Is a Nile Dinner Cruise Worth It? An Honest Review

Is a Nile Dinner Cruise Worth It? An Honest Review

Once people begin dreaming about the perfect vacation in Egypt, images of luxurious multi-level floating restaurants that are smoothly sailing on the famous waters of the Nile River at night always end up being included in their plans. This surely looks amazing in pictures and videos: the reflection of the skyline lights on the dark water, a gentle breeze coming from the river, live music, and a party mood.

However, if you take the time to look around the Internet travel forums, Reddit pages, and TripAdvisor, then it will become clear very soon that there is a really big split opinion among the travelers: some people say that this was the best thing about the whole trip to Cairo and others warn about a disappointing tourist trap.

What is the real situation? Is it a must-do activity or is it better to avoid spending your money and time on it? Let’s take an unbiased look at the advantages and disadvantages.

1. Setting Expectations: What a Nile Cruise Actually Is

But before discussing the advantages and disadvantages, it is important to realize what exactly one is buying. The Nile Dinner Cruise is not a romantic dinner under candlelight with a spectacular view of a lonely riverbank. It is rather an exciting, spacious floating entertainment center.

These enormous ships—with usually three or four decks on board—are leaving from ports on the Nile (mainly from around Zamalek or Kasr El Nil Bridge) and have up to five hundred international visitors each day. They offer a combination of buffet dinner, entertainment shows, music and sightseeing in one two- to three-hour program. This perspective gives an insight on how to value the experience.

2. The Pros: Why Many Travelers Fall in Love with It

Starting off with the positives, a Nile dinner cruise can be very enjoyable if one approaches it with the right attitude and expectations.

Views of the City at Night
Viewing Cairo from the water is an experience very different from what one would see by walking around the city during the daytime hours. The boat floats down the river giving you an unobstructed view of Cairo against the night sky. Going under the bridges that are bathed in light, seeing the magnificent Cairo Tower lit in red, and viewing the outlines of the minarets against the night sky is very soothing and beautiful. For many tourists, the experience of standing on the deck and gazing at the city lights in the water is worth the cost of their tickets.

Entertainment that is Fun and Dynamic
All dinner cruise activities provide a great range of entertainment. There is an orchestra that plays Arabic tunes and other familiar and lively songs, a spinning Tanoura dervish dancer dressed in a bright and colorful dress, and a lively belly dancing show. Despite the fact that the show is highly commercial and aimed at tourists, it is lively and colorful and serves as an entertaining introduction to nightlife in Egypt.

Stress-Free Evening in the Capital of Egypt
The traffic of Cairo at night is rather hectic for new arrivals in the country. One of the hidden advantages of booking Nile dinner cruise is that hotel pickup and drop-off service is included in the tour package. Having a professional driver who would come to pick you up from your hotel lobby, drive you to the pier, and then back, will make your evening truly hassle-free.

3. The Cons: Where the Experience Falls Short

To make this review totally objective and unbiased, it is necessary to consider the reasons why some visitors might feel disappointed after their meal at the restaurant.

Food Is for Mass Catering
First of all, it should be mentioned that the dinner offered in the restaurant is most commonly served as a huge open buffet intended to accommodate dozens of international tourists at the same time. Despite the fact that the choice of dishes is quite rich (grilled kofta, rice, various dips, roasted chicken, pasta, and potatoes among others), this is still mass catering food. This is satisfying, hot, and good but it cannot be considered fine dining if you are passionate about food.

Additional Expenses for Drinks
The most popular topic among travelers' reviews is related to the misconception about the things that are included in the ticket price. Though your basic ticket includes only the ferry cruise and a buffet dinner, almost everything else will have to be paid additionally, such as beverages – alcoholic beverages, fresh juices, cocktails, and even soda drinks or bottled water. The fact is that the waiters start serving at your table right away asking to order your drinks, thus travelers not being prepared will be surprised by the high sum of bills for the beverages ordered.

Commercial Environment
Because of heavy advertisement directed to the worldwide tourist groups, the atmosphere of the restaurant on board might be commercial and rather noisy. The space between tables is usually minimalized in order to make as many tourists sit as possible, thus you might not enjoy privacy while having dinner. Moreover, the members of the crew try to sell some souvenirs or services to travelers.

4. How to Ensure Your Cruise Is Worth It

However, the key to having a great time at the dinner cruise on the Nile is going to depend largely upon how one goes about their evening. Here are some easy tips on how to make what could be a run-of-the-mill tourist experience more special:

Dinner Should Be More of an Afterthought Than Main Event: This is an opportunity for you to have some fun on the upper deck rather than focusing primarily on the food. So, if you are picky or are a connoisseur of food, make sure to eat lightly before you leave your hotel so that you won't have to depend on the food for your enjoyment.

Take Advantage of the Upper Deck: The important thing to keep in mind is that one is not required to sit in their seats throughout the two hours of dining. Rather, once you are done with the meal, simply get up and take yourself off of the noisy floor and onto the quiet upper deck.

Define the Beverage Policy Early: As soon as your waiter arrives at your table, ask him to explain the beverage policy of that particular ticket class. It will save you from an unpleasant shock while looking at the bill after finishing your drink.

Select a Trustworthy Operator: Look up on the Internet and try to book a reputable cruise (such as Nile Maxim or something similar), instead of booking the least expensive one you see on the Internet. Better ships offer better service and facilities.

The Final Verdict: Is It Worth Your Money?

Absolutely, but the key here is to know precisely what it is that you are paying for.

If you enter the dinner cruise with the expectations of having a peaceful and romantic dinner on the Nile that can compare to a five-star hotel restaurant in terms of intimacy, I'm afraid that you will be disappointed. But if you look at it as it is, then this is an excellent way to have fun during the evening and see the colorful lights of Cairo and its music culture from the safety of the Nile River.

A nice break from the dust of the city during the daytime and a great way to have some memories to take back with you once you return home.

Do you have a place where you would like to stay during your visit to Cairo, or are you still trying to arrange it?