AmaWaterways AmaLilia Review: Life Onboard The Luxury River Ship

The beautiful AmaLilia was our wonderful floating home for a week whilst we sailed the Nile with AmaWaterways.

AmaWaterways have two ships on the Nile, AmaDahlia and AmaLilia, both which have the same ‘Secrets of Egypt and The Nile’ itinerary. The only difference being the hotel they use pre and post-cruise.

Designed and built by AmaWaterways, AmaLilia first sailed on the Nile in March 2024. For me she very much still felt ‘shiny and new’.

Deck 1

There are a variety of staterooms from interior (which all have windows), French balcony to suites. We stayed in one of the interior cabins. Larger than the European counterparts our room whilst ‘small’ was still 215sq ft.

There was plenty of storage space for us with the wardrobes and drawers. We had tea and coffee facilities which were replenished along with plenty of bottled water.

The bathroom had a large walk-in shower. Toiletries provided are soap, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion.

We found our double bed to be very comfortable and were greeted each day by a different towel animal. But I have to say the best was saved till last, when our wonderful cabin steward surprised us with a full-size towel mummy!

The chargers for your audio box are in your cabin and each evening you are left your ‘Daily Cruiser’ which details the next day’s itinerary.

We had two windows in our cabin which always gave us a glimpse of where we were and what was passing us by. Whilst I will admit I did miss having a balcony, I also have to say on this holiday we actually spent very little time in our cabin.

AmaLilia has only five decks and on the bottom deck where our cabin was located is also where you will find the fitness room. However, like every holiday for us, our gym trainers were left at home!

However, one place we did make use of on deck five was the ‘spa’. Small, but perfectly formed, the spa had a massage room and a hair and nail salon. Mr B and I both enjoyed a one-hour full body massage and it was a good one! We had ours when we were just over halfway through our holiday and she really knew how to work those tired and achy muscles.

Deck 2

One deck up and you are in the lobby. This is where you will find the reception desk, where there is always a friendly face to help you in any way. That day’s itinerary would also be in reception which was handy, as this was also where we met to scan out of the ship. I always took a quick photo of it on my phone.

Samuel was the night receptionist on our sailing. It was a delight to see his smiley face each morning when we always greeted each other with ‘Sabah el kheir’ (Good Morning, in Egyptian). Samuel taught me some new Egyptian words each morning and he even wrote them all down for me.

Just off reception is the lounge where you will find the gift shop. With its fixed pricing it was perfect for guests who didn’t enjoy bartering with the local vendors. The much-used coffee station is located opposite the gift shop where coffee, teas and pastries are always available 24/7.

The lounge was very spacious with plenty of seating and beautiful floor to ceiling windows which meant wherever you were seated you had views all around you.

The lounge bar is where guests could enjoy ‘Sip & Sail’. For one hour, usually before dinner, guests can enjoy complimentary drinks and canapes.

We enjoyed toasting the start and end of our sailing with fellow guests and the wonderful crew.

I do have to say the bar team made a fabulous Cosmopolitan.

Two evenings during our sailing some local entertainment came aboard. Nubian dancers wowed us with their moves and fortunately/unfortunately for other guests, I was chosen to participate. It’s the risk of sitting at the front, but luckily it was great fun!

Another evening saw us enjoy some traditional Egyptian folk dance, Tanoura, where the spinning and outfits were extremely impressive.

I can’t talk about evening entertainment without mentioning our Egyptian galabeya evening. Whilst some guests chose to don the traditional Egyptian dress, it was not mandatory and after dinner we enjoyed some fun, light-hearted games in the lounge followed by us dancing the night away. Mr B and I had lots of fun on this night!

Deck 3

Some may say home to the most important venue on the ship . . . The Main Restaurant! I will be publishing a full review of the food onboard so please do have a read to see what delights we enjoyed for breakfast, lunch and dinner whilst sailing on AmaLilia.

The restaurant, I felt, was quite spacious and I liked that it offered guests a variety of tables.

We had the choice to enjoy a relaxing breakfast or romantic dinner for two on a table to ourselves and we also enjoyed sharing tables with our new friends, talking about the day’s adventures and enjoying swapping stories and laughter about our travels and different lives.

Deck 4

Up to deck four and here is the Chef’s Table, a restaurant where all guests are able to dine during their sailing, complimentary of course.

But please do ensure you book ahead. You are treated to an Egyptian dinner, or more like a feast! But do read my blog post on the food we enjoyed during our sailing to have a look at the menu.

Deck 5/Sundeck

Without doubt my favourite place on this beautiful ship was the sundeck.

Firstly, I loved the design, the colours, the furniture. To me, it oozed relaxation.

I really liked it had a variety of seating from tables and chairs, sofas and loungers.

It even had a cabana where Mr B and I enjoyed a few hours relaxing in the afternoon.

The pool was small, but perfectly formed. It was a welcome relief from the Egyptian sun and not only was it perfect for cooling off in, but to be in the pool and be looking out at the beautiful views when you are sailing down the Nile, it felt so special.

When we sailed after lunch and had a few hours before our afternoon excursions, I enjoyed lounging by the pool, reading a book and drinking a glass of white wine. It was pure bliss.

When we were sailing the uninterrupted views were just spectacular.

A bar on the sundeck is also available for guests to enjoy and is open in the evening for Sip & Sail.

One night after dinner Mr B and I enjoyed some relaxing drinks on the sundeck. There was not one other guest in sight as we sipped on limoncello, enjoyed the views, talked and savoured the moment.

Another form of ‘entertainment’ was the pirates. Local vendors never missed out on an opportunity to make a sale or hitch a ride!

They tied their small boats to the ship and would throw up what they were selling! Tablecloths, galabeyas, towels – if you liked what they were selling you have some fun negotiating a price and they will throw up another item in a bag for you to put your money in and throw it back down.

AmaLilia is a beautiful ship. For me, she is a true jewel on the Nile. But there is one thing that makes her extra special and that is the entire crew who work tirelessly and will go above and beyond to make sure you are happy and having a holiday of a lifetime.

Thank you AmaWaterways, AmaLilia and the wonderful Ama crew. I can’t imagine experiencing Egypt in any other way than with your organisation, passion and love.

https://www.amawaterways.com/uk/river-cruises/africa/nile