Official Rating – 4* - Half Board / Full Board / All Inclusive

The Karim and Juliana Palace are identical ships, both small and comfortable and distinctly created to provide the privacy, elegance and luxury. They were designed and built in 1984 and renovated in 2004, and appointed to be as the large ships on the Nile. All public areas are air-conditioned. There is a 24 hour reception available to the guests, for whatever needs they would require. Please note that departures are only on Mondays.

Accommodation

Both ships are elegantly furnished and have 34 cabins (30 doubles and 4 singles), they have a private bathroom with bath and shower, air-conditioning, direct dial telephone, a radio with three music channels and a fridge. All rooms are outside cabins with Nile view. Cabins and public areas are not suitable for wheelchairs.

Food & Beverage

The ships have a lounge bar on the main deck, near the reception area and a cosy all wooden pub on the sun deck level, with a piano and a television for the enjoyment of the guests. Guests will be able to enjoy a drink on the Karim or the Juliana 24 hours a day. The restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in buffet style caters for international travellers, offering international food and oriental specialties.

All Inclusive Food & Drinks

The AI programme consists of breakfast (08:00-09:00), lunch (13:00-14:00) and dinner (20:00-21:00), all buffet style, served in the main restaurant; times of all meals may vary - depend on the visits every day. During meals local beer, local wine and soft drinks by the glass (Cola, Fanta, Sprite and soda) are offered. Afternoon tea time with cakes is at 17:00 up on the sun deck, during sailing. During the three full days of sailing (Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday), a selection of locally produced alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks like whiskey, brandy, soft drinks, coffee, tea, mineral water, soda, etc is served from 13:00-19:00 on the sun deck. All other days, drinks are only included during meal times.

Sports & Leisure

There is a large swimming pool with Jacuzzi, a well-appointed sun deck, and a bazaar. Free sun-deck chairs & towels are offered to the guests to make their cruise more pleasant. There is a lady aboard who offers manicure, pedicure, bodycare and massages (all at a charge), ensure to submit a request to the reception desk.

All Inclusive Sports & Entertainment

Leisure facilities on board include entertainment with traditional Galabia party, belly dancer, Nubian party, dance shows and disco.

Chargeable Extras

Imported drinks, cocktails and fresh juices are available at a charge.

CRUISE ITINERARY

PLEASE NOTE: There are various tours available, some of which are included in the cruise package as a maxi package option or a mini package option. Optional tours are also available throughout the cruise, and these are paid locally. All of the tours are escorted with a professional Egyptologist fully licensed English speaking guide.
An alternative option is to book the cruise without the tours included in the package, and book a cabin only. If this option is chosen, any tours of interest during the cruise, can be booked localy with the Egyptologist guide.

Tours that are included as a maxi package are: - East Bank: Karnak and Luxor Temples. West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Madinet Habu. During sailing: Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple. Aswan: Philae Temple, and Felucca sailing around the Botanical Garden.

Tours that are included as a mini package are: - East Bank: Luxor Temple. West Bank: Hatshepsut Temple and Madinet Habu. Aswan: Philae temple and felucca sailing around the Botanical garden.

NB: The itinerary below is based on the maxi package, any tours not included for the mini package can be booked locally if guests decide to do so whilst on board, and this can be arranged with the Egyptologist guide.

Day 1 (Monday)
Upon arrival at Luxor airport, take a transfer to the cruise embarkation point (We recommend that you book this in advance). Please note that departures are only on Mondays.

Day 2 Tuesday

Depart early morning for the journey to Esna. Enjoy the spectacular views while sailing. Lunch and dinner will be served on board and we remain overnight in Edfu.

Day 3 Wednesday

After breakfast on board, you will set off for your first visit to Edfu - The preserved Temple of Falcon-God Horus, Lord of the sky. Back on board - lunch will be served during the cruise along the palm-fringed Nile on your way to Kom Ombo. Visits include Kom Ombo and the hill top temple of Sobek. Marvel at the amazing carved reliefs and mummified crocodiles. We remain overnight in Aswan.

Day 4 Thursday

Following breakfast on board, you will depart for your next tour to the Island of Philae, where you will visit the temple complex of Isis .After this visit you can take an optional trip to visit the unfinished Obelisk at the granite quarry and Aswan High dam. Lunch will be served back on board, and in the afternoon you will enjoy a felucca ride around the botanical garden. You will return to the boat for dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Day 5 Friday

An early morning sunrise tour will take you to the glorious and mysterious Abu Simbel Temple of Ramses II, this is an optional tour, and perhaps the most impressive and unforgettable, afternoon sailing back to Luxor. We remain overnight in Esna or in Luxor.

Day 6 Saturday

After Lunch, visit the Karnak Temple. This is built on a scale for giant gods, and sprawls across much of northern Luxor. The massive pylons and pillars of the Temple of Amun loom above the ruins of smaller chapel scattered throughout the enclosure. Then, continue to the Temple of Luxor dedicated to the triad of Amun-Min, Mut and Khonsu, which was planned by the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The temples artwork executed in the middle of the 18th century is some of the best in Egypt because the temples walls were deeply buried; the carvings are also well preserved.

Day 7 Sunday

After Breakfast we take you to the West Bank which includes a drive through fields of sugar cane, that line the West Bank, we will pass the twin colossi of Memnon, the enormous seated statues who guard the entrance to the Valley. Next, visit the valleys of the Kings, and enter the temples of some of the great pharaohs and after we go to the temple of Hatshepsut, finally we do a visit to Madinet Habu. Lunch will be served on board. Enjoy a farewell dinner on board, and your final night on board overnight in Luxor.

Day 8 (Monday)
The final day and disembarkation is after breakfast. Transfer to Luxor airport and board for flight back.

Transfer Information
Guests staying additional days after the cruise, who do not have a transfer booked to the hotel, should note that this can be arranged with the Medhotels Rep in Luxor. Due to the many boats docked at Luxor port, we advise that transfers are pre-booked for the arrival/departure to Luxor airport, so that guests can be assured to be taken directly to their boat without any difficulty.

Information on tipping
During the cruise you will be asked to tip the staff and your appointed guide will inform you about this. This is customary in Egypt, and we advise that you tip an overall amount at the end of your stay, and hand this into the cruise management; this is then shared with all of the staff.

Entry Requirements
On entry into Egypt, you must obtain a visitors visa at the port of entry, the fee is £10 (subject to change). We recommend that you see your Medhotels rep on arrival, and they will assist you with obtaining the visa.

Important note on transfers during June and December

During the month of December usually from 01/12/08 to 16/12/08, all cruises will depart from Esna, which is approximately 60 km from Luxor. Transfers for this period need to be booked from Luxor to Esna.

Reps Opinion
Cruising down the Nile is a must for those wanting to discover and learn all about the history of the ancient world in Egypt. The itinerary offered is the traditional programme of all cruises on the Nile, which is to see the main historical sites of Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Aswan High dam, unfinished obelisk, Philae Temple, Luxor and Karnak Temple. The optional tours that are available with charge, are highly recommended for guests who are very keen to see more of the ancient delights and Abu Simbel is an overwhelming highlight! Well worth the trip.