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Nile Cruise Tips
If you choose to go on a Nile cruise,
make sure that the cruise is taken as “all
inclusive”, i.e. accommodation, tours and
transportation! This option is the best way
for you to see all the possible Temples on
route.
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:
*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.
*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
Click on
picture to enlarge
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!
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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.
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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.
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Smoking
in bed is dangerous; the mattresses are
very flammable!
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People
who tend to sleep walk should never take
a cabin with a balcony, an inside
cabin with a window would be far safer.
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Make
sure that you know where the muster
stations are, in case you have to
abandon ship.
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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.
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