Reviews

We were on merit 2, the new dahabiya boat. The boat is new and designed in a stylish way. And it has a very cosy feeling with lost of spaces to relax around. We had Sarwat as our guide and he is very knowledgeable and made our trip from luxor to Aswan a perfect trip. He explained all the history of the historical sites and made it really enjoyable. The food on the boat is of a wide variety and tasty. The rooms are also very comfortable and spacious with great views from their windows. The staff on the boat are very attentive and friendly. Highly recommend them if anyone is thinking about going on a dahabiya versus the larger cruise ships for an experience of a lifetime. 10/10

We traveled with the Merit Star in May and are very enthusiastic. We have already been on several Nile cruises with ships, but the trip with the Dahabeya is something very special. The suites are very tastefully and modernly furnished and the Dahabeya has a sun bed with a roof for each guest on deck. The large whirlpool on the upper deck was very pleasant to relax in after the land excursions.The very friendly crew provided excellent service. Everyone puts their heart and soul into their work. The food was always fresh and delicious. The shore excursions were very well organized, from the shuttle to the German tour guide. A special thank you goes to the manager Karim, for the pleasant contact during the preparation, during and after the trip.

Dear Karim, Omar and Crew of the Merit Dahabiya, We have just enjoyed an 8 night cruise on the Merit Dahabiya (April 13th to 20th 2024), sailing on the Nile and visiting all of the Ancient Egyptian sites with an amazing guide, Safwat. Thank you to Karim for arranging all transfers and taking the very best care of us at all times. We booked direct with Merit. The Dahabiya is very clean and comfortable, with modern air conditioned cabins and lounge, and lovely facilities on the top deck. We met a lovely group of travelers from all over the world, great being part of a small group, and so pleased we chose this option over the larger boats. The crew were fantastic, making us very welcome at all times, with lovely little touches throughout our stay, which we really appreciated. The food was great, with good variety throughout our trip. Safwat was a brilliant English speaking guide (other groups had French or German speaking guides) who was also able to tell us about the birds and flora along the Nile, as well as having a great way of storytelling bringing to life the Ancient Egyptians, their temples and monuments. We highly recommend Merit. We felt very safe everywhere we went, the Egyptian people have a great sense of humour and are good humoured if you politely refuse their sales tactics. The sights are amazing and really should be seen and this is an amazing way to see them. TnT (England)

We had the great pleasure of traveling with the Merit Dahabya from Aswan to Luxor in January 2024. Our group consisted of myself, my wife, our daughter and my 80-year-old parents-in-law. To summarize, I can say that we almost felt carried on our hands. The crew were incredibly attentive and friendly. The boat is very nice and clean. The same goes for the cabins. The food was very good and varied. We felt very, very comfortable and are still delighted! We have been traveling privately and on business on practically every continent for decades and can therefore draw comparisons. Our stay on the Merit Dahabya is definitely one of the top 3 experiences, whether in terms of hospitality or cultural excursions and experiences. During our vacation, one member of our group encountered great difficulties with walking. The crew and "our" tour guide Osama took great care of us, adapting our excursions to the condition of the day and always helping us in all imaginable and unthinkable situations. This was a great relief for me and also gave the person struggling with health problems security and peace of mind. I hope that we will have another opportunity to experience a trip with the Merit Dahabya and its exceptional crew!

We spent 4 days/3 nights going from Aswan to Luxor and it was fantastic. The experience itself was unique and magical, stopping over at various temples along the way and enjoying the slow pace of travel on the Nile. Some of the best bits were just reading on the deck as you sail past beautiful quiet banks on a sunny day. But the crew really took it to another level – extremely professional and well organised, and very considerate. Plus the chef was amazing, each meal was delicious and he would cater to any requirements one would have. A special mention to our guide, Ahmed, who made Egypt feel like home and was always available to explain anything and everything, not just about the temples and life in ancient Egypt, but also about the culture and daily life there today. He and Karim, the manager, were both very helpful also in organising the arrival and departure either side of the cruise, making sure that everything went smoothly. I can't wait to do this again.

