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Luxury Nile Cruises in Egypt: All You Need to Know

Have you started planning your vacation to Egypt, and are you struggling to choose the best Nile River cruise? I was in this situation before and I wanted someone to guide me through this process from asking about the cost, the timing, and if it is safe. I always see cruises that sail from Aswan and some sail from Luxor, and I didn't know the differences and what is better for my plan. All those questions came to my mind when I was planning my first vacation to visit Egypt, and I know that a vacation in Egypt without Nile Cruise Trip is not worth it, so I want to share with you my experience, providing you with valuable insights to ensure your experience exceeds expectations.

 

The Best Time to Visit Egypt:

Starting with the first thing that might come to your mind. "When should I travel to Egypt?" or "What is the perfect time that can give me the full enjoyment from my vacation?"

The answer is the optimal time for an Egypt vacation is from the end of October to the middle of April when temperatures are mild and comfortable for sightseeing. During this period, you'll avoid the scorching summer heat and enjoy pleasant weather ideal for exploring ancient temples and archaeological sites along the riverbanks of Luxor and Aswan. But keep in mind that this is the peak season, which means that the prices will be high and there will be a lot of people in each sightseeing you are going to visit. If you are someone who likes your own piece, going in these months will frustrate you.

Is the Nile River cruise a worthwhile activity?

Absolutely! A Nile River cruise offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Luxor and Aswan's rich history and culture while enjoying the utmost luxury and convenience from visiting ancient tombs and temples to witnessing breathtaking landscapes, a Nile cruise provides an unforgettable experience that's worth every penny. 

Why do some cruises sail from Aswan and others sail from Luxor, and what is the difference?


No matter which direction you sail, the river remains unchanged, and most tours are similar; it also depends on the company you are traveling with.

The main distinctions:

  • If you are sailing from Aswan to Luxor, the current can potentially lead to longer docking times, seen by some as less captivating
  • The 4-day Nile cruise itinerary starts from Aswan and the 5-day itinerary starts from Luxor

What is the newest Nile cruise ship?

The latest addition to the fleet of Nile cruise ships is the Viking Osiris, which was launched in 2023. This state-of-the-art vessel combines Scandinavian elegance with Egyptian charm, offering passengers a sophisticated and immersive journey along the storied river.

What are the different types of cruises on the Nile?

Nile cruises come in various classifications, including Affordable Nile Cruises, Standard Nile Cruises, Premium Nile Cruises, Luxury Nile Cruises, and private Dahabiya cruises. Each type caters to different preferences and budgets, with options ranging from intimate sailing experiences to lavish, all-inclusive voyages.

My recommendation for each category:


Affordable Nile Cruises: Chateau Lafayette, Princess Sarah

Standard Nile Cruises: Blue Shadow, Alyssa, Nile Style, Esmeralda, Nile Premium

Premium Nile Cruises: Sonesta Moon Goddess, Movenpick Royal Lily, Mayfair, Le Fayan

Luxury Nile CruisesFarah, Historia, Oberoi Zahra

private Dahabiya cruises: Nour El Nil Dahabiya, Merit Dahabiya, Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya

 

Is it safe to take a river cruise in Luxor & Aswan?

River cruises in Egypt are generally safe, with cruise lines implementing rigorous safety measures to ensure the well-being of passengers. Additionally, Egypt's tourism industry adheres to strict regulations and standards to maintain a secure environment for travelers.

Where is the best place to start a cruise on the Nile?

The most popular starting points for Nile cruises are Luxor and Aswan, two cities renowned for their historical significance and cultural attractions. Whether you begin your journey in Luxor, known as the "world's greatest open-air museum," or in Aswan, the gateway to ancient Nubia, you're guaranteed to encounter captivating sights and experiences along the way.

How many days do you need on a Nile cruise?

The duration of a Nile cruise varies depending on the itinerary and personal preferences. While some travelers opt for shorter 3 or 4-day cruises, others choose longer 7 or 8-day voyages to fully immerse themselves in the wonders of ancient Egypt. Ultimately, the ideal duration of your Nile cruise depends on the sites you wish to explore and the pace at which you prefer to travel.

