Winding its way from the Mediterranean Sea down to Lake Victoria, the Nile is the world’s longest river and an iconic cruising route. We caught up with Vanessa Lloyd, one of our Destination Specialists, to learn about what to expect on a Nile cruise through Egypt.
Where do Nile cruises go?
In Egypt, river cruises typically run four days from Luxor to Aswan or three days in the opposite direction.
What’s your favourite stop?
Luxor, which is basically an open-air museum. It’s the jumping off point to both the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. It’s also home to Karnak Temple, the second-largest temple complex in the world.
What’s a hidden gem?
Kom Ombo Temple, which is one of the few double temples in Egypt, which means there are two identical halves to the temple, one dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and one to the falcon god Horus. It even has crocodile mummies!
What is it like on board a Nile cruise vessel?
Nile River cruise vessels are much smaller than large cruise ships. They average around 236 ft (72 m) in length and hold around 100 guests onboard. The 4- and 5-star ships are very comfortable and beautifully appointed. You have a lovely balcony to watch the world go by on. There’s no dress code and meals offer a wide variety of options. There are large cabins, and the staff are excellent and accommodating.
When’s the best time to go?
The weather is best from December to February.
What surprised you the most about your past Nile cruise experiences?
I’m always impressed by how accommodating the crew and guides are. For example, on my cruise, I did a hot air balloon in Luxor. We thought we’d miss our tour of the Valley of the Queens. However, the guide had a van meet me at the balloon landing and drive me to Hatshepsut to join the group.
What’s a common misconception?
Many people think that safety can be an issue. It’s not the case at all. There is a lot of security at every port, and you always feel safe throughout the journey.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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