to the earlier buildings as old as the 3rd dynasty. Later on, you will proceed to visit Temple of Luxor , which was built by one of the kings of the 12th dynasty and completed by the well know king Ramses II. This temple was located in the heart of ancient Thebes and, like Karnak, was dedicated to the main/chief god Amun Re. After finishing your day tour, you will be transferred back to your ship for rest and refresh. At night, Egyptian folkloric show will be operated by the staff. Dinner will be served and overnight in Luxor. (L-D) N.B: If your arrival time to Luxor is so early, so we will start the tour direct upon arrival as the cruise check in time at 12:00 and we don't want our guest waste their time waiting at the lobby for check in.

Day 02: Luxor West Bank - Sail to Edfu & ON

Day 03: edfu - kom ombo - sail to aswan & on.

Breakfast on board your Nile cruise. Then your tour guide will take you in a mysterious journey to land of secrets. This guided tour of today begins by visiting one of the most wonderful temples in Egypt, Temple of Horus in Edfu, which is considered to be one of the most well preserved temples in Egypt. After that, you will revert back to your ship. Lunch will be served on board during sailing to the city of Kom Ombo.

Afternoon, you will proceed to explore Temple of Kom Ombo, where the two gods Sobek & Haroeris were worshipped for a while. Get back to your ship and enjoy your lunch.

Enjoy the sun deck, watching the unique landscape of the great river Nile. On its banks the ancient Egyptian civilization has been created and flourished.

Dinner meal will be served on board during sailing to the city of Aswan. Late evening arrive to Aswan and overnight.

Day 04: Aswan City Tour - Aswan ON

Breakfast will be served on board your ship. Later on, you will join your Egyptologist tour guide to discover the great city of Aswan, including The High Dam , which has been erected by the Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1960 AD to protect Egypt from the Nile flood. After that you will enjoy sailing on the Nile River by a motor boat till reach Agilika Island, where you will visit Temple of Philae , which was erected during the Gaeco-Roman period and was dedicated to goddess Isis (mother of god Horus). Finally you will be escorted to visit one of the marvelous sightseeing in Aswan, The Unfinished Obelisk , which was made out of red granite and was dedicated to god Amun Ra. After finishing your day tour, you will get back to your ship. Lunch will be served on board. Afternoon tea will be served on board. At night free at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Day 05: Disembarkation from cruise - Departure to Cairo

Check out after breakfast. Then our representative will accompany you to Aswan airport - station to take your flight to Cairo (Breakfast) **

Optional Tour: Excursion to Abu Simble temples either by private coach or by domestic flight: you will be met with our English-speaking tour guide in Aswan who will transfer you by private A-C van to Abu Simbel, lies south of Aswan on the western bank of the Nile, 180 miles south of the First Cataract in what was Nubia. The site was known as Meha in ancient times and was first documented in the 18th Dynasty, when Ay and Horemheb had rock-cut chapels hewn in the hills to the south. Upon arrival, you will proceed to visit Abu Simbel Temples, which were built by the well-known king Ramses II. The biggest temple was called as the Great temple. It was built by Ramesses II and being dedicated to the famous god Rahorakhty. While the smaller temple and it was dedicated to king Ramesses II himself and his beautiful wife queen Nefertari. After finishing your day tour, you will drive back toward Aswan. Arrive Aswan and be transferred by private A-C van to your chosen hotel there for check in, rest and refresh or transfer to Aswan airport to catch your domestic flight to Cairo.

What's Included

• 04 or 03 nights’ accommodation on board the Nile cruises based on FB basis.
• Meet and assist service upon arrival & departure 
• Assistance of our personnel during your stay and excursions 
• All transfers by a modern air-conditioned deluxe vehicle private
• All Nile Cruise excursions as mentioned in the itinerary private
• Entrance fees to all sights in and between Luxor and Aswan
• English-speaking tour guide during your excursions on the Cruise (group size is 1 - 8 maximum)
• Complementary 01 bottle of water per day per person
• All transfers by A-C vehicles with qualified driver (s).
• All service charges and taxes

Not Included

• Any Extra meals and beverages.
• All personal expenses like laundry etc.
• Tipping to Guide, Driver, etc.
• Any Optional tours may require.

3 Nights 4 Days September to April From : $ 1760

Double cabin.

per adult in a double share cabin

Single Cabin

per adult in a single share cabin

4 Nights 5 Days September to April From : $ 1940

Prices Prices are quoted in US Dollars per person per trip except during Christmas, New Year & Easter holidays.

Children’s Policy

• First child under 4 years of age sharing same parents' cabin will be free of charge. 
• In case of one child from ages 4-12, will be available only in Historia Suites sharing parents. 
• Two children under 12 years of age, and two adults will be accommodated in two cabins and charged as one double and one single cabin rate.
• Children 12 years of age and over will be charged the full fare.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

• 25% from the total due amount will be charged for cancellations occurred less than 90 days prior to embarkation date.
• 50% from the total due amount will be charged for cancellations occurred less than 45 days prior to embarkation date.
• 75% from the total due amount will be charged for cancellations occurred less than 30 days prior to embarkation date.
• 100% of the total stay will be charged for cancellations occurred less than 14 days prior to embarkation date.
• 100% of the total stay will be charged in case of no show.
• In case of Force majeure case such as war, strike, riot, epidemic, Sudden legal changes or any other reason beyond T/A well, no cancellation fees will be applied.

Essential trip information

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Sanctuary Nile Adventurer

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Nile River Cruises

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

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Nile River Cruises fleet

Ms mayflower, ms amwaj livingstone, ms esplanade, ms sonesta st george, ms viking princess, ms steigenberger omar el khayam, movenpick ms darakum, ms oberoi zahra, ms nile dolphin, ms sonesta star goddess, movenpick ms hamees, ms sonesta moon goddess, movenpick ms prince abbas, ms kasr ibrim, review of nile river cruises.

Egypt cruises on Nile River and Lake Nasser are of those experiences imperative to take at least once in a lifetime. Nile River has been the lifeline of Egypt since ancient times and the best way to trace the passage of Egypt's history is to follow the course of the river.

Nile cruise itineraries are between the ports of Luxor and Aswan . River cruising is a comfortable, luxury hotel-style way to visit Upper Egypt's archaeological sites. Most voyages on the river depart from Cairo and last between 3 and 7 days (round-trips), rarely over a week. Longer itineraries offer additional hotel stays in both embarkation / disembarkation ports, but also in the companies' privately owned hotel and resort properties located on Egypt's Red Sea coast - in or near the resort towns and port cities Sharm El Sheikh , Hurghada , El Gouna, El Quseir, Makadi Bay, Sokhna (55 km / 35 mi south of Suez ).

Nile-based cruise ships - the very boats cruising the mighty river - are generally larger in comparison to typical river cruise ships, for example, to those sailing on European waterways. Each vessel accommodates up to 200 passengers. Similar sized (bigger) riverboats can be only deployed on wider inland waterways, such as Yangtze (in China), or Mississippi (in the USA).

Lake Nasser and Nile river cruises in Egypt

The Nile is a major river in northeastern Africa. This very special north-flowing waterway is generally regarded as the longest in the world at 4258 ml (6853 km). The resources of the Nile are shared by eleven countries, and the river is also the primary water source of Sudan and Egypt.

The Greek historian Herodotus once wrote that "Egypt was the gift of the Nile". Being a precious source of sustenance, Nile provided a crucial role in the evolution of Egyptian civilization. As the river played such an important role, even the ancient calendar was based on the 3 cycles of Nile.

To sail these life-giving waters, surrounded by millennia-old sites, is an unforgettable experience through Egypt’s heritage. Step back in time to explore the ancient wonders of the Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Luxor, as well as temples devoted to Egypt's pantheon of gods and goddesses.

Colourful bazaars, ancient temples, and pyramids, that were already ancient by the time of Cleopatra, only begin to mark the highlights of the unique cruising vacation on Nile River through Egypt. Itineraries commonly include tours of landmarks in Aswan, Cairo, and Luxor, as well as visits to solitary temples, such as Abu Simbel . The Nile River cruise offers plenty of tours, but there is also time to relax while watching this ancient world float by.

List of Lake Nasser cruise ships

These are the names of the few big-sized hotel ships and new riverboats deployed at Lake Nasser in Egypt:

• Movenpick Prince Abbas - departures are on Monday (from Aswan) and on Friday (from Abu Simbel).
• Movenpick Darakum (Nile River) - departures are on Monday (from Luxor) and on Friday (from Aswan).
• SS Sphinx (2020, Nile River) is Uniworld 's ship in Egypt, deployed on the route Aswan-Luxor (transfer flights Cairo-Luxor-Cairo).
• AmaDahlia (2021, Nile River) is AmaWaterways ' new boat with scheduled roundtrips from Luxor (transfer flights Cairo-Luxor-Cairo).
• Kasr Ibrim - departures are on Saturday (from Aswan) and on Wednesday (from Abu Simbel). The ship is also exclusively chartered by Viking Cruises .
• Steigenberger Omar El Khayam - departures are on Monday (from Aswan) and on Friday (from Abu Simbel). The ship is also exclusively chartered by Viking Cruises.
• Movenpick MS Hamees - departures are on Monday (from Luxor) and on Friday (from Aswan). The boat is also chartered to Emerald Waterways and Riviera Travel UK.
• MS Farah (2011-built, Nile River) operates between Aswan and Luxor. The ship is also exclusively chartered by Avalon Waterways .
• MS Nubian Sea - departures are on Monday (from Aswan) and on Friday (from Abu Simbel).
• MS Eugenie - departures are on Friday (from Aswan) and on Monday (from Abu Simbel).

Nile River cruise package prices

In this section are listed several of the numerous Nile cruise travel package deals. Know, that all offers and their pricing are only indicative. Prices are per person, in USD, and represent the lowest possible cruise fares. Group booking rates are different, and dependent on the number of passengers.

• 1-Day Fishing Trip In Luxor (prices start from USD 100) - Nile river fishing trips give the opportunity to cruise on a traditional for Egypt sailboat (like Felucca) in the region of Luxor. Deals are inclusive of one oriental meal. No cabin or entertainment are included.
• 1-Day Cruise From Luxor To Dendera Temple (prices start from USD 100) - the small boat cruise visits the Temple of Hathor.
• 3-Night / 4-Day Cruise from Aswan to Luxor or the reverse Luxor to Aswan - prices start from USD 350).
• 4-Night / 5-Day Cruise Tour Luxor-Aswan, or the reverse Luxor–Aswan - prices start from USD 420.
• 7-Night / 8-Day Cruise Tour Luxor to Aswan, or the reverse Aswan to Luxor - prices start from USD 740.
• 7-Night / 8-Day Red Sea and Nile Cruise - prices start from USD 730. The itinerary includes 3-night "Red Sea Cruise" round-trip from Hurghada, followed by 4-night "Nile Cruise" from Luxor or Aswan. The same pricing is offered on the tour package that includes 3-night "Nile Cruise", followed by 4-night Red Sea Cruise" round-trip from Hurghada.
• 7-Night / 8-Day Cruise Tour from Cairo - prices start from USD 900. The itinerary includes 3-night Cairo hotel package, day tours visiting The Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Sakkara necropolis (Zhoser’s step pyramid), Cairo Airport transfers, domestic (Egypt) flight travel to Luxor, a transfer from Luxor Airport to the ship and embarkation before lunch. On day 7 there is onboard Breakfast and disembarkation from the ship, transfer to Aswan Airport, domestic (Egypt) flight travel to Cairo, transfer to a Cairo hotel (second overnight stay), and on day 8 there is a Breakfast, hotel checkout and transfer to Cairo Airport. International flights to and from Egypt are not included in cruise fares.
• 7-Night / 8-Day "Nile and Red Sea Cruise Tour from Cairo" (round-trip) - prices start from USD 1200. Itineraries start and end in Cairo (Sunday to Sunday, Tuesday to Tuesday, or Thursday to Thursday). Deals are inclusive of Cairo Airport meet, visiting the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, transfer a Cairo hotel(overnight stay), domestic (Egypt) flight Cairo to Aswan, visiting the Temple of Philae, transfer to the ship, embarkation before lunch. On day 5 there is disembarkation, visiting the Valley of Kings, bus travel from Luxor to Hurghada (the Red Sea, approx 280 km / 175 ml drive distance), a Hurghada hotel (2 overnights). On day 7 there is bus travel from Hurghada to Cairo (approx 450 km / 280 ml drive distance), a Cairo hotel (overnight). On day 8 is the hotel check out and transfer to Cairo Airport.
• 11-Night / 12-Day "Nile and Red Sea Cruise" - prices start from USD 1150. The itinerary includes 7-night "Nile Cruise" from Luxor or Aswan, followed by 4-night "Red Sea Cruise" round-trip from Hurghada. The itinerary includes arrival in Luxor (private arrangement), transfer to the ship, embarkation before lunch. On day 8 there is Breakfast and disembarkation in Luxor, bus travel to Hurghada, plus 4-day Hurghada hotel package (included meals - Breakfast and Dinner).

