First TUI Cruise on the Nile: What a Trip to Egypt Looks Like on a New Liner.

Journey on the Nile by Boat

According to The Sun: I hold on to the rope so tightly that I can hardly hear the story of the Hatshepsut temple being recounted by our hot air balloon pilot Mahmoud as it looms in the background of our approach.

It was only when we got closer to its majestic structure that I was able to relax and enjoy its beauty.

Although I was initially anxious, seeing this ancient temple from the sky was a great privilege, as we flew a few hundred feet above sea level.

Unfortunately, my 45-minute flight over Egypt went by very quickly, and soon Mahmoud shouted: “landing marks,” notifying us tourists to duck in the basket and prepare for landing.

I felt relieved when my feet touched solid ground, but there was no time to rest — Luxor was waiting for me.

Discovering Ancient Egyptian Treasures

I set off to explore the ancient lands of Egypt — probably the best way for a tourist — on a cruise along the Nile on board Al Horeya, TUI's first cruise ship venturing beyond European waterways.

Luxor was my first stop on a seven-day adventure tour.

I was thrilled at the opportunity to visit the Valley of the Kings, where some of Egypt's most famous pharaohs are buried.

This desert attraction contains 62 tombs, 11 of which are open to the public.

Entrance to the Valley provides access to three tombs, with an option to pay extra to visit the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Each tomb is a labyrinth of narrow tunnels, many of which are adorned with vibrant hieroglyphs.

I confess, I was a bit surprised by the combination of blue, orange, and gold shades, as my only association with ancient Egypt is the fictional 1999 film 'The Mummy', which had a lot more sand.

As the day was coming to an end, while exploring this fascinating city on the east bank of the Nile, the double bed in my cabin with a French balcony looked incredibly inviting. But before I laid down to rest, I needed to refuel at the Lazezza restaurant on the ship.

From the first night, Egyptian rosé wine Shahrazade became my favorite drink.

Luckily, staying aboard TUI Al Horeya is all-inclusive, so I could enjoy the wine as much as I wanted.

Breakfasts and lunches are served buffet-style, offering a variety of dishes: baked vegetables, fresh fish, tagines, pizzas, cheeses, and a salad bar.

In the evenings, guests are entertained with a variety of options, including live music and trivia. My personal favorite is 'Egyptian Night', when the crew and passengers dress in traditional galabiyas and savor classic dishes from ancient times.

Discovering the Unknown

When I wasn’t exploring the wonders of Egypt, I spent most of my time on the upper deck.

Here, besides the restaurant, there is a small pool, two jacuzzis, sun loungers, and a bar area. I could easily spend a week just relaxing on the upper deck, although there’s also a gym, spa, and shop on the ship.

There was still much to see in Luxor, including the Karnak Temple, a huge complex with chapels, statues, and even a sacred lake.

For the best photographs, it’s worth visiting the Great Hypostyle Hall with 134 massive sandstone columns carved to look like papyrus or the Avenue of Sphinxes at the nearby Luxor Temple.

From Luxor, Al Horeya sails up the Nile to Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan, with optional excursions at Edfu and Kom Ombo included in the vacation package.

The Uncharted Islands of the Nile

I may have been naively unaware that there are islands on the Nile until I visited Agilkia Island, a short ride and a small boat walk from Aswan.

This little island is home to the magnificent Philae Temple, which was rebuilt after being carefully moved from its original site — Philae Island — due to flooding.

This is undoubtedly a surreal experience — exploring ancient Egyptian motifs surrounded by water.

My joy heightened when I participated in a tour of a Nubian village on Elephantine Island.

Local Fatma led our group through the village before allowing us to explore Animalia — a museum created by her father that immerses visitors in Nubian culture.

While in the area, it’s worth visiting the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract hotel in Aswan, where Agatha Christie spent a year writing her classic detective 'Death on the Nile'.

If you are not staying at the hotel, visitors need to buy a voucher to explore the public spaces, which can be redeemed for drinks at the bar.

I sipped on a cocktail named after the famous author, made with gin, peach juice, hibiscus, and triple sec, watching as feluccas (traditional wooden sailboats) sailed by on the Nile at sunset.

After just one week spent in the Valley of the Nile, I understood why Agatha Christie felt the need to pick up the pen.

Witnessing these unforgettable views and enjoying the cultural heritage made me feel like I was in a completely different world.