Nile cruise: what visits, meals and services are included?
Updated on: 02/06/2026In brief
A dahabiya is a traditional Egyptian sailing boat with two masts and a flat bottom, gliding peacefully along the Nile with a limited number of travellers on board (from fewer than ten to around thirty depending on the boat). A cruise most often lasts 3 to 7 nights, between Esna, Luxor and Aswan.
Your cruise price covers the on-board essentials: a cabin with en-suite bathroom, a full crew (captain, sailors and cook) and full board. Sightseeing is where it gets more nuanced — temple entrance fees, a licensed Egyptologist guide, drinks and excursions to Luxor or Abu Simbel are typically charged as extras. As with all our cruises, Filovent never includes flights, and both the visa and the gratuities remain payable by you. Before you book, have our concierge service clarify exactly what each option includes.
Nile cruise: two ways to sail
Before comparing two offers, you need to know what each one covers. The cabin cruise is booked per person: you board a dahabiya shared with other travellers, and the price includes your cabin, the crew and full board. A private charter means booking the whole boat for your group: the included scope is very similar, but you control the pace and who is on board. In both cases, the base rate is identical; guided tours, entrance fees and extras are what drive the variation in final price, and that is where most questions to our customer service arise. We set out the differences between these two options below.
Sightseeing: what a dahabiya's route does (and doesn't) include
A dahabiya most often sails between Esna and Aswan, a stretch that it covers at a leisurely pace with access to secluded moorings that the large cruise ships cannot reach. The boat moors alongside the riverbank near the temple sites, but "calling at a site" does not always mean its entrance and the guided tour are included: this is the most frequent nuance to clear up before you leave. The table below distinguishes what the navigation reaches from what is payable on top.
| Reached by the navigation (Esna – Aswan route) | Often an extra or an option |
|---|---|
| Temple of Horus at Edfu and Temple of Sobek at Kom Ombo | The entrance fees to the temples and archaeological sites |
| The sandstone quarries of Gebel el-Silsila | The English-speaking Egyptologist guide (from one offer to another) |
| The secluded moorings, islands and Nubian villages along the river | The Luxor tour (Karnak, Valley of the Kings) at the start or end of the trip |
| The approach to Aswan (Philae Temple, market, botanical gardens depending on the programme) | The Abu Simbel excursion (by plane or road from Aswan) |
In short: the dahabiya takes you to the sites of the middle Nile, but the great complexes of Luxor and Abu Simbel are generally offered as land extensions, sometimes charged separately. Always ask for a breakdown of the excursions included and the status of the entrance fees for each temple.
Meals: full board on board
On the vast majority of dahabiyas, full board is included: breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared each day on board by the crew's cook, from fresh produce bought along the stops. The cuisine is generally Egyptian and home-style, with adaptations possible for special diets if you mention them prior to departure. Water, tea and coffee are frequently included, while soft drinks, juices and alcoholic drinks are typically an extra, as alcohol remains of limited availability in Egypt. The exact scope (drinks included, dinner on the last evening ashore, etc.) varies from one boat to another: a point to confirm when you book.
The included services and the crew
The price of a Nile cruise includes the presence of a full crew at your service throughout the trip: the captain (called reis in Arabic), the sailors, the cook and, depending on the boat, the cabin staff. You have a cabin with en-suite bathroom, the boat's communal areas (deck, lounge, terrace) and sailing under sail, sometimes assisted by an auxiliary engine on windless stretches depending on the vessel. The logistics of the cruise (itinerary, anchorages, coordination of the stops) are taken care of. Almost always outside the price: the accompanying guide when not included, the entrance fees, the drinks outside full board and the gratuities.
Summary table: included / not included
Here, for a Nile cruise on a dahabiya, is the usual breakdown of the main items. The "to be confirmed" notes flag the points that vary from one offer to another and that you should have clarified.
| Included in the cruise price | Not included (extra or on site) |
|---|---|
| The accommodation in a cabin with en-suite bathroom | The international flights and the airport transfers |
| The full crew (captain, sailors, cook) | The Egyptian visa and the entry formalities |
| Full board on board (3 meals a day) | The entrance fees to the temples and sites |
| Water, tea and coffee on board (to be confirmed depending on the boat) | The English-speaking Egyptologist guide (to be confirmed) |
| The navigation and the logistics of the stops | The soft drinks, juices and alcoholic drinks |
| Access to the communal areas (deck, lounge, terrace) | The gratuities for the crew and the guide |
| Certain stops and visits along the river (depending on the programme) | The Luxor and Abu Simbel extensions and the insurance |
By the cabin or private charter: what changes
The two options share the same base (cabin, crew, board), but they are not aimed at the same travellers. The table below sums up the useful differences before you choose.
| Criterion | Cabin cruise | Private charter boat |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | Per person, by the cabin | The whole boat for your group |
| Travel companions | Other travellers share the boat | Only your nearest and dearest |
| Ideal for | Travelling solo, as a couple or as a pair without chartering privately | Family, group of friends, special occasion |
| Itinerary flexibility | Programme set in advance | More adjustments possible depending on the boat |
What about flights, transfers and the visa?
