Fit for a King/ Pharoah. (SS MISR Royal Steamer)

Member Name: garymarsh6

Product:	SS MISR Royal Steamer
Date:	06/04/09 (692 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sheer luxury and opulence.

Disadvantages: None

SS Misr.

The delightful SS Misr was built in Preston Lancashire in 1918 originally for the Egyptian Royal Navy and bought by King Farouk of Egypt as a private cruiser which traversed the Nile. It is recorded that he had held his birthday celebrations aboard this boat. Since the building of the Aswan Dam it used to sail right up the Nile but now is only able to sail as far as Aswan. Misr means the Kingdom of Egypt.

It fell into disrepair and was brought by travel line and fully restored to its current state in elegant and period style and is used exclusively by Voyages Jules Verne for tours of the Nile.

Being a steam ship it rekindles memories of Agatha Christie's death on the Nile. It offers elegant and tasteful luxury service and there are over 60 members of staff to 45 passengers. There were only 42 passengers on our cruise.

The ship has three decks and is 62 meters in length. There are two boilers and two steam engines which produce 4.2 tons of steam pressure per hour resulting in a speed of 10KM/HR.

The lower deck houses the reception area which is open and airy. This is where some of the smaller cabins are situated. You enter the boat through some other boats as it is a smaller vessel and it tends to moor up against the larger cruise boats as it tends to sail under its own steam earlier than the other boats depart and you have to walk through their reception areas to reach the Misr. This however is of some benefit as it means that you get an unsurpassed view of the Nile which is ideal for watching the coming and goings on the river and magnificent sunsets. The two suites at the front of the boat are on this deck with views of the Nile from the balcony from these two rooms are wonderful.


The Main deck is where the elegant Marasem restaurant is situated which is tastefully decorated and all meals are taken here with a mixture of buffet and waiter service depending on the menu. The food is of an exceptional high standard with a mixture of international and Egyptian food on offer. The food is very tasty and there is ample variety to suit every appetite. The tables seat 8 guests per table and on the first night you are seated by the dining room manager. There after you may choose where you would like to sit. Some of the suites of rooms are on this deck and also a small shop.

The upper deck contains the Dahabia bar and the Saraya lounge which is lavishly decorated in period style including a grand piano in the corner. There are also more rooms and suites on this deck towards the front of the boat.

The top sun deck has a smallish plunge pool, a bar and shaded sun beds. Afternoon tea is served here and on some afternoons in the main bar area.

Due to the terrorist sensitivities in Egypt there were always two armed policemen aboard the ship at all times and wherever you are moored there are more policemen stationed besides the tourist boats and at all major sites which some people might find somewhat unnerving.

The Cabin.

The rooms are all air-conditioned and elegantly decorated and a pleasure to return to after a day of touring the tombs, temples and ancient sites along the banks of the Nile. It is a peaceful cool haven to return to away from the hustle and bustle and the heat of Egypt. The rooms are furnished in beautiful wood with drapes around the floor to ceiling windows. The only draw back is that there is only a small balcony to sit out on to enjoy a gin and tonic and while away a couple of hours. The beds are quite comfortable and prepared by the cabin staff for you to fall into with various arrangements made with the bathroom towels each evening which were quite amusing for example a King Cobra wearing a Fez or in the shape of a crocodile with a box of tissues in the mouth. There is an armchair, flat screen television mini bar and safe. There is adequate storage space for clothes a bedside cabinet and various lamps and lights. The bathroom is fitted out in marble and has a bath and enclosed shower over the bath. Hair dryer and electric razor point. There are also on board laundry service.

The Restaurant.

The restaurant is situated on the main deck and all meals are served here. There is a mixture of buffet and silver service with a wide combination and choice of menu offering local and international cuisine. The standard of the food is excellent and none of the passengers came down with Mummy's revenge. Apparently the boat has its own water filtration system so all the vegetables and fruit are washed in clean water so perhaps this was a help.

When it was a buffet service you were able to choose for yourself what you wanted to eat then a waiter would carry your meal back to your table even if you wanted to do it yourself you were not permitted to lift a finger.

The food was well prepared and well presented. It was quite tasty and there was something available for everyone. The chef had eyes like a hawk and if they felt you were not eating adequately they would try to find out why and prepare any food you wished to have. They could not do enough to make you feel at home.

The Bar.

The bar area was nice and peaceful and would have been ideal to sit down and have a few drinks after dinner however it was quite expensive to have a drink here as it was over £10 for a gin and Tonic. So instead of people congregating and socialising in the bar after dinner most returned to their rooms and had a drink there. Mind you it was probably for the best as early morning wake up calls for the trips to the sites meant that most people were in bed by ten PM anyway. Who wants to get up at 4 or 5AM with a raging hang over.


Entertainment.

There were two nights where you were encouraged to dress up in local costumes. The men were expected to wear a Fez and the women wore the local dress. There was some dancing and local Berber singing from the crew which was quite fun and certainly entertaining. One evening was spent at the Luxor temple where a Sound and light show and private reception was put on. The waiters were all dressed in Pharonic dress handing out cocktails and canapes as we walked up the colonnade to reach the temple. This was a private show at which only VJV guests were present.

The tour Guides.

There were two resident tour guides who were very knowledgeable Egyptologists who had been educated at the University of Cairo and knew all about the temples and antiquities we were visiting. They gave some very varied information and were able to decipher the Hieroglyphics around the various temples and tombs we visited. Nothing was too much trouble and they were always on hand to give you some fascinating information of how the temples and tombs were built and what it must have been like for the workers and people living in them.

The Cruise itinerary.

Day one sail over night to Esna then passing through the locks at Esna.
Day two. Visit temple at Edfu. Sail overnight to Kom Ombo.
Day Three: Visit temple at Kom Ombo then sail to Aswan.
Day Four: visit temples of Philae then visit elephantine island and Kitchener's Botanical garden by felucca.
Day five: Optional visit to either Abu Simbel or a bird watching trip on the Nile.
Day six: A trip to visit the high dam at Aswan and afternoon free to explore Aswan town: Sail overnight via Esna lock to Luxor. Private evening reception at Luxor temple.
Day Seven: Early morning hot air balloon trip over the West bank and valley of the kings.
Day Eight: Early morning visit to the temple at Karnak and then Luxor temple. Disembark after lunch.

My impression of the Cruise.

I thought the cruise was absolutely brilliant and far better than I had imagined it would be. It was certainly well worth doing this trip and the tours to the various temples tombs and historical sites were absolutely out of this world. The tours to the temples involve some physical fitness and may not be suitable to those with mobility problems. The boat was certainly comfortable and ticked all the boxes in respect of exclusivity, service and comfort.
The only criticism I have would be the cost of the drinks on board the boat which was a bit over the top I thought bearing in mind alcohol was quite cheap in Egypt.


Would I recommend it?

Absolutely and I would add if you can afford a cabin suite on the middle deck I would definitely recommend it and moreover if you could afford the suites at the front of the boat I would definitely go for it as they are the only two suites with balconies which you could sit out on in comfort. However at a supplement of £1000 for the two of you I don't think it would be justifiable because when you are in the cabin you are mainly sleeping as the rest of the time you are out and about exploring the wonderful and beautiful sites that Egypt has to offer.

Cost.

From £995 to £1695 excluding upgrades but includes all trips, entry fees, food, entertainment, transfers and flights. Tips were extra for the crew, cabin staff, waiter's guides, drivers which amounted to another £80 approximately.


Where to find out more.

http://www.vjv.co.uk/destinations/africa/egypt/ro yal-steamer/index.html

Summary: Travel the Nile in style.