1. The crew is so friendly and helpful. Service quality is very high.
2. Food is excellent quality
3. Rooms are spacious 
4. Very clean ship
5. Top deck and pool are lovely
6. The guide that Oberoi hired, Emad, for the group we were in, spoke English well, was very knowledgeable and excellent to be around
7. Mamdouh helped us out well in the booking arrangements months ago
8. Last but not least the boat is excellently run during the cruise by Shamden Tamang.

I would not hesitate in recommending the Oberoi Zahra for the 5 day Luxor to Aswan cruise we took with them.',5.0,'2023-10-01T11:06:43Z','REV-D/HJ5W3F+uQbsjXuSEj4oJy38dB/1l/JXgU1o8gFb8U=','en','S8704DOandrewh','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P330','The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise','Superb!','It is rare to find a review that literally supports perfect service but the Zahra is perfect. The cabins are superb and the food literally fantastic, but what makes the experience even better are the team who work aboard. Professional, knowledgeable, friendly, efficient etc they cannot be faulted and work tirelessly to make your stay on board special. The meal times offer plenty of variety the boat is spacious, light and airy and so clean. Wi- Fi on board is strong once you have the individual Wi-Fi connector. The experiences and visits are superbly organised and messages from travel agents and companies are swiftly conveyed to you. Heartily recommend this as the best boat on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-02-27T14:31:13Z','REV-dwlhltDCn8FvN6vdFfxW0X+/vwcW0ZIm+wZug3zBlUk=','en','RichardC954','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P330','The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise','Impeccable service and experience','The whole experience was faultless. Not often a company far exceeds your hopes, but they did. The cabin, food, service and excursions were well planned and organised. They even took us through security and check in at the airport on the way home, saving us an hour of queueing. Don\'t even think about using any other tour company for your Nile trip.',5.0,'2023-02-19T14:22:57Z','REV-4P8AmPggyarhzr+R1h/BA0AvZ3SHxkjnvlZAKyY/lbw=','en','philc731','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P330','The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise','Most wonderful trip','Went as a family - had the most wonderful time . The Boat manager and the team was always there for you - accommodative and flexible . Don\'t think they have a \"no\" on their vocabulary. Got an independent and knowledagable guide for the family. The Egypt trip would not have been as good if not for this experience',5.0,'2023-01-09T00:42:24Z','REV-D+tu2EjXpcxurkGcz66L5FqB01RRb0hYbmc433axYuo=','en','123viks','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Unforgettable cruise 🚢','Sonesta sun goddess 
Is amazing and unforgettable cruise  on the River nile
Special thanks to the receptionist Shehab and  the dining room staff Esmail and Mina and Moamen, the service was above and beyond',5.0,'2023-10-15T13:07:07Z','REV-pBbtclp2pvslOYQd9Fo9HtbU8Xkv9cGiKOYDqkxamWc=','en','norinm2022','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Best Tour Guide Ever','My family and I spent 9 days in Egypt and the last 4 days were spent aboard Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile River Cruise. 

The ship was great, I have cruised other river cruises (Avalon, Viking and American) and this experience was unique and specific to Egypt (the entertainment, the food and the shopping). 

The ladies (4 of them) enjoyed the massages (they are still talking about them) and the cabins were very nice, spacious and clean. 

The highlight of our trip was our tour guide Khaled Fouad. He was very knowledgeable about his country and shared his enthusiasm for all of the Egyptian sites with us. 

He creatively included our group into the historical events we saw each day by incorporating us as characters in history. This really helped to keep us engaged, especially the teenagers. 

He expertly guided us past all of the “street vendors” and made us feel safe when the onslaughts occurred by sending them away. 

We toured in June, so it was HOT and he made sure we were OK and not overheated. He adapted his tour to keep us in the shade and air conditioning when he could. 

We learned a lot from Khaled at each stop on the tour and I shared it daily in my social media travel logs, which has created an interest in people who follow me to come to Egypt. 

My experience in Egypt has changed my life and I plan to return.  Thank you Sonesta and Khaled for making our Egyptian experience so memorable.',5.0,'2023-06-27T08:10:10Z','REV-jHBOXRlzRSFa34ZJARrzBPgPc74ilCjR9WXDpTYJMEM=','en','Sheila C','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','room without a view','We cruised through a tour company.  It was really a mixed bag.  First off, Egypt was amazing.  The sights are truly breathtaking.  The people are nice and we felt safe throughout the trip.

