Hurghada: Royal Luxury VIP Cruise to Orange Bay with Lunch

The big draw here is variety. In one long day, you sail to Orange Bay, snorkel at two Red Sea sites, eat a buffet lunch, enjoy a massage, and finish with a banana boat ride. It is less a quiet boat outing than a full activity day on the water.

I like the small-group feel and the attentive crew, especially for first-time snorkelers or anyone unsure about getting in the sea. I also like the excellent value: at $53 per person, the price covers transfers, equipment, food, drinks, snacks, marine fees, and several activities. The main drawback is time. This is a 510-minute day, often beginning early, and Orange Bay gets only about 75 minutes.

Key points to know

• Orange Bay comes early: Arriving near opening time can mean quieter sand and better photographs.
• Two snorkel stops: Small Giftun and Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī provide the main underwater experiences.
• Lunch is substantial: Expect fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, salads, bread, and fruit.
• A massage is included: This is a short onboard relaxation treat, not a spa appointment.
• Scuba can be added: The crew and instructors can offer an extra scuba experience on the day.
• The day suits active visitors: Mobility limitations may make the boat, transfers, and water activities difficult.

Why this Red Sea day works so well

I see this cruise as a good all-rounder for someone who wants to sample several Hurghada activities without booking separate tours. You get beach time, reef time, food, a little pampering, and a splash of amusement-park fun.

The cruise is not designed around one long stretch of free time. Instead, the schedule keeps moving from one stop to the next. That makes the day feel full, but it also means you should not book it expecting a slow, private yacht charter.

The boat is described as clean, spacious, and comfortable, with places to sit, eat, dry off, and watch the water. The crew keeps drinks and snacks available through the day, including fresh juice, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and local fruit. That matters on a long day in the sun, when buying refreshments separately can quickly add up.

Pickup from five Hurghada-area locations

Hotel pickup is offered in Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna. The drive to the marina takes about 30 minutes, followed by a roughly 45-minute cruise out onto the Red Sea.

Your pickup time and meeting point are sent the day before. You are asked to wait outside the hotel reception five minutes before the agreed time. That is a small detail, but it can prevent a stressful start, especially if your hotel has a large driveway or several entrances.

The return transfer follows the same general pattern, with drop-off back in El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Hurghada, Makadi Bay, or Safaga. The exact total time can feel longer than the advertised 510 minutes once hotel transfers are included, so keep your evening free.

The minibus has air conditioning. Bring a light jacket or hoodie if you are going in a cooler month or leaving early. The sea breeze may feel fresh at the start of the day, even when the afternoon is hot.

Orange Bay and the 75-minute island stop

Orange Bay is the first major stop. The island is known for pale sand, clear shallow water, and a relaxed beach setting that gives the day its postcard moment.

You have about 75 minutes here. That is enough time for a swim, photographs, and a little sitting on the beach, but not enough for a long, unhurried island visit. If Orange Bay is your main reason for booking, keep this limit in mind.

Arriving early can make a noticeable difference. Some departures reach the island near opening time, before it becomes crowded. That gives you a better chance of enjoying the beach with more space and taking clear photographs.

You may find drinks and snacks available on the island, but purchases there are not part of the included package. Bring cash for extras. The included food and drinks are served on the boat, so you do not need to buy anything on Orange Bay unless you want to.

Small Giftun: your first reef stop

After Orange Bay, the boat heads to the Small Giftun diving site for about 45 minutes of snorkeling. I use the term snorkeling here because that is included in the price. Scuba is an optional extra rather than part of the standard package.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment and life vests. Guides are in the water to help with safety and point out fish and coral. This is useful for beginners, especially if you are nervous about swimming in open water.

You should expect a supervised group activity rather than complete solitude. The guides may keep the group together and direct attention toward interesting fish or reef areas. That structure is reassuring for new snorkelers, though experienced swimmers may prefer more freedom.

Several people who were new to snorkeling found the staff patient and encouraging. One useful point is that you do not need to be a confident swimmer to take part, since the crew can offer help and life vests are provided. Still, tell the staff clearly if you cannot swim or feel uncomfortable. Safety support works best when the crew knows what you need.

Buffet lunch with the Red Sea around you

Lunch is served on the boat after the first water stop. The open buffet includes fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, four types of salad, bread, and local fruit.

The meal is more substantial than the usual light boat snack. You can also have fresh juice, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks throughout the day. The all-day refreshments are one of the reasons the price makes sense, particularly for families.

Food quality can vary slightly depending on timing and personal taste. Most accounts describe a good selection and plenty to eat, while one practical criticism was that some dishes were not as crisp as food cooked immediately onboard. Think of it as a hearty buffet rather than restaurant dining.

If you have allergies, tell the crew before serving yourself. The staff has been described as accommodating, but the supplied information does not promise a dedicated allergy menu. Taking a moment to explain your needs is sensible.

Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī and the second snorkel

The second snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes at Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī. Having two separate reef stops is a real strength of the day. If visibility or sea conditions are less favorable at one location, the second stop gives you another chance to see fish and coral.

