Uniworld Boutique River Cruises released images for its newest Super Ship, the S.S. Sphinx, on the Nile river in Egypt. Uniworld’s priority was to source with local artisans, embodying true Egyptian creativity and craftsmanship at every corner. The ship actually set sail on Sept. 23, 2021.
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The S.S. Sphinx offers two gourmet dining venues, including a private dining room and an al fresco dining experience on the upper deck, a swimming pool, massage room and 42 suites. The menus reflect the destination that guests sail through, with options including Egyptian beef liver, veel fatteh, sweet corn soup, mulukhiya Egyptian bread, hawawshi, and more. Guests can also pair their meals onboard with locally sourced Egyptian wines, including Omar Khayyam and Shahrazade. Continuing the Uniworld’s commitment to sustainability, locally sourced Egyptian artwork, fabrics and hand-carved furnishings were used to bring the beauty of the region to life onboard.
“As Egypt continues to be a top trending travel destination, we’re overjoyed to set sail along the famed Nile River and provide an unmatched look at the destination aboard our striking new Super Ship, the S.S. Sphinx,” says Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld. “We’re excited for our guests to experience the ship as it fully embodies what they love most when sailing with us, exquisite design and experiences they won’t find anywhere else.”
“Over the past few years, our team poured their heart into sourcing the design aspects, spending weeks at a time searching the souks and Baazars to connect with local artisans and family-owned furniture businesses to collaborate and bring the true spirit of Egypt to life onboard,” says Bettridge. “Everything from the artwork to the ceilings to the ship’s bow was thought out and sourced by the local community.”
For example, the ship’s ceilings were hand-carved in locally sourced blonde wood; the carpets are inspired by Egyptian geometric shapes of the Pyramids; the banquettes were handcrafted and upholstered in fabric sourced from a local fabric company; and the top deck is filled with blue-toned furniture with tented drapes to shade from the sun inspired by the ancient Egyptian Barges.
This floating boutique hotel features the signature touches Uniworld’s ships are known for—more suites, more dining areas with space for social distancing and more luxurious finishes, while maintaining their high crew to guest ratio. In addition, all staterooms and suites onboard have French balconies.
The ship cruises on the “Splendors of Egypt & The Nile” itinerary, a 12-day sailing to experience Egypt and the Nile’s top sites starting and ending in Cairo. On this sailing, guests will explore the Temple of Karnak, the world’s largest ancient religious complex; visit temples dedicated to Hathor, Horus, and other mythological figures; pay homage to the country’s first female ruler at the Temple of Hatshepsut; and step inside the famous Egyptian Museum to view ancient artifacts, including treasures recovered from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. Rates start at $4,799 per person.
As always, sailings are inclusive of all meals onboard, premium spirits and wine, luxurious accommodations with river views, offshore excursions, airport transfers, and onboard gratuities and Wi-Fi.