Positives:  The room was very nice and very roomy for a ship.  The staff was overall very helpful and pleasant.  

Could be better:  The food was very average.  Mostly buffets.  probably a step above a Norwegian or royal Caribbean cruise line.  The spa staff were like hawks circling prey.  They waited outside and pounced when you walked by.  They also changed prices when pushed.

Really disappointing:  They do not tell you that the ships dock side by side so 3 out of 4 nights/days our patio faced another ship.  Literally the other ship was 5 feet away!  We could shake hands with the people on the other boat.  as a result, we had to keep the shades drawn and we had absolutely no view!  It was terrible!',3.0,'2023-01-24T16:22:58Z','REV-Lm9pzHw8b+gr6tAQ3VytJNjjWR6DJ1oOhd5hSD7YXQ4=','en','mcullen22','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','feel being cheated','Do NOT use their massage services.  The guy made a good presentation and sold me and my husband for a massage.  But he let a young inexperienced person to do the work instead as promised to do the massage himself.  I total him to pay $20 tips total on the final bill, which is 10% and he somehow charged me $30 when I see my credit card statement.  Just very desperate and sleazy.',2.0,'2023-01-02T16:07:23Z','REV-Dzzxm/lLgaBO23Q6gmglDoL+zJK42xw2nXre8awFVfw=','en','123donehere','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Our beautiful journey through The Nile River!','We experienced the Sonesta Sun Goddess while in Luxor and it was amazing! It is definitely a must do while in Luxor. They have evening entertainment, cabins are very spacious, housekeeping gentleman was phenomenal. Choices of phone are also great. Don\'t expect their paid WI-FI to work, it is a waste of money. Some of the receptionists weren\'t as friendly as expected.',4.0,'2022-08-12T20:38:23Z','REV-9QH74h6N24kRUXMWWjU1OAa14RgnSO9nLgXf3Oqzoho=','en','Suzana G','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','An exceptional experience','We did the 7 day Luxor to Aswan to Luxor cruise, and everything about it was exceptional. The cabin was beautiful with everything you could need (large bottle of water daily with kettle / tea and coffee provided, a hairdryer and laundry serice). The food was varied at every meal, with chefs and waiters being very attentive and helpful. The entertainment when provided was good, and trips etc very well organised.  Our tour guide (Hossam) was very knowledgeable, and despite having visited most of the temples many times we still learnt new things. Every single member of the crew was fantastic but special thanks go to the reception team and acting boat manager Mahmood - I can\'t praise them highly enough. Thank you for a fantastic experience',5.0,'2022-05-11T11:32:59Z','REV-0CNkxe/hF9RL+GoHtfQixMc4luQPut+9bEPsl7OT1Zo=','en','874alisone','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Incredible experience','We traveled in the Sonesta Sun Goddess and were impressed every step of the way. The ship is clean and in great condition. The rooms were luxurious with a bathroom, living room area, bedroom and balcony. Housekeeping did a great job every day and even left a lotus flower and crocodile made out of towels on our bed. The beds and pillows were extremely comfortable. The food on the ship was some of the best we had the entire trip! Drinks are not included with lunch or dinner and that includes water, however a large 1.5 liter bottle (the size they leave in your room each day) only costs 25 LE. We had an incredible tour guide who went above and beyond for everyone! Hany was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I highly recommend a Nile River cruise on Sonesta Sun Goddess, it was a highlight of our trip!',5.0,'2021-06-04T02:43:28Z','REV-N6/1vir/o/SJigmvsPLQ0cbu/YyFTS8Fle/NtyupICk=','en','C3226NLchelseal','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Excellent Nile cruise riverboat.','We were actually on the Sun Goddess, a sister ship to the Moon Goddess. The ship was renovared in the last year or two and everything looked new and clean. The cruise was lovely and stopped in all the right places. The food was really good and wholesome. We did not know of a single person who developed GI issues.  Overall the staff and service were excellent.',5.0,'2021-04-27T14:31:59Z','REV-vJ0TSEo7GzZ8IhXR3rJlQm9J02KjzccWBZnWSXv/bM4=','en','Viamontelane','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Asegurarse bien del barco antes de viajar a Egipto!!!','MUY IMPORTANTE DISTINGUIR ENTRE LOS DIFERENTES BARCOS DE SONESTA!!!!
Te pasan al Nile Goodness a través de otro de categoría superior. Hemos pagado una categoría superior , D, sin disfrutarla. El primer día nos metieron en una habitación en la planta inferior (por no decir las bodegas) donde no se veía nada, el ruido era muy fuerte y la habitación dejaba mucho que desear, reclamamos al personal del barco y nos dijeron que no tenían más habitaciones disponibles, lo que decidimos reclamar a la agencia de viajes, es entonces cuando al día siguiente nos llaman para decirnos que sí que hay una habitación superior disponible y que nos van a cambiar. El cambio es positivo pero el barco no deja de ser muy mediocre para el precio pagado. El buffet nada del otro mundo y lo peor es que nos han rellenado botellas de agua dentro del propio barco con lo que nos hemos puesto enfermos unos cuantos días debido a esto.',2.0,'2023-08-05T06:31:12Z','REV-C79o0XFP010rVAHaxFAxfGtr+uaHjc867bs/7dHRCWk=','es','Irisiana28','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Bella crociera','Bella nave con personale attento e discreto, con camere ben tenute, buon buffet con discreta scelta di cibi di buona qualità, set da bagno di ottimo cotone , con accappatoi bianchi per la piscina dell\'ultimo ponte. 
Ogni giorno, alle 17, tea time con pasticcini, e serate con attrazioni varie.',4.0,'2023-05-01T13:32:37Z','REV-EDLSqGeXbY26qxWom+gIMGDLzbx9aTvqOpdjBeKORUc=','it','Gianna C','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Unforgettable cruise 🚢','Sonesta sun goddess 
Is amazing and unforgettable cruise  on the River nile
Special thanks to the receptionist Shehab and  the dining room staff Esmail and Mina and Moamen, the service was above and beyond',5.0,'2023-10-15T13:07:07Z','REV-pBbtclp2pvslOYQd9Fo9HtbU8Xkv9cGiKOYDqkxamWc=','en','norinm2022','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Best Tour Guide Ever','My family and I spent 9 days in Egypt and the last 4 days were spent aboard Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile River Cruise. 

