tui cruises on the nile

TUI River Cruises to debut a new ship on the River Nile in 2024

TUI Al Horeya will sail seven-night roundtrip itineraries from Luxor, Egypt 

By Alice Chambers | 20 July 2023

TUI River Cruises is to debut a new vessel on the River Nile in Egypt as part of its winter 2024 programme.

The ship, which will be named TUI Al Horeya (‘freedom’ in Arabic) is owned by Egyptian travel company Travco and will be chartered to TUI for an unspecified length of time. It is currently in dry dock in Egypt’s capital Cairo and will accommodate 145 passengers across 74 single and standard cabins and suites and will also feature a top-deck swimming pool, two whirlpools, an entertainment area, a restaurant, al fresco dining areas, a lounge bar, a wellness studio and a boutique shop. Dedicated licensed Egyptologists will also be onboard to deliver historical talks and tours.

TUI Al Horeya will sail seven-night, all-inclusive roundtrip cruises from Luxor between November 2024 and April 2025, visiting locations along the Nile including Efu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. TUI will offer two set excursions within the sailing package price including the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo. Additional excursions will be on offer in Luxor and Aswan, enabling guests to visit attractions such as the Temples of Karnak and Luxor with the Sphinx Avenue, as well as the Nubian Village.

As part of the inclusive package, TUI will operate two exclusive charter flights per week from the UK’s London Gatwick and Manchester airports to Luxor. The new routes are exclusive to TUI, which will be the only tour operator to offer direct, non-stop flights from the UK to Luxor.

“TUI River Cruises is going from strength to strength, and we are so excited to introduce this latest offering on the Nile which we are confident our customers will love,” said Chris Hackney, managing director of TUI River Cruises. “A cruise along the Nile offers a serene and unforgettable experience with lush landscapes, traditional villages, and other iconic landmarks such as the Luxor and Edfu Temples. With year-round sunshine, Egypt is the perfect destination for exploring ancient history and allowing guests to immerse themselves in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

To meet demand for winter 2024, TUI River Cruises has also developed two new seven-night itineraries over the New Year period – a ‘New Year Sail Away’ itinerary in Cologne, Germany, onboard TUI Isla and a ‘Sail into the New Year’ voyage in Frankfurt, Germany, on TUI Maya. TUI Skyla will also offer the brand’s existing ‘New Year on The Rhine’ itinerary.

“Customers are at the heart of our brand,” said Katy Berzins, head of TUI River Cruises at an exclusive media dinner attended by CFR, where she discussed some of the changes that have been implemented across the fleet this year to provide flexible onboard entertainment and excursion options for guests.

A few of the updates include developing menus based on the destinations guests are sailing to and traditional English dishes that feel like “home comforts”, as well as expanding excursion offerings to include more options, ranging from traditional walking tours to unique experiences such as kayaking in Venice.

Tags: itinerary planning     News     Ports & Destinations     River cruises

Alice Chambers

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TUI River Cruises Launches Nile Cruise With Fourth Ship, TUI Al Horeya (20th July, 2023)

Published by andy parrett on 22 july 2023 22 july 2023.

TUI River Cruises has announced a brand-new River Nile cruise set to commence in Winter 2024 with exclusive TUI charter flights to Luxor from London Gatwick and Manchester Airports.

The exciting expansion means that the river cruise line will add a fully refurbished five-star ship, to be named TUI Al Horeya, which means ‘freedom’, to operate seven-night, all-inclusive round-trip sailings from Luxor. TUI Al Horeya can accommodate 145 passengers and offers 74 cabins including singles, standard cabins and suites.

Two flights per week will operate from London Gatwick and Manchester to Luxor; a city which encompasses a mesmerizing blend of history, architecture, and culture. The new routes is exclusive to TUI, which will be the only tour operator to offer direct, non-stop flights from the UK to Luxor which will operate weekly on a Thursday from 7 th November 2024 until 24 th April 2025.

Chris Hackney, managing director of TUI River Cruises said : “TUI River Cruises is going from strength to strength, and we are so excited to introduce this latest offering on the Nile which we are confident our customers will love.

“A cruise along the Nile offers a serene and unforgettable experience with lush landscapes, traditional villages, and other iconic landmarks such as the Luxor and Edfu Temples. With year-round sunshine, Egypt is the perfect destination for exploring ancient history and allowing guests to immerse themselves in a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

He continued, “The name TUI Al Horeya was chosen to ensure we kept local connection to Egypt, as it is our only TUI River Cruise ship which will stay in the one country. TUI Al Horeya in Arabic means ‘freedom’, signifying the freedom the water brings to explore which is a great representation of what river cruising is all about.”

Dedicated licenced Egyptologists will be on hand throughout the trip to enhance the customer experience to be on hand to answer any questions. The modern and contemporary ship will boasts a top deck swimming pool, two whirlpools, an entertainment area, restaurant, Al Fresco dining, lounge bar, wellness studio and a boutique shop.

Like the rest of the fleet, TUI Al Horeya will include a day and night entertainment programme, as well as offering customers a wide range of excursions which have been curated by industry experts, guaranteed to transport visitors back in time to the era of pharaohs and dynasties.

There will be two set excursions included within the sailing package price, this includes the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the temple of Kom Ombo. To ensure that customers have as much flexibility within their cruise, a range of excursions will be on offer in Luxor and Awan for them to choose from. Options include:

• Discovering the Temples of Karnak and Luxor with the Sphinx Avenue, a strikingly graceful piece or architecture on the banks of the Nile;
• Experiencing a sound and light show at Karnak Temple, which recounts the history of Thebes and the lives of pharaohs;
• Visiting the Nubian Village, located on an Island, and sail on a traditional felucca, a canvas-sailed boat;
• Touring the High Dam, Obellsk and Phllae Temple, which was built in 1960

TUI Al Horeya is the latest addition to the TUI River Cruise fleet, which currently has three adult only ships. The announcement of this new destination comes on the back of strong demand from customers, with bookings increasing by 40 per cent compared to last year. To meet demand for Winter 2024, all three European ships will be going on sale for festive sailings and will include two new seven-night itineraries over New Year’s Eve; the ‘New Year Sail Away’ itinerary on-board TUI Isla, with New Year’s Eve spent in Cologne and ‘Sail into the New Year’ itinerary on TUI Maya, with new year’s celebrations in Frankfurt. This is in addition to the existing ‘New Year on The Rhine’ itinerary on Skyla.

