Is a Nile Cruise Worth It?

A Nile River cruise is by far the best way for anyone to experience true magic of Egypt’s ancient monuments located along the banks of the River Nile, so yes. Nile cruises are definitely worth it.

      

Is a Nile Cruise Worth It?

In this post we are going to try and address most common questions people have about a Nile River Cruise so that you can decide for yourself, is a Nile cruise worth it. We will also touch on Lake Nasser cruises, and towards the end of this post, we will make a few recommendations.

Sightseeing which is Unlike Anything You Could Possibly Imagine

There is so much more to Egypt than only its legendary pyramids, including breathtaking ancient temples and tombs, and many of these ancient landmarks are located on the banks of the Nile River in Upper Egypt, between Aswan and Luxor.

All of the most popular Nile River cruises begin in Aswan and end in Luxor, or else they begin in Luxor and end in Aswan. Most of the cruise ships stop at several breathtaking sites, where passengers are given expert-guided tours.

Among the historical sites which you can you can look forward to visiting during a cruise are:

• Philae Temple 
• Unfinished Obelisk
• Kom Ombo Temple
• Edfu Temple
• Luxor Temple
• Karnak Temple
• Hatshepsut Temple
• Valley of Kings
• Colossi of Memnon

Some Nile cruise itineraries also include a visit to the absolutely indescribable Abu Simbel temple complex. A visit to the Abu Simbel Temples may be included in your cruise itinerary or it may be offered as an optional excursion.

Tours during a Nile cruise are all group tours. Some tour groups tend to be quite large, which in our opinion is far from being ideal. Being part of a smaller group is so much more fun and so much more rewarding because it allows for more interaction with your expert guide.

Some of the better tour operators have a cap on the number of passengers in a group during onshore excursions. This is something you should definitely inquire about before you book your Nile cruise. Ideally, there should be no more than 20 people in a group.

Nile Cruise vs. Lake Nasser Cruise

Is a Nile cruise worth it or should you rather book a Lake Nasser cruise? Both are guaranteed to be an awesome experience. With a lake cruise, you will also visit several historic sites dating back to the times of Ancient Egypt, including the breathtaking Abu Simbel Temples, which feature in nearly all good Lake Nasser cruise itineraries.

With a Lake Nasser cruise you won’t visit quite as many ancient sites as you do during a Nile River cruise. Those sites that you do visit are also not quite as impressive as those you visit during a Nile cruise. With that having been said, a cruise on Lake Nasser is still an amazing experience.

If you have already experienced a Nile River cruise, then we would definitely recommend a Lake Nasser cruise, but otherwise we would recommend going on a Nile cruise first.

Recommended: Nile Cruise Holiday Packages

Accommodation and Meals

Is a Nile cruise worth it in terms of board and lodging? As one would expect, this depends on which cruise package you choose. The standard can vary quite a bit from one cruise boat to the next.

For the most part, however, accommodation and food is excellent, as are the amenities, assuming you book a five-star Nile cruise. Cabins are typically very clean, comfortable, and tastefully decorated. The food also tends to be excellent, offering set menus or very generous buffets.

If you book a 5-Star cruise package, the experience should be similar to a stay at any good four or five star hotel. A lot of cruises also include different types of entertainment in the evenings after dinner, such as Egyptian belly dance shows, Nubian folkloric shows, and etc.

Recommended: Luxury Nile Cruises

Cruising the Nile River as a Family

Is a Nile cruise worth it if you are traveling as a family? Absolutely! We can say, with first-hand experience, that children tend to love every minute of a cruise, as well as all of the onshore excursions. 

If you’re going to be visiting Egypt as a family with young children, and especially if they are older than about 7 or 8 years of age, you can be sure your children are going to have an amazing time, both on and off the cruise ship.

Nile River Cruises for all Budgets

Whether you are a budget traveler, an average traveler, or a luxury travel, you should have no difficulty finding a Nile cruise that suits your needs. Felucca cruises are the cheapest option, but an option which we ourselves don’t really recommend because they are definitely not for everyone.

A felucca is a very small sailing boat with absolutely no amenities whatsoever. If you want to book a felucca cruise, you should be aware of the fact that the food is very basic, and you’ll be sleeping out on deck in a sleeping bag which you have to provide yourself.

Your next cruise option would be a budget Nile cruise. Don’t be put off by the fact that these are advertised as being budget cruises. Providing you book your cruise through a reputable Egypt tour operator, you will still be placed on a five-star Nile cruise ship. The only difference between these cruises and regular Nile cruises is the fact that they not quite as luxurious.

Next up are the deluxe Nile River cruises and luxury Nile cruises. Needless to say, booking one of these is your most expensive option. With that said, they do provide a truly luxurious experience which many people feel is worth the extra cost.

Finally, you have Dahabiya Nile cruises. Cost-wise, these are more or less on par with deluxe Nile River cruises, but not as costly as luxury Nile cruises. Dahabiyas are traditional river yachts which are powered by two large sails. Because they are far smaller than the regular cruise ships, don’t expect to find the same sort of amenities on board. However, they provide a truly fantastic experience which is second to none.

If privacy and tranquility are important to you, this is definitely a Nile cruise option which is worth considering.

Nile River Cruises That Won’t Disappoint

Right at the beginning of this post, we said we would make a few recommendations, so here they are:

Budget Nile River Cruise

As we have mentioned above, even a budget Nile River cruise can be a 5-star cruise, and our 4-day Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise proves this beyond all doubt. 

Deluxe Nile River Cruise

Our popular 5-Star Movenpick Royal Lily Nile Cruise is a perfect example of a deluxe Nile cruise for people who don’t have very much time to spare. These cruises depart from Luxor every Monday. A cruise aboard this vessel is simply unforgettable and far more affordable than what you might think.

Luxury Nile River Cruise

If you want to experience the epitome of luxury while sailing along the Nile River, be sure to check out our 5-Day Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise. Sure, a cruise aboard this magnificent vessel is certainly not cheap. It is, after all, one of the most luxurious cruise ships sailing on the Nile River.

Final Summary

Is a Nile cruise worth it? We certainly think so, and so do millions of other people who have already experienced the magic of sailing along the Nile in Egypt. Considering the indescribable sightseeing, the quality of your accommodation, and the excellent food, a Nile River cruise offers exceptional value for money.

Secure Your Once-in-a-Lifetime Nile River Cruise Today

As we have said many times before, there is no better way to explore Ancient Egypt than by way of a Nile River cruise, and every cruise that we have listed on our website at Egypt Tours Plus is nothing short of perfection.

We also have an epic range of Nile cruise and stay vacations that include private guided tours to many attractions, even before your cruise along the Nile begins.

Contact us now to begin planning your trip to the Land of the Pharaohs or to book a flawless five-star cruise on the mighty Nile River today.

 

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Last Updated on March 25, 2024