The Nile river is the longest river in the world at around 4,312 miles (6,650 kilometres) long. It flows through northeastern Africa and through part of Egypt. It’s a fantastic way to explore some of the historic sites of ancient Egypt.
Nile cruises are great for history buffs, first-time visitors to Egypt, and slow travellers who enjoy exploring at a more relaxed pace.
We recently went on a family holiday to Egypt with my parents and did a seven day Nile cruise as part of our itinerary. I was really unsure of what to expect, so I’ve put together this blog post to help anyone who’s feeling the same.
This article will cover the on board experience, a typical itinerary, and give you advice on what to wear and tipping. Read on to find out what to expect on a seven night Nile cruise.
What is the best month for a Nile cruise?
The best time to take a Nile cruise is in the cooler months from October to April. The temperatures at this time are more comfortable for exploring but you can still expect plenty of sunshine and warmth.
The peak months for tourists are between December and February so these are usually busier and can be more expensive.
The summer months from May to September are usually over 40°C (104°F) so are less comfortable for sightseeing.
We did our Nile cruise in November and we found that the temperatures were perfect. It was very warm during the day (between 25°C and 30°C) and cooler in the mornings and evenings.
Most of the tourist attractions weren’t too busy, aside from the Valley of the Kings, which was packed with people.
The route: Where a typical Nile cruise goes
On the whole, the Nile cruises all seem to follow the same, or a similar, route, starting from Luxor and working their way to Aswan. You can either do one way (three or four days) or longer, if you’d prefer a week’s cruise.
Each stop serves several tourist attractions and you can either take the trips offered by your cruise, explore independently, or book your own guided tours.
Luxor
- Valley of the Kings
- Hatshepsut’s Temple
- Colossi of Memnon
- Luxor Temple
- Karnak Temple
Edfu
- Edfu Temple
Kom Ombo
- Kom Ombo Temple
We visited Kom Ombo Temple at night which I would highly recommend doing. It’s so magical and a great contrast to seeing the temples in the day time – it actually brought a tear to my eye!
Aswan
- Aswan Dam
- Symbol of Friendship
- Philae Temple
We also had a couple of free days in Aswan when we could explore however we wanted. The cruise offered some additional trips to book, or you could just explore independently.
We decided to buy the tour package which was an additional £299 per person and included all guided tours. You can do the tours yourself, if you’d prefer, but I think it was really good value and it was best for us, as we weren’t the most confident travellers.
One thing to note is that you will get a lot of hassle everywhere you go from street sellers and this is minimised a little when you travel with a guide. There were even people in rowing boats pulling alongside the cruise ship trying to flog scarves and souvenirs.
I also really enjoyed the time we spent sailing. It was so interesting to sit on the top deck and watch the different landscapes as we passed. The sunsets on the Nile are absolutely spectacular so be sure to stay up on deck to enjoy these.
What a Nile cruise ship is like
Of course, there are many different cruise ships along the Nile, ranging from luxury cruise ships to more budget-friendly options. Which one you choose will depend on your budget and what facilities are important to you.
The ships are quite different to cruise liners as they are not as large and don’t have as many facilities.
Most Nile cruise ships will have:
- Top deck area with small swimming pool and sun beds
- Dining room where meals are served
- Cabins with Nile views – either large windows, balconies, or patio doors
- Lounge and bar area for entertainment and drinks
- Reception
- Spa
- Souvenir shop
One thing to note is that the boats often park side to side which means that sometimes you will have a boat on either side of you and no view from your cabin window. You’ll also have to walk through the boats to get to the shore, so this can be confusing if you’re exploring by yourself – remember to take note of which boats you have come through!
The Nile is very busy and polluted – we had one day which was particularly smoggy and you can often smell diesel fumes. There were a couple of times where we woke up with a bit of a sore throat from it.
MS Royal Adventure
We stayed on the MS Royal Adventure and there were around 110 people on board. When we read the reviews beforehand we were a little worried as lots of people said the ship was dated but we didn’t find this to be the case, so perhaps it had recently had a refurb.
Our cabin was spacious and modern with a double bed, seating area, patio doors, and an en-suite bathroom. The lounge and dining room areas were traditionally decorated.
The top deck had plenty of room for sunbathing and sitting out and there was a small pool for dips. The pool was freezing cold but very refreshing on the hottest days.
The staff were wonderful – everyone was friendly and helpful and the waiters always remembered what you had to drink.
Is there Wi-Fi on board?
Most ships do have Wi-Fi on board, however, this is usually an extra charge and may only be available in certain areas. I would recommend buying an eSim before you travel as this will be more cost effective and also ensure that you have more connectivity.
I found that 5G or 4G was available most places along the Nile.
