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DAHABIYA PRINCESS DONIA - Nile Cruise

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Overview
5 bedrooms
5 bathrooms
10 guests
5 nights minimum 
Yacht
Full board accommodation. Rated 'EXCELLENT' by TripAdvisor & FlipKey Based on the Nile at Luxor, Princess Donia is a British-owned and run luxurious dahabiya sailing ship, offering a unique experience for those seeking to get away from it all. This romantic 36m ship will take you on a magical sailing trip from Luxor to Aswan. Imagine sitting on deck and enjoying the amazing views in wonderful tranquil silence and see the many ancient Egyptian monuments, temples, tombs and scenes beside the Nile that have not changed in thousands of years. With only 5 double ensuite cabins and a maximum of 10 guests, Princess Donia ensures a very high standard of accommodation, exceptional service and a great atmosphere. This elegant ship offers a personal touch that is sometimes lacking in today's fast ...Full board accommodation. Rated 'EXCELLENT' by TripAdvisor & FlipKey Based on the Nile at Luxor, Princess Donia is a British-owned and run luxurious dahabiya sailing ship, offering a unique experience for those seeking to get away from it all. This romantic 36m ship will take you on a magical sailing trip from Luxor to Aswan. Imagine sitting on deck and enjoying the amazing views in wonderful tranquil silence and see the many ancient Egyptian monuments, temples, tombs and scenes beside the Nile that have not changed in thousands of years. With only 5 double ensuite cabins and a maximum of 10 guests, Princess Donia ensures a very high standard of accommodation, exceptional service and a great atmosphere. This elegant ship offers a personal touch that is sometimes lacking in today's fast paced world.
House Rules
Pets not allowed
Check with ownerSuitable for childrenSmoking allowed
Bedrooms
5 Super Kings
Bathrooms
5 Attached (ensuite)

Meet the host
Brian Lee A
Hosting since April 2010
Languages spoken: English
Response Time: Within a few hours

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Reviews (51)
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Kelly
Kelly
4 contributions
Wow!
Just do it! What an amazing experience. We spent 5 days sailing from Luxor to Aswan. It was only myself and my husband on the boat and we were treated like royalty by everyone. Captain Hassan, Adham (sorry about the spelling), and everyone took such good care of us. We had the owner’s cabin and it was just perfect. We saw such amazing sights and had such unique experiences that you would never get on the big cruise ships. We visited a lovely village, went to a camel market (Captain even bought us camel meat to try at dinner), swam in the Nile, visited beautiful temples and had dinner on an island. The food was delicious and plentiful. They were very careful with my food allergies. Cocktails were perfect at sunset. We will never forget our time on the boat and it was a highlight of our 24 day trip. To be honest- I was a bit nervous about wiring money to a stranger- but don’t worry-Lee is a real person- haha. The booking process was easy and all questions were answered promptly.
Visited September 2023
Written 21 September 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Carol B
Carol B
2 contributions
Princess Donia a Must for Your Egypt Tripl
Our Princess Donia dahabiyah cruise was our 2nd time. We took a 5-day cruise in January 2019. For our March 2023 trip, we did a 3-day cruise. We would've liked a 5-day cruise again, but we had 2 friends with us who couldn't take off more time from work & fit in as many important Egypt sites, too. My husband & I booked the owners' suite which is a little bigger than the other 4 suites & has a beautiful curved cushioned sofa that can accommodate at least 8 guests. Captain Hassan & his crew are exceptional! I have a mobility disability & Captain Hassan & his crew were so helpful in helping me get up & down the 2 steps that go to the suites' area. Also, helped me getting on & off the boat when stoppingvat various temples along the Nile. Captain Hassan can also book guides for you at the various stops, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Temple of Philae, Luxor (should you choose to). The meals are excellent & more food than we & the other guests could eat. Loved the 4:30 tea time each afternoon. The dinner set up under the stars on the banks of the Nile (just off the gang plank of the boat) with lights was divine. What's great, too, is meeting the other guests. We had 6 40-something French guests on board along with their Egyptian-born guide who lives outside of Paris. It was so nice learning about what they do & enjoying laughter & breaking bread together. They even shared a very nice champagne with us. Princess Donia is probably the best sailboat/dahabiyah sailingbonbthe Nile! The owner, Lee Allan, is very responsive to any & all questions. Four years ago, we were lucky to meet him on the last 2 days of our 5-day trip, as some of the guests got off in Aswan. We will return soon with our daughter & grandson & plan for the 5-day cruise.
Visited March 2023
Written 15 March 2023. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Shymaa elazomy
Shymaa elazomy
Hurghada, Egypt3 contributions
Friends time
It was 3 nights in Paradise, me and my 3 friends, we loved the the friendly crew, amazing chef, delicious food, and friendly owner, we went to camel Market, there was a beach to swim in the Nile, was lovely, me and my friends was very happy for this experience, hope to be there again and I really missed the amazing crew, its highly recommended
Visited October 2022
Written 16 November 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Laurence d
Laurence d
Angers, France2 contributions
Croisière fabuleuse ! Tout était parfait !
Bateau superbe, équipe très professionnelle et avenante, nourriture excellente, le Nil magnifique et des compagnons de voyage charmants ! Nous avons passé un moment très agréable et magique. Nous recommandons grandement le Princess Donia et son équipage.
Visited April 2022
Written 4 May 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

