Two new Mövenpick luxury cruisers embark on maiden voyage in Egypt

Mövenpick's fleet in Egypt now consists of five luxury cruisers.

Like its companions, the Mövenpick M/S Royal Lily will sail between Aswan and Luxor, while the Mövenpick M/S Prince Abbas will ply the waters of Lake Nasser to cruise between Aswan and Abu Simbel.

Nile Exploration Corporation is the proud owner of both the two new ships and the Mövenpick M/S Royal Lotus, which was named the best Nile cruiser by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism in 2006. The company boasts cruise experience gained over three decades and is renowned for utilising state-of-the-art marine engineering and navigation technology, certified to the highest international standards for on-board comfort, safety and hygiene.

"We are honoured that, thanks to our strong partner Nile Exploration Corporation, we are able to offer our guests new cruise ship opportunities of the very highest standard," says Jean Gabriel Pérès, President & CEO Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. "Our floating boutique hotels are equipped with fewer cabins than usual, thereby allowing our guests to enjoy very spacious rooms, extensive public areas and additional amenities."

The new, fully air conditioned Mövenpick M/S Royal Lily is the sister ship of the Royal Lotus and offers 56 modern cabins (22 m2), which are situated in the upper decks to guarantee guests an unhindered view over the spectacular scenery of the Nile banks. Guests in search of an even more luxurious experience will be delighted with one of the cruiser's four Royal Suites (42 m2) with their very own en-suite whirlpool.

The spacious restaurant serves a variety of buffets and menus à la Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, with Egyptian and international specialties as well as vegetarian meals, guaranteed to cater to the very highest culinary standards. The elegant Salon Deck with panoramic windows includes a zen-style lounge, a bar and a dance floor. The Sun Deck offers a swimming pool, a heated whirlpool, a pool bar as well as an oriental canopied area. The Mövenpick M/S Royal Lily also disposes on a Health Club with sauna and massage facilities.

"It is a unique experience to discover the enchanting landscape between Aswan and Luxor by a Nile cruiser, and to visit the magnificent temples and tombs of the ancient world," adds Josef Kufer, Senior Vice President Africa Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. "Incidentally, certain places of interest can only be reached by ship."

Having been comprehensively refurbished, the historical Mövenpick M/S Prince Abbas is also ready to return to water under Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts management. The vessel already is the premier cruise ship on Lake Nasser, a position confirmed by a further accolade this year, Best Lake Nasser Cruiser 2007. Five fully air conditioned decks with exterior promenades, as well as the 65 cabins, including 43 standard rooms (21 m2), 18 Junior Suites (30 m2) and four Royal Suites (40 m2) ensure upscale comfort. A swimming pool and whirlpool on the two-storey Sun Deck, a fitness center, a billiard room, a souvenir shop, a library and an oriental lounge and bar are among the additional amenities on board. The restaurant, which serves both Egyptian and international specialties, caters for up to 130 guests.

"In Lake Nasser, we are pleased to offer another exceptional destination within Egypt," explains Hubert Klemenz, Vice President Operations & Human Resources Africa. "Our guests can now discover the historical treasures of the Nubians - among them the mighty temple of Abu Simbel with its colossal statue of King Ramses II."