Nile River Cruise Reviews

First the added benefit of touring Egypt right now is that it was safe, friendly, welcoming and almost no tourists!

 A recent trip aboard the Swiss Inn Radamis II from Aswan to Luxor was quite the unexpected pleasure. The staff was most gracious and friendly, the food was exceptional and the day tours were a very pleasant surprise! The ship supplied our day tours with a trained Egyptologist from Cairo university, Hassan. He showed us several near perfect sites from the Ptolemeic period as well as Luxor, Karnak, tomb of Hatsepshut and the Valley of the Kings. We were enlightened not only about Egyptian religion but how certain aspects of it have woven into the fabric of Judeo-Christian and Islamic religion. Even though I have a good knowledge of history, explanations of the Gods and the art were beyond anything I learned or have seen on our US Cable channels. My personal opinion after our tours was that Zahi Hawass might have done well to collaborate with this extremely knowledgeable and interesting professor.

My friend that I traveled with and I were quite impressed with the level of service and attention provided by Swiss Inn on the Radimis II and would thoroughly recommend it to any traveler who might enjoy history combined with some elegant pampering.

Here is our feedback from our River Nile Spring Cruise
The Bales representatives were excellent. They took care of us from the first step in Cairo till the last one and they gave us all the information we needed.
* The hotel accommodation was perfect; the Mena House Oberoi Hotel on arrival and Redisson Blu on departure.
* The dahabiyya Zahra was not as new as we had expected from the description on the website, but very clean and really nostalgic.
* The crew were very friendly. They did their best to meet all our wishes and more.
* The programme was very well prepared and not too demanding or rushed.
* Our group were very nice people indeed.
* Our guides Omar in Cairo who looked after us attentively both days and Nader on the Dahabiyya who was perfect during the excursions.

We really enjoyed our Nostalgic Nile trip with Blue Water Holidays and have already recommended it to our friends. Since the first contact with the Blue Water Holidays cruising team until the last one they were a pleasure to deal with.

After leaving a snow bound and freezing cold Britain it was a delight to land in Luxor with early evening temperatures of about 70 degrees. We were transferred directly to the cruise ship the Ra I and my Classic River Nile cruise adventure began.

My cabin - on the top deck - looked out over the Nile and moored nearby were some other cruise ships and smaller craft creating a real atmosphere of "something good to come". We dined at about eight and I was pleasantly surprised by the choice and quality of the food - it was delicious!

After an early night we were up early and taken through the morning sunshine to The Valley of the Kings - although it was early there were plenty of visitors about and we queued to enter some of the tombs - but the wait was short and worthwhile. Later that day we visited the tomb of Queen Hapsetchut and then went back to the ship for lunch - again delicious. We then set sail - what a delightful experience. I was unclear as to really what to expect but we could hardly feel the boat moving and it was a pleasure to watch the communities along the Nile pass by.

Over the next few days we visited more temples and visitor attractions including the Aswan High Dam and the local market. The excursions were delightful and well worth the cost as we were accompanied by a very knowledgeable Egyptologist who really knew his stuff.

On our return to Luxor the highlight of the trip was a visit to Karnak and Luxor temples - absolutely incredible!!! It is worth visiting Egypt just to see these two. What made it more incredible is that slowly the Egyptian Government is removing buildings between the two temples and uncovering a three mile long Sphinx avenue that has been covered for hundreds of years - truly amazing!

On the final day we took the opportunity and visited Howard Carters home on the East Bank of the Nile near the Valley of the Kings. Howard Carter was the archaeologist who discovered Tutankhamuns tomb - his home is now open as a museum and is well worth the visit.

All in all this was an amazing and delightful trip - the tombs and temples are amazing, the actual experience of cruising down the Nile whilst having a drink in 80 degree sunshine was fabulous but above all else the warmth and hospitality of the ships crew and the Egyptian people left me a very happy and satisfied traveller!

I wanted to tell you how delighted We all are with the marvellous holiday that We have just had on the Nile Cruise with Classic Traveller.

The standard of the accommodation, the quality of the meals, the friendliness of staff and the professionalism of the tour guides were first class. I would certainly recommend this tour to anyone looking looking to travel down the Nile/Lake Nasser.

