Cabins

The cabins had two single beds and ample storage space for clothes. Each had its own shower, toilet and washbasin. There was also adjustable air-conditioning in each cabin and all of the boat was air-conditioned. The temperature throughout the boat was just right, neither too hot or too cold.

Every cabin also has a window (sorry porthole !), but the view you get really depends on how you are docked as sometimes other boats may be docked at either side of you. Our cabins were on the right hand side (no idea whether that's port or starboard !) and for the majority of days we had a view over the Nile as the boat tended to dock on the east bank. So what more could you ask for than a view like this when you wake up in the morning ?

Typical view from the cabin

Housekeeping

Housekeeping was excellent. Beds were made every morning and the cabins were hoovered and cleaned. Note that soap and shampoo wasn't replaced so take some of your own to supplement the initial supply. Used towels seemed to be replaced daily and the cabin was also generally tidied up. All this was done unobtrusively while we were having breakfast.

Staff

The staff were extremely friendly, courteous, polite and efficient. They were always smart, tidy and well turned out, presenting a very professional image. If I were cynical, I could say it was because they wanted their 'baksheesh' at the end of the week, but as this is given anonymously in an envelope as you leave, this is not the case. Nothing was too much trouble and on my first day when I went to the bar for a drink, the barman seemed upset that I had gone to him rather than summoning him ! Likewise in the restaurant, the service was excellent with the meals being delivered hot in a professional manner by smiling, friendly enthusiastic staff.

The Restaurant and its Food

The meals were all served at one sitting. The maitre'd allocates your table on the first night you keep the same seats throughout the cruise. Vegetarian alternatives were available at all meals.

Breakfast (usually from 7am depending on the day's excursion departure time) was a buffet service with cereals, toast, fruit, yoghurt, a variety of breads and croissants and jam and hot dishes. Omelettes and fried eggs were cooked to order but I found them to be a bit undercooked for my liking. Don't expect any bacon or sausages though !

Lunch (usually 1pm) was also a buffet service, with a variety of salads, hot dishes and sweets. This was usually the best meal in the restaurant as we were cruising most lunch times and had a good view out of the window from our place in the restaurant.

Afternoon Tea was served at 4pm on the sundeck and consisted of tea or coffee with biscuits and cake.

Evening Meal (served at 8pm) was a full waiter service and gentlemen were expected to wear long trousers (except on the Egyptian night when gallebeos were the order of the day). The usual format was as starter, main course and sweet followed by tea or coffee although there was a Chinese buffet night during our trip (which was in retrospect the worst evening meal). If it's your birthday, expect to be serenaded by the staff singing their version of 'happy birthday' and be presented with a cake... if you are the type that's easily embarrassed, have a word with your representative beforehand to avoid it ! As the evening meal menu was posted outside the restaurant every day, you knew what to expect !

So what was the food like ? I have to say that some of the dishes served were not to my taste, but this was not due to the quality but more to my palette. I had been advised to keep off anything that wasn't cooked, but after a couple of days, the fruit and salads looked so tempting I decided to risk it and I'm glad I did as the salads were good. Hot meals were served hot and at the evening meal, there was always a surprise with the sweet. In summary, the food was indeed excellent throughout and was presented well and we went home a good few pounds heavier - you could not be disappointed with the MS Nile Commodore fare !

	As you can see from the photograph, the sweets were varied and tasty and extremely well presented. We were indeed spoilt for choice ! The chocolate duck just in front of the chef was a special for Easter and it seemed a shame to cut into it ! However, greed got the better of me and I had a piece of wing and very nice it was too !
Sweets table on Easter Monday

As we were there at Easter, extra effort was made by the staff to provide something special. This magnificent display on the salad and fruit table featured a home for several (live) baby chicks, made out of a variety of ingredients and even had its own waterfall with running water ! A novel idea which caught everyone's attention !
	Home for Easter Chicks

For the Egyptian evening on the boat, one is expected (although by no means forced) to don appropriate Egyptian costume (which you can buy or rent from the on board shop). After the evening meal, each group has a photograph taken before the start of the 'games'. These, I'm pleased to say were not compulsory but featured many 'standard' English games plus a chance to 'mummify' your partner with loo roll !!

Aassem's Amentie group at the Egyptian evening

Costs on Board

The process is that you run up a tab, signing for everything you buy and then settle up at the end of the week.. you don't get you passport back until you've paid ! You can pay by credit card but there is a surcharge of about 5%.

	Coke or soft drink about 5LE (80p) Tea or Coffee about 5LE (80p) Bottle of water (2L) about 5LE (80p) Bottle of wine about 50LE (£8) Beers were about 15LE (£2.50) Spirits were around 25LE (£5) Egyptian Night photos 10LE (£2) each
Egyptian Pound (1LE) about 20p

Tipping is also done at the end of the week and can be done anonymously by putting your tip in an envelope and leaving it with reception. You can of course tip individuals if you so wish. The 'recommended baksheesh' amount was 75LE (about £15) per person for the boat crew and 50LE (£10) per person for the guide.

Other Facilities on Board

The lounge has a bar and a small dance floor where the activities are held. We had an Egyptian night, a cocktail party and a belly dancer and whirling dervish. The lounge also had a TV and video with some English tapes. Outside there was the sun-deck with loungers and courtesy towels. There were a number of sunbeds and generally enough to go round - 'reserving' of sunbeds was frowned upon. There was also a covered area with tables and chairs if you're not too keen on the sun. There was a small pool to cool off in and a shower cubicle.

There were two on board shops. One primarily sold jewellery and gifts, the other mainly Egyptian clothing with hire of Egyptian gallebeos and dresses for the Egyptian evening. You could have a cartouche in gold with your name written in hieroglyphs and also T-shirts with your name on. Remember to order in plenty of time though. The jewellery comes with a guarantee which Presidential Nile Cruises and Thomson's will honour. Watch out though ... the jewellery prices are in English pounds, not Egyptian so the cartouche I bought my wife at 120 pounds (which I thought was a good price at £24) was actually £120 ! You can pay with visa, cash, access etc. and for the T-shirts they even took English notes, although the exchange rate wasn't too good.

You can make international telephone calls from reception, however a number of guests had brought their UK mobile phones which seemed to work fine.

The boat also offers a laundry service if you need it.

Currency Exchange

A visit from a bank representative occurred twice during the week. Outside these times, if you wanted to exchange money, you would need to find a bank when the boat is berthed.

Safety Deposit and Valuables

Valuables should be sealed in an envelope and handed to reception for keeping in their safe.

Security

On leaving the boat, we were given a boarding pass. The staff can then check if everyone is back on board before setting sail. A member of staff was on duty at the exit at all times the boat was berthed and in some cases was accompanied by one or more armed police. At every berth, armed soldiers or police were clearly visible outside the boat. We had no concerns about safety or security.

Miscellaneous

As I have already noted, we were there over Easter. On Easter Sunday, we returned to our cabins to find chocolate Easter eggs for each of us and on Easter Monday, the ladies were left a rose on their bed - nice touches !