Virtually rebuilt in 2007, the Lloyds Registered m/s Stephanie is one of the more spacious of the many so-called "5-star boats"
plying the River Nile. It boasts full air-conditioning throughout and a water purification system that delivers excellent hot and cold water to all
62 cabins and 4 suites without any difficulty.
See also Deck Plans & Technical Specifications >>
Main Reception
Games & Video Sitting Area The Gallery
Reception
Main Deck
The 2-deck high main Reception Hall is quite grand, even opulent, in a french Art Nouveau style that nevertheless has a modern feel about it.
This leads to a simpler and more modern Bar Lounge, with its wooden dance-floor used for entertainment shows and an abundance of comfortable chairs and sofas;
indeed, at no time did there seem to be any difficulty in seating everyone.
The Bar/Lounge
Afternoon Tea! in the Lounge
Whirling Dervish
Fancy Dress Night The Jellabiya Party
The Bar Lounge is the location for an approximation of that British tradition, Afternoon Tea, but it's also the focus of attention for
the evening's entertainment. One night each week is set aside for the Fancy Dress Jellabiya Party, while other nights present local entertainment,
including Nubian music and dancing, the famous Whirling Dervish and the ever-popular Belly-dancer.
Lower Deck
On the deck below is the Restaurant which seats all 132 passengers in a single sitting for all meals.
The tables are not too close together and are dressed with crisp fresh linen and nice clean tableware, and while
service is in the buffet-style, the waiters provide efficient and friendly table-clearing, while also serving drinks. And if you are on the
boat's "all-inclusive tariff", this extends to a quite palatable choice of wines, beers and spirits, as well as an abundant
supply of bottled water.
From past experience, I expected the food to be bland and limited but there was a good choice of fresh breads and pastries, and a wide range
of hot dishes to choose from, including vegetables and a different home-made soup each day.
Perhaps aware that European travellers are often advised not each washed, cold or uncooked foods, the choice of salads and fruit is limited and the
the accent is on hot dishes that are easy to prepare and serve. While they are a little different from European dishes, none are too heavily spiced and
there is always a selection of extremely sweet desserts to finish with.
Sun Deck
The extensive open deck has a plentiful supply of comfortable chairs, tables and loungers; but while there are canopies and umbrellas over part,
if I have a criticism, it is that these are not substantial enough and leave too many gaps for the seering heat of that Egyptian sun to spoil your nap!
Relax and let the world drift by
The partial shade of The Sundeck
Sunloungers forward & The Plunge-Pool
A Nile Sunset
But if you are one of those who can brave the heat of the sun, there is a large shallow pool forward, with a small plunge-pool within it,
and there is also a Drinks Bar. A nice touch is that, when cruising, the Barman will often bring round trays of cooling fruit juices
without having been asked.
Cabin Accommodation
The 62 air-conditioned cabins are clean & spacious. At 21 sq m (231 sq ft), they are larger than average, with floor-to-ceiling windows and "juliet"-style
balcony, fridge, TV and telephone.
Bathrooms are attractive and well-designed, providing both bath and an efficient shower plus a bidet function in the toilet which surprised a few!
Hanging-space in the cabins is not generous however, and cupboards and drawers are a little flimsy. The fridge is just big enough to store your bottles of water but
the TV is old and I never saw a viewable picture on it. Cabin service though, is excellent; the stewards clean and make-up the room at least twice a day
and seem to be constantly changing towels!
In fact, "Towel Origami" figures highly among the Egyptian cabin stewards, since almost every night you would be
greeted in your cabin by some new exotic animal on the bed - or hanging from the ceiling!
The plans of the boat indicate that there are also 4 larger suites but although they are undoubtedly there, for no explained reason,
these did not appear to be available to passengers when I enquired.
Summary
Operated currently by Orbital Travel (for British & American guests) jointly with Monica Nile Cruises, m/s Stephanie
is classified as a 5-star boat and while 5-stars in Egypt doesn't mean the same as it does in the ocean cruising market,
the spaciousness, food and service aboard this boat are really very good and leave little to criticise. In terms of value for money m/s Stephanie offers the perfect balance.
Orbital Travel operate an itinerary which expertly suits their guests' needs, while incorporating all the most popular sites and excursions, and while
there were also seperate groups of Italian and German guests aboard, they had their own guides and a different (shorter) itinerary,
which enabled each group to function independently.
