Join us aboard the SS Misr, a propeller steam vessel accommodating just 44 guests, and discover the many ancient wonders along the banks of the Nile on this 14-night journey between Aswan and Cairo. A cruise on a Nile steamer as a leisure pursuit was pioneered by British tourists in the late 19th century looking for a comfortable way to visit Egypt’s fascinating sites and we are delighted to have chartered the lovingly restored SS Misr to offer our passengers the chance to discover the remarkable wonders of this ancient land in a high degree of comfort.
Our cruise along a 600 mile stretch of the Nile between Aswan and Cairo is a passage through antiquity, an incomparable river voyage which brings to life the great monuments of the pharaohs, the divine kings comprising thirty dynasties, who ruled Egypt during the 3000 years before Christ. We have devised our unique, two week itinerary to allow for the opportunity to visit some of Egypt’s most famous sites in addition to discovering some of the lesser known archaeological sites and temples, and experience the wonders of the great civilisation that flourished in the Nile Valley. We will visit Beni Hassan private tombs, which, through superb wall paintings, provide a panorama of daily life in Egypt four thousand years ago from the leisure pursuits of the elite to workers in vineyards or children playing games. We also visit Abydos and Dendera temples and Tel El Amarna where you can survey the ruins of the temples and palaces of King Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti. In addition to these less famous but historically important sites, we will of course explore some of the most renowned locations including the Great Pyramids, the Valley of the Kings and magnificent Karnak.
We will travel with excellent local guides and will be joined on board by a Guest Speaker who will add immeasurably to our knowledge of this ancient land. Cruising at a gentle speed we will be able to drink in the rhythm of life on the banks of the river and from the spacious decks can observe the dramatic division between the fertile flood-plain and the arid majesty of the deserts flanking the river and witness traditional village life. Although the Egypt of the pharaohs came to an end almost two millennia ago, this cruise will leave you with a wealth of memories about its people, its monuments and its mysteries.
Misr
Originally built in Preston in 1918 by the Royal Navy, the SS Misr is a propeller steam vessel. Having served in World War I in May 1918, the SS Misr (“Egypt” in Arabic) also participated as a warship and troop transporter for the British Egyptian joint task force. After retiring from active duty, SS Misr went through an entire overhaul; converted into a luxury yacht in 1938 to be used by Egypt’s last Monarch, King Farouk. After Egypt’s monarchy was overthrown in 1952, the SS Misr became state property and was allocated to the Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation where it languished in a shipyard in a Cairo suburb until it was purchased in 2003. With special permission from the state authorities, the steam ship was then entirely rebuilt according to its original drawings and re-launched and returned to the glorified splendour of her heyday in 2006.
Northbound Itinerary
Day 1 London Heathrow to Aswan, Egypt.
Fly by evening scheduled flight to Aswan via Cairo. Upon arrival transfer to the SS Misr and embark. Moor overnight in Aswan.
Day 2 Aswan.
This morning we will visit the excellent Nubian Museum. Due to the materials recovered from tombs, temples and settlements, UNESCO was encouraged in the 1980s to plan a Nubian Museum although it was not until 1997 that the museum opened its doors. The complex is 50,000 square metres and enclosed by walls to evoke the traditional Nubian village architecture. After lunch we will visit the High Dam at Aswan, considered an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960s with a huge impact on the economy and culture in Egypt. Today it provides electricity and irrigation for the whole of Egypt. We continue to the temple of Philae which is dedicated to the goddess Isis, wife of Osiris and mother of Horus. The story of Osiris is represented on the walls of the temple with two of its inner chambers which are rich in symbolic imagery. The temple was originally on Philae Island but due to high water levels was dismantled in 1977 and reconstructed on a nearby higher island called Algilkia. The main elements of the temple such as the two pylons, hypostyle halls and sanctuaries were built by the Ptolemaic kings. Later the Roman rulers added the colonnades in front of the temple as well as the ceremonial entrance to the island known as Trajan’s Kiosk. Tonight enjoy a welcome cocktail party and dinner on board.
Day 3 Aswan.