In conclusion, a luxury cruise on the Nile offers an unparalleled blend of opulence, history, and adventure, making it a must-do experience for discerning travelers. With careful planning and consideration of factors such as timing, cost, and itinerary, you can embark on a journey of a lifetime along Egypt's iconic river.

Recommended Luxury Nile Cruise Packages:

Egypt Travel FAQs

Learn about our latest news, promotions, and professional tips. Know before you book your next Egypt tours

Egypt has many historical sites that you can visit and enjoy. Each tour is different and unique. If you go on a Nile cruise, you can visit Abu Simbel, Aswan, and Luxor in the South and enjoy the temples, tombs, and the treasures of the Nile. In the North, enjoy the Pyramids of Giza, The Egyptian Museum, Sakkara. Mosques, churches in Cairo, and many landmarks located in the city of Alexandria. On the East, Enjoy a beach tour for diving, snorkeling, and swimming in the Red sea. Every city has its charm, history, and flavor where you can do many tours and activities.

Your Egypt Tours is one of the leading and pioneer travel agencies in the Egyptian tourism industry. We offer very special care and personal touch to our clients making them feel at home with their family. Great and high-quality service to ensure that your trip with us is one of a lifetime. In addition, the commonly known reasons such as our customers’ feedback and testimonials, competitive prices - excellent customer service, punctuality and. Most important of all, our customers safety and enjoying every minute in your trip are our priorities. With us, you are in a safe hand.

It usually varies according to the type of tourist trip in Egypt, but the average cost for spending one week in Egypt is 1600 USD including visiting alot of tombs and temples and sailing on a 4 or 5 stars Nile cruise.

Don't drink the tap water - it is highly chlorinated. However, with enough time in Egypt, you could potentially grow accustomed to the water. This doesn't mean that the tap water is polluted, it simply means that you are not used to it, and you might get stomach problems. This happened to most people when they visit a country for the first time. They were simply not used to water there. It's a similar situation here. It is advisable to drink Bottled water during your entire holiday. That is why it is strongly advisable that you don't drink the tap water, and use it only for washing and brushing your teeth.

Enjoy Egypt Tours From September until March. It is the perfect time when the weather is good and mild. From September until mid-November, when it is very nice and the temperatures are pleasant for all activities - around 25 C to 15 C. mid-Nov until the end of February is wintertime when temperatures during the day are around 12 or 15 C, and at night can drop to about 7 or 8 C. In March and April, the weather is still so nice and travelers can enjoy the Easter vacation. From May to September is the summer season. Spending summertime in a desert climate does not appeal to most travelers. Average daytime temperatures hover in the high 80s and low to mid-90s, although they can jump up into three digits in the South as in Luxor and Aswan. Summer is really hot here, prices go down and it is a good chance for travelers with a tight budget.

It is usually hot and sunny. winter falls between November and January, and the peak of the summer months is between June and August. Winters are generally mild, although temperatures can fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) at night. In the Western Desert. Cairo and areas of the Nile Delta may experience a few rainy days during winter. Summers can be unbearably hot, especially in the desert and other areas of the country's interior. In Cairo, average summer temperatures regularly exceed 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), while the record high for Luxor and Aswan, popular tourist destinations on the banks of the River Nile, is 110 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius).

Safety and security are our first and foremost concerns! Egypt is a very safe country with a low crime rate. Now with the coronavirus outbreak, accommodations and sightseeing nationwide have finalized sterilization and disinfection in light of the Egyptian government's efforts to implement precautionary measures against the COVID-19. In addition, our company has followed the same procedures to make all our staff, guides, and drivers are well-trained with the current events to prevent and stop the spread of this outbreak. Traveling the world is a joyful experience and we want to do our part to keep the anticipation stress-free.

