Cruise Lines That Sail the Nile

Viking's fleet of six Nile ships is some of the newest and most high-end vessels currently sailing the Nile. The sleek ships are Scandinavian-inspired thanks to Viking’s Norwegian roots, with comfortable seating areas, a small library with history and travel books, and a vast rooftop deck with plenty of shade cover. The guest rooms are relatively spacious for a river ship, with lots of storage and a desk area. There’s even a plunge pool on the back deck for when it gets too hot. The cruise line will introduce four new ships in the next two years: the Viking Amun and the Viking Thoth in 2025 and the Viking Sekhmet and the Viking Ptah in 2026. 

Other popular cruise lines operating on the Nile are AmaWaterways, which has two ships, the AmaDahlia and the AmaLilia; and luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent, which currently sails four ships and has plans to launch a fifth bespoke vessel later in the fall of 2025. The cruise line recently debuted a four-night itinerary, "Egypt in a Week," and intrepid travelers can also customize a journey on the "Wonders of Ancient Egypt" itinerary. 

Another luxury option is the Oberoi Zahra, run by Oberoi Hotels, which offers spa services, fine dining, and a roof deck pool. 

For something more historical, the SS Sudan is a refurbished paddle steamer with 18 cabins and six suites that offers six-day cruises between Luxor and Aswan. 

More budget-conscious travelers can book with G Adventures, which offers several Egypt-focused itineraries, including "Egypt: Pyramids, Temples & the Nile." This 10-day itinerary combines Cairo with five nights on a traditional dahabiya sailboat. 

Combine With:

Most cruises include a few days in Cairo, but Wasfat suggests adding on extra days in places like Alexandria, which is on the Mediterranean, or the Red Sea, known for its snorkeling and water sports. There are also desert safaris throughout the country, which can satisfy adventure lovers.