Also I should like to thank all at Blue Water and Classic Traveller for the trouble-free manner and efficiency with which the whole tour was organised.

I have been asked by all our party to make a special mention of one particular Tour Guide/Egyptologist who looked after us on MS Prince Abbas on the Lake Nasser part of our cruise. He is Emad Aiad SOBHY - A very personable intelligent young man with boundless energy. Nothing appeared to be too much trouble. He assured that everything onboard ship ran smoothly for us and organised the excursions on shore in an informative and interesting way supplemented with Maps, Plans and illustrated commentaries that he had prepared himself each previous evening. He truly brought our visits to life and really got us as enthusiastic as himself for Egyptian history and culture - not always the easiest of subjects. We counted ourselves very fortunate to have his services and I would ask you therefore to pass on our personal thanks to Classic Traveller and Eastmar Travel in Luxor - He is a credit to their company.
Well Done Blue Water!
Well Done Classic Traveller!
Well Done Emad!

We have just returned from a fabulous holiday in Egypt - 3 nights in Cairo at the lovely Mena House - the Indian restaurant is not to be missed.

We joined the Nesma at Aswan and were extremely lucky to have the dahabiyya just for the four of us which made it even more special. The crew looked after us very well- very friendly and helpful but not intrusive. Meals and service excellent, cabins well maintained. Our guide Kalifa was a fountain of knowledge and his English was first class. The holiday was an ideal mix of culture and relaxation. We did our tours early to avoid the heat of the day and because the boat  could moor away from the main body of tourist boats we visited the sites early before they became too crowded. The time spent on the boat was highly relaxing so we returned home feeling rested but having experienced the wonders of Egypt.

In our opinion the only way to see the River Nile!

Having just returned from 8 days on the Nile with the Classic Nile cruise it is worth telling of my experience.

We were met at the airport by representatives of the tour company who got us onto the bus and to our ship MS Ra 2, on the ship we met with our tour guide and Egyptologist who immediatly made us feel comfortable.

Each night the itinerary for the next day was published on the notice board and the guide was always on time. Our guide, Omar, was very knowledgable and always delivered his information and anecdotes with enthusiasm. He has a marvelous sense of humour and really made the whole adventure worthwhile.

The boat was well presented and clean, the crew always had a smile and were ready to help. The food was great and the variety was sensational,  different choices every day. If an early start was required you would always get a wake up call and packed breakfast if it was too early for the dining room, plus a thermos of hot water for a drink.

There was entertainment avalable most nights after dinner and every body was made welcome. The fancy dress party being a highlight.

Every Temple and historical site was awe inspiring and our guide made each venue come alive. He even had us play acting a scene from the images off the temple walls.

One tip I would suggest is that because tipping is a way of life in Egypt take lots of small coins, even pence or Euro cents, for all the occasions that will arise, where yo have to tip.

In conclusion this was a first time cruise for me  and it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip that  I have no hesistation in recommending.

We have just returned from our holiday in which we stayed in Cairo for 3 nights and cruising the nile for 4 nights and 3 nights in Aswan, This was just the most wonderful holiday ever, we enjoyed every minute of it, Our Egyptologist, Omar was just most fantastic character he made the holiday all the more special his enthusiasum was amazing and he was so funny, the accomodation on the boat was great, and the cleaners made animals and characters from our towels each day which was amusing.  All the staff in the hotels and on the boat could not have been more attentive, the Egptions are some of the most friendly people.

The overall holiday was just perfect, very tiring but totally worth it

thank you so much

Our holiday package entailed the 'Pyramids, Aswan & 5-Star River Nile Cruise' tour. Being a first-time cruiser (and not really blessed with 'sea legs') I needn't haven't worried- this tailor-made holiday was worth every one of its' 5-stars and was excellent value for money.

Regarding our cruise ship (the RA II) for our four nights at sea: luxury, brilliantly organised, efficient service and a friendly, first-class crew are the best words to describe it.

The facilities on board ensured we had a great balance between leisure time and tourist-y activities; these included a spacious sun deck, dvd and library area, and even a treadmill! (to counteract the effects of all the gorgeous food). As a vegetarian I felt extremely well catered for, the variety of international cuisine on offer each night was fantastic.

