written by on 26/06/2010
We booked this boat as a 5 Star Superior Deluxe,having already been on a nile cruise and thoroughly enjoyed it.We were 2 of only 6 Brits the rest being Italians.The ship ,food etc is geared to the Italian market(lots of pasta )We bought our own Visas on arrival in Luxor airport easily as this is the first opportunity for someone to charge you over the odds if your rep does it for you.Onboard we were drip fed information about the itinery,excursions .We felt our guide aladdin did the bare minimum as there were only 6 potential tips .The food was dull, repetative and often seemed to run out.Apart from at breakfast, you had to buy all beverages including water at meal times,cheapest bottle of wine being 17BGP.No umbrellas over sunbeds.The week was like boot camp.Glad to be home
written by NICKYBITS on 19/05/2010
Beware of the ships rep who meets you at the airport. It is very simple to obtain a Visa for just £10.00 at one of the many banks at luxor airport before you go through immigration. The rep will charge you £15.00 !!! Cleanliness of boat was very good. We booked a double room but got a twin! asked to be far away from disco but our room was underneath !. Reception Staff had totally ignored our accomodation voucher from Sunway Travel. Make sure you are not at the back of the boat as you wake up to diesel fumes everyday. The food was adequate. Good variety but very bland. This holiday was meant to be all inclusive but you have to pay for all soft drinks,tea,coffee, water etc.outside breakfast and afternoon tea. NO drinks supplied at lunch or dinner unless you pay for it. This includes water. Beware of ice cubes ! they are NOT made from mineral water. Try and get off boat in a couple of ports and buy your own water. Check the water bottles are sealed. My advice is to bring a small kettle, long life milk and your own tea bags. Alcohol is double the price and poor quality. Wine was drinkable though. Sneek on a bottle in the handbag ! Allow the staff 2 only have your passport for a few minutes so that they can photocopy them. Insist on having it back. They will try and keep it all week (probably to make sure you pay your bar bill!) this must be pointed out to them that they have no legal right to keep it and insist on it being given back to you. There is a safe in the cabin wardrobe. Beware most trips are very early starts. Good idea due to the weather and crowd volume. The guide Alladin is worth his weight in gold. He is a fun guy, very knowledgeable, trustworthy kind and considerate. You will want to bring him home with you! He arranges an additional tour to the NUBI Village on a small boat, with camelride, swim and you get a caneing in school !!!! fab tour,(extra dosh but worth it please go). When you give him his tip (and he is worth it ) at the end of the week give it to him personally. Do not leave at reception. Because:- 1. will he actually be given it? and, 2. I saw reception opening an envelope of money left at reception for Aladdin who took a tenner out and re-sealed it.Handy viewing from staircase overlooking the reception desk for customers !!!!!!
The Miss Egypt has an annoying wake up call phone but the reception staff understand ALL interpretations of 'GO AWAY' !!!! Entertainmant was adequate but when you have to be up at 5-6a.m. for trips then who cares ? The beds are quite comfortable. The chamber staff sometime leave a suprise on your bed in the evening !! ??.
Make sure you take lots of U.S. one dollar bills and the smallest of egyptian currency notes as possible. The locals will not give you change ! and it is frustrating if you want to tip but have nothing smaller than a !100 egypt pound note.Locals do not like English coins. Always keep a running total of the bar bills on board you sign for as they do not give receipts.
Staff are very good at recognising a travellers birthday and promtly parade you and your table guests to a dance area where the chefs play drums, sing and get you dancing. ! Very entertaining and the birthday cakes are delightful.
Swimming pool is lovely and very clean. Bar staff are always at hand for drinks. Afternoon tea and bickies is very dainty served on the sundeck but dont ask for coffee. You will have to pay !!!
Very annoying when in port as you are alondside about 6-8 other boats. No view from window and very noisey at night.
written by on 25/10/2009
Receptionist difficult did not want to deal with problem of air condition not working without making us feel we were difficult. The boat in general was clean and tidy not 5* in our opinion more 3 *, food cold more often than not, all drinks very expensive. No real entertainment apart from a coctail party of orange juice and the the offer of very expensive coctail, one type on offer only. The tipping is gauged by the guides who tell you how much to tip regardless of your view (250 LE), have to put yoour room number on envelope to ensured you have paid. The stacking of the boats most nights ensures no view of the Nile from the balconly but the side of another boat. Fumes for contant running engines on sun deck overwelming. We would not go again. Trips rushed, crowded and again tipping for everyone and everything.
written by gemfish on 18/03/2007
Not a bad experience but I would not consider another Nile Cruise, based on this holiday. The boats are docked in port sometimes four abreast, which of course means the only view from your window, when not sailing, is of another ships window. The diesel fumes from all the boats, when docked together, were at times unpleasant.
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Mimir's Response to NICKYBITS 's Review
Written on: 03/05/2011
I found this review very helpful because it miics my own thoughts having just returned from the trip myself.