Enjoy a leisurely morning on board or alternatively take the optional excursion to the temples of Abu Simbel (by road approximately four hours each way) which is without a doubt the most impressive of all Nubian antiquities. Not only can we admire the outstanding sculptures, culture and reliefs which embellished the temples of Ramesses the Great and Queen Nefertari, cut out of the sandstone cliff around 3300 years ago, we can also applaud the achievement of archaeologists, architects and engineers in the 20th century AD who organised the rescue of the monuments to their new site above Lake Nasser. This afternoon we will head to the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel where we can relax and enjoy magnificent views of the Nile while experiencing a sumptuous afternoon tea. Return to the vessel for dinner and moor overnight in Aswan.
Day 4 Kom Ombo & Edfu.
We will set sail this morning to Kom Ombo for a visit to the temple of Kom Ombo which was mainly built during the Ptolemaic dynasty and completed under the Roman Emperors. The temple is unique due to its ‘double’ design which meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for the two gods that worshipped here. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris. Among the carved reliefs along the inside of the outer wall are images thought to be connected with Egyptian medicine, including displays of birthing chairs and surgical instruments. Later we sail to Edfu and after lunch on board will visit Edfu Temple, an ancient Egyptian temple which is set on the West Bank of the Nile and said to be one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. The temple is dedicated to the Falcon god Horus and built in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BC. This evening we sail north to Luxor where we moor overnight.
Day 5 Luxor.
We will have the luxury of two full days to explore Luxor and today will be devoted to visiting the West Bank, one of the most famous and important archaeological sites in the world. See the Valley of the Kings, burial ground of the pharaohs for a period of 500 years. The tombs vividly depict the journey of the sun god and pharaoh through the dangers of the underworld. In the temple of Queen Hatshepsut we will discover scenes commemorating the reign of this exceptional monarch such as the ambitious voyage where she sent her ships to the Red Sea and the mysterious land of Punt. We stop at the Colossi of Memnon to witness the two imposing 18 metre high quartzite seated statues which marked the entrance to the now vanished memorial temple of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III whose reign in the 14th century BC was one of the most opulent in Egyptian history. We will also visit Howard Carter House, the original home where the British archaeologist lived during his search for Tutankhamun’s tomb and now a museum featuring original artifacts from his time in Luxor.
Day 6 Luxor.
Our second day in Luxor will be spent on the East Bank, where we will start with a visit to the magnificent temples of Karnak. Here you will witness the unbelievably vast array of monuments dedicated to Amun-Ra, king of the gods, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu. Just two of the highlights we will see are the great hypostyle hall with over 130 columns, some 22 metres high, and the obelisk of the powerful Queen Pharaoh Hatshepsut. Our tour will conclude with a visit to the Luxor Museum, an archaeological museum which was inaugurated in 1975. Whilst the range of artefacts on display is more restricted than the country’s main collections in the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo; this was deliberate since the museum prides itself on the quality of the pieces it has. Moor overnight in Luxor.
Day 7 Dendera Temple.
Enjoy a leisurely morning on board as we sail towards Qena. After lunch, the afternoon will be dedicated to the goddess Hathor as we visit the Dendera Temple also known as the ‘castle of the Sistrum’. Hathor was the goddess of love, joy and beauty. The Dendera Temple was associated with healing and patients who travelled there for cures could stay in special buildings so they could rest, sleep and commune with the gods in their dreams. This evening we sail to Naga Hammadi where we moor overnight.
Day 8 Abydos Temple.
This morning we sail to Balyana where we visit the temple that the Greeks called the Memnonium in Abydos, dedicated to Seti, Osiris, Isis, Ptah, Ptah-Sokar, Nefertem, Re-Horakhty, Amun and Horus. Its structure, built of white limestone is one of the most impressive religious structures in Egypt. Later today we will continue sailing north to Sohag where we will moor overnight.
Day 9 Cruising.
Enjoy a day cruising along the Nile. Relax on deck and enjoy the passing scenery and perhaps attend a lecture or two. We will moor overnight in Tel El Amarna.
Day 10 Tuna El Gebel & Tel El Amarna.
This morning we visit the tombs and catacombs of Tuna El Gebel, the necropolis of Khmun located in Al Minya. Following lunch on board we head to Akhenaten’s royal city, tomb and palace at Amarna; it is here we visit the tombs of Ahmose, Pentu, Meryrae and the Royal tomb of Akhenaten.
Day 11 Beni Hassan.
After a morning cruise towards Minya, this afternoon we visit the Middle Kingdom tombs at Beni Hassan, an ancient Egyptian cemetery site. The necropolis of Beni Hassan reflects the political differences between the province rulers and the pharaoh kings. Due to the layout and more complex decorations, the tombs mark a transition stage in the style of the tombs from the Old Kingdom to the New Kingdom. Moor overnight in Minya.
