Da Vinci Reviews
" Da Vinci Cruise Xmas - December 2009 "
Submitted By: fungustoon
Very good value 7 day cruise - all major sights seen/covered. Guide Youssef - excellent. Day trips are all v early ... average get up time 5.45am!!!- earlier for Abu Simbel/Cairo. Watch the street hagglers... they are complete rogues... don't pay any more than £5(uk) for a pony and trap ride for 1hr ... resin statues ... not basalt as told £1 (uk) max. Sun hats ...£3 (uk) max. Watch for Egyptian 5pound note and their 50p equivalent ...will give you the smaller denom and hope you dont spot it. Everyone raved bout balloon flight. No food problems on the boat ... but after food in cairo... v poorly tummy etc. Meals on board ... can't change table so luck needed here(!) V mixed clientelle ... well healed to the loudmouths. Battle for sundeck beds as usual. Cairo trip inc pyramids/sphinx/egypt mus (tuts) and market v tight timewise ... if you miss the souk don't worry ... nothing majorlygood about it.Tours of temples are v good ... but you will get hieroglyph poisoning ... repetitive after a while. If trying to get in a mosque ...ladies DO take scarf and cover shoulders and head ( our guide said no need but girlfriend shoved out!) Book a trip to beach resort after... you'll need it ... TRUST ME.
3 out of
5 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Dec 2009
- Board Basis:Full board
- Tour Operator:African safari
" MS Da Vinci cruise from Luxor to Aswan "
Submitted By: rhallam
We have just returned from a 7 night cruise on MS Da Vinci booekd through African Safari Club. What a superb holiday. The boat was lovely, cabin spacious, food delicious and plentiful and staff second to none in terms of friendliness and efficiency. The tour guides (Ahmed and Hesham in our case) and leader were superb and very knowledgable. The whole trip was excellently organised and I would thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone.
6 out of
6 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Nov 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:African Safari Club
" excellent trip down the Nile "
Submitted By: lancaut
We have just returned from our trip on MS Da Vinci. This was excellent trip and tremendous value for money. Food was very good no one was ill. Most importantly our tour manager Hesham was superb and our tour guide was excellent her knowledge and love and experise of egyptology was outstanding. She had a quiet sense of humour and deliver her talks in a gentle manner. Well done everyone.
Advice: variety of excursions
Activities:
5 out of
5 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Nov 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Da Vinci Nile Cruise Brilliant "
Submitted By: smartieclarky
Just got back from a cruise on the M.S. Da Vinci with African Safari Club. We had a wonderfull time. The boat was clean, the food was good if a little repetative, the included tours brilliant and the weather fantastic.
There was the odd case of jippy tummy but that is only to be expected. It obviously wasnt the food as we would have all had it.We were told the all the food is washed in mineral water and the ice cubes are made of it. We indulged in both and had no problems at all. The drinks are a bit overpriced but not to the extent that you couldnt afford anything.The rooms are clean and comfortable but could have benefitted from tea making facilities. The showers were wonderfully hot and powerfull and the air conditioning more than adequate and controllable from your room.
The included trips were very well organised if a bit rushed - so much is crammed in that you dont always get as much time as you would like at each location. We went on the optional tours to Cairo, Mango Island and the Botanical Gardens. The Island and gardens were beautifull and Cairo was full on all day but you cant go to Egypt and not see the pyramids. For Cairo we got up at 3.45 and flew from Luxor. The flight is 1.5hrs and you go to the Pyramids, the Sphinx, lunch then the Museum and then a Bazaar.We arrived back at 9.30 in the evening. An exhausting day but worth it. The hastleing from the street sellers wears you down a bit but you learn to be firm with them. We were 2 women on our own and we didnt find it too difficult.
You do need to be fit for this holiday as there is a lot of walking. I would reccomend this holiday and it is good value for money.
There was the odd case of jippy tummy but that is only to be expected. It obviously wasnt the food as we would have all had it.We were told the all the food is washed in mineral water and the ice cubes are made of it. We indulged in both and had no problems at all. The drinks are a bit overpriced but not to the extent that you couldnt afford anything.The rooms are clean and comfortable but could have benefitted from tea making facilities. The showers were wonderfully hot and powerfull and the air conditioning more than adequate and controllable from your room.
