Jaz Crown Prince

The temples themselves are breathtaking, and we're glad we came to Egypt. Our private guide met us at the sites and was absolutely wonderful. But the cruise schedule was a difficult experience, and we wish we'd understood it before booking. We chose a three-night Jaz cruise from Aswan to Luxor as part of our wider Egypt trip. The first day was spent docked in Aswan for over 24 hours, with sailing not starting until day two. That day was mostly on the Nile, with just an hour at Kom Ombo. We thought we had to be back on board by then, but the boat waits for everyone, so there's no need to rush back. You can stay at the site as long as you like. We didn't know that and barely had time to walk there, see it, and return. At 6am on day three, we got two hours at Edfu Temple. That window has to cover the horse-drawn carriage ride both ways as well as the visit, which felt nowhere near long enough. Again, the boat won't leave without you, so you can take your time. We wish someone had told us. We were also told we'd reach Luxor on the third day, but what that meant was docking at the company's private berth, seven miles from the city, for the whole afternoon and night, then getting off the next morning. Plan on a lot of time sitting aboard, with only limited planned time at the two historic sites. You'll also want to rely on your phone for wifi. We're not too jazzed about Jaz.

The rooms on the fourth floor were especially spacious and comfortable. We had a lovely time on the ship, and the staff were friendly and ready to help. The waiters looking after our two tables deserve a special mention, they were really good and welcoming.

Our cabin had a lovely view of the river, and the whole stay felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The staff are some of the nicest people you'll meet, with excellent service. Food was delicious and drinks were very fairly priced. Tipping is an important part of the culture, so budget around 60€ per person for the trip. That felt fair for the service we received. Highly recommend!

Nights on deck, once the smokers had gone to their cabins, were magical. So was passing the Esna barrage around midnight, and later stopping right beside the Temple of Kom Ombo before sailing into Aswan around midnight. The Crown Prince cruise between Luxor and Aswan is unforgettable, mostly because of the places along the way. From what I could tell, the Jaz Crown Prince is toward the cheaper end of the Jaz fleet. It costs less, but feels a bit worn around the edges. Still, the overall experience was great. The food was plentiful, though repetitive and bland, and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Smoking is allowed on the top deck, which means the views and chance to relax come with a constant cigarette smell. It had a very 1970s feel I hadn't thought about in years. My son felt unwell, and the Maitre D and Chef went out of their way to look after him. They were happy to bring him food in his room whenever he wanted it.