We chose to return to Egypt with AMA because our experiences with them had always been exceptional. We were not disappointed. The exceptional care began upon our arrival to find a representative waiting for us with Visas in hand, saving us a substantial wait to get into the passport control line. We then were taken to the Four Seasons Residence. We found our room disappointing, advised the hotel and cruise director of that, and were placed in a refurbished room on our return to hotel at the end of the cruise. This room was well in line with what we had come to expect from Four Seasons.

The tours in Giza and Cairo were very well managed, despite a sandstorm in Giza. Our guides were exceptional and provided many unusual insights into the history and culture. After two days in Cairo we flew to Luxor. (We have been through Cairo airport 8 times now, and I cannot think of one thing positive to say about it.) We were taken to the ship from the airport and had a late lunch, after which we had plenty of time to unpack, with all our luggage in our rooms well before the ship was underway.

The food on the ship was good, if not quite up to AMA's European river cruise standards. The wine was surprisingly good and the local beer most welcome on a hot afternoon. The tour schedule had the potential to be exhausting, but one always had the opportunity to pass on any tour, all of which had a lunch break on the ship so that full days could be avoided. Read more