The first Legends of the Nile itinerary will set sail on the 7 th November 2024:

Day 1: Luxor

Day 2: Luxor

Day 3: Edfu

Day 4: Kom Ombo

Day 5: Aswan

Day 6: Aswan

Day 7: Luxor

Day 8: Luxor

Available from £1399 based on two adults sharing a Deck 2 Superior French Balcony cabin on an All-Inclusive basis. Price includes flights from London Gatwick airport on the 5 th December 2024, and transfers. To find out more about this holiday or to book go to tui.co.uk/river-cruises, visit your local TUI holiday store or download our app.

TUI UK & IRELAND   

TUI UK and Ireland has a team of more than 10,000 employees and serves over six million customers each year. As part of TUI Group, it is the business behind the TUI, First Choice, Marella Cruises and Crystal Ski Holidays brands, as well as TUI Lakes & Mountains, TUI Tours and TUI River Cruises. Sub brands include TUI SENSATORI and TUI BLUE. 

Its airline, TUI Airways operates to over 88 destinations in 30 countries. It was the first airline in the UK to take delivery of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner .    

TUI RIVER CRUISES   

TUI River Cruises is part of TUI UK and Ireland and TUI Group. There are currently three adult only ships in the TUI River Cruises fleet, TUI Isla, TUI Skyla and TUI Maya. The river cruise line will add its fourth ship, Al Horeya to its fleet in November 2024.

Source: TUI Press Office

TUI River Cruises – My Cruise Blog

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TUI River Cruises Announce Brand New River Nile Cruise for 2024

TUI River Cruises has announced a brand-new River Nile cruise set to commence in Winter 2024

TUI River Cruises has announced a brand-new River Nile cruise set to commence in Winter 2024 with exclusive TUI charter flights to Luxor from London Gatwick and Manchester Airports.

  The exciting expansion means that the river cruise line will add a fully refurbished five-star ship, to be named TUI Al Horeya, which means ‘freedom’, to operate seven-night, all-inclusive round-trip sailings from Luxor. TUI Al Horeya can accommodate 145 passengers and offers 74 cabins including singles, standard cabins and suites.

Two flights per week will operate from London Gatwick and Manchester to Luxor; a city which encompasses a mesmerizing blend of history, architecture, and culture. The new routes is exclusive to TUI, which will be the only tour operator to offer direct, non-stop flights from the UK to Luxor which will operate weekly on a Thursday from 7 th  November 2024 until 24 th  April 2025.  

Chris Hackney, managing director of TUI River Cruises said :  “TUI River Cruises is going from strength to strength, and we are so excited to introduce this latest offering on the Nile which we are confident our customers will love.  

“A cruise along the Nile offers a serene and unforgettable experience with lush landscapes, traditional villages, and other iconic landmarks such as the Luxor and Edfu Temples. With year-round sunshine, Egypt is the perfect destination for exploring ancient history and allowing guests to immerse themselves in a once in a lifetime opportunity.”  

He continued, “The name TUI Al Horeya was chosen to ensure we kept local connection to Egypt, as it is our only TUI River Cruise ship which will stay in the one country. TUI Al Horeya in Arabic means ‘freedom’, signifying the freedom the water brings to explore which is a great representation of what river cruising is all about.”

Dedicated licenced Egyptologists will be on hand throughout the trip to enhance the customer experience to be on hand to answer any questions. The modern and contemporary ship will boasts a top deck swimming pool, two whirlpools, an entertainment area, restaurant, Al Fresco dining, lounge bar, wellness studio and a boutique shop.

Like the rest of the fleet, TUI Al Horeya will include a day and night entertainment programme, as well as offering customers a wide range of excursions which have been curated by industry experts, guaranteed to transport visitors back in time to the era of pharaohs and dynasties.

There will be two set excursions included within the sailing package price, this includes the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the temple of Kom Ombo. To ensure that customers have as much flexibility within their cruise, a range of excursions will be on offer in Luxor and Awan for them to choose from. Options include:

• Discovering the Temples of Karnak and Luxor with the Sphinx Avenue, a strikingly graceful piece or architecture on the banks of the Nile;
• Experiencing a sound and light show at Karnak Temple, which recounts the history of Thebes and the lives of pharaohs;
• Visiting the Nubian Village, located on an Island, and sail on a traditional felucca, a canvas-sailed boat;
• Touring the High Dam, Obellsk and Phllae Temple, which was built in 1960

  TUI Al Horeya is the latest addition to the TUI River Cruise fleet, which currently has three adult only ships. The announcement of this new destination comes on the back of strong demand from customers, with bookings increasing by 40 per cent compared to last year.  To meet demand for Winter 2024, all three European ships will be going on sale for festive sailings and will include two new seven-night itineraries over New Year’s Eve; the ‘New Year Sail Away’ itinerary on-board TUI Isla, with New Year’s Eve spent in Cologne and ‘Sail into the New Year’ itinerary on TUI Maya, with new year’s celebrations in Frankfurt. This is in addition to the existing ‘New Year on The Rhine’ itinerary on Skyla.

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Legends of the Nile

On a trip originating from Luxor – guests enjoy a jam-packed adventure along a section of the Nile, Africa’s longest river.

Guests enjoy the opportunity to embark on included tours and demonstrations alongside specialised Egyptologists as well as a selection of optional excursions to famous sites.

Take shelter at the end of each day aboard the TUI Al Horeya, a luxurious floating hotel assigned to the Nile river. Enjoy 7 nights from inside a spacious suite complete with stunning interior decor and hotel-style comforts.

Legends of the Nile Gallery

Legends of the Nile Cruise Itinerary

Venture through the Nile’s spectacular sights on this unique itinerary crafted by TUI. Visit famous temples, dams, light shows and much more over the course of your getaway. Revel in a selection of included excursions as well as a choice of alternative optional experiences.

