Now everyone (including a lot of my friends at home) looking at this itinerary is going to say "you have to be crazy to do this". Crazy like a fox!!! First of all the cruise was heavily discounted for obvious reasons. We used an online cruise discounter, in addition, so that made the cost of this experience irresistible. To top it all, the Silversea threw in an unbelievable land package, which included two nights at the Cairo Four Seasons, touring the Pyramids and Cairo Museum, meals, famous Egyptologist lecture, charter plane from Cairo to Luxor, one night at the Luxor Sonesta, a beautiful dinner with belly dancer under the stars on the Nile and touring the temples and tombs with an Egyptologist and police-escorted caravan everywhere. Little touches, like ice cold water and towels being provided, while touring were lovely---it was toasty there. Forgot to add that I took an optional balloon ride over Luxor (husband didn't want to get up that early). Unbelievable experience!!

Now on to the ship---when our caravan of coaches arrived in Safaga, Egypt, we were greeted with Moet Chandon champagne, cold towels and someone to grab our hand luggage as we walked on the ship's red carpet with a great combo playing.

We were escorted to our Veranda Suite (345 sq ft), where we were found beautiful linens, marble bathroom with separate shower and tub--double sinks with Bulgari toiletries and fluffy robes. The cruise is all inclusive (including liquor, tips, etc.). You want to drink all day, you can. I never saw anyone drunk, however. They will stock your refrigerator with just about anything and bring bottles of your favorite hard liquor, within reason (no bottles of Louis XIII, without paying the freight, for instance). Read more