The ship was great, I have cruised other river cruises (Avalon, Viking and American) and this experience was unique and specific to Egypt (the entertainment, the food and the shopping). 

The ladies (4 of them) enjoyed the massages (they are still talking about them) and the cabins were very nice, spacious and clean. 

The highlight of our trip was our tour guide Khaled Fouad. He was very knowledgeable about his country and shared his enthusiasm for all of the Egyptian sites with us. 

He creatively included our group into the historical events we saw each day by incorporating us as characters in history. This really helped to keep us engaged, especially the teenagers. 

He expertly guided us past all of the “street vendors” and made us feel safe when the onslaughts occurred by sending them away. 

We toured in June, so it was HOT and he made sure we were OK and not overheated. He adapted his tour to keep us in the shade and air conditioning when he could. 

We learned a lot from Khaled at each stop on the tour and I shared it daily in my social media travel logs, which has created an interest in people who follow me to come to Egypt. 

My experience in Egypt has changed my life and I plan to return.  Thank you Sonesta and Khaled for making our Egyptian experience so memorable.',5.0,'2023-06-27T08:10:10Z','REV-jHBOXRlzRSFa34ZJARrzBPgPc74ilCjR9WXDpTYJMEM=','en','Sheila C','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','room without a view','We cruised through a tour company.  It was really a mixed bag.  First off, Egypt was amazing.  The sights are truly breathtaking.  The people are nice and we felt safe throughout the trip.

Positives:  The room was very nice and very roomy for a ship.  The staff was overall very helpful and pleasant.  

Could be better:  The food was very average.  Mostly buffets.  probably a step above a Norwegian or royal Caribbean cruise line.  The spa staff were like hawks circling prey.  They waited outside and pounced when you walked by.  They also changed prices when pushed.