longstop
longstop
11 contributions
Oh my goodness, what a great crew, boat and trip!
Let’s start with the trip. We were picked up directly from our Luxor hotel on the west bank of the Nile by the Princess Donia, from the hotel’s small pier. We felt very special from the moment we set foot onboard and were welcomed by Captain Hassan and the crew. After 4 glorious nights we arrived at Aswan and were taken to our next hotel by a complimentary taxi arranged by the captain. To make headway, the Princess Donia was assisted by its own tug, ably steered by Captain Essam, brother of Captain Hassan. The crew also hoisted sail, so Princess Donia sailed under wind-power alone, especially on the last day. What a crew! What a boat! What a glorious time we had! If you get the chance, take the “Owner’s Cabin” albeit at a premium. It has a large private veranda with double doors leading from the cabin. We were lucky enough to have booked early and snapped it up. There are only 4 other cabins, so a great boat for family and friends to charter as well. All are ensuite and air-conditioned. Our fellow passengers consisted of a family party of 3 fabulously witty French folk and their very earnest Egyptian guide. We were so lucky to have these lovely people for company and had many hours laughing and joking about the rivalry between, “les anglais et les francais”. The fish wars broke the ice but there was a definite stand-off between whose fish they are - all done with great humour. The owner, Lee also happened to be onboard and gave us an insight in how Princess Donia and the crew came to be. A real story in itself. About the crew led by Captain Hassan. They were magnificent and could not have been more welcoming. On several occasions, the Captain moored up and led us to antiquities dotted along the banks of the Nile. We took Tuk-tuks into the camel market of a small town. Though it was known that the camel market was closed that day, Captain Hassan managed to find a local resident with a yard and two camels. No one had the urge to ride them! We went to the market and had freshly squeezed sugar cane juice and the captain bought some camel meat so that Chef Mohammed could rustle up something for dinner that evening. The Tuk-tuk drivers gave us a hair-raising ride but it wouldn’t have been the same if that hadn’t the case. We visited a small school in a village on an island in the Nile. The children were inspiring. Not even in their teens, there were aspiring doctors, scientists, yes even a lawyer. There is a narrow line between being a voyeur and engaging with local people. I hope these visits serve the latter. One evening the crew moored up and we had a BBQ on the riverbank and under the stars. The crew were dressed in their “whites”. The table was laid with a linen tablecloth and Chef Mohammed conjured up some delicious dishes, which in fact he manged for every dinner. We moored one afternoon at a proper sandy beach and had a swim in the Nile. The water was cold but hey, how often do you get the chance to do that? A special thanks to Adham, who was on hand at breakfast, dinner and behind the bar. Another special and humble man to whom we cannot thank enough for his warm-heartedness and absolute dedication to keeping us all happy, fed and watered, so to speak. There was more, but you’re going to have to find out for yourself. Forget the ugly big floating hotels that ply their trade along the Nile. Just book the wonderful Princess Donia with her crew. It might just be the best four days of your travelling life.
Visited April 2022
Written 27 April 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Alexandra
Alexandra
Paris, France1 contribution
A beautiful trip. Top hospitality. Top service.
Splendid boat. Authentic experience. Charmingly old-fashioned and classic, chic style. Spacious boat. Beach chairs and loungers. Perfect for taking the sun on deck. Pretty deck furniture. Efficient and gracious butler service. They will cater to your every need politely and sweetly. Abundance of food, a banquet for lunch and supper. Stunning, lush views all day long. Cabins are comfortable and fresh. Decent Wi-fi connection even in the middle of nowhere! A trip on Princess Donia will leave you feeling very spoiled and privileged.
Visited January 2020
Written 23 April 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Annette G
Annette G
Cairo, Egypt46 contributions
Very relaxing 5 star trip on a luxury ship
