Five Stars Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan 4 nights

A wonderful way of travelling but be CAREFUL

Pros: Excellent experience on MS MONTECARLO I had a wonderful time on the Montecarlo. The crew was extremely friendly and helpful, always ready with a smile and genuine hospitality. The food was excellent – fresh, tasty, and different every day. My cabin was beautiful and spotless, with a lovely bathroom and great comfort. The sundeck was perfect for relaxing, with a nice pool and comfortable deckchairs. Nothing was too much. Everything ran smoothly and felt well organised. Above all the sailors even fixed my trolley who had lost one of its four wheels on the flight from Cairo to Aswan. My suitcase now has a second life as a pirate with a wooden leg. I can truly recommend the MS MONTECARLO and its entire crew for anyone looking for a relaxing and enjoyable Nile cruise experience!

Cons: I have travelled a lot, but this experience was by far the most complicated and frustrating one. Travellers really need to pay close attention to what they book and under which conditions. Always check what day the boat departs and from which city — some listings are misleading or unclear. Even more importantly, do not let yourself be intimidated by hotel or cruise managers who try to force you to buy expensive excursion packages. You are not required to accept them, no matter what they claim. I paid USD 3,220 and was initially placed on a tiny, dark, worn-out cabin on the MS TUT III. The window was stained, everything looked tired, and the breakfast was awful. The crew tried to make us sit with other guests even though there were plenty of empty tables. When I ordered tea, I was almost forced to take coffee instead — they even said there was “no more tea,” which was absurd. Luckily, since we were still in Aswan, I was able to negotiate a change of ship. We eventually sailed on the MS MONTECARLO, which was ten times better — clean, bright, friendly staff, and a completely different atmosphere. Lesson learned: Always double-check the cruise name, departure port, and what’s really included. And remember — you don’t have to put up with poor ships or pushy staff.