Really disappointing:  They do not tell you that the ships dock side by side so 3 out of 4 nights/days our patio faced another ship.  Literally the other ship was 5 feet away!  We could shake hands with the people on the other boat.  as a result, we had to keep the shades drawn and we had absolutely no view!  It was terrible!',3.0,'2023-01-24T16:22:58Z','REV-Lm9pzHw8b+gr6tAQ3VytJNjjWR6DJ1oOhd5hSD7YXQ4=','en','mcullen22','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','feel being cheated','Do NOT use their massage services.  The guy made a good presentation and sold me and my husband for a massage.  But he let a young inexperienced person to do the work instead as promised to do the massage himself.  I total him to pay $20 tips total on the final bill, which is 10% and he somehow charged me $30 when I see my credit card statement.  Just very desperate and sleazy.',2.0,'2023-01-02T16:07:23Z','REV-Dzzxm/lLgaBO23Q6gmglDoL+zJK42xw2nXre8awFVfw=','en','123donehere','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Our beautiful journey through The Nile River!','We experienced the Sonesta Sun Goddess while in Luxor and it was amazing! It is definitely a must do while in Luxor. They have evening entertainment, cabins are very spacious, housekeeping gentleman was phenomenal. Choices of phone are also great. Don\'t expect their paid WI-FI to work, it is a waste of money. Some of the receptionists weren\'t as friendly as expected.',4.0,'2022-08-12T20:38:23Z','REV-9QH74h6N24kRUXMWWjU1OAa14RgnSO9nLgXf3Oqzoho=','en','Suzana G','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','An exceptional experience','We did the 7 day Luxor to Aswan to Luxor cruise, and everything about it was exceptional. The cabin was beautiful with everything you could need (large bottle of water daily with kettle / tea and coffee provided, a hairdryer and laundry serice). The food was varied at every meal, with chefs and waiters being very attentive and helpful. The entertainment when provided was good, and trips etc very well organised.  Our tour guide (Hossam) was very knowledgeable, and despite having visited most of the temples many times we still learnt new things. Every single member of the crew was fantastic but special thanks go to the reception team and acting boat manager Mahmood - I can\'t praise them highly enough. Thank you for a fantastic experience',5.0,'2022-05-11T11:32:59Z','REV-0CNkxe/hF9RL+GoHtfQixMc4luQPut+9bEPsl7OT1Zo=','en','874alisone','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Incredible experience','We traveled in the Sonesta Sun Goddess and were impressed every step of the way. The ship is clean and in great condition. The rooms were luxurious with a bathroom, living room area, bedroom and balcony. Housekeeping did a great job every day and even left a lotus flower and crocodile made out of towels on our bed. The beds and pillows were extremely comfortable. The food on the ship was some of the best we had the entire trip! Drinks are not included with lunch or dinner and that includes water, however a large 1.5 liter bottle (the size they leave in your room each day) only costs 25 LE. We had an incredible tour guide who went above and beyond for everyone! Hany was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I highly recommend a Nile River cruise on Sonesta Sun Goddess, it was a highlight of our trip!',5.0,'2021-06-04T02:43:28Z','REV-N6/1vir/o/SJigmvsPLQ0cbu/YyFTS8Fle/NtyupICk=','en','C3226NLchelseal','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Excellent Nile cruise riverboat.','We were actually on the Sun Goddess, a sister ship to the Moon Goddess. The ship was renovared in the last year or two and everything looked new and clean. The cruise was lovely and stopped in all the right places. The food was really good and wholesome. We did not know of a single person who developed GI issues.  Overall the staff and service were excellent.',5.0,'2021-04-27T14:31:59Z','REV-vJ0TSEo7GzZ8IhXR3rJlQm9J02KjzccWBZnWSXv/bM4=','en','Viamontelane','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Asegurarse bien del barco antes de viajar a Egipto!!!','MUY IMPORTANTE DISTINGUIR ENTRE LOS DIFERENTES BARCOS DE SONESTA!!!!
