Is a Nile River Dinner Cruise Worth It? An Honest Review

Is a Nile River Dinner Cruise Worth It? An Honest Review

In case you are preparing to visit Egypt, one thing that will surely catch your attention in all of your vacation plans is a Nile River dinner cruise in Cairo.

It looks absolutely perfect, at first glance – you spend around two to three hours traveling along the longest river in the world, enjoying Egyptian cuisine, live entertainment, and magnificent views of Cairo lit up by the night lights.

However, after starting reading various online communities, you see that opinions become extremely polarized really quickly. While some say it is the most enjoyable part of their stay in Cairo, the others state it is just noisy and expensive tourist trap.

So, what is the real deal? Should you pay your money and spend a couple of hours on a Nile River dinner cruise or eat in some street restaurants? Here is everything you need to know about it.

The Short Answer

Indeed, but only if you book a boat of 4 or 5 stars, with your expectations set correctly.

If you expect to enjoy a fun, relaxing experience that would package your dinner, traditional entertainment, and skyline views in one, you will definitely be pleased. It requires no preparation whatsoever on your part after you've been exploring the Pyramids and shopping at the bustling markets for an entire day.

But if you expect a quiet, fine-dining experience of five-star standard or a romantic cruise, chances are you will be disappointed.

What Makes It Worth It (The Pros)

1. Cairo Night Skyline from the Water

Daytime Cairo may be quite noisy and hot. Get aboard a river cruise in the evening, and you will feel relaxed.

Sailing past the illuminated Cairo Tower, crossing the historic bridges such as Qasr El Nil, seeing the bright hotel skylines reflected in the dark waters is really calm and relaxing. Photographers and those who enjoy amazing views of lit cities will love it.

2. Egyptian Traditions and Arts at Your Dining Table

Instead of booking extra tickets and attending a theater separately, a dinner cruise allows you to see traditional arts of Egypt right at your table:

Tanoura Show: This performance is usually a main attraction of the evening. A male dancer turns around in heavy, brightly colored and layered skirts for about 15 to 20 minutes not losing balance and getting dizzy. To see how he works with his costumes in motion is really amazing.

Belly Dancing (Raqs Sharqi): An authentic dancer dances to live music of Arabic performers and drum players. It adds an energetic atmosphere making everyone clap hands.

3. The Most Convenient Package for Travellers

Travelling in a new place can be tiring. A dinner cruise provides you with everything in one pack. Your hotel pick-up, being served at the table you have reserved, all-you-can-eat buffet, watching two live performances, enjoying the river views, and dropping at your hotel after the cruise – all that and more is provided to you.

The Drawbacks to Watch Out For (The Cons)

To give you an objective opinion about your experience during dinner cruise, let us take a look at the common shortcomings of dinner cruises:

1. The Food is Nice, but Far from being Gourmet
All boats offer an open buffet which features all the popular dishes—grilled chicken, beef kofta, fish, rice, mezze (hummus and baba ghanoush) as well as typical Egyptian desserts. Despite the fact that the food is nice, warm and hearty, one should not forget that it is mass-produced food meant for big dining rooms.

2. The Music Might Be Quite Loud
In case you wish to have a whisper-quiet dinner, you might be surprised how noisy the time of the main show will be. Speakers inside the dining room are put very loud in order to accommodate the music and performances.

3. Cost of the Beverages
No matter whether it is a standard cruise or 5-star boat, drinks are never included in the initial cost of the ticket. You will be expected to pay for bottled water, soda, juices, and alcoholic beverages in addition to your main dinner separately. Always carry enough money (Egyptian Pounds).

How to Guarantee a Great Experience

When planning to book a dinner cruise in Cairo, the following tips will help you secure the best deal possible:

‏Do not choose cheap unreviewed budget cruises.

There may be a slight difference in cost between a cheap budget cruise ($15-$20) and a top-rate 5-star cruise ($35-$50), but there is a significant difference in cleanliness, state of the boat, and level of service provided. Some of the top options include Nile Maxim, Nile Crystal, or Pharaohs Cruise.

‏Do not spend your entire evening sitting at the table.

While the show that takes place inside the ship is entertaining, you can have the most enjoyable experience on the top deck outside of the boat. Go up immediately after finishing dinner or after each show and enjoy the serene ambiance of the river wind.

‏Cairo has rush hour in the evening along the riverside.

The rush hour in Cairo is from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Therefore, give yourself 45 minutes extra to make it on time to the pier before docking time.

The Verdict

Going on an Egyptian dinner cruise with high expectations about an elaborate and gourmet dining experience may turn out to be somewhat disappointing.

Nevertheless, seeing the cruise for what it really is—an exciting, entertaining, and extremely convenient way to get immersed into the culture and cuisine of Egypt during one single day—is definitely a 100% must.