The included trips were very well organised if a bit rushed - so much is crammed in that you dont always get as much time as you would like at each location. We went on the optional tours to Cairo, Mango Island and the Botanical Gardens. The Island and gardens were beautifull and Cairo was full on all day but you cant go to Egypt and not see the pyramids. For Cairo we got up at 3.45 and flew from Luxor. The flight is 1.5hrs and you go to the Pyramids, the Sphinx, lunch then the Museum and then a Bazaar.We arrived back at 9.30 in the evening. An exhausting day but worth it. The hastleing from the street sellers wears you down a bit but you learn to be firm with them. We were 2 women on our own and we didnt find it too difficult.
You do need to be fit for this holiday as there is a lot of walking. I would reccomend this holiday and it is good value for money.
Advice: Brilliant
Activities: Pyramids and Valley of the Kings
16 out of
16 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Oct 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Travel councellors
" Beat all expectations "
Submitted By: abrookman1987
My boyfriend (26) and I (22) arrived back yesterday from the Da Vinci and I wish I was back there. Despite what you may have read I did not hear of a single case of stomach trouble! Food was tasty if a little repeatitive but as it was three courses you always had enough to eat if you if didnt want to eat anything in particular. Though I have to say there was alot of Jelly!
The trips were fantastic, we took an optional excursion to Phillae Temple Sound and Light Show (£22) and a camel ride (£10). I would recommend both of these. One suggestion I would make is dont plan to go back to work the day you get back! a rest is required!
The staff were fantastic, and the ship was spotless, ive been in five star hotels that werent so well cared for!
The street sellers were nowhere near as bad as I was expected. The worst you get is at the valley of the kings when you exit but if your firm they get the message. Its worth keeping £ coins with you as they will often go that low (10 egyption pounds{ish})and your often walking somewhere. A money belt is also a good idea, pick pockets werent a problem but easy access is helpful.
The egyptian nite was fantastic and dressing up is a must. You can buy outfits on the boat but they are much cheaper with the sellers, Kom Ombo was cheap and quiet as it was an evening visit!
Drinks on the boat were expensive however the buses sold three 600 mil bottles for a pound! We took spirits with us and just bought cans on the boat or bottles from shops when we had the opportunity. If you like dry white wine the local wine (pharoah) was very nice, about 12 quid it wasnt cheap but they will hold it for you for the next evening if you like a glass or two with a meal.
One last recommendation is hand sanitising gel! Some notes are very well worn and after a bit of bartering they like to shake you hand.
All in all it was an experience of a life time.
The trips were fantastic, we took an optional excursion to Phillae Temple Sound and Light Show (£22) and a camel ride (£10). I would recommend both of these. One suggestion I would make is dont plan to go back to work the day you get back! a rest is required!
The staff were fantastic, and the ship was spotless, ive been in five star hotels that werent so well cared for!
The street sellers were nowhere near as bad as I was expected. The worst you get is at the valley of the kings when you exit but if your firm they get the message. Its worth keeping £ coins with you as they will often go that low (10 egyption pounds{ish})and your often walking somewhere. A money belt is also a good idea, pick pockets werent a problem but easy access is helpful.
The egyptian nite was fantastic and dressing up is a must. You can buy outfits on the boat but they are much cheaper with the sellers, Kom Ombo was cheap and quiet as it was an evening visit!
Drinks on the boat were expensive however the buses sold three 600 mil bottles for a pound! We took spirits with us and just bought cans on the boat or bottles from shops when we had the opportunity. If you like dry white wine the local wine (pharoah) was very nice, about 12 quid it wasnt cheap but they will hold it for you for the next evening if you like a glass or two with a meal.
One last recommendation is hand sanitising gel! Some notes are very well worn and after a bit of bartering they like to shake you hand.
All in all it was an experience of a life time.
Advice: the best way to see egypts sites
Activities:
21 out of
21 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Sep 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Wonderful - but a few tips "
Submitted By: Trainer Team
Just returned from a holiday on M.S. Da Vinci had a wonderful time, very hectic the holiday was packed with excersions that where interesting and fun, although had some very early starts, our tour guide Manel (the whislers group) was knowledgable,and obviously enjoyed her role as she made the information come alive, she also provided us with some very useful information about where to buy water and where not to eat etc. The tours were organised down to the minute, everything ran smoothly thanks to Mostafia the tour leader. The food was great although limited set times in the day, it was very variety. The staff were pleasant and helpful, the cleaness was excellent and the cabins where checked twice a day for fresh towels etc. The boat provides the basic such as hairdryer and beach towels so no need to pack them, on each excersion the coach drivers had a good supply of cold bottled water that was safe to buy. The weather was very hot as expected in August so take a hat or an umberella to provide shade.
