AmaDahlia

The Sun Deck is where the Nile comes to life. Tables and chairs line the front of the ship for watching the river and the locks, with loungers and umbrellas close by. The pool lets guests sit on the edge and dip their toes or slip in for a refreshing swim. Farther aft are large sofas and day beds, and tucked at the very back is a full bar. Danny loves seeing daily life along the banks.

The Chef’s Table is one of AmaWaterways’ signature experiences, and on AmaDahlia it moves outdoors. Every guest is included once per cruise for a multi-course dinner paired with wines and Egyptian delicacies, served under the night sky. Seating includes tables for two and four along the sides, plus booths and chairs down the middle. During the day the space is a quiet spot to sit with a book and a drink while the ship sails.

Danny calls the Main Lounge the ship’s living room. A 24-hour coffee corner serves espresso and teas, with the bar just behind. This is where guests gather for briefings about the days ahead, lectures and parties, and each evening the complimentary Sip & Sail happy hour runs for an hour before dinner. Sofas, lounge chairs and tables fill the room. Nearby, a small library has a comfy sofa, a television, books and games.

All meals are served in the restaurant. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style, with made-to-order breakfast favorites, a full salad bar at lunch and a menu to order from. An Egyptian corner offers local dishes every day for guests who want to try something new. Dinner is a plated, sit-down affair, with tables for two, four and larger groups. Beer and wine from a selection of local options are included with lunch and dinner.

The main lobby works like a hotel front desk, with a seating area, the cruise manager’s desk and the hotel manager, who runs the ship and its crew. Nearby, a gift shop run by a local company sells jewelry and galabeyas for the onboard party. On the lowest deck, the spa offers massages, manicures, pedicures and hair services, and the fitness center has cardio machines, spin bikes, a cable machine and free weights.

AmaWaterways’ Egypt journeys begin with a land stay in Cairo, where Danny’s group visited the Great Pyramids, Memphis and the museum before flying to Luxor to board. In Luxor they toured Karnak and Luxor Temple, linked by an avenue of sphinxes, and the Valley of the Kings, a place Danny had wanted to see for over 30 years. Sailing toward Aswan, stops included the Temples of Horus and Hathor and a Nubian village.