Egypt river cruise ship companies

Among the largest cruise companies operating on the Egypt river cruising market (the Nile and Lake Nasser) are the "hotels, resorts and cruise" brands Travcotels, Steigenberger, Jaz, Sonesta, Iberotel, Sanctuary, Oberoi, Movenpick.

• Travco Group (founded 1979) is a large corporation that owns around 160 luxury hotels, resorts and river cruise ships. The "Travco Travel" company handles over 1,3 million tourists annually. Among its renowned brands are the luxury resort and hotel chains Jaz, Travcotels, Iberotel, Steigenberger, Sol Y Mar. Since 2010, Travco and Air Arabia have a joint venture domestic airline called "Air Arabia Egypt"(50% Travco, 40% Air Arabia, 10% private investors). Travco Group has its network of local tour operators.
• Oberoi (founded 1934) is an award-winning chain of 30+ luxury hotels and resorts located in premium destinations in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India, Indonesia, Mauritius. The company's head office is in Delhi, India.
• Sonesta International Hotels Corporation owns prime hotel and resort properties in Egypt, USA, Brazil, Peru, Italy, Bermuda. The company also privately owns 4 luxury Nile cruise ships.
• Movenpick Group (founded 1973, headquarters in Baar, Switzerland) is a joint venture hotel company owned by Movenpick Holding (66,7%) and Kingdom Holding Company (Saudi Arabia, 33,3%). Movenpick operates around 110 hotels, resorts, and Nile ships.
• The hotel chain serves 5.8 million people per year, and in 2003 was named the “fastest growing hotel chain in the Middle East” by The World Travel Market.
• CEO Jean-Gabriel Pérès left the company in early 2016. His replacement, Olivier Chavy, took over in September 2016.
• Sanctuary Retreats is a chain of 17 luxury African safari camps and lodges, plus 6 luxury cruise ships operating on rivers in Egypt (Nile), Burma / Myanmar (Ayeyarwady, Chindwin) and China (Yangtze).

List of owned by Egypt river cruise companies hotels and resorts

Follows the list of owned by Nile riverboat cruise lines hotels and resorts. These are premium location properties, that are included in the "cruise and hotel" package. Another option is to book "cruise and stay" package that includes more hotel overnights or even resort vacation in Egypt - all at discounted pricing.

• Iberotel's hotels in Egypt are named: Iberotel Makadi Beach (Hurghada), Iberotel Luxor, and Iberotel Palace (Sharm El Maya Bay).
• Steigenberger's leisure properties in Egypt are named: Steigenberger Cecil Hotel (Alexandria), Steigenberger El Tahrir (Cairo), Steigenberger Golf Resort (El Gouna), Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel (Hurghada), Steigenberger Aqua Magic (Hurghada), Steigenberger Nile Palace (Luxor), Steigenberger Makadi (Madinat Makadi, Safaga), Steigenberger Coraya Beach (Marsa Alam), and Steigenberger Alcazar (Sharm El Sheikh).
• Oberoi's leisure properties in Egypt are named: The Oberoi Philae (hotel ship), Oberoi Zahra (hotel ship), and Sahl Hasheesh (on the Red Sea, across Sharm El Sheik, approx 18 km / 11 mi south of Hurghada Airport).
• Sonesta's leisure properties In Egypt are named: "Sonesta Cairo Hotel, Tower & Casino", "Sonesta Beach Resort & Casino" (Sharm El Sheikh, Red Sea), and "Sonesta Pharaoh Beach Resort" (Hurghada, Red Sea).
• (Travco) Jaz Travel hotels and resorts in Egypt (on Red Sea, near Sharm El-Sheikh) are named Jaz Belvedere (El Montaza), Jaz Fanara Resort (Ras Om El-Seid), Jaz Mirabel Beach (Nabq Bay), Jaz Mirabel Club (Nabq Bay), Jaz Mirabel Park (Nabq Bay), Sol Y Mar Naama Bay, and Sol Y Mar Sharks Bay. Jaz Travel properties near Marsa Alam are named: Jaz Dar El Madina, Jaz Lamaya, Jaz Samaya, and Jaz Solaya. Company's leisure properties near Hurghada (Madinat Makadi) are named Jaz Acquaviva, Jaz Makadi Oasis Club, Jaz Makadi Oasis Resort, Jaz Makadi Saraya Palms, Jaz Makadi Saraya Resort, Jaz Makadi Star & Spa, Jaz Makadina, Sol Y Mar Makadi Sun, and Sensimar Makadi Hotel. The company's leisure properties in Hurghada (Magawish District) are named Jaz Aquamarine, Jaz Bluemarine, and Sol Y Mar Ivory Suites.
• Movenpick resort and hotel properties in Egypt are mainly at the Red Sea - in Hurghada (incl Soma Bay), El Gouna (approx 30 km / 19 ml from Hurghada Airport), El Quseir, Ain Sokhna, Sharm el Sheikh, and Taba (Gulf of Aqaba). In Cairo are Movenpick Hotel Cairo Pyramids, and Movenpick Hotel & Casino Cairo.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.

Itinerary of Nile River Cruises

This is a review of the longest (12 days) the Red Sea and Nile cruise itinerary, as it includes the typical Nile River itinerary with all its ticket price inclusive tours, also domestic flights (in Egypt, between embarkation/disembarkation ports) and the coach transfers to and from the ship. The itinerary map below shows also Lake Nasser.

(Day 1) Arrival in Luxor and Embarkation

• Arrival in Luxor, bus transfer to the ship, embarkation before lunch.
• Tours included on the river's East Bank - Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor
• Bus transfer to the ship
• Onboard welcome dinner, overnight stay on the ship in Luxor
• Lunch and Dinner are included.

(Day 2) Southbound cruising from Luxor to Esna

• Onboard Breakfast
• Tours included on the river's West Bank - Valley of Kings, Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (aka Djeser-Djeseru, at Deir El-Bahari), Colossi of Memnon
• Cruising to Esna Lock
• Onboard Lunch
• Arrival in Esna (Dinner and overnight on the ship)
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are Included.

(Day 3) Southbound cruising from Esna to Edfu and Kom-Ombo

• Cruising to Edfu
• Arrival in Edfu (on the river's West Bank) - an included tour to Temple of Edfu (God Horus).
• Cruising to Kom-Ombo
• Arrival in Kom-Ombo (on the river's East Bank) - an included tour to Temple of Kom-Ombo (God Sobek and God Haroeris).
• Onboard Dinner and overnight on the ship in Kom-Ombo

(Day 4) Southbound cruising from Kom-Ombo to Aswan

• Arrival in Aswan (aka Assuan, on the river's East Bank), onboard Lunch
• Included tours to Temple of Philae (relocated to the nearby Agilkia Island ), Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, boat tour (by felucca/traditional for Egypt wooden sailing boat) around Elephantine Island and the Aswan Botanical Gardens.
• Dinner and overnight on the ship in Aswan

(Day 5) Optional tour from Aswan to bu Simbel

• Overnight stay on the ship in Aswan

(Day 6) Northbound cruising from Aswan to Kom-Ombo, Edfu, and Esna

• Overnight stay on the ship in Esna

(Day 7) Northbound cruising from Esna to Luxor

• Optional excursion - Luxor Museum
• Overnight stay on the ship in Luxor

(Day 8) Cruise ending (disembarkation), transfer to Hurghada (Red Sea)

• Onboard Breakfast, follows disembarkation and transfer (bus travel) to Hurghada
• A Hurghada hotel check-in, free exploration time
• Breakfast and Dinner are Included.

(Day 9, 10, 11) Hurghada (Red Sea)

• Hotel Breakfast, free exploration time
• Optional tour - Giftun Island snorkeling (lunch included)

(Day 12) Hurghada (cruise vacation ending)

• Hotel Breakfast, transfer to Hurghada Airport for departure.
• Breakfast is included.

Avalon Waterways ' Nile cruise itineraris are roundtrips from Cairo, with included all 4x Cairo hotel overnight stays and two domestic flights (Cairo-Aswan and Luxor-Cairo). Avalon Waterways currently charters for its Egypt Nile cruisetours the ship MS Farah .

Viking Cruises' "Nile and Lake Nasser" itinerary

Next is shown the Viking River Cruises ' Nile and Lake Nasser cruise itinerary map. Also round-trip from Cairo, this river cruise tour includes an additional flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel, where the Lake Nasser based ship is docked for embarkation. From Abu Simbel, the riverboat visits Kasr Ibrim and Amada.

The itinerary (themed "Pathways of the Pharaohs") is also operated by the newbuilds Viking Ra (2018), Viking Osiris (2022), Viking Aton (2023), Viking Hathor (2024) and Viking Sobek (2025). Its total duration is 12 days, with included 17 guided tours and excursions ashore.

Below listed tours are all included in the fares.

• (Day 1, 2, 3) Cairo - 3-night stay
• (Day 2) tour to Sakkara necropolis, Giza Plateau, Great Pyramids (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure), camel ride, Great Sphinx
• (Day 3) tour to Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, guided city tour (Saladin Citadel, Muhammad Ali Mosque), walking tour (bazaar, Al-Aqmar Mosque), Al-Azhar Park dinner
• (Day 4) flight from Cairo to Luxor, in Luxor - tour to the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, embarkation, optional tour (Karnak Temple - evening sound and light show)
• (Day 5) Luxor - optional tour (hot air balloon ride over the temples and monuments), including tours to Valley of the Kings and Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Madīnat Habu, Mortuary Temple of Ramses III. Follows cruising to Edfu.
• (Day 6) Edfu - horse-drawn carriage ride (tour) to Temple of Horus. Follows cruising to Kom-Ombo (arrival, tour to the temple of Haroeris and Sobek. Follows cruising to Aswan (dinner time arrival), an onboard Nubian party in the evening (traditional music and dancing)
• (Day 7) Aswan - tour to Philae Temple (Isis), tour to Nubian Museum (gardens, terraced waterfalls), tour to Aswan High Dam, a scenic boat tour on a felucca sailboat, overnight in Aswan
• (Day 8) Abu Simbel (flight from Aswan), arrival, tour to the temples, embarkation on the Lake Nasser cruise ship. Optional evening tour - Abu Simbel temples (sound and light show)
• (Day 9) Lake Nasser cruising to Kasr Ibrim and Amada (sun deck / onboard lecture on Kasr Ibrim Fortress, Amada arrival in the afternoon, tour to Temple of Amada (by Pharaoh Thutmose III, dedicated to Amun), cruising to Wadi el Seboua
• (Day 10) disembarkation, excursion to Wadi el Seboua (Valley of the Lions), tour to Temple of Dakka (Thoth) and Temple of Meharakka, afternoon cruising back to Aswan, evening Nubian show (traditional music, dance, costumes)
• (Day 11) Aswan - morning arrival, breakfast, tour to Temple of Kalabsha (God Mandulis), tour to Aswan High Dam, shore lunch, transfer to Aswan Airport (flight to Cairo). 1 overnight in a luxury hotel (Citystars Cairo, or similar first-class hotel, dinner is included. Optional tour - Giza pyramids (sound and light show).
• (Day 12) Cairo - hotel breakfast and transfer to Cairo Airport for the return flight from Egypt.
• 4-night Nile River voyage
• 3-night Lake Nasser voyage
• 3-night Cairo hotel package (Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah)
• 1-night luxury Cairo hotel stay (Cairo CityStars)
• 17 fully escorted and professionally guided tours - each led by a certified Egyptologist
• A total of 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners, including Welcome Cocktail Reception and Gala Dinner
• Complimentary beverages (wine, beer, soft drinks - during onboard dinners and lunches)
• 3 domestic (Egypt) flights
• Onboard enrichment programming (in-depth narration by Egyptologists, Nubian evening event), also camel riding
• All transfers and port charges.

Note: In March 2018, the company started its own operations on Nile River with the newly refurbished/reconstructed ship Viking Ra.

Nile River cruise fleet

Follows a list of large-sized riverboats operating on the Nile River in Egypt. Most of the vessels are operated as "hotel ships". It means they are moored dockside and their staterooms are bookable as hotel accommodations. In brackets are shown the shipowners and hotel brand companies' names.

