African Safari Club, M.S. Fleurette

Sorry, it's taken me a while to log in and write this... I stayed on the M/S Fleurette from 1st 'til 8th nov 2010...

It was the best week of my life!! The people I was with didn't appreciate as much as I did. Oh well I won't go with them again... I'm DEFINATELY going back, same boat and hopefully same room. Although the lower deck is the cheaper deck, I didn't care, partly 'cause I made a really good friend in room 102 and partly 'cause the doors were like the doors in "Titanic"... =]

The tours were great. we went in Novemeber which did have a lovely temperature, although I was cold a couple of days.. But that was just me =]

I'm 22 and didn't think I'd have many people to talk to, (when we weren't out on tours) the two I was with were 40 and 60 something, not family, just work aquaintances... I only joined them so I didn't have to go alone, although next time, as the staff were so lovely, I'd be quite happy to go alone!!

They advise you to drink plenty of water, I bought a 75cl at Gatwick airport, I still had a third of it left when I was packing my suitcase to go home... I don't drink a lot of water and I certainly didn't drink any extra, probably less, 'cause I wasn't drinking tea every 5 minutes!!

Ok the boat wasn't perfect. Some reviews I read before we went described it to be a lot worse than I experienced. Although, the plugs were a bit dodgy and you are allowed to take your own appliances. (They dont have to be tested by an egyptian electrician on the boat!!)

I'd love to carry on writing about how much I enjoyed the Fleurette but I'm now learning Arabic! So that when I go back I will be able to chat to the staff and say no thanks to the sellers...

I really can't wait to see everyone again, especially Ashraf the tour guide =] but hopefully it'll be a warmer month! (Hopefully in September)

The first impression was of an old ship, a little dog-eared. However we quickly realised that we were on a gem:

The organisation was very good - things happened when and as expected.

The crew were friendly, efficient and cheerful.

The food (choice, quality, quantity and service) was very good.

The rooms (ours at least) were comfortable and reasonably equipped.

The kitchen seemed to be modern - I saw the chef taking the temperature of food during serving, and he showed me the result - and as far as I know nobody got ill.

The (top) sun deck was half covered by an awning, so there was always shade, and there was a small but quite deep pool (which in December was not used much!)

For dining, we found a table on the first night and sat with the same group for the week (getting on well). It would pay to make friends with a few people while waiting for first dinner, though no doubt you could move if necessary.

The cabin steward make animal sculptures from towels on most days, which was an amusing touch. They were happy for us to take alcohol on board (unlike Princess Cruises) but quite reasonably expected us to purchase theirs at mealtimes.

There were things that could have been in better condition, and there was occasionally a bit of noise from the engines of adjacent boats when we were moored. The boat is billed as 5 star, but it certainly isn't as far as hotels would be rated. When leaving for excursions, it was normal to walk through other cruisers, because they moored side-by-side. Others were much more luxurious, but checking prices of a couple, they were also much more pricey while the Egypt that we saw was the same. Many people were on the ship for their second cruise, and at least two couples for their third, so my glowing opinion is obviously shared. The tour guides said that they preferred this ship because of the friendly atmosphere, and I can see why.

Have just returned from an excellent week on board Fleurette organised through African Safari club. Staff helpful and friendly and all tours were well run and really informative. Did many of the extra excursions, all of which were worth-while. The quad biking was very dusty, noisy and petrol-fumy, which was not very pleasant, but great fun anyway. On the negative side, the boat was a little tired, and our room was not well-cleaned. Food was sometimes very good and at others was unimaginative and predictable. Unfortunately we were served three bottles of white wine which were corked, and the head waiter made us feel as though it was our fault, and there was no apology. Could have been handled so much better. Also, booze on board was very expensive and no liquid on board was included, not even drinking water.

