Nile Cruise with a Baby: From Aswan to Luxor in 3 Days

Julie

2025-04-22

Nile Cruise with a Baby: From Aswan to Luxor in 3 Days

Join us on a 3-day Nile Cruise with our baby from Aswan to Luxor. Real travel stories, baby-friendly tips, and unforgettable moments aboard the Emilio.

Main Journey

We were exhausted from back-to-back sightseeing days in Abu Simbel, the Aswan High Dam, and Philae Temple. I could’ve easily slept in until 10 a.m., but Sweetie had other plans. Before 8, she climbed on our bed, gave us both kisses, and chirped, “Wake up, mommy, wake up, daddy!”

There’s just no sleeping in with a baby—especially not one this adorable and determined.

We were staying at a small local hotel before the cruise, and when I asked about breakfast, they told us to “go buy something in the market.” Uh, excuse me? Breakfast was included! After a bit of back-and-forth, someone ran out and returned with a few pieces of dry bread and one pack of strawberry jam.

That was it. Our “breakfast.”

Let’s just say… Yasin Hotel didn’t make our favorites list.

Boarding the Cruise Ship – Emilio

The man we booked the cruise with arrived right on time. We checked out, threw our bags in the taxi, and drove through the streets of Aswan to the dock. But when we arrived, the boat in front wasn’t ours.

“You need to walk through that one to reach your ship,” the driver said. Huh?

Turns out, several cruise ships are docked side-by-side, and to reach your boat, you need to walk through others. After crossing one or two, we finally saw our boat: The Emilio.

We’d read online that this was a 5-star cruise “for a reasonable price.” Julie looked around and asked, “But…what exactly is a five-star rating in Egypt?”

Touché.

Still, we were greeted with a welcome drink, and the room was clean—two twin beds, a small bathroom, and a window with Nile views. We pushed the beds together to make a DIY double. Not bad!

Events

Woke up early thanks to Sweetie’s energetic kisses
Dealt with a disappointing hotel breakfast
Took a taxi to the dock, walked through another boat to reach ours
Boarded the Emilio cruise ship
Explored the boat, including the sundeck and tiny pool
Had our first Egyptian buffet lunch on board
Changed into swimsuits and enjoyed a breezy rooftop swim with Sweetie
Prepared for the first stop of the cruise tour

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Traveling with a baby on a Nile cruise comes with its own surprises. Here’s what we learned during Day 1:

Set realistic expectations for mornings: You might want to sleep in, but your baby probably won’t. Sweetie’s morning wake-up routine is always on time.
Don’t count on hotel breakfasts: Even if it says “breakfast included,” double-check. And pack a few snacks for backup.
Make the room baby-friendly: We moved the twin beds together to give Sweetie more space (and fewer chances to roll off).
Watch the sun on the deck: The sundeck was beautiful, but intense. We took Sweetie up early in the afternoon when the wind helped offset the heat.
Bring your own water and drinks: The cruise includes meals but not drinks—even water. Stock up before boarding to save money and avoid dehydration.

“Some moments are planned. Others, like Sweetie chasing us down the long cruise hallway yelling ‘Let’s eat!’, just happen. That’s the joy of traveling as a family.”

Local Travel Tips

Cruise pricing varies—don’t overpay: Emilio is one of the more affordable 5-star options, but standards may not match Western expectations.
Ships are docked side-by-side: Be prepared to walk through multiple boats to reach yours. It’s normal here.
Expect Egypt-style 5-star service: It’s not luxury-luxury, but it’s comfortable, and the Nile views make it worth it.
Food is buffet-style, mostly Egyptian: Some dishes hit the spot, some didn’t—but there’s always chicken or beef to fall back on.
Wi-Fi is available but expensive: We skipped it. Better to enjoy the river views than scroll anyway.

Travel Reflections

As we floated down the Nile, I had this moment of stillness.

Sweetie was playing quietly in our cabin. Julie was unpacking. The river glided by, ancient and slow. Somewhere out there was the Luxor we’d dreamed about—and soon we’d be there.

There’s something deeply powerful about knowing you’re sailing the same river that Pharaohs once ruled from. And now here we are—with sunscreen, swimsuits, and a toddler full of joy.

This wasn’t the kind of cruise with champagne and chandeliers. But it had something better—our family, floating through time together.

And that’s all we really needed.