The Nile Cruise

The beauty of cruises is that you can sail anywhere in the world. They are not just for the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, Alaska and Europe. There are cruises to other parts of the world like Egypt’s River Nile. Known as the birth of civilization, The Nile takes you on a journey into the pharoric ancient past.

The Nile is a 4,170 miles of picturesque river running northwards from Burundi to Egypt. It is the longest river in Africa. Along the Egyptian Nile lies the world’s well known temples and tombs including the Valley of the Queens where Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s longest ruling queen was buried; the Valley of the Kings which holds the tomb of King Tutankhamen and many more. The best way to see these wonders is to book a ‘Nile Cruise’.

Nile Cruises are boats which hold between 6 to approximately 170 passengers. These boats take guests up and down the river Nile where they can leisurely sail through 5,000 years of ancient history. Ports of call include Luxor (known as Egypt’s tourist capital and home to many of the tombs and temples), Aswan and Karmak . The duration of this trip ranges from three to seven days.

When booking, remember that river boats are smaller than cruise ships. They however do have amenities like bars, clubs, various onboard activities, swimming pool, dinning etc. Check with your river boat company to see which amenities are available so you know beforehand what to expect. Also, their cabins maybe smaller than the regular cruise ships but richly decorated.

A visa is needed to enter Egypt. Verify requirements at your local Egyptian consular office or embassy. It is wise to contact them directly so you have updated information and obtain everything needed before going on your trip. To embark on a Nile cruise you will have to fly to Egypt and then ground transportation takes you to the boarding site. Sometimes, air fare and ground transportation are included in the cost. Please make sure this is clearly spelled out.

 Some major cruise lines visit Egypt but do not go through the Nile. If you are using a major cruise line, ask if a Nile trip is included, the ports of call and the duration of the stay. If you would like to see the tomb of Tutankhamen, ask specifically if they will take you there and make sure it is in your itinerary.

If you have been on a Nile Cruise please share your experience and photos with us. For those who have not been to the Nile, make this your next cruise destination and come back and tell us about it.