By Sem Elegant Voyage | Updated: March 2026
Quick answer: An "all-inclusive" Nile cruise includes: all domestic flights in Egypt (Cairo-Aswan, Aswan-Luxor, Cairo-Sharm) that we organize for you, Cairo hotel (pre or post), transfers, cruises, all meals, visits. You only book your flight to Egypt. Price: 1200-£3,460 per person depending on season and type of boat. Exceptions: alcohol, optional activities, tips.
French travel agencies sell many "all-inclusive" packages for Egypt. You pay a price, you receive... what exactly? The finals vary enormously. Some packages cover your domestic flights in Egypt, others do not. Some have 2 nights in Cairo. Others zero. We have seen customers arrive at Nile to discover hidden fees of £460.
As a local operator since 2015, we offer real "all-inclusive" packages - transparent. Zero surprises. This article decodes what "all-inclusive" really means and how to avoid paying double.
💡 Practical advice on all-inclusive: The term “all-inclusive” on a Nile cruise does not mean the same thing depending on the service provider. For some, it really includes everything: excursions with an Egyptologist guide, temple entrances, airport transfers and tips. For others, the all-inclusive only covers full board on board and visits are paid extra. Before booking, always ask for written details of what is included.
Items often excluded from the all-inclusive, even with good operators: alcoholic drinks, the sound and light show at Karnak or Philae (£20 per person), optional excursions like Abou Simbel (£60-£120 depending on the transport) and tips for on-board staff and guides. Plan an additional budget of £80 to £150 per person for these extras. And an insider tip: negotiate the inclusion of Abu Simbel before signing, it is often possible if you book directly with the local agency.
What Does “All-Inclusive” Really Mean?
In theory, "all inclusive" means: you pay nothing else after signing the contract. Zero additional fees. In practice, international tour operators always leave gaps. Alcohol. Tips. Optional activities. Check out our complete budget guide to avoid surprises.
Our definition of "all-inclusive Sem Elegant Voyage": all your domestic flights in Egypt (Cairo-Aswan, Aswan-Louxor, Cairo-Charm) organized and included by SEV, transfers, Cairo hotel, cruise, all meals, visits, English-speaking guide. You book your flight to Egypt yourself - we take care of everything else once you arrive in Cairo. You can add optional (hot air balloon, diving, spa) but it is not necessary.
Grid: What is Included vs. Excluded
| Element | Included in TC | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic flights in Egypt | YES | Cairo-Aswan, Aswan-Luxor, Cairo-Charm: organized by us |
| Hotel Cairo (pre/post) | YES* | 1-2 nights depending on package. Sometimes zero. |
| Airport - hotel - boat transfers | YES | A/R. English-speaking guide on each transfer. |
| Boat cruise (3-7 nights) | YES | Double cabin, swimming pool access, entertainment |
| All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) | YES | Buffet or table service depending on the boat |
| Temple visits: Luxor, Karnak, Dendera, Abydos, Philae | YES | English-speaking local guide. Entrances included. |
| English-speaking guide 24/7 | YES | Assistance in French throughout the trip |
| Travel insurance | NO | To subscribe separately. £40-£120 recommends. |
| Egypt Visa | NO | £20 to pay at the airport (free if recurring electronic passport) |
| Alcoholic drinks | NO | Water, tea, coffee included. Wine/beer +5-£10/glass. |
| Tips (guide, boat staff) | NO | 10-15% of the travel price recommends. Local. |
| Optional activities: hot air ballooning, diving, massage | NO | +£120-£150 activity. To be requested in advance. |
| Upgrade cabin (royal suite, balcony) | NO | +£380-£1,540 depending on boat. To add. |
Beware of pitfalls: always check
Some Parisian tour operators sell "all inclusive" but exclude the Cairo hotel (3 nights air travel). Always ask for the exact composition before signing.
Comparison: Local Agency vs Tour Operator vs DIY Booking
Three main approaches. Each has pros and cons.
| Appearance | Local Agency (us) | Parisian Tour-Op | DIY booking (flight + hotel + cruise) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final price per person (5N, high season) | 1800-£1,690 | 1900-£1,920 | 1700-£1,770* |
| Price transparency | 100% detailed | 75% (hidden traps) | Your responsibility |
| 24/7 English-speaking support | YES | YES (sometimes) | NO |
| Flexibility (modification of dates) | Easy | Difficult | Very difficult |
| Lastminute changes on site | Okay | Can be complicated | At your risk |
| Cancellation insurance (included) | No (optional) | Often yes | No |
*DIY can be the cheapest BUT you risk surprises along the way (canceled flight, faulty transfer, overbooked hotel).
Price List Sem Elegant Voyage 2026
All inclusive land with internal flights included: Cairo 2N hotel + 5-night cruise + all internal flights in Egypt organized by SEV. You arrive at Cairo airport on your flight to Egypt - we take care of everything else. Double cabin, price per person.
| Type of Boat | Low Season (May-August) | Mid Season (Sept-Oct, March) | High Season (Nov-Feb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (3-4 stars) | 1200-£1,080 | 1500-£1,390 | 2000-£1,920 |
| Comfort (4-5 stars) | 1600-£1,460 | 2000-£1,850 | 2800-£2,690 |
| Luxury (5 stars) | 2200-£2,000 | 2800-£2,620 | 3800-£3,460 |
Breakdown Details: Where Your Money Goes
Package £1,540 per person (high season). Here is the breakdown:
- Hotel Cairo 2 nights (4 stars): £230-£310
- Airport-hotel-boat transfers: £80-£90
- Boat cruise 5 nights (4-5 stars): £650-£730
- Agency margin/application fees: £120-£180
Total = ~£1,540. Transparent.
