Nile Cruisen Team 
Have you ever imagined waking up on a Nile cruise, opening the curtains, and expecting to see the beautiful Nile River? Instead, you see another cruise just a few feet away. It can be surprising for you, especially if you have booked a cabin advertised with a Nile view. But don’t worry, because it is normal for Nile cruise ships to be moored side by side with another cruise ship, especially at busy ports such as Luxor or Aswan.
Table of Contents:
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Why Are Nile Cruise Ships Moored Side By Side?
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What Is Rafting On a Cruise?
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How Many Cruise Ships Can Be Rafted Together?
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Can Another Cruise Ship Block Your Nile View?
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Does the Side of the Cruise Ship Matter for the View?
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Does Rafting Happen in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan?
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Which Cruise Cabin Has the Best Chance of an Unobstructed View?
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Dahabiya vs. Large Cruise: Which Is Better for Avoiding Rafting?
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The Best Questions to Ask Before Booking
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What You Can and Can’t Control
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What Is the Best Question to Ask About a Nile View Cabin?
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FAQs
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Planning Your Cruise?
Why Are Nile Cruise Ships Moored Side By Side?
The reason is very simple: there are more cruise ships than available spaces along some parts of the riverbanks. During the peak seasons, most of the popular ports can become busy. That’s why, rather than every ship having its own separate space directly beside the riverbank, cruise ships may be tied next to one another. This process is commonly known as rafting or rafting mooring.
What Is Rafting on a Cruise?
Rafting is a docking arrangement in which multiple cruise ships are secured alongside each other. But the exact arrangements can vary from port to port, depending on available space, cruise schedules, and local conditions at the dock.
How Many Cruise Ships Can Be Rafted Together?
There is not a specific number. But at busy moorings, three, four, or even five ships may be positioned alongside each other, with the ship closest to the pier providing access to shore for vessels behind them. That is why two passengers on the cruise have different experiences.
One cabin may look directly onto the Nile, while another may temporarily face the windows or balcony of a neighboring cruise ship. The arrangements can also change between different days of the same cruise.
Can Another Cruise Ship Block Your Nile View?
Yes, another cruise ship can block your view when your Nile cruise ship is moored side by side with another vessel. However, the amount of obstruction depends on several factors, including:
- Your ship’s position within the group
- Your cabin’s deck
- Your cabin’s position on the ship
- The height of the neighboring vessel
- The position of the neighboring vessel
- Whether you are sailing or docked
- Local docking arrangements
The obstruction can be temporary. You may wake up with another vessel outside your window in one port and have a completely open view at another stop.
Does the Side of the Cruise Ship Matter for the View?
Although the side of the Nile cruise ship can make a difference at certain moments, it does not guarantee a better Nile view throughout your cruise journey. Because your ship’s directions and docking position can change, the view that looks amazing at one point may be different later in the journey.
Moreover, the side of the ship does not prevent your view from being blocked when the vessel is moored alongside another cruise ship. Your cabin’s deck, cabin location, window, or balcony and the ship’s position when docked can affect your view.
Therefore, instead of choosing a cabin based only on port or starboard, ask your operators about the exact cabin number, deck, position, and possibility of another Nile cruise ship being moored alongside your cruise.
Does Rafting Happen in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan?
Rafting can occur at different points along a Nile cruise. But there is no reason to assume that every point will have the same arrangement.
Luxor: Being one of the busiest cruise areas, multiple vessels can be present around the same docking area.
Edfu: Depending on traffic and local conditions, cruise ships can also dock in the area around Edfu.
Kom Ombo: The docking arrangements in Kom Ombo can vary as per the schedule of the cruise and other vessels at the port.
Aswan: As a major Nile cruise destination, several vessels may be operating and docking in the area at the same time.
Remember, the important point is that the port capacity and your individual cabin view are two different things.
Even if you know how many vessels a docking area can accommodate, it does not tell you exactly which ship will be beside yours on your travel dates.
Which Cruise Cabin Has the Best Chance of an Unobstructed View?
There is a difference between a river-facing and an obstructed river view. There is a possibility that the cabin can face the river but still have its view blocked temporarily when another Nile cruise ship is moored alongside it.
Considering these factors can help travelers who want the best chance of an open view:
Higher deck cabins: You can consider the higher deck cabins because they generally give a wider outlook than those on the lower deck. However, there is no guarantee that another ship will not block the view.
Outer/exposed positions: When ships are rafted together, the ship on the outside of the raft may have more open views, while a ship positioned between other vessels may have a restricted view.
Balcony or large window cabins: If you want your own outdoor space, then cabins with balconies or larger windows can make your experience more enjoyable.
But remember that having a balcony does not guarantee an obstructed view while docked.
The sun deck: The sun deck can be a good position for travelers who care strongly about Nile views. Even if there is another vessel alongside your ship, the elevated position can provide a much wider view of the river.
