MS Movenpick Darakum

One of the smaller ships on the Nile, with just 52 cabins and suites, the five-star MS Darakum has been designed with a low draft in order to navigate the full length of the Nile in Egypt. It is currently the only vessel regularly operating this route, so this cruise is very much a unique experience!

Appointed to the highest specification and imaginatively furnished with a distinctive Moroccan theme, the MS Darakum offers extensive open deck space on three levels, with plenty sun loungers, sofas and armchairs to relax in. The pool on the sun deck is perfect for a cooling dip. The spacious, yet cosy lounge bar is the social hub of the ship, with board games and evening entertainment including music, wine-tasting and cookery lesson, a black & white party, the ever-popular ‘galabiya’ party and even a belly dancer!

Specifications

Size boutique
Style Luxury
Type river
Year of launch 2008
Length 72.0m
Width 15.0m
Decks 5
Language English
Currency US Dollar ($)
No. of passengers 104
No. of cabins 52

Gratuities

Tips are not charged at a set percentage and are not included in the holiday cost, as we understand that giving a gratuity should be entirely at your discretion.

As a guideline we would recommend giving €8-12 per person per day should you feel that is appropriate. Usually, an envelope is left in your cabin on the final evening, for you to drop off at reception, if you choose to, the following morning. The tips are divided equally between the crew.

Should you also wish to give a gratuity directly to your Riviera Travel Cruise Director and Concierge, this is also at your discretion.

Gratuities

Facilities

Tips are not charged at a set percentage and are not included in the holiday cost, as we understand that giving a gratuity should be entirely at your discretion.

Should you also wish to give a gratuity directly to your Riviera Travel Cruise Director and Concierge, this is also at your discretion.

Yes

Designated areas only

Not available

Accommodation

Appointed to the highest specification and imaginatively furnished with a distinctive Moroccan theme. All cabins have tea and coffee making facilities, complimentary bottled water, hotel style beds, wood panelled bathrooms with fixed shower and bath and complimentary toiletries.

Senior Suite

Senior Suites are located on both the Upper and Top Decks. The Upper Deck Suites are 40 square meters and the Top deck suites are 34 square meters. All cabins have a separate spacious seating area with a second bathroom and feature individually-controlled air conditioning, hairdryer, personal safe, fridge, TV and the convenience of tea & coffee making facilities. The beds are hotel-style and can be configured as a double or two twins, with the fine Egyptian cotton sheets, and an evening turn-down service. Clever design allows for all the wood-panelled bathrooms to have a bath with a fixed shower above, along with complimentary toiletries. A laundry service is also available.

Stats

Panorama Suite

The forward facing Panorama Suites are 34 square meters and are located on the Upper Deck providing stunning views through the panoramic windows. All cabins have a separate spacious seating area in front of forward facing windows and feature individually-controlled air conditioning, hairdryer, personal safe, fridge, TV and the convenience of tea & coffee making facilities. The hotel-style beds are queen size have fine Egyptian cotton sheets, and an evening turn-down service. Clever design allows for all the wood-panelled bathrooms to have a bath with a fixed shower above, along with complimentary toiletries. A laundry service is also available.

Stats

Main Deck Cabin

Riviera Travel MS Movenpick Darakum Accommodation.jpg

These cabins are 20 square meters, with large picture-windows offering magnificent river views, with a panel that can be opened. All cabins feature individually-controlled air conditioning, hairdryer, personal safe, fridge, TV and the convenience of tea & coffee making facilities. The beds are hotel-style and can be configured as a double or two twins, with the fine Egyptian cotton sheets, and an evening turn-down service. Clever design allows for all the wood-panelled bathrooms to have a bath with a fixed shower above, along with complimentary toiletries. A laundry service is also available.

Stats

Lower Deck Cabin

These cabins are 20 square meters, with two sealed windows facing the Nile. All cabins feature individually-controlled air conditioning, hairdryer, personal safe, fridge, TV and the convenience of tea & coffee making facilities. The beds are hotel-style twins with fine Egyptian cotton sheets, and an evening turn-down service. Clever design allows for all the wood-panelled bathrooms to have a bath with a fixed shower above, along with complimentary toiletries. A laundry service is also available.

Stats

Upper Deck Cabin

Stats

Decks

Sun Deck

Pool
Open-air bar

Top Deck

Senior Suites
Main bar
Lower sun deck
Patio

Upper Deck

Senior Suites
Panorama Suites
Cabins
Fitness Room
On-board Shop
Rear Sun Deck

Main Deck

Reception
Cabins with picture windows

Lower Deck

Restaurant
Cabins

Dining

Located on the lower deck is the main restaurant, serving a varied buffet dinner every evening.

Restaurant

Large restaurant to enjoy the varied buffet dinner

Food type: Varies

Dining Experience: Complimentary

Entertainment

On board you will find a spacious sun deck with loungers, sofas and armchairs, a lounge and bar area to relax in, evening music entertainment and a selection of board games to enjoy.

Lounge/Bar

Lounge and bar area to relax in
Evening music entertainment
A selection of board games to enjoy

Health and fitness

There is a small fitness area and a plunge pool on the sun deck.