Te pasan al Nile Goodness a través de otro de categoría superior. Hemos pagado una categoría superior , D, sin disfrutarla. El primer día nos metieron en una habitación en la planta inferior (por no decir las bodegas) donde no se veía nada, el ruido era muy fuerte y la habitación dejaba mucho que desear, reclamamos al personal del barco y nos dijeron que no tenían más habitaciones disponibles, lo que decidimos reclamar a la agencia de viajes, es entonces cuando al día siguiente nos llaman para decirnos que sí que hay una habitación superior disponible y que nos van a cambiar. El cambio es positivo pero el barco no deja de ser muy mediocre para el precio pagado. El buffet nada del otro mundo y lo peor es que nos han rellenado botellas de agua dentro del propio barco con lo que nos hemos puesto enfermos unos cuantos días debido a esto.',2.0,'2023-08-05T06:31:12Z','REV-C79o0XFP010rVAHaxFAxfGtr+uaHjc867bs/7dHRCWk=','es','Irisiana28','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P332','Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise 5 Days From Luxor To Aswan','Bella crociera','Bella nave con personale attento e discreto, con camere ben tenute, buon buffet con discreta scelta di cibi di buona qualità, set da bagno di ottimo cotone , con accappatoi bianchi per la piscina dell\'ultimo ponte. 
Ogni giorno, alle 17, tea time con pasticcini, e serate con attrazioni varie.',4.0,'2023-05-01T13:32:37Z','REV-EDLSqGeXbY26qxWom+gIMGDLzbx9aTvqOpdjBeKORUc=','it','Gianna C','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','out of this world experience!','We took the Luxor to Aswan Philae cruise early feb. We were very warmly welcomed by the staff who took great care of us during the entire trip. They even made special food for us as per our taste.The rooms are very clean well equipped with all modern amenities. The boat has a top sun deck where we enjoyed a lazy afternoon.The sightseeing was smooth and well organised. The egyptologist was quite knowledgeable and told us some really interesting stories. Highly recommend this cruise for a once in a lifetime experience!',5.0,'2024-02-15T02:32:00Z','REV-p50FA3emGefjv1kvfLTqCg7LgxMwRrxc3rQCxUBaqJc=','en','Voyager46754985133','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','5 star experience','There isn’t much more I can say that hasn’t already been said.  The food alone on the trip was worth the money. My room was gigantic and everything was clean and fresh.  It has everything you need, pool, spa  and a gym.  The excursions were lead by a guide who sounded like he experienced the actual history. Everything was well planned.  Customer service was second to none. Staff is incredible;  attentive to your every need and always up for friendly chat. 
It doesn’t matter if you have any kind of food allergies or that they have a meal plan already in place. The chefs are so talented,  that they can whip up anything for you want at a moments notice.   It doesn’t matter if you are vegetarian, vegan, or need  gluten-free,  they will cook whatever you order.  I suggest letting them just make up their own because the chef will make some of the most amazing food to the most delicious Egyptian and Indian dishes. 