There are many things to do in Egypt during your visit depending on your interests and character. Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan Nile cruise must be your first priority if you are a history and culture lover. You must visit the pyramids of Giza, enjoy a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan and enjoy visiting the most important tourist attractions in Luxor and Aswan. You can visit the city of Hurghada, Marsa Alam, or Sharm el-Sheikh Red Sea for relaxation and enjoy many activities there such as diving, snorkeling, sunbathing, or swimming. You may like to go on a safari trip in the western desert if you are an adventurer. Many other activities are available in every single Egyptian city

The high season for tourism is all year with winter and spring being peak season for cultural travels with lots of sightseeing. Weather in Egypt is perfect for many kinds of tourism, and if coming in June, July, and August, head for the seaside resorts. Those months are very warm with temperatures that can reach around 45C. and the humidity is about 70 to 80%, but it is bearable with the sea and large swimming pools nearby. So the period of the high summer season is also a bit busy as hotels fill up with tourists from all over the world looking for a bargain, lots of sunshine, diving, snorkeling, etc. It is also a primary vacation time in Europe. If you come in the deep summer season you can still enjoy it because you can always sightsee early in the morning and go again at night when the sunsets. You will definitely need good sunscreen and a lot of liquids to drink with a nice hat on your head. Summer is a good time for people looking for good rates in accommodation and other services.

Egypt is a Muslim country and the dress code is towards the conservative side, especially for women. That being said, we are used to seeing travelers from all over the world. My suggestion would be to wear light clothes and not to wear short shorts, short skirts and alike to avoid the occasional unwanted stare. But it's really up to you. When you visit religious places (synagogues, churches, and mosques) you do need to cover your shoulders and wear over the knee dresses, if you are planning to wear one of course. If you plan to attend the Nile dinner cruise, there is no need for formal wear unless you want to make that night a special night! Also, you will be sharing this experience with other travelers so you can dress however you feel most comfortable.

You can get your visa when you arrive at Cairo Airport. It is an easy process for USA, UK, Canadian, Australian and European citizens. The visa is simply a stamp (like a mail or postage stamp) that you buy from the visa office, at the port of entry just before the immigration booth. The visa will cost you $25 US Dollars and after buying it; you just stick it on any empty page on your passport. Once you have bought your visa you then stand in line to get your passport stamped by the immigration officer. You can also apply for E-Visa via the official electronic visa portal: www.visa2egypt.gov.eg

Your Egypt Tours travel agency recommends two weeks so that you can enjoy the temples and tombs of Luxor and Aswan, explore the sights of Cairo, and relax in the Red Sea islands and nature reserves.

There are many Nile cruises. Not to name one but your choice depends on many things to put in mind such as the number of nights you want to spend on the cruiser, your budget, and the standard of the Nile cruise. We recommend you choose a 5-star luxury Nile cruise, and if you are looking for a private Nile River cruise you can choose Dahabiya cruises, it is only for the small-group tour, about 15 people. Most cruises have. There is another way of cruising the Nile, which is the Felucca boat. It is traditional and charming but it is cheap as long as it will be ok to sleep on the deck exposed to mosquitos and most of these boats do not have a toilet

The best time to visit Egypt is generally from October to April where it is suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
 

Egypt travel usually have guided tours to archaeological sites, museums, and historical landmarks. Also have optional activities may include hot air balloon rides over Luxor, snorkeling in the Red Sea, or desert safaris.
 

What They Say About Us

Your Egypt Tours Reviews

Travel has helped us to understand the meaning of life and it has helped us become better people. Each time we travel, we see the world with new eyes.

Absolutely mind blowing. A definite must see. We flew from Aswan after I contact them, as I did not want to sit in car for hours with my 10-year-old daughter. Just so much history and ancient love. You cannot miss this one thing if you are in Cairo. The rocks are just HUGE, so special.

Peter Hamilton

USA

Peter Hamilton

I recently traveled with my wife, daughter, son in law and two grandsons (ages 4 and 2). We had a private tour experience. From the moment we landed at the airport on our arrival to the day we left we were treated with the utmost care and attention

Brent Sclafani

USA

Brent Sclafani

Our trip to was wonderful. The accommodations and travel was seamlessly arranged by customer service rep, Mona, and we visited so many of the famous Egyptian antiquities. I would not have done the trip without the very knowledgeable guides, Ashraf and Mamdouh

Sandra T

USA

Sandra T