Our cabin (on the lower deck) was spotless and very spacious; the 'moving views' of the Nile every morning from our mini-balcony were incredible, and I'd actually recommend the holiday for this experience alone!

Evening entertainment included a bingo night (with an egyptian-style twist- you have to see it to believe it), a belly dancer caberet-style night, and a disco night where everyone dresses up in authentic egyptian dress, which is great fun.

Away from the ship, I would definately recommend booking the optional excursion package, as it's the best way of seeing the most famous sights and covers so much in just a few days. These included the temples of Luxor, Dendera, Karnak, Edfu, Phillae and Hatshepsut, as well as tours to the Valley of the Kings, the High Dam at Aswan and loads more in between.

As we had planned to spend some time in Cairo, our overnight train from Aswan was booked and so unfortunately we missed out on going to Kom Ombo and Abu Simbel (which are also both optional), however the highlights of the north (namely the pyramids and the sphinx) made up for this- just a bit!

Movenpick resort in Giza, Cairo was a lovely place to stay and a great base from which to see the sights. I would highly recommend going to see the Sound & Light show at the pyramids at night, and of course the Egyptian museum is a must-see.

One word of warning: avoid Cairo taxis like the plague, if at all possible! The traffic system over there (or rather lack of) makes Spaghetti Junction look like a mini-roundabout....

Overall, I have nothing but great things to say about my first holiday to Egypt- it was every bit as good as I'd hoped and I wouldn't hesitate to recommmend this particular itinerary, or the company, who were incredibly friendly and knowledgable throughout the whole booking process. You do need stamina to get the most from a holiday like this, and staying hydrated/keeping cool are obviously a big part of the key. Buy a big hat, take lots of photos and ENJOY!!

We had an excellent time and this was a great way to explore many of the ancient sights of Egypt. There were a couple of negatives, most of which was beyond the control of the reps, which I'll detail below. But first the positives:

 The RAII was an excellent boat. One of the major plus points was being able to open the windows in our cabin and the step-on balcony. We noticed that many other boats have sealed windows.

 The food was of a high standard. Meals were buffet style with plenty of choices to suit most tastes, and the selection varied from day to day.

 The staff on the RAII were really helpful and friendly, and the coach drivers employed by local reps Eastmar for the excursions were also very good. 

 The guide we had on our cruise (Salah) was excellent - very informative and knowledgeable. When the scheduled permitted, he tried to take us to sights at times to avoid the biggest crowds and also within the temples showed us some features excluded by other guides.

 We stuck to using bottled water all the time and never suffered from Pharoe's Curse.

  The guide we had in Cairo was also very good - though it was a bit like being at school again as she tested us on what we had been told on the cruise!

 In Cairo we stayed at the Movenpick Pyramids Resort, which was excellent. 

 As well as the included excursions, we did most of the extras. We'd particularly recommend:

1. Abu Simbel. These were the most spectacular temples - but see the comment below about getting there!

2. Hot air balloon ride at Luxor. Stunning and amazing - our first time in a balloon. Had to get up early to see the sun rise over the Nile but it was well worth it.

3. The Sound and Light show at the Pyramids and Sphinx in Giza. It's a bit cheesy but well worth it for the chance to see the Pyramids and Sphinx lit up in different colours and also lasers. I just wish peopled realised that there's no point in using flash to take photos! 

Now the not so good bits: 

1. The Sound and Light show at Karnak Temple was disappointing. I've heard that the one at Philea Temple is much better so probably worth trying that one instead.

2. Abu Simbel. We chose to go by air and our flight was delayed so we only got an hour at the most spectacular temples we saw. To be fair, those that went on an earlier flight got 2 hours but those that opted for the coach journey got 3 hours at the temples. If things go wrong, the coach is more flexible so I'd recommend that option. It's a 3 hour journey each way but the coaches are comfortable and it's better than sitting around airports!

3. Transfer to Cairo by sleeper train. Although leaving Luxor on time the train arrived in Cairo 2 hours late which meant that we missed the chance of the optional excursion that morning. As the train is old, noisy and jerky, we found it difficult to sleep despite the cabin itself being OK. Would recommend flying and getting an extra night at the hotel in Cairo.

 Having said all that, overall it was an excellent holiday and I would highly recommend it as an excellent way to see the ancient monuments of Egypt. 

