Egypt Nile Cruises FAQ

Egypt Nile Cruises FAQ

Nile River Cruises FAQ

For Your Saftey:

You should avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol especially if you have equilibrium problems. You are not just putting yourself at peril, but also the other guests and staff too.

People with equilibrium problems should not spend too much time on deck at night, on a fast moving ship; it is dangerous in case you fall over.

Smoking in bed is dangerous; the mattresses are very flammable!

People who tend to sleep walk should never take a cabin with a balcony, an inside cabin with a window would be far safer.

Make sure that you know where the muster stations are, in case you have to abandon ship.

If you get sick whilst on board, some cruise boats have a resident doctor on board. If not, they have doctors assigned in each town that can be called on in case of emergency.

If you need some more heath and safety tips, please read my health page to know more about health and safety on board a Nile cruise.

What you have to know about your Trip:

For practical reasons on the Nile, the cruise may be subject to slight alterations at short notice while you are in Egypt.

Most sailing is done during the day, but during some periods some sailing may be required after dark

At busy periods the boat may be required to wait for a short time to get through the lock on the Nile at Esna

When moored, several cruise boats may be required to moor alongside each other. This can restrict views and require clients to cross several boats to reach the shore. Assistance will be provided if required.

When first checking in on the cruise boat, it is advisable to leave your valuables in a safety deposit box. This will be available either in the reception, or a private safe in your cabin.

If you wish to buy any items from the shops on board, the opportunity for shopping is generally limited due to the small size of these shops. But on the other hand you will get plenty of time to check what you are buying, and haggle over the price!

To call home, most of the cruise boats offer telephone facilities on board, but the quality is not as good as onshore.

We recommend to visit a bank, to change your money, before cruising, as most of the cruise boats do not offer this facility and you will not get access to onshore banks while you are cruising.

Official Nile Cruise Classes Giving By The Goverment:

Nile Cruises in Egypt are officially categorized to 2 Stars, 3 Stars, 4 Stars, 4 Stars+, 5 Stars and 5 Stars+. But This is NOT a good way to measure the quality of the Cruise.

You can find two Nile Cruises with the same Official Rating but with great differences between them. That’s why we did not relay on the Official Rating when we categorized the Nile Cruises.

The Majority of the Nile Cruises are 5 Stars right now in Egypt. Most of the Old 2, 3 & 4 Stars are in renovoation phase to be 5 Stars. So it so diffuclt to find a cheap Nile Cruise is some dates.

Our Opinion about Nile Cruise Classes:

In our own classes we ask some questions before we Rate the Nile cruise such as:

The Cruise Facilities:

How Old is the Cruise?
When was the last time that the cruise has been renovated?
Is it maintained regularly?
Does The Cruise have special Features such as Sauna, GEM, Library etc…?
What about the Swimming Pool? Is it large enough?
What about the Entertainment onboard?

The Cruise Cabins:

What is the average size of the Cabin?
Does the Cabins have an outside Balcony, Inside Balcony or just a Large Window?
What are the features of the Cabins?
Do the Cruises have Guest Cabins in Lower Deck or All Cabins are on the Main and Upper Deck?

The Food & Beverage:

Does the Restaurant accommodate all clients or some of the clients must wait till to take a seat?
Does the Meals are on Open Buffet Basis or Set Menu?
Does the Meals are good in quality, has a variety of Food (Such as Meat, Salads, Sea Food, Vegetarian Food etc..)?

Conclusion:

We try our best to give a fare opinion about the cruises. But to have an opinion about more than 300 Nile Cruise is a very difficult job. We do our best to give you the most recent information that we have in hand.

So when a Cruise is renovated we try to update its Page as soon as we can. However this can not be done without the cooperation with the cruise management. So For example we can not put The Cruise New Photos or Information in our web site unless it is provided by the Cruise Management.

Why there is a Difference in Price between Nile Cruises in the Same Category?

You can Notice that there is a Difference in Price between Nile Cruises in the Same Category. For Example you can find a Deluxe Nile Cruise with the Rate of 75 US$ Per Person Per Night and another Deluxe one with the Rate of 90 US$ Per Person Per Night in the Same Period of the Year. The price that you pay is the result of Different Factors such as:
Cruise Brand Name:
If the Nile Cruise is managed by an International Hotels Chain, you have to know that you pay extra money for the Brand Name.
Cruise Shape and Decoration:
Normally if the Nile Cruise is well decorated and maintained in a good shape make people always want it as a first choice. This make a large demand on the Cruise which result to raise its price. Also Newly Built Nile Cruises are more expensive than Old Nile Cruises.
 
