MS Minerva

Introduction

Cruise in comfort and style onboard the Five-star luxury-rated MS Minerva. This ship creates the perfect atmosphere and a comfortable home base to explore the same route the Pharos would have taken in their stately processions along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan.

The MS Minerva offers luxurious cabins, mouth-watering cuisine and a variety of entrainment and recreation on board. You’ll never get bored or lack for something to keep you occupied, even if that’s just soaking up the rays on the enormous Sun deck that runs the entire length of the ship. This floating luxury hotel features a round-the-clock reception service as well as internet and international telephone facilities (charged against use) on board.

The large and elegantly furnished restaurant can accommodate all passengers in one sitting, while the opulent lounge and bar will give the prefect area to relax or chat. Cool off in the Sun deck swimming pool or sip your favourite cocktail at the pool bar. Whatever you choose, there’s no better way to experience the sights and scenery of Egypt.

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Guest Rooms Overview

Featuring 73 large double cabins, 2 singles and 2 luxury Suites, the MS Minerva offers a choice of five deck levels (cabins on four decks):

• Lower Deck with 9 double cabins
• Deck 1 with 20 double cabins
• Deck 2 with 28 double cabins and 2 large double-size Suites
• Deck 3 with 18 double cabins
• Sun deck

Main and upper deck cabins have a French/Juliet balcony with a Nile view. All cabins are fully air-conditioned (individually controlled) and furnished with generous closet and wardrobe space. Cabins also feature the following as standard:

• Private W/C, shower and hairdryer
• Marine Satellite TV with in-house video channels and music system
• In-cabin safe for valuables and mini-bar/fridge
• Full laundry service is available on request

Guests who book the Suites will also receive a complementary set of stationery, slippers and luxury bathrobes embroidered with logo and a departure souvenir logbook.

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MS Minerva Dining & Leisure Facilities

Itinerary

An experience like no other. We are committed to making sure you have an unforgettable voyage. Escape the outside world and enchant yourself in a world of refined luxury cruising. Be transported to a different time as you dive into an extraordinary realm of opulence & exploration.

11 FREE Excursions included (no hidden extras)

Valley of the Kings Valley of the Queens Karnak Temple Aswan High Dam Colossi of Memnon Luxor Temple Temple of Hatshepsut Temple of Philae

Boat trip around Elephantine Island Temple of Medinat Hatu Kom Ombo Temple Unfinished Obelisk Abu Simbel (optional) Hot Air Baloon (optional) Sound and Light Show (optional)

Monday Day 1: Luxor

Transfer from Luxor International Airport to your Nile cruise boat. Dinner on board or for late arrivals a light snack will be served. Overnight in Luxor.

Tuesday Day 2: Luxor

Breakfast on board, early morning visit to the West Bank including the Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, burial sites for many of the most powerful and successful pharaohs and high priests, as well as the Temple of Hatshepsut.

Wednesday Day 3: Esna -> Kom Ombo -> Aswan

Breakfast and Lunch on board whilst continue the journey south before sailing to Kom Ombo to visit the temple before dinner. This temple, unlike many others in Egypt, was dedicated to two gods; the Southern section is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile headed man, god of fertility, and the Northern section to the Falcon headed god Horus. There is also a fascinating crocodile museum to visit with many artefacts and mummified crocodiles. Sail to Aswan and overnight in Aswan.

Thursday Day 4: Aswan

After breakfast, visit the High Dam in Aswan, built in 1960-1971 to provide electricity to the villages along the Nile, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. Lunch on board and afternoon at leisure with an opportunity to revisit the Temple of Philae for an **optional sound & light show in the evening (priced at approx. £45pp).

Friday Day 5: Aswan

After breakfast there is the option of a morning at leisure or an early morning **optional visit to Abu Simbel (priced at approx. £95pp by road or £270pp by air). This impressive temple, built by Rameses II stands on the banks of Lake Nasser. After lunch on board, there is a relaxing boat trip around Elephantine Island to the Botanical Gardens on General Kitchener Island. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Saturday Day 6: Aswan -> Kom Ombo

Morning at leisure. Lunch on board and then set sail to Kom Ombo. After a brief stop at Kom Ombo, continue sailing and overnight.

Sunday Day 7: Esna -> Luxor

After lunch you will be taken by coach to visit the ‘world’s largest greatest open air museum’ known as Karnak Temple, which covers a large area of land and includes several temples, the largest of them being the Temple of Amun. Then drive a short distance to Luxor Temple. Originally, the temple was joined to Karnak by a long avenue of Sphinxes, many of which can still be seen today. Returning to the boat for Dinner on board. Overnight in Luxor.

Monday Day 8: Luxor

**Optional early morning balloon ride for the adventurous (priced at approx. £120pp). Breakfast on board followed by check-out and onward transfer to the airport or next destination.

**Optional extras prices are subject to change locally.

Please note: the order or content of your itinerary may be amended due to lock closures, low water levels or any other unforeseeable circumstances.

Traditionally, a tip is expected at the rate of £5.00 per person per night which is for the coach drivers, bell boys, housekeeping staff, crew and bar/restaurant staff. Additional tipping is not expected.

Our Prices Includes

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