NTS Miss Egypt

DO NOT BOOK an NTS cruise ship. We have just returned from the Nile and were supposed to be on the above ship.When we arrived at the Key side we was told we had been switched to M/S Nile Dolphin without consulting us.Due to the lack of tourists they are doing this all the time. Make sure your booking has a clause saying they cannot change ship without your permission

My partner & I just returned from a long awaited trip to Cairo & the Nile. We cruised on board Miss Egypt - 5* Luxury advertised. On the whole this was a very memorable trip with a lot to do and see, with adequate rest in between leaving you very well informed about Ancient Egypt.

As a first trip the itinerary gave us a very complete introduction to the very impressive history. Our guide Mustafa was a passionate, considerate, informed & very mature young man who controlled our small group of 9 extremely well and providing for all our needs with a genuine smile.

Our room was cosy yet spacious with more than adequate storage. However, the shower cubicle was too compact & the water pressure was just about adequate. The bed, sheets, safe, toiletries were all good quality but not the best as warranted by the 5* rating. We had a 'balcony' which was wonderful but more a window railing rather than a balcony, use of which was limited thanks to heat and other ships alongside. But the patio door style window gave us wonderful views for about 50% of the time.

What brings the rating down are the Full Board meals which were basically variations of the theme - bland attempts with chicken, beef and fish. We only had two Egyptian meals, plenty of salads but not much in the way of dressings. On the whole very filling but not fulfilling, lacking taste and variety.

I do feel a hospitality in a hot climate should include at least one large bottle of water per day per couple.

The TV was very frustrating - no BBC or CNN on board the ship until much nagging and then not available when the ship was sailing. We felt very out of contact with the rest of the world. The very expensive internet was tentative at best.

We were not warned about the excessive tipping required, ill advised that credit cards were accepted everywhere or about the huge pressure to buy at all stops by the local sellers.

I am glad we went to Cairo first as the sightseeing there was at our own pace with a guide in our own car. We did not book the day trip recommended by Nile Cruise Direct and saved a considerable sum. We did the Night Cruise in Cairo having originally decided against it which was a better version of the enetertainment and food to come on board Miss Egypt. I am sure we would have been too tired to enjoy Cairo after the cruise. Oasis Hotel is a good 4* set in beautiful landscaping almost at the foot of the Pyramids with all the amenities required.

I have rated this down because of the food and entertainment on board but must emphasise this we still had a wonderful holiday in a wonderful land with beautiful people.

I highly recommend this trip as we have come away with only fantastic memories having had a thoroughly good time.

We have only good memories about Miss Egypt. The staff was very friendly and made us feel at home. The accomodation was very good, a wide variety of food and definetely enough: new years eve even too much food ! I can only praise the cooks, and my favorita: the pasta bar !

You have to pay for drinks... of course, I always knew it like this in any other hotel in any other country...

There might be noise from the disco but it never takes long, as you have to get up early for the excursions

Everything is very clean, they even come to clean the room 2 or 3 times a day.

After the cruise we were in a luxurious hotel in Luxor but we missed the cosiness of the boat and the food was much better on board.

I can only recommand it, but of course that depends on one's expectations.

I was a litte dismayed when I read the reviews of Miss Egypt below having booked the cruise, and having reread them with hindsight make the following comments. I was disappointed when we got on board as this did not look like 5*delux or refurbished. However, don't let first appearences fool you. The beds were very comfortable, the staff very attentive and friendly, the cabins a reasonable size. The showers are trendy but small - toilets flush and you can put paper down them! The food excellent - it certainly never ran out. The pasta was always available as was fish, chicken and beef. We visited the kitchens - you could eat off the floor they were so clean - and that was not for our benefit - you have to maintain them all the time to be that clean. I didn't get upset tummy (got that at the very posh and expensive hotel in Cairo). The ship is traditional not modern. I agree that the lack of umbrellas is an issue. We had Aladin who knew his stuff. Don't expect a lie-in - you have to be up and off the boat to beat the heat of the day - but we will spend the next holiday lying on the beach - I recommend you take ear plugs - not for this boat but the one rafted next to us one night where the disco was right against our cabin. Also the shop on the ship is much more expensive for egyptian outfit (you have two during the cruise). We purchased our ones from the people throwing them onto the deck at Esna lock (half the price). But you have to haggle (we paid $15 for the two). Water on board was 10 egypt pounds for large water - much cheaper than we expected. We purchased small bottles ashore from the coach (three for 10eypt pounds). Be careful if you buy bottles of drink ashore - make sure they have proper seals and genuine lids - buy where you see boxes of drinks not from the people along the street. Don't hand over money before you have the goods as they may change the price. Aladin wanted us to pay cash for our extra trips, but we didn't have enough to do that and tip - so we could suddenly pay by credit card. Tea in the afternoon - if you drink coffee don't bother to take with you, you can take a small packet of Nescafe from breakfast and ask for hot water at tea time. We had a great holiday.

We are a family of 7 and only 2 of us knew where we we going; it had taken a lot of research to, hopefully, get the right ship for us, as we did as everyone was highly delighted with it all.

Yes the cabins and bathrooms are now in need of a touch of paint but the view from those cabins is fantastic, and, yes, when you are moored up you could have another cruise ship either side of you, but when the sun comes down who cares, it's quite an adventure in itself when you disembark and have to go through two or three other ships (well, mum is 77).

We found the food to be very good, the staff were excellent and very friendly, drink prices were no higher than hotels we normally stay in.

When sailing, there is even afternoon tea served with fancy home made biscuits.

