What are the best Nile river cruises?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 11 November 2026
These 10 river cruise lines sell a Nile sailing on their own websites, read 10 November 2026. Each card gives what the line says about it, with the ship, sailing, length, price or number where it names one, then why to choose it, what to ask for and the limits it publishes.
What are the best Nile river cruises?
10 river cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they sell a Nile sailing; Travelmarvel, Nour El Nil and AmaWaterways have the most Google reviews under the line's own name.
Each card says whether the line sails its own boat or sells cruises on a ship it does not say it owns; dahabiyas and large Nile ships are both here. Why choose them, Ask for and Not the fit if describe the line as a whole, not only its Nile sailing.
AmaWaterways
- Best for
- Europe, Nile and Mekong river cruises
- Nile sailing
- Sells its 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile itinerary, with optional extensions in Jordan, Alexandria and Dubai; it sells cruises on AmaNubia, arriving on the Nile in November 2026. Its Egypt carrier is a partnership between AmaWaterways LLC and Wings Tours & Nile Cruises.
- Why choose them
- Offers over 100 river cruises across 35 countries on 12 rivers. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 67 reviews; Trustpilot: 1.7 out of 5 from 109 reviews, newest 24 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Not the fit if
- you need a doctor on board, as medical doctors are not available on any vessel.
- Money protection
- ATOL 11232 for flight-inclusive UK packages; ABTA bond, membership no. Y6393.
- Website
- amawaterways.com
Ashranda
- Best for
- Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan
- Nile sailing
- Runs Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan, among them sailings on Nebyta, a dahabiya, with stops including El Batekh Island and El Kab Temple; it publishes no guest count, length or fare.
- Why choose them
- Founded in 2019, it operates boutique hotels and Nile cruises in Egypt from Cairo.
- Ask for
- Ask for a sailing on the Nebyta dahabiya, or a customised trip for an anniversary or honeymoon.
- Not the fit if
- you want to sail from Cairo: its Nile cruises operate between Luxor and Aswan.
- Enquiry
- ashranda.com/contact
Mazaj Dahabiyas
- Best for
- Small dahabiya sailings on the Nile
- Nile sailing
- Sails its own dahabiya Mazaj MEROOT, the vessel Mazaj SIA (one Junior Suite, two Royal Suites and six staterooms) and its cruise ships TAMR and TULIP on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, from a 3-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor to a 7-night round trip from Luxor to Aswan and back. Its Solar Eclipse Journey departs 2 August 2027, price on request.
- Why choose them
- Mazaj SIA has nine cabins: one Junior Suite, two Royal Suites and six staterooms.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Solar Eclipse Journey departing 2 August 2027, with check-in in Luxor on 1 August 2027.
- Not the fit if
- you want a published fare, as prices are on request.
- Enquiry
- mazajcruises.com/contact
Merit Dahabiyas
- Best for
- Small dahabiya sailings between Luxor and Aswan
- Nile sailing
- Sails its own dahabiyas on the Nile, owned and managed by Aqua Marine Group, among them Merit Star 2, Merit Star 3 & 4, Merit II and Merit I; it lists a 4-night dahabiya cruise from Luxor to Aswan for the August 2027 solar eclipse, sold as charter only. It gives no clear guest count per boat or usable fare on the pages read and no fare.
- Why choose them
- Its 4 nights/5 days dahabiya itinerary includes all airport transfers, sightseeing tours, entrance fees and Egyptology guides.
- Ask for
- Ask for the 4 nights/5 days itinerary, with meals, sightseeing and soft drinks on board included.
- Not the fit if
- you want to join the Luxor Solar Eclipse 2027 sailing on your own: it is marked Charter ONLY.
nicko cruises
- Best for
- River cruises for German-speaking travellers worldwide
- Nile sailing
- Sells cruises on the Steigenberger Minerva, which sails the Nile between Aswan and Luxor.
- Why choose them
- Sails a fleet of 22 ships and says it has been market leader for river cruises in Germany since 2007. Trustpilot (whole company): 3.2 out of 5 from 387 reviews, newest 5 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Single-Spezial departure, where the single supplement is cut by 50%.
- Not the fit if
- you want an English-only ship: most river ships run in German and English; CYRANO DE BERGERAC runs in French and German.
- Money protection
- Insurance certificate naming the insurer, required before any payment under its package travel terms.
- Website
- nicko-cruises.de
Nour El Nil
- Best for
- Dahabiya sailing between Luxor and Aswan
- Nile sailing
- Sails its own dahabiyas, sailing boats built by Memdouh, a sailor with over 30 years of experience sailing the Nile, from Esna, some 33 miles south of Luxor, to Aswan, with stops such as Gebel Silsileh, where large Nile cruisers are not allowed to stop. Says it offers the longest sailing time between Luxor and Aswan of all the types of boat on the Nile.
- Why choose them
- Its dahabiyas board at Esna, some 33 miles south of Luxor; they sail to Aswan. Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 114 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the dahabiya voyage from Esna to Aswan with its stop at Gebel Silsileh.
- Not the fit if
- you need a fixed itinerary: it reserves the right to vary its route and is at times told of new river rules only hours in advance.
