Deckplan | Fact sheet

Overview & Accommodation

Experience a more gracious, graceful and traditional luxury Nile Cruise with the sedate majesty of a Dahabiya cruise. Elite Dahabiya, sail boat, will take you back in time to the gentler, more refined era when aristocrats, Europe’s elite and sophisticated travelers cruised on the Nile in style.

Pleasure barges have always featured prominently in Egypt’s history. Cleopatra and Julius Caesar spent nine months sailing around Egypt. Ottoman officials insisted on the grandeur of the Dahabiya cruise for their journeys. European visitors from the 1860s onwards preferred to hire a Dahabiya at Cairo for a luxury Nile cruise at a civilized pace. Now you too can explore Egypt inelegance.

The name Dahabiya is Arabic for “golden boat” after the gilded railings and fittings that adorned these magnificent pleasure craft. Modern replicas of these classically elegant vessels use the traditional configuration of two lateen sails to assist propulsion, so speed of travel along the Nile is slower, more relaxed and more contemplative giving you more time to take in the sights as they gently glide by and really appreciate your surroundings. Elite Dahabiya revived the heyday of luxury Nile cruises with the addition of modern comforts and conveniences.

With décor appropriate to the luxury and classically elegant themes of the vessels themselves, Elite Dahabiya features only eight cabins. As you’d expect, levels of deluxe service reflect the elite nature of the boat and the limited passenger numbers to give you a real taste of intimate luxury and relaxed privacy.

Accommodation & Dining

The classical Dahabiya has a spacious salon and elegant wood-paneled cabins ventilated by sliding louvers. Brass fittings adorn the living, meeting and dining areas and you can refresh yourself in titled bathrooms. Accommodation on Elite Dahabiya consists of just 6 deluxe cabins. All cabins are decorated in the elegant period style but include modern touches such as a panoramic large window, private direct-dial telephone, individual climate control, private bathroom with w/c, walk in shower and hairdryer, mini-bar, safety deposit box, interactive television with Satellite channels and in room music system.

The upper deck is where meals are eaten. Prepared by highly skilled chefs, the fare is as sumptuous and mouthwatering as befits the luxurious ambience of the entire vessel. Meals are lavish, with lots of fresh fish and salads. The upper deck awning can be rolled back for sunbathing or if you prefer you can relax in the stylish reading lounge.

Elite Dahabiya’s additional facilities include wireless internet, 24 hours room service, Doctor on call 24 hours, First aid kit and medical attention available upon request and emergency handling and fire trained staff.