The Nile has an undeniable charm. The draw is obvious even if our ship passes through incoming dust storms and forces all passengers inside. The air is thick with brown mist, the sun able Although the kids did not seem to avoid swimming in nearby banks, there was little flashing. It was the end of Ramadan in late March, so the kids were out of school and they were interested in watching the boat when the captain paused our journey for better visibility. Everyone gathered on the windows on the Vikings’ boats to marvel at the changes in the weather: the real Egyptian dust storm. But as long as dust accumulates in the air, the sun will reappear and we keep moving forward.
It is near the end of my 11-day Egyptian experience, and there is always something new to see. It is easy to sit on the deck of the smooth Viking boat, six of the Nile fleets on the Cruise Line and observe the passing rivers and their banks. We walked through villages and big cities, mountain desert areas, palm trees and tangled reeds. Wandering dogs and cats spread the coast on the shore, and buffaloes grazing on the island.
Leisure travelers have been sailing the Nile for decades, the immortality of Agatha Christie's 1937 novel The Nile Deathand it has only become more and more popular in recent years.
Today, there are more than 300 cruise ships carrying passengers between Luxor and Aswan in southern Egypt. A typical cruise itinerary starts on land and more specifically a hotel in Cairo, exploring the pyramids of Giza and Egyptian Museum, and then flying to Luxor at most boat marinas. Like my Viking itinerary, many people included seven nights before returning to Cairo. While there are cars, trains or buses to visit, such as The Kings of the Kings of the Kings of the Kings of the Kings of the Kings of the Kings of the Kings Valley of the Kings of the Kings Valley of the Kings of the Kings Valley of the Kings of the Kings Valley of the Kings of Sekain the Kings of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of Sekain the Kings of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of Sekain the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings Valley of
Ahmed Wasfat, Egyptian doctor and program director for Viking Aton, noted that Cruise means you can make the most of your time and see more websites. Also, trains in Egypt are usually slow and uncomfortable. “You stop once or twice a day and start up and down,” he said of the cruise. “You have all the services of the hotel, but have the opportunity to enjoy sailing. The Nile offers a grand experience that you can really feel – being able to watch the farmland, the people and their way of life, which shows you something more real.”
Three nights in the Fairmont Nile city of Cairo, our Nile tour begins in Luxor, known for its well-preserved Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, which are connected by a row of long statues known as the avenues of Sphinxes. On the first day we see two temples, directed by Wasfat and two other programs of the ship, and have several hours of free time. The next day, we finally set sail. It's hot, especially in March, but most passengers rise to the upper deck. People waved from the shore. The boat appeared on the boat and the supplier shouted “One dollar!” as they waved scarves and trinkets (most of which were made in China). In the afternoon we stopped in Qena and saw the Dendera Temple, an impressive building and statue that was my favorite of many temples that I ended up seeing.
Most days focus on ancient history, whether on a boat or in Cairo. A chance to visit the older Egyptian museum, which houses the treasures of King Tate and brand new Egyptian Museumlarger than the Louvre. In the King's Valley, we see the actual mummy of King Toot – the guard will use your phone to take his face for a dollar and then land on the burial room of Seti I, one of the most decorated graves. We fought over 100 degrees of heat on the Mortuary Temple in Hatshepsut, a highly photographic temple located on the hill and fighting on Kom Ombo Temple. But other days showcase contemporary Egypt: the local market, the city of Aswan, a modern Nubian village.
On most Nile cruises, some tours are optional and at an extra cost. For example, many travelers choose to take a sunrise hot air balloon ride in Luxor, but I skipped this and turned to a day trip built by Ramesses II in southern Egypt near the Sudan border. It was a long day and it required another charter flight but it was worth it – this temple is one of the most memorable places I have ever visited.
