M/S Esmeralda Nile Cruise - 4 Or 7 Nights From Luxor Each Monday And 03 Nights From Aswan Each Friday

The food was a real highlight, with lots of variety and excellent vegetarian choices. Staff were especially attentive and pleasant in the restaurant, and the welcoming atmosphere made the Opera Nile Cruise a very enjoyable trip. I’d highly recommend it if you’re after a relaxing, memorable Nile cruise.

Despite its misleading one-star rating, the Opera Nile cruise was a delightful surprise. The local cuisine was a highlight, with delicious food that gave us a taste of Egypt’s traditions. The rooms were spacious and comfortable, and the ship was exceptionally clean. Staff worked hard to make the journey along the Nile pleasant and memorable. It’s a local company offering high standards alongside an authentic Egyptian experience, unlike multinational cruise lines. If you want a trip that represents the heart of Egypt, the Opera is a perfect choice and an unfairly underrated gem deserving more recognition.

Some of the staff were lovely, but a few waiters were really rude. We were seven as a family, yet one of us was seated at another table despite plenty of space. At rooftop lunch, we’d settled at an unreserved table, then a waiter rudely moved us. We asked to open a curtain so we wouldn’t be in the sun, and they initially refused. Food hygiene needs work. Several passengers, including me, came down with gastro last night. The food was better than at the hotels on our tour, but we got sick. The rooms were cleaner too, except our sheets and pillowcases hadn’t been changed and had hair all over them. If you’re six feet or taller, the showers and walkways are uncomfortable, and you may bump your head. The beds also have too little overhead clearance when you sleep.

We did the four-night trip from Luxor to Aswan. The room was fine, the staff competent, and there was plenty of food for different tastes. The air conditioner could use servicing, and the meal times were odd enough that we needed a snack to make it to dinner. Both shops were very expensive, and some of the stuff was trash. The boat is older, but that’s not a huge issue. We seemed to race up the Nile to spend 90min at a temple among 35 other boats, while needing much more time at the temples. Then we waited five hours to pass through the lock, time that could have been spent visiting temples. WiFi and TV didn’t work, which is a first world problem, but visitors want those as part of the deal. I’d rate it closer to 3.5/5 than 4/5.