This was my first Viking cruise experience. Many if not most of the passengers were repeat Viking customers and every single one said this was "not up to Viking standards". The ship was quite lovely and comfortable and the senior staff were so gracious and helpful. The room stewards and dining room wait staff however apparently are new and need more experience to come up to the service and attention level most cruisers are accustomed to. There is actually very little river cruising time. One day down to Aswan, and one day back up to Luxor. Not at all like what people are used to for European river cruises. This is more of a floating hotel experience. Given what I saw of the many, many other ships on the river, though, I would not set foot on any other ship but this one !! The evening entertainment was especially dismal -- most nights a lackluster piano player who was putting himself to sleep, not to mention the guests !

What makes this trip worth it is the quality of the land hotels, the physical quality of the ship itself, the great Egyptologist guides, and the absolutely magnificent sites visited.

STRONG WARNING AGAINST one tour --- the night show at Temple of Philae in Aswan. It was in complete darkness over some of the roughest most uneven ground to walk of any of the sites we visited. Several of us almost fell, and one lady did take a nasty fall. NOT SAFE and not worth it as the show was "cheesy" in my opinion. Even the guides say they have begged Viking to delete this tour offering but so far it stays on the agenda.