So rather than asking, does this cabin have a Nile view?
Ask:
Is this cabin likely to have an unobstructed view while the ship is sailing, and what can happen when the ship is docked?
That is a much better question to ask before booking a Nile cruise.
Dahabiya vs. Large Cruise: Which Is Better for Avoiding Rafting?
If you want to reduce the chances of a busy side-by-side mooring, then dahabiya could be a better choice, as it may offer a chance of a quieter docking experience than a large Nile cruise ship. The reason is simple: dahabiyas are smaller in size, so they often dock at the quieter riverside, which is usually less accessible to the large cruise ships.
But remember that it doesn’t mean that rafting will never happen during your trip. Local conditions can still affect whether the vessel stops.
The Best Questions to Ask Before Booking
If the Nile view is so important to you, then simply ask your cruise operator:
Where is the cabin located, and what is the likelihood that another cruise ship will be alongside us when we are docked?
You can also ask about:
- Cabin deck
- Cabin number
- Window or balcony
- Ship position during docking
- Whether the ship commonly uses raft-style mooring
- Whether the sun deck has an obstructed river view
10-Point cruise cabin checklist
Ask these 10 questions before booking your Nile cruise:
- What is the exact ship name?
- What is the exact cabin number?
- Which deck is the cabin on?
- Is the cabin midship or forward?
- Does it have a fixed window, a French balcony, or a real balcony?
- Is the cabin genuinely river-facing?
- Can another Nile cruise ship be moored directly alongside it?
- At which ports does the ship normally dock?
- Does the ship use private docking anywhere?
- Can you please confirm the requested cabin in writing?
A note about berth capacity
While searching for your cruise online, you may have seen different numbers for the cruise ships that can dock at Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan.
It is important to understand that berth capacity does not mean the number of Nile cruise ships that will be moored side by side on a particular day.
A berth is a dedicated place where a ship can be secured. Berth capacity refers to how many vessels will be accommodated for that particular time. The number of ships at the dock can change depending on several factors, including season, cruise schedules, available space, and local docking conditions. That is the major reason why there is no fixed number of ships that will always be rafted together at each Nile cruise stop.
So while booking a Nile cruise, ask your operator about the cabin location, deck, balcony, and possibility of a side-by-side mooring rather than relying only on the berth capacity number. These questions will help you to choose your cabin with realistic expectations.
What You Can and Can’t Control
| You can usually influence: | You cannot completely control: |
| Ship type | Which neighboring ship arrives first |
| Window/balcony type | Daily port congestion |
| Cabin location | Temporary rafting arrangements |
| Whether you choose a dahabiya | Operational changes |
| Whether you request private docking | Exact docking positioning every night. |
What Is the Best Question to Ask About a Nile View Cabin?
Instead of asking:
Does this cabin have a Nile view?
Ask:
Is this cabin likely to have an unobstructed Nile view while sailing, and what could the view be like when the ship is docked alongside other vessels?
This question will give you a much more realistic answer. It will also help your cruise operator understand what exactly matters to you.
FAQs
Why are Nile cruise ships moored side by side?
Nile cruise ships may be moored side by side because of the limited docking space; multiple cruise ships may need to use the same riverfront area.
Will another cruise ship block my Nile View cabin?
Yes, another cruise ship can block your Nile View cabin when another vessel is moored alongside your ship.
Does a Nile view cabin guarantee an unobstructed view?
No, a Nile view cabin cannot guarantee an unobstructed view. Because the view depends on several factors, including the ship’s position, neighboring vessels, and local docking conditions.
Does a balcony guarantee an open Nile view?
No, a balcony cannot guarantee an open Nile view, as another ship can still be positioned directly alongside your vessel and block your Nile river view.
How to avoid waking up facing the wall?
It is not possible to completely guarantee that another cruise will not block your view while docked. However, you can reduce the chances by asking your operator about the cabin location, deck, window, or balcony and the ship’s usual docking arrangements before booking.
Planning Your Cruise?
If you are not able to choose which ship, cabin, or cabin category is right for your trip, contact Nile Cruisen and share your travel dates and preferences.
While booking, make sure to let our team know how important the Nile view is to you and whether you prefer a balcony or window. This will help our team to find the best available options for you.
This article was created by the team at Nile Cruisen, one of the best tour operators in Egypt for Nile cruises and tailor-made Egypt tours.
With years of experience sailing between Luxor and Aswan, our team knows the Nile better than anyone.
We share trusted travel advice, from the best time to visit and what to pack to simple tips for avoiding crowds.
Our goal is to help you enjoy the timeless beauty of Egypt with comfort, confidence, and an unforgettable travel experience.
- Nile Cruisen Team
- Nile Cruisen Team
- Nile Cruisen Team
- Nile Cruisen Team
