Nile Cruise

Anyone have info on booking a Nile Cruise once you get to Cairo.
Don't want to book in advance as stand by will be risky.

Also, was the crise worth it? Would like a 3-4 day cruise

it's been a while but the 2 cruises I took (4 and 7 day) were both excellent. we're doing the pyramids in early Dec--3 nights in Cairo and plan to book cruise and domestic air, Abu Simbel as second trip. THAT was worth every penny and the extra time! I loved Aswan spice market too!
Word of warning--check the dates for this fall--the locks at Esna are closed part of the time so the ships will stop and the trip will continue by bus to Aswan or and reverse... I have a recommendation for an agent in Cairo--American who moved there 1995ish. Would you like the info?
cruises are nearly all outside suites--some have pic windows--tours are early in the AM due to heat--Karnak Temple is right there--unbelievable sight! and going "up" the Nile to Aswan is such a joy. Life along the Nile is amazing too. Sailboats, fishing...

we plan to utilize Debbie at
http://casualcairodetours.pyramids.net/tours12.htm
for at least a full day tour--probably the Cairo Museum, as well.

I understand it's very easy to book last minute cruises/air on arrival.

As soon as I know anything concrete I will share more.
Take a look at good advice from valued tripadvisor, Wendy Cairo destination expert
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294201-...commended..html

Thanks for the info.

Skyrider--I found this little "yacht" available for Nile cruise:
http://mychristina.net/

There's a Cairo guide expat named Debbie and she mentions it in Frommers:
http://www.frommers.com/community/forum.cf...ryCurrentPage=0

I would personally consider renting her for a few hours AND invite the local expats to bring the party if I could co-ordinate it last-minute. Just a thought in case you had a really special occasion to celebrate.

Looks like we'll either use Debbie (Casual Cairo) or a fellow named Abdo, who has been corresponding with me about touring and rates:
abdo_eljoker@yahoo.com
I am working the airline angle for future repeat business and good rates from him. He's actually from the oasis, Fayoum, and I have always wanted to go!
It's not far past Giza and Sakkara.

Hope that's a bit toa dd to your research.

We are looking at going to Egypt next May. Has been 10 years since we went there - last time we didn't go to Abu Simbel so that is one place we definitely want to go to this time.

Could you please let me know the details of your agent in Cairo - I want to pre-book a tour before we leave.

We also want to go to the Greek Islands - I had thought of a cruise but have been told it is pretty easy to get the ferry and hire a car and stay on some of the islands.

Just have to work out the best way to get there!

Thanks

I am pouring over more details than I thought possible. We just canned the idea of split trip and stayed home last wk. The JFK flights were tight going and returning has been horrible--except the night we "planned" to come back--everyone got on, many up front!
Plan B will route us thru Amman
Plan C thru CDG
How much time do you have? I'm looking at the Dahabiya Hadeel (sailboats are 6 night trips) or a Sonesta cruiser (3-4nights)
I'm waiting for Abdo Ellahamy to send me a new schedule and his agent
his contact is:
abdo_eljoker@yahoo.com
Just tell him I recommended you from Delta.
Our trip will be 2 wks late Jan--I'll have more shortly.

http://www.steam-ship-sudan.com/en/index.asp

I'm really considering spending the serious $ (recent inheritance from my Mom) and taking this boat--all the way back to the turn of the century (the one BEFORE this one!! haha)

Update:Egypt/Nile Cruise

1) get to Cairo whichever way necessary
2) REST
3) Guide (we used: abdo_eljoker@yahoo.com) and please make sure you mention me. Abdo will treat you well. Young man w/decent car and excellent driving skills in the most controlled chaos of traffic you may ever see. Transfers/pickups as well as relaxed informative tours. I recommend NOT going to Citadel or Coptic Cairo (I get bored) Do the museum for sure! ONE thing: don't do the tourist junk like belly dance dinners and such--tell him you aren't interested--no problem!
4) flights are very CHEAP to Luxor and Aswan--if you want to get ID tkts, DO--$30 min+ tax each way; be ready to shell out as much as $150 for biz class confirmed seats on the spot (not too shabby!!)
5) you can arrange cruise w/Abdo in advance on arrival in Cairo OR do it when you get to either Aswan or Luxor (cruises run one way certain days--ck skeds!)

6) We used another agent in Luxor--Hassany Moresy hassany488@hotmail.com--refer to us from Delta as well. He's a businessman to the nth degree but his tour guide Abdou (as in "oo") is outstanding--4 yrs Egyptology and very enthusiasstic. Hass will combine you w/others--don't hesitate to ask for better rpice and don't go to tea with him--he will stay forever and bore the carp out of you--he has a 'tude! the service is topnotch tho. maybe a bit high$ but not certain as there are so many rippers there. we're talking RT--3 hrs away, 2 of the most important temple complexes and return--superb guide/entry included for $120 2 pax in good comfy small bus.(about 9 hrs total) shorter day tour of Valley of Kings+more was around $100/2 (entries here are incl but higher costs so very worthwhile)
hope that helps. I have lots more advice for lodging etc.
please ask and I will share (maybe IF you're nice!)

PS--we didn't do the cruise--decided to get out between snowstorms (great idea!!) and return for Aswan/cruise in near future.
Most expensive things: wine, beer and internet ($$$)