Day 12 Cruising.
Enjoy another relaxing day cruising along the Nile as we make our way towards Cairo. Perhaps spend time enjoying the passing scenery from the spacious decks, relax with a book and attend a lecture.
Day 13 Meidum & Cairo.
We transfer this morning to the Meidum pyramid which is dedicated to the King Snefru of the 4th dynasty. Return to the SS Misr for lunch and enjoy the last few hours of sailing as we continue to Cairo where we will moor overnight.
Day 14 Cairo.
Today is dedicated to the capital city of Cairo and this morning we visit the impressive Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the tombs of the great pharaohs and their queens. Enjoy lunch with the view of the Pyramids before we continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum. This complex is a cultural hub and includes one of the largest museums in the world displaying the heritage of a single civilisation. The museum contains over 50,000 artefacts, reflecting Egypt’s past from prehistory until the Greek and Roman Periods including over 5000 artefacts from the tomb of the golden pharaoh Tutankhamun. This evening enjoy the farewell dinner on board.
Day 15 Cairo to London Heathrow.
Disembark this morning and transfer to Cairo airport for your return scheduled flight to London Heathrow.
Southbound Itinerary
Day 1 London Heathrow to Cairo, Egypt.
Fly by scheduled flight to Cairo. Upon arrival transfer to the SS Misr and embark. Moor overnight in Cairo.
Day 2 Cairo.
Our tour today is dedicated to the city of Cairo. This morning we visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. This complex is a cultural hub and includes one of the largest museums in the world displaying the heritage of a single civilisation. The museum contains over 50,000 artefacts, reflecting Egypt’s past from prehistory until the Greek and Roman Periods including over 5000 artefacts from the tomb of the golden pharaoh Tutankhamun. Enjoy lunch with a view of the Pyramids before we continue to the impressive Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the tombs of the great pharaohs and their queens. Moor overnight in Cairo.
Day 3 Cruising.
Enjoy a relaxing day on board as we cruise to Beni Suef where we will moor overnight.
Day 4 Meidum & Minya.
This morning we visit the Meidum pyramid which is dedicated to the King Snefru of the 4th dynasty. We return to the ship for lunch and enjoy the afternoon sailing to Minya. Moor overnight in Minya.
Day 5 Beni Hassan.
Today we visit the Middle Kingdom tombs at Beni Hassan, an ancient Egyptian cemetery site, located south of Minya. The necropolis of Beni Hassan reflects the political differences between the province rulers and the pharaoh kings. Due to the layout and more complex decorations, the tombs mark a transition stage in the style of the tombs from the Old Kingdom to the New Kingdom. Return to the vessel for lunch and enjoy daylight sailing to Tel El Amarna where we moor overnight.
Day 6 Tuna El Gebel & Tel El Amarna.
This morning we visit Tuna El Gebel where the oldest monument is a boundary stela of Akhenaten and Nefertiti. The site is best known for its animal necropolis housing thousands of mummified baboons and Ibis sacred to Thoth. Enjoy lunch on board as we sail to Tel El Amarna where this afternoon we will take a tour to Akhenaten’s royal city, tomb and palace at Amarna. It is here we visit the tombs of Pentu, Ahmose, Meryre and the Royal tomb of Akhenaten. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon relaxing on board. We will moor overnight in Tel El Amarna.
Days 7 & 8 Cruising.
A relaxing interlude to our journey. Spend time on deck enjoying the passing scenery and attend a lecture or two.
Day 9 Abydos Temple.
This morning we arrive in Balyana and after breakfast, we transfer to the temple that the Greeks called the Memnonium in Abydos, dedicated to Seti, Osiris, Isis, Ptah, Ptah- Sokar, Nefertem, Re-Horakhty, Amun and Horus. Its structure, built of white limestone is one of the most impressive religious structures in Egypt. Return to the ship this afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing on board.
Day 10 Dendera Temple.
This morning is dedicated to the goddess Hathor as we visit the Dendera Temple, also known as the ‘castle of the Sistrum’. Hathor was the goddess of love, joy and beauty and the Dendera Temple was associated with healing and patients who travelled there for cures could stay in special buildings so they could rest, sleep and commune with the gods in their dreams. Spend a leisurely afternoon on board sailing to Luxor.
