River Nile Cruise & Stay Holidays

Yes, Egypt is a popular and well-established holiday destination for UK travellers, and the Nile cruise corridor between Luxor and Aswan welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The latest UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice should always be consulted before you book; their guidance for tourist regions of Egypt has remained favourable for many years. There is a visible and reassuring security presence at all major archaeological sites, airports and along tourist routes. Travelling on an escorted Classic Holidays itinerary means you are accompanied throughout by your PhD-qualified Egyptologist-guide and supported by our dedicated 24-hour UK and Egypt teams, so help is always available should you need it.

For daytime excursions, choose loose, breathable cotton or linen clothing in light colours, with a wide-brimmed sun hat and good sunglasses. A pair of comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes is essential for temple complexes and uneven archaeological sites. When visiting religious sites or temples, both men and women should cover their shoulders and knees out of respect for local custom. On board, the dress code is smart-casual: light dresses, shirts and trousers in the evening, with a thin layer for cooler nights between November and February. Some boats host a captain’s dinner during the week where guests like to dress a little more formally. For a full packing checklist, read our packing tips for a Nile cruise guide.

A typical day on board begins early, with breakfast served as the boat moors at the day’s first site. Mornings are reserved for guided excursions with your Egyptologist-guide to temples, tombs and other ancient wonders, returning to the boat for a relaxed lunch. Afternoons are usually spent sailing between sites, giving you time to relax on the sundeck, swim in the pool or simply watch riverside Egypt drift past. Most boats serve afternoon tea before guests freshen up for dinner. Evenings vary by itinerary and often include onboard entertainment such as a galabeya night, Nubian show or belly-dance performance. For more on what to expect, read our typical day on a Nile cruise guide or our first-timer’s guide to a Nile cruise.

Your Classic Holidays Nile cruise is built around a fully inclusive package. The price covers return flights from the UK with airport tax, fuel supplement and baggage; all transfers in Egypt; a 5* Cristal-awarded Nile cruise with upper or middle deck cabins with balcony at no extra charge; all meals on board (with all-inclusive drinks available as an upgrade); 11 guided excursions with entrance fees, accompanied by a PhD-qualified English-speaking Egyptologist-guide; any Cairo or Red Sea hotel stays in your chosen package on a half-board, full-board or all-inclusive basis; and our 24-hour UK and Egypt support throughout. Every booking is fully ABTA and ATOL protected, with no hidden extras. For a fuller breakdown, see our 11 free excursions and no hidden extras guide.

Yes, UK passport holders need a tourist visa to enter Egypt. Most travellers apply online through the official Egypt e-visa portal in advance, which is the most reliable option and is usually approved within a few working days. Alternatively, a visa on arrival can be purchased at the airport, though we recommend the e-visa route to avoid queues. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of return to the UK and have at least one blank page. Classic Holidays does not arrange visas, but our team can answer general questions to help you prepare for your trip.

UK travellers should consult NHS Fit for Travel or the National Travel Health Network and Centre (TravelHealthPro) for the most up-to-date health advice for Egypt. Typical recommendations may include hepatitis A, tetanus boosters and, depending on personal circumstances, typhoid. Please speak with your GP or a travel health clinic 6 to 8 weeks before departure to discuss what is right for you. During your trip we recommend drinking bottled or filtered water, using high-factor sun protection and applying insect repellent in the evenings. Our 24-hour Egypt team is on hand should you need assistance during your stay.

The length of your Nile cruise shapes how much of the Luxor-to-Aswan corridor you see. Our 7-night cruise is the most popular option and features in itineraries including the Classic Egypt Tour, Wonders of Egypt Tour and Magical Egypt Tour; it covers the full route between Luxor and Aswan with all 11 included excursions. Our 4-night option, available on the Essence of Egypt Tour, focuses on the highlights in a tighter schedule with 7 guided excursions. Our 14-night holidays combine a 7-night Nile cruise with additional stays in Cairo, the Red Sea or Luxor for guests who want to experience more of Egypt. For help choosing, read our 4, 7 or 14 Nights: How Long Should a Nile Cruise Be? guide.

Your Nile cruise includes 11 guided excursions (or 7 on the Essence of Egypt Tour), accompanied throughout by your PhD-qualified English-speaking Egyptologist-guide, with all entrance fees covered. On a typical 7-night Luxor-to-Aswan cruise these include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon in Luxor; the Temple of Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo as you sail; and the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae in Aswan. Optional Cairo excursions, available with the relevant tour packages, cover the Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

Yes, this is one of our most popular package types. Many guests choose to extend their Nile cruise with a hotel stay in Cairo to see the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis and the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses the complete Tutankhamun collection. Our Classic Egypt Tour pairs a 7-night Nile cruise with 3 nights in Cairo (2 nights also available), and our Wonders of Egypt Tour pairs the cruise with 2 nights in Cairo. The Essence of Egypt Tour combines a shorter 4-night cruise with 3 nights in Cairo. Cairo excursions are offered as optional extras at preferential rates with English-speaking Egyptologist guides.

Yes, we run regular special offers and a rolling deal of the day across our most popular Nile cruise and Nile cruise and stay packages. Offers are limited and change frequently, so the easiest way to find out what is currently available is to speak directly with one of our experienced travel consultants. Our team can match you with the right tour, board basis, departure date and ship for your budget and travel style. You can request a tailored quotation online or call our UK team on 0800 041 8400.

Yes. Every Nile cruise from Classic Holidays can be booked on a full-board or all-inclusive basis on board. The all-inclusive upgrade adds local drinks throughout your time on the boat to the included meals, so you can enjoy your trip with no need to budget separately for drinks at lunch and dinner. Our Treasures of Egypt, Jewels of Egypt and Magical Egypt tours pair an all-inclusive Nile cruise with an all-inclusive Red Sea resort stay, ideal for guests who want a completely worry-free Egypt holiday combining culture with beach relaxation. For full inclusions, see our no-hidden-extras 7-night cruise guide.