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I’m thinking of organising a shortish (3-4n) cruise on the Nile for next year. Any suggestions on luxury options would be appreciated and/or ways to either spend or generate some loyalty points (Accor Mövenpick?).
Which bit of the Nile? From my rusty geography it’s a rather long river
Luxor to Aswan or vice versa
Done it 2x but with Orbital (not luxury). If you want luxury you probably can’t beat the SS Sudan
Done it 2x but with Orbital (not luxury). If you want luxury you probably can’t beat the SS Sudan
We did this last year after 3 Covid cancellations.
Go for the SS Sudan if you can afford it; you won’t regret it. Southbound probably better as you get the gruelling day in the valleys done early leaving the leisurely bit to the end. Pay the upgrades for the extra tombs, especially Nefertari.
We sneaked a peak at some other rooms as we left and they all look great. Food was very good and service excellent. Tour groups are the same for the whole trip, so if you get on you can ask the restaurant staff to rearrange tables to sit together at dinner. We did that the last night which was a nice change. The French groups did it every night, but I guess French people are more sociable about food than us Brits. Drivers change during the trip so ask about that if you are the kind of person that wants to tip a driver.
Once you get to Aswan, it has to be the Sofitel Legend. The hotel has loads of history, is in a stinking location and is just lovely.
We did a side trip to Luxor which is quite a drive and in hindsight I would not have done it; we saw plenty of things just as impressive on the Nile. There is a flying option if you don’t mind splashing the cash, but they don’t fly Sunday. I think that would take the edge off 6 hours in a car for a 60-90 minute tour.
We did one with AmaWaterways, which I think would be classified as luxury. However it was a one week cruise with a couple of days in Cairo included. I don’t know if they do anything shorter.
I went on a cruise some time ago from Luxor to Aswan and return. It was one of the best holidays I’ve ever had. Originally booked 4 days but got changed to 7 nights. Would definitely go for a week if you can. Didn’t include Cairo so went another time, so would try to include if you can. Sometimes locks are closed, so worth checking – can’t remember what time of year. Avoid Ramadan.
Done it 2x but with Orbital (not luxury). If you want luxury you probably can’t beat the SS Sudan
We did this last year after 3 Covid cancellations.
Go for the SS Sudan if you can afford it; you won’t regret it. Southbound probably better as you get the gruelling day in the valleys done early leaving the leisurely bit to the end. Pay the upgrades for the extra tombs, especially Nefertari.
We sneaked a peak at some other rooms as we left and they all look great. Food was very good and service excellent. Tour groups are the same for the whole trip, so if you get on you can ask the restaurant staff to rearrange tables to sit together at dinner. We did that the last night which was a nice change. The French groups did it every night, but I guess French people are more sociable about food than us Brits. Drivers change during the trip so ask about that if you are the kind of person that wants to tip a driver.
Once you get to Aswan, it has to be the Sofitel Legend. The hotel has loads of history, is in a stinking location and is just lovely.
We did a side trip to Luxor which is quite a drive and in hindsight I would not have done it; we saw plenty of things just as impressive on the Nile. There is a flying option if you don’t mind splashing the cash, but they don’t fly Sunday. I think that would take the edge off 6 hours in a car for a 60-90 minute tour.
Curios about this side trip to Luxor which wasn’t something you’d repeat?
@Amy C it reads to me like @masaccio spent 3 hours getting to Luxor and 3 hours back in a car to only spend a total of 90 minutes in Luxor. That certainly wouldn’t appeal to me.
@Amy C it reads to me like @masaccio spent 3 hours getting to Luxor and 3 hours back in a car to only spend a total of 90 minutes in Luxor. That certainly wouldn’t appeal to me.
I’m a little concerned as the last time we went to Luxor, admittedly a few years ago now, it was on the Nile!
@Amy C it reads to me like @masaccio spent 3 hours getting to Luxor and 3 hours back in a car to only spend a total of 90 minutes in Luxor. That certainly wouldn’t appeal to me.
I’m a little concerned as the last time we went to Luxor, admittedly a few years ago now, it was on the Nile!
May be the side trip from Aswan was to Abu Simbel which if I recall correctly was about 3 hours by car in each direction across the desert. I thought it was well worth visiting.
@Amy C it reads to me like @masaccio spent 3 hours getting to Luxor and 3 hours back in a car to only spend a total of 90 minutes in Luxor. That certainly wouldn’t appeal to me.
I’m a little concerned as the last time we went to Luxor, admittedly a few years ago now, it was on the Nile!
Yes, that’s what confused me.
Some time ago we did a Nile cruise on the Oberoi Philae. We’d had to cancel our trip to Antarctica after FIL’s death so splashed out on a suite. It was very enjoyable with great food and interesting excursions. I think the Oberoi Zahra is more luxurious.
@Amy C it reads to me like @masaccio spent 3 hours getting to Luxor and 3 hours back in a car to only spend a total of 90 minutes in Luxor. That certainly wouldn’t appeal to me.
I’m a little concerned as the last time we went to Luxor, admittedly a few years ago now, it was on the Nile!
Yes that did strike me as odd but I am guessing that the stretch of the Nile he cruised was probably quite a bit further north and they drove to Luxor.
@Amy C it reads to me like @masaccio spent 3 hours getting to Luxor and 3 hours back in a car to only spend a total of 90 minutes in Luxor. That certainly wouldn’t appeal to me.
I’m a little concerned as the last time we went to Luxor, admittedly a few years ago now, it was on the Nile!
May be the side trip from Aswan was to Abu Simbel which if I recall correctly was about 3 hours by car in each direction across the desert. I thought it was well worth visiting.
Yes my first thought was it was possibly Abu Simbel. Which was amazing but I recall at least 4 hours (starting 3.30am!) each way. Think I’d fly next time!
Loved the Nile cruise. First time I did it with all the excursions and year after I went back and did it without, just enjoying the cruise. Had the boat to myself for hours every day when the hoards left for the sightseeing.
Been to Luxor a few times and really like it. It’s just such a pain to get to now direct flights no longer exist (other than once a week on a very expensive and seasonal Egyptair flight).@Amy C it reads to me like @masaccio spent 3 hours getting to Luxor and 3 hours back in a car to only spend a total of 90 minutes in Luxor. That certainly wouldn’t appeal to me.
I’m a little concerned as the last time we went to Luxor, admittedly a few years ago now, it was on the Nile!
Yes that did strike me as odd but I am guessing that the stretch of the Nile he cruised was probably quite a bit further north and they drove to Luxor.
Oh dear, that was quite the typo. And normally my geography is good.
Quite why I wrote Luxor when I meant Abu Simbel I have no idea!
Sorry for the confusion.
We cruised southbound from Luxor to Aswan last year on Oberoi Zahra – would heartily recommend!
The itinerary that we followed and worked well was:
1st night stay at the Old Winter Palace in Luxor
Transfer to boat for 6 day cruise
Get to Aswan and optional trip to Abu Simbel (very worthwhile!)
Fly Aswan to Cairo, night at Marriott Mena House with amazing view of the pyramids and a visit on final morning before flying. Definitely pay the extra to go inside the pyramids!
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