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Helpful
Nile cruise
selection advice
There
are 200 Nile Cruise boats. Here are some questions you should ask to help you
make the right choice.
 What's the
optimum number
of days
for a Nile Cruise?
 Lengths
Nile
cruise lengths vary from 3 to 12 days.
The
longer trips
They sail roundtrip from Cairo to Aswan, with stops along the
way. They are especially
tailored for retirees who have lots of time to enjoy a leisurely paced Nile
Cruise.
The
shorter route
The
shorter Nile Cruises travel between Luxor and Aswan, which saves you time because you
fly in from Cairo. See map.
The most popular
of all is the 4-day version, which
covers the most coveted stretch of a Nile Cruise.
Should I sail upriver or
downriver on
the 4-day itinerary
It is one directional. Either you sail upriver from Luxor to Aswan, or
do the reverse. Both make stops along the way.
Downriver
This direction is preferable because the ride is a bit smoother and
quieter. Also, your ship moves a little faster, which gives you extra time to spend on
land excursions.
Upriver
However,
don't automatically scratch off an the upriver journey. The ride will be smooth
by sea-cruise standards because this stretch of water is relatively gentle.
How much will I have
to pay
for a Nile Cruise?
Rates
Double
occupancy rates vary from about $100 per night per person for basic though
reasonably comfortable ships to $400 for luxury vessels.
What's
included, what's not
Nile
Cruise prices typically include meals, nightly entertainment and guided shore
excursions, but generally not expenses like alcoholic beverages, laundry
service, tips, and air transportation (including the flight to Abu Simbel).
What should I know
about cabin locations?
Where your cabin is situated on the ship can make a big difference.
Front
Avoid
cabins near the rear of the boat because motor vibrations could interfere with
your sleep.
Bottom
Lower
floor cabins provide less exciting views of the passing riverbank scenes than higher
ones do.
Entertainment
If you sleep early, skip accommodations directly over and under the room where the nightly Nile Cruise entertainment is
held.
Staircase
Voices are sometimes loud enough to reach inside a cabin located near public staircases.
When is the worst time
to take a Nile
Cruise?
Be aware that some periods of the year have drawbacks.
Mid-April
through September
The sun can be searingly hot. In addition, you may have to change Nile Cruise ships to go to the other side of a river lock during that period.
Locks may be closed due to the seasonal drop in water level. Switching cabins
means repacking and unpacking
your suitcases.
Christmas
and Easter
If
money is a concern, but you want to go during the peak season (October to
mid-April), then at least stay home during the exceptionally busy Christmas and
Easter holiday periods when Nile Cruise prices are jacked up considerably.
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