The cruise between Aswan and Luxor was the most amazing way for myself and my son to experience the Nile and all the Egyptian treasures along the way. The organisation was perfect, the crew very welcoming, the cabins and the food superb. Our boat guide, Ahmed, was brilliant, he made our time on the boat totally unforgetable and the highlight of our time in Egypt.

Truly five star experience on the Merit with Karim and crew. Would only travel on the Merit in the future or one of the others Karim owns/manages. The accommodations, large rooms w/balcony, food and experience was better than the fine hotels we stayed in on our trip. Karim arranged for our guide Safwat, who was amazing and simply enhanced our Egypt experience. After seeing the large cruise ships we were so thankful of being on the Merit, as it was so much more intimate and special. Special requests were accommodated with a smile and short notice trips planned smoothly. There were 4 of us traveling as a group and everyone agreed the Merit experience with Karim and his crew was the best. Our date of sailing was 1/3/2024. Also note, it is completely safe in Egypt as we thought about cancelling out trip due to the war going on in Gaza, but are so happy we did not.

We spent one week on board of Merit Dahabeya 2 last week. We had the most wonderful time thanks to the exceptional crew that took care of us. There were all very professional and kind, notably Hussein, Hamdi & Mohammed. We would definitely recommand this cruise to anyone who wants to visit Egypt.

We enjoyed 4 magical days on the Merit Dahabya. Our boat had only about 10 cabins so a relatively small number of people on board. The cabins were very comfortable, immaculately clean, and well appointed. The chef was phenomenal. There were many choices for every meal and all were excellently prepared. There was a shaded lounge area where one could take in life along the less populated parts of the Nile. There was also a hot tube for those so inclined. Overall, it was a very relaxing cruise with an attentive staff that was almost like family by the time we departed. I highly recommend this company and look forward to the next trip on a new boat to be constructed in 2025.

A more memorable experience could not be had. Everything was perfect. Karim and his crew catered to our every need as we relax and quietly sailed down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan for 4 nights. The food was delicious, the cabins spacious and comfortable. Each day upon returning to our cabin the cabin crew left us a special and creative treat formed by the towels in our room. They took great pride in keeping our cabins sparkling clean. The amenities rival any 5 star hotel. Special requests were met with a not a problem attitude and all of mine were answered. There were 9 of us including our guide. We enjoyed each other as well as the other passengers from around the world. None of us wanted to leave and we hold the vision that we will be back. Our date of sailing was 11/11/2023

We did the cruise from Aswan to Luxor, it was really great as the Merit team can turn a cruise and visits into a wonderfull experience with a nice mix of relaxing time and visiting. The organization of everything was flawless, Karim and his team set the bar very high when to ensure that their guests made the most of their time. When you need something, nothing is impossible with Karim, just ask him and he works his magic. The boat has a pleasant blend of old ships and modern luxury, the room was comfortable with enough space. The food was fresh, with a good mix of Egyptian and international flavors.

Excellent séjour, nous remercions Karim et toute son équipe pour la qualité de cette croisière. La Dahabiya Merit 3 bénéficie de tout le confort . Tout l'équipage a été parfait , merci pour leur efficacité et toutes leurs attentions . Le chef cuisinier et le chef pâtissier nous ont servi d'excellents repas et desserts tous différents chaque jour de la croisière. Nos remerciements particuliers à Sam et Hadi pour leur gentillesse et leur humour. Bonne organisation par Karim et son équipe qui gèrent avec efficacité les demandes des différents passagers.

Excellent séjour, nous remercions Karim et toute son équipe pour la qualité de cette croisière. La Dahabiya Merit 3 bénéficie de tout le confort . Tout l'équipage a été parfait , merci pour leur efficacité et toutes leurs attentions . Le chef cuisinier et le chef pâtissier nous ont servi d'excellents repas et desserts tous différents chaque jour de la croisière. Nos remerciements particuliers à Sam et Hadi pour leur gentillesse et leur humour. Bonne organisation par Karim et son équipe qui gèrent avec efficacité les demandes des différents passagers.