Day 11 Luxor.
This morning we visit the West Bank, one of the most famous and important archaeological sites in the world. See the Valley of the Kings, burial ground of the pharaohs for a period of 500 years. The tombs vividly depict the journey of the sun god and pharaoh through the dangers of the underworld. In the temple of Queen Hatshepsut you will discover scenes commemorating the reign of this exceptional monarch such as the ambitious voyage where she sent her ships on the Red Sea to the mysterious land of Punt. We stop at the Colossi of Memnon to witness the two imposing 18 metre high quartzite seated statues which marked the entrance to the now vanished memorial temple of the pharaoh Amenhotep III whose reign in the 14th century BC was one of the most opulent in Egyptian history. After lunch on board we visit the Luxor Museum, an archaeological museum which was inaugurated in 1975. Whilst the range of artefacts on display is more restricted than the country’s main collections in the Museum of Antiquities in Cairo; this was deliberate since the museum prides itself on the quality of the pieces it has. We will also visit Howard Carter House, the original home where the British archaeologist lived during his search for Tutankhamun’s tomb and now a museum featuring original artefacts from his time in Luxor.
Day 12 Luxor.
This morning we visit the magnificent temples of Karnak and will witness the unbelievably vast array of monuments dedicated to Amun-Ra, king of the gods, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu. Just two of the highlights you will see are the great hypostyle hall with over 134 columns some 22 metres high and the obelisk of the powerful queen pharaoh Hatshepsut. To conclude our tour we will visit the Luxor Temple, situated on the east bank of the river Nile. This evening we sail to Edfu and moor overnight.
Day 13 Edfu & Kom Ombo.
Today we visit the Edfu Temple, an ancient Egyptian temple that is set on the west bank of the Nile and is said to be one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. Dedicated to the Falcon god Horus and built in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BC. Set sail this afternoon to Kom Ombo and after lunch we depart for a visit to the temple of Kom Ombo. It was mainly built during the Ptolemaic dynasty and completed under the Roman Emperors. The temple is unique due to its ‘double’ design which meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for the two gods that worshipped here. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris. Among the carved reliefs along the inside of the outer wall are images thought to be connected with Egyptian medicine, including displays of birthing chairs and surgical instruments. Sail to Aswan where we will moor overnight.
Day 14 Aswan.
This morning there will be a choice of excursions. Take the optional excursion to the temples of Abu Simbel (by road approximately four hours each way) which is without a doubt the most impressive of all Nubian antiquities. Not only can we admire the outstanding sculptures, culture and reliefs which embellished the temples of Ramesses the Great and Queen Nefertari, we can also applaud the achievement of archaeologists, architects and engineers in the 20th century AD who organised the rescue of the monuments to their new site above Lake Nasser. Return to the ship for lunch. Alternatively visit the High Dam at Aswan, considered an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960s with a huge impact on the economy and culture in Egypt in the last century. Today it provides electricity and irrigation for the whole of Egypt. Continue to the temple island of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, wife of Osiris and mother of Horus. The story of Osiris is represented on the walls of the temple, with two of its inner chambers which are rich in symbolic imagery. The temple was originally on Philae Island but because of high water levels was dismantled in 1977 and reconstructed on a nearby higher island called Algilkia. The main elements of the temple such as the two Pylons, hypostyle halls and sanctuaries were built by the Ptolemaic kings. Later the Roman rulers added the colonnades in front of the temple as well as the ceremonial entrance to the island known as Trajan’s Kiosk. This afternoon we visit the Nubian Museum, a complex of 50,000 square metres which is enclosed by walls to evoke the traditional Nubian village architecture. We end our day with afternoon tea at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel with its fine Nile views. Relax and enjoy magnificent views of the Nile while experiencing a sumptuous afternoon tea. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner on board.
Day 15 Aswan to London Heathrow.
Disembark this morning and fly by scheduled indirect flight to London.
