Steam Ship Sudan

Follow in the footsteps of kings and movie stars and cruise the Nile on this graceful old boat, one of the first tourist ships to work the river

The SS Sudan was built in 1885, a gift for King Fouad, whose official title was King of All Egypt and Sudan, hence its name. It was subsequently bought by Thomas Cook and became one of the first boats to carry tourists down the eternal river. Agatha Christie came aboard in the 1930s and her famous novel Death on The Nile followed shortly after. The boat features briefly in both versions of the film.

On board La Belle Epoque lives on and the ship’s stately credentials are easy to see: panelled bedrooms, a sweeping oak staircase, a teak sundeck from which to watch the world pass by. There’s a piano in the bar, great views from the restaurant, sun loungers at the top of the boat for those who want to bask in Egypt’s ever-present sun. Rooms aren’t huge, but nor are they cramped and most have fine brass beds, country-house rugs, old-style telephones hanging on the wall, beautiful eiderdowns in bubblegum colours. All have robes in compact bathrooms, while panoramic suites at the stern of the ship have walls of glass. The boat stops regularly at all the interesting sights. A classic journey and a real treat.

Why we chose this partner

• We liked the way the company has updated the SS Sudan, but kept its distinguished original features - including the old steamship mechanisms displayed on the lower deck.
• They have an excellent crew, who sparkle in smart uniforms and all speak English or French
• You cover all the major sites of the Nile valley - Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae - on morning excursions organised and accompanied by their own English- or French-speaking guides
• They also operate La Flaneuse du Nil, a traditional 7-cabin dahabiyya which we did not manage to see but which looks lovely. Its identical itineraries dovetail with SS Sudan's, one sailing up the Nile as the other sails down
• This gives you a choice of itineraries (3 or 4 nights, starting in either Luxor or Aswan) and of departure days (Tuesdays or Saturdays). The only thing to bear in mind is that the guide on La Flaneuse is usually French- (not English-) speaking.