The Red Sea is the star here. You may see colorful fish and a wide range of reef life. The program also notes the possibility of rays, sea turtles, sea angels, and dolphins, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Guides such as Ibrahim have been praised for taking time to point out unusual fish and explain what you are seeing. Staff names can vary by departure, but the crew generally includes snorkeling and scuba instructors who can help with equipment and water confidence.

Do not expect a guaranteed dolphin encounter or a private reef outing. Treat those sightings as a bonus. The reliable part is the chance to spend two separate sessions in clear Red Sea water with equipment and supervision included.

Optional scuba for a bigger underwater experience

Scuba is not included in the $53 base price, but it may be offered onboard for an additional fee. This can be convenient if you arrive planning only to snorkel and then decide you want to try a first scuba experience.

Several people used the onboard instructors for their first time and found the close support helpful. The crew may take time to work with beginners rather than rushing them through the activity. If you are interested, ask about the full cost and what the extra session includes before agreeing.

The standard package already gives you two snorkeling stops, so you do not need to pay extra to have a worthwhile day. Add scuba only if going below the surface is a personal priority.

Massage, banana boat, and the ride home

A massage for each person is included onboard. It is best understood as a pleasant short treatment while the boat is moving, not a full spa session with a private room and a long menu of options.

The massage adds a welcome pause between the more active parts of the day. If you do not want to take part in the water activities, you can spend more time relaxing on the boat, enjoying drinks, and using the massage as your main extra treat.

The final activity is a banana boat ride at Magawish Island, scheduled for about 45 minutes. The itinerary describes this as a banana boat stop, while guest accounts also refer to a large inflatable chair ride. Either way, expect a short, playful tow behind a boat rather than a serious water-sports session.

The ride back to the marina takes about 30 minutes, followed by the return van transfer. After two snorkel sessions, lunch, a beach stop, and water sports, you may be ready for the quiet ride home.

Crew service and languages

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Staff members are described as friendly, attentive, and willing to help with children, first-time snorkelers, and people who are nervous in the water.

Names mentioned during the experience include Andrew, Fox, Jaser, Salam, and Ibrahim, though the team on your departure may be different. Ibrahim is associated with snorkeling instruction, while other crew members handle guiding, food, water activities, and general care.

Guiding is available in Arabic, English, German, and Russian. Communication appears strongest in English on many departures, but the language options make this easier for mixed-language groups.

There was one account of a crew member speaking too sharply about entering the dining area while wet. That sounds like an isolated service problem, but it is worth remembering that boat rules can be firm around wet floors and food areas. Keep your towel accessible and follow crew instructions.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, and cash. You will need sun protection even on a breezy day, and the water stops can make you notice the sun less than you should.

A light layer is useful in winter or on early departures. The boat can feel cool while moving, then pleasantly breezy once the afternoon heat arrives.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a waterproof pouch if you want to protect your phone. The supplied information confirms equipment and life vests, but it does not promise a personal locker or dry storage.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding a boat, moving around wet decks, using a ladder or steps, and joining water activities may be difficult. If you have a health concern, check directly with the operator before booking.

Is $53 good value?

At $53 per person, this is strong value if you want a packed day. Hotel transfers, the cruise, marine fees, lunch, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, life vest, two reef stops, Orange Bay, a massage, and a water activity are all included.

You should compare it with your priorities. A private boat, longer island stay, or a quieter schedule will likely require a different kind of booking. This tour gives you more included extras, but less control over the pace.

The most important value comes from the food and drink package. You are not paying separately for every bottle of water, snack, or soft drink, and the buffet offers enough variety to serve as a proper midday meal.

Photography is separate. An onboard photographer may offer a package at an extra cost, and one price reported for photos was higher than the tour itself. You can take your own photographs, so do not feel obliged to buy the package.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this for first-time visitors to Hurghada who want to fit several Red Sea activities into one day. Families may appreciate the range of options, while solo visitors can rely on the crew and group structure to make the day feel welcoming.

It is also a good choice if you are unsure about snorkeling. The staff can help with equipment, life vests, and confidence in the water. You can skip an activity and relax onboard if you decide the sea is not for you.

I would hesitate if your ideal day is a quiet private cruise with long stretches on an empty beach. Orange Bay is beautiful, but the island visit is limited, and the schedule keeps moving.

Book this cruise if you want good value, strong crew support, and many included activities. Skip it if you want a slow island stay or need an accessible boat setup. For most active visitors based around Hurghada, this is a well-filled day with enough food, water time, and variety to justify the early start.

FAQ

How long does the Royal Luxury VIP Cruise take?

The activity lasts 510 minutes. This includes the boat program and scheduled transfers, though the exact day can feel longer depending on pickup and drop-off timing.

Where can hotel pickup and drop-off be arranged?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life vest are included, along with two boat snorkeling stops.

Is scuba included in the price?

No. The standard package includes snorkeling. Scuba may be available onboard for an additional fee.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, four kinds of salad, bread, and local fruit. Fresh juices, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are included throughout the day.

What languages are available?

Guiding is available in Arabic, English, German, and Russian.