Dates and Prices
Northbound Itinerary
Prices per person based on double occupancy5 to 19 February 2025 • 5 to 19 March 2025 • 25 October to 8 November 2025 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
4 Twin/Double cabin on Lower/Main deck | £7595 | £7395 |
3 Twin/Double cabin on Upper deck | £7995 | £7795 |
2 Suite on Main/Upper deck | £9395 | £9195 |
1 Panorama Suite on Main deck | £9795 | £9595 |
4 Twin/Double cabin on Lower/Main deck for Sole Use | £8995 | £8795 |
Southbound Itinerary
Prices per person based on double occupancy19 February to 5 March 2025 • 19 March to 2 April 2025 • 11 to 25 October 2025 • 8 to 22 November 2025 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
4 Twin/Double cabin on Lower/Main deck | £7595 | £7395 |
3 Twin/Double cabin on Upper deck | £7995 | £7795 |
2 Suite on Main/Upper deck | £9395 | £9195 |
1 Panorama Suite on Main deck | £9795 | £9595 |
4 Twin/Double cabin on Lower/Main deck for Sole Use | £8995 | £8795 |
Tour Reference Code: RCMISR
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • 14 nights aboard the SS Misr on a full board basis • Wine or beer & unlimited soft drinks with lunch & dinner • Shore excursions with local English speaking guides • Noble Caledonia Tour Manager • Guest Speaker • Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, Egyptian visa, optional excursion to Abu Simbel.
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All Decks
Misr
Originally built in Preston in 1918 by the Royal Navy, the SS Misr is a propeller steam vessel. Having served in World War I in May 1918, the SS Misr (“Egypt” in Arabic) also participated as a warship and troop transporter for the British Egyptian joint task force. After retiring from active duty, SS Misr went through an entire overhaul; converted into a luxury yacht in 1938 to be used by Egypt’s last Monarch, King Farouk. After Egypt’s monarchy was overthrown in 1952, the SS Misr became state property and was allocated to the Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation where it languished in a shipyard in a Cairo suburb until it was purchased in 2003. With special permission from the state authorities, the steam ship was then entirely rebuilt according to its original drawings and re-launched and returned to the glorified splendour of her heyday in 2006.
Travelling with You
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Dr Campbell Price
Campbell Price is Curator of Egypt and Sudan at Manchester Museum, University of Manchester, one of the UK’s largest Egyptology collections. He became interested in ancient Egypt as a child after visiting Kelvingrove Museum in his native Glasgow. Campbell undertook his BA, MA, and PhD in Egyptology at the University of Liverpool, where he completed his AHRC-funded PhD thesis on the functions of non-royal statuary at Karnak. Campbell is now an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool and also Chair of Trustees of the Egypt Exploration Society, a charity founded to support and promote Egypt's cultural heritage.
In Egypt, Campbell has undertaken fieldwork at Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham, Saqqara and the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. He has published extensively on ancient Egyptian material culture, most recently Golden Mummies of Egypt: Interpreting Identities from the Graeco-Roman Period (Manchester University Press, 2023), Ancient Egypt in 50 Discoveries (with Stephanie Boonstra, EES) and The High Steward Senenmut: His Life and Afterlife (American University in Cairo Press) (both 2024). Campbell's main research interests are in ancient Egyptian art and material culture, and in the conception of ‘Ancient Egypt’ in museums. Campbell has lectured widely throughout the UK, and internationally, and has appeared on TV and radio.
Dr Campbell Price will be on the following tour dates: 5 to 19 February 2025 -
Chris Bradley
Chris Bradley is a graduate of the University of Liverpool specialising in the Middle East and North Africa having lived and worked in the region for over 40 years.
As a professional tour guide and lecturer he has led many tours throughout Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan and Jordan. His books include the Berlitz Guide to Nile Cruising; Cairo; Egypt’s Red Sea & Sinai; Libya; Oman; Abu Dhabi; plus the Insight Guides to Egypt; Jordan; The Silk Road; Travel Photography, and the Discovery Guide to Yemen.
In 2010 he was an invited consultant for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation analysis on tourism development of the Giza and Saqqara area helping to open up the rural area and attract tourists out of Cairo. He also worked to develop tourism into Libya for more than a decade. He still leads several tours each year to a variety of destinations, designing many specialist itineraries. He is a lecturer to noted societies, such as the Royal Geographical Society and the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Societies.
He has been a cameraman and producer on many television documentaries and films for the BBC, Channel 4 and National Geographic TV. He developed and filmed ‘Atlas Biker’ Nicholas Crane’s first television adventure documentary.
Chris Bradley will be on the following tour dates: 19 February to 5 March 2025 -
Martin Sixsmith
Martin Sixsmith is a writer, presenter and former television correspondent. He was the BBC’s Central and Eastern Europe Correspondent in the 1980s, reporting on the political upheavals that changed the shape of the continent and the world. In the 1990s, Martin was the BBC’s correspondent Moscow and Washington. Between 1997 and 2002 he worked for the British Government as Director of Communications and Press Secretary to several cabinet ministers.
