A traditional Nile sailing vessel, a format that went up the river long before engines. The SB Dahabieh Abydos was built in 2022: the shape is old, the hull is new.

How many passengers does the SB Dahabieh Abydos carry?

Eighteen passengers in 9 cabins with 15 crew. That is close to one crew member per traveller, against one in 5 on the fleet's European river ships.

How large are the cabins on the SB Dahabieh Abydos?

Nine and a half square metres, with 2 suites of 12.6 square metres. That is small, and it is the principle of the format: on a dahabieh, life happens on deck, not in the cabin.

What are the dimensions of the SB Dahabieh Abydos?

She is 45 metres long and 8 metres wide. On the same river, the RV Star of Luxor is 72 metres and carries 106 passengers.

When was the SB Dahabieh Abydos built?

In 2022. She is one of the newest vessels in the CroisiEurope fleet, in a traditional format two centuries old.

What is the difference between the SB Dahabieh Abydos and the RV Star of Luxor?

Eighteen passengers against 106, 45 metres against 72, a traditional sailing format against a conventional cruise vessel. Both go up the Nile, but they are 2 trips with almost nothing in common.

Does the dahabieh moor in different places?

Yes. Her size lets her tie up in coves and in front of villages with no built quay, where a 106-passenger vessel cannot. That is the format's main advantage.

When is the best time for a dahabieh cruise?

November to March, when the Nile valley becomes bearable again. Between May and September temperatures pass well beyond 40 degrees.

Are excursions included on the SB Dahabieh Abydos?

It depends on the departure. We confirm the exact programme and what your contract covers before signing.

Are drinks included on board?

Yes, drinks with meals and at the bar are part of the formula. Some selections stay outside the package depending on the departure, and we give you the list before signing.

Are gratuities included?

No. They remain at your discretion and are given at the end of the cruise. We explain CroisiEurope's customary practice before departure.

Is the SB Dahabieh Abydos suitable for a first trip to Egypt?

We do not recommend her for a first trip built around the great temples: the days are slower and cover fewer sites. She suits travellers who have already been and are returning for the river itself.

Sb Dahabieh Abydos

Q: Can you fly non-stop from Montreal to Egypt?

No. No non-stop flight links Montreal-Trudeau with Luxor or Cairo. Plan at least one connection, often two, and a full day each way.

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Sb Dahabieh Abydos

The SB Dahabieh Abydos is a CroisiEurope ship offering a luxury dahabieh cruise on the Nile in Egypt, providing an all-inclusive experience aboard a traditional Egyptian sailing vessel. It offers an intimate river cruise focused on an authentic Egypt experience, sailing between Luxor and Aswan as part of a high-end cultural journey. This cruise highlights sail navigation, Nile villages, ancient temples, and Egyptian heritage through an immersive approach centered on discovery and oriental charm. The small vessel emphasizes an elegant experience, personalized service, and an exotic luxury atmosphere. It is particularly suited to travelers seeking an immersive and refined cultural cruise on the Nile, combining tradition, comfort, and authentic discovery of Egypt.

Itineraries of the Sb Dahabieh Abydos

Price and Availability Notice
Prices displayed are provided for informational purposes only. They reflect the rates in effect at the time of their most recent update and are shown in Canadian dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise specified.

Supplier rates, exchange rates, taxes and fees, room or cabin categories, and promotions are subject to change at any time. The applicable price is the one confirmed by a travel advisor at the time of booking, subject to availability. Only the confirmed price shall be considered valid.

It is the traveler's responsibility to confirm the price, inclusions, and applicable terms and conditions before making a reservation. While every effort is made to keep our content up to date, transmission, display, or pricing errors may occur. In such cases, the correct price will be communicated to the traveler before any booking is confirmed. Certain terms, restrictions, and exclusions may apply.

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decks plans

Deck 2

Sun deck

Deck 1

Main deck

Technical specifications

Passengers: 18
Decks: 2
Length: 45 m
Width: 8 m

SB Dahabieh Abydos: 18 passengers on the Nile, in a 200-year-old format

The SB Dahabieh Abydos carries 18 passengers in 9 cabins with 15 crew. She is 45 metres long and 8 metres wide, and was built in 2022. CroisiEurope rates her at 5 anchors, its top level.

Fifteen crew for 18 travellers is close to one for one. On the fleet's European river ships the ratio is one in 5. The RV Star of Luxor, which goes up the same river, carries 106 passengers. On the Nile you therefore choose between 2 trips with almost nothing in common.

What a dahabieh is

A dahabieh is a traditional Nile sailing vessel, a format that went up the river long before engines arrived. This one was built in 2022: the shape is old, the hull is new. That is the exact opposite of most vessels in the fleet, where the hull is 20 or 30 years old and the fit-out is recent.

What it changes in practice: she ties up where a 106-passenger vessel cannot, in coves and in front of villages with no built quay. The days are slower and cover fewer sites. If you are coming to tick off the great temples, this is not the right boat. If you are coming for the river itself, this is the one.

The cabins

Cabins measure 9.5 square metres, with 2 suites of 12.6 square metres. That is small, and you should know it: on the same river the RV Star of Luxor quotes 14.5 to 16 square metres, and the RV Ganges Voyager reaches 37 square metres in India. On a dahabieh, life happens on deck, not in the cabin. That is the principle of the format, and it is what we tell clients before they book.

One detail we will not settle on the cruise line's behalf: CroisiEurope states 2 decks in its technical specifications and describes the cabins as arranged on a single deck in its presentation text. We have asked the question and will not publish a figure until we have the answer.

Getting to Egypt from Montreal

No non-stop flight links Montreal-Trudeau with Luxor or Cairo. Plan at least one connection, often two, and a full day each way. Egypt applies entry formalities to Canadian travellers: we check them at booking and give you the current list. The usable season runs November to March, when the valley becomes bearable again.

What is included and what is not

Full board, drinks with meals and at the bar, excursions in the programme depending on the departure. Gratuities are not included. Travel insurance never is. We itemise every line and explain the scope of Quebec's FICAV fund before anything is signed.

Who she suits

Small groups, travellers who have already been to Egypt, and anyone who prefers 18 passengers to 106 and accepts a 9.5-square-metre cabin in exchange. She does not suit a first trip to Egypt built around the major sites. For an even smaller format on an entirely different continent, look at the MV African Dream, 16 passengers on Lake Kariba. The full fleet is on our CroisiEurope cruises page.