Brand Backstory
Uniworld has operated luxury boutique river cruises since 1976, with a fleet of 18 vessels that cruise to 22 countries, including Egypt, Peru, India, and Spain. It was the first American cruise company to set sail in Europe. All of its cruises are 5-star and all-inclusive.
Each Uniworld ship is one-of-a-kind and designed to reflect the destination it sails to. By 2027, the entire fleet of floating boutique hotels will be Super Ships featuring diesel-electric propulsion systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The average capacity is 120 passengers, and there’s superb personalized service with the cruise industry’s highest crew-to-guest ratio, typically 2.4-to-1.
Ship Snapshot
The S.S. Sphinx debuted in 2021 and was custom-designed for sailing the Nile, unlike many other companies’ ships that are retrofitted. The 236-foot ship features modern navigation systems and energy-efficiency measures.
The luxurious S.S. Sphinx’s ceilings were hand-carved from locally sourced blonde wood; the geometric shapes of the Pyramids inspired the carpets; the décor was purchased in local souks and bazaars; and family-owned local furniture businesses made the furnishings. The banquettes were handcrafted and upholstered in fabric sourced from a local fabric company, and the top deck has areas protected from the sun by tented drapes inspired by ancient Egyptian. The namesake Sphinx sits at the bow of the ship, serving as the protective figurehead.
The 12-day “Splendors of Egypt & the Nile” itinerary begins and ends in Cairo, with visits to the Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. A quick flight to Luxor and guests board the luxurious river cruise down the Nile. We cruised from Luxor and back in early April, while other sailings run throughout the year. The intimate ship accommodates only 84 guests and has a crew of 60. All crew members are local men as per local custom, including the boat captain, Egyptologists, and chef.
Onboard Amenities
I loved that S.S. Sphinx is truly a floating boutique hotel with upscale amenities. As we slowly cruised down the Nile River, I watched from the sun deck on cozy padded lounge chairs as the coastline changed from lush palm tree groves to the Sahara Desert to small local villages bustling with life. I cooled off with occasional soaks in the square-shaped dipping pool and fresh mango juice under the shaded section of the sun deck.
Inside, the Egyptian-inspired bar and dining area is air-conditioned and features large windows with hand-carved wood lattice in Arabic motifs, making it comfortable to watch The Nile go by from a cooler environment. After a free massage demonstration, I couldn’t resist treating myself to a massage in a private spa room with local essential oils. There’s a well-equipped gym, a small bookshelf with Egyptian literature, laundry service, and an on-site shop selling handmade items from a women’s empowerment organization, and also handcrafted gold Egyptian jewelry. Cruisers can browse without the hassle of bargaining in the souk. Wifi is available, although it isn’t very reliable.
Staterooms
The S.S. Sphinx offers some of the largest suites on the Nile River cruises. It’s an all-suite vessel with every stateroom having a river view. The 42 suites feature French balconies, handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, fine Egyptian cotton linens, Aqua di Portofino toiletries, and elegant marble bathrooms. The crew delivers special treats daily, including local candies, colorful scarab necklaces, and papyrus bookmarks. The voltage is 220V/50Hz, and you’ll need a 3-pin type C or F adapter.
The suites are incredibly spacious, with the largest being the four Royal Suites, which feature a separate living room at 592 square feet. I stayed in one of the 18 Grand Suites, which is 340 square feet, and loved soaking in the marble bathtub after a day spent in Egypt’s arid desert. It also had a small couch and coffee table conveniently set next to the floor-to-ceiling glass windows so I could gaze out at life along the Nile River. There are four Deluxe French Balcony suites at 301 square feet and 16 French Balcony suites at 233 square feet.
What's Included
From $7,499 to $19,699 per person, depending on the stateroom type, S.S. Sphinx passengers enjoy an intimate voyage that includes excursions to places many Nile River cruises don’t visit, including the ancient Dendera temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor and a private night tour of the Temple of Luxor. During the 8 days of excursions led by Egyptologists, we visited 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, the Citadel of Salah al-Din, the Temple of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut Temple. Throughout the journey, there are evenings on board where local dance troupes showcase their cultural heritage through performances.
My favorite experience was visiting the Grand Egyptian Museum. The recently opened museum is the largest archeological museum in the world. As someone with a lifelong obsession with Egyptology, it was thrilling to see all the artifacts.
All excursions are included in the rate, aside from optional “Masterpiece Collection” experiences such as sandboarding in the Sahara Desert and swimming in the Nile River. Uniworld’s dedication to supporting local artisans extends to excursions to a local alabaster workshop, a carpet weaver, a perfumerie, and a papyrus studio. Each time we returned to the ship from an on-shore excursion, we were greeted with a refreshing juice made from local fruits — the pomegranate was incredible.
Included in the rate are group transportation between Cairo International Airport and either the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza or the Nile Ritz-Carlton, flights between Cairo and Luxor, and gratuities for onboard and onshore staff.
Food & Drink
Every meal was served on board and is farm-to-table with freshly sourced local ingredients. The array of dishes made by local chefs includes Egyptian beef liver, veal “fatteh”, okra soup, mulukhiya, Egyptian bread, and hawawshi (pita stuffed with minced meat). The buffet breakfast includes typical Western options of eggs and pastries, but also local delicacies such as Ta’ameya (the original falafel), which is customarily a breakfast food, and ful (steamed fava beans).
Lunch is also a buffet with a cold salad bar and a warm dish prepared to order by the chef. One afternoon, the option was Koshari, Egypt’s unofficial national dish of rice, macaroni, lentils, chickpeas, a cumin-garlic tomato sauce, tangy garlic-vinegar, and crispy fried onions. Dinner is à la carte and served with complimentary house wine pairings, and a selection of local beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee is served during lunch and dinner. A complimentary daily cocktail is served at happy hour.
Fast Facts
Location: The Nile River, Egypt
Vibe: Laid-back luxury
Rating: Five-star
Starting Rate: Starting at $7,499 per person based on double occupancy (2026 prices)
Room Count: 42 suites
Our Favorite Thing About the Ship: The Egyptian-inspired décor
Dining: Onboard chef prepares market-fresh Egyptian meals
Amenities: Swimming pool, gym, spa
Closest Airports: Cairo, Egypt
Other Articles You May Like
Egypt
