which Nile boat?
 

So many cruise boats...where do I start? I have been told to try to get on a boat that either has its own mooring or has a configuration that means no other boat can moor alongside it. I believe this is to stop the view from the cabin being obstructed or having to cross through other boats to get on or off your own boat. Any guidance would be great. Also should I book the tour in country or here (Australia) before we leave?

As an Aussie, I like the comfort of dealing with somebody reputable at home, who I know will be easily accountable if need be. I know others in this forum are aware of and use equally reputable and reliable people in their country or countries of destination. But I prefer my trips to be in a single package, to come from a one-stop shop so to speak...from take-off at home to touch-down back home. It minimises organisational worries at all stages of the journey. No reason why you can't try marrying advice you get in this forum about which cruise boats you should try for, with the advice of an Africa specialist in Australia (not somebody you might class as a general travel agent). Mine for the past 10 years has been African Wildlife Safaris, in South Melbourne. They have Nile cruises in their portfolio.

John

I heard from a friend that the Oberoi Philae boat is very good - I believe it is an all balcony boat.

The A&K boat has it's own mooring at Luxor, as do the Sonesta boats. Believe, so too do the Oberoi. Movenpick boats, dock at their own island - Crocodile Island - where they have their resort (this is the boat we cruised on; then the Movenpick I, believe they now have Movenpick II).

At Esna, we woke after night docking at the bulkhead, with a number of boats tied up to us. No problem as they docked in the dark, so nothing to see. We toured Esna and they left without any obstruction.

In Aswan, we were at the bulkhead. But know that along the Nile, the boats are given specific times for docking and then departing; no control on this, but as the powers who be establish the schedule.

It's apparent that the higher prices boats have the priviledge of better mooring sites.

Your TA will have to do some research.

thank you all for you help, the more I look into organising this trip the more confused I become but at the end of the day I'm sure that whatever I end up seeing and doing it will be great

If you decide to use the A & K boat, try

http://www.akegypt.com/

This is an egyptian owned company and it is the company that would execute your Egyptian tour if you use the very high priced A & K. We used them to book our hotels, air, & transfers (no guides or touring). We got excellent discounted rates on the hotels. Email to Mina Habishi. Mina was excellent and very reliable and trustworthy. I wish I could use her for all my travels.