Contiki

For a list of Nile cruises operated by Contiki, click

The emphasis is on fun and value for Contiki Nile cruises. This company specializes in providing travel experiences for budget-conscious travelers ages 18 to 35. The company was started by a young New Zealander named John Anderson who arrived in Europe in 1961 with no companions and very little money. He acquired a minibus, gathered a group of travelers and spent 12 weeks exploring the continent. The informal tour was a hit, and three years later Anderson founded Contiki.

For most tours, Contiki uses motorcoaches that carry 25 to 50 people. On some itineraries, smaller mini-coaches or four-wheel-drive vehicles are used, carrying about eight to 20 passengers. The company sells its tours in more than 35 countries, and it is not unusual to have participants of six to 15 different nationalities on any one tour.

Contiki is especially appealing to singles -- nearly half its guests are traveling on their own. The company will set single travelers up with a roommate of the same sex at no extra cost, thus avoiding the single supplement.