A cruise on the Nile River is a must for anyone visiting Egypt who truly wants to see and explore the heart of this complex and unique country.  The Nile is as much or more a part of this land as are the Pyramids and the Sphinx.  Without the Nile, there would be no Egypt.

   The longest river in the world at 4184 miles, the Nile crosses through nine African countries, but it is Egypt whose civilization is most closely bound to the rich, life giving water. Nearly 300 cruise ships are licensed to carry passengers on the great river.  Most
 traverse between Aswan and Luxor covering a distance of 200 km (320 miles) usually in a four to five day cruise.

   And most itineraries are the same with stops in Esna and Edfu. Shore excursions include hot air ballooning over the Valley of the Kings, a sunrise visit to Abu Simbel, and felucca boat passage to the remote Nubian villages. 

     The Nile flows from south to north, is about a mile (1.6 km) wide in most places and about 30 feet (9 meters) deep in most places.  It is a wide and smooth flowing river, lined with fields of sugar cane and colorful Nubian villages. Fishermen work their nets and felucca boats fan their sails under skies that are perfect blue.  No chance of rain here about 50 weeks of the year.

   The boats that cruise the Nile are not the mammoth passenger ships of the Caribbean and other great bodies of water.  Most are no more than four stories tall and carry less than 100 passengers. 

   However, all of the amenities are there.  A nice lounge offers evening entertainment, drinks and gathering space.  There are a few shops, a small massage suite and exercise facility.  The biggest difference between a mega-ship and a Nile cruise boat is the dining facilities. 

Where a mega-ship has multiple dining rooms and non-stop food, most Nile cruise ships have one indoor dining area where buffet service is the only choice.

   The top deck often includes another dining facility and a fairly decent size swimming pool.

   And this is where most passengers will and should spend their time.  Rattan and wicker lounge chairs and tables, situated under canvas umbrellas or out in the sun are ideal for reading (suggestion:  Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile), for napping or for watching the country pass
by at a slow and easy pace.

   The Nile is not the same river that Christie experienced on her mythical journey on the Karnak.  In the 1960s, the construction of the Aswan High Dam created Lake Nasser and eliminated flooding along the river.  The dam, however, did flood many of the archeological sites along the river, including Abu Simbel.

    As the boats meet each other, they emit a delightfully cheerful yet somewhat twirpy blast of their horns that is whimsical and festive. Passengers wave energetically to others and those on the bank pause from their responsibilities to send their greetings as well.

   When the boats dock, they are often four, five or six deep.  When disembarking, passengers pass through the lobby of one ship after another until they reach the shore.  It’s confusing, entertaining, and just the way things are done here.

  The staff is frequently all male because young single women in the Egyptian culture are not permitted to be away from their homes overnight with an appropriate escort. And most speak a few words of many languages.  There will always be a concierge desk with individuals fluent in many languages to help plan shore excursions and answer other questions.

   Late April or late September is less expensive and the most pleasant months for a Nile River cruise.  Summer, of course, is most inexpensive, but temperatures become almost unbearably hot for most travelers.

   But the ancient Egyptians believed the Nile River to be a path to heaven and after a few days of experiencing the tranquility of a cruise along this great waterway, most travelers leave believing that the ancient beliefs are not that distant from modern day reality.

    Learn more at www.egypt.travel.

By Diana Lambdin Meyer
Photos by Bruce N. Meyer