Are We There Yet?

Undoubtedly the best, and most popular, way to tour the nations along the Nile from its headwaters at Lake Victoria in Uganda to the Egyptian shores of the Mediterranean Sea is to book a room aboard one of the many cruise ships. From three-day excursions to the most famous sites to two-week intensive explorations that include those lesser known historical and cultural areas, these tours come in all shapes and sizes, depending on price, but have many things in common.

Shipboard Facilities

Unlike the fancy liners that sail the oceans, the cruise ships along the Nile are relatively small and do not have glitzy features like casinos or shopping malls. Most have four decks with one for the crew, two for guest accommodations and dining while the top deck offers drink service and is comfortably equipped as a viewing and sunning platform, often with a swimming pool.

Meals and Drinks

Typically, breakfast and lunch are served buffet style with a nice sit-down dinner in the evening, sometimes including local entertainment. On the more expensive cruises, room service is available and special diets are honoured. Liquor is served on board, but expect to pay a hefty tax, over 400 per cent, on orders from the bar, which intentionally limits over imbibing.

Nightlife

Once underway, you can expect to be invited to an evening Galabeya party on board where you get to dress up in the traditional flowing attire that can be bought from vendors along the shore. Otherwise, you can pretty much count on entertaining yourself at night on board or in the ports. During the busy season, tour boats are lined up side by side at the dock, so you may have to cross several boats to get to land. While it’s fun to get a peek at other cruise ships, it does mean that you rarely have a view when you are docked, so guests are encouraged to join groups to go exploring.

Security

Visitors are routinely provided with armed security when being transported to sites offshore, so do not be alarmed if your bus is accompanied by a guard, it is standard procedure. Always have some local currency for tips and knickknacks but avoid carrying large quantities of cash and use credit cards when possible. It is important to dress appropriately so as not to invite crude remarks or groping. Bargaining with the local vendors can get tricky so it is advised to never pay for an object before you have it in your hand and check your change to make sure you’ve received the appropriate denominations. Typical stopping points are Esna, Edfu, Luxor, Aswan, and Kom Ombo but security circumstances may cause any of the sites to close.

Book a luxury Nile cruise from Aswan or Luxor visit Balesworldwide.com; a tour operator of over 60 years travel experience to get the most out of your holiday.

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