A Nile cruise is one of those classic travel experiences you dream of doing. But going on a floating, polluting boat with 500 other people did not appeal to my boyfriend and me. Merit Dahabiya was the perfect choice - the boat was beautiful, clean and calm, with friendly, attentive service and delicious food. We were also lucky to have other guests who were warm and created a great convivial atmosphere. Off the boat, we got to see the classic southern Egypt sites as well as some of the lesser known ones in smaller groups, then returned to our stylish, intimate Dahabiya setting. From the booking to the return home, you can tell the whole team really cares about people and doing a great job. It was just perfect!

Mio marito Stefano ed io siamo stati sulla barca Merit la settimana del 25 aprile 2023 e proviamo ancora nostalgia di tutto ciò che abbiamo visto, vissuto e ascoltato. Vogliamo fortemente ringraziare tutto lo staff della barca e Karim per le attenzioni e la cura dei nostri desideri. Veramente un navigare magico e d'ingrandimento comfort. Desideriamo ringraziare particolarmente il cuoco che , oltre ai suoi piatti già meravigliosi, si prodigava quotidianamente della nostra dieta vegetariana, una attenzione graditissima. Dahabiya Merit consigliatissima.

Bucket list trip done and dusted for my father and I! It was our first time to Egypt so deciding to stay on a Nile cruise, dahabiya or just staying in regular hotels took me 2 months, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the Merit Dahabiya! The staff (shout-out to Iman our chef for the delicious variety of food, and our housekeepers Hamdi and Ahmed for making the funniest towel art) and Karim (actually the owner) were very caring and friendly. The other guests sailing with us were also super friendly, which made the experience even better. The tour guides Karim arranged were great, and we got to learn about modern local culture as well as the ancient culture. The only thing that could be improved is the internet connection for those of us who still have to work! BUT if you ARE on a Nile dahabiya cruise, you shouldn’t be locked away indoors working, you should be enjoying life on the Nile. 10/10 would recommend!

The days that we spent on this cruise with Karim and his crew were magical. The food was incredible every single day, the atmosphere was calm and friendly, and the staff was absolutely wonderful. We could not have asked for a better Nile cruise experience. Everyone that works there made us feel at home and it made the experience so special with all their friendliness and hospitality. It was also very clean and tidy which only added to the experience. They even made my husband’s birthday extra special by making him a cake and the whole staff came out and sang to him. It was so incredibly special and we will remember this as a highlight trip of our lives. Thank you Karim and crew for everything 💛

We have just came back from a wonderful journey in Egypt for our honeymoon, but the best experience was the 5 days cruise on the Merit Dahabyia with Karim and his crew. The boat was just wonderful with spacious rooms, fabulous deck for relaxing and taking amazing pictures (amazing sunsets!), 5 stars food with a lot of variety each time well presented (congratulations to the chef!). The program was a perfect combination of incredible visits with nice guide (thanks to Ahmed) but also some time to relax and chill on the boat with amazing views. The Dahabyia is big enough to get a lot of space to eat and relax, you will feel like in a private boat with only 16 passengers maximum in a luxury but also authentic style. Far better than the big motorboats you will cross on the Nile. The crew is so friendly and professional that you will feel at home. Many nice attentions have been offered for our honeymoon, but also for the birthday of my wife with a nice surprise cake with a show. Definitively an experience to repeat.

We have just spent five days on the boat of Karim. It has been a wonderful experience. 5 stars out of 5 ! Karim leads a great team. Perfect combination of professionalism and friendliness. Hospitality at its best. From the moment we set foot on the boat we felt us welcome and at home. Every day after a busy program visiting one awesome temple after another (guide Ahmed also TOP), we could relax on the sundeck, tea time and admiring romantic sunsets. The food was super delicious, great variety and choice for every taste, fresh local products and wonderfully presented, a feast for the eye. Compliments for the Chef ! We definitely plan to repeat the experience, next time booking directly with Karim.

