Welcome back readers, and let's have some entertainment travel related fun today, after all it's Friday!
Later this month a new verision of the classic Agatha Christie novel & film 'Death on the Nile' will be released in cinemas worldwide, featuring an all star cast of Gal Gadot, Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Kenneth Branagh & Armie Hammer. Retelling the classic crime whodunit for a modern audience. The true star of the film though is the exotic Nile River of Egypt, the ancient monuments and temples, and of course the ship itself.
Now while the ship in the film was completely created on set in the studio, it did remind me of one of the luxury ships that sail the Nile today and while there are numerous lines the sail the Nile. I'm going to write about only one today, & that's the one that best fits with the style & feel of a classical Agatha Christie high end luxury river cruise as in the novel.
This ship is the S.S. Sphinx by Uniworld. Uniworld ships are designed & styled for each market they sail within, and so the S.S. Sphinx has a very upscale luxurious Arabian Nights style to its interiors and cabins. As well Uniworld ships are like little boutique luxury hotels on the rivers of the world. With only 42 suites & cabins, +a swimming pool, massage room and two gourmet dining venues onboard serving your incredible meals.
The S.S. Sphinx gives you an authentic immersive onboard experience, with fine Egyptian cottons and hand-carved blonde woods, highlighting the finest in Egyptian craftsmanship & elegance.
(image credit: Uniworld)
On a 12-day “Splendors of Egypt & the Nile” sailing, you can live out your big screen Egyptian fantasy. The sailing both begins & ends in Cairo, where you'll see the Egyptian Museum, King Tutankhamun's Tomb, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Sphinx. This bucketlist Nile experience is now available for 2022 and 2023 reservations, prices start at mid $5,000s to $6,799 per person basis double for a Deluxe Cabin depending on sailing date/season. The ship sails from March through May, and then stops until late September when it commences through May again.
Uniworld’s S.S. Sphinx is a floating boutique hotel & is all-inclusive and ultra-luxe. The ship holds 84 guests + crew, allowing plenty of social distancing if desired & being able to enjoy the Uniworld experience.
See more about this Uniworld river cruise on the Nile, and or any other Uniworld river cruise at:
Splendors of Egypt & the Nile:
DAY 1: Cairo
Arrive at Cairo International Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, a Uniworld representative will be on hand to greet you and escort you to the opulent Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza.
DAY 2: Cairo
The ancient quarter of Cairo is intense—the colors, the sounds, the density of people—and it’s likely been this way for thousands of years. Your local expert will show you a 12th-century citadel, the beautiful Alabaster Mosque and an unsurpassed collection of priceless artifacts, including mind-boggling treasures once buried with the boy king Tutankhamen.
Featured Excursion:
Citadel of Salah al-Din, Alabaster Mosque and Egyptian Museum
Note: Dressing modestly is recommended as a show of respect for the culture and customs of the Egyptian people. In particular, women should ensure that shoulders are covered and legs are concealed at least to the knee on all shore excursions throughout this itinerary.
DAY 3: Cairo, Fly to Luxor (Embark) Cruising the Nile River, Dendera
Prepare to be amazed at the legendary Temple of Karnak, a massive and absolutely astounding site, with gigantic columns, broad avenues lined with stone sphinxes and halls of truly epic proportions. This evening, you’ll revel in a Welcome Reception and Dinner onboard.
Featured Excursion:
Temple at Karnak
Note: Flights to Luxor depart early in the morning to take advantage of more favorable weather and traffic conditions, and to optimize tour scheduling.
DAY 4: Dendera, Cruising the Nile River, Luxor
Like its twin shrine, the Temple of Karnak, the Temple of Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, the once flourishing capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom. It was built over hundreds of years and even in ruins it is still an extraordinary place. You’ll also visit the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty.
Featured Excursions:
Temple of Hathor
Temple of Luxor
DAY 5: Luxor, Cruising the Nile River, Kom Ombo
The word “colossal” will take on a whole new meaning after today’s excursion to the gigantic twin statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. And that’s just the beginning—you’ll also visit the temple of one of Egypt’s rare female pharaohs as well as the Valley of the Kings, used as a royal burial place for nearly 500 years and where the mummified remains of Tutankhamen are on display.
Featured Excursion:
Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple and Valley of the Kings
DAY 6: Kom Ombo, Cruising the Nile River, Aswan
After visiting a temple dedicated to a crocodile god today (don’t miss the display of some of the 300 mummified crocs found in the local area), hop aboard a small boat for a bird-watching excursion along the Nile.
Featured Excursions:
Kom Ombo Temple
Bird-watching boat ride and tea with a Nubian family
DAY 7: Aswan
Today is an epic day, filled with wonders from start to finish. You’ll visit a marvel of modern engineering—the Aswan High Dam—as well as the Unfinished Obelisk and the beautiful Philae Temple complex, which was moved from one island to another back in the 1970s. But wait, there’s more. You’ll also take a ride in a felucca—a traditional Egyptian sailboat—and enjoy afternoon tea at a famous hotel depicted in Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile.
Featured Excursions:
Boat ride in traditional Nile River felucca and afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan
Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Temple of Isis
After dinner onboard this evening, you’ll be treated to an enchanting Nubian show featuring traditionally attired performers, live music and dancing.
DAY 8: Aswan, Cruising the Nile River, Edfu
Spend the day at leisure or join us for an optional excursion to see the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel.
DAY 9: Esna, Cruising the Nile River, Luxor
On today’s excursion, you’ll learn how the Temple of Esna was buried under debris for many centuries and is one of the last great Egyptian temples ever built. Your Egyptologist guide will share all sorts of fascinating insights about this significant cultural site and show you the façade bearing the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded in Egypt.
Featured Excursion:
Temple of Khnum
Later, savor the Nile’s majestic scenery as the ship cruises to Luxor.
DAY 10: Luxor (Disembark), Fly to Cairo
Disembark in Luxor and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. Then, check in to your luxury hotel where you’ll have time to relax before dinner.
Note: Flights to Cairo depart early in the morning to take advantage of more favorable weather and traffic conditions, and to optimize tour scheduling.
DAY 11: Cairo
It’s a day of Bucket List Moments today as we venture to Ancient Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a number of amazing monuments to see—including the enigmatic Great Sphinx. You’ll have a thrilling opportunity to view the pyramids from an up-close perspective, the only way to fully appreciate their remarkable size and grandeur.
Featured Excursion:
Ancient Memphis sites, including the Pyramids of Giza with small pyramid entry, the Great Sphinx and Sakkara visit
DAY 12: Depart Cairo
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the Cairo International Airport for your flight home, or extend your trip with a memorable optional extension in Jerusalem.
In addition to the all inclusive guided sightseeing included in each port Uniworld has created a new collection of exclusive optional excursions known as the Masterpiece Collection at an added cost, which on this cruise can include visits to additional temples, exclusive dinner outings & more.
Luxury Travel Advisor
412-345-7569