What to pack for a Nile cruise
You’ll need a casual wardrobe for your Nile cruise, including:
- Comfortable, cool day time clothing for excursions
- Extra layers for mornings and evenings
- Comfortable footwear
- Swimwear for relaxing on board
- Evening outfits
You’ll also need a few essentials including:
- Suncream and aftersun
- Sunhat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Earplugs (it can be noisy in port!)
- Toiletries (check whether these are included on your boat)
- Binoculars (for spotting things on the shore)
- Immodium (in case you get an upset tummy)
What is the dress code on a Nile cruise?
I think the dress code for a Nile cruise will depend on which boat you go on. Ours was fairly casual with no strict dress code for mealtimes. Men could wear either trousers or shorts and women dressed modestly but other than that you were fairly unrestricted.
I kept it casual during the day and then enjoyed dressing up a little more in the evenings.
What to wear as a woman in Egypt
Egypt is a majority Muslim country and so to respect customs, women should dress modestly. You may want to keep your shoulders, chest, and knees covered when you are out in public.
I did see plenty of women in skimpier outfits and shorts but I felt more comfortable with long, floaty trousers and lightweight shirts.
On the boat, the rules are relaxed and you can sunbathe on the top deck in your bikini or swimsuit. Just bring a cover up for when you go for meals and, of course, topless sunbathing is not allowed.
If you need more advice, check out my Nile cruise packing list.
Food and drink on board
I thought the food on our boat was very good – high quality and tasty. We were served three meals a day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – and the times for these changed depending on which tours we were on. All the food was included in the price of the cruise.
There was usually a selection of salads and breads, a beef dish, a chicken dish, and a fish dish, plus vegetables, potatoes, and a pasta station. Some days we also were served afternoon tea on the top deck with a variety of cakes as well as tea and coffee.
With drinks, you ordered your drinks and then were shown a receipt which you had to sign with your order on it. You then paid for this at the end of the trip. You could pay for this by cash or card and in Egyptian pounds, dollars, Euros, or British pounds.
I mainly stuck to white wine which was around £6 per glass.
Will I get an upset stomach on a Nile cruise?
I would say it’s quite likely that you will get an upset stomach during your trip to Egypt.
If you speak to almost anyone that’s visited Egypt, they’ll tell you that they had an upset stomach in some shape or form. During the cruise, I just had a runny tummy on a couple of mornings and I took an Immodium before heading out on the trips which seemed to help.
However, my brother had it worse and was ill for a few days.
Currency and payments
Egypt’s official currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). On the boat, credit card was accepted, as was cash. For additional tours, we had to pay cash.
Off the boat, you’ll need cash if you want to buy souvenirs, food, or drinks. Some places do accept card but these are few and far between. ATMs are available in the larger cities, but you should go with a guide rather than by yourself, if possible.
Everywhere accepts Egyptian pounds, Euros, dollars, or British pounds, although you might find you are better off paying in Egyptian pounds due to the exchange rates offered. Definitely always select this option if paying by card.
How much to tip
Tipping is a way of life in Egypt and everyone from bus drivers to waiters expects a tip. Keep some small notes on you so you can give these as tips – we found that a 200 EGP tip (around £3) was satisfactory.
Check with your tour guide or staff on the boat how the tips work. We were expected to tip at the end of the cruise and we just put our tips in an envelope with our cabin number on it.
We did give extra to those waiters that we felt had gone above and beyond.
Is a Nile cruise worth it?
I would say that a Nile cruise is definitely worth it and if you’re considering it then definitely book it. You get to see so much and it’s a lovely, relaxed way to travel.
You also get plenty of downtime on the boat, if you want it, so it truly does feel like you’ve had a holiday. Some of the sights you’ll see are absolutely spectacular and you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime.
FAQs
Are mosquitos a problem on Nile cruises?
There are mosquitos on the Nile and you may find you get a few bites. We got some bites, but not that many. They tend to be more active in the early evening, just after sunset. Be sure to bring insect repellent with you.
A top tip that my brother discovered was not to leave your balcony doors open at night time. He did this and his room was absolutely full of bugs! He had to ask reception to fumigate it for him!
Is there a lot of walking on a Nile cruise?
There is a fair amount of walking during the sightseeing part of a Nile cruise. Anyone with a moderate fitness level will be fine. Bring plenty of water with you as it can get hot, and be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
You also get plenty of downtime on the boat to recover.
Are there crocodiles on the Nile river?
Yes, there are crocodiles on the Nile river, however, they don’t live north of the Aswan Dam where the Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan are. This means that you won’t see one during your cruise.
Can you swim in the Nile river?
No, you can’t swim in the river Nile. There are a few reasons for this, including:
- Strong currents
- Feluccas and other boats are hazards
- Shallow areas with debris and rocks
- The water has bacteria, parasites, and chemical pollutants
Definitely skip the river swim and head to the top deck pool instead!
