I would personally recommend, for health and safety reasons,  to choose only the five star+ Nile cruises !.

The cost for one nights accommodation, ranges between $70 and $180, per person, per night in a double room.

There are more than 220 Nile cruisers on the Nile  between Luxor and Aswan, including 4 star, standard 5 star, deluxe and imperial Ultra deluxe.

Your cabin location

Prices of accommodation depends largely on which deck you have chosen to stay, staying in the lower decks is generally cheaper than “styling it” on the upper deck. Try and obtain a plan of the boat before you book.

Your cabin will be fitted with air-conditioning and a TV set.

Try and avoid engine notice and fumes. Any good cruise boat will keep the cabins that are closer to the engine, for the staff! The guests staying away from engine noise.

There are 3 types of cruises:

1- Three  nights cruise - ==> Usually departs from Aswan to Luxor.

 The cruise includes the following visits:

• Aswan: The High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae
• Kom Ombo:  Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo
• Edfu: visit the Temple of Edfu
• Esna: visit the Esna Temple  
• Luxor: visit the west bank in Luxor to see, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

 *This is a short cruise, good for those who want to get just the cruise experience. 

Please Note: It is very important to have a tourist guide onboard during your cruise visits.

2- Four nights cruise - Usually departs from Luxor to Aswan.

 The cruise includes the following visits:

·     Luxor: visit the west bank to see, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Then visit the east bank to see, the Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Karnak.  

• Esna: visit the Esna Temple
• Edfu: visit the Temple of Edfu
• Kom Ombo: visit the Temple of Kom Ombo
• Aswan: visit the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae
• Felucca boat outing to visit the Botanical Island, a trip to a Nubian village (options)
• Visit to Elephantine Island and the Tombs of the Nobles (optional)

 *This is a Medium range type cruise,  good for those who want more of  the cruise experience. 

3- Seven nights cruise - Either Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor.

This scheme basically includes all the visits mentioned  above, but divided over 7 nights, which gives you 2 free nights to relax. It is very good choice for those who seek full relaxation. 

Please Note: Each time you go ashore (on all cruises), you will be given a boarding pass.  to help you  identify your boat, as well  it helps the boats crew know  they have all  guests back on board, so that they can continue with the next segment of the cruise. Don’t lose it! Keep it in a safe place and hand it to reception each time you come back from a tour. The following chart will explain to you what you should visit during the various cruise schemes

 What You Should Know While On A Cruise

  Food on board :

Accommodation aboard the cruise boats is on full board basis. All meals are included and are in an open buffet style, some days there are many varieties, depending of the type and quality of the cruise boat; these meals are served with a fixed timetable.

Tea and coffee is available, while on the move, every day at 5:00 pm. Other drinks are offered in the bar area.

 Nightlife:

Every day there is a full entertainment programme, which differs from one boat to the other. On most cruise trips that I have conducted, the first day is usually a cocktail party, run by the boat, where they offer free drinks and introduce the staff on board. This party is also called “the manager’s party”, where the manager introduces his crew to the guests on board; don’t forget to wear formal clothes during this party!

Another night there is a “Galabia party”, where you will be encouraged to get Egyptian outfits and wear the local Galabia. During such parties, some games are conducted; the tour guides on board run the party, which offers much fun!! To buy a Galabia will cost you around 50 LE, but if you do not wish to buy one, you can hire one from the bazaar shop located on board.

Another night will have a Nubian show, where you will see Nubian dancers and singers in their local outfit.

The last evening’s entertainment is usually has: a belly dancing show, a juggler’s show, and local singers and bands.

There are many bazaars outside the Temples that you will be visit during your cruise. Don’t forget to haggle hard! 

 Your dress onboard:

During the daytime, while enjoying the tours, you can wear whatever you like, though due to the extreme heat it is recommended you wear lightweight clothes. While relaxing on board you may wear shorts and swimming costumes, if you wish. Breakfast and lunch can be taken dressed like this, but for dinner, please wear smarter clothes!

How to pay your Extras:

All extras such as drink, laundry, and telephones bills, should be settled on the last day of your cruise at check out time. Payment can be made with credit cards, traveller’s cheque, or cash. Make sure you have enough cash, just in case your card is not working properly.

Please note: Many cruise boats do not accept personal cheques or money orders!many don't like travellers checks as well

Tipping:

Don’t forget to leave tips for the cruise staff, not less than $ 5-8  USD  PER PERSON PER DAY!  

• So for 3 nights cruise  it  should be 15-25 USD per person
• So for 3 nights cruise  it should be 20-35  USD per person
• So for 7 nights cruise  it should be 35-55  USD per person

These tipping should be given to the boat, place them in an envelope and be over  boat  reception. This money later will be  distributed  evenly among the crew onboard. This way each person will get his fair share.

Please Note: this does not include tipping to your Tourist Guide, this should  is separate, and it is entirely up to you to decide the size of tip that you will give to him/her.

Know that these are only guidelines, gratuities are personal matter and tipping is entirely at the discretion of the individuals.

 Health and Safety onboard cruise ships: 

All Nile cruise boats are equipped with safety features and life jackets are normally placed  under your cabin bed.

During the daytime, while enjoying the tours, you can wear whatever you like, though due to the extreme heat it is recommended you wear lightweight clothes. While relaxing on board you may wear shorts and swimming costumes, if you wish. But beware of too much exposure to the sun! Apply plenty of high factor sun block! 

• You should avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol especially if you have equilibrium problems. You are not just putting yourself at peril, but also the other guests and staff too.
• People with equilibrium problems should not spend too much time on deck at night, on a fast moving ship; it is dangerous in case you fall over.
• Smoking in bed is dangerous; the mattresses are very flammable!
• People who tend to sleep walk should never take a cabin with a balcony, an inside cabin with a window would be far safer.
• Make sure that you know where the muster stations are, in case you have to abandon ship.
• If you get sick whilst on board, some cruise boats have a resident doctor on board. If not, they have doctors assigned in each town that can be called on in case of emergency.
• If you need some more heath and safety tips, please read my health page to know more about health and safety on board a Nile cruise.