Hi,

We'll be taking a 3 day cruise on the M S Tulip in a few weeks and have a few questions for you.

How bad was the food?

Were the cabins clean & up to date?

Were there any activities on board?

Was the tour guide knowledgable?

Any insight would be great.

Thanks,

Travel Wash

Hi, we were on this ship in March 2008. This is what we thought:

staff - we found them excellent, very friendly and knowledgeable. However, the biggest problem we had was changing money on board the ship. Not enough small denominations were available and if you didn't get in first, you could wait a few days before being able to change any currency.

food - excellent, good variety, different meals every day.

evening entertainment - we found it good - different and varied. The galabayya night was great fun.

rooms - we had a standard cabin - the rooms are cleaned every day and are very comfortable. You didn't know each day until you went back to your room what creation you were going to find your bed.

tour guide/egyptologist. The First Choice guide was excellent - our only complaint was he did like the sound of his own voice!!!

Our only downside onboard was the tipping as set out to us by the First Choice rep. We felt we had to tip and she even specified how much she expected us to put in the envelopes, but this may have changed as this rep., is no longer in Egypt.

I can provide photos of the ship if you would like.

LOL about the tour guide liking the sound of their own voice! Tell me about it ;-) (I used to be a tour guide on the Nile).

Seriously though, about the tipping. I have made a list of suggested tipping for travellers in Egypt, maybe you would like to check it out? Here is the link:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294200-c94591/Egypt:…

I have been on and seen many ships in Egypt, but unfortunately I have never been on Tulip.

Generally speaking, loads of boats may have 5 stars, but very few live up to that standard. In Egypt, stars are handed out due to facilities. If a ship/hotel has the facilities it needs to be a 5 star place, then they will have the 5 stars, even if the paint is peeling, the tiles are cracked and the television set doesn't work between Kom Ombo and Edfu.

Louise