Nile Cruise

[tropicalbob]

I have a Nile cuise Booked With Libra on the Domina Prestige. Has any one got any tips i.e what to take, what not to take, dress code for resturant etc.

[Kenzie]

We went on a Nile cruise in Nov last year. The dress code very much depends on the star rating of the boat you are on. We were on a 4* and it was very relaxed (although the majority of people glammed up a bit for the Captain's Cocktail Party on the first night); if you are on a 5* then my understanding is that people tend to dress up for dinner (although not DJ standard as on a cruise ship). There are some really good fun evenings - a galabeya fancy dress evening when everyone on the boat joins in; you will have many opportunites to buy a galabeya (or, as one lady on our trip did, a belly dancer's outfit - she looked sensational but that might not be your outfit of choice tropical BOB! - but each to their own!). There will also be a "treasure hunt" - this was hilarious. By this time, you will pretty much know everyone on the boat and be very relaxed with each other; you divide into teams and then the guide gives you categories such as "marilyn monroe", "marks and spencer", "Titanic", "woman dressed as a man", "man dressed as a woman", "three pyramids", "the Egyptian flag" and then you have half an hour to come up with ideas - it's a good idead to think outside of the box. I'll give you an example - our "three pyramids" was a lady with enormous boobs and then another lady stuffed her t shirt on one side only, another team ransacked the boat's shop and came up with 3 pyramid statues. The sights you will see are obviously breathtaking - particularly, in my opinion, the sphinx. If you want to go inside the Great Pyramid you need to queue up at 8am to buy a ticket - they only issue 100 tickets per day. The Valley of the Kings is awesome, but I'm sure I don't need to tell you that. The time of year you are going will influence the clothes you take; November wasn't too hot, summer months you will definately need loose, cotton clothes. Speciality food is stuffed pigeon! We ordered this (for photograph purposes only) just for a laugh. More ...

[Kenzie]

Wish you knew before you typed in, that the post was going to be too long! You will get pestered A LOT by the locals wanting you to take felucca and caleche rides or to buy their goods. You very quickly learn to say no in a very firm voice. My husband went straight to the loo on arrival at Luxor airport - a man followed him in and then gestered towards the urinals which he had already found for himself. Then, the man held out his hand for baksheesh! The Egyptian Museum in Cairo is a MUST - you need at least 4 hrs in my opinion. We hired an English speaking guide but this isn't really necessary. Buy "The illustrated guide to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo" from the bookshop across the road from the museum - it is well worth the money, is easy to follow and guides you around the museum room by room. If you want any more tips, please ask. This holiday may well be just a taster for you - we are planning to return under our own steam and stay in Cairo and Luxor (you don't get enough time in the Valley of the Kings). Have a great holiday, you lucky thing!