The great thing about Egypt Nile Cruises is that there is always something to look forward to. The trip enables you to have lots of fun interacting with foreign nationals on board as you usher the night in style by the poolside, savoring a sundowner cocktail. Not to mention, the limitless excursions to exotic sites on the way. Indeed, there’s no getting enough of a cruise in the Nile.
Most Nile cruises packages cater for the needs of all travelers, from solo trippers to honeymooners and families. But how do you make the most of your Nile cruise vacation and ensure you come back with rich and unforgettable memories?
1. Choose the Right Ship
This might sound obvious but when planning a Nile cruise vacation, choosing the right ship overrides every other consideration. Contrary to what most travelers may think, not all cruisers are made equal. And here, we’re not talking about the size of the ship.
What you should take into account when choosing an ideal cruise ship is your comfort and convenience, as well as the paths that the ship follows. Understandably, you may now understand much about the route, but you can check online and the feedback that past clients have posted as well as their comments on how fun and scenic the trip was. The longer and more scenic the routes, the better for you.
Then, hunker down on the exact cruise ship and the company that you’ll be traveling with and try to find out more about the amenities offered.
Essentially, you’ll be looking for a ship that comes with as many convenience features as possible. But most importantly, you should establish how many of those amenities are covered in the package. That will save you the hassles of paying extra for essential onboard services. If possible, opt for a full-board or all-inclusive package.
A cruise ship slithering through the calm waters of the Nile
2. Book at the Last Minute
Most travel advisors recommend advance booking to prevent last-minute surprises. However, there’s something about cruising that makes booking at the last minute the best approach.
During the final days before departure, cruise lines usually offer incredible discounts on last-minute bookings. That’s usually some 2 – 3 months prior to departure, as it’s the last period that most companies allow their travelers to cancel their reservations and not incur penalties. As soon as a space presents itself, the cruise line will be willing to sell it at relatively discounted rates.
Remember that the whole idea of last-minute bookings is to secure great bargains. But if you don’t find the idea attractive enough, you can compare prices on sites like Priceline.com. And while you are at it, ensure you’re making an apple-to-apple comparison. That implies isolating a few cruise ships that offer similar services and comparing the rates across these ships.
After finding the seemingly most affordable cruise ship, call the company directly to find out if there are any deals. And even after booking, always keep your eyes out for additional deals and upgrades. Overall, we recommend booking your 2020 Nile cruises with established providers such as MephisTours.com.
3. Get There the Night Before
While your best bet when booking from the plethora of Egypt travel packages with a Nile cruise is after everyone else has, you should make arrangements to be at the destination in time for departure.
One great thing about cruising is that the fun begins even before you get on board. Therefore, getting to the port city on the eve of the departure enables you to meet and interact with numerous travel mates.
You can form travel groups of like-minded individuals with whom you stick together throughout the journey. It also allows you to explore the port city and experience its nightlife as you prime yourself for the day ahead.
Besides, getting ready by the eve of the departure will ensure you don’t miss the ship, especially if you’re traveling from miles away. There are just so many reasons that could cause you to miss your much-awaited cruise, from delayed flights to traffic, unfavorable weather, and unforeseen family emergencies.
Nobody wants to entertain the thought of missing such an anticipated trip, especially considering that doing so also means forfeiting your fare.
People near a cruise ship at night
4. Determine When to Venture Out and When to Stay on Board
One of the benefits of going on a Nile cruise vacation is that you can take the less-traveled paths onto some of the most sacred sites along the way. These excursions are great sightseeing opportunities. Plus, they help you to break the monotony of staying on board for more extended periods.
However, if there are multiple ports of call along the way, you’ll unlikely explore all of them. And since everyone else will be jostling to get out, you can leverage these periods of less crowding to make the most of the onboard facilities.
On port days, most cruise ships are virtually deserted. During these days, there are fewer people dancing to the serenading onboard rhythms, shorter lines at the ice-cream dispensers, and less crowding at the pools and hot tubs. With fewer people on the ship, this might also be the time to catch up on your novel as you lounge in the sun or have your much-awaited photo session.
And if you love the show at the port but don’t want to be part of it, you could just chill out on the balcony and watch the world go by.
5. Eat on Your Own Terms
There will be plenty of cuisines to sample on board and at some of the remote villages you’ll visit during your excursions. But there will also be plenty of foods to avoid.
If you have specific meal preferences, make reservations at a specialty restaurant. That may set you back a few bucks, but it’s the only way to have control over what you eat.
You’ll usually find that mealtimes on a cruise ship are occasions to socialize with strangers, which is why most cruise lines encourage group dining. However, that doesn’t necessarily bar you from dining with the same clique of individuals every other day.
You could even consider eating out in a restaurant at the port if the ship stays at the port late enough. There’s also the option of bringing your own drinks, provided those are permitted.
Just remember that while cruisers offer all-inclusive packages that promise exciting dining experiences, you’ll do fine making room for a few extras. And if you’re a picky eater, it pays to make these arrangements beforehand to avoid inconveniences.
Man on a cruise ship balcony
Wrapping-up
A cruise vacation along the River Nile remains one of the most scintillating adventure experiences. But planning your trip beforehand and knowing how to make the most of it is key to enjoying all the fun that comes with cruising.
Only tip……Don’t go!!!