Each cruise route changes slightly to these experiences. Vikings are called “Pharaoh and the Pyramid” Itinerary, and the Amawaterways currently sailed similarly for 11 nights on the Nile River “The Secret of Egypt and the Nile” journey. Guests can book their Abu Simbel trip for a fee before traveling; the Vikings ask me to book 30 days before boarding.
Just like tourism to Egypt in general, the Nile has become so popular that cruise lines are quickly adding new ships to their fleets. Viking will introduce four more ships in the next two years: Viking Amun and the Viking Thoth, as well as the Viking Sekhmet and the Viking PTAH in 2026. Guests can also register for their customization “The Wonders of Ancient Egypt” journey. The addition is good news for travelers, but many cruise ships still encourage guests to book as soon as possible.
“For travelers and consultants, my advice is to secure bookings early,” Jennifer Campbell, global group product manager for the Middle East, North Africa and India, told Observer. She added that there is always a “strong revival” in destinations like Egypt after the pandemic’s travel lapses. Campbell added: “With the opening of the highly anticipated Great Egyptian Museum on the horizon, it is wise to plan and book bookings for late 2025 or 2026 before demand peaks.”
Even in luxury adventures, certainly still on the Nile voyage, and some aspects of the cruise still exist in the Nile voyage. Meals are sometimes shared, which can lead to a mix. Along a crowded museum along a group of 20 people along with a guide can be tricky. Your time is not always yours. But for places like Egypt, especially the Nile, it's the best way to see everything and get a better understanding of history and culture – at least for those who don't have a completely private measure to book, a personal guide to the trip. The guide not only knows everything about ancient Egypt, but also gives you tips on how to avoid scams, how to deal with over-sharp suppliers and suitable for tipping, thus ensuring less travel anxiety.
Vasfat says Egyptian government strongly supports it nation Tourism is on the rise. In 2024, Egypt welcomed 15.7 million tourists, up to 14.9 million in 2023. The government hopes to double that number by 2030. A new hotel is coming, and the Great Egyptian Museum, known as the Gem, has been inaugurated for years. During our cruise, the Tourist Police joined us on several tours and drives, including round trips to and from the airport. This is not entirely due to security issues; it is because the government wants to prioritize tourists, especially those from the West.
“Tourism is an important source of income, coupled with Egypt's recovery as a safe country for tourists,” Vasfat said. He has noticed a huge development since Viking launched its first Nile cruise in 2008. “The Vikings don’t have their own ships,” he said. “But there is too much demand for the Nile right now, and soon they will have 10 ships. You can see how much it has grown.”
Unlike some ocean cruises that tend to attract older crowds, the Nile has a greater appeal to both retirees and younger travelers. My boat is a mixed bag that includes parents traveling with adult children, older couples and pairs of friends. The itinerary is full of vitality, it is not a particularly peaceful trip, it is something to keep in mind. Four nights in Cairo offer an opportunity to explore local restaurants and communities (I love Zamalek), while in-car dining is casual, with daily menu options showing off Egyptian cuisine. Not everyone on my cruise went out alone in Cairo or Aswan, but Vasfat promised to explore safely.
“Go and interact with the people,” he said. “Go and enjoy restaurants and local cuisine. Egyptians are very friendly. I encourage people to interact with local culture. Try something you won't try at home. Our society is until you feel it, so you can't describe it, so you need to immerse yourself. Sometimes people come and their families say, 'You're crazy going to the Middle East.''.” I told them, “Don't answer now.”
After the dust storm dispersed, we sailed north to Luxor. Passengers told the crew to say goodbye and provided tips to favorite servers in bars and restaurants. I scroll through hundreds of photos, unsure which ones to post and which ones to keep for myself. Wasfat is right: it is difficult to describe the feeling in Egypt and through ancient temples, the bright colors of the paintings are still intact and see the banks of the Nile passing by. This place requires your return, call you more or just to check it out again. Even with crowds and aggressive suppliers and pollution, it is too beautiful and unparalleled to deny. Wait for the checked storage inventory item.
