Welcome on board our dahabiya MINYA (“Happy Bride”)!
The dahabiya MINYA was designed by Captain Mohammed Morsy and Johanna Marius and completed in 2021. It has space for 14 passengers, with six cabins and a suite.
We designed the elegantly appointed interiors with special attention to sourcing as many objects as possible from Egyptian producers – including bed linen, towels, tableware, carpets and rugs, lamps and creative design elements –
and we focused on involving women in the production chains.
Meals
Mealtimes depend on your sightseeing programme.
Lunch consists of vegetarian dishes; for dinner, our chef will prepare beef, chicken or fish dishes depending on availability.
Your captain shops every day and brings fresh fruit and vegetables from the market.
If you have specific dietary requests – e.g. if you are vegetarian or vegan – we naturally serve an extensive choice of delicious dishes.
Safety
We have taken every precaution for your safety. There are life jackets and a fire extinguisher in every cabin. The ship is equipped with lifebelts.
The MINYA Team
Can you see the old man in the back row (3rd from right), to the left of Captain Mohammed (centre, back row)? That is Abd El-Fatah, Captain Mohammed’s former sailing teacher. Now he accompanies the MINYA on its travels as a guiding and enriching presence, taking over if the captain has to leave the helm temporarily.
DAHABIYAS - LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE RIVER-GOING SAILING SHIPS
Dahabiyas, river-going sailing ships, were common in Egypt in the early 1900s when sophisticated travelers loved to cruise the Nile in comfort. They made their way down the Nile enjoying the river breeze. To this day the dahabiyas are popular among those who wish to enjoy Egypt at a leisurely pace, to take in the landscapes, view the ancient treasures and life on the riverbank.
Dahabiyas have experienced a revival in popularity.
The experience of sailing the Nile on a dahabiya fulfills dreams and is quite different from traveling on a floating hotel like a cruise ship. The dahabiya experience is a privilege both romantic and intimate. Feel the wind in your hair, float along, and the only sound you’ll hear is the wind in the sails and children laughing on the riverbank wishing you a happy journey.
WHY SAIL ON A DAHABIYA
DAHABIYA ``ABUNDANCE`` FLOORPLAN
Visualize yourself on board – which cabin would you choose?
- traditional sailing ship: no engine, generator. 35m long, 6,5m wide.
- tugboat on a 40m rope.
- 4 cabins à 12m2 twin beds, 90 cm wide, 2 m long, 2 windows, wardrobe; bathroom with shower and small tub.
- 1 suite à 22m2 double bed 1,55 m wide, 1,95 m long private balcony, 2 windows on each side, full-width glass doors, refrigerator, kettle; bathroom with shower and small tub 4,5m2, hair dryer
- shaded sun deck 200m2
- WiFi in all areas
- WiFi in all areas
- all required life jackets and fire extinguishers
- we use only locally grown fresh food, prime quality, water filters
- we create as little waste as possible; we separate rubbish and compost organic material
- we include women in our supply chain