I do wish they would’ve given us an evening at the night market in Luxor.   
It’s nice that you don’t have to tip every time you eat as you tip at the end of the cruise.   We were told suggested  tip to be between $25-$30 per guest per day.  Since this is what we were told by the staff, this is what we paid.   Make sure you bring money with you because tipping the people that carry your luggage, the excursion, driver, and your guide to be paid in cash and separate.  

I would have liked to have added a day of exclusion at the night market in Luxor.   
Cruise staff, especially Hussian  and Nasser taking such good care of me.  Unfortunately, I cannot remember everyone’s name of the people that made breakfast lunch and dinner so enjoyable.   
My only complaint is that excursion leaders always take you to their friends’s shops which is pretty much with every excursion in Egypt.  I can’t wait to take another Oberoy cruise.',5.0,'2024-01-01T17:56:46Z','REV-mD51SrzCsaUx585WbsCdLnAejeK1iH8KsvswrrQ8iVk=','en','hessen-68','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Great introduction to Cairo.','Great tour and guide as it was our first in Cairo. Very informative, great pace. The places we visited were stunning.',5.0,'2023-07-15T17:22:45Z','REV-YP8iyP29t/d/3bq3Lggj0IXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Peter_N','VIATOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Old cairo and citadel','This was an excellent tour. Mr Sameh was very knowledgeable and professional. We highly recommend him as tour guide in Cairo.',5.0,'2022-11-12T02:22:34Z','REV-iNOADcHSgMSSnV6QDr91HYXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Robert_D','VIATOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Great introduction to Cairo.','Great tour and guide as it was our first in Cairo. Very informative, great pace. The places we visited were stunning.',5.0,'2023-07-15T17:22:45Z','REV-YP8iyP29t/d/3bq3Lggj0IXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Peter_N','VIATOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Old cairo and citadel','This was an excellent tour. Mr Sameh was very knowledgeable and professional. We highly recommend him as tour guide in Cairo.',5.0,'2022-11-12T02:22:34Z','REV-iNOADcHSgMSSnV6QDr91HYXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Robert_D','VIATOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Great introduction to Cairo.','Great tour and guide as it was our first in Cairo. Very informative, great pace. The places we visited were stunning.',5.0,'2023-07-15T17:22:45Z','REV-YP8iyP29t/d/3bq3Lggj0IXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Peter_N','VIATOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Old cairo and citadel','This was an excellent tour. Mr Sameh was very knowledgeable and professional. We highly recommend him as tour guide in Cairo.',5.0,'2022-11-12T02:22:34Z','REV-iNOADcHSgMSSnV6QDr91HYXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Robert_D','VIATOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Great introduction to Cairo.','Great tour and guide as it was our first in Cairo. Very informative, great pace. The places we visited were stunning.',5.0,'2023-07-15T17:22:45Z','REV-YP8iyP29t/d/3bq3Lggj0IXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Peter_N','VIATOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Old cairo and citadel','This was an excellent tour. Mr Sameh was very knowledgeable and professional. We highly recommend him as tour guide in Cairo.',5.0,'2022-11-12T02:22:34Z','REV-iNOADcHSgMSSnV6QDr91HYXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Robert_D','VIATOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Great introduction to Cairo.','Great tour and guide as it was our first in Cairo. Very informative, great pace. The places we visited were stunning.',5.0,'2023-07-15T17:22:45Z','REV-YP8iyP29t/d/3bq3Lggj0IXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Peter_N','VIATOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Old cairo and citadel','This was an excellent tour. Mr Sameh was very knowledgeable and professional. We highly recommend him as tour guide in Cairo.',5.0,'2022-11-12T02:22:34Z','REV-iNOADcHSgMSSnV6QDr91HYXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Robert_D','VIATOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Great introduction to Cairo.','Great tour and guide as it was our first in Cairo. Very informative, great pace. The places we visited were stunning.',5.0,'2023-07-15T17:22:45Z','REV-YP8iyP29t/d/3bq3Lggj0IXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Peter_N','VIATOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Old cairo and citadel','This was an excellent tour. Mr Sameh was very knowledgeable and professional. We highly recommend him as tour guide in Cairo.',5.0,'2022-11-12T02:22:34Z','REV-iNOADcHSgMSSnV6QDr91HYXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Robert_D','VIATOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Great introduction to Cairo.','Great tour and guide as it was our first in Cairo. Very informative, great pace. The places we visited were stunning.',5.0,'2023-07-15T17:22:45Z','REV-YP8iyP29t/d/3bq3Lggj0IXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Peter_N','VIATOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Old cairo and citadel','This was an excellent tour. Mr Sameh was very knowledgeable and professional. We highly recommend him as tour guide in Cairo.',5.0,'2022-11-12T02:22:34Z','REV-iNOADcHSgMSSnV6QDr91HYXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Robert_D','VIATOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

With the small number of guests onboard, we began to get to know some of the incredible staff, all of whom share the same exceptional passion for their jobs. Emad, Nasser, Rahman, Alaa, Ellia, Farida, and many others turned what we expected to be good to great. From every meal, every interaction, every jaw dropping towel creation during turn down service, every booking at the spa, and every chat about football (which always ended in laughter), the memories the crew have left us with will stay with us forever. Additionally, as my wife and I were also celebrating her birthday, the kitchen went out of their way to bake a custom cake to mark the occasion. 

But travelling down the Nile and stopping at various sights also meant we needed a guide, and the person assigned to us made us fall in love with Egypt and history in general. Tarek\'s knowledge and enthusiasm has now set the bar so high that I\'m afraid no guide may ever be able to match it. Sightseeing with him felt like retracing the steps of the people from 1000s of years ago, an interactive experience like none other and truly the history teacher I wish I had in school. If you want to be absolutely blown away, make sure you ask for Tarek Ibrahim as your guide and you will not regret it. 

To sum up this rather long review, I\'ll simply say that you can\'t possibly go wrong with this team. They\'re all collectively pulling in the same direction and that\'s set a new standard of excellence for hospitality and made us feel like we were travelling with friends. If given the opportunity, I\'d love to take the cruise again, if only to experience the amazing service once more.',5.0,'2023-08-21T03:48:11Z','REV-M2cnOd+gRibdqk5AJBm19EAOuY8EiYDVdtAM4Dx5MI8=','en','Varun_723','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Worth every penny','My husband and I stayed with the Oberoi Philae for our 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan, and we couldn’t have made a better choice. 

The rooms are modern and spacious, and compared to most of the large cruise liners, the Philae has a relatively smaller capacity of just around 22 rooms. The staff was extremely welcoming and made us feel truly at home during our time onboard. By the end of our stay, we knew many of them by name, and looked forward to chatting with them during meals (where there was a different menu every time!) or in the hallways. The spa is also a must-visit after a long day walking around Egypt’s ancient wonders. 

