Most cabins on standard and higher-end Nile cruise ships are compact but comfortable — closer to a mid-range hotel room than a cramped berth — with a private bathroom, air conditioning, and usually a window or, on many ships, a small balcony facing the river.
How cabin categories differ
Higher cabin categories and suites offer more space and sometimes a larger private balcony, while standard cabins are smaller but still fully equipped. A dahabiya's cabins tend to be simpler and more modest in size than a larger ship's — see What's the Difference Between a Nile Cruise and a Dahabiya? for the full comparison.
Noise and cabin location
Noise from the ship's engine is generally minimal in cabins away from the engine room, and most ships are quiet enough overnight that it isn't a common complaint. Cabin location relative to public decks and the engine room is worth asking about directly if a fully quiet night matters to you.