• (Sunrise Resorts and Cruises Egypt ships) Sunrise Terramar, Sunrise Semiramis 1, Sunrise Semiramis 2, Sunrise Semiramis 3
• (Travco Group / Travco-Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts ships) Steigenberger Minerva, Steigenberger Legacy
• (Travco Group / Travcotels ships) Regina, Regent, Nile Monarch, Nile Empress, Lady Sophia, Imperial, Helio, Crown Prince, Crown Jewel
• (Travco Group / Travco-Jaz Hotels and Resorts ships) Jaz Jubilee, Jaz Regency, Jaz Senator, Jaz Yakouta
• (Travco Group / Travco-Iberotel Hotels and Resorts ships) Iberotel Crown Empress, Iberotel Crown Emperor
• (Movenpick Hotels and Resorts ships) Sun Ray, Royal Lotus, Royal Lily, Hamees , Darakum
• (Oberoi Hotels and Resorts) Oberoi Philae
• (Presidential Nile Cruises ships) Nile Symphony, Nile Ritz, Nile Plaza, Nile Odyssey, Nile Commodore, Nile Admiral
• (Grand Circle Cruise Line GmbH) River Anuket
• (Grand Cruises Egypt ships) Nile Romance, Nile Beauty, Grand Star, Grand Rose, Grand Preziosa, Grand Palm, Grand Glory
• (Sakkara Tours ships) Monte Carlo, Monaco, Mojito
• (Amarco Nile Cruise) Amarco II Antares
• Tamr Henna, Tower Prestige
• Stephanie, Solaris II, Sentido Mahrousa
• Royal Viking, Royal Ruby, Royal Esadora
• Ra I, Ra II
• Nubian Sea, Nile Supreme, Nile Smart, Nile Rhapsody, Nile Premium, Nile Festival, Nile Crown
• Moon Dance, Monica, Magic I
• Lady Mary, Lady Carol
• Golden Boat
• Eugenie, Emilio
• Domina Prestige
• Amarante Osiris, Amarante Isis, Alexander The Great

Nile River Cruises related cruise news

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Viking has opened bookings for voyages on its upcoming Nile River ship Viking Sobek, scheduled to debut in 2025. This vessel will become the 6th...

Viking Cruises' newest Nile River ship, Viking Aton, officially named in Aswan

On August 19th, Viking unveiled its latest river ship, Viking Aton, during a special event in Aswan, Egypt. The ship's ceremonial godfather, Richard...

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Viking names its newest river ship, Viking Osiris, in Luxor (Egypt)

Viking Cruises on Tuesday, August 22, officially named its newest riverboat - Viking Osiris, with a celebration in Luxor (Egypt). As part of the...

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AmaWaterways announced it will launch a 2nd river cruise ship to sail in Egypt.  AmaLilia is scheduled to debut on the Nile River in 2024...

AmaWaterways' newest Nile River ship AmaDahlia sets sail on maiden voyage

AmaWaterways' newest boat specifically designed for Nile River cruises - AmaDahlia, set sail on her Maiden Voyage in Egypt on September 6th...

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Nile River Cruises

Cruise the Nile in a manner once reserved for queens and pharaohs. Experience Egypt and the Nile’s most wondrous sites in style and luxury. Wander amongst the towering ruins of the Temple of Karnak, the world’s largest ancient religious complex, and the entrancing Temple of Luxor. Visit temples dedicated to Hathor, Horus, and other mythological figures, and pay homage to the country’s first female ruler at the Temple of Hatshepsut. Follow in the footsteps of renowned scholars and explorers as you venture forth into the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty. You will enjoy an exhilarating ride in a felucca, a traditional Nile River sailboat.

Splendors of Egypt & the Nile (2025)

Cairo to Cairo | 12 days

For 12 adventure-filled days, experience Egypt and the Nile’s most wondrous sites in style and luxury. * Wander amongst the towering ruins of the Temple of Karnak, the world’s largest...

Ships: River Tosca, S.S. Sphinx

Country: Egypt

River: Nile

4.6 /5 (712 reviews)

From $6,299 per person

Learn more Get a Quote

Splendors of Egypt & the Nile (2024)

4.6 /5 (731 reviews)

From $5,699 per person

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Cruising the River Nile: Pros, Cons, and Recommendations

Angus McComiskey/Getty Images  

Traditionally, a Nile cruise was considered the centerpiece of an Egyptian vacation, evoking romantic images of idyllic days spent drifting in luxury between the country's ancient sights . In Victorian times, a Nile cruise was the only way to see some of Egypt 's most outstanding ancient temples. Modern visitors have more options available to them; and while Nile cruises are still popular, some find themselves put off by the idea of being confined on a boat for the majority of their vacation. The river is much busier now than it was in the past, and with more than 200 cruise boats plying their trade, there are lines to get through the locks and to dock at each disembarkation point. 

Let's weigh the pros and cons of a Nile cruise so that you can decide whether or not it's a good fit for your visit to Egypt. 

What to Expect

Most Nile cruises start in Luxor and visit the popular sites of Esna, Edfu, and Kom Ombo before disembarking in Aswan. Other itineraries fly directly to Aswan and work their way north down the Nile to the same sights. Most cruises will last at least four nights. There are many different vessels to choose from, ranging from traditional paddle steamers (best suited to those that favor history and authenticity) to luxurious modern cruise ships (geared towards those for whom creature comforts are a priority). Your budget and personal preferences will determine which cruise you choose, although opting for a cabin with air-conditioning is advised during the scorching summer months .

Most cruise companies employ the services of an Egyptologist, who will guide your group around the ancient sights you visit along the way. Days start early to avoid the intense heat of the afternoon; and as such, all cruises tend to operate on a similar schedule (which can lead to overcrowding at the docking sites and at the temples themselves). Modern vessels typically have a swimming pool so that you can cool off after your morning explorations; while some provide nightly entertainment in the form of belly dancing shows or themed dress-up evenings. Food on board is usually excellent, ranging from generous buffets to set dinner menus. Make sure to find out what's included before choosing your operator.

Despite the changes brought about by the progression of time, a Nile river cruise is still one of the most popular ways to see Egypt's ancient sights. Part of that is tradition, and part of it is practicality; after all, many of the most famous sites are located directly on the river, making a cruise the easiest way to travel between them. At night, many of the temples and monuments are illuminated, and the sight of them from the water is simply breathtaking. During the day, the rural scenes you'll see whilst traveling from place to place have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years.

Despite the early morning starts (and depending on which vessel you choose), cruises can also be wonderfully relaxing. While sailing, you'll be able to get a sense of the country without having to deal firsthand with the chaotic roads, busy city streets, and persistent hawkers for which Egypt is famous. Although the sites you'll visit along the way are inevitably crowded, arriving in a large group can make some travelers feel more comfortable. You'll also benefit from the knowledge of an expert guide, both in terms of navigating the touts and in terms of understanding the fascinating history of the temples themselves.

For many visitors, the main drawback of a Nile cruise is not the influx of vessels, nor the crowding at the sites (the latter is unavoidable whether you visit them as part of a cruise or not). The main disadvantage is the inflexibility of a cruise; the fact that you have to operate on a set schedule that dictates when you visit a temple, how long you get to spend there, and what you see whilst you're there. If you want to spend more than a few hours exploring the untold wonders of the temple complexes at Luxor, for example, you may wish to travel there independently or with a land-based guide.

These days, overland tours are equally easy to arrange and allow for more flexibility. You can even hire a car or take public transport if you don't want to be part of an organized tour at all. Many cruise itineraries focus solely on the most popular temples, leaving out worthwhile smaller sights like Abydos and Dendera. Alternatively if your time in Egypt is limited, you may prefer to focus on one or two sights rather than spending much of your vacation in transit on the river. The sheer amount of time spent on board can also be a drawback if you're traveling with young children, or if you find out too late that you don't enjoy the company of your fellow cruise mates.

Recommended Cruises

Best Traditional

Audley Travel's five-night itineraries aboard the Steam Ship Sudan offer the last word in exclusivity and Victorian-era refinement. The steamship, which was constructed in 1885 for King Fouad, was the direct inspiration for Agatha Christie's famous novel Death on the Nile and is still decorated in flawless Belle Epoque style. In each of its 18 cabins and five suites, period antiques range from brass beds to vintage telephones. And although the ship is now operated by a hybrid diesel/steam engine for optimum quietness, you can still view the original pistons and paddle wheels. Dining aboard the Steam Ship Sudan includes generous buffet breakfasts and lunches and stately four-course dinners.

Best Luxury

Despite its traditional exterior, the  Oberoi Philae  offers 22 cabins and suites decorated in the same style you might expect from a contemporary 5-star hotel. Each one includes a pillow-top mattress, high-speed WiFi, a multi-pressure shower, and 24-hour butler service. If you're feeling particularly decadent, splurge on a suite with its own private terrace, complete with a sun lounger and heated whirlpool tub. There are two restaurants to choose from, one for gourmet international cuisine, the other for light meals and beverages at the edge of the ship's temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool. Other luxuries range from a movie theater and dance floor to a salon and spa treatment rooms.

Best Budget

Budget travelers should consider booking a felucca cruise like the ones offered by On The Go Tours . Feluccas are traditional Egyptian sailboats, the like of which have plied their trade on the Nile for centuries. They are wind-powered and as such have a more fluid itinerary; while their smaller size allows them to dock at places of interest that don't have the infrastructure for larger cruise ships. There is no luxury on a felucca cruise; you will sleep on deck in a sleeping bag that you bring with you; the food is basic and amenities are limited to a toilet and shower on the accompanying support boat. However, the experience is probably one of the most authentic (and certainly the cheapest) on the river.

Best for Families

Being trapped on a boat for an extended period of time can be challenging for families, especially if they include young children. This 10-day itinerary from Abercrombie & Kent gives you the best of both worlds with some land-based adventures in addition to a four-night Nile cruise. Your journey from Luxor to Aswan aboard Sanctuary Sun Boat IV is accompanied by an A&K Child Activity Coordinator whose job it is to keep your little ones entertained en route. The itinerary also includes plenty of interactive, hands-on fun that doubles as cultural education, from felucca sailing trips to camel rides, henna painting, and bread baking. A themed dinner and onboard costume party lets the kids dress up in traditional robes known as galabeyas .

The Last Word

Ultimately, whether or not a Nile cruise is the right choice for you depends on your personal preferences. If you like the idea of a cruise , the sheer variety of available options means that you're likely to find a vessel and/or operator to suit your needs. If the drawbacks listed above sound like deal-breakers for you, you're better off saving your money and organizing an alternative option instead.

Updated and re-written in part by Jessica Macdonald

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• River Cruises

This New Luxury Nile River Cruise Is a Gateway to Egypt's Ancient Wonders

There’s no better immersion into the wonders of ancient Egypt than a sailing along the Nile. Uniworld's opulent new river ship is a journey for the ages.

Thomas Chatterton Williams is a freelance writer and author of the books "Losing My Cool" and "Self-Portrait in Black and White." His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine , Travel + Leisure , The Atlantic , and The New Yorker .

The sunbaked temples and tombs on the banks of the Nile River are books penned in stone. You do not pass through them as mere physical spaces. These walls are legible, carrying missives from another world. If the medium is the message, these enduring piles of engraved and painted rock amount to some of the most sophisticated communication devices in existence. That was my first thought as I wandered in amazement through Karnak, the vast temple complex in Luxor, and the idea stayed with me for the duration of my eight nights in Egypt.

Emli Bendixen

I had arrived via Cairo from my home in Paris to experience the  Sphinx , a new Uniworld river ship. But I had also come to fulfill a childhood dream of exploring the relics of ancient Egypt. Upon arrival in Luxor, my fellow passengers and I were spirited away from the ferocious African sun at our first stop, Pharaoh Ramses II’s temple complex, by the gentle humor and substantive knowledge of our guide, Hazem Khalaf. Uniworld partners with the Egyptian-owned Spring Tours for its sailings, and Khalaf is its director — a genial Egyptologist who has been leading tours for 22 years. He treats his métier with the reverence of a master chef or doctor, or maybe even one of Hemingway’s priestly Spanish bullfighters.

A river cruise, among other things, is a study in repetition and rhythm. After several days on the Nile you start to get in touch with the more meditative qualities of moving along the water and contemplating the shifting landscape.

The previous day I’d met Emli Bendixen, the photographer for this story, at the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa, where the gardens tumble toward the Nile, and we acclimated ourselves to the silent power of the slowly moving water. There is a dignity to this river that is palpable, yet difficult to explain. It’s partly visual: those green depths cutting the dusty, palm-tree-studded riverbanks, covered with an intensely blue sky that later turns orange and purple, then finally inky black and splashed with stars. But the river’s dignity is also conjured just by the sound of its name. In the fourth century B.C., the Greek historian Herodotus reported in his  Histories  that “Egypt is the gift of the Nile,” and it is unimaginable that anything important or lasting could have occurred here in its absence.

The  Sphinx  is billed as a floating five-star hotel. This is what Khalaf and his friend of 20-plus years, Sameh El-Sayed, stress with the pride of creators. El-Sayed is the ship’s manager, and together they launched the  Sphinx  in September 2021. El-Sayed, who struck me immediately as a serious and meticulous man, oversaw the construction and design down to the hand-carved wood ceilings and marble bathrooms.