Cabins Size:
In Egypt there are restrictions on the maximum size of  a Nile Cruise. This is due because the Nile Cruise must fit to Esna Lock on the Nile and if it is larger than the Lock Gate it will never pass the Lock. So as the Size of the Cruise has a limit, the space is divided on the number of cabins. For Example if the space is 300 Square Meters per Deck and the Deck has 20 Cabins so the Cabin size will be 15 Square Meter. If the Cruise decide to make only 10 Cabins Per Deck, the Cabin Size will be 30 Square Meter. As the Golden Rule Says “NOTHING IS FREE”, Clients will pay the price of the two cabins not only one. They have to pay for the extra space.
Chartered Cruises:
Some of Nile Cruises are Fully or partially chartered to Tour Operators. However if the Tour Operator didn’t fill all the cabins at a certain Period, the Cruise Management sell the Empty Cabins to Individuals but with a relatively high prices in order not to compete with their Tour Operator.
 
Meals Included:
Most of Nile Cruises are on Full Board Basis. A very Few ones are on All Inclusive Basis. The Difference between Full Board and All Inclusive is that in All Inclusive Basis all Beverages and Local Alcoholics are included in the price but in Full Board you pay for Beverages as an Extra.
 
Tours Included:
We have the Option to sell Some Nile Cruises without Sightseeing in order to give the clients the choice if They want to do the Tours with our company, do it by themselves or Not to do it at all. If this is the Case it will be cleary mentioned that the Cruise Price does not include Tours. If you would like to get Your Cruise without Tours please let us know in order to deduct the Tours cost from the Cruise Price. However there are some Nile Cruises such as Abercrombie, Sonesta, Movenpick & Presidential where Sightseeing’s are Compulsory at the Price even if you don’t want to do it. So When you choose a Nile Cruise don’t look only for Price but also you have to see all other Factors that affect this price.

 

What are the Other costs related to My Nile Cruise Trip?

Please Note that the Price of the Nile Cruise Shown on our Website is Per Person Per Night for only the Accommodation on Full Board or All Inclusive Basis. However there are other costs that is not included in the Nile Cruise Price such as:
 
The Cost of Transportation To Aswan or Luxor From Other Cities.
All Nile Cruises Start either from Aswan or Luxor. So if you come from Cairo, Alexandria, Sharm El Sheikh or any other city in Egypt, You will have to take a transportation to go to Aswan or Luxor. This can be done by Domestic Flights, Seating Train, Sleeping Train, Bus or Pivate Car. You can not Start a Nile Cruise From Cairo. It is Forbiden right Now. All Cruises starts from Either Aswan or Luxor.
 
The Cost of Transportation From Aswan or Luxor Airport / Train Station / Bus Station To Your Nile Cruise
There are more than 300 Nile Cruise in Egypt. So if you try to find your Nile Cruise by yourself at the Marina in Luxor or Aswan it will be as finding a Specific Monkey in a Huge Jungle. So We highly recommend that you Arrange the pickup from Airport / Train Station / Bus Station to your Nile Cruise before your Arrival. We Offer this service with a very competitive price. Also it is a good thing to have a representative from our company to be with you upon your arrival in case you have any question in  your mind.
 
The Cost of Beverage on board your Nile Cruise
The Majority of the Nile Cruises are on Full Board Basis. Full Board means Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. However Beverage is NOT INCLUDED in the Full Board Basis except Coffee, Tea & Juice during Breakfast. All other beverage are extra. So you have to pay for it. Very few Nile Cruises offer an All Inclusive Basis. So Beverage are included in the Price. We Mention on the Cruise Page if the Nile Cruise is on Full Board Basis or All Inclusive Basis.
The Cost of Personal Nature
Any Personal expenses is not included in the cruise price. Personal Expenses such as travel insurance, laundry, room service, gratuities to Cruises Crew or Egyptologist-escort, communication charges and any other items of a personal nature.
The Cost Of Tours, Visits and Optional Tours
Although we offer to Make the Tours for the client such as 3 Nights, 4 Nights & 7 Nights Nile Cruise Program, The Client has the Right to take it or Not. We do not oblige our clients to take the tours. Some of the clients already visited Egypt and it will be useless for them to do the Tours Again. That is the reason that we didn’t include the visits in the Nile Cruise Price. You can check the Tours Details and Prices in the Nile Cruise Programs and Optional Tours Sections on our website.

What Does the Meals Includes in My Nile Cruise Trip?

There are Two types of Nile Cruise Package which are:

Nile Cruises On Full Board Basis:

The Majority of Nile Cruises are on Full Board Basis. All meals are included and are in an open buffet style (Or Set Menu in Some Cruises), some days there are many varieties, depending of the type and quality of the cruise boat; these meals are served with a fixed timetable. In Some Cruises, Tea and coffee is available, while on the move, every day at 5:00 pm. Other drinks are offered in the bar area.