Kids and Teens

Please note: there are no dedicated kids or teens facilities onboard.

Enrichment

Thanks to the ship’s small size, your shore excursions are far more personal and rewarding.

Excursions

On our river cruises we love to take you right into the heart of each town or city you visit along the way, and during your cruise local guides will offer a variety of guided walking tours, panoramic coach tours and/or visits to museums and local cultural favourites such as a wine tasting in Burgundy and a train journey through the Swiss mountains. You will have a good mix of touring and free time to learn about the history and the little quirks of each place, with plenty of time to explore at your own leisure. Please check the itinerary of the cruise for more specific details.

Useful to know

Disabled Facilities

We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to contact us or call us on 01283 688 518 to discuss these concerns.

Mooring

Due to the popularity of river cruising at some mooring places, or where our ship is moored alongside another vessel, access to the ship may be via the sun deck and require the navigation of steps so passengers must be able to walk on and off the ship themselves, without the use of crutches or other aids, as gangplanks can be positioned at a steep angle.

On board

Our ships are not adapted for wheelchair access; if you are intending to take a wheelchair or mobility scooter with you, it is essential that you please contact us to let us know. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be used on excursions however cannot be used on board the ships due to safety reasons and must not be left in corridors, the lounge or restaurant or any other public areas, but must be stored at reception.

River cruises operate with a smaller crew than ocean cruises and do not have the crew available to personally attend to passengers with reduced mobility; therefore, a travelling companion would need to be able to help with any physical needs.

Whilst most of our ships have a lift on board, it does not operate to all decks.

River cruising on European rivers offers the opportunity to take in the scenery from the comfort of the ship. If you are unable to do some of the shore excursions, your river cruise can still be enjoyable and worthwhile, so please contact us with any concerns or questions you may have.

Shore Excursions

For our river cruises which include an extension and feature a hotel stay, the hotels we use have been chosen due to their location and standard, the facilities offered can differ, it is therefore important that we make the appropriate enquiries with our suppliers on your behalf to ensure any special needs or requests can be catered for.

Accommodation

Overseas Transport Arrangements

All of our tours involve coach travel. The coaches we use have not been adapted for wheelchair access.

Air Travel

We are able to arrange airport assistance, from the check-in desk to the plane, for anyone with reduced mobility. This is a free service which must be arranged with the airline prior to travel. If you would like us to arrange this assistance for you it needs to be pre-booked more than 48 hours before your flight departs.

Eurostar

If you have reduced mobility and are travelling by Eurostar to your cruise, please contact us. Should you need to travel in your own wheelchair, Eurostar does have specially adapted wheelchair spaces which need to be pre-booked. If you would like assistance at St. Pancras, we can provide you with information and contact details for Eurostar Assist, although we cannot reserve this service for you directly.

Special Dietary Requirements

In the morning a full breakfast is served which includes healthy options and your choice of eggs made to order. For lunch enjoy salads from the buffet, soup and a choice of main courses, including local dishes, plus dessert. The four course a la carte dinners include a selection of international and regional specialities. We cater for most dietary requirements, please ensure you advise our sales team when making the booking.

Dress Code

There is no requirement to bring formal dress; smart/casual is acceptable for both day and evening as there is no dress code enforced. However men are requested not to wear shorts for dinner or vest tops at any time in the dining room. Men may wish to wear a jacket and tie for dinner. The Captain’s Dinner offers the opportunity, should you wish, for more special attire.

Medical Facilities

If you have any concerns about your health whilst on tour, please see your Cruise Director or Concierge. They will be able to advise you about chemists and availability of doctors, etc. In an emergency you could always phone our emergency number as issued on your itinerary. There are no on-board medical personnel, although specific crew members will have basic first aid training. However, the ship can stop at any time to transfer any passenger requiring emergency medical attention to local medical facilities.

Laundry Service

A limited laundry service is available on board, except on the day of disembarkation. A dry cleaning service is not available.

Smoking and E-Cigarette Policy

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted anywhere on board except for designated areas on the sun deck.

More and more countries in Europe are adopting a stricter legislation on smoking in public places. Smoking is not allowed on any public transport and there may be other restrictions in hotels, bars and restaurants.

Age Restrictions

The minimum age limit is 12 years old at the date of departure. We reserve the right to limit the number of children on any particular cruise. Any minor must be accompanied by and share a cabin with an adult aged 21 or over. If the adult is not the minor’s parent, a ‘Parental Consent Guardianship Form’ must be signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to sailing.

Air Conditioning

Our ships are fully air-conditioned throughout. Each cabin has individual air-conditioning and heating controls.

Drinks Packages

We offer a selection of drinks packages available to purchase and the price is dependent on the length of the cruise, so please check each tour page for more details. This includes the following with lunch and dinner: draught beer; non-alcoholic beer; soft drinks; juices; red, white and rose house wines; and wine recommendations from the menu. The drinks package must be added to your booking for all passengers in a cabin prior to departure and you can do this by calling the reservations team.If you choose not to purchase a drinks package, there is a vast selection of drinks on board each ship available for individual purchase.