All of us were set up in cabins that felt more like grand suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows, king-size beds, and spacious sitting areas. (The  Sphin x also offers four Royal Suites, which have separate living rooms that are fit for entertaining.) Returning to the ship after the daily excursions was to retreat into a familiar bubble, to be fussed over, though never to the point where it felt invasive. The Egyptian men who cleaned and restocked the rooms and staffed the bars and dining rooms were as diligent as they were personable. As in much of the rest of the service industry here, the staff were categorically male; in this religiously conservative culture, spending weeks away from home is still not considered appropriate for women.

Bendixen and I took our meals together and grew fond of several of our regular waiters, none more than the attentive Abdo Zaref, who kept our glasses flowing with crisp Egyptian pilsners. No matter how many times we explained our professional situation to him, Zaref could not bring himself to believe that we were not married. “Is your husband coming down?” he would ask Bendixen with concern if she arrived at the table before me. One evening, when she fell asleep early, Zaref and several others helped me prepare a doggie bag “to take upstairs to your wife” so that she wouldn’t miss supper.

Meals were served on the first-level deck, which came with arresting water-level views. Among my favorite dishes were classics of the region, like couscous and  börek  (a puff pastry with salted cheese and yogurt dip) — along with surprisingly smooth Egyptian and Libyan wines.

It takes very little imagination to forget the hum of the engine and put yourself in the mindset of a visitor from another time who has come to pay respects to Sobek (the crocodile god) or Horus (the falcon-headed god).

I was eager to learn what motivated the other travelers, many of whom were aficionados of the high seas and various European rivers. “On a cruise you switch your brain off,” one retired American woman told me early on, and I began to notice the philosophical divide between the people who diligently rose at dawn to go on all of the demanding daily excursions and the people who played hooky, stretching out and sunning themselves on the deck in piña-coladified silence.

I fell somewhere in between, having jumped at this voyage in part to see Egypt and in part to flee the whirlwind pace of daily living in Paris — in other words, to slow down, accomplish less, purposefully read sentences on paper instead of a screen, and stare into the distance at sundown. For the duration of the trip, the Internet was reliably unreliable — and when it did work, a VPN was necessary to get around the government’s strict content blocks, which was either a blessing or a curse, depending on your perspective. For me, it was blissful relief.

A river cruise, among other things, is a study in repetition and rhythm. After several days on the Nile you start to get in touch with the more meditative qualities of moving along the water and contemplating the shifting landscape, which at times grows lush — with tall grasses, date palms, and papyrus — and at other times more arid, with children and livestock dipping in and out of view at regular intervals as they climb boulders framed by sand dunes. Sometimes it reveals shocking sights, like men and donkeys washing by the banks beside an industrial complex spilling sudsy runoff.

Occasionally, the ship becomes a portal through which time travel seems genuinely feasible. The Greco-Roman temple at Kom Ombo near Aswan looms so large and substantial over the docking cruise ships it leaves you with the impression you can reach out and touch the worn columns from your window. It takes very little imagination to forget the hum of the engine and put yourself in the mindset of a visitor from another time who has come to pay respects to Sobek (the crocodile god) or Horus (the falcon-headed god). It was in their honor that the structure was erected, and it is hard not to appreciate the resilience of the people who braved these predator-infested waters to worship — and even mummify — the reptiles that routinely attacked them.

Spring Tours provided shuttle buses that cocooned us in climatized comfort while Khalaf expounded capsule lectures on the history and vocabulary behind the day’s itinerary. On the way to the Valley of the Kings — where the pharaohs were buried in the barren, inhospitable hillsides before they shifted their capital from Memphis to Cairo and learned to build pyramids — we passed, beside a nondescript highway with ramshackle gas stations and convenience stores wrapped in blue Pepsi signage, one of the most awe-inspiring sights I have ever encountered: the Colossi of Memnon. It consists of two 59-foot-high seated statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which have stood since 1350 B.C. Ruined and effaced almost beyond recognition, they nonetheless convey an almost supernatural severity I’d never experienced before. These are the remnants of a people who believed they possessed some measure of divinity in the here and now.

Farther up the road, and deep into the stone hills of the Valley of the Kings, I descended into Tutankhamen’s Burial Chamber and stood mesmerized before his partially shrouded, blackened, yet jarringly intact corpse. It was the size of a small child and I could count all 10 of his gnarled but impossibly tenacious toes. Finding yourself in the presence of physical spaces that have lived within your individual psyche (not to mention the culture’s collective consciousness) for so long is a profound and uncanny thing. Before this trip, it had only really happened to me at the Garden of Gethsemane in Israel and the Acropolis in Greece. In Egypt it happened over and over again.

As the cloudless sky grew black and pinholed with starlight, unveiling the razor-thin moon, I was reminded that Ramadan had begun — and that our gracious crew had been fasting and even abstaining from water since sunrise.

BY THE TIME the tour reached Aswan — one of the most important cities of Ancient Egypt — I had acclimated to my evening ritual on the roof deck, where I would clutch my cold gin and tonic as the air slowly cooled around me and contemplate the extraordinary sherbet-toned sunsets streaking the sky. I hadn’t expected the lushness and natural splendor of the ancient Nubian city and complex of islands in the river, on which visitors will find botanical gardens, archaeological sites, and temples. (Nubia was an early northeastern African civilization that ruled over parts of modern-day Egypt and the Sudan.)

We went bird-watching one morning among the islands. Diaa Araby, our tour guide that day, pointed out great blue herons, beautiful night herons, pied kingfishers, and reed warblers in the pampas grass along the banks of the river, as the traditional felucca sailboats zigzagged all around. “When you take the boat against the wind you have to tack back and forth,” Khalaf explained. “Steering a felucca on the Nile is like driving in Cairo!”

On one side of the river the steep, velvety dunes of the Sahara fall dramatically into the water. On the other side, there looms the colonial-era oasis of the Old Cataract Hotel, in green and brick-red hues. Among many other distinguished guests, Agatha Christie once holed up for a year in 1937 to write her novel  Death on the Nile . We had tea and cocktails on the hotel’s spectacular terrace one evening and I almost expected Hercule Poirot himself to appear. As the cloudless sky grew black and pinholed with starlight, unveiling the razor-thin moon, I was reminded that Ramadan had begun — and that our gracious crew had been fasting and even abstaining from water since sunrise.

ASWAN REPRESENTED the climax of the cruise, and after that we retraced our route to Luxor. From there, some of us would continue on by plane to Cairo to visit the Pyramids — that lifelong dream for many of the passengers, myself included. At the airport in Luxor, there was a festive atmosphere as entire clans gathered to wave off the lone family members who had saved sufficient funds to make the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Upon landing in Cairo, political realities reasserted themselves. Egypt is a military dictatorship, lest anyone forget, and everywhere I looked in the capital, huge billboards and murals of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met my gaze. The tour whisked us to the cool sanctuary of the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, through the labyrinthine megalopolis that, just over a decade prior, had been the epicenter of an Arab Spring; those portraits serve as a reminder that it never materialized.

It’s good that the Pyramids and their hypnotizing, noseless guard arrive at the very end of the voyage. (Nothing can diminish these sights — not even the appalling presence of a Kentucky Fried Chicken, which Khalaf had joked the poor Sphinx must now stare at in perpetuity.) I can think of nothing that could fairly compete.

“I have often considered the survival of paintings and what it means for our civilization that an image has survived across time undamaged,” the novelist Rachel Cusk observed, “and something of the morality of that survival — the survival of the original — pertains, I believe, to the custody of human souls too.”

When we finally pulled up to the Pyramids and disembarked from the buses to make our way toward the Great Pyramid of Cheops, the only remaining “wonder of the ancient world,” one of the women in my group began to cry. “I have always wanted to see the Pyramids,” she said by way of explanation to no one in particular, wiping her eyes. I smiled at her and continued toward the immense mounds of stone. The morality of the survival of these three-dimensional images from the deepest civilized past is impressed to this day against the polluted, golden-blue contemporary sky. It demands precisely such a reaction, I thought, as my own eyes began to well.

Uniworld offers 12-day Splendors of Egypt & the Nile sailings, which include two days in Cairo, from $6,199, all-inclusive.

A version of this story first appeared in the October 2022 issue of  Travel + Leisure  under the headline "The Eternal River ."

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Everything You Need To Know Before Embarking On A Nile River Cruise

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A Nile cruise is on nearly every international traveler’s wish list. The wonders of ancient Egypt go way beyond the pyramids and the sphinx, with countless treasures lying further south, a stretch away from Cairo, lying either within reach of Luxor or Aswan, which is why most people opt for a cruise between the two cities, stopping off at the most important sites along the way.

Having visited Cairo before, a Nile cruise had been on my wish list for years until I finally found the right ship, which I knew I would enjoy, together with the right duration of cruise and itinerary to suit me. It took a lot of research and some luck to chance upon the cruise that was right for me: very small, few people, historic connections, a touch of the glamor of 1920s- and 1930s-style travel, and plenty of class. I found my ideal cruise on the SS Sudan , the last true paddle steamer on the Nile, the one Agatha Christie sailed on and where she wrote Death on the Nile — and where the subsequent movies were filmed. Small enough to allow for privacy, large enough for comfort, with a five-night, six-day itinerary between Luxor and Aswan.

But what is perfect for me isn’t necessarily perfect for everybody else. Some might want a pool, a shop, more people to socialize with, or maybe more modern cabins, and probably going from Aswan to Luxor, or even cruising the whole way from Cairo to Aswan. Timing is crucial as well, as is deciding what to do at either end. There are many things to consider before embarking on a Nile cruise, so, here I have listed a few points to mull over and research before you book yourself that trip of a lifetime.

Up Or Down River?

Let’s start with some nomenclature you will need to go along the right route: Cruising up the Nile means you are going south, toward the source of the Nile, which, by the way, I recently discovered in Uganda. Cruising down the Nile is sailing toward the estuary in the Mediterranean. But, just to confuse things, Upper Egypt is in fact southern Egypt, while Lower Egypt is in the north, by the coast.

Most Nile Cruises, except for the ones setting off from Cairo and cruising all the way up the Nile, actually sail only in Upper Egypt, between Luxor and Aswan.

I am unsure about what the statistics are when it comes to preferences, but all the cruise ships in Upper Egypt either cruise from Luxor to Aswan or from Aswan to Luxor. Both Luxor and Aswan have airports you can fly into from Cairo, the main international airport in Egypt, so the choice really is yours. That said, personally, I felt that going from Luxor to Aswan was my preferred option simply because — in my mind — Aswan is so much prettier than Luxor. And from Aswan, you can travel to the temples in Abu Simbel, leaving you with the best bit at the end of your journey. But many people would argue the opposite and there really is no right or wrong.

Hotels At Either End

While many travelers, mostly those who are time poor, head straight from the airport to the cruise ship and, once docked after the cruise, fly straight back out again, I would like to plead for a night or two at either end. Not only does it give you the option of overcoming any jet lag or travel fatigue, but also there are some lovely historic hotels that are worth spending a night in. In Luxor, the famous Winter Palace is a historic hotel, a little frayed around the edges, but with a fabulous garden and a pedigree of former guests that is hard to beat. The only place that can beat the guest list of the Winter Palace is the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan where Agatha Christie stayed at the end of her cruise, and you can take a tour through numerous suites named after illustrious guests who stayed there over the last century. And the hotel offers rooms with some of my favorite views in the world .

What Kind Of Boat

There are essentially four types of boats on the Nile that can take you from A to B. There are modern cruise ships, relatively small when compared to ocean-going cruise ships with around 50 cabins, but many with swimming pools, cabins with balconies, and shops and restaurants on board. There is the SS Sudan , alone in its class, without amenities such as pools or shops, but with only five suites and 18 cabins, plus a superb sundeck, a bar, and a restaurant. Then there are the dahabiyas, beautiful boats with a sail at either end — and even more private with many only catering to around 12 passengers. The dahabiyas come without engines, but often have a tugboat for added speed, and offer the most tranquil and secluded cruises. Lastly, there are the feluccas, small sailboats, where in some cases you can spend one night on board, but generally, these lovely and traditional sailboats are only used for day trips.

Where Are The Stops?

Between the most popular cruise harbors of Luxor and Aswan lie the most amazing sights, most of which are taken in by all the various cruises, because, after all, that is why everybody is there. The main stops are Qena, a little downriver from Luxor, with the Dendera and Abydos temples; Luxor , with the various valleys of tombs; Edfu with the fabulous Kom Ombo temple; and lastly Aswan, with a visit to Philae. On a five-night cruise upriver (so going south), you will stay overnight in Qena, Luxor, Edfu, and two nights in Aswan.