We spent the week of New Year with Karim, Mahmoud and the others on the Merid Dhahabiya and went from Luxor to Assouan and back. We have only good things to write. The boat, the rooms, the sundeck, the dining room, all the accomodation was perfect. On top of that, and what it made so special and never to be forgotten was the service, friendliness and attentiveness of the staff. And our kitchen chef was the kindest and the best, his kitchen was so good, healthy, with plenty of meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and delicious desserts, each day again. As for the programme, it included all the top things to see along the Nile on the route. But it was also much more, we felt kind of like at home, we could choose to go with the visits (and even personalize them where possible, like in Assouan) or stay on the boat for an afternoon of sunbathing or just do nothing. We also enjoyed very much the walk in the grasslands on an island in the Nile, the evening party on another Island, together with the staff, with a fantastic local music band, and the little boattrip in Aswan with the coffee bar on the hills looking down the river, all of this with our personal guide Ahmed. Well, all good stories come to an end and we are home again, and share the pictures with our families and friends. One day we'll come back, for sure. Thank you Karim, Ahmed and everybody else.

We cannot say enough good things about our 8 day trip on the Merit Dahabiya. The food was fantastic – with special dishes just for us since we’re vegetarian. The boat was beautiful and elegant. The cabins were clean, comfortable and luxurious. The scenery and trips were wonderful – definitely the best way to see the wonders of Egypt. The best thing of all was the crew! We experienced the highest professional levels of service – but they were also as friendly as they could be – we felt like part of the family. We have no reservations about recommending them, and we plan to travel with them again

We booked the Merit Dahabya on the recommendation of Ahmed at EnvisionReavelService.com (a 5-star luxury tour operator). Could not be more pleased-a small, elegant, ,intimate cruise with superb service and attention to detail. All special requests attended to-and also very quiet as you glide up and down the beautiful Nile River. Excellent tour guides proved as well. Cannot imagine a better way to to see the Nile River Valley and all of its treasures.

It was an extraordinary week on our Merit dahabiya. Wonderful accommodations, ideal cuisine, superlative staff as lead by Karim and tours to the most fantastic sites along the Nile. Being our first trip to Egypt we were not certain of what to expect, but the entire 7 days were far above our dreams, days and nights full of wonderful experiences. Thanks goes to the entire dahabiya staff!!

My wife and I visited Egypt for our honeymoon in Sep 2022 and did a 5-day cruise with Merit. We cannot speak more highly our time on the dahabiya! From the excellent coordination of Karim to the amazing service on the boat led by Abu and our terrific tour guide Ahmed we had the best experience! Everything was first class from the quality of the food to the cabins to the insane beauty of the Nile / sites. The food was both very fresh and also able to accommodate our preferences with lots of fresh salads, seafood, meats, and fruit. The cabins were spacious and had excellent air conditioning. We could not recommend Egypt and the Merit dahabiya more highly!

We took a 4 day cruise with Merit Dahabiya Nile Cruise sailing the Nile river from Aswan to Luxor. This cruise was amazing! We wanted an authentic Egyptian experience so we decided to go with a Dahabiya cruise. Merit Cruise far exceeded our expectations. The people were so lovely, the food was amazing, the boat was spotless and clean and we were treated like royalty. Thank you Kareem, and the awesome crew for making my birthday celebration so special. Every need was met with a smile. We have made lifelong friends and lasting memories. Hope to sell the Nile again with Merit 🇪🇬.

I can not say enough about my trip. The staff, food and the feeling of it being a family were amazing. It was the highlight of my time in Egypt. Did I mention the amazing food!!! I was genuinely sad when my time on the boat was done and had to leave my new friends. I can not recommend this boat and the tour enough!!!

Very relaxing cruise down the Nile. Plenty of time for watching things on the banks like birds. Very friendly and competent crew, Karim the boss was always interested in our well-being. Small but very nice buffet with ample selction of food e.g. rabbit, seafood menu, koftas and the evening meal on the island was excellent. Cabins nice and clean. If I ever come back to Egypt apart from diving this would be the one thing I would definitely do again.