Our guide, Mr. Tamer Atallah, is a friendly, intelligent and knowledgeable man who I cannot recommend highly enough. He was willing to chat for long periods about Egypt, ancient and modern. I have more insight into the country than I thought I could gain from one holiday.

We were disappointed when we arrived at the Movenpick Heliopolis hotel at the airport for our final night, due to intrusive noise from drilling and a loud party outside the supposedly sound-proof windows. The service in the poolside restaurant was slow and indifferent. The Chinese restaurant was excellent however. Given our choice, even if there was a supplementary charge, we would have gone back to the Mena House Oberoi for our final night.

Overall an excellent holiday which we wish could have gone on for much, much longer, Thank you.

Outward flight:
Had read bad reviews of Monarch Air but we were given seats in the Premium class section of the aircraft and Monarch Plus service. A far from unpleasant experience.

Nile Cruise:
We very much enjoyed our 4 nights on Ra II.  The atmosphere on the ship was good and the service excellent.  Food was not great but certainly nothing to complain about, and plenty of it.  Because the buffets were arranged on a peninsula down the middle of the restaurant there was never a bottleneck.  The excursion schedule was extremely hectic some days, but this was not surprising given the number of relic sites to be seen - but you do need some stamina in the heat (even at this time of year).  The Egyptologist was a good communicator and didn't overload the history.  On-board entertainment is minimal, but not a problem in view of the excursion schedule.

Transfer from Aswan to Abu Simbel:
Very well organised.

Lake Nasser Cruise (MS Prince Abbas):
We were fortunate to be upgraded to a suite which was a big bonus.  A much gentler cruise than on the Nile, as there is less to see, and it is, therefore, more relaxing.  That said, there is not much to do on board other than to relax and take meals.  Plenty of choice of food but, overall, quality was inferior to RA II.  Buffet arrangement resulted in congestion throughout mealtimes.  Atmosphere generated by crew was less friendly than on Ra.  Egyptologist was a nice guy and very obliging, but did tend to overload us with facts, so that one found that ultimately one was listening but not really hearing.

Transfer from Aswan to Luxor:
Again, very well organised.  We had feared that we would be holed up in Luxor Airport for about six hours but, in fact, were taken back to Ra II to use the ship's facilities and have lunch before returning to the airport.

Inward Flight:
Disappointing as, this time, we were not in the Premium class section (although still receiving Monarch Plus service), and one of our seats, which one would normally expect to be a window seat, actually had no window and was very claustrophobic.  My friend said she had never travelled in such an unpleasant seat in all her extensive experience.

Ancilliary Comments:
My friend would have liked to have had the opportunity to shop at some of the stalls and shops that we encountered during the course of the holiday, but we were always hastened past such places to avoid hassle and delays to the busy schedule.  It didn't bother me, but some people do like the opportunity to shop for bargains on holiday.
The wonders of Egypt certainly do have to be seen to be believed, and this holiday is definitely to be recommended.  However, you will probably be 'templed-out' by the end of it!

This was our first ever cruise and we both enjoyed it very much.  There was such a lot to do, almost too much, that there was never time to get bored.  We went to Cairo first and then flew to Luxor to board the Ra II - other members of our party took the train (only to be recommended if you want an experience)

The boat was excellent and we really appreciated the balcony in our cabin, not very common on the other boats we saw.  Food was very good (the tomatoes were the best I have ever tasted) and the staff all friendly.

Most of the tours (and there are a lot) were very informative and well organised.  Highly recommended.

We had a fantastic week in Egypt and cruising down the Nile was definitely a great way to see some of spectacular scenery.

The morning flight from Gatwick to Luxor took approximately 5 hours. I was met by a representative from Eastmar travel on arrival at Luxor airport, who was very attentive and polite .I had arranged my Visa before travelling and the rep had it ready upon arrival to stick in my passport, which meant unlike some of the other passengers on our cruise, I could sail through immigration without queuing!  We were then transferred by coach to the ship.

I had been informed about two weeks prior to my trip that I was being upgraded from the Ra I to the Ra II, where my cabin was spacious and the patio doors and step on balcony meant I could take full advantage of the views. The ship itself was comfortable and had a nice sun deck area. The food on the ship was good, very well prepared, and presented in a nice buffet style, with plenty of choice varying each day. The staff onboard were also very helpful and attentive.

