There is a baffling array of different ships that can and do cruise the Nile, how on earth do you choose the one that will suit you best? I have been lucky enough to cruise the river Nile on board the MS Grand Rose and hope that this Nile cruise review will help you choose.
The MS Grand Rose is part of the Grand Cruises Nile river cruise vessels. It was refurbished only a couple of years ago and is a comfortable four star ship. This ship is of the three deck Nile cruise design. Cabins are available on the lower, middle and upper deck. I was lucky to be staying in a middle deck cabin with a large panoramic window with a view across to the opposite bank.
All the cabins have panoramic windows rather than french balconies but are a good size with ensuite bathrooms. The decor throughout the ship is cooling and shady against the brightness and heat of the outside world of Egypt. The air conditioning is fabulous and the cabin becomes a haven to retreat to from the sun.
The meals are buffet style in the restaurant which is on the lowest level of the ship. There is a good choice including soups and salads and hot meals. Remember, the holiday is all-inclusive which means all meals and most drinks.
Evening entertainment is low key with a themed night once a week and a few local singers but again as the drinks are all-inclusive once the singer has finished there is still some dancing to be done and the evenings pass very pleasantly.
On the sundeck is a lovely plunge pool with plenty of sunloungers and a shady area with a bar, again all-inclusive. It is a great place to relax after a day’s sightseeing.
The ship also has private moorings in a lot of its ports of call. At the start and end of the cruise in Luxor, the MS Grand Rose has the best spot on the Nile, directly opposite Karnak temple so you can explore under your own steam if you so choose.
The staff on the MS Grand Rose are incredibly friendly and helpful and speak English well. Mealtimes become more interesting with a few table games and puzzles to keep you entertained.
Unless you want 5 star luxury or a private small vessel, I would strongly recommend this cruise as the MS Grand Rose being excellent value for money and very comfortable. It is a great way to spend a week cruising the Nile.
Alex Leete
Global River Cruising
February 2013
The MS Grand Rose Operates the Following Itineraries
Elegant Nile Cruise 7 Nights
- See all the sites of the Nile from Luxor to Aswan in comfort aboard the MS Grand Rose
- Fully Inclusive Cruise
- Spacious river view cabins
- Private mooring opposite Karnak
- 10 Included Excursions
- Return charter flights from Gatwick or Manchester
- All airport taxes, security charges and UK Air Passenger Duty
Luxor•Karnak•Kom Ombo•Aswan
Elegant Nile Cruise & the Red Sea 14 Nights
- Combine the best of a relaxing holiday on Egypt’s Red Sea coast with a voyage of discovery as you cruise through 5,000 years of Egyptian history.
- 7 night fully inclusive Nile cruise
- Spacious river view cabins
- Private mooring opposite Karnak
- 10 Included Excursions
- 7 nights 4 or 5★ accommodation on the Red Sea
- Choice of Hotels
- All inclusive or half board resort options
- Return charter flights from Gatwick or Manchester
- All airport taxes, security charges and UK Air Passenger Duty
- Free late checkout rooms
- No hidden extras: includes resort transfers and 20kg luggage allowance
Luxor•Karnak•Kom Ombo•Aswan•Makadi
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ood Day
I have been looking on your web page but can not find any details of your pricing for the 3 Night / 4 Day cruise of the Nile.
I am looking at December 2016.
9 – 10 – 11 Depart 12
14 – 15 16 depart 17
21 – 22 – 23 depart 24
Please could you send me dates and prices for a couple .
I would like to know if you have any specials on and would like a king size bed if possible.
What are your prices please
Hi Jhan
I’m afraid we are not selling these Nile cruises at this time. You can try Red Sea Holidays directly who may be able to assist
Kind regards
Simeon
Hi I have booked a cruise on the MS Grand Rose and hope to take in as many sites as possible I noticed you mentioned that in some religious sites that arms and legs must be covered would you be able to tell me which sites you are referring to please ? Many thanks.
Hi Gary,
You can certainly get specific guidance on the ship for a particular site you might be visiting. Whilst most of the tourist areas that you are likely to be visiting are relatively relaxed about the dress code it is generally a good idea to have clothes with you that cover the shoulders and knees. These can then be used if required. There is some useful guidance on tripadvisor, I have linked to the page on Cairo but this is consistent across much of Egypt – Cairo: Dress Code for Travellers.
Have a great time.
Simeon
Hi, are long trousers required at dinner ?
I always dress for dinner, but have found on many occassions that hotels in Egypt do not enforce their own rules. Thanks Jason
Hi Jason,
As you mention whilst the operators would like people to be smarter for dinner, and would recommend long trousers for men, there is no formal dress code enforced on board.
Kind regards
Simeon
Hello,
I am going on the 7 night nike cruise and was just enquiring if the ms grand rose had wifi facility? I hope it does!
Thanks in advance,
Uzma
Hello Uzma
I’m afraid that there is currently no wifi facility on the MS Grand Rose.
In fact our general experience in Egypt is that even where wifi is advertised it can be quite slow and erratic and doesn’t tend to match up to the expectations of UK clients.
Having said that the ship is lovely and I can assure you that you will be very well looked after. Have a great trip.
Thanks for your reply, and I am looking foward to it and guess I can switch of from the world totally! 🙂
Please could you tell me about Dress Code on MS Grand Rose. As we have booked a trip, and just thought about cloths , dress code, many thanks Derek
Hi Derek and thanks for your comment. There isn’t any formal dress code. What I would say is have clothes that you would be comfortable in a restaurant in for dinner. No requirement for jackets or even a tie really. It is very relaxed although we did get changed for dinner each night. It is obviously also required for some site seeing at religious sites that arms and legs are covered. Otherwise just normal holiday clothes will be all you need for your trip. Hope that helps. Alex