Cruise Ships in Egypt : Merit Dahabiyya

Merit Dahabiyya

Emeco have a fleet of four dahabiyyas sailing the Nile, all named after ladies famous for their style and presence. With just eight cabins they offer a far more intimate experience than the larger Nile cruisers, and as they are powered by sail, you have the chance to really appreciate the rural tranquillity of Nile-side life. Being smaller than normal Nile cruisers, this also offers the chance to moor beside deserted islands and enjoy meals on their shores.

Sail power obliges a more gentle pace of travel, and your itinerary will take about twice as long to make the journey between Luxor and Aswan as a normal cruiser. As well as allowing you more time to relax, you also have the chance to take in one or two of the less-visited sights along the way.

On board there is a sun deck, complete with a small Jacuzzi, some shaded relaxation areas, a bar and a buffet area for when you dine on deck. Below deck is a lounge and small restaurant as well as the cabins. The cabins are fairly large by Nile standards, and have decent en suite bathrooms.

The style is fairly modern and uncomplicated, and the quality is high. The cabins boast flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes and air conditioning: in short, everything you would expect of a high quality hotel.

Combining modern comfort with a traditional boat design and propulsion, a dahabiyya gives you the best of both worlds when exploring the Nile valley.