Egypt Cruises?
 

I'm looking at booking an Egyptian cruise for 2007 and was wondering if anyone has had any experiences or can recommend any cruiselines for me to look into.

Thanks.

I was on a wonderful cruise on the Nile in 1999. It was something I will never forget. I was actually there for a month, the cruise was only 4 or five days, but it was spectacular. We departed from Aswan and sailed up to Luxor. I highly recommend Egypt to anyone, but there are lots of practicalities to plan for. You will find that learning a bit of Arabic will really endear you to the people. I will look up the name of the cruise ship that I was on. Egypt will blow you away completely, and nothing you have seen on TV will prepare you for the magnificent things you will see. It is not a trip it is a life changing event, at least for me it was.

I dug up this photo to inspire you.

http://static.flickr.com/39/102844422_15f493ff42_b.jpg

The ship was the OBEROI SHEHRAYAR. more info if you ask for it...

http://static.flickr.com/28/103161348_eb64579aff_o.jpg

The view from our stateroom:

http://static.flickr.com/27/103161349_1c87782cba_o.jpg

Sunbathing on the deck:

http://static.flickr.com/34/103161353_d48495cc28_o.jpg

sorry for the picture quality- they are scanned in, it was way before I got my digital!

Thanks ... looks relaxing ...... http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/cool.png

Google shows this (although the info for this vessel seems to be for 2004; if you click on "Other Nile Cruises" at the left side of the page some of those links show rates / cruises for 2006): http://www.safariegypt.com/egypt_nil..._shehrayar.htm

Oberoi Shehrayar Nile Cruise

Oberoi Shehrayar Nile cruise as her sister ship Oberoi Shehrazad is an elegant Nile Cruise with only 38 cabins and two suites, owned by Oberoi Egypt Nile cruises, the Shehrayar 9 standard cabins have private bathrooms with shower, air-conditioning, telephone, mini-bar, television and safe deposit box, only twin beds are available in standard rooms .The 29 deluxe cabins got either King size bed or twin and two private bathrooms with shower (approx. 23 square meters) while the two suites are both nearly 30 square meters.

The Oberoi Shehrayar restaurant where all meals are served, give a beautiful view of the Nile and offer a variety of Continental and Oriental cuisine for the discerning traveler.

The stylish lounge is the place for a drink and relaxation, and the open deck is perfect during the day with its pool, and from the evening the best place to watch the night sky with its magical stars over the Nile.

The Shehrayar Oberoi Nile cruise has a special gym for fitness, various gymnastic equipment are available, as games, a multilingual library, audiovisual equipment and billiard.

Luxurious coaches with air condition and knowledgeable Egyptologists make sightseeing both comfortable and rewarding.

Top end cruise is often a major cost of a tour to Egypt, and we believe anyone going on a cruise deserves to get the best possible information up front. It's part of our level of service, so enjoy the large photos from the ship. It's a recommended way to choose the best cruise according to own preferences.

Oberoi Shehrayar Nile cruise sail 4 nights & 7 nights cruise trip starting in Aswan and 3 nights /4 days & 7 nights/8 days cruise trip starting in Luxor.

English guide is Available on board.

The Oberoi Nile cruise is based on Full board.

Check this one out ... the site says it's set to start sailing the Nile in February 2006 ...

The Nostalgic Nile - cruise the River Nile in the leisurely style of yesteryear.

http://www.cruisingholidays.co.uk/wriver.aspx?hid=6205

http://asp.bluewaterholidays.co.uk/i...6205/zahra.jpg

Dahabiyyas were popular amongst those who wished to enjoy Egypt at a leisurely pace,
to drink in the landscapes, and peruse the monuments and villages on the riverbanks.

We intend to revive those elegant days, but with modern comforts and conveniences.


http://asp.bluewaterholidays.co.uk/i...upper-deck.jpg

The new dahabiyya – the Zahra (flower) – is currently being completed
with an inaugural sailing in February 2006.

