Nile River Cruises

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Explore the Nile on a traditional Dahabiyya

These exclusive traditional 'dahabiyyas' are outfitted in colonial style with oriental and Egyptian touches. The interiors boast period furnishing and each cabin has its own individual decoration. Each boat is similar in design and has six cabins measuring 5.75m x 2.50m; each with its own private bathroom of 1.25m x 2.50m with a toilet, wash basin, shower and hairdryer. Four cabins have two single beds and two a double bed and the maximum capacity is twelve passengers. The cabins are located towards the front of each boat on the starboard and port sides, separated by a corridor.

The communal lounge covers the width of the boats and is a lovely setting for serving meals. The kitchen is at the stern, while the staff cabin and sitting areas are located aft. The engine room lies beneath the kitchen and electricity is provided by generators. Both the public area and cabins are fully air-conditioned.

From the front of the boats, two staircases lead to the top deck which is partly shaded. Here, guests can sunbathe or just enjoy the view from comfortable rattan deck chairs, or in oriental seating areas of colourful cushions and carpets. Meals will be served on the deck, a great place for stargazing at night.

The onboard chef will prepare a wholesome and appetising regional cuisine, while barbecues and picnics are sometimes organised on the riverbanks and islands of the Nile. Your meals (starting with lunch at embarkation - dinner on 8 day itinerary - and ending with breakfast on disembarkation) are all inclusive, along with tea, coffee and soft drink, as well as daily afternoon tea. Local wines and beers are also included in the price, but due to licensing restrictions, spirits and fortified wines are not available. Passengers are, however, welcome to bring on board their own alcoholic beverages and can be provided with mixers (tonic water etc.) free of charge

Dahabiyyas
The deck on Nesma
Zahra
Nesma

Cruise the River Nile in the leisurely style of yesteryear on one of these traditional Dahabiyyas on the Nostalgic Nile 12 day cruise or the Nostalgic Nile 8 day cruise.

Why not celebrate that special occasion or family event aboard an elegant Nile sailing boat? Should you wish to charter a 'dahabiyya' for a private journey with family or friends, we will be happy to assist. Prices for each boat start from £5300 and include sightseeing, an English-speaking guide, meals, drinks and tipping. Additional services such as flights and hotel accommodation will be extra. We can also tailor make a holiday to Egypt that includes a 7-nght cruise on the Zahra, Nesma, Amber or Musk if you prefer. Call us for further details.

We regret we are unable to accept children under the age of 12 years old, although if chartering a boat, no minimum age restriction applies.

The Amber

Seating area on board Amber

The Amber was christened to evoke the exotic and intoxicating aroma of ambergris, a unique substance prized for its scent throughout Arab the world. Refined amber is infused with a tradition as rich and fragrant as its hypnotic aroma, a somehow fitting comparison with these most elegant of vessels.

The Amber boasts 6 exquisitely appointed cabins, comprising 4 twins and 2 doubles and, in keeping with the boat's distinctive pedigree, they are named after an aromatic scent. Each of these unique perfumes hold a special place amongst the ancient traditions of the region and include Lemon, Lily, Iris, Marjoram, Mint and finally, Orange Blossom, of which Egypt is one of the World's top 10 producers.
 

The Zahra

A cabin on board Zahra

The Zahra (flower) was christened to conjure up the rare beauty of Egypt's natural charm. Once a popular girl's name, the word stems from a term whose meaning implied prosperity, a fitting tribute in a land that has for centuries flourished from the rich bounty of the life giving waters of the Nile.

Each cabin is named after a flower likely to be encountered along the course of the Nile, including the White and Blue Lotus, blooms long associated in Egypt with rebirth and the rising sun. There is the seductive Water Hyacinth and the distinctive Sea Daffodil, found along the Mediterranean, and finally the Arabian Jasmin and luxuriant Hibiscus, whose petals are used to make calming karkadeh tea.

The Musk

A cabin on board Musk

Powerfully irresistable, potently enduring and renowned amongst ancient civilisations for its precious and aromatic scent, Musk has long been held in almost regal reverence for millennia, making it a somehow fitting name for a ship that promises its passengers an experience of almost princely grandeur.

Each of Musk's 6 cabins evoke the distinctive and heady fragrance of perfumes that seep into the Egyptian landscape from across the ages. There is evocative Kyphi and spicy Cinnamon, sweet smelling Juniper and precious Myrrh, once as valuable as gold. Then there is Henna, with all its decorative uses and finally Saffron, a scent used by Cleopatra herself to increase her seductive powers.
 

The Nesma

Seating area on board Nesma

Derived from the Arabic word for 'breath of life', Nesma is a female form of Nessim, which refers to the breezes that visit Egypt each spring, heralding the Nile's fertile rebirth. Since Pharaonic times this has been a time of celebration, a tradition continued today with the Sham el-Nassim festival.

The Nesma's 6 delightfully appointed cabins are each named after a different wind pattern, from the Trade Winds and the Mistral, to the soft breezes of the Zephyr. There is Monsoon, a name synonymous with the trading dhows of old, and the Levante, which passes through the narrow Straits of Gibraltar, whilst the cooling Fremantle Doctor brings respite to the parched lands of far distant Australia.

Blue Water Holidays, Bridge House, Brook Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1PP - 01756 706532
As a fully bonded member of ABTA (K9428) with an ATOL (9685), the Air Tour Operators Licence, we offer complete peace of mind when you book your holiday through us.