MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5* - Classic Holidays

Name: MS Classic Blue Shadow IV
Brand: Classic Holidays
SKU: MS Classic Blue Shadow IV
Availability: InStock

OVERVIEW

Classic Blue Shadow IV - 5 Star Luxury - Seven nights on the Nile

5★ Luxury Nile CruiseFull Board or All Inclusive11 Guided Excursions with all entrance fees IncludedFlights & Transfers IncludedIntertek Cristal Food Hygiene

Sail from Luxor to Aswan and back aboard the MS Classic Blue Shadow IV, a contemporary Luxury 5 star Nile cruise boat where every cabin has its own French balcony, eleven guided excursions come already included, and a PhD-qualified Egyptologist travels with you to bring the temples and tombs to life.

Awarded a certificate of achievement for food hygiene by Intertek Cristal.

RouteLuxor to Luxor over 7 nights, via Esna, Kom Ombo and Aswan

Cabins62 cabins and suites, every one with a French balcony

BoardFull board or All Inclusive

Excursions11 guided excursions with all entrance fees included

GuidePhD-qualified, English-speaking Egyptologist throughout

Getting thereReturn flights from the UK and all transfers included

MS Classic Blue Shadow IV Nile cruise

This is a Luxury 5 star boat with the space to match: wide public areas, a sun deck with a swimming pool and its own bar, and a large air conditioned lounge bar with panoramic river views and a dance floor for the lively evening entertainment. The main restaurant serves generous buffets of international and traditional Egyptian cooking, and the boat holds a certificate of achievement for food hygiene awarded by Intertek Cristal, independent reassurance that counts for more on a river boat than almost anywhere else.

Every cabin faces the river from the middle or upper decks, and with us those decks come at no additional charge. Open the French (Juliet) balcony doors and the Nile is right there: feluccas, fishermen and villages drifting past at walking pace.

Who this cruise suits

In our view a Nile cruise is the single best way to see Upper Egypt for the first time, and this one makes it effortless, because flights, transfers, full board meals and all eleven excursions with their entrance fees are in the price before you pack a bag. It suits couples and friends who want the great sights delivered without any organising, history lovers who will get real value from a PhD-qualified guide, and anyone who likes the idea of unpacking once while Egypt comes to them.

Our price includes

Return flights from the UK, all transfers and airport taxes
Full board meals on the boat: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Cabins on the middle or upper decks at no extra charge
11 guided excursions with all entrance fees included
Our expert PhD-qualified Egyptologist guide throughout the cruise

Fancy it? Let us price it properly.

Call our Egypt specialists free on 0800 041 8400 or request your tailored quote online. Every holiday is ABTA and ATOL protected.

MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5*: Enjoy a river view from wicker seating under a cozy canopy.

MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5* riverside patio with striped chairs and sunset drinks.

Elegant restaurant table set with red napkins, glassware, and a hint of MS Classic Blue Shadow.

The MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5* sails on a calm river under a bright blue sky.

Spacious lounge with MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5* armchairs, patterned carpet, and large windows.

Modern bar with high stools, MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5* views, and mirrored shelves.

Modern lounge area with large windows on MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5*, featuring neutral décor.

Spacious restaurant dining area aboard MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5* with set tables and wood accents.

Outdoor dining on artificial grass under canopy, overlooking water on MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5*.

Poolside loungers on the grassy deck of MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5*, under a cloudy sky.

Oval pool with MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5* lounge chairs, striped towels, and river views.

BROWSE

MS Classic Blue Shadow IV in pictures - Click on image to enlarge

A bedroom aboard MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5* with water views, bed, chairs, and wall-mounted TV.

Modern 5* hotel room with a large bed, seating area, and balcony on MS Classic Blue Shadow IV.

Modern hotel room on MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5* with two beds, desk, and river view.

Modern bathroom with marble accents, MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5* bath, and mirror.

Modern living room with MS Classic Blue Shadow IV 5* sofa, wooden walls, and a wall-mounted telly.

SLEEP

Cabins and suites with the Nile outside every window

There are 62 cabins and suites on board the MS Classic Blue Shadow IV, and the arithmetic is unusually kind: every single one sits on the middle or upper decks, and every single one has a French (Juliet) balcony. There is no such thing as a bad allocation here; open the doors, pull up a chair and watch the river go by from your own room.

All cabins are fully air conditioned and come with a private bathroom with a bathtub and shower, plus a hairdryer, a mini fridge (not stocked), an in-room safe, a telephone and satellite television (the signal is intermittent and generally works only when the boat is docked). Expect stylish decor, plush furnishings and daily housekeeping throughout.

Twin Cabins

35 cabins · two single beds

The most numerous category on board: crisp, contemporary and sensibly laid out, with the full run of standard amenities and a river-facing French balcony. Twins suit friends sharing just as well as couples who sleep better in separate beds.

Double Cabins

23 cabins · 8 interconnect

The same contemporary comfort with a double bed instead. Eight of the doubles interconnect, which is genuinely useful for groups travelling together who want their own space with a connecting door between.

