Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts announced new options for travellers wishing to explore the River Nile in Egypt. Adding five new Nile cruisers to its fleet; SS Misr, once the royal yacht of Egypt’s former King Farouk, the boutique luxury sail boat Mövenpick SB Feddya, the long cruise vessel Mövenpick MS Hamees, as well as the Mövenpick MS Darakum and Mövenpick MS Sunray, the Swiss hotel company is now the largest international operator on Egypt’s River Nile with a total of eight boats.
The SS Misr is the fleet’s flagship and is the only internationally-managed steamship in Egypt. Built in the United Kingdom nearly 100 years ago, SS Misr is a ‘floating time capsule’ from the reign of King Farouk who converted it to his private yacht in 1938 and used it especially for his birthday celebrations.
SS Misr features artifacts reflecting the period such as phonographs, telephones and radio sets plus letters from the king to his mother. The brass, chrome and wood of the steam engine room, with original spare parts, are another major attraction for passengers during their on-board tour of this fascinating and historic vessel.
SS Misr’s décor faithfully recreates classic iconic eras for each of its 24 individually designed suites. 18th century France is reflected in the Louis XV and XVI rooms. Other suites reflect 1930s’ art deco, a 19th century English country house or the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire.
Mövenpick SB Feddya redefines the ‘dahabeya,’ the traditional Egyptian sailing boat, with a fresh concept. Despite being the smallest dahabeya on the Nile, Mövenpick SB Feddya has more space for passengers than a traditional craft.
Four uniquely designed suites each have a private patio or balcony. SB Feddya is the only Nile-sailing boat with 24-hour butler and laundry service for each suite. It is available for charter as well as individual bookings.
Available again after a gap of 18 years, a long cruise voyage is back on the Nile when Mövenpick MS Hamees embarks on the journey between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan as of April 2013.
The journey takes 14 nights, with over 80 hours of sailing between Cairo and Aswan and a further 12 hours between some destinations up-river to Luxor. During this time guests can soak in the scenery of the river banks complete with a constantly-changing vista of Egyptian rural life and wildlife.
The long cruise unlocks a unique route to less familiar monuments and temples from Egypt’s past that include the Hawara Pyramids of Amenemhet III, the mausoleum of Isadora and the unique Tel Elamarna, Akhenaton’s ‘Royal City’ which he briefly made Egypt’s capital.
Mövenpick MS Hamees is one of the largest vessels on the Nile. While aboard, guests can enjoy cocktail parties, shows, treasure hunts and dinner events.
For more information, visit www.movenpick-hotels.com.