Essential Tips for A Nile Cruise in Egypt

Essential Tips for A Nile Cruise in Egypt

The Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is a dream for millions around the world, it’s not just a vacation, it’s an immersion into the depths of history but, to switch this trip from good to exceptional and trouble free, there are some rules, tourism and logistical preparations which must be aware of it custom which prepared by Nile cruise experts in Egypt and tourists who have visited Egypt several times.

In this travel blog post, we will provide you with the essence of this expertise to ensure an easy, safe, enjoyable trip.

Art of choice and book the cruise (don’t let it chance)

A lot of visitors focused only on the trip’s price and overlooked important details that might affect their comfort level for the four- or five-day Nile cruise itinerary:

A.The key to comfort is the location of the cabin:

– Avoid lower deck: Sometimes cabins in the lower deck at the Nile surface level or slightly below it, which have a small window (can’t be opened) and are higher than the engine.

– Stay away from the back: The engines of the floating hotels are located in the stern. The noise and vibration are stronger.

– The perfect location: order a cabin on the 2^nd or 3^rd floor and at the front or middle of the ship, this ensures a panoramic view and a calmer experience, which is what Nile Cruisen company offers.

B.The actual rating of the ship: Don’t rely on the star rating only.

There are ships with 5 stars that are very old and run-down, and there are other ships that have been recently renovated and surpass them in quality.

The golden question: ask the travel agent, when was the last renovation date of ships that underwent a full renovation in the last 5 years, or the recently built ships, as these are the most secure choices.

The perfect luggage. What do you take and what do you leave?

The Nile cruise in Egypt has a code for clothes and personal stuff, different from beach trips or Safari trips.

Smart clothes:
The walking shoe (the most important of all): The floor of the temples is uneven and full of sand and gravel. The heels or open shoes are uncomfortable and ruin the enjoyment of the visit. It needs a comfortable sports shoe or a closed shoe.

System of layering:
In the winter (the main season), the weather is hot in the day and very cold at night and at midnight. Bring with you your light jacket and scarf for the crack of dawn and night.

The Galabaya Party:
You will need to wear an Egyptian Galabaya for the costume dinner party. Don’t buy it from your country; buying it from local markets in Luxor or Aswan, or even from the ship’s Bazaar, is a part of the fun and costs very little.

Get a Small pharmacy during your Nile Cruise.

Stomach medicine: change of weather and type of food causes a mild stomach upset; it’s called Pharaoh’s revenge. Be sure to have intestinal antiseptic as Entinal, it’s popular in Egypt, and charcoal and bloating tablets.
Sunscreen and hats: the sun of Upper Egypt is strong even if we’re in winter.

Food Health and Safety

Sometimes the food on the ships is an open buffet and variety, but necessary to be careful for the following:

1. 1. The strict water rule:
   Don’t drink from the tap: the water tap in Egypt is safe to use for daily use, showering, and brushing teeth, but it’s not safe for direct drinking for tourists (it may cause upset due to the difference in minerals). Rely entirely on bottled water.
   Ice: In untrusted places outside the ship, order your drink “without ice” because you don’t know the source of the water it was made from.

2. Dealing with the buffet.
   In the first days, it prefers to focus on the well-done and hot food, and reduce raw salads and uncooked vegetables until your stomach gets used to the new environment.

Money and tipping management

The culture of “tipping” is deeply rooted in the Egyptian tourism sector; understanding it saves you a lot of embarrassment:

1-The “Envelope” crew on the Cruise Ship.
Instead of tipping the waiter, the cleaner, and the baggage handlers individually, most cruise ships follow a civilized policy. At the end of the trip, an envelope is placed in your cabin or at the reception. You place a lump sum amount inside (which is distributed equally among all the staff, even the unsung heroes in the laundry and kitchen).
The suggested amount: it usually ranges from 5$ to 10$ or (equivalent) per person per night, according to your satisfaction with the service.

2- Currency and small change.
Always keep small bills (Egyptian pounds in denominations of 10,20, and 50). You will need them for using in restrooms in tourist bazars, buying water, or tipping outside the ship. Large denomination dollar bills may be difficult to exchange in remote areas.

Time and visits organizing

The schedule for the Nile Cruise excursions is very strict because the ship must pass through the “Esna lock” at specific times.

1. Early rising.
   It’s not just a trip for a long sleep. Most visits start early in the morning (6 or 7 AM) to avoid the muggy heat and to meet the ship’s sailing time.
2. Abu Simbel’s Visiting:
   If you decide to visit Abu Simbel, the cars will typically depart around 4:00 AM. Order from reception to prepare a “Breakfast box” for you at night before departure.
3. 3. Esna lock.
   This is an experience you don’t miss. You will watch the ship enter a water chamber to be raised or lowered to the level of the other side of the Nile. Be on the sun deck during the crossing to watch the local seller in their small boats throwing goods (clothes,  bedspreads) to the sun deck in a unique folklore commercial scene.

Dealing with Street vendors in Nile cruise excursions

In every temple and berth, you will find tenths of vendors trying to sell tickets; so here the etiquette to use with them.
No, thank you rule: if you not interested, don’t stop lock and don’t ask about the price. Keep walking and say “ No.Thanks” or “Shukrun what means thank you in Arabic; with a firm smile. Stopping means you start a long bargaining process.

• Bargaining; if you liked an item, you must know that the first price offered is the just a start of bargaining. The bargaining is a part of culture, and sometimes you can have the item for the half of the initial asking price or less.

The Communications and Internet

The ship Wi-Fi: Sometimes it is expensive and very slow because it depends on satellites or mobile network that weaken during sailing between cities.

The perfect solution for internet on board: Buy an Egyptian data SIM card from the following companies (We, Orange, Vodafone or Etisalat) as soon as arriving at the airport. It costs is very cheap according to the Hotels service, and mobile network coverage is good along the course of the Nile (except some a very few areas).

Drinks on the ship

• Payment policy: in the majority of Nile cruise in Egypt, the ship includes the accommodation and the meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and bazar’s tickets, but it doesn’t include the drinks even if it (water, soft drinks, tea/coffee) during lunch and dinner.
• Your orders are recorded throughout the whole trip, and you pay the total check for drinks at the last night before departure ( check-out ) ensure to pre-review the prices in the drinks menu .

Conclusion

You must choice the good Nile cruise through a specialist in this field, such as Nile Cruisen company: because you may not know the ship well or the service in it : furthermore you need a reliable guide for booking your trip : and don’t be happy about the cheap or low prices for a Nile River trip because most of them come from resources are untrusted are run-down and very old ships that accommodation.

to book the Sonesta Nile cruises with the best price and gurantuee booking; check out th all Cruises of Sonests.