The Boat - PART III
DINING
Most boats that cater for the British market are regularly checked by British Standards in regards to hygiene. Hygienic hand pumps are placed at the entrance to eateries and you are well advised to use them before eating. The maitre de on our last cruise kept a careful eye on passengers to ensure that everyone used these pumps to minimize the risk of viruses being passed on. Egyptian belly is notorious and it isn’t because it’s a dirty country… the bacteria are simply different and it would be a similar story for any Egyptian traveling to England.
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Of course, prevention of stomach bugs isn’t exactly what you look for when booking a cruise. The food and drink on offer on Nile cruise boats is usually a mix of Egyptian and international cuisine, either in the form of a set menu or buffet style. In our experience, whilst there is usually ample variety for every taste, it can feel a little repetitive after a few days. Most will make every effort to maintain a diverse range of options, but in the absence of multiple eateries, a little repetitiveness is to be expected. One area you will be particularly impressed with, especially if you are a 5 portions a day person, is in the fabulous selection and quality of fruit available on the African continent. My wife was 10 weeks pregnant on our last cruise and had no problems whatsoever with any of the food.
Whilst on large cruise liners there will be different sittings, on smaller capacity boats such as those on the Nile you will often find there is just one sitting. You will usually be sat with other guests at a table, unless you are traveling in a large group. This can be a blessing or a curse, depending on who you are sat with. I can honestly say though that we’ve thoroughly enjoyed the company of everyone we’ve ever been seated with… people on holiday want to have a good time and if you really don’t want to talk to them just tell them that you’re hot, tired or partially deaf (I am partially deaf and depending on who’s asking it’s either in the left, right or both ears.) Of course, you’ll have plenty to talk about such as your daily excursions and that British preserve, the weather, but try to avoid the usual dinner table no-go areas such as sex, politics and the like… unless you really want to be remembered at your table.
Drinks are usually charged to your room on a credit basis to be settled at the end of your trip. The price of drinks is generally cheap, although in the case of alcohol these are for local brands. These local brands are quite good, although a decent bottle of wine is less forthcoming, but if you really want brand names these are generally available, although they cost significantly more.
Afternoon tea is served whilst sailing and it’s a great way to meet new people as you browse the cakes on offer, pass the milk and proclaim how 'awfully hot' it is.
Although there are evenings where you will wish to dress up for dinner, the dress code on Nile cruise boats (due in large part to the fact that you spend a significant amount of time walking across rugged desert terrain) is generally far less formal than on the larger cruise liners so don’t feel the need to pack 10 cocktail dresses or your spare tux.
SERVICE
It’s all relative at the end of the day and there’ll always be someone with a horror story, but in our experience the service on Nile cruise boats is of a very high standard. Your room will probably be cleaned twice a day and one of the most amusing aspects of our cruise was upon returning from an excursion and seeing what ingenious towel creation our porter had sculpted. Towel art isn’t something you pay extra for, but just remember how much it made you smile when it comes to tipping.
Most boats have a beautician and masseuse resident on-board and it’s always nice to indulge in a little pampering on a free afternoon, especially as most massage tables don’t have Nile river views.
ENTERTAINMENT
Those ready for a quiet night could opt for the nightly movie in their room or settle for a night cap on the sundeck (don’t worry about the mosies- discreet fly zapper boxes are all around). In fact, evenings on deck are magical, looking out across a port, an illuminated historical site or the mysterious dark banks if you’re sailing. Even the sound of the mosques giving their evening prayer call is incredibly relaxing. Chatting with other passengers, playing scrabble or monopoly (there’s a devious capitalist in us all) can wile away the hours in a most pleasing manner.
The lounge bar however is where you find specialist entertainment in the form of belly dancers, treasure hunts (not just for kids) or talented Nubian dancers. Entertainment on this kind of cruise isn’t a priority however as most days you are simply too tired; the heat, travel, food and early starts can have a very soporific effect.
It is worth noting that most cruises have a dress up night or ‘Galabia Party’ where passengers are encouraged to dress up in traditional Egyptian galabias. You don’t have to partake if you really don’t want to, but the fun of bartering with local vendors for your galabia and watching your fellow passengers attempting to make like the locals is rather amusing. Be warned, you’re far more likely to be in the minority if you don’t dress up!
EXCURSIONS & TIMETABLES
Don’t worry about missing an excursion… there are a number of ways in which they let you know you should get ready to go. Wake up calls are available and if you’re enjoying tea on deck, a well dressed porter will ring a bell to alert you that it’s time to undertake yet another adventure to a temple, enjoy you’re meal or partake in any entertainment. Whilst it might sound annoying that someone is constantly ringing a bell to alert you of these things, nothing could be further from the truth. It stops you clock watching for one thing, allowing you to truly switch off and enjoy your cruise.
An excursion with an experienced tour operator is well organized and transport to and from sites is usually undertaken via air-conditioned coach. The horse and carriage option that used to be favored has become far less so after a series of accidents in which carriage wheels came off and tourists were injured. Head counts are regularly taken in such a discreet way that you’ll wonder why they’ve never lost anyone and boarding cards are issued as you leave and handed in again upon arrival back at the boat.
When arriving back on-board from an excursion, steamed wash cloths are usually handed out as well as a selection of drinks. The chamomile or peppermint tea incidentally is very good for the digestive system and upset tummies.
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