best egypt cruises 2023 Review

Here’s a structured, professional and SEO-friendly review of Best Egypt Cruises 2023, focused on Nile River Cruises. It includes comparisons, strengths & weaknesses, and buyer guidance. (Keyword: Egypt cruises 2023)

Best Egypt Cruises 2023 — Full Review

What Makes a Great Egypt Cruise in 2023

For 2023, travellers looking for Egypt cruises expect:

Comfortable boats with good amenities (beds, plumbing, air con, views)
Excellent food safety and quality
Knowledgeable guides / Egyptologists
Rich itineraries covering major temple sites (Luxor, Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Valley of the Kings, etc.)
Cleanliness, service, safety
Value for money

Many cruise operators have upgraded boats in recent seasons; others still lag in maintenance, service, or food variety.

Top Egypt Cruises in 2023

Here are some of the highest rated cruises in 2023, what they do well and where they might fall short.

Cruise	What Works Very Well	Possible Weaknesses / What to Watch
Esmeralda Nile Cruises	Reviewers praise the staff as “extremely friendly”. The ship is clean, the food “amazing”, and cabins “spacious & comfortable”. Tripadvisor+2Tripadvisor+2 Great views of the Nile from balconies; good overall service. Tripadvisor+1	The boat is older, somewhat basic compared to luxury boats. Some guests mention wifi issues. Dining hall on lower deck has limited views during food service. Tripadvisor+1
TUI Al Horeya (Legends of the Nile)	Newer boat (launched around late 2024), so facilities are modern. Cabins are roomy, bright, many with French-balconies; good river views. Sailawaze+1 Nice top deck: pool, hot tubs, loungers; strong itinerary (temples + cultural stops). Sailawaze+1	Because it’s newer, fewer reviews/data yet. Some cabins/bathrooms are small. Drinks or extras can be pricey. Also depending on itinerary pacing, might be more “packed” than relaxed. The Times
Luxury Cruises (e.g. Oberoi Philae, Tosca, Sanctuary Sun Boat IV, etc.)	Very high standards: large cabins/suites, excellent dining, extra amenities (spa, pools, butler or high staff-to-guest ratios) and curated tours. Oberoi Philae frequently appears in “top luxury Nile cruises” lists. Tripidays Egypt Tours+2Ramses Tours+2 These offer longer itineraries, more comfort, finer touches.	Cost is much higher; more limited flexibility or spontaneity. Luxury boats may fill up quickly. Some luxury features come with extra cost. Also, if you only have a short-time, you may not use all the luxury, so may feel “paying for extras” you don’t need.
More affordable / mid-range options (e.g. Luxor-Aswan basic boats, some 3-4 night trips, or felucca / dahabiya experiences)	Good for budget travellers. Offer similar site itineraries; if you manage expectations around boat comfort, food, and speed, these provide real value. Some boats have charm & atmosphere and let you be closer to local rhythm.	Lower quality of cabins, bathrooms; sometimes dated decor, limited amenities. Services may be slower. Less luxurious food. Possibly less English-fluent guides. Also potential issues with wifi, noise, maintenance.

Highlights & Best Picks

If you want luxury & comfort → choose one of the high-end ships (Oberoi Philae, Sanctuary Sun Boat IV) for 5-7 nights Luxor → Aswan, with all major temple stops and good onboard service.
Best budget value → mid-range boats or shorter cruises (3-4 nights) still give excellent access to major sites. Esmeralda is a strong contender here.
For new/upcoming options → TUI Al Horeya is promising. Very good for travellers wanting newer boats, modern style.
For uniqueness and cultural immersion → dahabiya or felucca cruises, or smaller boutique boats that offer slower travel and local interaction.

What to Check Before Booking

Itinerary: Which temples and monuments are included? Are there optional extras like hot air balloons or evening light shows?
Boat condition: Age, recent refurbishment, cabin size, plumbing, balcony or window views.
Food safety and variety: Are water and food reputable? Many reviews praise food, but some mention limited variety.
Guides: Are they licensed Egyptologists? Group sizes? Quality of explanation?
Extras / hidden costs: Drinks, tips, optional excursions, transport to/from boat.
Time of year: Weather (hot summers), Nile water levels, visibility, and tourist crowds.

Overall Rating & Trends in 2023

Cruise operators are generally improving quality — more modern ships, better amenities added.
Luxury market is expanding; more boats offer pool decks, suites, higher-end décor.
Mid-range / budget boats still dominate in number, but variability is high. A good budget cruise can be excellent; a poor one can be disappointing.
Increasing interest in boutique / cultural experiences (smaller boats, dahabiya, felucca) among travellers who want slower pace.

Pros & Cons Summary

Pros

Incredible heritage – you pass many of ancient Egypt’s greatest monuments in comfort.
Scenic river travel; the Nile setting is beautiful and evocative.
Options for all budgets. Even mid-range can offer excellent value.

Cons

Luxury comes at a notable cost.
Some boats can be aging, with mediocre maintenance and amenities.
Overcrowding at major sites (valley of kings etc.) on popular cruise schedules.
Food and service can vary widely; sometimes what you see in photos is better than reality.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How long should the cruise be to see the main attractions?
Four to seven nights is ideal. Four nights gets you major sites (Luxor → Aswan or vice versa). Seven nights allows more relaxed pace and possibly side trips.
When is the best time of year to cruise the Nile?
Between October and April is best. Weather is cooler; less extreme heat. Summers are very hot which can make daytime temple visits tiring.
Is luxury worth the extra cost?
If you value comfort, amenities, fewer passengers, and high-end service, yes. But if you’re more focused on sites and experience than onboard luxury, a good mid-range boat can deliver almost as much.
What kind of boat should I choose? (Dahabiya, felucca, big ship, etc.)
- Big cruise boat: more amenities, more people, more structure. Good for first timers.
- Boutique / Dahabiya / Felucca: slower pace, more intimacy, more personality, often better views, quieter.
- Choose based on what you want: luxury vs authenticity vs cost vs pace.
How to avoid disappointing experiences?
Read recent reviews (within past 6-12 months). Check what people say about food, cabin condition, service. Ask what is included vs extra. Confirm the itinerary. Make sure transfers/transport arrangements are reliable.

Conclusion

“Best Egypt cruises 2023” offers many outstanding options, from luxury ships to budget riverside flotillas. If I had to pick:

Best overall value → Esmeralda Nile Cruises for a 4-5 night trip, especially if you care more about sites, service, and comfort than ultra-luxury.
Best luxury experience → Oberoi Philae or Sanctuary Sun Boat IV for their superior amenities and curated itineraries.
Most promising new option → TUI Al Horeya for its modern features and good mix of style and service.

If you want, I can pull together a curated list of top 5 cruises (with cost-estimates) for different budgets for 2023, to help you decide. Would you prefer that?