Uniworld SS Sphinx

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated Uniworld SS Sphinx ship cruises on Nile River (in Egypt) starting in January 2021. Among the world's largest river cruise companies, Uniworld with SS Sphinx offers three 12-day cruisetour itineraries roundtrip from Cairo (flight transfer-inclusive deals Cairo-Luxor) and river cruising between Luxor and Aswan.

The shipowner Uniworld (officially "Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection") is a major river cruise company and subsidiary of The Travel Corporation (TTC).

Also in 2021, Uniworld introduced two more 2020-launched newbuilds - the fleetmates SS Sao Gabriel (on Douro River in Portugal) and RV Mekong Jewel (on Mekong River in Vietnam-Cambodia).

UNIWORLD Nile River cruise itineraries

The ship's inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) starts on January 6, 2020. SS Sphinx operates a 12-day cruise tour itinerary (themed "SPLENDORS OF EGYPT and THE NILE") between Aswan and Luxor (northbound and southbound), with ports of call (sequence on the northbound route) Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor, Dendera (Qena), two cruise-inclusive flight transfers (between Cairo and Luxor) plus hotel stays in Cairo.

Next is listed riverboat's day-to-day schedule as officially announced by UNIWORLD:

• DAY 1: Arrival at Cairo Airport, optional group transfer (or private transfer), Uniworld representative meet-and-greet, escort to Four Seasons Hotel Cairo.
• DAY 2: Cairo city tour (local expert-guided), excursion visiting Salah al-Din Citadel, Alabaster Mosque, Museum
• DAY 3: flight Cairo to Luxor, cruise ship embarkation, the Nile cruising to Dendera (Karnak Temple, local guide / certified Egyptologist)
• DAY 4: Dendera, Nile cruising to Luxor (excursions - Hathor Temple, Luxor Temple)
• DAY 5: Luxor, the Nile cruising to Kom Ombo (excursion - Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple, Valley of the Kings)
• DAY 6: Kom Ombo, Nile cruising to Aswan (excursions - Kom Ombo Temple, bird watching boat tour)
• DAY 7: Aswan (excursions - Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple, a felucca boat tour with afternoon tea service at Old Cataract Hotel Aswan), shipboard Nubian evening show with traditional belly-dance performers and live music
• DAY 8: Aswan, Nile cruising to Kom Ombo and Edfu (excursion - Simbel temples)
• DAY 9: Esna, Nile cruising to Luxor (guided excursion - Esna Temple)
• DAY 10: Luxor (cruise ship debarkation), airport transfer, return flight Luxor to Cairo, check-in (Four Seasons Hotel Cairo), Giza Pyramids (Sound and Light Show)
• DAY 11: Cairo (excursions - Memphis ruins, Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx, Sakkara
• DAY 12: Cairo (departure) - hotel check-out, airport transfer, home flight, or (optional) post-cruise tour package with extension in Israel (Jerusalem).

7-day "Splendors of Egypt the Nile" itinerary

Prices started from USD 6100 per person (double-occupancy cabin rates).

Note: Uniworld's Sphinx boat had scheduled an inaugural cruise on October 26, 2020. The maiden voyage (7-day "Splendors of Egypt and The Nile" itinerary) was priced from USD 6100 per person (with double occupancy). However, due to the ongoing COVID-related international travel restrictions, the ship's inauguration was rescheduled for January 2, 2021, with prices from USD 5000 pp.

Cabins

Uniworld Sphinx cruise ship has 5 decks and features unique interior designs and a top-luxury ambiance. The riverboat has 42 staterooms (for 84 passengers). All cabins are double occupancy and with balconettes (sliding glass doors open to a French Balcony/fake balcony).

Cabin categories (in brackets are the number of accommodations) include FB-French Balcony (16), DF-Deluxe French Balcony (2), S-Suite (2), GS-Grand Suite (20), RS-Royal Suite (4).

Cabin designs feature custom-made (all hand-made) furniture and contemporary facilities. The cabin's 5-star hotel amenities include a Queen-size double bed, bedside tables with reading lamps, mirrored dressing table with chair, wall-mounted HDTV (satellite reception), hairdryer, spacious wardrobes, direct-dial phone, electronic safe box (in the closet), en suite bathroom (LED-light mirror, single-sink vanity, WC-toilet, glass shower cubicle, bathrobes, slippers), individually-controlled air-conditioning.

Shipboard facilities

The riverboat has a Dining Room Restaurant (full seating capacity) and spacious Sundeck with an Outdoor Bar Lounge (canopy-shaded, with alfresco dining and beverage service) and sunbathing deck (with a swimming pool, showers, padded sun loungers). The ship's all three gourmet dining venues also include a private Dining Room and alfresco dining (on Sun Deck). Modern navigation technologies, highest cruise industry standards and experienced crew-staff ensure passengers' safety and premium travel experiences.

Breakfasts and Lunches are served set menu or buffet-style, while Dinners are either buffet or set menu. The onboard cuisine is a combination of Western and Egyptian traditional dishes plus vegetarian offers. Meals consist of mostly locally-sourced ingredients and products like organic vegetables, exotic fruits, fish, prawns. Room Service for Breakfast (served on the cabin's balcony) is complimentary and via previous day ordering (gusts have to fill up a menu form the day before).

Shipboard Internet is free and available in all public areas. SS Sphinx is equipped with modern wellness facilities - Fitness Center (Gym Room with floor-ceiling windows) and Spa (treatment room for massages). The boat's fore-located indoor Bar Lounge is with panoramic views and comfortable seating. Other facilities include a 3-deck-high Atrium (Lobby Reception on the lower level), Sundeck with a swimming pool and shaded seating (Lounge with its own Bar), Bow Terrace (without seating). The boat's interior is marked by Egyptian artworks, hand-carved furnishings, hand-made fabrics.

The riverboat has a Laundry Room (self-service Laundromat). One Elevator (passenger Lift) connects all decks except Sundeck. All decks are interconnected via midship and aft staircases.

All the crew (including the hotel staff and officers) are Egyptian.

Note: You can see CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.