Travel: Experiencing an introductory Nile Cruise

Telegraph Online (Maggie O'Sullivan)

A travel article that looks briefly at some of the pros and cons of a Nile cruise. Although the experience of seeing some of the ancient Egyptian temples is described, this piece is more focused on what traveling on a Nile cruiser is actually like, as a way to visit ancient Egypt.

I say floating hotels but even a two-star wouldn't get away with a room the size of the average Nile cruiser cabin. However, you shouldn't judge a cruiser by the size of its cabins. And a good job, too, I think, as I survey my accommodation on Oberoi's new Zahra, billed as the most luxurious cruiser on the river. Suites measure a roomy 50m² but I'm not in a suite, I'm in a cabin and at 26.4m², it feels rather snug.

There's room for two single beds (or are they berths?) and bedside tables, a built-in wardrobe, a desk that doubles as a dressing table, two armchairs and small table. The chairs are arranged side by side, facing the opaque glass wall of the – very luxurious – bathroom, and at right-angles to the picture window. I rearrange the chairs so that they are both next to the window and place the table against the wall to clear more space. When I return from lunch, the chairs and table have been restored to their original positions.

I notice that I can hear my neighbour moving about in her cabin. Perhaps you shouldn't judge a cruiser by the quality of its soundproofing, either.

But it doesn't matter, because I won't be spending much time in my cabin. I'm on an introductory cruise, which means that we will only be spending two nights/three days on the Zahra and travel from Luxor as far as Qena.

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