Taking a Mythical Nile Cruise for Your Honeymoon

A Nile cruise offers the perfect opportunity for you and your sweetheart to explore the treasures of Egypt. Here, you can view the temples at Abu Simbel and the natural wonders at Giza as you explore the life of the ancient Egyptian people and their Pharoahs.

Booking a Nile Cruise

Most Nile cruises are offered by international hotel chains, such as Oberoi Hotels, Sheraton Hotels, Sonesta, and Hilton Hotels. A Nile cruise can be as short as two or three days, or it can last over a week, depending on the hotel.

When it comes to the cruise ship, you might be surprised to discover that those used on a Nile cruise are more like ferry boats than mega-ships in order to maneuver through the Nile River, which is more shallow and smaller than the waters typically explored by cruise ships. These smaller boats generally carry anywhere from 150 to 200 passengers and have their own on-board water-purification systems. In addition, the accommodations are air conditioned, with private baths, radios, and phones.

To book a Nile cruise, you will need to go directly through the hotel chain that operates the Nile cruise ship or contact a travel agent specializing in Egyptian travel. The agent will be able to help you determine which ship is the best for your needs and will also be able to help make flight reservations and assist in securing the appropriate travel documentation.

You might also choose to extend you Nile cruise to include a stop at Cairo, Africa, which is the most populous African city. Here, you can explore the largest Egyptian Art Museum in the world, as well as the Egyptian Museum containing numerous treasures from the pyramids and excavation sites. The Al-Azhar Mosque, the Citadel, and the Coptic Church can also be explored here.

What to See and Do on a Nile Cruise

Obviously, sightseeing is the major draw of a Nile cruise. Most ships, however, also include a swimming pool, a passenger lounge, a gift shop, and a beauty salon to enjoy while on board. They also provide on-board meals, which are usually a combination of Continental and Egyptian cuisine.

Some of the sites to explore while on a Nile cruise include:
• Abu Simbel – This complex of temples was built by Ramses “The Great” II. The figures guarding the entrance are imposing and magnificent.
• Giza – Home of the Great Pyramid, which has been named one of the “Wonders of the Ancient World,” is a much-anticipated stop. While here, you and your honey can explore the smaller nearby pyramids, which were created as burial sites for ancient Egyptian rulers.
• Memphis – Once the capital of ancient Egypt, Memphis is located just south of the current capital of Cairo. An Egyptian art museum that includes a massive limestone sculpture of Ramses II can be found here.
• Luxor – Located on the southern, or Upper, end of the Nile River, The Valley of the Kings is located in Luxor. Being the site where most of the New Kingdom era Pharoahs are buried, including King Tutankhamun and Ramses VI, it is one of the most important archeological sites in the world. The site is periodically closed to visitors by the Egyptian government in order to preserve the tombs.
• Western Valley – The Western Valley is located next to the Valley of the Kings and is far less visited, though it is also the burial site of several Pharoahs, including Amenhotep III.
• Temple of Karnak and Temple of Luxor – These temples, which were build by Ramses V and Amenhotep III, are located across the Nile from the Valley of the Kings. A spectacular “Sound and Light” show takes place here in the evening.

A Nile cruise provides an unforgettable, enchanting, and mythical honeymoon cruise that will certainly never be forgotten.