One of the most common questions before booking a Nile cruise is simple: what exactly am I paying for? Cruise prices look similar at first glance, but two itineraries at the same price can include very different things — and the extras can add several hundred dollars to a trip.
This guide breaks down what is normally included in a Nile River cruise, what "full board" actually means, and which costs you should budget separately.
What's Included in a Standard Nile Cruise
On a standard Luxor–Aswan cruise, the following is normally part of the price:
- Accommodation in an air-conditioned cabin with a private bathroom.
- All meals on board: breakfast, lunch and dinner (full board).
- Guided shore excursions with a professional, licensed Egyptologist.
- All transfers between the airport, your hotel and the cruise.
- Port fees, taxes and onboard facilities such as the sun deck and pool.
- Bottled water during excursions.
What varies between operators is the quality of each item — cabin size, the standard of the restaurant, group size on excursions, and whether entrance tickets to the sites are included or charged separately. Always confirm these four points in writing before you pay a deposit.
What Does "Full Board" Cover?
Full board means three meals a day are included: an open buffet or set breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On most Nile cruises lunch is served on board, and afternoon tea is often added on the sun deck.
Full board does not usually include drinks. Water with meals is normally provided at no charge, but soft drinks, fresh juices, coffee specialities and alcoholic drinks are charged to your cabin account and settled at the end of the cruise.
Shore Excursions & Licensed Egyptologist Guides
Excursions are the core of a Nile cruise. A standard sailing includes the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak and Luxor Temple on the Luxor side, then the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the double temple of Kom Ombo, before finishing in Aswan with Philae Temple and the High Dam.
The guide should be a licensed Egyptologist who speaks your language and travels with the group throughout. On a private itinerary the guide is dedicated to your party, which changes the pace considerably — you stay longer at the sites you care about and skip the ones you do not.
What Is Not Included (Costs to Plan For)
Tipping & Gratuities Guidelines
Tipping is a normal part of travel in Egypt and is not included in the cruise price. As a general guide, travellers budget around 10–15 USD per person per day for the crew, plus a separate amount for the Egyptologist guide (commonly 5–10 USD per person per day) and small tips for drivers and local staff. Treat these as guidelines rather than fixed rules and confirm the suggested amount with your operator before sailing.
Drinks, Wi-Fi & Optional Excursions
Alcoholic drinks, speciality coffee, fresh juice and often Wi-Fi are charged separately. Optional excursions — the most common being Abu Simbel by road or by air from Aswan, and the hot-air balloon in Luxor — are almost always an extra cost and are best booked in advance during high season.
International Flights & Travel Insurance
International flights to Cairo are never included. Domestic flights inside Egypt (Cairo–Luxor or Aswan–Cairo) are included in most complete packages but not in cruise-only bookings. Comprehensive travel insurance, including medical cover, is strongly recommended and is not part of the cruise price.
Entry Visa & Personal Spending
Most visitors, including citizens of the UK and Australia, can obtain an e-visa online before travelling or a visa on arrival at Egyptian airports. Check the current requirements for your nationality before booking. Souvenirs, laundry and spa treatments are also paid separately.
Typical Nile Cruise Prices and What They Mean
To put the inclusions in context, prices on our Nile cruise programmes usually start around 450–700 USD per person for a 4-night standard cruise, 700–1,100 USD for deluxe, and from 1,300 USD for luxury vessels or a private Dahabiya. The difference is mainly cabin category, vessel age, group size and season rather than the list of inclusions.
Winter (October to April) is the peak season and the most expensive. Summer sailings are cheaper, quieter and still perfectly comfortable, because the cabins, restaurants and coaches are air-conditioned.
Plan Your Budget With Our Team
We send a written inclusions list with every quote, so you know exactly what is covered before you book. Browse our Nile River Cruises or contact our travel team for a free custom itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are alcoholic drinks included in a Nile cruise package?
No. On standard and most deluxe cruises, alcoholic drinks are charged to your cabin account. Water with meals is usually complimentary, and some luxury vessels include a drinks package — confirm this before booking.
How much should I tip the crew and guides on a Nile cruise?
A common guideline is around 10–15 USD per person per day for the crew, plus 5–10 USD per person per day for your Egyptologist guide. Amounts are discretionary; your operator will normally advise at the end of the sailing.
Are entrance tickets to the temples included in the tour price?
On our itineraries, entrance fees for the sites visited during the included excursions are part of the package. Optional sites that are not on the itinerary are charged separately.
Is Wi-Fi included on Nile cruise ships?
Most ships offer Wi-Fi, but the connection is satellite-based and can be slow or charged per day. Treat it as a bonus rather than a guarantee, and download anything essential before you sail.
Does the cruise price include domestic flights in Egypt?
Complete packages normally include the domestic flight between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan. Cruise-only bookings do not, so check which type of package you are comparing.