Arrive to Luxor (EMBARK)

After a short 25-minute transfer from the airport, climb aboard the TUI Al Horeya and spend the afternoon familiarising yourself with the ship.

On day two of your stay in Luxor, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and enjoy a Nile Boat trip. You may also wish to enjoy a sound and light show at Karnak Temple.

Today, enjoy exploring the Karnak and Luxor Temples as well as the famous Sphinx Avenue.

• Edfu / Kom Ombo

This morning, spend some time exploring Edfu – located on the Nile’s west bank. Enjoy an included excursion to the magnificent Temple of Horus. Later, we’ll arrive in Kom Ombo, where you’ll embark on an included excursion with a certified Egyptologist for its unique double temple.

Upon arrival in Aswan, embark on a full-day tour to Abu Simbel, a pair of mountainside temples.

For your second day, enjoy a selection of optional excursions to the city’s biggest sites, including the Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple.

Spend day seven exploring through Luxor’s bustling atmosphere. Later, travel to the Karnak Temple for a spectacular light show.

Depart Luxor (DISEMBARK)

Enjoy the final morning of your getaway lounging about the ship or squeezing in some last-minute sightseeing before your return flight.

Legends of the Nile Cruise Ships

TUI Al Horeya

Designed to sail the iconic Nile River, enjoy the stunning views from a luxury air-conditioned suite or stateroom on the TUI Al Horeya. Unwind or exercise on the Top Deck, which is split into relaxation and activity zones with a pool, hot tubs, and a bar and restaurant.

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“My room was very spacious and well-decorated; it genuinely felt like I was coming back to a 5-star hotel each night. All the included excursions were very informative as well as punctual – it felt like we got everywhere we wanted to be exactly on schedule – even without being rushed.”

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Legends of the Nile FAQ

Find answers to some of the most common questions about river cruising here.

Is there special assistance available?

TUI River Cruises are not generally suitable for customers with reduced mobility. There isn’t a lift on the ship and there are no wheelchair accessible cabins available.

What are the recommended highlights for this trip?

TUI recommends paying a visit to Luxor’s ‘world’s greatest’ open-air museum and enjoying commentary about Egypt’s sights from one of the ships’ on-board Egyptologists.

What’s the maximum capacity of guests on-board the ship?

The TUI Al Horeya has a maximum capacity of 148 guests.

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TUI's brand new river cruise ship to launch with glamorous Egypt sailing

TUI River Cruises will offer a new sailing to Egypt along the River Nile on the brand's fourth ship, TUI Al Horeya with a top-deck swimming pool, whirlpools and a restaurant

• 15:52, 20 Jul 2023

Pharaohs, feluccas, obelisks and tombs are all on the itinerary for TUI river cruises in winter 2024-25.

The firm will launch a five-star refurbished ship on the Nile in Egypt, with chartered flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Luxor for seven night all-inclusive round trips.

TUI Al Horeya – which translates from Arabic as “freedom” and is the line’s fourth ship – will carry 145 passengers and offer single and standard cabins plus suites, a top-deck swimming pool, two whirlpools, an entertainment area, restaurant, alfresco dining, lounge bar, wellness studio and a shop.

Passengers will be able to visit spectacular Karnak Temple, sail in a traditional felucca, tour the mighty Aswan High Dam and see the breathtaking Valley of the Kings and the vast Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut.

Holidaymakers will also be able to get all of their biggest questions answered, with Egyptologists onboard to offer some of their expert insight.

TUI River Cruises chief Chris Hackney said: "We are going from strength to strength, and excited to introduce this latest offering on the Nile which we are confident our customers will love."

The season will run from November 7, 2024 to April 24, 2025 with prices from £1,399pp including flights from Gatwick on December 5, 2024, and transfers. You can find out more and book at tui.co.uk/river-cruises .

It's not just the river cruise which will be on offer for those planning to delve into the world of Ancient Egypt.

As part of its winter 2024 programme, TUI will also be offering a host of iconic hotels along the River Nile - including the Hilton Luxor which boasts an amazing infinity pool with views out across the Nile.

That includes seven-night stays at the 5T Hilton Luxor on a bed & breakfast basis from £1179 per person, based on two adults sharing, and with flights from either Manchester or London Gatwick on November 21, 2024.

The deals also include stays at the 5T TUI BLUE Sensatori Coral Sea in Sharm El Sheikh on an all-inclusive basis from £1154 per person based on two adults sharing, flights departing from London Gatwick Airport on December 7.

It's worth noting that both holidays include transfers as well as 10kg hand luggage and 15kg hold luggage. You can check out the deals and more in TUI's full list of Egypt holidays .

TUI will be the only operator to offer direct flights from the UK to the Red Sea, with easy access to the likes of Sharm El Sheik, Hurghada and Marsa Alam.

MORE ON Cruise news Cruise ships Cruise Holidays Sunshine holidays Egypt

TUI Announces Nile Cruises with Fourth Ship

• July 23, 2023

TUI River Cruises is expanding its offerings with an  announcement of a new Nile cruise program set to begin in Winter 2024.

The cruise line will introduce exclusive TUI charter flights from London Gatwick and Manchester Airports to Luxor, Egypt, making it the only tour operator to offer direct, non-stop flights from the UK to Luxor, according to a press release from the company.

The new Nile cruises will feature a fully refurbished five-star ship named TUI Al Horeya, meaning “freedom,” accommodating 145 passengers across 74 cabins, including singles, standard cabins, and suites. Embarking on seven-night, all-inclusive round-trip sailings from Luxor, guests will experience the Nile and visit landmarks like the Luxor and Edfu Temples.

Chris Hackney, Managing Director of TUI River Cruises, expressed enthusiasm for the new offering, noting that a cruise along the Nile provides an unforgettable experience with year-round sunshine, making Egypt the perfect destination for immersing oneself in ancient history, he said.

Hackney said: “TUI River Cruises is going from strength to strength, and we are so excited to introduce this latest offering on the Nile which we are confident our customers will love.

“A cruise along the Nile offers a serene and unforgettable experience with lush landscapes, traditional villages, and other iconic landmarks such as the Luxor and Edfu Temples. With year-round sunshine, Egypt is the perfect destination for exploring ancient history and allowing guests to immerse themselves in a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Hackney said.