Nile Cruises On All Inclusive Basis:

Very Few Nile Cruises are on All Inclussive Basis (Very Expensive, For 7 Nights Only). All Inclusive includes Full Board Basis and All Beverage such as Miniral Water, Soft Drink, Hot Drink, Coffee, Tea, Juice, Local Alcoholics (By Glass) etc..

What To Wear During My Nile Cruise Trip:

During The Daytime Tours:

While enjoying the tours, you can wear whatever you like, though due to the extreme heat (in Summer) it is recommended you wear lightweight clothes. But you have to put in your mind that Egypt is a Muslim country, so respect must be given to this, particularly when visiting temples and other religious monuments. It is suggested that ladies avoid  clingy, tight, suggestive  attire, and stick with cool flowing cottons i. e. -long sleeved shirts and pants, in busy city areas. Shorts are rarely seen in cities; in fact Egyptian men choose to wear long pants. Ex-military style clothing should not be worn.

On Board Your Nile Cruise:

Beach attire is fine, on board the felucca cruise or Nile cruise. You may wear shorts and swimming costumes, if you wish. Breakfast and lunch can be taken dressed like this, but for dinner, please wear smarter clothes!

What are the Entertainment On Board Nile Cruises?

Entertainment Includes:

 Most Nile Cruises have a Discotheque, Belly Dance Show, fancy Galabia Party and Nubian Folkloric Show Every day there is a full entertainment program, which differs from one boat to the other.

In Some Cruises (Depend on The Cruise Class) the first day is usually a cocktail party, run by the boat, where they offer free drinks and introduce the staff on board. This party is also called the managers party, where the manager introduces his crew to the guests on board; dont forget to wear formal clothes during this party!

Egypt Nile Cruises FAQ

Another night there is a Galabia party or long dress party, where you will be encouraged to get Egyptian outfits and wear the local Galabia. During such parties, some games are conducted; the tour guides on board run the party, which offers much fun!! To buy a Galabia will cost you around 10 US$, but if you do not wish to buy one, you can hire one from the bazaar shop located on board.

Another night will have a Nubian show, where you will see Nubian dancers and singers in their local outfit. The last evenings entertainment is usually has: a belly dancing show, a jugglers show, and local singers and bands. There are many bazaars outside the Temples that you will be visit during your cruise.

Please Note:

Entertainment can vary from Nile Cruise to Another. DO NOT EXPECT to have the same Entertainment in a Cheap Nile Cruise such as the Entertainment of an Ultra Luxury Nile Cruise. The Golden Rule is NOTHING FOR FREE.

How Much Is The Average Tip In Nile Cruises And When To Give It?

For The Nile Cruise Crew:

On Average there are about 50 to 70 people working in a Nile Cruise. The Guest see only 5 or 7 perosn of the crew. So it is unfair to give tips to people that you see and forget other people. That’s why there is a rule in all Nile Cruises that Guest should not pay any tips for anyone during the Trip. All Tips must be given at the end of your trip. You put your tips in an envelope and write the amount on the back then leave it at the Reception of your Nile Cruise. All Tips will be collected from clients and divided to the whole Cruise Staff. This is a Fair solution for everyone.

The Tips is about 3 to 5 US$ Per Person Per Night. For Exemple, if you are 2 Person and having a 4 Nights Nile Cruise your Tip Amount will be:

4 US$ x 4 Nights x 2 Person = 32 US$.

So you Leave 32 US$ in an Envelope at the Reception on the End of your Nile Cruise Trip.

For The Drivers, Representatives & Guides:

The following amounts are Recommended and on a Per Person Basis (in American Dollars USD).

– Luxor Representative 3  5 US$
– Aswan Representative 3  5 US$
– Guides 5 – 7 US$ (Per Day)
– Drivers 3 US$ (Per Day)
– Felucca Captain 2 – 3 US$
– Cariage Car in Edfu 2 US$

Please Note:

Tips is not an obligation on you. It is a redumption for a good service. However wages in Egypt are very low. So most people depend on tips to survive. But this is not an excuse to give a bad service. If you feel that the person is not offering you a good service or Sterssing your to give him tips, DO NOT GIVE TIPS or REDUCDE THE AMOUNT. But please tell him why you did that. In most cases if you don’t give tips, people such as Driver, Cruise Staff, Felucca Captain or Cariage Car Driver will think that you gave the tips to your guide to give it to them and will start a Hard Talking with him about that and waste your time.