My friend and I had a fabulous time on the M/S Fluerette with African Safari Club. The cuise was very well organised, the scenery was stunning, and the food was safe, delicious and varied. The staff were all extremely pleasant and the standard of cleanliness was great. The cabin was cleaned and prepared twice a day and the daily towel sculptures in ours were amazing. Our guide, Ayman was informative, clever and funny. Nothing was too much trouble and he prepared us for the extreme heat and the extreme haggling and hassling from the vendors out on the streets. We paid for extra excursions which were fabulous and good value, especially the day in Cairo but the 10 free ones were amazingly good too including Karnak Termple and the Valley of the Kings. The flights and transfers were easy and organised. We travelled on a very comfortable air conditioned bus to and from the excursions, usually early in the morning which was the best time to see everything before the heat and the crowds arrived. We were back on board by lunchtime and rested in the afternoons as we gently glided down the Nile...Bliss! We flew from Gatwick to Luxor. We paid £399 ALL INCLUSIVE for the week (yes flights too!)The only extras were our drinks on board, £15 for the Egyptian Visa and £15 for gratuities for the staff the ship. This was clearly stated when we booked. There really were no hidden extras. I am still reeling at what we got for our money. If I had paid double that, we would have got value for money. Thank you African Safari Club!

what a dated old boat in desperate need of refurbishing,bedrooms very small with no drawer space lived out of suitcase ,air con did not work in bedroom and very little on rest of boat, fridge in room not working,also had 2 put a coffee jar up against the adapter plug which did not fit properly in the socket,when reported they did not want to no and did nothing about it ,food was pretty much the same all week with not much variety,spent most of the week drinking warm water as all drinks were not cold,swimming pool very small but clean and refreshing.only place on board to cool down in 50+ heat,entertaintment two nights only due to early starts but could of had more finishing before midnight,also beware after paying bill on last night then having to pay in cash for drinks they dont have or like giving you change,compared to other motor ships on the river this is by far the worst wish we had gone on the davinci so much better ,my advice stay well clear of this old tug boat !!!

I went on the cruise with four friends went on the MS Fleurette on 10 May for 1 week's cruise down the Nile. The cruise was wonderful, the staff very helpful, the free trips were great and the guide was both well informed and humerous giving us the information we wanted without overload. The rooms were comfortable and clean and of a size where 2 ladies had enough room to change at the same time! Altogether we had a wonderful time due in a large part to the staff and I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone (in fact I have been telling all my friends). One tip if you're going, the exchange rate is better on the boat than in England so change your money in Egypt not England.

When I came home I was determined to leave feedback on the holiday we took through African Safari Tours this february 2010 - on reading other people's reviews - its all been said!! What a wonderful holiday we had on the Fleurette, undoubtedly my best holiday ever. I want to personally thank the Catering and Housekeeping staff, the organisers African Safari Tours and the wonderful Egyptian people for their hospitality, friendliness, excellent food, care and companionship. WE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. Thank you again.

we have just returned from the best holiday ever. Our guide Mohammed really knew his stuff and his passion and enthusiasm were contagious. The food was lovley (i need to diet now) and the staff friendly and helpfull. If you get the chance do the camel ride it was so much fun and the owner invited us in to see their home it was a fantastic end to a wonderful holiday, we would have stayed and done it all again if we could but work beconed. The only thing we would have done different is changed our currancy over there as we could have got a better exchange rate and the boat was happy to accept sterling.

Just returned from a brilliant Nile cruise on MS Fleurette with African Safari. So the booze on board was expensive and the A/C was only on or off but the staff were super and we chilled. We were 'Templed out' after the 6th so did not do the early a.m. to Abu Simbel. The tour guides have so much information to impart. We didn't bother with the Felucca as we used to sail in lumpy water but someone drowned recently when one capsized. We had a very good late deal but there was not a drinks package available and we spent £250 plus for 2 moderate dinkers (and a litre of duty free rum). We would do it again but there are so many other places to visit.

The most interesting and best run holiday I have ever enjoyed. The organisation was excellent; food,delicious; cabins adequate; facilities very good; guides - Ronny was superb, could not be bettered: Thoroughly recommended. Trohble was taken to ensure that the food was washed only in mineral water. There was no tummy trouble at all. Spotlessly clean and a very happy crew. Thank you all very much. I hope we meet again. Marian