Junior Suites

2 suites · seating area

A clear step up in space over the standard cabins, with a comfortable seating area, enhanced amenities and a more generous layout, plus the same Nile views through the French balcony.

Royal Suites

2 suites · Jacuzzi bathtub

The top of the boat. A generous layout with a proper seating area and enhanced amenities, topped off with a Jacuzzi bathtub and a DVD player for in-cabin entertainment on lazy sailing afternoons.

Worth knowing: with only two Junior Suites and two Royal Suites on board, the suites sell out well ahead of the standard cabins. Tell us who is travelling and we will match the right cabin to your party with your quote.

DINE

Full board dining, with an all inclusive option

Every MS Classic Blue Shadow IV Nile cruise we sell is full board as a minimum: buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main restaurant are all included, along with afternoon tea served on the sun deck, the civilised pause where coffee, tea and river scenery meet.

The main restaurant

Expect an extensive buffet at every meal, mixing international dishes with Egyptian specialities, from grilled meats and cooked vegetables through to authentic local desserts. It is a good spread rather than a gimmicky one, and the kitchen takes hygiene seriously: the boat has been awarded a certificate of achievement for food hygiene by Intertek Cristal.

The atmosphere in the restaurant and lounge is friendly and relaxed. Dress is casual and comfortable during the day, and shorts and t-shirts are absolutely fine; in the evenings most guests opt for smart casual. If you have any dietary requirements, simply let us know in advance and the crew will gladly cater for you.

What is included at the table

Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
Afternoon tea on the sun deck
International and traditional Egyptian cooking
Intertek Cristal food hygiene certificate of achievement
Special diets catered for with advance notice

RELAX

Sun deck days and Nile view evenings

The sun deck is where a Nile cruise earns its reputation, and this one is a proper size: a swimming pool for cooling off under the Upper Egypt sun, shaded loungers for the hours in between, and a poolside bar so nobody has to move far. Afternoon tea is served up here too, and the passing riverbank does the entertaining.

Inside, the large, modern lounge bar is the social heart of the boat: air conditioned, with panoramic river views, a dance floor and lively evening entertainment, so there is always something going on after a day among the temples. It is the perfect spot for a drink as you watch life along the Nile drift by.

On board facilities at a glance

Swimming pool on the sun deck
Poolside bar and shaded loungers
Air conditioned lounge bar with dance floor
Lively evening entertainment
Boutique and gift shop
Small beauty salon offering massage services
Laundry service (available for a fee)
Wi-Fi internet access (when docked, intermittent, chargeable)

EXPLORE

Eleven guided excursions included, entrance fees and all

The sightseeing programme is the heart of this holiday, and it is all in the price. You will explore ancient temples, tombs and landmarks with our expert Egyptologist guide, PhD-qualified and English-speaking, who brings Egypt’s history vividly to life. All entrance fees and transport for the included excursions are covered, with no hidden extras to pay on board.

Included on every MS Classic Blue Shadow IV Nile cruise

The following 11 excursions are included with our cruise at no extra cost:

Valley of the Kings
Valley of the Queens
Karnak Temple
Aswan High Dam
Colossi of Memnon
Luxor Temple
Temple of Hatshepsut
Temple of Philae
Boat trip around Elephantine Island
Temple of Medinet Habu
Kom Ombo Temple
Unfinished Obelisk

With so much included you will experience all the major highlights of Upper Egypt during your cruise, from the temples of Luxor to the islands of Aswan, without paying a penny more for the headline sights.

Optional extra excursions

For those who wish to see even more, the following optional excursions can be arranged on board through our English-speaking, qualified Egyptologist, at an additional cost. Optional extra prices are subject to change locally.

Abu Simbel from Aswan, by road (£120 per person) or by air (£280 per person)
Luxor city tour by horse and carriage (£30 per person)
Philae Sound and Light Show in Aswan (£55 per person)
High tea at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan (£60 per person)
Hot air balloon flight over Luxor (£110 per person)

A reminder of what your price includes

Return flights from the UK, all transfers and airport taxes
Full board meals on the boat: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Cabins on the middle or upper decks
11 guided excursions with all entrance fees included
Our expert Egyptologist guide throughout the cruise

SAIL

Day by day from Luxor to Aswan and back

Seven nights, Luxor to Luxor, with the West Bank’s tombs and temples early on, Aswan’s island temples mid week and mighty Karnak saved for the return leg. Here is your week on the MS Classic Blue Shadow IV, day by day.

Monday, Day 1: Luxor

Transfer from Luxor International Airport to your Nile cruise boat. Dinner is served on board, or for late arrivals a light snack is served instead. Overnight in Luxor.

Tuesday, Day 2: Luxor

Breakfast on board, then an early morning visit to the West Bank, taking in the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, burial sites of many of the most powerful and successful pharaohs and high priests, along with the Temple of Hatshepsut.