We booked with Africian Saferi club direct who provided us with a colourful brouchure and information before the trip, however their broucher failed to mention changing money on board the boat is difficult and that you should ensure you change some before you leave Britain preferrable get Eyptisan £10's as everything seems to be either £1 Sterline or £10 Eyptisan pounds. The one downside is the boat makes money on the price of drinks both soft and alchole they add 10% tax, and as they open and account that you pay for the day before departure you can be stocked at the cost. The another downside is the tipping, Africian Saferi Club has set a £15 charge that you pay per person, this is for the boat, coach and other staff that help to make your holiday run smoothly, it doesn't include the tour guides. We found that on the last day some of the boat staff where expecting to get another tip as well which can be a pain. Out side the boat everyone you meet in the street expects a tip for helping say if they take a photo of you; also as a couple of people in our group experienced they where taking photos and a couple of local men suddenly sat down next to the girl having her phote taken and wanted money for being in the photo. When you go on the excersions there as everywhere are stalls selling goods but they tend to surround you and can be pushy, if you don't want to buy anyting best advise is to keep your sun glasses on and don't make eye contact, just ignore them and keep walking if you talk they take this as a sign of having your attention and will keep following you.
We booked with Africian Saferi club direct who provided us with a colourful brouchure and information before the trip, however their broucher failed to mention changing money on board the boat is difficult and that you should ensure you change some before you leave Britain preferrable get Eyptisan £10's as everything seems to be either £1 Sterline or £10 Eyptisan pounds. The one downside is the boat makes money on the price of drinks both soft and alchole they add 10% tax, and as they open and account that you pay for the day before departure you can be stocked at the cost. The another downside is the tipping, Africian Saferi Club has set a £15 charge that you pay per person, this is for the boat, coach and other staff that help to make your holiday run smoothly, it doesn't include the tour guides. We found that on the last day some of the boat staff where expecting to get another tip as well which can be a pain. Out side the boat everyone you meet in the street expects a tip for helping say if they take a photo of you; also as a couple of people in our group experienced they where taking photos and a couple of local men suddenly sat down next to the girl having her phote taken and wanted money for being in the photo. When you go on the excersions there as everywhere are stalls selling goods but they tend to surround you and can be pushy, if you don't want to buy anyting best advise is to keep your sun glasses on and don't make eye contact, just ignore them and keep walking if you talk they take this as a sign of having your attention and will keep following you.
33 out of
34 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Aug 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Horrible "
Submitted By: mnanton
Travelled on the Da Vinci between the 22.6.09-29.06.09. The majority of people became ill throughout the trip and after complaining to African Sarifari Club they are not taking any liability for the fact the both my husband and I had food poisoning after being on board for four days.
Would never travel with this company or on the Da Vinci again!!!!
Would never travel with this company or on the Da Vinci again!!!!
10 out of
12 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Jun 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Fist class "
Submitted By: Steve Howard
Just had a first class holiday aboard this clean and friendly boat, the food and staff were first class, we never had one case of illness on board all week, all ice and food were washed or made from bottled water.
All trips well worth the effort although the heat was hot the trips were over before the midday heat, the crowds although still many were less than peak season,
All the staff made a first class job of looking after you, cabins clean twice a day....
please note that given the opportunity i will or would return to this Boat
All trips well worth the effort although the heat was hot the trips were over before the midday heat, the crowds although still many were less than peak season,
All the staff made a first class job of looking after you, cabins clean twice a day....
please note that given the opportunity i will or would return to this Boat
7 out of
7 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:African Safaris
" A week on the Nile aboard the M/S Da Vinci "
Submitted By: neilfox
We have just returned from a week on the Nile sailing on the M/S Da Vinci. What a fantasic week. The boat was better than we could have expected, the cabins and public areas were spotless. Our guide Waleed was exceptional,making the trips come alive with his fantastic knowledge. Although the hot air ballooning was cancelled by the local authorities. This was replaced by a new excursion, Quad Bike Desert Safari. It was worth getting up at 4am to see the sunrise over the desert. I would recomend this paticular excursion.