Length Of Cruise

Most cruises between Luxor and Aswan take between three and seven days, the shorter ones skipping Qena and only staying one night in Aswan, the longer ones adding extra nights, usually in Luxor.

If you are lucky enough to have the time to sail from Cairo to Aswan , the itinerary takes a minimum of 11 nights, but more often than not 14 nights, with sightseeing in Cairo included, usually reaching Luxor on Day 11. Despite the current of the Nile, which is evident but quite slow, the cruises up or down the river take the same amount of time.

When Best To Travel

The best time to visit Upper (southern) Egypt is between October and April. That said, I went at the end of October, and the temperatures were still in the 90s Fahrenheit, making sightseeing a bit of an exhausting undertaking. In the summer, these temperatures are much, much worse, so travel then is best avoided. In December and January, the coldest months, the temperatures hover around the mid-70s Fahrenheit. As for rain, the rainy season is between October and April, with a negligible spike at less than an inch of rain in October.

What You Must Pack

Even if yours is a fancy cruise, pack light, pack layers, and pack sensible shoes. It will be hot and sandy whenever you go exploring. In the Valley of the Kings, for example, there is much sand, no shade, and plenty of stairs and steps to conquer, so light clothing but good shoes that keep you firmly on the ground are useful. Bring a light cover for the evening and something nice for the boat. A clothes brush to get the sand and dust off you at the end of the outing and a handheld fan to bring you some air when it gets warm are essential. And, if you like a tipple or two, know that in Egypt imported wine and champagne are extortionately expensive, so, get your full allowance in the duty-free shop and enjoy along the way.

What To Do Before (Or After)

Chances are that you will fly into Cairo, and unless you are embarking in Cairo, some sightseeing is a must. Allow at least two extra days to see the main sights before heading south. And once you are in the south, note that all cruise ships stop at Aswan because of the dams. If you want to see Abu Simbel, you can either fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel or take a tour either by bus or private car , but you will need to book the car in advance. This is because the tourist road caravan sets off first thing in the morning and is escorted by police all the way between Aswan and Abu Simbel because of potential bandits, and all travelers need to be registered and accounted for by the day before at the latest.

What To Read And Watch About The Nile

To get you in the mood and keep you going while you’re there, here are some books and films set in exactly the places you will be visiting, so you can go, “Oh, I know that place!” as you read or watch.

• Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
• The films Death on the Nile from 1978 with Peter Ustinov , 2004 with David Suchet , and 2022 with Kenneth Branagh
• Some very light but fun mysteries by Elizabeth Peters , with lots of places to be recognized
• The superb old travel book by Amelia B. Edwards A Thousand Miles up the Nile , first published in 1877

One fantastic historical TV series presented by Bettany Hughes is entitled The Nile and is full of information, making for perfect viewing before and after your trip.

Pro Tip: In many places, you will either have to pay for a photography permit, or, at times, won’t be able to take photographs. But don’t let that stop you from carrying your camera everywhere with you!

Related Reading:

• How This River Cruise Allowed Me To Get To Know My Mom Again
• 7 Best River Cruise Lines Around The World
• American Cruise Lines Unveils Its Longest U.S. River Cruise — The Four Rivers You’ll Explore In 60 Days

A travel writer and guidebook author for the last 20 years, Ulrike's work has been seen in National Geographic , BBC , The Independent , Australian Women's Weekly , The Telegraph , The Australian , Fodor's , France Today , CNN Travel , Lonely Planet , Travel + Leisure , CNTraveler , numerous inflight magazines, and many others.

She has written three books for Moon Travel Guides: 'Living Abroad in Australia' (3rd edition), 'Sydney & the Great Barrier Reef', and the shorter version 'Spotlight Sydney' and are all available in print and as e-books.

Having lived in seven countries (Germany, UK, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Australia, and France) to date and traveled to more than 100, she specializes in writing about travel, art and architecture, expat living, and life and style.

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MS Blue Shadow

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MS Blue Shadow II

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MS Blue Shadow III

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MS Royal Esadora

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MS Historia

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1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board 5-star deluxe Nile cruise ship of Spring Tours (built in 2020), a total of 46 deluxe cabins and suites (Royal Suite, Grand Suite) with a french balcony. Offer Price per person from 890 €

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Farah a noble 5-star deluxe Nile river cruise ship with a gym, a spa, premium-class cabins and suites with large panoramic windows / french balcony. Offer Price per person from 910 €

MS Le Fayan

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MS Alexander the Great Yacht

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MS Nile Excellence

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Nile Diva & Spa

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MS Steigenberger Senator

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MS Jaz Viceroy

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MS Viking RA

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MS Viking Osiris

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board One of the newest Nile river floating hotels in Egypt. Build 2022, owned/managed by Viking Cruises, sister ship to Viking Aton. Offer Price per person from 845 €

MS Viking Aton

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board New sister ship to Viking Osiris, owned and operatet by Viking River Cruises, state-of-the-art vessel built in 2023. Offer Price per person from 845 €

MS Antares (Viking Antares)

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board First Class 5-Star Deluxe Suite-Only Nile Ship from Amarco Cruises company under the Viking Nile Cruises line with 35 Suites. Offer Price per person from 775 €

MS AmaLilia

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board New Nile cruiser of AmaWaterways Cairo, starting in 2024 and built similarly to its sister floating hotel M/S AmaDahlia. Offer Price per person from 915 €

MS AmaDahlia

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board One of the newest, 2021 built/launched Nile river ship of AmaWaterways Nile Cruises Egypt (sister M/S AmaDahlia). Offer Price per person from 915 €

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Premium 5* deluxe Nile ship by Sakkara Group. 37 suites (28 sqm), 1 owner suite (71 sqm) and 2 executive suites (42 sqm). Offer Price per person from 815 €

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Noble 5-star deluxe Nile river cruise ship (built in 2008) offers 40 deluxe cabins (28 sqm) With large panoramic windows. Offer Price per person from 765 €

MS Amwaj Living Stone

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MS Royal Viking

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board One of the most popular 5* Deluxe vessels on the Nile by Viking Group Egypt offers 68 deluxe cabins and suites, built 2008. Offer Price per person from 790 €

MS Nile Vision

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board 5* standard Nile river cruise ship (built in 2003) has 66 cabins with panoramic windows, operating for Phönix Reisen. Offer Price per person from 755 €

MS Royal Vision

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board First class 5 star deluxe Nile cruise ship with 36 standard cabins and 2 DeLuxe cabins is chartered from Phoenix Reisen. Offer Price per person from 815 €

MS Crown Vision

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Premium 5-star deluxe Nile cruise ship with 36 standard cabins and 2 DeLuxe cabins is chartered from Phoenix Reisen. Offer Price per person from 815 €

MS Queens Vision

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | New 2024 New 5* deluxe Nile cruiser of the Dynasty Travel with 48 deluxe cabins and 1 suite sails for Phoenix Reisen. Renovation 2023/24. Reopening/beginning 2024. Offer Price per person from 815 €

MS Grand Mandarin

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | New 2024 New 5* Superior-Deluxe Nile cruiser offers 64 junior suites and royal suites with french balcony. Renovation 2023/24. Reopening/beginning 2024. Offer Price per person from 815 €

2 Weeks | Cairo-Luxor-Aswan | New 2024 New re-opening 5* suite Nile cruise ship, Cairo to Aswan by Kuoni, M/S Sindbad (HS Sindbad) offers 17 suite cabins. Renovation year 2023. Launch/opening 2024. Offer Price per person from 3995 €

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | New 2024 New 5* Super-Deluxe (Superior) Nile cruiser with luxury cabins and suites with a french balcony. Renovation 2023/24. Launch/beginning 2024. Offer Price per person from 915 €

MS Cleopatra

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | New 2024 New 5*-Deluxe Nile cruise ship M/S Cleopatra offers 45 cabins and suites with fench balcony. Renovation 2023/24. Launch/beginning 2024. Offer Price per person from 820 €

Sunrise Terramar

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Premium Class All-Suite 5*-Deluxe Nile cruise ship of the SUNRISE Resorts & Nile Cruises hotel chain with only 20 exclusive Suite cabins. Offer Price per person from 1495 €

MS TUI Al Horeya

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | New 2024 New 5-star deluxe adults-only Nile cruise ship of TUI Cruises (TUI River Cruises) by Travco, Jaz Al Horeya offers 74 cabins, full board plus and all-inclusive. Construction year 2023/24. Launch/opening 2024. Offer Price per person from 795 €

MS Jaz Ghalia

2 Weeks | Cairo-Luxor-Aswan | New 2024 New 5-star deluxe Nile cruise ship of Jaz Cruises (Jaz Hotel Group) by Travco, Jaz Ghaliia (ex. Jaz Asteria) offers 47 cabins and full board. Renovation year 2023. Launch/reopening 2024. Offer Price per person from 720 €

MS Jaz Gloria

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | NEW 2024 New 5-star deluxe Nile cruise ship of Jaz Cruises (Jaz Hotel Group - JHG) by Travco, M/S Jaz Gloria offers 46 cabins, 1 Suite and full board. Renovation year 2023. Launch/re-opening 2024. Offer Price per person from 720 €

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board New and popular deluxe cruise ship Mayfair Cruises with SPA area, 56 Standard Cabins, 16 Executive Cabins and 2 President Suites. Offer Price per person from 990 €

MS Esplanade

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board 5-star deluxe ship from the Mayfair Grand Plaza shipping company with spa, 56 standard cabins, 15 executive cabins and 2 presidential suites. Offer Price per person from 990 €

MS Mayflower

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board New Winter 2019/2020 completed Super Deluxe Nile Ship with SPA, 30 Deluxe, 8 Executive Cabins, 16 Royal Suites and 2 Presidential Suites. Offer Price per person from 995 €

Mövenpick Darakum

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Elegant and tasteful luxury class Nile ship of the Mövenpick hotel group with 44 Standard-Cabins and 8 Suite Cabins. Offer Price per person from 1115 €

Mövenpick Royal Lily

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Popular 5-star deluxe Nile ship of the Mövenpick Cruises hotel group with 56 Standard Cabins and 4 Royal Suites. Offer Price per person from 985 €

Mövenpick Royal Lotus

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Modern Deluxe Class Nile Ship of the Mövenpick Hotel Group with 60 cabins and 2 Royal Suites. Offer Price per person from 985 €

Mövenpick Sunray

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Noble and high-quality Nile Cruise Ship of the Mövenpick hotel group with 66 Cabins and 2 Senior Suites. Offer Price per person from 1115 €

Mövenpick Hamees

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Modern Deluxe Cruise ship of the well-known Mövenpick Cruises group with 72 Standard Cabins and Superior Cabins. Offer Price per person from 1125 €

Mövenpick Prince Abbas

5 Days | Aswan-Abu Simbel | Full Board Exclusive, comfortable Retro Nasser Lake Cruise Ship of Mövenpick Group with 65 Standard Cabins, Junior and Royal Suites. Offer Price per person from 595 €

Mövenpick SS Misr

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Historical steam-Nile cruise ship (built in 1907) of the Mövenpick chain with 16 Cabins, 6 Suites with balcony and 2 Suites with private panoramic terrace. Offer Price per person from 2160 €

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Special paddle steamer Nilschiff (side wheels, built in 1921) got out of the movies "Death on the Nile" as SS Karnak with 23 cabins and suites. Offer Price per person from 2290 €

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Full Board Exclusive and historic Nile Steamboat (wheel steamer with rear wheels, built in 1917) for groups and charter with 11 Cabins and 3 Royal Cabins. Offer Price per person from 2595 €

Mövenpick Feddya Dahabiya

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Butler Luxury suite Nile cruise Dahabiya sailing boat "boutique Nile cruise" by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts "Mövenpick Nile Cruises", SB Mövenpick Feddya Dahabiya offers only 4 suite cabins with Butler service. Offer Price private charter on Request

Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Deluxe Luxury Nile cruise Dahabiya sailing boat of the Sonesta Hotels & Resorts "Sonesta Nile Cruises", SB Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya with Jacuzzi offers 5 deluxe cabins and 2 suites with private balcony. Offer Price per person from 1700 €

Farouz El Nil Dahabiya

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Deluxe Deluxe Nile cruise Dahabeya sailing boats of Jaz Cruises (Jaz Hotel Group, JHG) by Travco, S/B Jaz Farouz El Nil 1, 2 & 3 Dahabiyas offers 6 deluxe cabins with panoramic window. Offer Price per person from 3516 €

KAZAZIAN Arax Dahabiya

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Ultra Luxury New ultra-luxury Nile cruiser Dahabiya sailing yacht by Kazazian Cruises, S/B "KAZAZIAN Arax" Dahabiya yacht offers V.V.I.P. class service in Egypt. Price on Request

KAZAZIAN Berge Dahabiya

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Ultra Luxury New ultra-luxury Nile cruiser Dahabiya sailing yacht by Kazazian Cruises, S/B "KAZAZIAN Berge" Dahabiya yacht offers V.V.I.P. class service on the Nile. Offer Price per person from on Request €

AQUA Dahabiya

1 Week | Luxor-Aswan-Luxor | Ultra Luxury New ultra-luxury Nile cruiser Dahabiya sailing yacht by Aqua Cruises, S/B The AQUA Dahabiya yacht offers V.V.I.P. class service in Upper Egypt. Offer Price per person from on Request €

Nile Cruise Tours

Our selected nile cruises and egypt round trips with and without hotel combination booking option for your best moments of the year..

