Sleepless on the Nile
We recently completed the 5-day MS Liberty Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan, and unfortunately, it did not live up to the “5-star luxury” experience that was advertised.
The ship is described as “newly renovated,” however the floating floor they installed is quite literally floating. There were soft, squishy areas throughout the ship that you could feel shifting under your feet while walking, which was concerning and far from luxury.
The biggest issue was the constant noise. There are speakers located directly in the hallways outside the cabins, playing music loudly throughout the day until 9:30 pm. The volume is so high that you can clearly hear it inside your room, even with the TV on. Nightly shows and disco parties don’t begin until around 9:00 or 9:30 pm, which wouldn’t be a problem, except if your cabin is above the lounge. The music was so loud at one point that our floor was literally shaking.
On top of that, every single night when the ship docked, workers were yelling and shouting outside in the middle of the night. This happened nightly, not just once. With tour departures starting at 7:00 am and the Abu Simbel excursion beginning at 4:00 am, sleep deprivation quickly became a serious issue.
The cabins themselves were decent. The shower was small, which is expected on a ship. The beds were quite firm, but I personally didn’t mind that.
The food was okay. There wasn’t much variety and overall it lacked flavour.
The employees were friendly, but the service felt very unorganized, almost as if many were still in training. Getting service by the pool was nearly impossible.
The pool area itself was pleasant, though there are not many loungers. If you were lucky enough to secure one, it was a beautiful place to sit and watch the Nile as you cruised.
They advertise WiFi, but do not clearly state that you only receive 1GB before having to pay for additional data. They also advertise free coffee, tea, and water with meals, yet we were charged every time. At the very least, water should be complimentary.
The laundry facilities were broken during our sailing, so we were unable to wash any clothing. After already spending five days in Egypt prior to boarding, this would have been very helpful.
Housekeeping was also suboptimal. The beds were made daily and the towel animals were a nice touch, but surfaces were never properly cleaned. The same stains remained on our sink for the entire cruise.
Thank goodness we booked through Egypt Portal Tours and had Omar as our guide, he was exceptional and truly saved the experience. Without him, this trip would have been incredibly disappointing.
Overall, the staff were kind and the scenery along the Nile is unforgettable. However, this is not a 5-star luxury vessel as advertised. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this cruise.
Adelia M · Feb 2026 · via Tripadvisor
The best trip with the best toyr guide talaat
We were a couple nd talaat abdo was our toyr guide this man made our trip really i reallky recomend him for anyone wantd he was very funny knowledgeable and honest
He k iwa everything about the egyptian history
Thanks talaat
Flyer46812707084 · Feb 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Exceptional Guide
I had an exceptional experience with our guide. From the very beginning, he was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the history and culture. His explanations were clear, engaging, and full of fascinating details that you wouldn’t find in books.
He was also very patient and happy to answer all of our questions, making sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying the experience. His storytelling truly brought the sites to life and made the visit unforgettable.
279fayza · Feb 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Culture immerse
Good experience on the boat. Enjoy the visit. Need to get up quite early but can see multiple temples on the way. Our guide Talaat Abdo was very knowledgeable and flexible if you want to take more photos and skip part of the tour. Highly recommended!
Cruiser629712 · Feb 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Rich learning experience on the Nile!
Talaat Abdo is a wonderful guide. Flexible, respective, and passionately explains everything. Recommend him!
572biancac · Feb 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Truly Precious Days in Aswan & Luxor!
Aswan to Luxor was truly magical! Even though the 4-day Nile cruise had a packed schedule, it was the best way to soak in 3,500 years of history.
Our guide, Mohammed "Ramses" abdo, was a truly charismatic leader. He led our diverse group of 30 people without any flags—just his powerful voice calling out “Ramses!” to keep us together. He handled every little hiccup with a mix of firm leadership and flexibility. What I loved most was how he told the stories of ancient Kings and Queens as if they were people he personally knew. I can still hear his voice echoing in my mind!
Thank you, Mohamed, for making this once-in-a-lifetime trip so special and dear to my heart. Shukran!
Ramses👑
See you later, alligator!🐊
After a while, crocodile!🐊
Mohammed abdo,
See you Soon!!
nwB7183EJ · Feb 2026 · via Tripadvisor
It was a great experience.
Part of the schedule is a little bit tiring, but it does provide a full range of experiences and is still good. Instead of having to arrange balloons, Ferraris (horse-drawn carriages), motorboats, charter buses to and from attractions, meals on your own, the cabin accommodation was good and very hassle-free. The ps section of the voyage is wonderful, the Nile is quiet and gentle, a great cure for the bitterness of getting up early to catch the trip.
Our guide Mohammed Abdo also had a hard time. The group of 17 had mixed English, and he explained the sights, assembly arrangements, and every tip very clearly every day. His family said they felt more comfortable listening to it than some of the bang-bang Chinese guides, even if they didn't understand English.
Elanor_L · Feb 2026 · via Viator · Translated
wonderful choice for first-time visitors
we had a pleasant journey of 4 days. The cruise is in good condition, and every item in the package is covered as listed. And big thanks to our guide Mohammed Abdo, it's a really challenge to run a big group of 17 people. He explains everything very clearly, not just about those cultural or history knowlege, but also about meeting arrangements and tips. That helps a lot. Although the itinerary is tight, it offers first-time visitors as many experiences as possible.
Happiness46636675311 · Feb 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Imperial Egypt
imperial Egypt was a Fabulous experience would recommend it to everyone coming to Egypt. Hady was our guide and he was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and personable.
730mitchelll · Feb 2026 · via Tripadvisor
An unforgettable experience along the Nile
We had an incredible Nile River cruise experience, and our tour guide Hady made it unforgettable! From the moment we met him, his deep knowledge of ancient Egyptian history brought sites like the temples along the Nile to life—he explained everything with enthusiasm, humor, and incredible detail that kept our group engaged the whole time.
Hady was punctual, and really helpful, offering information about ancient as well as contemporary Egypt. His friendly demeanor helped us have a lot of fun.
We can’t recommend Hady highly enough—book him and Emperial Egypt if you want a knowledgeable, caring guide and a well organized agency for your Nile Cruise. 5 stars!
930vassilikim · Feb 2026 · via Tripadvisor