The Zahra is exclusive to us and our partners Bales Worldwide, and you will
not find anything similar offered by any other tour operator in the United Kingdom.

Join us on an idyllic, tranquil journey on a sailboat fit for a king!

Wow, that looks amazing. Must cost a fortune compared to the other cruise ships like the one I took, but it's probably well worth it!
However, the Shehrayar was more than adequate, I promise. The food was great,each day there is a visit to archeological sites accompanied by extremely knowledgable Egyptologists, and staterooms that were very comfortable with large windows. Anyone with an interest in architecture, or the Ancients, must visit Egypt once in their lifetime.

Basically costs a couple of arms and a leg, but for a once-in-a-lifetime cruise -- if you could afford it -- it would definitely be worth it.

Out of curiosity, yesterday I sent in for info. Here is what I got back this morning -- for a 14 day cruise in April 2006:
This cruise costs 2395 UK pounds per person sharing an outside twin cabin.
There is also an 89 UK pound per person departure tax to pay on the above.
Single Supplement: 1080 UK pounds

This price includes:
Scheduled direct flights, including U.K. Airport Passenger Duty and Passenger Service Charge
Private transfers direct from the airport to your hotel and sailboat
The services of our local representative in Cairo to help you with optional sightseeing
Experienced English-speaking guide on the Zahra, exclusive to your group
Sightseeing as detailed, including entrance fees
Modern first class hotels.
Exclusive 'dahabiyya'
11 full breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners.
Wine, beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee are included in the price

http://static.flickr.com/36/103442954_2c6c387f12_b.jpg

that's me facing the camera. One block of stone was several times my size, and the overall scale made it feel more like standing at the foot of a mountain than the bottom of a man-made structure.

Here's some more info on the Nostalgic Nile tour aboard the Zahra, including itinerary details: http://www.balesworldwide.com/Holida...1001?More=More

Lofter1, that was so awesome of you to get some prices. I have been contemplating a return.

On the website, the itinerary is to stay at the Mena Oberoi while in Cairo. That's where I stayed. It was very beautiful and first rate. Here is a pic from the pool area. The pyramid complex is a short walk away, but not so close as this photo may suggest:

http://static.flickr.com/31/103476414_fbf54267f2_b.jpg

Wow, thanks! Next year is a "big" birthday for me and a "big" birthday for my partner. I want to do something spectacular.

This is on the shortlist, but I know nothing about the the cruise lines other than that Abercrombie & Kent seemed to be the top-of-the-line.

If you want to mark this meaningful milestone together, I can think of no better way than a trip to timeless Egypt.

I've been to Egypt a couple of times now.

Last time I went was in 2001 with A&K. I purposely chose their boat for 2 reasons. First A&K has the best guides for the shore excursions. They got us into certain tombs and sites that are often off limits and are far more interesting and spectacular than those that the hoards often visit. A little baksheesh goes a long way. The second reason was their advanced water system. "Tourista" is a serious issue in Egypt. Their cruise also included the round trip air fare from Aswan and tour of Abu Simbel. Its only a 10 minute flight but still its nice to have it all arranged and included.

My itinerary which I highly recommend.

3 night Cairo staying in Giza at the Mena House. Cairo is a nightmare to get around. Staying out on the Giza side allows easy access to the Pyramids as well as Saqqara. If you're interested, while in Saqqara you should check out a particular noble's tomb. It unusual in that two men are buried there rather than husband and wife. If you're interested in details let me know. Save the Egyptian museum and Islamic sites for after the cruise.

Flew then to Luxor 1 day before the cruise ship embarked and stayed at the Winter Palace. Luxor's corniche (the street along the Nile) is very charming after the chaos of Cairo.

Did the A&K cruise from Luxor to Aswan including Abu Simbel. Simply terrific in every way.

Flew back to Cairo and stayed 2 more days at the Marriott downtown which gives much easier access to the Egyptian Museum, the market, and the Islamic sites than if you stayed out in Giza.

If you want any more specifics just ask.