What Is Usually Included on a Nile Cruise?

A Nile cruise almost always includes your cabin, full board meals on board and the sailing itself. Guided sightseeing, entrance tickets, transfers and drinks are the items that vary, because they depend on how the package is put together rather than on the ship. The exact inclusions for any cruise are listed on its ship page and in your written quote.

This is why two travelers can book the same ship, on the same dates, and pay quite different prices. One package may be a cabin with meals and nothing else. Another may wrap the cruise in a full program with an Egyptologist guide, every entrance ticket on the itinerary, airport transfers and even domestic flights. Neither is wrong, but you need to know which one you are comparing.

This guide explains what is typically included on Nile cruises in general, what sits in the gray zone between included and extra, and how to read a quote so there are no surprises. For the other side of the picture, see our companion guide to what is usually not included.

The core: cabin, meals and sailing

At the most basic level, a Nile cruise booking covers three things.

Your cabin

You get the cabin category you booked for the number of nights on the itinerary, with daily housekeeping, towels and basic toiletries. Air conditioning, a private bathroom and a river-facing window are standard on classic Nile cruise ships.

Full board meals

Most Nile cruises operate on full board, meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner on board. On many itineraries, meals start with lunch on the first day and end with breakfast on the last day, but this can differ, so check the first and last days of your program. Full board covers food; drinks are a separate question.

The sailing

The cruise itself takes you between the main ports of Upper Egypt. On the classic routes, a three-night cruise sails from Aswan to Luxor, a four-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan, and a seven-night cruise does the round trip. Along the way the ship usually stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu and passes through the lock at Esna.

Use of the ship's public areas, such as the sun deck, the pool where there is one, the lounge and the restaurant, is part of the stay.

Sightseeing and guiding: the biggest variable

Sightseeing is where packages differ the most. Broadly, cruises are sold in three ways.

When a sightseeing program is included, it usually covers the main temples and sites along the route. On a typical Luxor to Aswan cruise, that means places such as Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank of Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut on the West Bank, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and the main sights of Aswan, such as Philae Temple and the High Dam.

A shared program means you visit with other guests from the ship and a group guide. A private program gives you your own Egyptologist and vehicle, which lets you control the pace. Both are common, and they are priced very differently.

What an included guided visit usually covers

When guided sightseeing is part of the package, it normally means more than a ticket. It usually includes transport between the dock and each site, an Egyptologist who explains the history and the carvings as you walk, and a schedule built around the ship's sailing times. Some sites near the river are reached on foot from the ship, while others, such as the West Bank of Luxor or Edfu Temple, need a vehicle or a horse carriage. Ask whether these short transfers are included along with the visit itself, and whether the guide is licensed, since a good guide shapes the whole experience.

Transfers and getting to the ship

Transfers are another item that may or may not be part of your booking. Some packages include meeting you at the airport, train station or hotel in Luxor or Aswan and taking you to the ship, plus the return transfer at the end. Others assume you arrive at the dock on your own.

If you are combining the cruise with Cairo, a full package may include the domestic flights or sleeper train between Cairo and Upper Egypt, as well as hotel nights before and after the cruise. When you compare offers, check whether these travel days are covered, because they can add up.

Items that are sometimes included

Some items sit in a gray zone. They are included on some ships or packages and charged on others:

• Afternoon tea or coffee on the sun deck while sailing.
• Bottled water in the cabin or at meals.
• Evening entertainment, such as a galabeya party, a belly dance or a Nubian show. These are commonly part of the cruise experience at no extra charge, but not on every ship.
• Wi-Fi, which may be free, paid or limited to certain areas, and is often slow on the river.
• Drinks packages, offered by some ships as an upgrade or as part of an all-inclusive plan.
• Port and service charges, which are usually built into the price but worth confirming.

None of these should be assumed. If one of them matters to you, ask before you book.

How to read a Nile cruise quote

A good quote lists both what is included and what is not. As you read it, check these points:

• The ship name and cabin category. Not just a star rating.
• The number of nights and the direction, such as four nights from Luxor to Aswan.
• The meal plan, and which meal starts and ends the cruise.
• The sightseeing: which sites, whether shared or private, and whether entrance tickets are included.
• Guiding: whether a qualified Egyptologist accompanies the visits.
• Transfers: from where, to where, and on which days.
• Flights, trains and hotels if the cruise is part of a longer trip.
• Optional extras, listed separately with their own price where possible.

If any of these lines is missing or vague, ask for clarification in writing.

Where to find the exact inclusions

Every cruise and every package is put together differently, so the general patterns in this guide are a starting point, not a promise. On our site, each ship page on the Nile cruises section lists what is included with that cruise and what is not. When you request a quote, the written quote you receive sets out the inclusions for your exact dates, cabin and program, and that document is what your booking is based on.

If something you expected is not on the list, or you want to add an item such as a private guide, transfers or an optional excursion, tell us before you confirm, and the quote can be adjusted.

Frequently asked questions

Are temple entrance tickets included on a Nile cruise?

Sometimes. Tickets are usually included when the package has a guided sightseeing program, and not included when you book a cabin with meals only. Some special tombs and optional sites carry their own tickets even when the main program is included, so check the package details rather than the ship description alone.

Are drinks included on a Nile cruise?

Often not. Full board covers meals, and drinks such as soft drinks, juices, beer and wine are usually charged to your cabin account. Some ships offer drinks packages or all-inclusive plans, which are listed separately when available.

Is an Egyptologist guide included?

It depends on the package. Cruises sold with a sightseeing program usually include a qualified guide for the visits, either shared with other guests or private. Cabin-only bookings typically do not include a guide.

Are tips included in the cruise price?

Tips are usually handled separately from the cruise price. Many ships have a pooled system for the crew, and guides are typically tipped individually. Confirm how gratuities work on your ship and in your package before you travel.

Why do prices for the same ship vary so much?

The difference usually comes from what is packaged around the cruise: guiding, entrance tickets, transfers, flights and hotels. The cabin category, season and length of the cruise also matter. Comparing the inclusions line by line is the only fair way to compare prices.

If you would like a quote that sets out clearly what is and is not included for your dates, share your plans through Plan Your Trip and a specialist will prepare one for you.