- Enquiry
- nourelnil.com/booking-form
Steam Ship Sudan
- Best for
- Six-day Nile cruises on a historic steamer
- Nile sailing
- Runs two 6 day Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan, one in each direction, on the Steam Ship Sudan, a century-old steamer restored in the 2000s with 18 cabins and 6 suites; it does not say who owns the ship. Between late November and mid-February low water stops navigation between Luxor and Qena and an alternative programme is offered.
- Why choose them
- Says Agatha Christie found the inspiration for Death on the Nile on board in 1933. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 4 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Odilo Suite, inaugurated in January 2022, which sits on the sun deck.
- Not the fit if
- you want to sail between Luxor and Qena from late November to mid-February: low water stops navigation there and an alternative programme runs instead.
The Oberoi
- Best for
- Nile cruises from a hotel group
- Nile sailing
- Sails two Nile cruisers under its own name, The Oberoi Zahra and The Oberoi Philae, each called a "Luxury Nile Cruiser"; the Zahra docks at Mirotel Dock in Luxor and all itineraries are on Tuesday and Saturday.
- Why choose them
- Says The Oberoi Philae was ranked 1st for Best River Cruisers in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for embarkation at Luxor or Aswan on The Oberoi Zahra or The Oberoi Philae.
- Not the fit if
- you need another start day: all its itineraries run on Tuesday and Saturday.
Travelmarvel
- Best for
- Rhine, Danube and Douro cruises plus Asia
- Nile sailing
- Sells a journey along the Nile in Egypt, from Luxor's grand temples to the twin statues of Abu Simbel.
- Why choose them
- It added the Contemporary River Ships Polaris, Capella and Vega to its European fleet in 2022. Google: 4.5 out of 5 from 926 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the 2027 Book Early Package on Europe river cruises and the deposit it holds the booking with.
- Not the fit if
- you may need to change plans late: its one free amendment applies only when you are more than 100 days from departure.
- Money protection
- ABTA and ATOL (UK packages).
- Website
- travelmarvel.com
Viking
- Best for
- Europe, Nile and Mekong river voyages
- Nile sailing
- Sails the Viking Amun, owned and operated by Viking and built to cruise the Nile, carrying 82 guests, on a 12-day roundtrip from Cairo with visits to pyramids and temples; it also lists Grand Nile Journey I and Grand Nile Journey II as new.
- Why choose them
- Says it was voted #1 for Rivers in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, the sixth consecutive year. Trustpilot (whole company): 1.7 out of 5 from 384 reviews, newest 10 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Viking Inclusive Value fare, with one shore excursion in every port, or the current Special Solo Traveler Fares.
- Not the fit if
- you are travelling with children: Viking says its river ships have no children on board.
- Website
- vikingrivercruises.com
Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?
3 of the 10 lines name a scheme, bond, licence or account that protects payments for some or all bookings; check the number with the scheme before you pay.
- AmaWaterways: ATOL 11232 for flight-inclusive UK packages; ABTA bond, membership no. Y6393
- nicko cruises: Insurance certificate naming the insurer, required before any payment under its package travel terms
- Travelmarvel: ABTA and ATOL (UK packages)
Who to contact first
Start with the cards whose own line fits your dates and the sailing you want; ask each the same questions in writing.
- What the fare includes, line by line: excursions, drinks, gratuities, wifi, flights, transfers and hotel nights before and after.
- The ship: how many guests it carries, the cabin size and whether it has a French balcony, a full balcony or a window.
- The deposit, when the balance is due, what you lose if you cancel and what the line does if low or high water changes the route.
- Which scheme or licence protects your money and what you need to walk on the excursions if mobility matters to you.
Nile river cruises: the questions people ask
What should I ask a river cruise line before booking?
What the fare includes, line by line; how many guests the ship carries and the size of the cabin; the deposit and what you lose if you cancel; what happens if low or high water changes the route; and which scheme protects your money.
Can I book with these lines directly?
Yes. Each card links the line's own website or enquiry page; ask for a written quote that lists what the fare includes and the cancellation scale.
Do these lines all sell the same kind of river cruise?
No. Each card names the sailing, ship or offer the line's own website gives; ship sizes, lengths, rivers and prices differ, so compare the cards before you ask for quotes.
What happens if the river is too low or too high to sail?
3 of the 10 lines set out on their own websites what they do when water levels change a sailing, such as a ship swap, a coach transfer or a refund. Ask each line in writing before you book.
Which of these have the most Google reviews?
Travelmarvel, Nour El Nil and AmaWaterways, in that order. A count says how many people reviewed a line, not whether it fits your sailing; each card gives the rating and count, read 10 November 2026.
Which of these have Trustpilot profiles?
3 of the 10: AmaWaterways, nicko cruises and Viking. Each card gives the TrustScore, the review count and the newest review date, read 10 November 2026.
Which of these publish their cancellation terms?
3 of the 10: AmaWaterways, nicko cruises and Travelmarvel. Ask each for the full scale in writing before you pay a deposit.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Each card links the pages of the line's own website its lines were read from, with the date they were read.
How were these lines chosen?
Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel river cruise lines table, built from the river cruise lines ChatGPT names most often. On its own website it sells a Nile sailing. A line is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.
Read next
Companies are added at each update. Want to be the company this page features?
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each line published on its own website, read on 10 November 2026, with links to the pages read, with its Google and Trustpilot figures where the listing carries the line's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel river cruise lines table. Cards are in alphabetical order. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.