To enhance the customer experience, dedicated licensed Egyptologists will be on hand throughout the trip to provide insights and answer any questions about the historical significance of the sites visited.

The company said that the TUI Al Horeya boasts modern amenities, including a top-deck swimming pool, two whirlpools, an entertainment area, a restaurant, Al Fresco dining, a lounge bar, a wellness studio and a boutique shop.

Guests can also enjoy a day and night entertainment program and a range of expert-curated excursions that offer a journey back to the era of pharaohs and dynasties.

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Mein schiff 9, mein schiff relax, mein schiff 7, mein schiff 2, mein schiff 1, mein schiff 6, mein schiff 5, mein schiff 4, mein schiff 3, tui al horeya, review of tui cruises.

TUI Cruises GmbH (tuicruises.com) is a 50-50 Joint venture company between TUI AG (Germany) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (US corporation). The Hamburg -based company was founded in 2008 and operational since 2009. On April 22, 2018, the cruise line celebrated its 10th anniversary. In 2018, TUI fleet's capacity was 14,784 berths, serving 0,5+ million passengers annually. By year 2024, TUI will have annual capacity ~800,000 passengers - compared to 2017 (500,000), 2018 (550,000) and 2019 (650,000, berths 17,500),

TUI Group fully owns three England-registered subsidiary companies (TUI UK Ltd, TUI Airways Ltd, TUI Ireland Ltd) plus one Ireland-registered (Adehy Ltd).

On February 7, 2020, TUI AG announced that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (valued ~EUR 1,2 billion) becomes part of TUI Cruises. The contract with RCCL was signed in Hamburg (Feb 7), the cash transaction from RCCL (~EUR 700 million) was closed on July 6, 2020.

The Hanover Germany-based TUI Group (British-German multinational) is currently ranked the world's largest leisure and travel company. It was founded in 1923 and until 2002 was named "Preussag AG". TUI Group's companies specialize in hospitality and tourism services worldwide, with a portfolio including passenger airlines, cruise shipping (shipowner), package vacations, hotels and resorts, travel agencies, retail shops. TUI Group's current CEO is Sebastian Ebel, who (in October 2022) succeeded Fritz Joussen (2013-2022).

TUI Cruises GmbH's current CEO is Wybcke Meier (since 2014). In March 2023 was created the "Mein Schiff Destinations Department". Other executives include Marcus Puttich (director of destinations), Dennis Tetzlaff (VP of fleet operations and newbuilds), Denis Wiechert (VP of product management and guest experiences).

For 2021-Q1, TUI Group reported 2,8 million bookings (all brands/subsidiaries), or 56% of 2019's, with 20% higher average prices and overall loss EUR 698,6 million (EUR 146,7 M loss in 2019). Cruise shipping revenue was EUR 0,6 million (EUR 238,4 M in 2019). TUI Group secured 3x financing packages (with its major shareholders, banks and Germany's Economic Stabilization Fund). The 3rd package (EUR 1,8 billion) was completed in late January.

For FY2021 (fiscal year), TUI Group reported EUR 27 million (~USD 30,6M) in cruise revenues (~EUR 445,6M less than FY2020), EBIT loss EUR 277,5M (~USD 314M), avrg ship occupancy rates ~40%. By brand, the number of passenger days was 1,227M (TUI), 0,114M (Hapag-Lloyd), 0,153M (Marella). Average daily rates by brand were EUR 132 (TUI), EUR 514 (Hapag-Lloyd), GBP 124 / EUR 145 (Marella).

In September 2023 TUI signed with VIKAND Solutions (Dania Beach Florida-based medical group specializing in maritime healthcare) to deliver fleetwide biomedical equipment and provide support (lifecycle asset management, preventative maintenance, repairs, support).

In January 2024, TUI signed a partnership with Marquard & Bahls (1947-founded, Hamburg-based company specializing in energy and chemicals) to supply with methanol Mein Schiff 7 (fleet's first methanol-powered vessel vessel). The deal was signed by Wybcke Meier (TUI's CEO) and Volker Ebeling (Mabanaft's Senior VP of New Energy, Supply & Infrastructure).

(new brand) TUI River Cruises UK

In April 2019, the shipowner TUI AG terminated the charters of its 3 riverboats and established the UK-focused brand "TUI River Cruises" (tui.co.uk/river-cruises). The new brand was scheduled to start operations in summer 2020 but due to the global health crisis, its inauguration was postponed for August 2021 (delayed ~1,5 years).

The sisterships are named TUI Isla , TUI Maya , TUI Skyla .

In 2024-2025, TUI expands the river fleet with two more boats - TUI Al Horeya (2024/Egypt's Nile River) and TUI Alma (2025/Portugal's Douro River).

TUI River Cruises is a separate company part (fully-owned subsidiary) of TUI AG (British-German travel and tourism corporation). TUI Group also owns the companies Marella Cruises UK and Hapag-Lloyd-Cruises .

River travel aficionados can choose from various itineraries and optional shipboard and land packages. Standard (basic) TUI river cruise pricing is inclusive of alcohol (beers and wines by the glass) and soft drinks with all meals, as well as of gratuities (onboard tips), service charges and bicycles (offered complimentary to all passengers in call ports of the current cruisetour itinerary). Premium drinks packages are optional (offered at extra cost). All TUI riverboats have balcony suites. Shore excursions range from sightseeing tours (guided by local experts) to bike tours.

The new river cruise company offers GBP 120 (~EUR 140 / USD 155) per person in OBC (onboard credit) towards all land tour bookings. TUI river ships are named TUI Maya , TUI Skyla and TUI Isla , each with capacity 155 passengers plus 40 crew, LOA length 135 m (445 ft), 4 decks (3 with cabins). Standard cabins are sized 12 m2 (130 ft2) and with fixed double beds.