The itinerary is perfectly balanced so you can enjoy the historic sights, while leaving enough downtime to unwind on the boat. We wanted to add a couple of additional tours to our schedule, and they organized everything seamlessly. 

Finally, I have to give a special shout-out to our Egyptologist guide, Tarek, who took the entire experience from great to unforgettable. His passion and knowledge for his country’s history was infectious, and we learnt more than we could have ever imagined from him. Truly one of the best tour guides we have encountered on any of our travels. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him as your guide. 

Overall, I can’t recommend this cruiser enough. And if you can bear the heat, I’d highly recommend going in the off season. We visited in August and were 2 of only 4 passengers onboard!',5.0,'2023-08-20T06:57:18Z','REV-6eVdKX1kbePuw+u8WEIGJXFvnOROfvUDsEN37ZQRRR8=','en','770malvikam','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Superb experience, but certain parts of the ship already show signs of age','As part of our 12 day trip through Egypt, we spent 4 nights on the Philae travelling up the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Cruising the Nile is really magical and should be on everyone’s bucket list. We experienced so many unforgettable moments during the cruise, be it lazy lunch on deck while sailing, sipping on a cocktail during sunset watching the river, and all the great sightseeing included. I don’t believe there is a more comfortable way to cruise on the Nile than onboard the Oberoi Philae. With its very generous size considering its only twenty something cabins, it never felt crowded or was there any wait for anything. It felt very exclusive and we were oftentimes the only people on the sundeck, in the lounge or in the gym. The facilities are excellent and also include a full-sized Spa with large treatment rooms with very moderately priced treatments and super professional SPA staff from their Bali property. The overall design is very understated and not as “colonial” (or tacky) as on other Nile cruisers. 

Our cabin (standard “Deluxe Cabin”) was extremely spacious, with twin beds and a separate seating area, large dressing area and HUGE bathroom. The size of the standard cabins was also the reason we picked the Philae over the Zahra. Every day, the house keepers would create some towel animals and caused a lot of fun and surprise. Housekeeping was immaculate and otherwise invisible. 

As regards sightseeing and activities, the Oberoi team gets in touch with you long before the departure and checks what you want to include on the itinerary and makes sure they customise the itinerary for you. Most sightseeing is included in the rate, but there are certain sights not covered. We did the Philae temple at night and made a day trip to Abu Simbel on top of the regular itinerary, both highly recommended and very well-organized by Oberoi. There is also hot air ballooning and many other activities you can pick from (all for a charge). Since we were the only German speaking guests on board, we got a Egyptologist guide to ourselves and our private van just for the 2 of us (although not a Mercedes Benz van any longer, but Hyundai or Toyota). But normally, they would put a small group of max 6 people together. Our guide and driver were excellent and have repeatedly worked with Oberoi. 

One advice: Since not all sights are covered, we would encourage everyone to extend your stay in Aswan and Luxor prior/after the cruise. We did 3 nights at the Sofitel Winter Palace and 2 nights at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract before the cruise which was enough time to cover the most important sights (there is just so much to see in Egypt!!!). Temples of Dendara and Abydos are amazing!!! So is the temple of Khnum in Esna with its gorgeous columns. The stretch of Nile between Assuan and Luxor is not very long, therefore, we opted for the shorter cruise (as opposed to the 6 night itinerary which includes more sights) in order to be able to experience these legendary historic hotels. 

Although we enjoyed very much the journey, mostly thanks to the incredible team and food, the ship unfortunately already shows its age and could use a retouch: We saw many chipped tiles in the swimming pool and also in the bathroom and a couple of mouldy corners (for which we have deducted a point)… This did not impair our experience overall, but paying USD 1,600 per night (yes, per night, not per cruise!), you don’t want/expect to see something like this. Further, while we understand that they are striving for the “clean” look, I do think that Oberoi could make the ship a bit less “cold” and a bit more “cozy”: e.g. the sun beds are just grey sun beds without any toppers on them. This really does not look nor feel very comfy: As we passed by a couple of Sanctuary Boats, while we understand that these are less “exclusive”, we could not help but think that their sundecks looked much more inviting as the sun beds and chairs all had thick, striped toppers and cushions and they placed some plants and lanterns here and there. 

