Egypt is a wonderfully diverse country with a fantastic heritage, and what better way is there to discover the magic of this beautiful land than by enjoying one of the numerous Nile River cruises on offer? You’ll find a terrific choice available, with something to suit all pockets and all tastes - from short, budget trips through to leisurely, luxury cruises.
But why, exactly, should you take a Nile cruise over another form of visiting the country? And what attractions await you along the lengths of Egypt’s lifeblood?
Why Take A Nile Cruise?
Egypt is an ancient land and, traditionally, the way to travel it was by sailing along the Nile. Can there be any better way of immersing yourself in the magic and mystery of its heritage than the method which Cleopatra and the Pharaohs used - slowly drifting along the longest river in the World?
If your main concern is comfort and convenience, then you should definitely consider a cruise as the way to explore Egypt. With most coach tours, you'd be stopping every night at a different hotel, having to pack and unpack morning and night, as well as keeping to a fairly tight time table. Spending several hours sitting on a coach each day is not everyone’s cup of tea - however comfortable the coach. The beauty of Nile River cruises is that your hotel is also your means of transport. You establish your home base in your cabin and then are free to do with your day what you will - whether that be relaxing on deck with a cool drink or exploring tremendous tombs and temples ashore.
This leads on to another advantage of cruises, and that is their flexibility. Maybe you already know Egypt well and don’t wish to sightsee further. In that case, you’ll find plenty on offer on board ship. But, if getting to know the country’s heritage is your main reason for your holiday, then most cruise lines can easily arrange excursions and tours for you at all ports of call.
You’ll also enjoy the atmosphere on Nile cruise ships. Ships which cruise the River Nile tend to be relatively small - not like some of the huge liners which cross the oceans. This results in a wonderfully intimate, friendly atmosphere, where you get to know one another and become a big family. Yet the ships are also large enough to offer plenty of amenities, fine food, and comfortable accommodation.
Finally, with the tremendous choice of cruises available, you should certainly be able to find something to fit your budget and specifications.
What To See?
Cruising the Nile you’ll enjoy the sites, temples and tombs located along the particular stretch of the River you’re travelling - and it’s about the only way to visit southern Egypt. Cruises tend to be three, four or seven nights in length, the shorter ones between Luxor and Aswan, the longer ones journeying further north. Obviously, the longer your cruise, the more you’ll get to see and the further north you go, several combining cruising with flights and land tours - sometimes to fairly remote areas.
If you’re after something slightly different, you may wish to experience sailing by "felucca". A felucca is a typical Egyptian sailing boat - but accommodation and amenities are certainly not as luxurious as the cruise ships.
One thing’s for sure, whichever of the Nile River cruises you choose, you’ll have the experience of a lifetime and surely fall in love with the magical land of Cleopatra and the Pharaohs.
About Author:
Amar Mahallati is owner of
EgyptTourInfo.com which offers informative advice on popular destinations for Egypt travel. Amar would like to help you select the right
Nile River cruises for your needs and interests.