As with all our cruises, Filovent never includes flights in the price of a Nile cruise, nor, unless explicitly stated, the transfers between the airport (Luxor or Aswan) and the boarding point. You book your tickets freely with the airline of your choice, which lets you optimise dates and fares. The Egyptian visa (e-visa) is a traveller formality to plan ahead of departure. Our concierge service can arrange the airport-to-boat transfer through a local partner: book your flights before confirming the transfers.
Gratuities and customs in Egypt
The gratuity is never included in the price of a Nile cruise, and it holds a particular place in Egypt, where it is part of local custom. As a guide, we recommend allowing in the region of €5 per night per traveller for the crew, plus an envelope for the guide if they accompany you. The amount remains at your discretion, depending on the length and your satisfaction. Our concierge service can tell you the customs commonly observed on board so you can prepare this envelope with peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions about a Nile cruise
How much does a Nile cruise cost?
As a guide, a Nile cruise on a dahabiya starts at around €2,500 per person for about a week, full board and crew included. The rate varies according to the boat, the season, the length and the option, and a full private charter of the boat comes to considerably more. The best approach is to request a personalised quote from our concierge service.
What is the best time for a Nile cruise?
October to April is widely regarded as the finest time to cruise the Nile, with far more manageable temperatures than the peak summer months. It is also the high season: it is advisable to book early, especially for school holidays and long weekends.
Are meals included in a Nile cruise?
Yes, full board is included on most dahabiyas, with cuisine prepared on board each day. Allow a separate budget for soft drinks, juices and alcoholic drinks, generally charged as an extra.
Which tours and which temples are included?
The dahabiya calls along the river at sites such as Edfu, Kom Ombo and Gebel el-Silsila. The great complexes of Luxor (Karnak, Valley of the Kings) and Abu Simbel, on the other hand, are most often offered as extensions, sometimes charged separately.
Is an English-speaking guide included on board?
It depends on the offer. Some cruises include an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, others offer one as an option or leave the visits as self-guided. This is a point to have clarified before booking, as it weighs on the final price.
Are the entrance fees to the sites included?
As a rule, no: the entrance fees to the temples and archaeological sites are frequently an extra, payable on site or as an option. Ask for a site-by-site breakdown, as the status varies from one offer to another.
Are drinks and alcohol included?
Water, tea and coffee are generally included on board. Soft drinks, juices and alcoholic drinks are typically an extra, as alcohol remains of limited availability in Egypt. The exact scope is to be confirmed depending on the boat.
Are gratuities included?
No, gratuities are never included. In Egypt, it is customary to set aside an envelope for the crew at the end of the cruise (in the region of €5 per night per traveller), as well as for the guide if they accompany you.
Are flights and transfers included?
No, Filovent never includes flights, and airport transfers only when they are explicitly mentioned. You book your tickets freely, and our concierge service can arrange the transfer through a local partner.
What is the difference between a cabin cruise and a private charter on the Nile?
By the cabin, you book per berth and share the boat with other travellers, ideal for setting off solo or as a couple. With a private charter, you book the whole boat for your group, perfect with family or friends. The included base (cabin, crew, board) remains the same.
Do I need a visa to go on a Nile cruise?
Yes, entry to Egypt requires a visa, to be planned ahead of departure and not included in the cruise price. Check the conditions in force for your nationality with the competent authorities before booking your flights.
Find out more
To plan your cruise with peace of mind, browse our dedicated pages:
→ Nile cruise: our dahabiyas and our departures along the river;
→ Egypt cruise: all our cruises on the Nile and Lake Nasser;
→ Traditional boat cruise: the spirit of the dahabiyas and other characterful sailing boats;
→ River cruise: the principle of sailing along the rivers;
→ Flights and transfers: organising your arrival all the way to the boat;
→ Provisions and shopping: what is provided on board and what you bring;
→ Visa and e-visa for Egypt: the entry formality to plan ahead of your Nile cruise.
For any question about what is included in your cruise, contact your Filovent adviser or our cruise concierge service on +44 20 4576 3186.