I had decided to pre-book the optional excursion package, which ensured I got to see all the things I had wanted, including the Pyramids at Giza. The tours meant a lot of early starts and were quite tiring, although well worth it. I also took the Abu Simble excursion, which meant I got to see some of the most spectular temples in Egypt. Our guide was fantastic, extremely informative, knowledgeable and thorough.

On the fifth day I took the sleeper train option to travel from Aswan to Cairo, just for the experience! It was basic and the facilities onboard were shared with ten other cabins. I don't recommend the train if you have problems sleeping, as the movement and noise could keep you awake! On reflection, I would maybe have taken the flight option and enjoyed an extra evening in Cairo.

The end of my holiday was spent in the Movenpick Pyramids Hotel in Giza, where there was plenty of facilities and the rooms were well furnished.

All in all, a brilliant experience, but just be aware that although temperatures in Egypt in December are still quite high during the day, it can get extremely cold at night, so take a couple of jumpers!

Overall, good value and highly enjoyable. Our holiday was a four day cruise with overnight sleeper train to Cairo and two days there. All f the timings worked like clockwork. The boat was Ra II, which was comfortable and the accommodation generally satisfactory. The bathroom could have done with a little maintenance (sink almost blocked) but otherwise OK. The food was usually good, varied and apparently hygenically prepared. On board staff helpful, friendly and polite.  The door to the upper deck had a notice (only in German; I wonder why?) asking guests not to reserve sunbeds with towels and so on but they did so anyway. Take lightweight binoculars and watch the river banks go by - all human life is there.  The downside: there were several sub-teenage children on the tour, who daily rampaged over the upper deck, swinging on the awnings. Not much fun if you are trying to have an afternoon nap in an upper cabin. The parents cared not, leaving them to play unsupervised even in the dark of night.  Shame the crocodiles have gone as it was tempting to throw them overboard.  ADVICE: don't take children as they have nothing to do. Check with your tour company if children will be present. If so, think of booking elsewhwere.  

 Egyptian tour guides: uniformly excellent, punctual, helpful. Full marks. The tours: if you take them all, it will be very tiring, no matter how keen you are. Among the best: Valley of the Kings and Karnak/Luxor temples (a must). In Cairo, the Pyramids of course, and the Museum. A tip here; consider roaming by yourself. If you can, get there early and go straight to the King Tut exhibition on the upper floor, right at the back (for a £E10 note,  which is £1, any of the staff with show you where). That was you can get a half hour view virtually alone, before the horde arrives - and don't worry, only a tiny fraction is in Greenwich on loan exhibition). Overnight sleeper to Cairo is interesting.

Hotel in Cairo was generally fine (Movenpick Pyramids Resort), but again the bathroom very tired and overdue for refurbishment. As a change of food, the Thai restaurant is good and reasonably priced. Very nice Thai lady proprietor.  SOMETHING TO BEWARE: in the hotel you sign for drinks. You will probably be offered blank chits to sign. What can be going on? DO NOT SIGN THESE and make sure the cost is filled in first (Swiss owners please note).

Greatest excitement besides the monuments: watching the driving. I expect an Egytian F1 champion very soon. The bad news: ludicrous bar prices on board (£4 for a gin? don't make me laugh). Even the local beer was £2.50 a can. Best to be teetotal for a week or do the obvious. Monarch Airlines - best for people under 5' tall.  Cramped for a longish flight.

Beside the gripes, a fascinating experience and, overall,  good value. You will be expected to tip for even small services and why not? The people need the money much more than you do. Give all of the small grubby banknotes to the children who will mildly pester you a the buses and so on.  This is more direct giving than a charity and with no admin overheads. Yes, it will encourage them to beg even more, just as it would encourage me if I were in their shoes (or rather, no shoes).

 Have fun.

We had a 10 day trip - 7 days on the Nile Cruise on RA1, and 3 days in Giza afterwards at the Movenpick Pyramid Resort.  The whole trip was well organised and ran smoothly from start to finish.  We had two different guides - one on the cruise and one at Giza.  They were both excellent - very informative and knowledgeable Egyptologists.