TUI riverboats' venues include:

• (Deck 2) cabins, Lobby (Reception Desk, Tour Desk, Library), wellness facilities (Spa, Gym, Hair Parlor)
• (Deck 3) cabins, Observatory Lounge, Bar Lounge, Bow Terrace, 2 restaurants (Bistro Buffet, Verdastro Dining Room). Verdastro Restaurant serves buffet-type breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner (with waiter service). Bistro Restaurant is for buffet-style dining only (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Observatory is the show lounge with live entertainment in the evenings (musical performances, stand-up comedy acts, crew show, themed dance parties).
• (Deck 4) Sundeck with games area (shuffleboard), shaded seating (Sundeck Lounge), sunbathing area with padded loungers, sunbeds, daybeds.

In December 2019, TUI signed an exclusive partnership with Live Business UK (one of Europe's largest entertainment program developers and suppliers) for the TUI River Cruises company. By this deal, Live Business UK prepared the onboard entertainment programming for the boats and is also responsible for recruiting cruise directors, hosts, ship musicians, guest performers, local tour guides and other experts.

Company history

During the company's 10 years of service (2008-2018), the six Mein Schiffs handled around 2,2 million passengers, visited over 200 seaports and covered around 2,9 million km (1,8 million ml). TUI's sister-brand is Marella Cruises (UK source market).

For FY2018 (fiscal year), TUI Group's earnings (from the 3 cruise brands - TUI, Marella, and Hapag-Lloyd) increased by 10,7% - to EUR 901,9 million. Company's turnover was EUR 324 million (26,8% increase over 2017). Group's average daily rates increased to EUR 178 euro (TUI, up from EUR 173), EUR 141 (Marella, up from EUR 131) and EUR 615 (Hapag-Lloyd, up from EUR 594).

In 2015-2016, TUI Group had a turnover of EUR 17,8 billion (company's record) and operating result of EUR 1B. Corporation's portfolio consisted of 14 vessels (TUI, Thomson-Marella, and Hapag-Lloyd brands), several large tour operators, around 1600 travel agencies (including online portals), over 300 hotels (around 214,000 beds) and 6 airlines (over 150 aircraft).

The list of TUI-owned airlines includes Corsair International (France), TUI Airways (UK), TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, TUI fly Netherlands, and TUI fly Nordic (departures from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway).

In FY2016 (the fiscal year 2016), TUI Cruises had 60% growth (over FY2015) in earnings, with EBITA of EUR 130 million (EUR 81 million in FY2015). The reported growth came from the corporation's two main markets - Germany and UK.

TUI Cruises started operations by acquiring Celebrity Galaxy from Celebrity Cruises - another RCCL subsidiary. The ship left Celebrity's fleet on March 16, 2009. After buying Celebrity Galaxy, the vessel was refitted at Lloyd Werft shipyard ( Bremerhaven, Germany ) arriving on March 27 for 38-day, EUR 50 million conversions. Galaxy was re-christened on May 15th in Hamburg and renamed "Mein Schiff" (meaning "My Ship" in Deutsch)

. TUI planned to build two 100,000 GT, 2500-passenger ships in 2011 and 2012.

• On May 27, 2010, was revealed that Celebrity Mercury joined TUI fleet as "Mein Schiff 2"(renamed in 2018 to Mein Schiff Herz/now Marella Voyager ). Before the refit, "MS Mein Schiff" was renamed to Mein Schiff 1 (now Marella Explorer ). Schiff 2 entered service in February 2011 after an extensive drydock reconstruction .
• On September 27, 2011, TUI and STX Finland announced a shipbuilding contract for a 97,000 GT vessel ( Schiff 3 ) with delivery in 2014. The vessel has LOA length 295 m/968 ft, 1250 staterooms (mostly balconied) and capacity 2500 passengers and 1000 crew. The contract included an optional second ship, that was ordered on November 5, 2012 ( Schiff 4 ). Schiff 3 entered service on April 22, 2014.
• In March 2015, RCI ( Royal Caribbean International ) announced selling Splendour of the Seas to TUI Cruises in 2016-Q2. TUI leased the vessel to Thomson UK (now Marella) replacing MS Island Escape (now Ocean Gala ).
• In May 2015 TUI Group announced that as part of fleet modernization strategy, Schiff 1 and 2 will be transferred to Thomson/Marella over the next few years to upgrade TUI's UK fleet.
• In 2018, TUI signed a partnership deal with "Merkur Casino Mare" (part of Gauselmann Group) for the onboard gambling on Schiff 1 (since 2018), Schiff 2 (since 2019) and Schiff 3 (since 2021). The ship Casino features 6x electronic roulettes plus 14x other Merkur gaming machines, and a separate gambling lounge with 4x M-Box Buzzer (multi-gaming machines) and a blackjack table for live gaming. For 2020, Gauselmann AG reported revenue EUR 2,56 billion (~USD 3B / ~GBP 2,2B). Since 2012, Gauselmann owns the British company Praesepe Ltd (now Merkur Casino UK) which owns the Cashino brand (street gambling arcade chain).
• In mid-October 2021, TUI announced that Schiff Herz will be transferred in 2023 to Marella Cruises UK . Following a drydock, the boat will be renamed "Marella Voyager", starting operations for Marella on June 3, 2023.

The Hannover travel group TUI AG (listed at London Stock Exchange) keeps an upbeat outlook of cruise shipping activities. The company owns 100% of Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten and 50% of TUI Kreuzfahrten.

In August 2015, TUI announced EBITA growth (Q3) by EUR 11 million, which reflected the full-year profit of Schiff 3 (operated since June 2014) and the launch of Schiff 4 (June 2015). In addition, Hapag-Lloyd's remarkable turnaround and EUR 4 million benefits from refinancing ms Europa 2 meant that TUI had EUR 21 million increase in underlying EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization).

In May 2015, TUI AG Supervisory Board and RCCL-Royal Caribbean confirmed the purchase options for Schiff 7 and Schiff 8 (later renamed "Schiff 1" and "Schiff 2", delivered respectively in 2018 and 2019), as the German market reported further growth. The new liners are slightly larger (2860 lower berths each), built by Meyer Turku Finland . The deal was fully financed within TUI Cruises (joint venture) - without further contribution from TUI AG and RCCL.

Schiff 5 was launched on January 15, 2016, following the 14-month construction period. Around 1500 employees are involved in the building of each TUI vessel.

