Take Me Back to My Habibi!

Egypt holds a special place in the hearts of everyone who visits. And as astounding as it is to gaze upon Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s mummy, trek through the Great Pyramids of Giza, or cut up the rug on Galabeya night, the people and culture of Egypt are the reasons why it is such an unforgettable place.

It starts on your first day in the capital, Cairo, when you meet your guides, trained Egyptologists, who will take you on this incredible 12-day journey. No matter who you get, one of the first things they will teach you is the Arabic word habibi, meaning “my love” or “my beloved,” which is what they will become to you from the moment you meet them.

But “habibi” will not be the only thing you will learn in Egypt; by the end of your trip, you will earn the title of amateur Egyptologist. You get to show off your knowledge during your visit to the Valley of the Kings, the royal resting place for Egyptian Pharaohs and high officials for nearly 500 years. Each magnificent tomb is scrawled with the stories of the deceased’s life and well wishes for the afterlife. Your guides will teach you the meanings of some of the essential hieroglyphics throughout your trip, making exploring all the better.

The highlight of the excursion was seeing Tutankhamun’s tomb and mummy. Most of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings had been worked on for years before the deceased was laid to rest, so they had enough time to engrave the stories into the walls with the most intricate, gilded, and colorful designs. Since Tutankhamun died suddenly at the young age of 19, his tomb is sparsely decorated compared to the rest. Still, it has something the rest don’t: his mummy on display. Although the objects in his tomb discovered in 1922 are kept in the Grand Egyptian Museum, which will open in late 2024, it is still an incredible site.

On the second to last day of your trip, you will face the only world wonders of the original seven that still exist: the Great Pyramids of Giza. On the way there, your guides will tell you the story behind each Pharaoh laid to rest here and why the pyramids seem to change sizes if you look at them from different angles.

Even better, your guides will ensure you have the best photos to take home to your family to prove you were there, even touching the top of Khufu’s pyramid. Another photo moment will come when you see the Sphinx of Giza (which is what the beautiful S.S. Sphinx is named after). You will see depictions of sphinxes all over Egypt, but none of them will compare to this; you might love it so much you want to kiss it!

Your days on this trip are action-packed, going to 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites, but Galabeya night will make you forget how tired you are. Everyone on the ship dresses in the traditional Egyptian dress, Galabeya. Then, when you dress fit to meet Queen Cleopatra, you will be welcomed by the entire crew on board singing and playing drums as you enter the lounge. Then, you will enjoy a performance of local Egyptian dancers dressed in the same garb. Afterward, you will also get the opportunity to show off your skills. The entire night is one big party ending with a spectacular feast fit for the pharaohs.

Throughout your journey on an Egyptian Uniworld cruise, your most significant takeaway will be that the crew onboard treats each passenger as part of their family for the week. If you have ever been on a Uniworld cruise, you’ll know that this is a signature element. You know that the crew will always go above and beyond to serve their guests. In Egypt, it goes beyond that, and your goodbye will not only be heartfelt, but possibly even tearful. Your trained guides will make sure that you always have enough to drink or eat while exploring their arid country. Your activity director will see to it that you can enjoy top-deck yoga or pilates when you’re sailing down the Nile (you could even enjoy your workout with a glass of champagne). Your trained chefs will ensure you try all of the culinary gems Egypt offers. It’s only on Uniworld that you can get this type of service. Only on Uniworld can you explore Egypt while meeting your Habibi.

Note: The contents of this article are accurate as of the publication date. Uniworld itineraries and inclusions are subject to change at any time.