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4. MS Movenpick Darakum

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MS Movenpick Darakum

One of the largest ships on the Nile, with 52 cabins and suites, the five-star ship is managed by the renowned Swiss hospitality company, Mövenpick, and has been designed with a low draft in order to navigate the full length of the Nile in Egypt.

The MS Mövenpick Darakum is currently one of only two five-star vessels cruising the Nile from Cairo all the way to Aswan - so this cruise is very much a bucket list experience!

Appointed to the highest specification and imaginatively furnished with a distinctive Moroccan theme, the MS Darakum offers extensive open deck space on three levels, with plenty sun loungers, sofas and armchairs to relax in. The pool on the sun deck is perfect for a cooling dip. The spacious, yet cosy lounge bar is the social hub of the ship, with board games and evening entertainment including music, wine-tasting and cookery lesson, a black & white party, the ever-popular ‘galabiya’ party and even a belly dancer!

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Accomodation Types

Appointed to the highest specification and imaginatively furnished with a distinctive Moroccan theme. All cabins have tea and coffee making facilities, complimentary bottled water, hotel style beds, wood panelled bathrooms with fixed shower and bath and complimentary toiletries.

Senior Suite

Panorama Suite

Upper Deck Cabin

Deluxe Cabin

Standard Cabin - The Main Deck

Standard Cabin - The Lower Deck

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Deck Plans

Appointed to the highest specification and imaginatively furnished with a distinctive Moroccan theme. All cabins have tea and coffee making facilities, complimentary bottled water, hotel style beds, wood panelled bathrooms with fixed shower and bath and complimentary toiletries.

Sun Deck

Top Deck

Upper Deck

Main Deck

Lower Deck

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Dining

Located on the lower deck is the main restaurant, serving a varied buffet dinner every evening.

Restaurant

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Entertainment

On board you will find a spacious sun deck with loungers, sofas and armchairs, a lounge and bar area to relax in, evening music entertainment and a selection of board games to enjoy.

Lounge/Bar

Sun Decks

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Enrichment

A journey along Egypt’s River Nile is the perfect way to relive ancient history. Relax on the deck as centuries of farmland and plantations pass you by, gaze at the Great Pyramids of Giza, whilst sipping refreshing drinks or visit the tomb of the Pharaoh, Akhenaten, and listen to tour guides uncover the secrets of the past.

With the choice to spend your days onboard our boutique vessels, appreciating the astonishing views or venturing on guided tours, we have the perfect balance of itineraries and free time to discover the world’s hidden gems just for you. Worldwide river cruising is just the beginning of a bigger adventure. 

Onshore Experiences

We start in Cairo - the largest city on the African continent, Cairo remains a fascinating fusion of western, Islamic and Christian culture, all mixed up with something a lot more ancient. You will visit the magnificent Grand Egyptian Museum, housing a plethora of priceless treasures. We’ll also visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara, just south of Cairo and built over 4,600 years ago, this is Egypt’s first proper pyramid, and is now considered to be the oldest stone building in the world. After two days of relaxing sailing on the world’s longest river our tour continues with visits to the tombs of Beni Hassan, followed by one of the most imposing temples in all of Egypt, at Abydos. Our exploration continues with the temple of Hathor at Dendera, built during the time of the Ptolemies, heirs to Alexander the Great’s empire. From here, we continue to the well-known sights of Luxor and beyond.

Luxor, known as Thebes in ancient times, was centred around the two great temple complexes of ancient Egypt – Karnak and Luxor. These are both on the East bank of the Nile and dedicated to the sun god, Amun Ra, the giver of life. The West bank, where the sun sets, was reserved for the tombs and funerary temples of the Pharaohs, their families and high officials. We also see the temple of Kom Ombo, plus one of Egypt's greatest modern achievements - the Aswan High Dam.

Highlights

• Marvel at the Golden Mask of Tutankhamun and numerous other treasures at the stunning new Grand Egyptian Museum.
• Get close to the Pyramids at Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx, plus take a guided tour to the lesser-known ‘Step Pyramid’, the oldest stone structure in the world.
• Take guided tours of lesser-known sites, such as the city of Amarna, created by the pharaoh Akhenaten and Nefertiti.
• Visit some of Egypt's amazing temples, including Abydos Dendera, Karnak, Luxor and Kom Ombo and explore the Valley of the Kings with visits to the Pharaohs' tombs and the temple of Hatshepsut.
• See one of Egypt's modern achievements, the Aswan High Dam.

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Health & Fitness

Fitness Room

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Kids & Teens

Please note: there are no dedicated kids or teens facilities onboard.

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Useful Information

Disabled Facilities

We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us.

Please take a look at our Passengers with Reduced Mobility FAQs page for more information.

Alternatively, you can contact us online or call us on 01283 688 164 to discuss these concerns.

Our ships are not adapted for wheelchair access. If you are intending to take a wheelchair or mobility scooter with you, it is essential that you contact us to let us know.

Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be used on excursions but they cannot be used on board the ships due to safety reasons and must not be left in corridors, the lounge or restaurant or any other public areas. They must be stored in your cabin.

River cruises operate with a smaller crew than ocean cruises and do not have the crew available to personally attend to passengers with reduced mobility, therefore a travelling companion would need to be able to help with any physical needs.

The itinerary we include with our river cruises involves shore excursions visiting places with cobbled streets which can be on an incline making navigation of these streets difficult for anyone with reduced mobility.

If you can’t do many shore excursions, river cruising in Europe can still be very enjoyable and worthwhile. Cruising down the Rhine, Danube or any of the European rivers we offer gives you the opportunity to take in the spectacular scenery and there is a lot to enjoy from the comfort of the ship. Please contact us with any concerns you may have.

Whilst most of our ships have a lift on board, it does not operate to all decks.

We include mobility information regarding lifts between decks on each ship under the deck plan section of the page. You may wish to view all of our ships before booking.

Special Dietary Requirements

Breakfast: In the morning a full breakfast is served which includes healthy options and your choice of eggs made to order.

Lunch: For lunch enjoy salads from the buffet, soup and a choice of main courses, including local dishes, plus dessert.

Dinner: The four course a la carte dinners include a selection of international and regional specialities.

We cater for most dietary requirements, please ensure you advise our sales team when making the booking.

Dress Code

There is no requirement to bring formal dress - smart/casual is acceptable for both day and evening as there is no dress code enforced. However, men are requested not to wear shorts for dinner or vest tops at any time in the dining room. You may wish to wear a jacket and tie for dinner. The Chef's Dinner offers the opportunity, should you wish, for more special attire.

Medical Facilities

If you have any concerns about your health whilst on tour, please see your Cruise Director or Concierge. They will be able to advise you about chemists and availability of doctors, etc. In an emergency you could always phone our emergency number as issued on your itinerary. There are no on-board medical personnel, although specific crew members will have basic first aid training. However, the ship can stop at any time to transfer any passenger requiring emergency medical attention to local medical facilities.

Smoking and E-Cigarette Policy

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted anywhere on board except for designated areas on the sun deck. More and more countries in Europe are adopting a stricter legislation on smoking in public places.

Smoking is not allowed on any public transport and there may be other restrictions in hotels, bars and restaurants.

Age Restrictions

The minimum age limit is 12 years old at the date of departure. We reserve the right to limit the number of children on any particular cruise. Any minor must be accompanied by and share a cabin with an adult aged 21 or over. If the adult is not the minor’s parent, a ‘Parental Consent Guardianship Form’ must be signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to sailing.

Air Conditioning

Our ships are fully air-conditioned throughout. Each cabin has individual air-conditioning and heating controls.

Drinks Packages

We have a drinks package included for all European river cruises in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Superior Drinks Package

For all 2024 and 2025 European river cruises:

Over lunch in our restaurants enjoy unlimited drinks from a choice of:

• Red, white, rosé and sparkling house wine, including non-alcoholic
• Draught beer, including non-alcoholic
• A selection of soft drinks and juices

Then from 6 pm until midnight in our bar and restaurants, enjoy all of the above, plus unlimited drinks from a choice of:

• Our cocktail and mocktail of the day
• House spirits and mixers (including gin, vodka, rum and whisky)
• A recommended regional wine during dinner
• Martini & Sherry pre-dinner
• Port & Brandy after dinner

All-inclusive drinks package

Available on 2026 European river cruise departures

Available from 10am to midnight each day:

• Red, white, rosé and sparkling house wine, including non-alcoholic​
• A choice of draught beer, including non-alcoholic​
• A selection of soft drinks and juices​​
• Our cocktail and mocktail of the day​
• House spirits and mixers including vodka, gin, rum, whisky, martini, sherry, brandy, port and Baileys (excluding liqueurs)
• Daily recommended wines ​
• Tea and coffee from the bar

View more about our drinks packages.

Facilities and Services

Details on the facilities on each ship can be found in the individual river cruise ship pages.

Hairdressing services

• Most ships, with the exception of the MS Douro Elegance and MS Douro Splendour, offer a hairdressing service.

Medical services

• There are no on-board medical personnel, although specific crew members will have basic first aid training. However, the ship can stop at any time to transfer any passenger requiring emergency medical attention to local medical facilities.
• If you have any concerns about your health whilst on tour, please see your Cruise Director or Concierge. They will be able to advise you about chemists and availability of doctors, etc.
• In an emergency you could always phone our emergency number as issued on your itinerary.

Laundry service

• A limited laundry service is available on board, except on the day of disembarkation.
• A dry cleaning service is not available.

Library

• There is a small library on board with a selection of books, games and puzzles.

Gift shop

• There is a gift shop on board.

Lifts

• There is a lift between all three internal decks but not the sun deck on most ships.

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi available for your convenience