CHECKING IN
There are trips where the hotel is simply where you sleep. A Nile cruise is not one of them.
The whole point is that the journey becomes part of the stay. You wake up, look outside and the view has changed. Palms. Riverbanks. Temples. Villages. The occasional boat passing so slowly it seems nobody is checking the time.
If I were planning it again, I'd be picky about the boat and wonderfully relaxed about everything else.
First, I'd choose the route before the room. Luxor to Aswan and Aswan to Luxor are not interchangeable if you already have particular temples, transfers or flight dates in mind. Confirm the actual sailing schedule, stop durations and included visits.
Second, I'd make the deck a priority. Not just for the photographs. For the mornings with coffee and the evenings when there's nothing clever to do except sit by the Nile.
Third, I'd check what's included. Guides, transfers, drinks, excursions and even the sailing pattern can vary considerably. A pretty brochure is not an itinerary.
Finally, I'd leave time on land at both ends. Luxor and Aswan deserve better than being treated as boarding points.
A good Nile cruise doesn't feel like a race through Egyptian history. It feels like you finally gave the river the time it deserves.
THE CURATOR SAYS: Book the boat for the route. Remember it for the view.
Before booking a Nile cruise, I'd ask about the actual sailing direction, Edfu and Kom Ombo stops, the guide, included transfers and how long you spend at the temples. I would also leave enough time in Luxor for Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, rather than treating the ship as the entire Upper Egypt trip.