The ancient wonders of a Nile Cruise

The Nile is Africa’s longest river, and Ancient Egyptian civilisation was established along its fertile banks - the river's water being vital for agriculture, transport, and day to day living. Today, over 95% of Egyptians still live near the Nile's banks, relying on it for drinking water, irrigation, and electricity, and the river also supports a diverse range of wildlife, including crocodiles, hippos, and birds. Situated on its eastern shore is one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities, Luxor, and it is this historic city that was the start and end point of Lymington Shop Manager, Sam’s 7-night TUI Nile Cruise, exploring some of the iconic sites of this magnificent waterway:

“Our ship was just half an hour’s transfer from the airport by coach, which was quick and easy. One of TUI’s two ships cruising the Nile, TUI Bahareya, is adults only and has Arabic inspired decor with a modern twist. The local influences don’t stop at the interior design either - guest Egyptian acts step aboard for evening entertainment, and the menus feature regional dishes as part of the all-inclusive offering, so you can really immerse in Egyptian culture, should you wish to do so. Onboard there are 72 cabins, and mine was a French Balcony cabin, with views onto the Nile. Suites have their own seating area, with a balcony and beds facing out onto the river.

The ship felt very spacious, and the pool area was large, with 2 hot tubs and many sun loungers. As well as spots to sunbathe, there are also areas in the shade with fans to keep you cool. There is a small gym and a wellness area for treatments, and the staff are very attentive and helpful. You can’t feel any motion when the ship sails peacefully along the river, so no fear of travel sickness!

There is one main restaurant, and a small outside eating area for barbecues and afternoon tea. I really enjoyed the food - the beef wellington was amazing, and the omelettes at breakfast were freshly cooked. The vibe is very relaxed - during the hot days shorts and T-shirts are the norm, and in the evening it’s smart casual for dinner and the evening entertainment, which included a singer on the top deck and a silent disco.

‍Luxor is described as 'the world’s biggest outdoor museum', and from here you can see a huge number of historical sites, as well as visiting the city to browse souvenirs along the quayside. We visited the west bank’s Valley of the Kings, which was a real highlight for me, with King Tutankhamun’s Tomb at a small additional charge, and Hatshepsut’s terraced mortuary temple. Whilst in Luxor I also saw Karnak - Egypt’s largest temple complex, constructed over 1500 years, with the section accessible to the public dedicated to its most powerful god, Amun. I also visited the temple at Edfu - the largest and most intact pharaonic temple in Egypt, dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus.

TUI offer two itineraries on the Nile - Legends of the Nile and Ancient Gods and famous Pharaohs, and onboard each ship is a resident Egyptologist, who really brings the history and culture of this amazing region to life. Excursions to the temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo are included in the fare, and the rest are payable onboard. There are loads of options to choose from, including The Valley of the Kings, the temples of Luxor, Abu Simbel, Philae, the Aswan High Dam, and a sound and light show at Karnak.

My top tips for a Nile Cruise:

• Carry a small amount of currency with you, as you need to tip when using the toilets.

• Some sites are very exposed so you will need sun cream and a hat, plus I’d recommend a hand-held fan to keep cool.

• When visiting the sights you have to pass some rather pushy market stall sellers, so stick with your guide in the group to get through with minimal hassle!

• There is a wooden ramp from the shore to the ship, so take flat shoes for going ashore.

I was pleasantly surprised at the great value this cruise offers, and how well arranged everything was. Having the Egyptologist with you was invaluable as they have a wealth of knowledge about all the sights and Egypt’s incredible history. For me it was an amazing experience, and I really wish that I’d had longer to enjoy all the other sites along this iconic river - I'll be back!"