Our guide Aladdin was excellent and certainly know his stuff and was always so helpful, even when not on duty.

Following our cruise we then went to Luxor for 4 nights and Cairo for 3 but the Miss Egypt was certainly the high light of our trip and would certainly recommend this holiday.

We booked this boat as a 5 Star Superior Deluxe,having already been on a nile cruise and thoroughly enjoyed it.We were 2 of only 6 Brits the rest being Italians.The ship ,food etc is geared to the Italian market(lots of pasta )We bought our own Visas on arrival in Luxor airport easily as this is the first opportunity for someone to charge you over the odds if your rep does it for you.Onboard we were drip fed information about the itinery,excursions .We felt our guide aladdin did the bare minimum as there were only 6 potential tips .The food was dull, repetative and often seemed to run out.Apart from at breakfast, you had to buy all beverages including water at meal times,cheapest bottle of wine being 17BGP.No umbrellas over sunbeds.The week was like boot camp.Glad to be home

Beware of the ships rep who meets you at the airport. It is very simple to obtain a Visa for just £10.00 at one of the many banks at luxor airport before you go through immigration. The rep will charge you £15.00 !!! Cleanliness of boat was very good. We booked a double room but got a twin! asked to be far away from disco but our room was underneath !. Reception Staff had totally ignored our accomodation voucher from Sunway Travel. Make sure you are not at the back of the boat as you wake up to diesel fumes everyday. The food was adequate. Good variety but very bland. This holiday was meant to be all inclusive but you have to pay for all soft drinks,tea,coffee, water etc.outside breakfast and afternoon tea. NO drinks supplied at lunch or dinner unless you pay for it. This includes water. Beware of ice cubes ! they are NOT made from mineral water. Try and get off boat in a couple of ports and buy your own water. Check the water bottles are sealed. My advice is to bring a small kettle, long life milk and your own tea bags. Alcohol is double the price and poor quality. Wine was drinkable though. Sneek on a bottle in the handbag ! Allow the staff 2 only have your passport for a few minutes so that they can photocopy them. Insist on having it back. They will try and keep it all week (probably to make sure you pay your bar bill!) this must be pointed out to them that they have no legal right to keep it and insist on it being given back to you. There is a safe in the cabin wardrobe. Beware most trips are very early starts. Good idea due to the weather and crowd volume. The guide Alladin is worth his weight in gold. He is a fun guy, very knowledgeable, trustworthy kind and considerate. You will want to bring him home with you! He arranges an additional tour to the NUBI Village on a small boat, with camelride, swim and you get a caneing in school !!!! fab tour,(extra dosh but worth it please go). When you give him his tip (and he is worth it ) at the end of the week give it to him personally. Do not leave at reception. Because:- 1. will he actually be given it? and, 2. I saw reception opening an envelope of money left at reception for Aladdin who took a tenner out and re-sealed it.Handy viewing from staircase overlooking the reception desk for customers !!!!!!

The Miss Egypt has an annoying wake up call phone but the reception staff understand ALL interpretations of 'GO AWAY' !!!! Entertainmant was adequate but when you have to be up at 5-6a.m. for trips then who cares ? The beds are quite comfortable. The chamber staff sometime leave a suprise on your bed in the evening !! ??.

Make sure you take lots of U.S. one dollar bills and the smallest of egyptian currency notes as possible. The locals will not give you change ! and it is frustrating if you want to tip but have nothing smaller than a !100 egypt pound note.Locals do not like English coins. Always keep a running total of the bar bills on board you sign for as they do not give receipts.

Staff are very good at recognising a travellers birthday and promtly parade you and your table guests to a dance area where the chefs play drums, sing and get you dancing. ! Very entertaining and the birthday cakes are delightful.

Swimming pool is lovely and very clean. Bar staff are always at hand for drinks. Afternoon tea and bickies is very dainty served on the sundeck but dont ask for coffee. You will have to pay !!!

Very annoying when in port as you are alondside about 6-8 other boats. No view from window and very noisey at night.

Nile Cruises Direct, Miss Egypt.

Arrived in Luxor taken to the boat, luggage brought from the coach direct to your room, rooms very spacious, with patio door from ceili ng to floor, all food and excursions included in the price. There was also optional excursions you could take if desired at an extra cost. The guide Aladdin was brilliant, and was not only a superb guide, but also asked if we had enough time at all the visits. All trips are usually early morning or late afternoon, to avoid the heat. The only fault, was that you had to pay for all drinks, which added up over the week. But all in all a very informative and enjoyable holiday.

An excellent holiday booked through NileCruisesDirect.com. Sure, the entertainment at night was limited but when you have to get up at anything from 5.30 to 7 a.m (2.30 am for Abu Simbel) you're too tired to bother- at least we were.

I found the ship clean, the staff friendly, courteous and helpful. Our guide,Ahmed, was absolutely brilliant and made visits to all the temples extremely interesting. Don't try to compare this trip with a sea cruise, the food isn't quite as good (but still of a high standard) but a sea cruise doesn't give the peace and tranquility of sitting on the sundeck with a cool drink whilst watching the Egyptian countryside and history pass peacefully by. Try it you wont be disappointed- especially the Miss Egypt- in the top ten of the boats on the Nile

If you don'y enjoy it you must be one of thoses miserable beggars that we all meet on holiday!

A good sized cabin and shower room. Attentive staff,showing a high standard of cleanliness in all public areas. Good selection of food, served as a buffet.Sometimes food not very hot if the food covers had been left off.

Not a cruise for night life with poor organisation of evening entertainment and repetitive music.This was not a problem as our guided tours often started early morning to avoid the heat of the day.