T&T: Question about Cruising and Liveaboard Conditions around Cairo, Egypt

[Mark Richter]

Debbie and Michel,
Last year Joyce and I cruised the Nile River for 4 days, as part of a 15 day
organized tour of Egyptian museums, tombs and temples.  The "boat" we
cruised on was 200 feet long, and had an air draft approximately 35 feet.
Draft is shallow, maybe about 4 feet.  The river bottom constantly changes,
with sand bars moving around so that no charts are of much use.  Each cruise
ship (there are over 100 on the Nile) has a permanant pilot aboard with lots
of current local knowledge.  There is much to see and do, and the scenery is
magnificent.  I think the Nile would be a great area to cruise, but a bit
ambitious until you know your boat well.  There will be plenty of
difficulties with poor charts, language barriers, and lack of yacht
facilities, but the rewards would be worth the trouble.

Mark Richter, m/v Winnie the Pooh, Ortona, FL on the Okeechobee Waterway