The two highlights for me were seeing the pyramids and sphinx at Giza, and travelling to Abu Simbel by mini coach in an armed convoy before sunrise.  Watching sunrise in the Sahara Desert was beautiful, and the mirages on our return were fascinating - large expanses of water in the distance that don't exist!  It was well worth the early morning start at 2:30 am, as you could doze on the coach both there and back.  If you choose to fly, you miss the sunrise, you miss the mirages, you miss the desert scenes, and you have less time when you get to Abu Simbel.

Before going, I knew we would see many interesting and ancient temples and tombs, and I knew our trip included every important site from Luxor to Aswan.  What I wasn't prepared for was how picturesque it would be.  Floating gently up the Nile is not only relaxing - it is beautiful too.  Arriving at Aswan however, both the trip to the Temple of Philae, and the trip to Kitchener's Island with its botanical garden, were particularly pretty.  Riding in a falucca to the island is an experience in itself, and gives "walking the plank" a whole new meaning!

Altogether it was an amazing holiday, and although I rarely go to the same place twice,  the Nile cruise is definitely one I would be tempted to do again.

 I would highly recommend the Classic Nile Cruise.  My only "complaint" would be that because, at meal times, you are more or less obliged to sit beside tourists who have booked the same cruise as you, it is quite important that you are able to make an effort to be sociable towards people with whom otherwise you would not necessarily have any contact.  I appreciate that most people might actually appreciate the contact with others of the same nationality but I actually found this most constricting and would have preferred to lunch and dine with my partner and other tourists of a different nationality.  Apart from this "holiday camp" type atmosphere, which was necessarily imposed because of docking times and timing of trips, I would say that the organisation and efficiency of the whole trip and the expertise of the guide could not be faulted. I loved Egypt and will definitely return.

Why on earth would I want to take any pictures? Never mind upload them on computer for others to see.  I am not interested in other people's pictures and don't expect anyone to be interested in mine. 

This was one of the best holidays I have ever been on.  It was well organised and the holiday guide was a delight to listen to, as his knowledge of ancient Egypt was incredible.  The cruise boats were comfortable and spotless, the food delicious, and the staff friendly and helpful.    I would recommend this holiday to all my friends and relatives.  I intend to travel with Blue Water Holidays again next year.

 Linda Jeffrey

     My second Nile Cruise, and my friend's first.  I watched her reaction to the sight

Thoroughly enjoyed this most memorable trip in October 2007 for 8 days. Very hot. Had to get up early to go on some of the excursions (eg Abu Simbel), but it was worth it. Plenty of time to relax in the afternoon on the boat. Great crew and great guide (Mohammed). Boat engine broke down and we lost electricity for a few hours. The boat was in need of a renovation, but nevertheless it was OK. The room stewards made great models and items out of towels and objects in the rooms. The food was actually quite reasonable. The passage through the dam at Edfu was prolonged for hours, but that is just the way it works in Egypt! We all have fond memories and can recommend the trip to anyone interested in seeing the Nile antiquities.

Had a great time... the upgrade to the RA II was very much appreciated and it certainly was very welcome as everything on-board could not be faulted.  the food and service on board was brilliant and the services of the representatives and agents again was good.  Everyone generally it seemed did make an effort to ensure a good holiday was got.

One little suggestion though... please...please do not let anyone book an overnight sleeper train journey to Cairo, Honestly it was horrible.  Given the generally high standard of the Holiday to suddenly find oneself on the Train, well it was a shock.  I know the Train service is nothing to do with you guys and I had a look at the website (Abela Egypt) before booking the holiday.  What is depicted on the website is pure fiction and does not represent the service they actually provide. The cabin was filthy,The meals were inedible, there was no flowing water in the sinks, the toilets were filthy and the attendant was certainly not interested in providing any service to anyone.

As previously mentioned, I am aware that it is a separate company that runs the Train service. Its just that I feel given the generally high standard of the rest of the holiday the option to use the train service really should not be  an option as it certainly lets the rest of the holiday down.  Don't get me wrong, if I was backpacking around Egypt it would of been acceptable... it just that given I opted for a higher standard of creature comforts the Train did not reflect it.

Once again, please do not let anyone book that Train journey as part of any package you offer.  It did not reflect the high standards that we experienced on the rest of the holiday.