Von meinen zwei Wochen Urlaub zwischen Abu Simbel und Alexandria waren die sechs Tage an Bord der Merit Dahabeya die schönsten und entspannendsten. Die Atmosphäre an Bord ist sehr freundlich und herzlich, die Kabinen sind sehr gut ausgestattet, das Bad funktioniert einwandfrei (Bsp. Wasserdruck ist super...), das Essen ist wunderbar, alles frisch und lecker zubereitet (das Chocolat fondant gigantisch). Nach einem Ausflug erwartet den Gast eine (coronakonforme) Handreinigung vor dem Erfrischungsgetränk. Ein Supervorteil der Dahabeya ist der Umstand, dass man weg von den großen Flussdampfern unterwegs ist, man kann den Fluss und seine Ufer mehr genießen und an Stellen anlanden, die großen Schiffen nicht möglich sind. Ein ganz besonderes Erlebnis war ein "Abendpiknik" auf einer Nilinsel...Für jeden, der die Altertümer Ägyptens möglichst entspannt genießen möchte, unbedingt empfehlenswert!

I had the amazing honor and privilege of a 5 night cruise on the Merit Dahabiya. The boat and entire experience was absolutely first class all the way around, from the fantastic meals, excellent private room accommodations, delightful staff, crew and even a private collection jewelry boutique hand picked my the lovely Karim himself! I highly recommend this Nile sailing and sightseeing experience! I will definitely be a returning customer!!! A huge thank you to the entire boat for the memories until we meet again!

Wir haben eine wunderschöne Woche auf der Merit Aquamarine verbracht. Die Kabinen sind genügend gross und verfügen über erstaunlich viel Stauraum. Der Wasserdruck in der geräumigen Dusche ist stark, das Wasser richtig heiss. Das Personal ist auf allen Ebenen extrem freundlich, vom Manager über den Koch bis zum Bootsführer. Das ganze Schiff sowie die Kabinen werden täglich auf Hochglanz geputzt. Das Essen ist sehr gut, abwechslungsreich und auch Gesundheits- oder Kalorienbewusste kommen voll auf ihre Kosten. Wir sind rundum zufrieden mit dieser spannenden, lehrreichen und wunderschönen Reise und können sie zu 100% weiter empfehlen!

Taking the Merit Dahabiya is a once in a lifetime chance to experience the peaceful richness of the Nile. I came to the boat solo and was met by a crew of extremely welcoming and kind staff who made my stay comfortable and helped me switch off and truly retreat. The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, the food was delicious, the rooms were divine and the views were out of this world. If you go with Merit, you are sure to have a dreamlike experience!

We dis the 5 days cruise from the 29th January and it was wonderful ! The boat is very comfortable, the crew very friendly and careful. Abu is looking if everything’s and Karim has always the smile The food is various and excellent, everything is made onboard. Cinnamon rolls for breakfast are a dream We had the chance to be only my husband and I with the guide for the visits A wonderful way to discover Egypt and its trésors

Nous avons réservé la croisière directement par le site internet et tout s'est parfaitement déroulé. Nous avons passés 6 jours et 5 nuits sur une dahabiya. Le bateau et les cabines sont très confortables et spacieux. Les repas servis à bord, sous forme de buffet, étaient délicieux et très variés. Toutes les excursions et visites étaient également très bien organisées. Enfin, Karim et son équipage ont été très attentionnés tout au long de la croisière et nous ont permis de passer un excellent séjour à la découverte du Nil. Nous recommandons vivement cette croisière !

Our group did a 5 day cruise following my friends’ wedding in Cairo and the experience was AMAZING. The itinerary the perfect mix of leisure and seeing the sights. We learned all about the ancient Egyptians, saw all the high points, got to relax on a boat running up the beautiful Nile and were absolutely pampered with delicious food. The staff was incredibly accommodating (they even baked a surprise wedding cake for my friends who had gotten married) and just generally so kind. I know there are a lot of tours out there but I genuinely think this is the best one and would recommend it to anyone looking for a Nile experience! Thank you all so much for a week none of our friends will ever forget!

nous avons passé 5 jours en famille (à 6) sur le Merit 2 et nous avons passé un excellent séjour : le bateau est très joliment décoré et fleuri, l'équipe très attentive, très souriante et au petit soin, un plaisir, et les chambres très confortables. Les repas sont copieux, variés et délicieux, avec des chefs au top ! Un vrai régal. Un grand merci à toute l'équipe qui a su nous accueillir dans leur beau pays et dans un cadre confortable, paisible et luxueux, le service était vraiment irréprochable. Merci pour tout. Un grand merci à Karim, le responsable, qui a tout fait pour rendre cette croisière la plus agréable et inoubliable possible : c'est reussi! Nous reviendrons dés que possible pour rester plus longtemps afin de profiter encore du calme et de la beauté du Nil. Merci beaucoup.