In mid-July 2018, TUI ordered two new ships (161,000 GT-ton, 4000-passenger) - this time from the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Their scheduled deliveries are in 2025-Q1 ( Schiff Relax ) and 2026-Q2 ( Schiff 9 ). TUI's "Italian" liners are LNG-powered and from the company's new InTUItion-Class (fka TUI XL-Schiff).

In October 2018, TUI announced the "Wasteless" initiative aimed to eliminate disposable plastic products fleetwide (and also in land-based operations - provision suppliers and office staff) by the year 2020. Plastics will be replaced by alternative products made from renewable resources. The eco-initiative started with the newbuilds, on which in all cabin bathrooms, shower gel and shampoo dispensers are refillable, terry slippers are bathrobe's pockets (not packed in plastic), laundry bags are from bio-based plastic, coffee-to-go cups for crew are from bio-based plastic, drink stirrers are wooden. In November 2019, TUI reported ~30 million single-use plastic items replaced with renewable/sustainable materials-made alternatives.

In 2018, the German travel market reached ~2,2 million cruisers, of whom ~26% were served by TUI.

TUI Schiff Restaurants and Bars

TUI Schiff sonnenbereiche und poolbereiche (sundeck and Lido-deck pool areas)

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, TUI River Cruises suspended passenger shipping operations by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures March 15, 2020, through August 15, 2021. TUI Cruises Germany ("Mein Schiff" fleet) suspended operations on March 23 and restarted on August 21 with Schiff 1 (7-day Norwegian Fjords roundtrip from Kiel) and Schiff 2 (7-day Norway from Hamburg). Schiff 6 started on September 13 (through November 7) with 7-day roundtrips from Heraklion (Crete) to Piraeus-Athens and Kerkyra (Corfu Island).

TUI River Cruises were planned to resume on November 26, 2020 ( Christmas and New Year itineraries ) but were eventually canceled through August 2021 (the brand was inaugurated on August 15, with TUI Maya from Frankfurt).

All affected bookings were automatically canceled and fully refunded in FCC (future cruise credit) notes for the full cost of the cruise. The FCCs can be used for paying a new voyage (with rebooking) or fully refunded (100%) in cash after 12 months.

Next are listed all TUI liners and their first departure dates/homeports/regions in 2021 - Schiff 3 (May 10/Norway from Bremerhaven), Schiff 4 (Apr 23/UK-Baltic from Hamburg), Schiff 5 (May 13/Mediterranean from Heraklion Crete), Schiff 6 (May 9/Mediterranean from Palma de Mallorca), Schiff Herz (Sept 3/Mediterranean from Palma de Mallorca). Schiff 1 and Schiff 2 started Canary Islands cruises in January, with 7-day and 14-day roundtrips from Gran Canaria.

The latest cancellations affected Schiff 5's Asian program (Hong Kong) and Schiff 6's Arabian Gulf program (from Dubai).

Itinerary of TUI Cruises

The next table provides a concise review of the TUI fleet's deployments (as homeports and destinations/regions). For detailed itineraries (call ports, port dates-times, and cruise prices) just follow the ship links.

TUI River Cruises

"TUI River Cruises" is a 2019-founded (operational since 2021) brand and a subsidiary of TUI AG. The new company specializes in passenger river shipping in Europe and is generally UK-focused (as source market).

TUI's riverboat fleet consists of three fully refurbished ships - TUI Maya , TUI Skyla , TUI Isla . The boats usually operate roundtrips from the homeports Passau and Frankfurt (Germany), Amsterdam Holland and Budapest Hungary .

In January 2022, TUI announced the restart dates of the riverboats after winter 2021 season was suspended due to Europe's increasing COVID Omicron cases. TUI's Rhine program was first halted before Christmas 2021 when Germany's government imposed travel restrictions on UK tourists.

TUI's river operations were planned to resume with TUI Skyla on March 28th. The "Magic of the Danube" itinerary (7-night roundtrip from Budapest ) visited ports in Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. Prices started at GBP 1120 per person with double occupancy.

TUI's first 14-night voyage started on April 8 ( TUI Isla ). The "European Icons" itinerary started in Amsterdam and visited ports in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary, ending in Budapest. Prices started at GBP 2010 pp.

TUI's Rhine voyages started on April 8 with the "Rhine Germs" itinerary visiting Koblenz and Speyer (Germany Rhineland-Palatinate) along with Basel Switzerland . The 7-day roundtrip is from Frankfurt am Main (Germany Hesse) , fares started at GBP 1170 pp.

Themed voyages started on April 1st ( TUI Maya ) with the "Vines and Valleys" Moselle River itinerary.

In December 2023, TUI River Cruises announced a fleet expansion with two new vessels - TUI Al Horeya (Nile River boat/inauguration in 2024) and TUI Alma (Douro River boat/inauguration in 2025).

TUI Cruises related cruise news

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• Nile Cruises

Nile Cruise Holidays

Join us on a voyage of discovery as we visit the majestic monuments that line the bank of the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, including the World Heritage Sites of the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Kom Ombo, and Philae. From the heady mixture of sights and sounds to the attentive service on board your ship, there’s no better way to savour a slice of Egyptian life – past and present.

Savour the sights on a fully-guided itinerary

Every cruise includes an expertly guided itinerary which includes 10 FREE excursions. You will explore the major sights from Luxor and the magnificent city of Thebes and Valley of the Kings, on to the unusual double temple of Kom Ombo, before reaching Aswan and its spectacular High Dam, which is also the stepping off point for the ever popular optional excursion to Abu Simbel .

Luxury accommodation

Our fleet of modern, custom-built Nile cruise ships are floating hotels, equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities. All the cabins are exterior ones, so you have the best possible view on your journey through Egypt.

Scheduled flights with EgyptAir

Flights from London Heathrow to Luxor are operated by our scheduled airline partner EgyptAir, and include a generous baggage allowance, free in-flight meals, a comfortable seat pitch and personal seatback entertainment system.

Find out more

To find out more, check prices or to book, click on the links below , use the Search & Book box to the left (select the "Nile Cruises" tab) or give us a call. Please note: all cruises start on a Monday.