All transport was spotless and with new coaches.
I would highly recomend a week on the Nile on the Da Vinci booked through African safari club.
All transport was spotless and with new coaches.
I would highly recomend a week on the Nile on the Da Vinci booked through African safari club.
9 out of
9 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Nile Cruise on MS Da Vinci "
Submitted By: sharonandstuart
I have just returned from a fantastic week away on the MS Da Vinci sailing on the river nile stopping at several locations along the way to see the sights.
The boat was extremely clean, our towels and cabins were changed and cleaned twice a day, and the crew were very helpful and ready to please.
We had the most fantastic egyptologist for our tour guide Hesham Raafat who made the temples and tombs come alive with his knowledge
I would recommend using African Safari Club to anyone as holiday was definetly value for money with 10 excursions to various temples and tombs included in the cost. The service prior to the holiday and since our return has been fantastic.
The only downside was the heat was far too intense so wouldnt recommend this time of year.
The boat was extremely clean, our towels and cabins were changed and cleaned twice a day, and the crew were very helpful and ready to please.
We had the most fantastic egyptologist for our tour guide Hesham Raafat who made the temples and tombs come alive with his knowledge
I would recommend using African Safari Club to anyone as holiday was definetly value for money with 10 excursions to various temples and tombs included in the cost. The service prior to the holiday and since our return has been fantastic.
The only downside was the heat was far too intense so wouldnt recommend this time of year.
6 out of
6 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Jun 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Terrible food "
Submitted By: food poisoned
I am still suffering from the after effects of extreme stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhoea and headaches. The staff on board ignored the plight of many passengers on the trip saying that it was caused by heat-stroke. They were just trying to shift the blame. Food is recycled from one day to another. Other cruise ships, over the same holiday period, did not have the sickness record of Da Vinci. I would never recommend this ship to anyone.
Advice: Expect to spend a great deal of your holiday in your toilet on Da Vinci.
Activities: Optional trip to Cairo was very overpriced.
5 out of
6 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Jun 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" amazing holiday "
Submitted By: williamses
It's only a few days since our return from Egypt and are thrilled to be showing family and friends some of the hundreds of photographs taken both from on board the Da Vinci and from the many wonderful places visited on the trips.
We were very pleasantly surprised by the size of our cabin (twin cabin - deck 2)and found it clean and well equipped. It was cleaned every day and towells were changed twice a day. We found all members of staff - reception, dining and housekeeping friendly and hard-working, if you had a special request they would do their best to accommodate you. The food was excellent and the trips and tour guides were wonderful. Everything to do with the holiday was very well organised and went very smoothly.
There was, however, a downside to the holiday. After the first 2 days passengers started going down with a bug which was very unpleasant and meant quite a few people spent 2 days in bed in their cabins feeling really unwell. Despite the fact that about a third of the passengers by the 5th day were feeling quite ill, management failed to acknowledge that there was a problem and didn't seem concerned enough to speak to the passengers about it.
We were very pleasantly surprised by the size of our cabin (twin cabin - deck 2)and found it clean and well equipped. It was cleaned every day and towells were changed twice a day. We found all members of staff - reception, dining and housekeeping friendly and hard-working, if you had a special request they would do their best to accommodate you. The food was excellent and the trips and tour guides were wonderful. Everything to do with the holiday was very well organised and went very smoothly.
There was, however, a downside to the holiday. After the first 2 days passengers started going down with a bug which was very unpleasant and meant quite a few people spent 2 days in bed in their cabins feeling really unwell. Despite the fact that about a third of the passengers by the 5th day were feeling quite ill, management failed to acknowledge that there was a problem and didn't seem concerned enough to speak to the passengers about it.
Advice: An experience not to be missed
Activities: Valley of the Kings and Camel Ride
6 out of
6 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:Jun 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Fantastic - best holiday ever "
Submitted By: Berlin
As a single traveller I had been thinking about doing this cruise with African Safari Club for the past year but the single cabins were always booked up in advance, and the single supplement for a twin room (extra 30%) always made it too expensive for me. So I jumped at the chance two weeks ago when a last minute deal came up (paid just under £400 for the week including the single supplement) and had the most fantastic holiday ever.
