I just returned from Egypt and the cruises are not your typical cruise. On one hand, Nile cruises are basically your hotel. You’re probably only cruising for 10-20 total hours (I’m not 100% sure on the time but for being on the boat for 3-4 days, it was literally just from Aswan to Luxor, maybe one other stop in between. It is all part of the Egypt experience though. Believe me, there is hardly any on-ship entertainment or activities. Usually, you pick a cruise and they handle all the land excursions. I didn’t feel like we were being rushed from site to site, nor did time drag on either.
The downside is that a lot of meals are done on the ship too. Even though you’re in port, you eat on-board. So you may have breakfast on board, then visit sites, possibly head back for lunch, then go out again. Less flexibility if you see a restaurant and want to stop and eat.
If you can find a private tour that might be your best option knowing how you feel about cruises (but it’s not like a normal cruise, maybe 50 people on board). I don’t regret doing the cruise - it’s one of those things that’s all part of the experience. Somebody mentioned a 7-day Nile cruise. I would never do that.
I did a 7-day cruise Luxor-Aswan-Luxor and loved it. I would never, ever go on one of those huge cruise ships with 2,000 people on it - my idea of hell! There are only about 100 passengers on a typical Nile cruise and it’s incredibly relaxing and beautiful to observe all the life along the Nile as you float down it. Usually, you will get your own guide who will take you out to the sights early in the morning, then it’s back to the boat for an afternoon on the sundeck which means you get to do and see a lot, but it’s also very relaxing. Thoroughly recommend!
I am doing a Nile cruise in February, and it’s really small. It’s on a dahabiya that only holds about 12 passengers. No weird entertainment, stops in random places, only has power at night - small. I can’t wait. It’s only 4 nights going Luxor to Aswan. I have only otherwise done a small Alaska cruise of 60 passengers. I hate crowds and construction. Maybe this is what you are looking for? https://www.nile-dahabiya.com/
@Ray
We also did a cruise on a dahabiya. It’s very different from the typical big cruise ship. It’s very leisurely… So if you find big cruises boring, the dahabiya is not going to be your cup of tea. But if you don’t like the crowds and the Walmart feel of a big cruise, the dahabiya is like stepping back in time and may be awesome.
Yes, you should! (I went last spring and I’m not a cruise person either)
A) River cruises are not like Carnival party ocean cruises; ships are much smaller.
B) you are traveling the same Nile path as the ancient pharaohs and people did - there’s something incredibly magical watching Egypt slip by with narrow green strips on either side of the river framed by desert. You’ll see the landscape evolve along with plants, animals, farms, towns, smaller temples, etc. that you wouldn’t see from the highway. The ships sail downstream so are very quiet and peaceful.
C) many of the temples were originally designed to be reached by Nile boat so you will get to see them as intended.
D) going through the Aswan locks is fascinating if you like that kind of thing (which I do).
We had plenty of time at the sites; a good tour/cruise operator will ensure you do.
My trip was also Egypt + Jordan. Traversing the desert by riverboat (Egypt, less than 80 passengers) was a lot more enjoyable than long hours in minibuses and cars (Jordan) or the insanity of Egyptian airports (Abu Simbel side trip).
If you’re even THINKING of doing a ‘road trip’ through Egypt, you’d better do some research. And take lots and lots of anti-nausea, anti-diarrhea, stomach-calming drugs and antibiotics with you. Your stomach will NOT easily accept the microbes in the food and water that the Egyptians are totally accustomed to. Man, I can’t think of a worse country in which to ‘go it alone.’ Take the boat and at least eat well for the week.
Highly recommend a dahabiya cruise rather than one packed with people. Slower pace, less people, more personalized, goes into areas bigger boats can’t get into.
Don’t need to do this for transportation. Book a driver between Aswan and Luxor. We used ‘Aswan Individual’; they have a website and will coordinate with you. They will stop at the 3 temples along the way if you want.
I highly recommend going from Aswan to Luxor. Also recommend spending 2 weeks in Egypt to see it all (we also considered combining with Jordan but decided against).
Take a look at the train too. We are not cruise people. Decided that train from Alexandria to Cairo, taxi to visit Saqqara for a day, fly to Luxor, train to Aswan (only 3 hours). You could arrange a driver on the way back to Kom Ombo then Edfu.
Tourists typically don’t take trains so you don’t get as much of the hassling from people.
Thanks for posting this. I have wondered this too as I am not a person that is enticed by the floating Petri dishes. Having read the replies has enforced that this is definitely not for me.