To end on a positive note: The entire team onboard was outstanding! Very attentive, welcoming and chatty, but at the same time keeping the right level of distance. Kudos to Oberoi who always manages to train the staff to a level which is rarely met by any other hotel company! We will never forget this cruise. It is a trip of a lifetime!',4.0,'2023-04-15T18:00:43Z','REV-l5qXf5gLKWR6C2NCo+k+9i7Vjy6CUdwRkLao7otmw14=','en','xiaocai','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Great introduction to Cairo.','Great tour and guide as it was our first in Cairo. Very informative, great pace. The places we visited were stunning.',5.0,'2023-07-15T17:22:45Z','REV-YP8iyP29t/d/3bq3Lggj0IXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Peter_N','VIATOR'),('119753P356','Old Cairo and Citadel','Old cairo and citadel','This was an excellent tour. Mr Sameh was very knowledgeable and professional. We highly recommend him as tour guide in Cairo.',5.0,'2022-11-12T02:22:34Z','REV-iNOADcHSgMSSnV6QDr91HYXU/a48chrbfdax19evxL8=','en','Robert_D','VIATOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','The Best Boat on the Nile','Fantastic boat fabulous guide, staff were fantastic food was great. Cabins also fantastic. What a boat.',5.0,'2023-12-08T08:48:42Z','REV-/juwlpnJWxj/F7zb2kWFBwAL+8l5BMAsPp8PRj0199U=','en','ianjrose1','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Romantic cruise on the exotic Nile','Beautiful accommodations and amazing crew. Thoroughly enjoyed our passage along the Nile from Luxor to Aswan. Egyptologist was excellent. Food on board was excellent. Only downside was engine noise and vibration in aft cabins but we were docked most nights.',5.0,'2023-11-19T06:17:02Z','REV-PLOwpbfWcba6V1Hcihc6Xxp/40lGyC76eAyYYFGjYQ8=','en','Michael S','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Simply the best','Simply the best. From the staff,accommodations, food and guides to the sites everything was first class. You will notice the difference when you have the sites to yourself or very limited people at them as they do that on purpose so you have the best time exploring around. The tours are limited to only 6 people or less ensuring a private experience. Do yourself a favor and book the suite D05 with the private jacuzzi on the back of the ship, worth every penny. This is the only cruise I would recommend to my friends and family.',5.0,'2023-10-22T05:13:39Z','REV-EyWtlxSzkIaDqX8Xt/lEJTnUi1E1w/t+lJxFddodbC8=','en','AmyW868','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Best boat on the Nile','Excellent boat. Staff, room, food, cleanliness, service all top notch! I highly recommend this boat. It is the best on the Nile.',5.0,'2023-10-08T06:57:05Z','REV-DTfAZEhVHBHQ09WjvF+Tx/lJdMYqlNP25mYnZBIX9Rk=','en','Khart123','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Spectacular luxury experience from start to finish','We just finished a 6 day Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae. Our high expectations were exceeded in every regard. 
The recently refurbished boat is lovely and luxurious. Spacious cabins with beautiful bathrooms, fantastic quality king beds with high quality sheets and towels refreshed twice daily by attentive housekeeping staff. 
Meals are all a la carte and the quality and variety of the menu was outstanding. With only 22 cabins aboard the staff quickly learn your preferences and driver excellent service. 
Of course the daily tours of the magnificent sites and antiquities are outstanding. Maximum group size is 8 guests per Egyptologist (our group had 4). The Egyptologists were outstanding and accompanied us throughout the week. Each transfer was in a comfortable luxury van with plenty of chilled water. 
We have travelled extensively and had the opportunity to experience numerous luxury brands. This is truly a world class experience.  Highly recommend!',5.0,'2023-09-19T11:22:06Z','REV-81RufjgVarDFCn2EnMfZ4FOaxO3Ed69/ViFKwMGA7VY=','en','AmateurAnthroplogist','TRIPADVISOR'),('119753P334','The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise','Memories to last a lifetime','Going to see the Pyramids is on many a bucket list, but I found the true highlight of my two week holiday in Egypt to be my cruise down the Nile aboard the Oberoi Philae.

This incredible river cruiser is built to house approximately 40 to 50 people, considerably less than most other boats of the same size, but travelling during the off-season means there\'s far fewer guests aboard. When my wife and I checked in, we found that not only had we been upgraded but we were also only 2 of 4 guests aboard, and essentially had the boat to ourselves like a private cruise. Despite this small number, the boat ran with a full roster of staff, determined to make our experience memorable.

