scenic cruises egypt Review

Here is a detailed review of Scenic Cruises in Egypt, based on available sources (itineraries, customer feedback, and expert reviews). If you want a shorter summary or focus on a specific aspect (cost, service, value) I can pull that together too.

Table of Contents

What is Scenic Cruises Egypt

Scenic is a luxury travel company offering Nile River cruises combined with land tours in Egypt (often combined with Jordan). Their Egypt options generally include the following:

Luxor to Aswan river cruising (and sometimes back) aboard boutique ships (e.g. Sanctuary Sun Boat III) CruiseMapper+2TravelPress+2
Premium hotels in Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan etc during land portions TravelPress+1
“All-inclusive” features: meals, gratuities, excursions, high levels of service. TravelPress+1

What people generally praise

Here are strengths of Scenic Cruises in Egypt, as per expert sources and customer reviews:

Luxury & Comfort
People tend to mention that the ships and hotels used are high-end. The cabins are spacious, ships have upscale amenities, windows with views of the Nile, good onboard service. Luxury Cruising+1
Inclusive & seamless experience
Because Scenic bundles land tours, hotels, excursions, guides, meals, transfers etc., many travellers find that things are well organised and stress-free. You “see everything” without worrying about logistics. TravelPress+1
Rich itinerary
The itineraries are thorough. Key historic sites are included: Pyramids & Sphinx, Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, temples around Luxor and Aswan. Also there are culturally immersive experiences (markets, local villages, sometimes themed events onboard) to complement the sightseeing. TravelPress+1
High customer satisfaction
In Luxury-Cruising.com, Scenic has an average customer score of ~4.4/5 for Nile cruises. Luxury Cruising
On Trustpilot (UK reviews) Scenic’s overall rating is ~4.5/5. Reviewers frequently note excellent service, pleasant guides, high quality food. Trustpilot

What people criticise / potential drawbacks

Even with high praise, there are some consistent criticisms or cautions mentioned by travellers:

Cost / value
Scenic is premium. The price for these packages reflects the luxury, inclusiveness, and extended itineraries. For travellers on tighter budgets, there may be cheaper alternatives. Some reviews suggest you are paying for the “frills.” Luxury Cruising+2Reddit+2
Booking process issues / small glitches
Some users find the booking/communication experience lacking. Examples: delays in responses, errors in quoted flights or itineraries, miscommunications by local guides or travel staff. Reddit
Pacing & schedule intensity
Because the itineraries aim to cover many highlights, there can be many early starts, busy days, and a lot of moving. If you prefer a slower pace, or more free time, that might be important to consider. (Though some of this seems intrinsic to any comprehensive Egypt+Nile trip.)
Expectations vs reality
A few travellers indicate that what “luxury” means varies. For example, the level of service, or ship amenities, might not match luxury cruise standards in other parts of the world. Also, things like noise (engines, docks), small inconveniences may affect the experience. (These are less common but should be realistic possibilities.)

Overall Verdict

Scenic Cruises’ Egypt offering is among the top tier for travellers who want a luxury, highly organised, immersive Nile + Egypt experience. If budget is not the biggest concern, and you prefer comfort, excellent guides, top hotels, Scenic is very strong.

If, however, you want more flexibility, travel on a tighter budget, or prefer a slower pace with more “off the beaten path” or local-style travel, there are alternatives that might suit you better.

What to check/ask before booking

To make sure you get good value, here are some questions and checks to do:

What is included vs what is optional (e.g. some special excursions, premium drinks, tips)?
How many nights on the cruise vs on land, and how much free time you will have.
The ship details: cabin size, deck, amenities. Some cabins may have more engine noise or less desirable views.
The guide quality: local Egyptologist / expert guides, group size on excursions.
Flight arrangements (if included) and transfer details.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Scenic really all-inclusive?
Yes. Scenic includes most of what travellers want: hotels, meals, tours, transfers, gratuities, many excursions. Some premium options or optional extras may cost more. TravelPress+1

2. Is Scenic expensive compared to other Nile cruises?
Yes — compared to mid-range or budget Nile cruises, Scenic is significantly more expensive. But many travellers believe it offers good value for the level of comfort, inclusiveness, and itinerary offered.

3. What’s the best time of year for Scenic Nile cruises?
Generally autumn, winter and early spring are best (cooler weather, more pleasant for sightseeing). Very hot summer months can be uncomfortable.

4. How physically demanding is the trip?
There is walking on uneven ground, steps, possible long days of sightseeing. One must be reasonably fit. Scenic notes that full mobility is needed for many of their sightseeing walks. scenicnz.com

5. Is Egyptian political stability or safety an issue?
As of latest reviews, travellers often report feeling safe when travelling with reputable operators, good guides, and in organised groups. But check current travel advisories before booking, as situations may change. Scenic is a well-established provider, which helps with logistics and safety.

Final Recommendation

If you are looking for:

a high-comfort, worry-free Egypt + Nile experience,
want to visit all major archaeological and cultural highlights,
prefer high standards of accommodation and service,

then Scenic Cruises Egypt is a very strong choice.

If instead you want something more budget-friendly, more adventure-oriented, or a slower pace, we can compare Scenic with some other operators to help you find the best fit.

Would you like me to prepare a side-by-side comparison: Scenic vs two or three other Nile cruise providers, to help you pick?