Logistics of domestic flights in Egypt
Domestic flights and schedules
You arrive in Cairo on your own flight to Egypt; our service starts at the airport. Then, we orchestrate all your domestic flights in Egypt: Cairo-Aswan in the morning (1h30) to join the boat, then Aswan-Cairo on the return. Fast connections Cairo-Sharm el-Sheikh or Aswan-Abu Simbel are also possible. All these domestic flights are included and reserved by SEV for you.
Hotel Cairo pre-cruise
We recommend 1-2 nights before the cruise. You will recover from the long distance flight. Visit to the pyramids of Giza. You board the boat on day 2 or 3. Our partner hotels in Cairo:
- Pyramisa Cairo West Hotel (4 stars): £100-£120/night
- Steigenberger Nile Palace (5 stars): £150-£190/night
- Four Seasons Cairo (5 stars): £270-£310/night
Hotel Cairo post-cruise
You disembark in Aswan day 5-7. Aswan-Cairo flight in the morning (1h30). Hotel 1-2 nights for acclimatization before your flight to Egypt. Visit to the Egyptian Museum. Bazaars of Khan el-Khalili.
Tip: combine hotels strategically
1 night pre-cruise (cheap hotel, £90) + 1 night post-cruise (best hotel, £150) = good compromise fatigue + discovery. Budget = £1,730 in total (vs 2400 with 2N pre and 1N post).
Comparison: Our Packages by Boat
Here are some of our popular all-inclusive packages :
Budget Package: Amarco Nile Cruise
3-star boat, 150 passengers. Domestic flights in Egypt included + 2N Cairo + 5N cruise. November: £1,460/person. July: £920. Recommended for budget-conscious couples, young people.
Comfort Package: Sonesta St George
4-5 star boat, 200 passengers. Upper deck. Domestic flights in Egypt included + 2N Cairo + 5N cruise. October: £1,620/person. January: £2,460. Ideal couples 40+.
Luxury Package: Dahabiya Nuun
5 star boat, 20 passengers. Suites of 30-40 m2. Domestic flights in Egypt included + 2N Four Seasons + 5N dahabiya. December: £3,230/person. Honeymoon, 40th anniversary.
Advantages of Booking All Inclusive
- Price transparency: You know exactly what you are paying for. No surprises at the airport (+£380 visa, overbooked hotel).
- 24/7 English-speaking support: Our team will call you at the airport. You have a number to call 24/7 if you have a problem.
- Flexibility: You can change boat, dates, duration almost up to two weeks in advance (certain fees apply).
- Hotel-boat-flight synchronization: Transfers are coordinated. No risk of arriving at the boat after departure.
- Travel tips: We know which boats are best for couples vs. families vs. seniors.
- Best price guaranteed: We compare directly with the operators. We often offer you better or equal in Paris.
Find the ideal package for your budget and dates
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Frequently Asked Questions: All Inclusive
Are there any hidden fees in your “all-inclusive”?
No. Alcohol, tips, optional activities: we tell you before signing. The displayed price = final price (except travel insurance which we offer you in advance).
Are the pre and post hotels good?
Yes, 4-5 stars. Located near the pyramids or city center. Close to museums. You can request an upgrade for an additional fee.
Are domestic flights in Egypt included in your all-inclusive?
Yes, all your domestic flights in Egypt are organized and included by SEV: Cairo-Aswan, Aswan-Luxor, Cairo-Sharm el-Sheikh depending on your itinerary. Your flight to Egypt remains your responsibility - you book it as you prefer, and our team welcomes you at Cairo airport on your arrival.
Can you arrange a cruise longer than 5 nights?
Yes. 7 nights full (Cairo-Aswan). We add transfer nights and corresponding additional domestic flights. Price +15-20% vs 5 nights.
Can you accommodate a couples cruise only (no families)
Yes if you choose one dahabiya or high-end boat. Budget boats are often full of families.
Can I postpone my trip if I am sick?
Yes. With travel insurance. Without insurance, payment and cancellation terms are set out in your quote and agreed with you before any confirmation.
I want a dahabiya. Is it much more expensive with “all inclusive”?
Yes. The dahabiya cost 3000-£3,230 all inclusive (£1,540 just for the cruise). Ideal honeymoon, small budget couple. Ask our dahabiya packages
How to Book Your All-Inclusive
Step 1: Choose your dates and boat
September? January ? 5 days or 7 days? Tight budget or honeymoon? We offer you 3-4 boats with prices.
Step 2: Confirmation and deposit
You choose a package. You sign the detailed offer (with all the clear “included/excluded”).
Step 3: Final payment
6-8 weeks before: final payment. We send your tickets for domestic flights in Egypt, hotel vouchers, boat confirmation. Travel guide (PDF).
Step 4: Home
You arrive in Cairo. Our English-speaking guide awaits you at the airport with a sign. He accompanies you 24/7 during the trip.
Ready ? Request a quote for your all-inclusive
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Why Choose Sem Elegant Voyage For Your All Inclusive
Since 2015, we have organized more than 2,500 all-inclusive cruise holidays. Mainly French customers. We know every boat on the Nile. We have direct partnerships: no excessive margins. Support in French 24/7. If something goes wrong (canceled flight, overbooked hotel), our Cairo team intervenes immediately. You are never alone.
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