What is The Check In Time? When The Tours Starts?

Nile Cruises Check In Time:

Normaly the check in time is at 11:00 AM Before Lunch. However Most of the Flights come very early in Morning. So if your Cabin is free they will give you the cabin immediatly. If there is no place you will have till Normal check in time. In order to avoid this problem we highly recommend that you start your tours directly after coming from Airport or Train Station. By this way you will benefit from your time, make the tours before it come too hot and you will check in in the normal time so you will be sure that your cabin is ready for you.

Nile Cruises Check Out Time:

The Majority of Nile Cruise Check Out Time is at 8:00 or 9:00 AM Just After Breakfast. They have to clean the cabins before other guests come to check in at 11:00 AM. However if your Flight or Train is in the Afteroon or by Night you can still use the Cruise Facilities but Not the Cabin or the Restaurant. Also You can leave your luguages at the Cruise and take a walk in the city or make some tours. In Normal cases you would finish all your tours the Day before unless your Guide tell you another scheduel .

How to get to Nile Cruise starting point?

Nile Cruises Start From Luxor:

You can reach Luxor by several ways. From Cairo you can take the Train and By Domestic Flight (Recommended). From Hurghada you can reach Luxor by Bus or Private Car. Also you can reach Luxor by Domestic Flights From Sharm El Sheikh.
 

Nile Cruises Start From Aswan:

You can reach Aswan by Train and Domestic Flight From Cairo and by Bus From Hurghada (Not Recommended).

Transportation From Aswan or Luxor Airport / Train Station / Bus Station To Your Nile Cruise

There are more than 300 Nile Cruise in Egypt. So if you try to find your Nile Cruise by yourself at the Marina in Luxor or Aswan it will be as finding a Specific Monkey in a Huge Jungle. So We highly recommend that you Arrange the pickup from Airport / Train Station / Bus Station to your Nile Cruise before your Arrival.

We Offer this service with a very competitive price. Also it is a good thing to have a representative from our company to be with you upon your arrival in case you have any question in  your mind.

Are All Nile Cruises available at any Day Like Buses?

Every Nile Cruise has it own Schedule. Normally Programs are as Follows:
Every Number of Nights Program Frequency
Saturday 4 Nights / 5 Days Luxor / Aswan Frequent
Monday 4 Nights / 5 Days Luxor / Aswan Frequent
Tuesday 4 Nights / 5 Days Luxor / Aswan Very Rare (Expensive)
Thursday 4 Nights / 5 Days Luxor / Aswan Rare (Expensive)
Friday 3 Nights / 4 Days Aswan / Luxor Frequent
Saturday 3 Nights / 4 Days Aswan / Luxor Very Rare (Expensive)
Monday 3 Nights / 4 Days Aswan / Luxor Rare (Expensive)
Wednesday 3 Nights / 4 Days Aswan / Luxor Frequent
However Nile Cruises can change its Starting Day at any time without Notice according to their contracts with Tour Operators. Also the Nile Cruise can be Fully chartered to a Tour Operator during the requested Date. So when you book a Nile Cruise we have to check about their current starting Day and availability before paying any Money. That’s why there is No Online Instant Nile Cruise Booking on the Net.

What Would Be The Weather Look Like During My Nile Cruise Trip?

The Sun:

In all seasons the sun is extremely strong. In the less oppressive months, especially when there is a breeze, it may not be apparent how strong the sun really is. A high factor sun block is recommended all year round.

The Rain:

Some say that it never rains. But in fact it rains even if it is just once or twice per year. The rain is fairly brief and it dries out again very quickly. The rainfall can be heavy but it is usually not enough to measure.

The Temperature:

There is some variation in temperature through the year. July and August are the hottest. Winter months, December to February, are the least oppressive and can even get chilly at night. March and November would suit most people best.

Nile Cruise Average Temperature During The Year
Month High Temperature
Celsius / Fahrenheit
 Low Temperature
Celsius / Fahrenheit
January 23 �C / 73 �F 5 �C / 41 �F
February 25 �C / 77 �F 7 �C / 45 �F
March 29 �C / �84 F 11 �C / �52 F
April 35 �C / 95 �F 21 �C / 70 �F
May 39 �C / 102 �F 21 �C / 70 �F
June 41 �C / 106 �F 23 �C / 73 �F
July 41 �C / 106 �F 24 �C / 75 �F
August 41 �C / 106 �F 24 �C / 75 �F
September 39 �C / 102 �F 22 �C / 72 �F
October 35 �C / 95 �F 18 �C / 64 �F
November 30 �C / 86 �F 12 �C / 54 �F
December 25 �C / 77 �F 8 �C / 46 �F

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