Cosmos / Flash, Lady Mary

2nd year running we have been with Archers/Cosmos on their nile cruise and last year could not fault the holiday however this year the boat had been tied up for a couple of months during the revolution and we were only the second cruise this year.The administration was perfect again; coaches on time guides and reps always around but three main faults were 1,Edfu closed, due to industrial action from the horse drawn carriages so the boats will now not dock, which alters the time cruiseing. 2,the boat staff are mostly new so do not converse as much, any problems ask for Yasser who is the bar manager and gets things done and 3, the boat docked about 5kms from Luxor instead of by the Luxor museum which is totally rubbish as you can get a taxis into Luxor but going back to the boat when you dont know the address becomes difficult. I believe that most of these points are down to the fact that Egypt is not ready yet to recieve visitors.

Just returned from a week on The Lady Mary followed by a week in Luxor. We cant praise the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff and Leon whom looked after us all so well. Galal was our egyptologist and was excellent as was the standard of the boat and all the arranged trips. We did quite a few optional excursions as well and they were all good value for money. The hot air balloon was amazing. An unforgettable experience all round

We had a fantastic time our rep on board Leon and Egyptoligist Shareen was very professional but also great fun we were so lucky to have got them and the crowd we were with we had an excellent holiday loved every minute of it. The ship was well kept and very clean and the staff were wonderful i couldn't find any faults whatsoever

Had a super time aboard the Lady Mary. Nothing is too much trouble and you feel well looked after. We booked through Archers direct which was easy. The trips are well organised and thanks to Ehab our egyptologist were made interesting and most enjoyable. We took a tour of the ship and were impressed by the standard, no dodgy tummies! The food was varied and very tasty and of an excellant standard. Optional trip to the nubian village well worth it especially the movenpick tower in Aswan.

Quite fancy doing the tour again say in 4 5 years time.

Handy hint! take small gifts for the children ie stickers pens they are very thrilled when you give them anything.

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we have just come back from 1 week holiday on the ms lady mary, what a fantastic holiday, the boat is being referb this may. the cabins are spacious and very clean, every day the cleaner made animals on the beds from our towels, and when you returned for bed, he had been back in and emptied the bins, and turned back your sheets.zoe our rep was brilliant and so was mohamed the egyptologist, he spoke very good english, and made the trips very interesting with his sense of humour, the boat staff could not do enough for you, you need to go all inc, the boat does not have any egyption money, but when the boat dock's at luxor stright across the road is a cash machine, and at the side of that is a hotel, you can go in and cash money via machine or cash/travellers cheques, we went on the hot air balloon, fantastic experience and the dvd is brill pic, only 12 english pounds for the dvd. you must also go to abu simbel, you get to see the sun set, the weekly program was excellent, we went with cosmos, and on our boat we met some very friendly people, staff. I would recommend this cruise ship to any of my friends, well done ms lady mary xxx

we thoroughly enjoyed our nile cruise on the lady mary, the best holiday we have ever had. The boat was very clean, the crew were were very friendly and helpful, and the food was amazing.There wasn't much in the way of entertainment, but we were with some really nice and friendly people, always someone to have a drink and a chat with, so we made our own enjoyment.The trips were very good and our Egyptologist was a bit of a joker, he spoke English very clearly and was easy to understand, and his personality made the fantastic trips all the more enjoyable. Our rep was always available and let us know what was happening and when. I have never had a holiday where the time schedules have been so accurate, great, as we like to be on the go and not hanging around for late comers.Definately a holiday worthy of a good recommondation.

We booked this holiday with Monarch, who I had no problems with. Remember the star ratings are lower than U.K.etc. The Lady Mary is good enough for a busy 7 days. If you are a constant moaner you will find things that are not to your taste, but if you just want to enjoy yourself it is a good break. The included trips alone are worth a lot of the initial cost, the food was very good, I am vegetarian and managed well enough. There is no need to tell you to go all inclusive, one or two tight people didn't and were sorry when on board, trying to cadge drinks in the day and night.

There are stairs to climb all the time no lifts, I have seen some people struggling and the restaurant is on the bottom of the five decks.

The bad points would be, evening entertainment is poor, so if you are travelling as a couple you really want to be friendly and speak to others on the boat as soon as possible, otherwise the evenings will be long.

Another warning, there is a video guy a nice man, he makes a video of your trip and sells two discs for £17. They are amateurish and in fact pathetic not worth £1.

The worst part of the holiday is that the Egyptians when you get off the boat are constantly in your face, they can get annoying trying to sell you everything and anything. but don't let this put you off, just use it as a warning and don't get involved.

Please remember, this is my honest and personal view and we are all not the same, I would recommend this holiday as good value for the money you pay, but if you struggle walking you may want to give a great experience a miss. Mel.

I enjoyed the Cosmos / Flash, Lady Mary trip, was glad I went, wouldn`t go again. If asked to recomend a holiday I wouldn`t say this but equally I`d be happy for you if you`d already booked it. However, there were several on board who had done Nile Cruises 6-7 times. Rooms bit and spacious, nicely air conditioned, boat was very clean, staff friendly. Tours good (thank you Silver Fox!) There is not enough time actually spend cruising- you spend 4days moored up which can be tedious when all the boats have their generators going. Take pound coins- traders more than happy for them, and don`t look anyone in the eye unless you want to buy anything. Had been warned about porters at airport and avoided them but a guy in uniform lifted my case to into the coach and wanted cash for it- my tip, do EVERYTHING yourself! Food was ok- it is not in the same class as a cruise ship. Go for the all inclusive- doesn`t make any financial sense not to. YOu`ll make it up on water alone

The Lady Mary is a very clean ship, the crew cant do enough for you, this was the second time i have been on this ship , the food was excellent, the captain was easy to talk to. you will not regret booking this ship, an excellent holiday. the temperature was a bit on the low side, 54.2degs !!!! but we like it hot