My husband and I were on the Dahabiya Merit from 8 to 15 October. Almost 1 month later, all the moments I experienced on this boat are still very present in my memory, they were so beautiful. As soon as you get on this boat you get a warm feeling. From the beginning to the end all our wishes were taken into account and fulfilled. All the staff were available, professional and very friendly. The cleanliness is impeccable. The quality of the food is incredible. Everything we ate was fresh and excellent. Following this week we stayed in a 5* Mövenpick hotel and I can say that they should take example of the overall quality of the Dahabiya Merit. The dance party on the banks of the Nile with the whole crew showed us once again, considering the means provided, the importance of our well-being and good living in their eyes. The manager's objective of making wishes come true before they are made was practically achieved. And for this, a big thank you to the whole crew.

We did the 5 days cruise as a group of four. Karim and Hossam and every member of the crew were amazing. They did everything and more to please us and to offer us a great experience on the Nile! The boat and the cabins are spacious and everything is spotless. The food is delicious!!! The organization is perfect and Karim is very attentive to our needs. I highly recommend a cruise on the Merit with its great crew.

An incredible way to discover the cultural monuments and cities on the banks of the Nile! We were incredibly happy with the whole experience: the rooms are very nice, the cleaning spotless, the food a dream (thank you Mahmoud for the delicious meals - we enjoyed every bite) and the crew read our every wish from our lips (thank you Hossam for your hospitality - and the good drinks :P) We will certainly remember the party on the banks of the Nile with local music, Egyptian food - and lots of dancing. What a great surprise! Many thanks to Karim for the great organization and that we felt at home on your ship. We also thank the rest of the crew, which we have not mentioned by name. Every single one of them contributed to make the experience unforgettable for us.

We visited Egypt as a group of 8 persons and spent 6 days on the dahabiya. Karim, Nasser and their colleagues were very friendly and at our disposition day and night! They offered us a true, authentic experience including music, dinner on an island, delicious Egyptian food, small surprises like cakes, drinks, and a swim in the Nile. Thank you for the unique way of discovering your country! Hats down!

We booked the 7 days Luxor cruise and were very happy with this trip: nice cabin, very professional and friendly staff, perfect service, amazing food, large and clean decks. We loved to sit and eat outside and enjoyed the passing scenery. At night, we could sleep with open window to hear the rural sounds of the villages. This ship was made for us. We can highly recommend the Merit Dahabeya

Hands down best experience I ve ever had. The most unique way to discover the secrets of the Nile. Staff is amazing and the head chef does marvelous work The trip was so breathtaking I actually got the courage to propose to my girlfriend, and the whole staff threw us a last minute party. Everyone and I mean everyone was amazing and I m sure we will be back really soon

Had so much fun, staff were really lovely and helpful, food was perfect and their schedule was on point with everything organized. I’m not usually pleased with the room hygiene, but this time I really have no comment but “hats off”. Thanks for the wonderful experience and the add-ons that were all for free and made me feel that the Dahabeya Team wanted me to have a good experience in Luxor, especially after telling the manager it was my first time there. Thank you for making me feel welcomed and not just a guest on board!:)

I was visiting egypt with a group of 20 ladies and we rented two dahabiyas and were blown away. Just cruising down the nile in itself is magical but the experience we had on these boats just took it to another love. The boats were huge, we had hot tub, plenty of authentic egyptian food that was delicious, staff waited in us hand and foot. Everyone was so friendly and prioritized our needs. They went above and beyond. They even got is a surprise cake on our last night. This was the highlight of our Egypt trip and we can’t wit to be back!