Nile Cruise- experiences and recommendations

mcduff16

Hello

We`re thinking of going on a Nile cruise for 1 week in late September. What are peoples' general experience of them (people i know that have been loved it) and can anyone recommend any tour operators or companies? Thanks

Enterprise_1701C

We went on one last year - absolutely loved it. Had to get up at 3 am for Abu Simbel, mostly early morning with a couple of days off, but it was a wonderful experience, a bit templed out by the end of the week though!

We went on the RAII, can't recall which operator as booked it through our friendly travel agent, it has it's own berth at a few of the docking areas so did not have to go across about 6 other boats.

Make sure you buy your water and drink on shore though, a lot cheaper, and you can get beer onshore for about half the price of the boat, although it is not sold openly and you might have to ask at the little kiosks that are set up where the boats dock.

It was a dream of mine and lived up to expectations totally.

toscat

Hi, we went on a Nile cruise about ten years ago,the company called DISCOVER EGYPT and the boat was THE VIKING 1. We've been on lots of cruises all over the world on the big cruise ships but the nile cruise stands out as the most memorable.The boat itself is small and the cabins very small indeed but it all adds to the atmosphere. There was about 40ish people and by the end of the week everyone knew everyone else,a very friendly atmosphere indeed. The entertainment was very good and varied,belly dancers inviting the brave to join them to dressing up parties where little boats came alongside and threw up different outfits and if they fitted you threw the money down to them,very very cheap indeed.There were daily excursions every day which you could join or if you just wanted to relax you could stay and sunbathe on deck, needless to say we wanted to experience everything and it's not to be missed and all included in the price. The food too was very good and I'm a fussy eater so praise indeed. If going on the excursions please take a sun hat or head covering and take water with you as it's very very hot. The best bit for me was relaxing on the deck every early evening with a drink and sailing slowly down the nile. We also added a second week,very cheap at the Winter Palace in Luxor again not to be missed. I hope you find it as memorable as we did.

mcduff16

Thanks for the replies, very helpful!

kindofaverage

we went with archers and had a great time. the boat was spotless and they also gave us a tour of the kitchens. after a trip the crew welcomed us back with lemon drinks and flannels soaked in lemon juice. initially I thought this was very kind of them but it was also so that we didn't bring any germs back on board from our hands. we had a lovely time.