As a leading Nile River cruise provider in Egypt, this article goes against all expectations, for those people we believe the cruise is not the best experience for them, as we decided to uncover the downside of the cruises, even if more than 90% of the travelers prefer to explore Egypt aboard a Nile cruise ship.
As you know, in Egypt, the best travel activity is cruising the Nile River, especially in the distance between Luxor and Aswan, to explore the richest archaeological sites in the world, which have been listed many of them as World Heritage.
In Luxor, these sites have been designated as World Heritage sites by UNESCO, including the colossal temples of Karnak and Luxor, as well as the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. The Tomb of Tutankhamun and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut are among the most renowned.
In Aswan, the monuments include Abu Simbel, which was commissioned by Ramesses II, New Amada, New Wadi Sebua, New Kalabsha; the Philae temple complex, Qubbet el-Hawa, the ruins of the town of Elephantine; an unfinished obelisk, the Monastery of St. Simeon; and the Fatimid Cemetery. Furthermore, there are the tombs of the Old and Middle Kingdoms at Qubbet el-Hawa.
Check this article out before you book your trip. It’ll help you decide if a Nile cruise is truly right for you or not.
Space Is Limited
Cabins aboard Nile cruise vessels are intimate. Cabins are meant to be comfortable and functional, not to provide much elbow space. The bathrooms are particularly cramped. For shorter cruises, most people adapt with little inconvenience. However, for you spreading-out fans—or if you have a long cruise planned—the snug quarters can become somewhat cramped.
All Nile cruise vessels are not created equal when it comes to soundproofing. Based on ship design and how energetic the passengers on board may or may not have been, you can expect to hear anything from engine rumblings to late-evening conversation through walls. If you’re a light sleeper or noise-prone, bring earplugs—and check ahead of booking about less noisy cabin placement.
Cruising is a very people-oriented activity. You’ll be eating, sightseeing, and resting with the same group of passengers day in and day out. For others, it is an excellent opportunity to meet new people. However, if you are a solitary person or require plenty of downtime to rejuvenate, having no personal space can become overpowering. If crowds are not your thing, the cruise community may become a little more than you can handle.
The Nile is less turbulent than the open waters, but don’t assume you’re out of trouble. Even with its gentle motion, the ship will still cause motion sickness, particularly if you have an upper-deck cabin, where you’ll notice more motion. If you get queasy easily, reserve a lower-level cabin and bring some motion sickness medications—just in case.
Nile cruises exist in every price bracket—from budget options to ultra-luxurious. Regardless of where you land on that spectrum, extras have a way of adding up. Such extras as optional excursions, alcohol, and gratuities. A close examination of what’s included before booking can help you avoid sticker shock later on.
Limited Access to Intensive Healthcare
The majority of Nile cruise vessels do not have permanent doctors on board; only basic first aid is generally provided, though more serious cases will have to involve a visit to a nearby town. If you have pre-existing health conditions, make arrangements accordingly. Emergency evacuation as part of travel insurance is a prudent decision.
Repetitive Meals
Although Nile cruises pride themselves on having generous buffet meals, variety is not always what is served, particularly on longer cruises. The same dishes seem to cycle every few days. The food is quite palatable, though, unless you have an insatiable appetite for variety.
Yes, there is usually internet on most cruise ships, but it is slow, intermittent, and expensive. Streaming, video calls, or anything bandwidth-reliant is out. And depending on where you are on the river, you may lose signal altogether. If you need to stay connected, bring a backup plan.
Emotional Whiplash
Life on a cruise has its emotional beat. You get to meet people, have memorable experiences, and bid them farewell just as suddenly. For solo travelers in particular, this cycle of making rapid friendships only to have them disband when you depart within a few days can take its toll. If you’re looking for deeper, long-term connections, this rhythm might put you out of kilter.
Comments