MS Classic Blue Shadow IV

The Classic Blue Shadow IV features 62 well-appointed cabins and suites. Accommodation include:

• 35 twin cabins
• 23 double cabins (including 8 interconnecting)
• 2 junior suites
• 2 royal suites

All cabins are fully air-conditioned and come with a private bathroom (with a bathtub and shower), plus amenities such as a:

• hairdryer
• mini-fridge (not stocked)
• in-room safe
• telephone
• satellite TV (when docked – intermittent)

Every cabin also boasts a Juliet-style French balcony, and with all guest accommodation located on the middle and upper decks, you can enjoy Nile views straight from your room as you sail.

The suites offer extra luxury and space, with both Junior Suites and Royal Suites providing a more generous layout than the standard cabins. Each suite includes a comfortable seating area and enhanced amenities. Royal Suites even come with a Jacuzzi bathtub and a DVD player for in-cabin entertainment.

Whether you choose a standard cabin or a suite, you’ll enjoy stylish décor, plush furnishings, and daily housekeeping to ensure a relaxing stay on board.

The Classic Blue Shadow IV provides a wide range of onboard facilities to enhance your cruising experience:

From the sun deck’s shaded loungers to the stylish indoor lounge, you’ll find plenty of places to unwind and socialise. The onboard facilities ensure you stay comfortable – whether you’re cooling off in the pool, sipping a cocktail as you watch the Nile scenery drift by, or enjoying an evening of music and dancing in the lounge.

Dining on the Classic Blue Shadow IV is a delight, with something for every taste. The main restaurant offers an extensive buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can look forward to a mix of international dishes and Egyptian specialties throughout your cruise – from grilled meats and cooked vegetables to authentic local desserts. There’s also an afternoon tea time on the sun deck, perfect for sipping coffee or tea as you watch the river scenery.

Dress is casual and comfortable during the day (shorts and t-shirts are absolutely fine), while in the evenings guests typically opt for smart-casual. The atmosphere in both the restaurant and lounge is friendly and relaxed, so you can unwind over a good meal after a day of sightseeing. If you have any dietary requirements, simply let us know in advance and the crew will gladly cater to your needs.

A highlight of this Nile cruise is the comprehensive sightseeing programme included in your package. You will explore ancient temples, tombs, and landmarks with our expert Egyptologist guide (PhD-qualified and English-speaking) who brings Egypt’s history to life. All entrance fees and transportation for the following excursions are included – at no extra cost to you.

THE FOLLOWING 11 EXCURSIONS ARE INCLUDED WITH OUR CRUISE AT NO EXTRA COST:

• 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 Medinet Habu
• Kom Ombo Temple
• Unfinished Obelisk

With so many excursions included, you’ll experience all the major highlights of Upper Egypt during your cruise – from the temples of Luxor to the islands of Aswan – creating unforgettable memories at no extra cost.

For those who wish to see even more, we also offer these optional excursions (available at an additional cost):

The following **optional extra excursions can be purchased from our English-speaking qualified Egyptologist:

• Abu Simbel Aswan (£120 per person by road – £280.00 per person by air)
• Luxor City Tour by Horse & Carriage (£30.00 per person)
• Philae Sound and Light Show in Aswan (£55.00 per person)
• High Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan (£60.00 per person)
• Hot Air Balloon in Luxor (£110.00 per person)

Our Price Includes:

• Return flights from the UK, all transfers & airport taxes
• Full-board meals on the boat (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Cabins on the middle or upper decks
• 11 guided excursions with all entrance fees included
• Services of our expert Egyptologist guide throughout the cruise
• Optional all-inclusive drinks package available

**Optional extra prices are subject to change locally.

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 are on board whilst continuing the journey south before sailing to Kom Ombo to visit the temple before dinner. Unlike many others in Egypt, this temple 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, which has 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 between 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. £55pp).

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. £120pp by road or £280pp 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 and 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. £110pp). Breakfast on board followed by check-out and onward transfer to the airport or next destination.

**Optional extra 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. It is very rare that the sightseeing itinerary will alter, but due to circumstances beyond our control, this can happen without prior notice.

Traditionally, a tip is highly expected at the rate of £7.00 per person per night which is for the coach drivers, bell boys, housekeeping staff, crew and bar/restaurant staff. Additional tipping is not expected.