How Do Nile Cruise Tours Operate?

The Nile River cruise is a popular and efficient way to explore Upper Egypt from Luxor to Aswan. There are four types of boats on the Nile, including modern cruise ships. Cruising the Nile offers a unique blend of historical exploration and delightful ambiance, making it an essential experience for anyone visiting Egypt.

The Viking, Uniworld, and Avalon Waterways all sail the Nile River and offer an array of shore excursions, including a tour of the Valley of the Kings in Luxor and the Temple of Khnum in Esna. Prices for these tours can vary depending on the boat and the type of excursion.

Nile cruises also offer excursions at an added fee, which can vary in type and fee. These tend to be night-time activities. Excursions can be pre-booked when booking the cruise or on arrival with a representative. Full board is included on board, and all meals are taken in the ship’s cozy restaurant. If you buy the excursion package for 130 euros, you have a day or three ahead of your cruise.

Most Nile River cruise lines offer itineraries that bring guests in a day or three ahead of their cruise. Daily excursions will be offered to guests. Nile cruises with a duration of 6 to 8 days usually include one or two free days, during which there are no sightseeing excursions. Most package tours to Egypt include a trip down the Nile, and cruises are the most practical way to reach many of the sites.

In summary, a Nile River cruise is an essential experience for anyone visiting Egypt, offering a unique blend of historical exploration and delightful ambiance.

Do you have to do the excursions on a river cruise?

River cruise vessels provide a tranquil experience for those fatigued from an extended excursion, yet they lack the assortment of activities available on ocean-going vessels, allowing passengers to opt for relaxation on the ship.

Do you pay extra for excursions on cruises?

The majority of cruise passengers supplement their cruise fare with additional purchases, including shore excursions, meals at specialty restaurants, spa treatments, cocktails, soda, Wi-Fi, and other items, despite adhering to the included fare.

Are shore excursions included on river cruises?

The majority of river cruises provide at least one complimentary shore excursion per port of call. In contrast, the majority of ocean-going lines charge for all shoreside tours, with a few luxury lines offering exceptions to this rule.

Are cruise ship excursions worth the money?

Shore excursions are a great way to make the most of your time in port, but a mix of guided tours and independent exploration can be the most value. Choose the best option based on your budget and interests, and consider both ship-sponsored and independent tour and activity options. If you want to stay on board while your ship is docked in a port that doesn’t interest you, that’s okay. There are several guides to choosing a cruise line, including the 5 most desirable cabin locations, the 8 worst cabin locations, the ultimate guide to packing, the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks, top ways cruisers waste money, and the ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin.

Is it cheaper to buy excursions on the ship?

Ship-sponsored tours are often more expensive than directly offered tours through the operator, as the cruise line serves as the middleman and inflates fees to take a cut before paying the tour company. Independent tours take smaller groups, allowing for more personalized experiences. When booking a private tour, you may be one of fewer than 20 people, compared to the smaller group sizes of third-party tours. Therefore, it’s essential to choose the right tour option for your travel needs.

What are the disadvantages of shore excursions?

Cruise line excursions offer advantages such as traveling with a group of passengers and comparing notes with fellow shipmates. They are also reputable and licensed, unlike independent tours. However, downsides include potential long lines, crowded buses, and long stops at souvenir shops. Port tours can range from free on cruise lines like Viking, Crystal, and Uniworld to over $100 per person for higher-priced options like golf, helicopter rides, seaplane rides, and visits to ancient ruins.

Some lines even offer overnight excursions to swanky hotels or private limo tours. Traditional shore excursions are worth it for exploring sites far from the cruise dock, accessing historic monuments, forts, or castles, and learning more about a region.

Is it cheaper to buy shore excursions on the ship?

Cruise line shore excursions can be more expensive than comparable or identical alternatives. For instance, booking a shore excursion to a resort with a waterpark in the Bahamas through the cruise line is $19 cheaper per person than booking it directly through the resort itself. However, booking directly or through a third party can be easier on personal finances.

There are several advantages of booking shore excursions through the cruise line. There are often dozens of options listed for each port, making it time-consuming to research options. Cruise line excursions are designed to fit into your time in port, and the tour operator typically meets you upon arrival and provides transportation.

Seashore excursions sold through the cruise line are designed to get you back to the ship well before it leaves. However, if you are running late, the cruise line will either get you back to the ship on time or wait for you. Cruise lines also carefully select which excursion operators they are willing to do business with, as some foreign countries may have different safety standards than the United States.

Should you bring your passport on shore excursions?

When going ashore, it is generally not necessary to show your passport, but it is advisable to bring a photocopy of your original passport. This is useful for police stops or boarding trains. Memorizing your passport number and expiration date is also acceptable. Another option is to take a photo of your passport I. D. page and email it to yourself, making it easily accessible. If you venture ashore independently and use a local bus or train service, remove all documents and cash from your bag and never leave your passport unattended. These tips help protect your passport and other belongings while ashore, but it is crucial to always leave it on board if you don’t need it.

Do I need cash for cruise excursions?

CruiseInsider offers extra perks and additional shipboard credit on most sailings, with the amount varying by cruise line, special offer, stateroom category, or itinerary. Cash is typically needed in port, especially in foreign ports, to save money on foreign transaction fees and in places where credit cards aren’t accepted. To reduce cash requirements and maintain a good record of purchases, it is recommended to pay for onshore purchases over $10 with a credit card and use pocket change or local currency for the rest.

Cash is needed for sweets, sodas, souvenirs, street vendors, and small mom-and-pop shops. Large cities like Rome or Barcelona can use plastic in most cases. When budgeting, consider the overall itinerary and prioritize your priorities when budgeting money.

Can I leave the cruise ship without an excursion?

Carnival does not require passengers to book shore excursions to leave the ship, as public transportation is available at each port. Instead, passengers can visit local libraries, bookstores, or websites to determine their desired destinations. Carnival does not offer alternatives from its established shore excursion program, but all excursions sold through Carnival are coordinated with reputable tour operators and include popular sites.

Booking excursions through Carnival guarantees the ship’s presence in port until all guests return, while independent excursions may not be recognized. Additionally, some ports may have visa requirements that may prevent passengers from venturing off on their own.