We booked a trip from Luxor to Eens on a sailboat, dahabya( a golden boat) We had our own room with toilet and bathroom. In our way we visited Silsilla en Daraw the camelmarket. We had BBQ just next to the shop on the shore. In daytime we visited the tempels of Esna and Edfu and Komombo. The rest of the time we were sitting on the deck. In the evening dinner on the deck with candlelight. For sure I will come back here with my family
Visited April 2022
Written 22 April 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Jade
Jade
1 contribution
Amazing time!
Being on the princess Donia ship was the most relaxing and wonderful part of our trip in Egypt. We had an amazing time! Thank you Lee for having us! And our server Adam! We love you!
Visited March 2022
Written 14 April 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Stuart C
Stuart C
London, United Kingdom8 contributions
If you do one thing in Egypt spoil yourself with a Nile Cruise on the Princess Donia
We picked the Donia up in Aswan to spend 4 nights going up river visiting Kom Ombo, Sil Silla, Edfu and El Cab. Captain Hassan collected us from Elephantine island in Aswan personally and took us to the boat. We were lucky to have the owners Suite which was spacious and luxurious. The staff were excellent and the food was wonderful, always freshly prepared. We were literally treated like Pharaohs! We did not have to lift a finger. On one of the trips Captain Hassan bought some camel meat which we tried as part of our evening meal it was prepared deliciously by the chef. We had a wonderful meal on the riverbank one evening after we moored up. Everything was brought from the boat for our romantic meal. So many unforgettable memories. We were sorry to say goodbye. Thank you to Captain Hassan and his crew for making our trip such a great experience.
Visited March 2022
Written 14 April 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Manuel B
Manuel B
6 contributions
Fantastic luxury cruise on the Nile
We had the privilege of boarding the Princess Donia in Aswan, and cruising up the Nile, similar to the trip taken in the recently released movie 'Death on The Nile', based on the Agatha Christie book. We were two famililes travelling together, a total of 8 people. We were able to see beautiful sunsets and sunrises, a big variety of animals on the shorse, and we also stopped off and see archeological sites along the way. Captain Hassan is a humble, hardworking man, and the staff - including incredible Adam - are true gems. We had a chance to meet the owner, Lee, who kept us entertained with his stories and British humour. The meals were delightful, real feasts. On one of the evening, Lee put on the original 1978 version of Death on The Nile, which our group enjoyed very much. We look forward to coming back again, and highly recommend this cruise to everyone.
Visited March 2022
Written 14 April 2022. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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What this rental offers
Entertainment
  • DVD player
  • Stereo system
  • Television
Location features
  • Waterfront location
Indoor amenities
  • Air conditioning
  • Internet access
Scenic views
  • Waterfront views
Wi-fi and internet
  • Wi-fi
Services
  • Housekeeping included
Outdoor amenities
  • Balcony
  • Deck
  • Terrace
Location info
  • Beachfront/Lakeside
Bathroom and laundry
  • Linens provided
  • Towels provided
Property features
  • Staff on property

Availability
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Map
Access
Car not needed

Things to know
Cancellation policy
  • 100% refund within 24 hours after booking (provided the stay is at least 60 days away).
  • 100% refund* if you cancel at least 2 weeks before check-in
  • No refund available once booking is confirmed

About this property

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Frequently Asked Questions about DAHABIYA PRINCESS DONIA - Nile Cruise

DAHABIYA PRINCESS DONIA - Nile Cruise is able to accommodate up to 10 guests. See all property details.

DAHABIYA PRINCESS DONIA - Nile Cruise has 5 bathrooms available. See all property details.

DAHABIYA PRINCESS DONIA - Nile Cruise has 5 bedrooms available. See all property details.

Stays at DAHABIYA PRINCESS DONIA - Nile Cruise must last at least 5 nights. See all property details.

DAHABIYA PRINCESS DONIA - Nile Cruise - UPDATED 2023 - Holiday Rental in Luxor - Tripadvisor