Wednesday, Day 3: Esna to Kom Ombo to Aswan

Breakfast and lunch are served on board as the journey continues south, before sailing to Kom Ombo to visit the temple before dinner. Unlike many others in Egypt, this temple was dedicated to two gods: the southern section to Sobek, the crocodile-headed man and god of fertility, and the northern section to the falcon-headed god Horus. There is also a fascinating crocodile museum to visit, home to many artefacts and mummified crocodiles. Sail on to Aswan and overnight in Aswan.

Thursday, Day 4: Aswan

After breakfast, visit the High Dam in Aswan, built between 1960 and 1971 to provide electricity to the villages along the Nile, followed by the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. Lunch on board, then an afternoon at leisure, with the opportunity to revisit the Temple of Philae in the evening for the optional Sound and Light Show (£55 per person), at an additional cost.

Friday, Day 5: Aswan

After breakfast there is the option of a morning at leisure, or an early morning optional visit to Abu Simbel (£120 per person by road or £280 per person by air), by road or by air, at an additional cost. This impressive temple, built by Rameses II, stands on the banks of Lake Nasser. After lunch on board there is a relaxing boat trip around Elephantine Island to the Botanical Gardens on General Kitchener Island. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Saturday, Day 6: Aswan to Kom Ombo

Morning at leisure. Lunch on board, then set sail for Kom Ombo. After a brief stop at Kom Ombo, the boat continues sailing and you spend the night on board.

Sunday, Day 7: Esna to Luxor

After lunch you will be taken by coach to visit Karnak Temple, known as the world’s largest and greatest open air museum. It covers a huge area of land and includes several temples, the largest of them the Temple of Amun. A short drive then brings you to Luxor Temple; originally the temple was joined to Karnak by a long avenue of sphinxes, many of which can still be seen today. Return to the boat for dinner on board. Overnight in Luxor.

Monday, Day 8: Luxor

For the adventurous, there is an optional early morning hot air balloon flight (£110 per person), at an additional cost. Breakfast on board is followed by check-out and your onward transfer to the airport or next destination.

Please note: the order or content of your itinerary may be amended due to lock closures, low water levels or other unforeseeable circumstances. It is very rare for the sightseeing itinerary to alter, but due to circumstances beyond our control this can happen without prior notice.

Optional extra prices are subject to change locally.

PRACTICAL

Booking your MS Classic Blue Shadow IV Nile cruise

The questions we are asked most often about the MS Classic Blue Shadow IV Nile cruise are answered below. If yours is not among them, call us: our Egypt specialists know this route well and will happily talk through cabins, dates and any questions before you book anything.

What is included in the price of an MS Classic Blue Shadow IV Nile cruise?

Return flights from the UK, all transfers and airport taxes, full board meals on the boat, a cabin on the middle or upper decks and 11 guided excursions with all entrance fees are included. The services of our PhD-qualified, English-speaking Egyptologist guide are included throughout the cruise, and an all inclusive drinks package is also available.

Is the MS Classic Blue Shadow IV full board or all inclusive?

Full board is the standard basis, covering buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main restaurant plus afternoon tea on the sun deck. An all inclusive drinks package is also available; ask our team and we will tell you more.

Do all cabins on the MS Classic Blue Shadow IV have Nile views?

Yes. All 62 cabins and suites sit on the middle and upper decks and every one has a French (Juliet) balcony, so you can enjoy Nile views straight from your room as you sail. With us, cabins on the middle and upper decks come at no additional charge.

Which excursions are included on the MS Classic Blue Shadow IV Nile cruise?

The included programme, with all entrance fees paid, covers the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, Karnak Temple, the Aswan High Dam, the Colossi of Memnon, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Temple of Philae, a boat trip around Elephantine Island, the Temple of Medinet Habu, Kom Ombo Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk, all guided by our PhD-qualified Egyptologist.

Is Abu Simbel included on this cruise?

Abu Simbel is an optional extra rather than an included excursion. It runs as an early morning trip from Aswan on day 5 of the itinerary, by road or by air, and can be arranged on board through our Egyptologist guide. Prices are set locally, so ask us for the current cost when you book.

Where does the MS Classic Blue Shadow IV cruise start and finish?

The 7 night itinerary starts and finishes in Luxor, sailing south via Esna and Kom Ombo to Aswan and back. Return flights from the UK and transfers between Luxor International Airport and the boat are included in our price.

Is there a swimming pool on the MS Classic Blue Shadow IV?

Yes. The sun deck has a swimming pool for cooling off, with shaded loungers and a poolside bar alongside, and afternoon tea is served up on deck too. For the evenings there is a large air conditioned lounge bar with panoramic river views, a dance floor and live entertainment.

What should I wear on a Nile cruise?

Daytime dress is casual and comfortable, and shorts and t-shirts are absolutely fine on board. In the evenings most guests opt for smart casual. For the temple visits, bring comfortable shoes, a sun hat and sun protection, as mornings at the sights involve a fair amount of walking.