Nile Cruise

1 Week | Double Cabin | Full Board | Incl. Excursions Experience Egypt from the Nile and see the highlights of millennia-old culture. See much of Egypt and Nile Valley from the deck of your "floating hotel". Offer Price per person from 945 €

Nile Cruise Tour/Itinerary From Luxor via Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan and Abu Simbel, and from Aswan via Kom Ombo back to Luxor then check-out and disembarkation, transfer to the airport or hotel. Nile Cruise Ship 1 Week Nile Cruise Tour; Arrival in Luxor Egypt, transfer to the Nile ship and embarkation (check-in). Beginning of the Classic Nile Cruise Tour. If booked, after the Nile cruise from Luxor by bus over the desert or with Domestic flight EgyptAir to Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea and check-in at The Oberoi Hotel.

Nile Cruise Excursions & Sights In Luxor Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Tomb of Thebes West with "Kings Valley", Visit to the tomb of Tutankhamen, Medinet Habu and mortuary temple Ramses III, Dendera Hathor Temple, Memnon Colossi and Hatshepsut Temple as well as sound and light show in the Karnak temple. In Esna Chnum temple, in Edfu Temple of Horus, in Kom Ombo the double temple Sobek temple and Haroeris temple, in Aswan Kitchner island, Agilka Island with Philae Temple, Unfinished obelisk, Dam and Felukkenfahrt to visit the Botanical Garden. Abu Simbel Temple of Ramses II and Temple of Nefertari.

Nile Cruise Including Services V.I.P. Reception at the airport, private transfers and tour guides, private tour guides, all excursions (including entrance fees for temples and museum), Nile ship is with full board board. Sound and light show Karnak Temple. Luxor Balloon Tour. Nile Cruise Exclusive Service Butler service, Oberoi SPA & Wellness Anwendungen, Massagen und Beauty Behandlungen, Private plane/Business Jet or Helicopter Charter, V.I.P. Limusine Transver mit Security, Escort services, Oper service for kids up to 12 years, Drinks, additional individual excursion wishes.

Lake Nasser Cruise

5 Days | Double Cabin | Full Board | Incl. Excursions Experience Nubia from Lake Nasser and visit the highlights of millennia-old culture. See much of Egypt and Nubia from the deck of your "floating hotel". Offer Price per person from 495 €

Lake Nasser Cruise Tour/Itinerary From Aswan via Kasr Ibraim to Abu Simbel, and from Abu Simbel via Kalabsha back to Aswan, then check-out and disembarkation, Transver to the airport, or Nile cruise ship, or hotel on the Red Sea. Nasser Lake Cruise Ship 5 Days Nasser cruise; Arrival in Aswan, Egypt, transfer to the ship and embarkation (check-in). begin the Nasser cruise tour. Check-out, disembark and transfer to Aswan Airport for return flight, or by EgyptAir#flight to your connecting trip in Cairo or Luxor as well as hotel on the Red Sea.

Lake Nasser Cruise Excursions & Sights On Lake Nasser (Nubian Sea), visit the Kalabsha Temple and visit the kiosk of Kertassi. In Wadi el-Sebua, visit the Wadi el-Sebua and visit the temple complex of Dakka and Maharakka in the "Valley of the Lions" (Dakka Temple and Maharakka Temple). Fortress Fort Kasr Ibrim (there is no shore leave, sightseeing is only by boat), In Abu Simbel visit the temple of Ramses II and the temples of his wife Nefertari (Temple of Ramses II and Temple of Nefertari), in Amada the Amada temple visit and visit the tomb of Penut. Wadi Halfa in Sudan with visa only.

Lake Nasser Cruise Including Services V.I.P. Reception at the airport, private transfers and tour guides, private tour guides, all excursions (including entrance fees for temples and museum), Nasser Cruise Ship is with full board board. Desert and Bedouin village tour. Luxor Balloon Tour. Lake Nasser Cruise Extra Services Butler service, Oberoi SPA & Wellness treatments, Massages and beauty treatments, Private plane/Business Jet or Helicopter Charter, V.I.P. Limousine transfer with security, Escort services, Oper service for kids up to 12 years, beverages, Additional individual excursions wish.

Nile & Lake Nasser Cruises

12 Days | Double Cabin | Full Board | Incl. Excursions Experience Egypt from the cruise ship and see the Highlights of millennia-old culture. See much of Egypt, Nile Valley and Nubia from the deck of your "floating hotel". Offer Price per person from 1395 €

Nile & Lake Nasser Cruise Tour/Itinerary From Luxor via Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan, from Aswan to Abu Simbel, from Abu Simbel via Aswan back to Luxor then check-out and disembarkation, Transver to the airport. Nile & Nasser Cruise Ships 1 Week Nile cruise and 5 Days Nasser Lake Sea Cruise; Arrival in Luxor/Aswan, Egypt, transfer to the Nile ship and embarkation (check-in). Beginning of the Classic Nile Cruise Tour. Check-out, disembarkation and transfer to the Lake Nasser cruise, check-in, boat trip on the Nasser Lake Cruise.

Nile & Lake Nasser Excursions & Sights Luxor / Karnak Temples, West Bank Valley of the Kings, Tutankhamun's Tomb, Medinet Habu and Ramses III Temple, Hathor, Memnon Colossi, Hatshepsut Temple, Sound/Light show Karnak Temple. Chnum Temple Esna, Horus Temple Edfu, Kom Ombo Sobek and Haroeris temples, in Aswan Kitchner island, Philae Temple, Unfinished obelisk, dam (Barrage), Felucca ride visit the Botanical Garden. Lake Nasser, Kalabsha Temple, Kiosk of Kertassi. Wadi el-Sebua, Temple of Dakka and Maharakka in the "Valley of the Lions". Fortress Kasr Ibrim (no shore leave), Abu Simbel temples of Ramses II and Nefertari, Amada Temple and Tomb of Penut.

Nile & Lake Nasser Cruise Including Services V.I.P. Reception at the airport, private transfers and tour guides, Private tour guide, All excursions (including entrance fees to temples and museum), Nile and Nasser ships with full board board. Sound/Light show Karnak Temple. Luxor Balloon Tour. Nile & Nasser Lake Cruise Exclusive Service Butler service, Oberoi SPA & Wellness treatments, Massages and beauty treatments, Private plane/Business Jet or Helicopter Charter, V.I.P. Limousine transfer with security, Escort services, Oper service for kids up to 12 years, beverages, Additional individual excursions wish.

Our selected Taylor made Egypt special tours for your most beautiful moments of the year.

Nile Cruise & Red Sea

2 Weeks | DBL | FB/HB | Incl. Excursions 1 Week Nile cruiser The Oberoi Zahra & 1 Week Hotel The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh Offer Price per person from 2.845 €

Nile Combination Tour/Itinerary From Luxor via Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan and Abu Simbel, and from Aswan via Kom Ombo back to Luxor then on to the Red Sea Oberoi Hotel for a beach holiday. The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise Ship 1 Week Nile Cruise: Arrival in Luxor, Egypt, transfer to the Nile ship and embarkation (check-in). Beginning of the Classic Nile Cruise Tour. From Luxor by bus over the desert or with EgyptAir domestic flight to Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea.

The Oberoi Hotel Sahl Hasheesh Check in and start the bathing stay in Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea "Half Board".

Combination Tour Including Services V.I.P. Reception at the airport, private transfers and tour guides, Private guide, All excursions (including entrance fees for temples and museum), Nile ship is full board and the hotel is half board. Fantasia 1001 Night Alf Leila Wa Leila Show. Discover Scuba diving. Desert Safari Tour. Mahmya Giftun Island Boat Tour. Exclusive Services Butler service, Oberoi SPA & Wellness treatments, Massages and beauty treatments, Private plane/Business Jet or Helicopter Charter, V.I.P. Limousine transfer with security, Escort services, Oper service for kids up to 12 years, beverages, Additional individual excursions wish.

Nile Cruise & Hurghada

2 wk. | DBL | FB/HB | Incl. Excursions 1 Week Nile cruiser The Oberoi Philae & 1 Week The Oberoi Hotel Sahl Hasheesh Offer Price per person from 2.865 €

Nile Combination Tour-Itinerary From Luxor via Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan and Abu Simbel, and from Aswan via Kom Ombo back to Luxor then on to the Red Sea Oberoi Hotel for a beach holiday. The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise Ship 1 Week Nile Cruise: Arrival in Luxor, Egypt, transfer to the Nile ship and embarkation (check-in). Beginning of the Classic Nile Cruise Tour. From Luxor by bus over the desert or with EgyptAir domestic flight to Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea.

Oberoi Hotel Sahl Hasheesh Check in and start the bathing stay in Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea "Half Board".

Combination Tour Incl. Services VIP Reception at the airport, private transfers and tour guides, Private guide, All excursions (including entrance fees for temples and museum), Nile ship is full board and the hotel is half board. Fantasia 1001 Night Alf Leila Wa Leila Show. Discover Scuba diving. Desert Safari Tour. Mahmya Giftun Island Boat Tour. Excl. Services Butler service, Oberoi SPA & Wellness treatments, Massages and beauty treatments, Private plane/Business Jet or Helicopter Charter, V.I.P. Limousine transfer with security, Escort services, Oper service for kids up to 12 years, beverages, Additional individual excursions wish.

Nile Cruise and Red Sea

2 Weeks | DBL | FB/HB | with Excursions 1 Week Nile ship Sanctuary Sun Boat IV & 1 Week Hotel The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh Offer Price per person from 2.885 €

Nile Combination Itinerary/Tour From Luxor via Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo to Aswan and Abu Simbel, and from Aswan via Kom Ombo back to Luxor then on to the Red Sea Oberoi Hotel for a beach holiday. Sanctuary Sun Boat IV Nile Cruise Ship 1 Week Nile Cruise: Arrival in Luxor, Egypt, transfer to the Nile ship and embarkation (check-in). Beginning of the Classic Nile Cruise Tour. From Luxor by bus over the desert or with EgyptAir domestic flight to Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea.

The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh Hotel Check in and start the bathing stay in Sahl Hasheesh on the Red Sea "Half Board".

Combination-Tour Including Services VIP-Reception at the airport, private transfers and tour guides, Private guide, All excursions (including entrance fees for temples and museum), Nile ship is full board and the hotel is half board. Fantasia 1001 Night Alf Leila Wa Leila Show. Discover Scuba diving. Desert Safari Tour. Mahmya Giftun Island Boat Tour. Exclusive-Services Butler service, Oberoi SPA & Wellness treatments, Massages and beauty treatments, Private plane/Business Jet or Helicopter Charter, V.I.P. Limousine transfer with security, Escort services, Oper service for kids up to 12 years, beverages, Additional individual excursions wish.

About Nile River Cruise Ships

Nilerivercruiseships.com offers you the selected best premium luxury deluxe and suite nile river cruise ships, nile cruises with more services, nasser lake cruise ships as well as exclusive nile cruises with cairo, luxor, aswan and red sea hotel combination tours, which are also individually organized, planned and arranged according to your personal wishes, for your best moments in the year in egypt nile cruise ships with certificate from germanischer lloyd certification (int. lloyds) or similar and crystal hygiene management program..

What categories and types of Nile cruise ships are there? Officially there are 3 categories of cruise ships from the 80s; 3-star, 4-star and 5-star Nile ships that do not meet today's ship equipment and standards or are no longer up to date. Since the end of the 1990s, only ships in the 5-star category have been built or old 3- and 4-star Nile ships have been renovated and upgraded to 5-stars. Common (market) 5-star Nile cruise ship types and categories are: 5-star (5* standard), 5-star deluxe, 5-star seperior, (also 5* super deluxe), 5-star all-suite (also 5* suite-only), 5-star ultra-luxury and special category (historic steamships and paddle boats). There are also the very exclusive Dahabiya Nile cruise sailboats. Nilkreuzfahrtschiff.com is a portal of MISRTOUR.COM in Egypt.

NileRiverCruiseShips.com

Egypt Nile Cruise Specialist Powered by MISRTOUR.COM West Bank, Luxor City, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt. Booking phone: +20 1002405415 Website: www.nilerivercruiseships.com E-mail: [email protected] YouTube: Nile River Cruise Ships Videos

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Please let us know the travel and tour details for your wish nile cruise ship, nile river cruise trip or nasser lake cruise and tour booking in egypt. direct telephone booking hotline: 0020 100 240 5415.

Your Intrepid Family

A resource for DIY family travelers

What to expect on a Nile River cruise

Life in ancient Egypt centered around the Nile River. As a result, the Nile River Valley is full of temples, tombs and other antiquities. A convenient way for visitors to see these sites is to take a Nile River cruise. Ships sail regularly between Aswan and Luxor, a distance of about 200 km. Along the way, they stop at the major ports, allowing passengers to disembark and tour the attractions. Keep reading to find out what to expect on a Nile River cruise.

The ultimate Egypt travel guide for families

The best 8 day Egypt itinerary

The Nile River

The Nile River stretches 6650 km, making it the longest river in Africa. It flows through Egypt from South to North, emptying into the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient times, the river flooded its banks on an annual basis, depositing a fertile layer of silt that made agriculture possible. The immediate vicinity of the Nile is therefore lush and green. Venture more than a few hundred meters from the Nile’s banks, and you’ll soon be in desert.

What is a Nile River cruise ship like?

Like other types of river cruise ships, the cruise ships on the Nile River are smaller than the ones that ply the waters of the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. A typical Nile River cruise ship has a capacity of around 125 passengers. Cabins are likely to be more spacious than the ones on a large-capacity cruise ship, but will contain many of the same amenities, such as hair dryers and mini bars. For being such small ships though, they are surprisingly full-featured. You can expect to find gift shops, a gym, a spacious multi-storey lobby, a full-service dining room, and a lounge with a dance floor.

A typical 4-day Nile River cruise itinerary

Most Nile cruise ships sail between Aswan and Luxor in Southern Egypt. Ships sail in both directions, with regular departures on set days of the week. 3-night itineraries tend to sail with the current, from Aswan to Luxor. 4-night itineraries return from Luxor to Aswan before beginning the cycle all over again.

Which cruise itinerary you pick will likely depend on your overall trip itinerary and the logistics of your travel. Both the 3-night and 4-night trips stop at the same sites. The 4-night trips cost more and are done at a more leisurely pace.

Exact itineraries can vary from ship to ship, but most will have the same ports of call. A typical 3 night cruise from Aswan might look like this:

Board your ship at noon on Day 1 in Aswan. Settle into your cabin and have lunch on board. Your ship won’t actually set sail until the wee hours of the morning, giving you time to disembark and tour Aswan before departure.

You might choose to see the Aswan High Dam, built in the 1960s to reduce the Nile’s devastating flooding cycle. Or, visit the Unfinished Obelisk, which cracked as it was being excavated and was thus left incomplete. Take a small boat across the river to visit Philae Temple, which is located on an island. It’s dedicated to the goddess Isis, and is home to a colony of cats. Or, if you haven’t already had a chance to see one of the local Nubian villages, visit one to see its cheerful multi-coloured buildings and traditional way of life. At sunset, charter a traditional sailboat called a felucca . It’s a lovely way to wind down your day and see Aswan from a different perspective.

There might be a welcome reception on board your ship, with snacks and drinks being served in the lounge before dinner in the main dining room.

Your ship will arrive at Kom Ombo early in the morning – probably around 7 a.m. After an early breakfast, you’ll have the chance to disembark for a couple of hours to visit the local temple. It’s a unique double temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon-headed god. There are two courts, two temples, and two halls.

Kom Ombo Temple also features Cleopatra’s cartouche and her image inside its walls. It’s home to an impressive Nilometer, a structure the ancient Egyptians used to measure the river’s water level during its annual flood. When you have finished visiting the temple itself, be sure to stop in at the crocodile museum on the premises. There you will find many mummified crocodiles and crocodile eggs.

Re-board your ship and spend the rest of the morning sailing down the Nile. Spend some time out on the top deck of the ship to admire the scenery. You’ll pass mud-brick buildings, pastoral agricultural scenes, local fishermen out plying the waterways, and small villages clustered around imposing minarets.

Have lunch on board before arriving in Edfu. Edfu Temple is not located on the riverbank. When you disembark, you will find horses and buggies waiting to transport you through the streets to the temple. Remember your carriage number, because you’ll take the same one back to the ship when your visit is complete.

Edfu Temple is one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt, owing to the fact that it was forgotten and buried beneath 12m of sand for 2000 years. It has an imposing pylon and beautiful reliefs. Unlike many ancient structures, the temple also has an intact roof.

Return to the ship and set sail for the Esna Lock. You won’t stop here, but you’ll want to be out on deck to enjoy the spectacle. The lock itself is impressive to see operate, especially if you’ve never been through a lock before. Perhaps even more impressive are the tenacious salesmen who will try to sell you their wares as you move through the lock. It’s an entertaining scene.

You’ll have dinner on board and continue sailing to Luxor, where you will dock in the middle of the night.

Wake up in Luxor. Perhaps surprisingly, you won’t disembark today, despite the fact that you’ve reached your destination. You will have two days in Luxor, and will probably split them between the East Bank and the West Bank.

If today is your West Bank day, you will head to the Valley of the Kings (first stopping at the Colossi of Memnon for a quick visit). More than 60 tombs are hidden in the Valley of the Kings, including the famous tomb belonging to King Tutankhamun that was discovered, fully intact, in 1922. Every day there is a selection of tombs open to the public to visit. Your ticket will grant you access to 3 tombs.

You can then visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, cut into the rock on the opposite side of the same mountain range. Along the way, you might wish to stop off to see one of the local alabaster factories. You’ll see craftsmen converting the locally-sourced stone into statues, vases, and more.

Re-board the ship for your final evening. Enjoy a final dinner onboard, and you will likely be treated to some local entertainment, too – perhaps a whirling dervish or a belly dancer, to give you another taste of Arabian culture.

Day 4 is departure day. After breakfast, you will disembark for the last time. If yesterday was the day you toured the West Bank of the Nile then today you will probably focus on the East Bank. Luxor and Karnak Temples are both located on the East Bank, and it’s also where the city of Luxor lies. Tour the temples or see other local sites before continuing on with your itinerary.

What does a 4-night/5-day Nile River cruise itinerary look like?

With one extra day and night onboard, and sailing from Luxor to Aswan, the itinerary looks similar, but reversed. However, you will spend two nights on board the ship in Aswan before disembarking on your final morning.

Are Nile River cruises all inclusive?

Nile River cruises are ‘mostly inclusive’. Though you’ll need to check the details of the package you book, they are likely to include your cabin reservation, all meals, and admission and guide services for the attractions along the way. The price will not include drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), tips to the ship staff and tour guides, or personal expenses such as laundry services.

How much does a Nile River cruise cost?

The most significant factor affecting the price of a Nile River cruise is whether it’s a 3-night or 4-night itinerary. The longer itinerary costs more, since it’s an extra day of food and lodging to consider.

Most Nile River cruise boats call themselves 5-star ships, and truthfully, we didn’t see much difference between our ship and the other ships that were in port with us. Our guide did tell us that food quality can vary from ship to ship – and he’s worked on most ships sailing the Nile, so he speaks from experience. But in general, accommodations will be similar and itineraries will be similar. The point of a Nile River cruise isn’t really about the ship – it’s about the sights that you will see along the way.

There are some ultra-luxurious ships on the river, and those will certainly be in a different price category. There are also traditional boats called dahabiyas that sail the same routes, but because they are sailboats rather than cruise ships, itineraries are longer and prices are justifiably higher.

When comparing the prices of Nile River cruises, you’ll need to consider what is included. Does the price you are looking at include entrance tickets to all of the various temples and tombs? Does it include a guide’s services? If so, is it a private guide or part of a larger group tour? Does the package include any extras at the beginning or end of the cruise, such as a side trip to Abu Simbel or a hot air balloon ride over Luxor Valley? Are you traveling over Christmas/New Year’s, when prices peak, or are you traveling during the off-peak season? How many passengers are in your cabin? (You’ll pay more as a single.)

The cheapest way to book a Nile River cruise is to arrive in Egypt and make your arrangements at the last minute. You’ll have to be flexible about which boat you get, and potentially even about which route you sail.

The posted price for the 3-night/4-day cruise we took on the Movenpick Sun Ray (booked in advance) starts at $650 USD per person, inclusive of the main cruise itinerary admission fees and small-group guide services, but exclusive of the Abu Simbel/hot air balloon add-ons.

Are Nile River cruises suitable for children?

Overall, yes. There were children on our ship. Children under 5 sail free, and children ages 5-11 pay half price. The buffet offered in the onboard dining room has lots of kid-friendly options. There is no wild nightlife on board the ship. Due to the jam-packed nature of the itinerary with early morning start times, passengers tend to retire to their rooms quite early, and overall the social scene onboard is quite tame.

Having said that, be aware that there aren’t any shipboard amenities that are geared toward children. You won’t find a kid’s club, splash pad, or playground, as you would find on a major international cruise ship. And the guided tours of the temples and tombs that are included in the price of the cruise may not be of interest to young children. So you will have to decide for yourself whether this is the right choice for your family.

Should I take a Nile River cruise?

There are pros and cons to traveling from Aswan to Luxor on a cruise. Traveling along the Nile River by ship is a romantic notion that follows in the footsteps of thousands of years of tradition. It’s also a very convenient and practical way to travel. Not only will you be able to tour the major temples and attractions with a knowledgeable guide on a cruise ship itinerary, but you will be treated to wonderful scenery and a bit of luxury as you sail.

However, you will be forced to stick to the cruise ship’s schedule. The sites you visit will be crowded by an influx of passengers arriving at the same time, perhaps multiple ships’ worth. And you’ll need to ensure you are back on board in time to sail on to the next destination – no lingering to explore a place just a bit more, or exploring any off-the-beaten-path locations outside of the ship’s itinerary. You won’t have the opportunity to sample the local cuisine when your meals are all provided (though I will say, we had some delicious Egyptian food onboard our ship).

Despite these limitations, we really enjoyed our cruise, are glad that we did it, and would recommend it to others.

In conclusion…

A Nile River cruise is an efficient, scenic, family-friendly way to see the top attractions between Aswan and Luxor. Hopefully, this article has given you an idea of what to expect on a Nile River cruise. Over to you – have you ever been on a Nile River cruise? Would you recommend it to others? Let us know in the comments.

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The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking cruise ship

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Fast-growing Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line.

Not only does the California-based company offer ocean cruises in almost every corner of the world, it also offers river cruises on many of the world’s major rivers.

That’s notably different from most cruise lines. Typically, cruise lines operate either ocean cruises or river cruises but not both. That gives them a smaller range of itineraries.

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Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note, from the Douro in Portugal to (until recently) the Volga in Russia.

The company also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong in Southeast Asia, and it just began river trips on the Mississippi River .

There are 80 river ships in Viking’s fleet — an astounding number. None of its main competitors among river lines catering to North Americans, which include Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and AmaWaterways , have anywhere near that number of vessels.

Related: First look at Viking’s stylish new Nile River ship

Among ocean cruise destinations, Viking has a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which it considers its home turf. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) However, you’ll find Viking’s nine traditional ocean ships everywhere from North America to Asia and Australia.

Last year, the line began cruising to Antarctica with its first expedition ship — a type of vessel built specifically for travel to remote, hard-to-reach places. Viking now has two such vessels.

Among the line’s voyages, there’s everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages.

Overwhelmed with choices? Here are the five best Viking cruise destinations where the line can truly offer you a memorable vacation.

Scandinavia and Northern Europe

Some of Viking’s most interesting itineraries are around Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, with many beginning or ending in Norway — the homeland of the company’s founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen.

As Hagen once told me, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea are what the company considers “Viking country” — a region where it wants to dominate.

During summers, in particular, Viking devotes an unusually large number of its ships to itineraries around Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea and other Northern Europe destinations such as Iceland. Many, notably, use the relatively small but famously scenic Norwegian city of Bergen (population 286,000) as a gateway, something no other line is doing. That allows for unusual variations on the typical Baltic Sea or Norwegian fjords cruise.

The line’s most popular route in the region, “Viking Homelands,” is a two-week-long, one-way trip between Bergen and Stockholm that combines several days of exploring the fjord region of Norway’s west coast with more-typical Baltic cruise destinations such as St. Petersburg, Russia, and Helsinki.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries

Note that, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Viking has pulled the St. Petersburg stop, as well as stops in Finland and Estonia from the Viking Homelands itinerary; the trips instead feature extra stops in Norway and Denmark. It’s unlikely St. Petersburg will return to the itinerary until the war in Ukraine is resolved.