He worked as a consultant on the BBC2 political sitcom The Thick of It and the 2010 movie In the Loop. In 2013, his book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee was made into the film Philomena, starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. It was nominated for four Oscars. His non-fiction books include Putin’s Oil; Moscow Coup; The Litvinenko File; Russia, A Thousand Year Chronicle of the Wild East; and The War of Nerves – Inside the Cold War Mind. His latest book My Sins Go With Me is a story of bravery and treachery in the Resistance to Nazi occupation in World War Two. In 2011, he presented the BBC’s 50-episode history of Russia on Radio Four. In 2014 he presented Radio Four’s 25-part history of psychology and psychiatry.
Martin Sixsmith will be on the following tour dates: 5 to 19 March 2025 -
Dr Anna Garnett
Dr. Anna Garnett FSA has been the Curator of the Petrie Museum of Egyptian and Sudanese Archaeology, University College London, since 2017. She has worked at several local, national and university museums in the UK over the past two decades in a range of collections- and public-facing roles. She earned her PhD from the University of Liverpool in 2018 and has worked as a ceramicist and finds specialist in Egypt and Sudan for over 15 years. Her research interests include New Kingdom ceramics, the reconciliation of Egyptian and Sudanese object assemblages and archives, object distribution in the late-19th and early 20th centuries, and object- and archive-based teaching. Anna has lectured on Egyptological and Museological subjects for over 20 years and has published widely for both general and academic audiences.
Dr Anna Garnett will be on the following tour dates: 19 March to 2 April 2025 -
Professor Rosalie David OBE FRSA
Professor Rosalie David OBE FRSA is currently Emeritus Professor of Egyptology and Co-Director of the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology at The University of Manchester. The focus of her career has been the establishment of a new university specialisation – biomedical research within the field of Egyptology – to provide a different approach to understanding the civilisation of ancient Egypt. Rosalie David has lectured at universities and presented papers at academic conferences in many countries; she first accompanied a Nile cruise as Guest Lecturer in 1974, and subsequently also fulfilled this role on Mediterranean and Red Sea cruises. She is the author of over 30 books and many articles in peer-reviewed journals, and has been consultant and contributor to several television documentaries. In the New Year Honours List 2003, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to Egyptology, and has received Fellowships of The Royal Society of Arts and The Royal Society of Medicine. She is a Vice-President of the Egypt Exploration Society.
Professor Rosalie David OBE FRSA will be on the following tour dates: 11 to 25 October 2025 -
Rt Revd Graham James
Graham James became Bishop of Norwich in 1999, serving for almost 20 years in that role before retiring to his native Cornwall. He entered the House of Lords in 2004. Among his national responsibilities in the Church of England he was lead bishop on media issues for a long period, and served on the Lords Select Committee on Communications. For more than a decade, he was a frequent presenter of Radio 4’s “Thought for the Day”. Earlier in his career he travelled widely when serving at Lambeth Palace, and has lectured on cruises for the past 25 years, mainly on historical subjects. His recent books “The Lent Factor” and “A Place for God” reflect the range of his interests and travels.
Rt Revd Graham James will be on the following tour dates: 25 October to 8 November 2025 -
Guy de la Bédoyère
Guy de la Bédoyère [pronounced: Bed-why-air] is a historian and archaeologist well-known for his frequent appearances on Channel 4’s Time Team as resident Roman expert and historian, as well as his numerous books on Roman history and other topics for Thames and Hudson, Yale University Press and other publishers. His latest book, Pharaohs of the Sun, a history of the Eighteenth Dynasty, was published in July 2022 and was a Radio 4 Book of the Week.
Guy has degrees in Archaeology and History from the universities of Durham and London, worked for many years in the BBC and is an elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. His special interests are the Roman Empire and Ancient Egypt. Guy has lectured to societies in Britain, including at BBC History Magazine Weekends and the Gloucester History Festival, and in Western Australia, and New Zealand. Some of these were in his capacity as a registered lecturer for the Arts Society, for example the tour of New Zealand in 2020. He lives near Grantham.
Guy de la Bédoyère will be on the following tour dates: 8 to 22 November 2025
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