Exploring Egypt has been high on the wish list of many intrepid travelers throughout the years Lab series. After all, what could be better than seeing for yourself the beauty and grandeur of the Pyramids, the mysterious and haunting Sphinx, and being up close and personal with the treasures of King Tut's tomb? But one of the best ways to explore Egypt is to get out of Cairo, and cruise the Nile; which is exactly what I did on my last trip to Egypt. And for this enchanting experience I booked passage on the fabulous Nile cruiser: Abercrombie & Kent's Sun Boat IV.
This gorgeous boat was fully renovated in 2006 and is considered a 5 star "lodging." With a capacity of only eighty guests (36 cabins plus 4 suites) it is intimate and elegant - a cruiser's dream transportation.
The trip began in Cairo, and after several days of touring in and around the city, my small tour group was flown south to Luxor. After visiting the fabulous Temple of Karnak, we boarded our floating hotel. Sparkling white, sleek and glorious - the boat was easily the most impressive craft at the crowded dock. And it became immediately apparent that the staff was just as top notch as the boat herself. When we stepped on board, the staff already seemed to know everyone's names, and could tell you your cabin number while barely glancing at paperwork. Queen Cleopatra thought she had it good? She would have been green with envy at the royal treatment we all received. The words - "your every wish is my command" - are appropriate here.
The boat's interior is classy and elegant. And the stylish cabins are a delight. I've been on several cruises, and these cabins are, hands down, the best I've seen: perfectly laid out for maximum functionality, and handsomely decorated. When booking, you have a choice between a cabin with a king bed, or two twin beds. And if you really want to splurge, there are two Royal Suites, each with its own balcony, that are located on the Promenade Deck. Additionally, there are two Presidential Suites which are located on the Main Deck. The rest of the thirty six Luxury Cabins are located throughout the cruiser's four decks. All cabins are air conditioned, have large picture windows, satellite televisions with in-house movies, safes, mini-bars, and direct dial international phones.
The bathrooms are quite tiny; but then I've never been in a ship's bath that I'd describe any other way. But again, they are very well designed. They have rather petite-sized showers, plentiful bath linens, hairdryers, and an added bonus: they sport Molton Brown bath products. Definitely a lovely and luxurious touch!
The Sun Boat IV carries very experienced Egyptologists on board (the one assigned to lead your group, and others hired for those traveling privately.) My group, after settling in our cabins and having lunch, was whisked off with our Egyptologist to visit the Valley of the Kings (including the Tomb of Tutankhamun) and the Valley of the Queens. Once back on the boat, our day ended with a very civilized evening of cocktails with the Captain, and our first dinner in the Sun Boat IV's dining room.
And for those who think food is the most important part of any experience (or at least up there in the top three) rest assured, the food is marvelous. Besides being delicious, it is beautifully presented by a stellar wait staff. The polite and friendly waiters will also assist in wine selections, from a list featuring both local and international wines.
Meals on board the boat are definitely not an afterthought. It was obvious that great care had gone into menu preparation (traditional Egyptian dishes are featured at different meals;) and the wide selection of buffet items (for breakfasts and lunches) was nothing short of inspiring.
The Sun Boat IV was our home as we cruised to Qena, Edfu, then on to Aswan Mesauda . And while the boat is tiny in comparison to ocean cruisers these days; it has all the amenities and activities of its much larger cousins: lectures, afternoon teas, a special "Egyptian Night" party with dinner, dancing and traditional entertainment, and of course, the formal gala dinner.
Besides the dining room, the Sun Boat IV has lovely public areas. There is a charming bar and lounge area, and also two sun decks. The upper sun deck is the picture of casual elegance, with plush divans and chaise lounges and a small plunge pool. Also on the boat, there is a small exercise room, as well as a library and games area, and a gift shop.
We were all rather sad to leave the Sun Boat IV; and the only complaint I heard (which I heartily agreed with) was that we didn't have enough time to enjoy the boat itself. But then, there's always next year!
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