MS Misr Nile Cruise Ship
Continuing our visit to Aswan….
We were really excited that we had been invited to have lunch aboard the MS Misr Nile cruise ship.
The MS Misr is a truly unique vessel and is the only one of it’s kind that I know of that is currently cruising the Nile. The reason it’s unique is that it is a working steam ship.
It was originally constructed in Preston here in the UK for use by the Royal Navy and was quite unique because the very first Stephenson reversing system was fitted.
After an illustrious career with the Royal Navy it was bought by King Farouk and converted for his use and used for the venue of one of his birthdays in February of 1939.
Barbara and I were unsure as to what to expect but when we boarded the MS Misr and entered it’s elegant reception we were truly surprised. The ship has been fully restored and it’s decor takes you back to a more genteel and elegant age. It’s influences are a mix of Colonial and Art Deco.
Because the ship only has 16 cabins and 8 suites spread over 3 decks the ratio of staff to clients is such that you are offered a discreet service undertaken by friendly but professional staff.
Cabins are a spacious 21 square meters whilst suites are lager at 30 and 35 square meters.
The MS Misr boasts the beautifully decorated Marasem Restaurant which can seat all guests at one sitting plus the elegant Saraya Lounge which is comfortable and luxurious with plenty of space for guests to relax.
The Dahabiyayat Bar also has a refined and relaxing atmosphere with comfortable seating area.
We were given an escorted tour of the MS Misr and the cabins were a real delight combining modern comfort with regal glamor.
It reminded us very much of the ambiance of the Orient Express. The cabins have been designed to the highest standards but are decorated in an old world style, elegant and atmospheric, with such small attention to detail as old-style black Bakelite telephones beside the bed.
Of course the same style and feel has been carried over into the bathrooms although they still meet all the requirements of the 21st century. They just look like they belong to a bye-gone age.
The bar and lounge boast big comfy sofas and chairs and there is a really lovely feel to these public rooms. The sundeck and pool are follow the same theme of elegance and comfort and I can imagine it would be wonderful to be relaxing on the sundeck with a cool gin and tonic as this beautiful ship cruises gently down the Nile.
Lunch was served in the beautifully decorated restaurant where you are offered the ship’s unique “Royal Service“.
The “Royal Service” means that you choose your courses from the extensive array of dishes, both hot and cold, but you have an individual waiter, fully liveried, who takes your choice back to your table. You are then seated by your waiter, your napkin is placed on your lap and your waiter will ensure that you are comfortably seated and happy with your choice before he retires. This service continues for your main course and sweet.
The waiting staff look wonderful in their uniforms and the service is impeccable.
We were lucky that as we dined the captain decided to take us on a short hour-long cruise so we could take in the views of the Nile near Aswan as we dined and I must say it was one of the best experiences of the whole trip.
As you can imagine it’s not the cheapest way to cruise the Nile but it must be amongst one of the most unique ways.
We will be featuring the MS Misr Nile cruise for 2013 and I understand the ship will be offering the new “long cruise” which sails from Cairo down to Luxor and on to Aswan.
If you are looking for a truly unique and luxurious way to cruise the Nile then I cannot recommend the MS Misr more highly.