Viking also offers a 14-night itinerary that includes several stops in the northernmost part of the country above the Arctic Circle. Dubbed “Into the Midnight Sun,” the one-way route between Bergen and London is unique because it combines calls in far-north Honningsvag and Tromso, Norway, with visits to Scotland’s remote Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands. Though part of the United Kingdom, these archipelagos have ties to Norwegian and Viking history.

Itineraries that will take you from Bergen to Iceland or even as far away as France, Portugal and Spain also are available.

Viking’s Scandinavia and Northern Europe trips range widely in length from just seven nights to a whopping 28 nights.

Among the longest sailings that Viking offers that include calls in Northern Europe are one-way, 28-night voyages between Bergen and New York City. The trips include stops in Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Canada.

In Northern Europe, Viking ships mostly sail out of Bergen, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen and London as well as Reykjavik.

The Mediterranean

Viking has grown into a major player in Mediterranean sailings, with more than 30 distinct itineraries that include stops in the region.

The trips include voyages focused specifically on the Western Mediterranean or Eastern Mediterranean and some that include stops across both areas.

Typical of the latter is the line’s 14-night “Mediterranean Antiquities” routing, a one-way trip between Athens and Barcelona that stops in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Monaco, France and Spain.

More-focused Mediterranean itineraries include the line’s nine-night “Empires of the Mediterranean” voyages between Venice and Athens, which mostly concentrate on stops along the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea in Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro.

In the Mediterranean, the line’s main hubs are Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Venice, Italy; Piraeus (the port for Athens), Greece; and Istanbul.

Related: The complete guide to Viking cabins and suites  

Europe riverways

Viking is, quite simply, the giant of river cruising in Europe — at least among lines that cater to English speakers. The company operates around 70 river ships on a broad swath of the continent’s rivers — far more than any other river line catering to North Americans.

In all, the line accounts for about half of all river cruises taken by North Americans in the region. The next biggest player in Europe river cruises for North Americans, AmaWaterways, is less than half the size.

Among the rivers in Europe where Viking has a major presence are the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; and the Moselle and Elbe in Germany. Until recently, Viking also offered cruises on the Dnieper River in Ukraine. The voyages have been suspended since Russia invaded the country in early 2022.

On nearly all of the rivers, the line offers multiple itineraries with lengths ranging from seven nights to as many as 22 nights.

Among 10 different itineraries on the Rhine River alone, offerings range from a seven-night “Rhine Getaway” from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, to a 22-night “European Sojourn” from Amsterdam to Bucharest, Romania. The latter adds travel on the Main and Danube rivers to days on the Rhine.

Viking offers some of the most intimate and elegant cruises on the Nile, with three ships including the recently unveiled, 82-passenger Viking Osiris — one of our favorite vessels on the river.

All three of Viking’s Nile ships operate the same seven-night Nile cruise itinerary that Viking pairs with a four-night stay at a hotel in Cairo (three nights before the cruise and one night after) to create an 11-night “Pharaohs and Pyramids” tour of Egypt.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s loyalty program

The cruise portion of the tour includes visits to the historic temples of Luxor, Karnak, Esna, Dendera and Abu Simbel as well as a visit to the iconic Valley of the Kings. The stay in Cairo brings a visit to the pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and other sites.

Viking Osiris is the first of four sister ships that Viking plans to launch on the Nile by 2025 as it doubles its footprint in Egypt. The vessels offer a clean-lined, Scandinavian-influenced design that mimics the look of Viking’s Europe-based vessels.

Notably, the ship features an entire deck of sprawling suites that rival anything else found on the Nile for luxury and comfort. Each comes with two full-size rooms — a large living room with a residential feel and an adjacent bedroom with a walk-in closet and bathroom. Each suite also has an outdoor balcony with seating for two — something you don’t always see on Nile ships.

Viking is a newcomer to cruises to Antarctica, but the destination is a big growth area for the line. Viking recently added two new, 378-passenger expedition cruise vessels specifically built to travel to the White Continent.

Dubbed Viking Octantis, the first of these vessels began sailings to Antarctica in February 2022. The second ship in the series, Viking Polaris, has just joined its sister in Antarctica this year. Together, the two ships are already making waves in the market for Antarctica cruises, in part because they have several new and unusual features.

Most notable is The Hangar, an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to two of each ship’s exploratory vessels while still in the protected interior of the ship. A first for an expedition ship, it’s something that is significantly improving the experience for passengers heading out on Antarctica exploration.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

In another first for polar expedition cruise vessels, every cabin on both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel.

Viking offers several Antarctic itineraries, with the typical trip starting with a night at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before a flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, to board one of the two expedition ships for an 11-night cruise to Antarctica and back. A longer version of the trip features 13 nights on board one of the ships and extra days in Antarctica.

Viking also offers Antarctica sailings that combine a visit to the White Continent with stops in the Falkland Islands, Uruguay and Brazil.

Viking Octantis, notably, also operated Viking’s first sailings around the Great Lakes this year. In 2023, both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris will spend their summers in the Great Lakes.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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Norwegian Cruise captain refused to let eight passengers who were late reboard ship

Passengers, who have since rejoined vessel, missed scheduled departure time from São Tomé and scrambled to reunite with ship

Eight cruise passengers had to scramble to reunite with their cruise ship after being left behind in São Tomé and Príncipe.

The passengers, including a pregnant woman and a paraplegic traveller, missed their scheduled departure time from the island of São Tomé in the Gulf of Guinea, about 250km off the coast of Gabon, after disembarking the Norwegian Dawn to take a local tour.

Another passenger in her 80s was reportedly late to the ship because she was receiving emergency medical treatment on the island.

The vessel, operated by Norwegian Cruise Lines, arrived in São Tome on Wednesday morning having departed Cape Town for the three-week cruise to Barcelona on 20 March.

The group’s private day excursions on the island ran overtime and, despite the efforts of the local coast guard, which motored the group to the ship before it set sail that afternoon, the captain would not allow the late guests to board.

Jill and Jay Campbell, from Garden City in South Carolina, described attempting to board the vessel after arriving late.

“We have never had an experience like this before,” Jill Campbell told ABC4 News .

“The harbour master tried to call the ship, the captain refused the call. We sent emails to NCL, the NCL customer service emergency number. They said, ‘Well, the only way for us to get in touch with the ship is to send them emails, they’re not responding to our emails,’” Jay Campbell added.

“The captain could have made an easy decision to turn one of the tender boats back, pick us up, safely load us, and then go on the way.”

The travellers’ passports were returned to them via port authorities. The group, which reportedly includes two Australians, had to leave their medication, bank cards and other belongings on board. The Campbells said they were the only members of the group with a Visa card and had paid more than $5,000 in their attempts to reach the ship.

They aimed to reboard the Norwegian Dawn in the Gambia the following Sunday but low tides prevented the ship from making the scheduled stop. The group reportedly travelled through six countries and eventually met the ship in Dakar, Senegal, the final west African port call of its journey, according to the cruise line.

“What we looked at was some type of van transportation for eight people, the quadriplegic woman included,” Jay Campbell told ABC15 . He described having to take a ferry to get into Senegal, and then a four-hour drive.

Australians Doug and Violeta Sanders were among the stranded passengers.

“It’s been the worst experience of our lives to be abandoned like that in a strange country, can’t speak the language,” Violeta Sanders told Seven’s Sunrise program.

“We have no money, our credit cards aren’t accepted.”

The 21-day cruise is due to end in Barcelona on 10 April.

A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Lines said it was a “very unfortunate situation” and that it was the passenger’s responsibility to be back on board the ship no later than one hour before the ship’s scheduled departure time.

A Sydney travel lawyer, Anthony Cordato, said passengers needed to heed ships’ tight schedules.

“Terms and conditions would make returning to the ship on time essential,” he said.

“From a consumer’s perspective, it’s harsh but from a ship’s perspective, are you going to hold up the cruise for an hour or two because they were slow to get on board? Are you going to inconvenience 1,000 passengers for the sake of four?”

The cruise company said all eight guests had rejoined the ship.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “On the afternoon of March 27, 2024, while the ship was in São Tomé and Príncipe, an African island nation, eight guests who were on the island on a private tour not organized through us missed the last tender back to the vessel, therefore not meeting the all aboard time of 3pm local time. While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, which is communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom, in the daily print communication and posted just before exiting the vessel.

“When the guests did not return to the vessel at the all aboard time, their passports were delivered to the local port agents to retrieve when they returned to the port, as per the regular protocol. Our team has been working closely with the local authorities to understand the requirements and necessary visas needed for the guests to rejoin the ship at the next available port of call. Given that these guests were on a private tour and did not return to the ship at the communicated all aboard time, they are responsible for any necessary travel arrangements to rejoin the ship at the next available port of call, per our protocol.

“While the eight guests made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia on April 1, 2024, unfortunately the ship was unable to safely dock in the destination due to adverse weather conditions, as well as tidal restrictions that require specific timing for safe passage. While we share in our guests’ disappointment, this modification was made with great consideration for their safety and that of our crew, which is our top priority. We contacted these eight guests regarding this itinerary adjustment and provided them with authorization to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal on April 2, 2024.

“Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal. As of this morning, all eight guests have rejoined the ship.”

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What happens when someone dies on a cruise ship?

By Connor Sturges

We’ve all heard of Death on the Nile , Agatha Christie’s captivating tale of jealousy, deceit and ultimately, death aboard a luxury liner headed for Egypt ’s most iconic sights. However, fictitious (and sinister) elements aside, what really happens when someone passes away while navigating the world's waters?

This morbid question recently raced through the minds of many TikTok users following ex-cruise ship singer Dara Starr Tucker’s video on the correlation between people passing away on the high seas and… ice cream .

Dara explained what she'd heard from an on-board medical professional in a video that has since surpassed three million views and garnered more than 225,000 interactions. “If the crew suddenly makes a bunch of ice cream available to the passengers… it is often because more people have died on the ship than they have room for in the morgue”, she says in the viral clip.

But is this connection a truth cruise companies would rather have kept under wraps or a rumour that’s spread like wildfire over the year? What really happens when someone dies on a cruise?

After reaching out to several cruise line companies and failing to receive a response, we tracked down an ex-cruise worker with over a decade of experience under their belt who was happy to spill the beans (anonymously) about his time at sea.

For context, while guests dying on a cruise ship is an unfortunate situation and a sad end to any trip for the loved ones involved, it’s an inevitable occurrence. With this in mind, cruise ships must have facilities on board that ideally intervene with nature’s plans before the worst happens.

“You would have a full medical facility on board. You would have an ICU… four wards… two doctors… and something like five nurses and a medical administrator, and that was for 3000 guests”, says our source. “It's a full unit. They can put someone onto a ventilator very easily and keep them alive [until] the next port of call [when the patient can] go off in an ambulance and go to a main hospital.”

It’s no secret that large cruise ships have medical professionals on board at all times. In fact, Celebrity Cruises captain and content creator Kate Mccue called out for doctors and nurses looking to put their people-saving skills to work while exploring the seven continents. These facilities' capabilities are impressive, and while major surgeries are reserved for mainland services in ideal scenarios, it’s not out of the question for onboard doctors to get to work if time is of the essence.

However, from time to time, the efforts of medical professionals aren’t enough. Also, passengers who die on a cruise ship are just as likely, if not more so, to pass peacefully in their sleep. So what’s the procedure when the worst happens at sea?

“It's obviously a very sensitive process,” our source explains: “You have different teams doing different actions. For example, as soon as a dead body is discovered, if they don't die in the medical centre and they die overnight, there are different teams that have to deal with different things.”

“They've got the facilities to contact their family, and we buddy them up with someone for the next few days, until they get off, to make sure they've got whatever they need and they can grieve. People are very different. Some people just want you to be there 24/7 and talk to you about anything and everything, and then others will just want solo time, so you just want to check in with them.”

Unsurprisingly, if a deceased guest is discovered in a cabin, the area can be designated a crime scene – even if no foul play is suspected at first glance.

If no suspicious circumstances are suspected, it’s time to move the deceased guest from the place of their passing – which comes with a unique set of potential problems. Our source recalls having to ferry a body, on one occasion, from a stateroom to the cruise ship morgue, which is found towards the bottom of the ship by the medical facilities.

“We shut off areas of the ship, and we can register lifts so we can go into a lift and know that no one else can get into that lift, so guests won't have the doors open to us.”

Depending on the cruise ship’s itinerary, bodies are stored ready to be disembarked at the next port or released to the relevant services on home turf if the ship’s course is coming to an end – an easier result for bereaved loved ones ready to start making arrangements.

So, what does our avid sailor think of the “ice cream party” rumour?

“I’ve worked at sea now verging on 10 years, and this is a rumour that goes around. On the ships that I’ve worked on [large cruise ships], that would never be the case.”

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