Nile cruise tips

Nile Cruise Tips: cruise pic

If you chose to go on a Nile cruise make sure that the cruise is taken as all inclusive, in other words not only the accommodation but also including tours and transportation

This is the best option for you to see all possible temples on route. Note that, it is very important to have a tourist guide onboard during your cruise visits.

I would personally recommend for health and safety reasons to use the five star Nile cruise boats

Cost for one night accommodation on these boats start from 60 $ to 180 per night per person in Double room. IN Egypt there are more than 180 Nile cruise, they are ranging from 4 star to standard 5 star ending up with deluxe and imperial deluxe cruise.

Your cabin location : cabin

Prices of accommodation depend largely on which deck you have chosen to stay, staying in lower deck is generally less in cost than styling in upper deck.

Obtain a plan of the boat before you book.

Avoid engine notice and fumes. Any good cruise boat will be keeping the cabins which are closer to the engine dedicated to the staff on board, while guests stay away from engine noise.

-You cabin will be fitted with air-condition and a TV set.

There are 3 types of a cruise schemes:

3 nights cruise

Usually depart from Aswan to Luxor.

*This is the short type cruise, god for those who wish to get a quick cruise experience

The cruise includes the following visits:

Aswan: The high dam, the unfinished obelisk and the temple of Philai
Kom Ombo: Visit the temple of Kom Ombo
Edfu: visit the temple of Edfu
Esna: To visit the temple of god Khenoum
Luxor: Includes a visit to the west bank in Luxor, Valley of the Kings, valley of the queens, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut

4 nights cruise:

Usually depart from Luxor to Aswan

The cruise includes the following visits:

Luxor: Includes a visit to the west bank in Luxor, Valley of the Kings, valley of the queens, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut On the east bank, visit the temple of Luxor and the temple of Karnack.

Esna: To visit the temple of god Khenoum
Edfu: visit the temple of Edfu
Kom Ombo: Visit the temple of Kom Ombo
Aswan: The high dam, the unfinished obelisk and the temple of Philai
Felucca boat outing to visit the botanical island, a trip to Nubian village (options)
Visit to Elephantine Island. And tombs of the nobles (optional)

Seven nights cruise Luxor Aswan / Aswan. Luxor:

This scheme Includes basically all the visits mentioned above but simply divided on the 7 nights. It gives you 2 free nights to relax, it is very good choise for those who seek full relaxation.

Note that each time you onshore you will be given a boarding pass that will help the boat making sure all guest are back on board to continue the next segment of the cruise. Don’t lose it! Keep it a safe pocket and return it the reception upon returning to the boat after finishing your visit.

The following chart will explain to you what you should visit during the various cruise schemes

What you should know while being on a cruise :

Food:

Accommodation aboard the cruise boat is on full board basis. In other words al meals included often buffet style , and in some days there are many various depending of the type and quality of the cruise boat, these meals are basically served with a fixed time table.

Tea and coffee are offered while on the move every day at 5:00 pm. Other drinks are offered in the bar area.

Night life:

Every day there is a an entertainment program, these up of such program vary from one boat the other. In most of the cruise trips that I have conducted, usually the fist day is a cocktail party run by the boat where they offer free drinks and introduce the stuff on board. This party also called manger’s party where he introduces his crew to the guests on board; don’t forget to wear formal cloth during this party.

Another night there is a Galabia party , where you will be encouraged to get Egyptian out fit and wear the local Galabia, during such party some entertainment games are conducted and the tour guides on board will be running the party. It is so much fun!!

To buy a Glalabia it will cost you around 50 LE, if you wish not to buy one you can hire one from the bazaar shop located on board.

There are many local bazaars outside the temples that you will be visiting during your cruise journey. Don’t forget to haggle hard!

Another night will be a Nubian show, where you will see Nubian dancers and singers in their local outfit.

The last evening entertainment is a belly dancing show, a jugglers show and local singers and local band.

Your dress onboard:

During the day time while conducting the tour wear what ever you really like, due to the exposure to the extreme heat it is recommended you wear light cloth such as t-shirts and shorts. You can attend breakfast and lunch wearing such cloths. But for dinner you will not be always to get in wearing a short or a swim suit. Wear smarter cloth.

How to pay your Extras :

All extras such as drink bills, laundry bills, telephones bills, should be settled at the last day of your cruise at check out time. Payment can be made with credit cards, travellers check or cash. All cruise boats don’t accept personal checks, and money order ! Make sure you have enough cash, just in case your card is not working properly.

Tipping :

Don’t forget to leave tipping for the cruise staff, not less than 5 $ PER PERSON PER DAY !

Such tipping you will give to the boat, should be placed in a an envelope and handed over to the reception, after all groups checkout the cruise manager together with the accountant and the reception will open all the envelopes left at the desk and distribute the amount among all crew on board. This way each gets his own tip in fair way. Note that this amount doest not include your Tour Guide tipping, it is separate and it is entirely up to you to decide the amount of tipping that you will give to your tour guide.

Useful tips:

Upon check in the cruise boat, it is advisable to leave your valuables in safe deposit box that will be available whether in the reception or a private safe into your cabin.

If you wish to buy any items from the shops on board the cruise, the opportunity for shopping is generally limited due to the small sizes of these shop, but on the other hand you will get enough time to check what you get and haggle the price!

If you wish you to call home, most of the cruise boats offer telephone facilities on board. But the quality is not as good as offshore.

If you get sick while being on board , some cruise boats have a resident doctor on board, if not they have doctors assigned in each town where they call in case of emergency.

IF You need some heath tips, please read my health page to know more about health and safety on board of a Nile cruise

I would recommend for you visiting a bank to change your money before cruising, as most of the cruise boats. You will not get access to banks during the cruise journey. But not to worry if you are on 3 or 4 nights cruise starting either from Luxor or Aswan, soon you will be in on e of these cities and there are plenty of banks and ATM machines where you can get your money changed

Safety aboard your cruise ship:

All our cruise boats are equipped with safety feature and life jackets are normally placed under your cabin bed

During the day time while conducting your cruise daily tours, you can wear what ever you feel like but due to the exposure to the extreme heat it is recommended that you wear light cloth such as t-shirts and shorts.

You should avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol and know it is worst for people who have equiblrium problems to get drunk on a cruise ship

-You should not spend too much time on deck at night on a fast moving ship; it is dangerous in case you fall over if you have equiblrimum problems)

-Smoking in Bed on a ship is dangerous (type of mattress and it being

flammable)

People who sleep walk (YOU SHOULD Never have a cabin with a balcony but an inside cabin with a window but no balcony

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

-In each major cruise stop you will be given a boarding pass to be able to identify your ship upon your return.

-Upon check in the cruise boat, it is advisable to leave your valuables in safe deposit box that will be available whether in the reception or a private safe into your cabin.

-If you get sick while being on board, some cruise boats have a resident doctor on board, if not they have experienced doctors assigned in each town where they call in case of emergency.

Here is a list of of the best cruise boats I experienced on the Nile:

	MS/ Philae
	M/s Crown Jubilee
	M/S Triton
	M/S Sonesta the moon goddess
	M/S Sun Ray
	M/S Royal Rhapsody boat
	M/S The Regency
	M/S The Royale
	M/S Sonesta the sun goddess
	M/S Radamiss 1 & 2
	M/S Abercrombie sun boats
	M/S Alexander the great
	M/S The crown princess
	M/S The MS / presidential Nile cruises
	M/S Nile ruby 2
	M/S Royal orchid

If you need to check the sailing schedule or prices of the above mentioned cruise hotels, Click here

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