AmaWaterways Nile cruise review: AmaDahlia, AmaLilia, AmaNubia and the 11-night trip

An AmaWaterways Nile cruise starts at a lower fare than Viking's or Uniworld's Egypt programmes, with wine and beer at meals, Egyptologists in every port and Dendera on the route. Our verdict: good value against Viking and Uniworld, but read the small print. Flights, transfers and tips are extra, and the original ship, AmaDahlia, has no lift.

The ships: AmaDahlia, AmaLilia and AmaNubia

AmaWaterways lists three ships on its Nile programme, with a fourth announced.

• AmaDahlia: 36 staterooms for 72 guests, including 16 suites with step-out balconies. It has a sun-deck pool, a Chef's Table restaurant and two massage rooms. It has no elevator, so think twice if stairs are a problem.
• AmaLilia: 41 staterooms including 13 suites, for 82 guests, with French and outside balconies, a pool and a salon.
• AmaNubia: 38 staterooms for 76 guests, with outside and French balconies, a sun-deck pool and a Chef's Table. New on the Nile from November 2026.
• AmaCleo is announced, but the published details for it are not yet reliable, so wait for a full ship page before booking it.

All three are small by Nile standards: a standard Egyptian five-star ship carries 100–150 or more guests. Which ship you sail depends on your departure date, so check it when you book. AmaWaterways does not say whether it owns the hulls or works with Egyptian partners.

AmaWaterways Nile cruise itinerary: Secrets of Egypt & the Nile

The 7-night loop covers the standard temples at a slower pace than a 3- or 4-night cruise, and adds Dendera, north of Luxor, which short Luxor–Aswan cruises never reach by water. Abu Simbel is not on the published day list; if you want it, ask how it can be added from Aswan, or see Abu Simbel.

AmaWaterways warns that in low water it may replace a sailing stretch with an overland transfer. That is normal on the Nile, where the river is lowest in December and January.

For the standard route day by day, see Luxor and Aswan Nile cruise and 7-night Nile cruise.

AmaWaterways Nile cruise cost and what's included

AmaWaterways' European site shows from €2,740 per person, reduced from €3,390. The fares are cruise-only: in its own words, they "do not include flights or transfers". Flights within Egypt are sold as an add-on from €539 to €557 per person, depending on the year. Add your international flights and transfers before comparing with Viking or Uniworld, whose packages include more. For a US-dollar or sterling fare, check AmaWaterways' site for your country or ask an agent.

Included on board:

• all meals
• wine and beer with lunch and dinner, plus a daily "Sip & Sail" hour
• Wi-Fi
• Egyptologist-led excursions in every port

Not included: gratuities and premium drinks. On most Nile cruises agencies suggest roughly US$5–10 per person per night for the crew and US$10–15 per day for the guide; ask AmaWaterways what it suggests. Extra tomb tickets, such as Tutankhamun (EGP 700) or Seti I (EGP 2,000), are separate at the site, so ask whether your excursions include them.

Travelling alone? The single supplement is 50 % in cabins and 100 % in suites. Because it is published up front, solo travellers can price it before enquiring: book a cabin, not a suite.

On the platforms, the closest equivalent is a Cairo-and-cruise package on an unnamed ship. The 6-day all-inclusive Cairo and Nile cruise on GetYourGuide is from $1,700 (4.8 from 56 reviews); a 4-day cruise from Cairo with flights is from $1,300 (4.5 from 157 reviews). They are shorter, on a "5-star ship or similar" with more guests, and without Dendera.

⛵ Cairo

GetYourGuide5 nightsFrom Cairo

Cairo: All-Inclusive 6-Day Egypt Highlights & Nile Cruise

4.8 (56)

from $1,700Check dates

⛵ Cairo

GetYourGuide3 nightsFrom Cairo

From Cairo: 4-Day Nile Cruise to Luxor with Balloon Flight

4.5 (157)

from $1,300Check dates

⛵ Cairo

GetYourGuide7 nightsFrom Cairo

From Cairo: 8-Day Tour of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan with Cruise

4.3 (227)

from $2,077Check dates

⛵ Luxor

GetYourGuide4 nightsFrom Luxor

Luxor: 5 Days Nile Cruise with Guided Tours & Abu Simbel

4.4 (69)

from $840Check dates

Prices checked on 19 October 2026

AmaWaterways, Viking or Uniworld?

AmaWaterways has the lowest starting fare of the three, but the gap narrows once you add flights and tips. Uniworld is the most inclusive, and Viking gives the longest time on board. Full reviews: Viking and Uniworld.

What to check before you book

Whatever guest reviews say, these points decide whether a departure suits you:

• Which ship. AmaNubia is new from November 2026; AmaDahlia has no elevator. Ask which ship sails your date.
• Fare basis. Check whether your quote includes flights within Egypt and transfers, or whether you need the add-on.
• Abu Simbel. Not on the day list; ask about it if it matters.
• Tips. Extra, so ask for the suggested amount.

How to book an AmaWaterways Nile cruise

Book on AmaWaterways' website or through a travel agent. No platform sells AmaDahlia, AmaLilia or AmaNubia, and no GetYourGuide or Headout cruise listing puts you on an AmaWaterways ship. The programme page is https://www.amawaterways.com/eu/river-cruises/africa/nile/secrets-egypt-nile.

Alternatives to AmaWaterways

• Abercrombie & Kent: its own small boats, with published rates that include entrance fees.
• Oberoi Zahra: a 28-cabin luxury ship sold direct, with entry fees and a guide included.
• Dahabiya cruises: 6–10 cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan.
• Shorter trips on the platforms: Egypt tours with a Nile cruise.

All luxury options side by side: luxury Nile cruises.

AmaWaterways Nile cruise FAQ