Choose your Nile Cruise holiday

Explore our ships, iberotel jaz cruises.

Embark on a journey through 5,000 years of history aboard Iberotel's Jaz Cruises fleet. This fleet of custom-designed Nile Cruises ships offers every... more

7 night Itinerary

What's included, fly from london heathrow, departures every monday, 100% atol protected, search & book.

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Sonesta Cruise Collection - Nile River

Experience the beauty of the Nile

Explore the landmark temples, tombs and ruins on a three, four and seven night trip as you sail between Aswan and Luxor. Enjoy upscale hospitality and watch 5,000 years of history unfold before you on an unforgettable journey through ancient Egypt.

Our Cruise Ships

Sail the majestic Nile River between Luxor and Aswan in the comfort and modern luxury of one of our 5-star Sonesta Nile cruise ships:

Sonesta Sun Goddess

Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise Ship offers 5 decks and 30 luxurious suites; including 2 Family Suites,1 Royal Suite with Jacuzzi, 1 Executive Suite, and 26 Presidential suites.

Sonesta Star Goddess

An all-suite cruise ship, the Sonesta Star Goddess features 33 suites named after famous composers, giving it a touch of elegance and sophistication.

Sonesta Moon Goddess

The Moon Goddess offers 49 luxurious cabins with sliding glass doors opening to private balconies and 4 presidential suites with a private lounge.

Sonesta Nile Goddess Cruise Ship

Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise Ship offers 47 deluxe cabins and 2 Senator Suites with sliding glass doors opening to private balconies, and 4 presidential suites with a private lounge.

Sonesta St. George Nile 1

Noted as one of the most elegant ships on the Nile, the St. George offers a full-service spa and fitness center, restaurant, bars, nightly entertainment and guided excursions.

Sonesta Dahabeya Amirat

Sonesta Dahabeya Amirat features 5 Deluxe Cabins and 2 Elegant Suites with private terrace, and is designed to offer maximum luxury, comfort and privacy.

The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking cruise ship

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Fast-growing Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line.

Not only does the California-based company offer ocean cruises in almost every corner of the world, it also offers river cruises on many of the world’s major rivers.

That’s notably different from most cruise lines. Typically, cruise lines operate either ocean cruises or river cruises but not both. That gives them a smaller range of itineraries.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note, from the Douro in Portugal to (until recently) the Volga in Russia.

The company also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong in Southeast Asia, and it just began river trips on the Mississippi River .

There are 80 river ships in Viking’s fleet — an astounding number. None of its main competitors among river lines catering to North Americans, which include Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and AmaWaterways , have anywhere near that number of vessels.

Related: First look at Viking’s stylish new Nile River ship

Among ocean cruise destinations, Viking has a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which it considers its home turf. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) However, you’ll find Viking’s nine traditional ocean ships everywhere from North America to Asia and Australia.

Last year, the line began cruising to Antarctica with its first expedition ship — a type of vessel built specifically for travel to remote, hard-to-reach places. Viking now has two such vessels.

Among the line’s voyages, there’s everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages.

Overwhelmed with choices? Here are the five best Viking cruise destinations where the line can truly offer you a memorable vacation.

Scandinavia and Northern Europe

Some of Viking’s most interesting itineraries are around Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, with many beginning or ending in Norway — the homeland of the company’s founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen.

As Hagen once told me, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea are what the company considers “Viking country” — a region where it wants to dominate.

During summers, in particular, Viking devotes an unusually large number of its ships to itineraries around Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea and other Northern Europe destinations such as Iceland. Many, notably, use the relatively small but famously scenic Norwegian city of Bergen (population 286,000) as a gateway, something no other line is doing. That allows for unusual variations on the typical Baltic Sea or Norwegian fjords cruise.

The line’s most popular route in the region, “Viking Homelands,” is a two-week-long, one-way trip between Bergen and Stockholm that combines several days of exploring the fjord region of Norway’s west coast with more-typical Baltic cruise destinations such as St. Petersburg, Russia, and Helsinki.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries

Note that, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Viking has pulled the St. Petersburg stop, as well as stops in Finland and Estonia from the Viking Homelands itinerary; the trips instead feature extra stops in Norway and Denmark. It’s unlikely St. Petersburg will return to the itinerary until the war in Ukraine is resolved.

Viking also offers a 14-night itinerary that includes several stops in the northernmost part of the country above the Arctic Circle. Dubbed “Into the Midnight Sun,” the one-way route between Bergen and London is unique because it combines calls in far-north Honningsvag and Tromso, Norway, with visits to Scotland’s remote Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands. Though part of the United Kingdom, these archipelagos have ties to Norwegian and Viking history.

Itineraries that will take you from Bergen to Iceland or even as far away as France, Portugal and Spain also are available.

Viking’s Scandinavia and Northern Europe trips range widely in length from just seven nights to a whopping 28 nights.

Among the longest sailings that Viking offers that include calls in Northern Europe are one-way, 28-night voyages between Bergen and New York City. The trips include stops in Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Canada.

In Northern Europe, Viking ships mostly sail out of Bergen, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen and London as well as Reykjavik.

The Mediterranean

Viking has grown into a major player in Mediterranean sailings, with more than 30 distinct itineraries that include stops in the region.

The trips include voyages focused specifically on the Western Mediterranean or Eastern Mediterranean and some that include stops across both areas.

Typical of the latter is the line’s 14-night “Mediterranean Antiquities” routing, a one-way trip between Athens and Barcelona that stops in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Monaco, France and Spain.

More-focused Mediterranean itineraries include the line’s nine-night “Empires of the Mediterranean” voyages between Venice and Athens, which mostly concentrate on stops along the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea in Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro.

In the Mediterranean, the line’s main hubs are Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Venice, Italy; Piraeus (the port for Athens), Greece; and Istanbul.

Related: The complete guide to Viking cabins and suites  

Europe riverways

Viking is, quite simply, the giant of river cruising in Europe — at least among lines that cater to English speakers. The company operates around 70 river ships on a broad swath of the continent’s rivers — far more than any other river line catering to North Americans.

