At a glance
- For history buffs, a Nile cruise is not to be missed – you’ll visit some of the country’s famous ruins and archaeological discoveries, including the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Horus
- History aside, a Nile River cruise also offers a guaranteed dose of Vitamin D without messing up your body clock (the time difference is just two hours)
- Cruising the River Nile is a bucket list experience, and the good news is that there’s more and more choice as lines like Viking Cruises and TUI River Cruises launch new ships while outfits including Responsible Travel have started offering sailings for disabled travellers
Three reasons why a Nile River cruise is worth it
1. It’s steeped in history
Egypt’s ancient history is what pulls most cruise-goers to the country and rightly so: the sights (step forward spectacular temples, majestic statues and extraordinary buildings) you’ll see as you journey along Egypt's lifeblood on the same route that Queen Cleopatra and Julius Caesar are said to have taken in 47 BC, will astound even the most seasoned traveller.
A classic Nile itinerary typically includes the Valley of the Kings – the burial site of King Tutankhamun – Queen Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple; the Colossi of Memnon statues; Karnak temple complex; Luxor Temple; Edfu Temple; Kom Ombo Temple; Aswan High Dam, Granite Quarries and the Unfinished Obelisk; and the Philae Temple on the island of Philae. The latter was considered so sacred that only priests could reside there.
You’ll get to tick off all of the aforementioned and more (often the 2,000-year-old Temple of Hathor at Dendera, where the Egyptian goddess of love was worshipped, and Abu Simbel, the twin temples of Ramesses II and his wife Nefertari, are visited too) with the added bonus of only having to unpack once.
What’s more, you’ll get to explore each site in the company of your ship’s resident Egyptologists, who will also reveal the extraordinary stories that lie behind them.
2. There’s plenty of downtime
If you’re after a holiday as well as a history lesson, the good news is that there’s always plenty of fun – and downtime – built into Nile River cruise itineraries.
For some, that might mean relaxing on a sun lounger, cocktail in hand, while flicking through the pages of that book that’s been sitting on their bedside table since Christmas.
For others, it might mean watching the landscape drift by from the comfort of your room – the majority of Nile ships have French balconies. Expect to see water buffalo lounging in the shade of date palms; donkeys grazing on grass as green as a Premier League football pitch; and children splashing happily in the shallows while listening to the melodic sound of the muezzin’s call to prayer as the sun slowly sets.
Alternatively you might just want to take advantage of everything that your ship has to offer – be it tucking into locally inspired cuisine in one of the onboard restaurants or enjoying the nightly line-up of live music, local acts (performers often come onboard to perform traditional Nubian songs and dances), films (Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile is a popular choice), belly dancing performances and galabeya parties. Here, you may be invited to turn your travelling partner into a mummy with toilet paper.
3. You’ll enjoy a dose of sunshine
Nile River cruises operate year-round, but the optimum time to sail is between November and May when temperatures on Egypt’s lifeblood are balmy but not blistering.
For Europeans and North Americans, embarking on a Nile River cruise during the months of November to May offers an escape from colder climes and a much-needed dose of sunshine: expect pleasant daytime temperatures of around 20 °C during this period.
Not hot enough? Look to set sail during the spring months of March to May or the autumn months of September and October, when temperatures typically range from 25 °C to 3O °C during the day.
Alternatively, if, like World of Cruising, you like it hot, hot, hot, don’t rule out taking a Nile cruise during the scorching summer months: you’ll find fewer crowds and much lower price tags.
Depending on the year you sail, your summer cruise may coincide with Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, but travelling during this time can be a rewarding cultural experience, provided you’re prepared to follow a few extra rules.
Three reasons a Nile River cruise might not be worth it for you
1. There’s not enough time in port
Cruise naysayers claim that it’s impossible to really get under the skin of a destination when you're only there for a limited time.
They have a point: while vessels offer passengers a convenient way to visit multiple destinations along the Nile in a single trip, they can feel restrictive.
Nile ships will typically spend a day in port, with passengers back on board by late afternoon and sailing away by sunset, meaning there’s less freedom to explore at your own pace. All told, if you really want to get to grips with one of the world’s greatest civilisations, a week-long Nile cruise may not provide sufficient time.
To really get under the skin of Egypt, consider extending your holiday with a cruise and stay package that pairs a Nile River sailing with a few nights at a hotel in Luxor, either pre- or post-cruise, so that you explore the world's greatest open-air museums in your own free time.
2. Disabled travellers should think twice before booking a Nile cruise
Cruise lines have made great strides towards accessibility in recent years, and almost every major operator under the sun now offers accessible cabins and facilities onboard.
Sadly, the same can’t be said for Egypt. While there are an estimated 12 million Egyptians with disabilities, the country remains ill-equipped for people with limited mobility.
Ramps are frequently non-existent, and most public buildings don’t have lifts, which can be problematic in the extreme for wheelchair users. Similarly, archaeological sites such as the tombs in the Valley of the Kings are off-limits to wheelchair users.
That’s not to say that cruise-goers with disabilities should be deterred from taking a Nile River cruise – wherever you venture, you’ll find friendly locals willing to help – but it’s important to make your needs known upfront.
Consider booking with a company like Responsible Travel, who offer an eight-day wheelchair-accessible Nile cruise.
3. A Nile River cruise isn’t the most obvious option for families
While Egyptians are invariably always delighted to see children and accommodate their needs, a Nile River cruise nonetheless isn’t advisable for young children – something reflected in the fact that many ships have a minimum age or else are strictly adults-only (here’s looking at Viking and TUI River Cruises).
That’s because a Nile River cruise involves (lots of) morning starts for excursions and long periods of walking in hot weather, both of which can be tiring for the very young.
Back on board, river cruise ships are much smaller than their ocean-going counterparts, which means fewer facilities – think kids’ clubs, climbing walls, waterslides, et al – for little ones.
Sure, there are some lines – step forward Uniworld Boutique River Cruises – which welcome children aged four and above onboard, but they tend to be the exception rather than the rule.
Your cruise, your way
Planning your Nile River cruise can feel overwhelming when you realise how much choice is out there.
Are you after a ship that will accommodate your kids or the last word in luxury? You may be travelling as a multigenerational group or as a solo cruiser.
The good news is that whatever you’re after, there’s a Nile River ship for you. Our expert Nile guides can help you find a cruise line that matches your personality.
Here’s what to know before booking:
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