The Oberoi Philae

The Oberoi Philae was relaunched in 2015 following a spectacular refurbishment to this iconic ship. What sets the Oberoi Philae apart from the competition are the supremely high levels of service, superb accommodation, excellent cuisine. Above all, it provides excellent guiding. Another massive plus point is that it has its own private moorings.

The Oberoi Philae also cruises on a different day than the majority of other cruises. Therefore, you tend to have quieter visits to major attractions. Many other ships tend to moor alongside each other in a long row. As a result, it is not ideal should you want to enjoy the views and retain a sense of privacy! Opt for a four or six-night cruise, departing from either Aswan or Luxor.

There are just 22 spacious suites onboard the Oberoi Philae. This allows for a maximum of 44 guests. The lead-in Luxury Cabins (twin or king-size bed) offer an ample 36sqm of space. They are all stylishly designed, using neutral tones of cream and light brown to give a sense of sophistication. The big plus point of the cabins is the slidable French windows. Open these in the morning to sip your first cup of tea on one of the two comfortable armchairs. For instance, you could spend an afternoon with a good book as the Nile glides by and the breeze drifts into your cabin.

All suites make use of 24-hour butler service, high-speed WiFi, coffee machines, and a 40 inch TV. Within the bathroom, you find a walk-in high-pressure rain-shower.  The Luxury Suites are larger, at 55 square metres also come with a living room, a standalone bathtub (complete with Nile view). These rooms also have the option of a private terrace with an outdoor whirlpool. 

The Main Restaurant on the Oberoi Philae is an elegant dining room open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests tend to dress up a little for dinner. Before you worry, you do not need to bring your black-tie.  The dress code is ‘elegant casuals (jacket not essential)’. Needless to say, the offering is varied spanning Western, Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines.

The Poolside Restaurant serves lighter meals, snacks and a barbecue lunch menu. They also make rather wonderful cocktails.  However, be sure to enjoy these after you are expected to navigate the tombs of the Valley of the Kings! After dinner, move down to the Bar and Cigar Lounge. Before you worry that you will enter a fog of Cuban cigars, those enjoy a cigar have a dedicated outdoor space on the upper deck. 

The Spa on the Oberoi Philae is superb. Private treatment rooms overlook the Nile, and there is also a beauty salon. Opt for Thai, Balinese, Ayurveda and signature Oberoi massages. The temperature-controlled swimming pool is on the top deck and is a good size at 11 metres long. There is a small gym with Nile views.

Finally, the Egyptologists on board are truly expert in what they do. Audio-visual presentations are held before you visit the various sites, should you want to make the most of understanding ancient Egypt. Sightseeing is conducted in small luxury coaches. In addition, we can arrange for a private Egyptologist should you want to see the sights privately.