It is perceived as one of the most glamorous and romantic ways to see one of the most mysterious and fascinating countries in the world.
But is a Nile River cruise in Egypt really worth it?
Travel blogger Sam Mayfair set out to discover the pros and cons with a seven-day round trip aboard the five-star Steigenberger Royale cruise ship on one of the most popular routes: from Luxor to Aswan, 240 kilometers (150 miles). 150 miles) away.
Cruises on this route offer tourists the opportunity to see some of Egypt’s most fascinating cultural sites and stunning landscapes.
Sam, 39, from Surrey, posted images of your trip to your Tik Tok account – @Sam.Mayfair – and told MailOnline that it is a A “hassle-free” way to see Egypt.
Travel vlogger Sam Mayfair (above) shared his experience sailing from Luxor to Aswan on a Nile River cruise on his TikTok account.
Sam, 39, traveled aboard the five-star ship Steigenberger Royale
Sam begins the video by showing off his spacious suite, an upgraded room that includes a generously proportioned bathroom. He states: “There are smaller rooms, but they don’t differ much in price.”
He then moves on to the rest of the ship, revealing that the upper deck has a sunbathing area. He says: ‘There was also a swimming pool… which I really enjoyed a lot. There’s nothing like jumping into a cold pool when it’s 44 degrees (Celcius).’
Sam continues filming, revealing an outdoor bar and a small gym and massage area, before showing a large indoor lounge with red carpets and wooden furniture. This space, he claims, was used at night, since it was “difficult to stay outside with the mosquitoes.”
Sam says the boat was split into two levels and the upper deck was used as a sunbathing area. In the photo on the right: the boat’s pool. Sam says: ‘There’s nothing like jumping into a cold pool when it’s 44 degrees (Celcius)’
In the video, viewers pass through the keyhole of Sam’s spacious suite. While he says there were smaller rooms, he claims “they don’t differ much in price.”
As for food and drink, Sam says meals were included in the package, but drinks had to be purchased additionally.
He adds: ‘The food on the cruise was really good. It was a buffet every day with a different theme.”
Sam says these cruises may include tours, depending on the package you book. He adds: “However, if, like me, you haven’t booked it as part of the package, you’ll have to pay more for all your little tours.”
One thing passengers should watch out for are the small boats selling souvenirs, Sam notes. In the video, Sam says that they will “join the ship and last forever trying to sell you a towel.”
LEFT: The outdoor dining room and bar. RIGHT: A meal served on board. Sam says the food is “really good,” although the drinks cost more.
One thing passengers should watch out for are the small boats selling souvenirs, Sam notes. In the video, Sam says they will “join the ship and hang on for life trying to sell you a towel.”
Although Sam says there’s “nothing wrong with buying from them,” he adds, “Just make sure you negotiate the price.”
Sam paid £1,500 ($1,886) for two tickets on board the cruise. “We start in Luxor and end in Luxor, but most passengers end up in Aswan after four days,” she explained.
Was the trip worth it? He told MailOnline Travel: ‘One hundred per cent.
“It’s a very interesting way to travel and explore, and you can’t help but imagine you’re taking the same journey that people have taken for thousands of years.”
Sam says sailing down the River Nile is a “very interesting way to travel and explore”. Shown above at the Karnak Temple in Luxor.
Sam is pictured above exploring Edfu Temple, one of the attractions along the way.
He said those on board can expect to see a new location each day, “including the Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philea and the Unfinished Obelisk.”
Is there any room for improvement? Sam said: ‘You have a bit of a limited time in each place. “I would have liked to spend a little more time exploring.”
But he added: “If you want to explore and travel without problems, it’s very good… and I would recommend it as an experience.”
To learn more about Sam, visit him on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@SamMayfair and tiktok www.tiktok.com/@sam.mayfair.