ASC were well organised, the ship's staff were fab, especially the cleaners who did a wonderful job, trips were fantasticly interesting, my guide H was funny and kept all the Crocodiles interested throghout all the trips, no matter how "templed out" we became. And then there were the other passengers, who were so friendly that it was really easy to talk to anybody and everybody.
Food was good and usually plentiful (no-one had an upset stomach all week). I've had much, much worse quality food before and the only problem I found was that the meat was bit tough sometimes. The salads were lovely, and yes they do use vegetables from the night before for the lunchtime salads, but that's what I do at home so I can't see any problem with that and it would be a criminal waste of food in such a poor country to not use it up.
The drinks are over-priced - so bring a bottle of your favourite tipple with you. Water on board is very expensive so buy it off the boat (although they repeatedly recommend that you don't do this, as long as the plastic seal is intact it's safe). I bought 3 x 1.5 litre bottles for £10E in Luxor souk on my last day. Just remember that drinks sales is how they boost their profits.
Don't forget to visit the Souks in Aswan and Luxor - provided you're not a woman alone you'll be fine as the sellers are not nearly as pushy as they are in the shops where the boats are moored.
Lastly, the satalite TV has BBC world news, Fox movies and another english-speaking channel which I thought was most impressive, although I spent very little time in my cabin.
All in all I could not recommend this trip and ASC highly enough.
ASC were well organised, the ship's staff were fab, especially the cleaners who did a wonderful job, trips were fantasticly interesting, my guide H was funny and kept all the Crocodiles interested throghout all the trips, no matter how "templed out" we became. And then there were the other passengers, who were so friendly that it was really easy to talk to anybody and everybody.
Food was good and usually plentiful (no-one had an upset stomach all week). I've had much, much worse quality food before and the only problem I found was that the meat was bit tough sometimes. The salads were lovely, and yes they do use vegetables from the night before for the lunchtime salads, but that's what I do at home so I can't see any problem with that and it would be a criminal waste of food in such a poor country to not use it up.
The drinks are over-priced - so bring a bottle of your favourite tipple with you. Water on board is very expensive so buy it off the boat (although they repeatedly recommend that you don't do this, as long as the plastic seal is intact it's safe). I bought 3 x 1.5 litre bottles for £10E in Luxor souk on my last day. Just remember that drinks sales is how they boost their profits.
Don't forget to visit the Souks in Aswan and Luxor - provided you're not a woman alone you'll be fine as the sellers are not nearly as pushy as they are in the shops where the boats are moored.
Lastly, the satalite TV has BBC world news, Fox movies and another english-speaking channel which I thought was most impressive, although I spent very little time in my cabin.
All in all I could not recommend this trip and ASC highly enough.
Advice: It
Activities: Valley of the Kings, Karnac Temple, Souks in Aswan and Luxor
6 out of
6 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:May 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Fantastic cruise "
Submitted By: montycake
We spent a great week on the Da Vinci in May. All the staff were friendly and helpful; the restaurant manager introduced himself to my (diabetic) husband on the first night to basically say nothing was too much trouble.
Cabins were clean and comfortable and the food was plentiful delivered by waiters with a good sense of humour!
Our tour leader, Mostafa, was a cheery chap but special praise goes to our excellent guide Walid Golden who brought ancient Egypt to life but also explained how modern Egyptians see the world. We learnt a great deal and had a wonderful holiday. Contrary to other reports, no-one was ill on our trip and everyone we spoke to as having a great time.
This trip gives you the opportunity to visit all the key historical sights but still relax.
Cabins were clean and comfortable and the food was plentiful delivered by waiters with a good sense of humour!
Our tour leader, Mostafa, was a cheery chap but special praise goes to our excellent guide Walid Golden who brought ancient Egypt to life but also explained how modern Egyptians see the world. We learnt a great deal and had a wonderful holiday. Contrary to other reports, no-one was ill on our trip and everyone we spoke to as having a great time.
This trip gives you the opportunity to visit all the key historical sights but still relax.
Advice: Excellent value for money
Activities: Abu Simbel, temples, seeing real life along the Nile
6 out of
6 readers found this review helpful
- Date of Holiday:May 2009
- Board Basis:Full Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
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Advice: do it,but not on Da Vinci
Activities: