Nile cruise FAQ

The Nile cruise season runs year-round, but each period offers a distinct experience:

• October to April — Most pleasant weather. Warm days (68–86°F / 20–30°C), cool evenings; perfect for temple sightseeing.
• December and January — Peak months, especially around Christmas and New Year. Festive atmosphere, fully-booked ships.
• March and April — Excellent weather, fewer crowds than December.
• May to September — Hot summer months (95–108°F / 35–42°C). Lower prices, quieter ships.

Most travelers prefer the November–March window for the ideal balance of weather, atmosphere and value.

Standard cruises run 3 nights (Aswan to Luxor) or 4 nights (Luxor to Aswan). Round trips are 7 nights. Dahabiya sailings are typically 4–7 nights.

Most travelers spend 2–3 days in Cairo before or after their cruise to see the Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum, and Khan el-Khalili bazaar. We can arrange Cairo extensions for any itinerary.

Egypt has invested heavily in tourism security. Major sites and Nile cruise routes are well-protected. Tourist police accompany cruise ships and excursions. Standard travel awareness applies.

Both work — Aswan to Luxor is downstream (gentler pace, more time at temples). Luxor to Aswan is upstream (more time in Luxor for Karnak/Valley of the Kings before sailing).

Dahabiyas are small sailing vessels (8–16 guests), modeled on traditional Nile sailing ships. They access remote temples that large cruises cannot reach. Slower, more intimate, all-inclusive — typically 4–7 nights from Esna or Aswan.

Absolutely. Most ships offer dedicated solo rates. The atmosphere onboard is welcoming with shared dining tables and onboard activities — many solo travelers tell us they made lifelong friends.

Absolutely — many of our most-booked itineraries are honeymoons. Suite-class cabins, private dining, sunset cocktails on the sun deck, and unforgettable temple visits make for an unparalleled romantic trip.

We use 5 transparent seasons: Low (May–Aug), High (Sept–Apr), Easter Week, Christmas (Dec 21–Jan 5), and Peak Christmas (Dec 27–Jan 1). The same cabin can vary 2–3× in price depending on season.

No. The price you see is what you pay. The only optional extras are drinks (typically $5–15 each), optional excursions like Abu Simbel ($140 pp), and crew tips (recommended $5–10/day).

Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival ($30 USD) or apply for an e-Visa online before traveling. Always check the latest requirements for your country at your nearest Egyptian embassy.

Cairo International (CAI) is the main hub. From Cairo, you can fly to Luxor (LXR) or Aswan (ASW) for cruise embarkation — about 1 hour each. We arrange domestic flights as part of your package.

Yes — every booking includes meet-and-greet at the airport plus private transfers to your hotel or cruise ship. Free of charge.

Strongly recommended. Comprehensive travel insurance should cover medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost luggage. We can recommend Egypt-specialist insurers if needed.

Comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing for temple visits (shoulders/knees covered), light layers, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and smart-casual evening wear. We’ll send a detailed packing list after booking.

Three meals daily, served as open buffets with international and authentic Egyptian cuisine. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary requirements accommodated with advance notice.

Smart-casual throughout the cruise. During the day, comfortable resort attire is perfect. For evening dinners, smart-casual is recommended (no shorts in the main restaurant). For temple visits, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is required.

Most modern ships offer free Wi-Fi in public areas and cabins. Connection speed varies by location along the Nile (better near major cities, weaker between). Most guests use it for messaging rather than streaming.

Yes — onboard bars serve beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits. Drinks are typically charged separately ($5–15 each). Some all-inclusive packages include drinks; ask at booking.

The Nile is a calm river — seasickness is extremely rare. The ships are large and stable, and you’ll barely notice you’re sailing. If you’re sensitive, pack motion sickness tablets just in case.

Send us your dates and preferences via the inquiry form or WhatsApp. We respond within 2 hours with a personalized proposal. Once you confirm, a 40% deposit secures your booking, with the balance due 30 days before arrival. Cancellation is free up to 45 days before arrival (60 days at Christmas, New Year and Easter).

Yes. Changes of date, ship or hotel level are free of charge if you ask 45 days or more before arrival (60 days for Christmas, New Year and Easter dates), subject to availability; any difference in price is charged or refunded. Later changes are treated as a cancellation and a new booking — see our Cancellation Policy.

For peak season (Dec–Feb), book 3–6 months ahead. For shoulder season (Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr), 6–8 weeks is usually fine. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible in low season.

The ship’s own crew and management run the vessel. Egypt Planners contracts the cabin, provides the Egyptologist and the transfers, and is your single point of contact throughout.

A licensed tour operator. We buy directly from the ships and hotels and employ our own guides and drivers — there is no middle layer between you and the boat. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator — Egyptian Ministry of Commerce registration No. 256841 — and IATA-accredited.

Because availability, decks and inclusions change week by week and ship by ship. A specialist checking it live and confirming in writing protects you from the classic Nile surprises — and we reply within two hours.

After you confirm the written quote, a 40% deposit secures the booking, with the balance due 30 days before arrival. Payments are processed through secure encrypted gateways or bank transfer. Nothing is ever charged on this website.

The cruise is the core, but most travelers add Cairo, Abu Simbel or the Red Sea — see our Egypt packages. Everything is private and built around the cruise dates.

Our office is at 191 Al Ahram Plaza, El Haram, in Giza — fifteen minutes from the Pyramids — with our own ground teams working in Aswan and Luxor at the cruise docks. Office hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Cairo time; WhatsApp is answered outside those hours too.

Within two hours during office hours, Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Cairo time. WhatsApp is usually much faster and is answered outside those hours as well. Overnight messages are answered first thing.

Yes — the specialist who sends your quote stays on your file through the cruise and after it.

Of course. Leave your number and a good time in the form and we’ll call — WhatsApp voice or a regular line, your choice.

We use it only to answer you and, if you book, to make the reservation. We never sell or share it, and we never ask for card details by email or WhatsApp.

The WhatsApp line in your booking voucher, answered around the clock by our own team in Aswan and Luxor, not by the ship.

Private. Your own Egyptologist and driver in every city; only the cruise excursions are in small groups of 8–20 (private guide on board available as an add-on).

Same itinerary, same guide, same flights. 5★ uses heritage or brand hotels and a deluxe ship; 4★ uses well-located 4★ hotels and a standard 5★ ship — $270 less per person. The hotels for each level are named on every package page.

No — you book those. Domestic flights inside Egypt (Cairo → Aswan, Luxor → Cairo) are included where the itinerary uses them.

Yes. Add nights, swap hotels, extend the cruise to 4 nights, add Abu Simbel, Alexandria or the Red Sea. Tell us in the form and the quote comes back rebuilt.

Send an inquiry, get a written quote, then confirm with a 40% deposit by secure card link or bank transfer. Balance 30 days before arrival. Free cancellation to 45 days (60 at Christmas and Easter).

Each package is timed so you board the ship on its departure day (mostly Friday from Aswan or Monday from Luxor). Arrive another day and we swap the ship, not your dates.