Travelers are always prepared for the upcoming journey. When going to a cold place, you want to pack enough warm and snug clothes. A hot place requires you to carry sunscreen and some breathable clothing. Besides clothing, you would want to know what accessories and tools to pack to make the journey pleasurable and unforgettable.
A Nile river cruise is going to be the best trip of your life. You will be witnessing the beauty and magnificence of the ancient Egyptian monuments and learning about the rich history of every temple and city you visit.
The question is – what should you pack for the cruise? There are quite a few things you need to pack, but you need to select carefully because the geographical location is such. Moreover, there are certain cultural values that one needs to respect.
In this article, we will highlight how to prepare your trip in 2025 for a Nile River cruise
Let’s dive right in!
There is no hard and fast rule about what you ought to wear during the cruise, but there are certain cultural values and sentiments that you ought to respect.
You may be aware that 90% of the inhabitants in Egypt are Muslims. Most of the local women wear head covers and modest dresses to cover their arms and legs.
Tourists are not expected to follow this dress code, but it’s best to not carry shorts or tank tops. The crowd is a bit conservative, so it’s ideal to wear knee-length skirts with quarter sleeves or full-sleeved T-shirts.
If you are in a religious area, cover up and do not anger the locals. When you go to a mosque, your legs and arms should be covered too.
Ideally, you could wear trousers, capris, and blouses to feel comfortable. Wear light colors because it will keep you. Dark colors tend to absorb heat, so avoid this at all costs.
Women should also carry sunglasses, a hat, and a scarf to stay safe from the scorching sun. Moreover, you need to carry comfortable and robust walking shoes.
A Nile River cruise may have a special Egyptian night as well where you could wear a jalabiya. The Jalabiya is an Egyptian gown that you can purchase from the ports for about USD 20 to USD 30.
When you are on the ship, you can wear short skirts, shorts, sleeveless tops, and dresses.
There are no restrictions on what to wear when you are on the Nile River cruise, but once you are in temples, mosques, and public places, take special care of what you wear.
Men in Egypt wear jalabiya or trousers, but there is no special dress code for men.
However, you might grab attention if you wear shorts, but feel free to dress the way you like on the ship. There are no restrictions here.
When you head to a mosque or public place, the ideal thing would be to respect the culture of the inhabitants and dress accordingly.
As for other accessories, you must pack comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and a manly hat to protect yourself from the burning sun.
It gets hot in Egypt when you visit different tourist spots during the daytime. Wear airy and breathable clothes to stay comfortable.
For the Egyptian night, you can wear the famous jalabiya. This can be purchased from the port.
Egypt is hot no matter when you visit the destination. You may visit Egypt in December or April, it will still be hot.
The cruise line will provide enough water, so it may not be required to carry extra water bottles. Stay hydrated when you are on the cruise and traveling to cities and temples.
You must know that tap water is not favorable in Egypt. Many travelers get sick by drinking tap water. So, tourists might want to carry bottled water for excursions. Some travelers brush with bottled water too.
Avoid swimming in the Nile River or any of the canals because it could expose you to all kinds of infections.
Moreover, you must peel the fruits before ingesting them.
Carry antacids and anti-diarrheal medicines with you to avoid any stomach issues.
Lastly, you would need bug spray because you may find flies and mosquitoes.
Good sunscreen is also required for the cruise. This way you will stay protected from the harsh sun rays.
Karnak temple with Nile Cruisers
Although the Nile River cruise covers your accommodation, night entertainment, food, and tourist spot fees, there will be certain things that you need to pay for separately.
For example, a hot air balloon ride at the Valley of the Kings requires you to pay separately. The experience is wonderful, so you might not want to miss this.
There will be spa treatments and other leisure activities which you would need to pay for separately.
You could also check the inclusions of the package to know what all costs are covered. Does it cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Does it also cover the cost of spa treatment on the cruise line? It’s wise to check the inclusions before booking the cruise trip.
As a traveler, you would want to know how much extra cash would be needed for the trip.
Ideally, you should carry some loose change and coins to tip the waiters and other helpers on the ship. Even for shopping, you need some extra cash. You might want to buy souvenirs for near and dear ones.
There is so much to see and so much to buy from Egypt.
Nile Cruise Luxor Aswan lasts for 3-4 nights, so pack your clothes, shoes, and accessories accordingly. You will be well taken care of, but don’t forget to carry a water bottle when you head out sightseeing.
It’s time to book a package, but before that, we would suggest you check the inclusions too.
And don’t forget to have a gala time during the Nile River cruise.
This article was updated and re-written in part by admin; on April 11th, 2025 + fact-checked.
Comments