Embarking on a Nile cruise is one of the most enchanting ways to explore ancient Egypt. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about luxury Nile cruises to help you choose the perfect voyage.

Types of Luxury Nile Cruises

1. Dahabiya Cruises

These traditional sailing vessels offer the most exclusive and intimate experience on the Nile.

• Capacity: 12-20 passengers
• Cost: $400-800 per person per night
• Duration: 4-7 nights
• Best for: Couples seeking romance, luxury travelers wanting privacy, photography enthusiasts

Dahabiyas provide a more authentic experience with the ability to dock at smaller sites that larger ships can’t access. There are a few high end Dahabiyas, like the Nour el Nil group with beautiful, traditional ships. Note that most Dahabiyas will not have amenities like a pool or spa due to the size but what they lack in facilities is made up for by the privacy and seclusion of the trip as well as the ability to park anywhere without having your view obstructed by other ships. Nour el Nil is priced at $500-800 per person per night.

2. Premium Cruise Ships

Modern luxury vessels offering high-end amenities and services.

• Capacity: 50-90 passengers
• Cost: $200-400 per person per night
• Duration: 3-7 nights
• Best for: Families, first-time visitors, those who want modern amenities

These ships feature swimming pools, spas, and multiple dining venues while maintaining an intimate atmosphere. Uniworld and Viking fit nicely into this category, offering luxury touches and experiences with varying traditional touches like cultural shows and decor. Both Uniworld and Viking itineraries start in Cairo and you can read more about our experience here.

3. Ultra-Luxury River Ships

The most opulent option for Nile cruising.

• Capacity: 8-50 passengers
• Cost: $500-1000 per person per night
• Duration: 3-14 nights
• Best for: Luxury travelers, history enthusiasts, those seeking all-inclusive experiences

These vessels offer butler service, gourmet dining, and the highest staff-to-guest ratio. Ships like the Sanctuary Sun Boat III fit nicely into this category, offering just 16 suites that blend elegancy, opulence and modern amenities into a stunning ship and itinerary.

Popular Cruise Routes

Luxor to Aswan (or reverse)

The most popular route, typically lasting 3-4 nights.

• Covers major sites like Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, and Kom Ombo
• Perfect for those with limited time

Luxor back to Luxor

A longer journey lasting 6-7 nights.

• This is perfect for travelers looking to spend longer on the ship and explore even deeper along the nile
• These typically also include trips to Dendera, a bit off the beaten path

Cairo back to Cairo

A longer trip, typically around 11 nights.

• This is a good comprehensive option for people looking to not plan their own trip in Cairo itself
• This trip typically includes the pyramids of Giza, Saqqara and the museums of Cairo

What’s Typically Included

• Full board accommodation
• Guided excursions to temples and archaeological sites (Historia does NOT include shore excursions)
• Evening entertainment like cultural dance shows an music
• Airport/hotel transfers

Higher-end cruises may also include:

• Alcoholic beverages (Uniworld includes them at mealtimes only)
• Wi-Fi (limited in many areas of the Nile)
• Spa access (treatments typically at a cost)
• Private tours

Best Time to Cruise

October to April is the ideal season for Nile cruises, offering comfortable temperatures and clear skies. Summer months (June-August) offer lower prices but can be extremely hot.

Tips for Choosing Your Cruise

• Consider the ship size – smaller vessels offer more intimate experiences but may have fewer amenities
• Check the itinerary carefully – some cruises offer more time at archaeological sites or additional stops along the Nile
• Look at included excursions – private tours might be worth the extra cost
• Consider the direction – upstream cruises (Luxor to Aswan) are typically more relaxing

Booking Recommendations

• Book at least 6 months in advance for peak season (December-February). Last-minute deals are possible in low season but might not get you the best cabins or ships.