Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has revealed first-look images of its new Nile river “super ship,” the S.S. Sphinx, featuring designs sourced from local artisans and “embodying true Egyptian creativity and craftmanship at every corner.”
Having set sail on Sept. 23, the ship is the only luxury river cruise currently operating in Egypt.
“Over the past few years, our team poured their heart into sourcing the design aspects, spending weeks at a time searching the souks and Baazars to connect with local artisans and family-owned furniture businesses to collaborate and bring the true spirit of Egypt to life onboard,” says Uniworld CEO and president Ellen Bettridge. “Everything from the artwork to the ceilings to the ship’s bow was thought out and sourced by the local community.”
For example, the ship’s ceilings were hand-carved in locally sourced blonde wood; the carpets are inspired by Egyptian geometric shapes of the Pyramids; the banquettes were handcrafted and upholstered in fabric sourced from a local fabric company; and the top deck is filled with blue-toned furniture with tented drapes to shade from the sun inspired by the ancient Egyptian barges.
Continuing the company’s commitment to sustainability, locally sourced Egyptian artwork, fabrics, and hand-carved furnishings were used to bring the flavour of the region to life onboard.
The floating boutique hotel also features standard Uniworld touches such as more suites, more dining areas with space for social distancing, luxurious finishes, and a high crew to guest ratio. Additionally, all staterooms and suites onboard have French balconies.
Other amenities on the 42-suite vessel include a private dining room and an al fresco dining experience on the upper deck, swimming pool, and massage room.
Menus reflect the destination guests sail through, with options including Egyptian beef liver, veel “fatteh”, sweet corn soup, mulukhiya Egyptian bread, hawawshi and more. Guests can also pair their meals onboard with locally sourced Egyptian wines including Omar Khayyam and Shahrazade.
Sailings are inclusive of all meals onboard; premium spirits and wine; beautifully appointed river view accommodations; offshore excursions; airport transfers; and onboard gratuities and WiFi.
The ship operates the “Splendors of Egypt & The Nile” itinerary, a 12-day Cairo tot Cairo sailing that includes visits to the Temple of Karnak, the world’s largest ancient religious complex; various temples dedicated to Hathor, Horus and other mythological figures; the Temple of Hatshepsut, the country’s first female ruler; and the Egyptian Museum to view ancient artifacts, featuring treasures recovered from the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