In all, the line accounts for about half of all river cruises taken by North Americans in the region. The next biggest player in Europe river cruises for North Americans, AmaWaterways, is less than half the size.

Among the rivers in Europe where Viking has a major presence are the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; and the Moselle and Elbe in Germany. Until recently, Viking also offered cruises on the Dnieper River in Ukraine. The voyages have been suspended since Russia invaded the country in early 2022.

On nearly all of the rivers, the line offers multiple itineraries with lengths ranging from seven nights to as many as 22 nights.

Among 10 different itineraries on the Rhine River alone, offerings range from a seven-night “Rhine Getaway” from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, to a 22-night “European Sojourn” from Amsterdam to Bucharest, Romania. The latter adds travel on the Main and Danube rivers to days on the Rhine.

Viking offers some of the most intimate and elegant cruises on the Nile, with three ships including the recently unveiled, 82-passenger Viking Osiris — one of our favorite vessels on the river.

All three of Viking’s Nile ships operate the same seven-night Nile cruise itinerary that Viking pairs with a four-night stay at a hotel in Cairo (three nights before the cruise and one night after) to create an 11-night “Pharaohs and Pyramids” tour of Egypt.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s loyalty program

The cruise portion of the tour includes visits to the historic temples of Luxor, Karnak, Esna, Dendera and Abu Simbel as well as a visit to the iconic Valley of the Kings. The stay in Cairo brings a visit to the pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and other sites.

Viking Osiris is the first of four sister ships that Viking plans to launch on the Nile by 2025 as it doubles its footprint in Egypt. The vessels offer a clean-lined, Scandinavian-influenced design that mimics the look of Viking’s Europe-based vessels.

Notably, the ship features an entire deck of sprawling suites that rival anything else found on the Nile for luxury and comfort. Each comes with two full-size rooms — a large living room with a residential feel and an adjacent bedroom with a walk-in closet and bathroom. Each suite also has an outdoor balcony with seating for two — something you don’t always see on Nile ships.

Viking is a newcomer to cruises to Antarctica, but the destination is a big growth area for the line. Viking recently added two new, 378-passenger expedition cruise vessels specifically built to travel to the White Continent.

Dubbed Viking Octantis, the first of these vessels began sailings to Antarctica in February 2022. The second ship in the series, Viking Polaris, has just joined its sister in Antarctica this year. Together, the two ships are already making waves in the market for Antarctica cruises, in part because they have several new and unusual features.

Most notable is The Hangar, an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to two of each ship’s exploratory vessels while still in the protected interior of the ship. A first for an expedition ship, it’s something that is significantly improving the experience for passengers heading out on Antarctica exploration.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

In another first for polar expedition cruise vessels, every cabin on both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel.

Viking offers several Antarctic itineraries, with the typical trip starting with a night at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before a flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, to board one of the two expedition ships for an 11-night cruise to Antarctica and back. A longer version of the trip features 13 nights on board one of the ships and extra days in Antarctica.

Viking also offers Antarctica sailings that combine a visit to the White Continent with stops in the Falkland Islands, Uruguay and Brazil.

Viking Octantis, notably, also operated Viking’s first sailings around the Great Lakes this year. In 2023, both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris will spend their summers in the Great Lakes.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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Have Métier, Will Travel! Melissa Morris Shares Her Travel Diary From a Once-in-a-Lifetime Nile Cruise

By Lilah Ramzi

For Melissa Morris , the founder of luxury handbag label Métier, attention to detail is an art. Her made in Italy, designed in London leathergoods are more engineered than crafted; handbags are modular, and travel bags are pocketed to perfection. So it should come as no surprise that this approach carries over into all that she does, including how she celebrates her birthdays. On the agenda for her milestone 40th? A journey along the River Nile.

“Egypt has been somewhere I have longed to visit for so long now,” Morris tells Vogue . For her, traveling is not just about leisure but also an essential source of inspiration. “I love to explore new places that I have never been to. I think it’s so important to see the world—let alone inspiring—so I try to go to several new places each year.”

Morris’s itinerary was thoughtfully assembled with the help of her friend Philomena Schurer-Merckoll, who had recently fallen in love with Egypt. The journey began with three nights in a private villa at Al Moudira in Luxor, where Morris and her friends explored temples, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, and local artisanal shops. Despite missing out on a hot air balloon ride due to windy conditions, it was otherwise a smooth sail.

The adventure continued aboard the Set Nefru, a beautifully restored five-person boat originally built in the 1940s for the Egyptian royal family. Cruising down the Nile, they made stops at Edfu and Silsileh, soaking in the serene vistas of the riverbanks.

Along for the ride was a group that Morris had a hunch would get along. “I don’t have a group of friends, per se,” she says. “I have a lot of different friends from different places and parts of my life, so it's really fun to bring people together and watch the magic happen.”

Morris fondly recalls the camaraderie among her fellow travelers, epic backgammon battles, and discovering a new favorite pastime: dominos. Unexpected highlights included a dare that led her to leap into the Nile. “Everyone decided to go swimming in the Nile… Erik [Maza] and I thought we would watch from afar, which was my plan until our captain dared me to jump off,” she says. “And without a second thought, I did!”

The final leg of the trip took them to Cairo, where they stayed at the historic Immobilia apartments. Days were spent visiting local boutiques, art galleries like Tintera, and the breathtaking Ibn Tulun Mosque. The climax of the trip was a visit to the pyramids on Morris’s birthday—a fitting finale to a major celebration.

As for what Morris packed in her very chic Métier bags? A vacation wardrobe that mirrored her everyday style—minimalist with a mix of neutrals, linens, and vintage pieces. “I was excited for the trip, but I don’t think I had any idea of how special an adventure awaited us,” she adds. “The art and architecture blew my mind. I cannot believe how inventive and resourceful people have been for so long.”

Find a series of snapshots from Morris’s Egyptian holiday, below.

Breakfast at Al Moudira.

Al Moudira.

Max Southwell, Philomena Schurer-Merckoll, Sam Wathen, me, and Erik Maza at Al Moudira.

Inside Al Moudira.

Zöe Zimmer touring the sandstone quarries at Silsileh.