Hurghada: Royal Luxury VIP Cruise to Orange Bay with Lunch

The best part of this full-day Red Sea cruise is the mix: Orange Bay’s pale sand, two reef stops, a buffet lunch, a massage, and a banana boat ride all fit into one well-packed day. You get more than a simple boat trip, but you should expect an early start and a long day.

I especially like the two separate snorkeling stops, which give you a better chance to see coral and fish in different waters. The all-day supply of soft drinks, hot drinks, juices, and snacks is another useful touch, especially in the Egyptian sun. The main drawback is time: Orange Bay gets about 75 minutes, and the whole outing lasts 510 minutes, or eight and a half hours.

Key points before you book

• Orange Bay comes early: Arriving near opening time can mean quieter sand and clearer room for photographs.
• Two reef stops are included: Snorkeling equipment, a life vest, and onboard guidance are provided.
• The food setup is generous: Expect fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, salads, bread, fruit, and drinks.
• A massage is included: Each person receives a massage during the cruise.
• Water sports finish the day: The banana boat ride at Magawish Island adds a short burst of fun.
• The boat day is long: Pickup can begin early, especially from resorts outside central Hurghada.

A long Red Sea day for $53

At $53 per person, this cruise offers a lot for the money. Your fee covers hotel transfers, marine fees, a guide, lunch, drinks, snacks, equipment, a life vest, two snorkeling stops, Orange Bay, a massage, and the banana boat ride.

You are not paying only for time on a yacht. You are also covering the practical extras that can quickly add up on a day at sea. The boat provides soft drinks, hot drinks, fresh juices, and snacks throughout the day, while lunch includes several hot dishes, salads, bread, fruit, and fish.

The value is strongest if you plan to use most of the activities. If you only want to sit in the sun and visit Orange Bay, a shorter island trip may suit you better. If you want swimming, reef viewing, a meal, a massage, and water sports without arranging each part separately, this is a strong package.

The schedule runs for 510 minutes, not counting the exact wait for your hotel pickup. Transfers are offered from Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna. A small-group format helps the day feel less crowded, though boat capacity and group size can still vary by departure.

Getting from your hotel to the marina

The day begins with a van transfer of about 30 minutes. You receive the pickup details one day before the trip, and the instructions ask you to wait five minutes before the agreed time outside your hotel reception.

That small timing rule matters. Resort roads and hotel entrances can be confusing, so be ready rather than searching for the vehicle at the last minute. Pickup and return are included, which saves you the hassle of arranging a taxi to the marina.

From the port, the first boat ride lasts about 45 minutes. This is your chance to settle in, find a comfortable place, and get used to the movement of the yacht. Bring a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and cash. A light jacket or hoodie is also sensible for the early ride, since the breeze can feel cool before the sun climbs higher.

The boat has been described as clean and spacious, with room for sitting, eating, and sunbathing. It is presented as a luxury yacht rather than a basic transfer boat, but expectations should remain practical: this is an active group day with several scheduled stops, not a private charter.

Orange Bay in its quiet morning hour

Orange Bay is the visual centerpiece. The island is known for pale sand and clear, shallow-looking water, giving it a relaxed beach feel that contrasts with the open sea.

You have about 75 minutes here. That is enough for a swim, photographs, and some time on the sand, but not enough for a slow half-day beach stay. If you want the best chance of a quieter visit, the early timing helps. Some departures reach the island as it opens, before the beach becomes busier.

This is also the easiest part of the day for anyone who does not want to snorkel. You can enjoy the island, sit in the sun, or take pictures while the more active part of the group makes the most of the water.

Bring cash if you want to buy anything on the island. Food and drinks there are not part of the all-inclusive boat service, and one account specifically found island cocktails expensive for what was served. You do not need to spend extra to enjoy the stop.

The short stay is the main limitation. If Orange Bay is your only priority, choose a tour built around a longer island visit. Here, the island is one piece of a much larger day.

Small Giftun brings the first reef stop

After Orange Bay, the yacht heads to the Small Giftun diving site for about 45 minutes of snorkeling. The provided equipment includes masks and other snorkeling gear, plus life vests.

You can expect the crew to help with the water activities. This is useful if you are a first-time snorkeler or are uneasy in the sea. One particularly helpful feature is the presence of snorkeling and scuba instructors. Ibrahim is one of the instructors associated with the operation, and his role includes pointing out unusual fish and reef life.

The Red Sea is the reason to book this excursion. The supplied information highlights colorful fish, coral reefs, rays, sea turtles, sea angels, and dolphins as possible sightings. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the two-stop format gives you more than one chance to see something special. Dolphins have appeared alongside the boat on some outings, while reef fish are a more realistic expectation.

Do not treat the snorkeling stop as a casual jump in and float around. The crew aims to guide you toward fish and coral, and you should follow their safety instructions. If you cannot swim, say so clearly before entering the water. The crew can provide a life vest and assistance, but you should still be comfortable with the activity before taking part.

Lunch with fish, kofta, and unlimited drinks

Lunch is served back on the boat and lasts about 45 minutes. The open buffet includes fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, four kinds of salad, bread, and three types of local fruit.

That is a more useful spread than the basic sandwich often served on a boat outing. You can go back for more, and the mix gives you choices if you do not want fish. Fresh juices, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are available throughout the day.

Food quality can vary with preparation and timing. One point to keep in mind is that the meal may not be cooked directly onboard, so some fried or crisp items may not arrive with a restaurant-style texture. Still, the range and quantity make lunch a real part of the day rather than an afterthought.

If you have a food allergy, tell the crew early. The service has been described as accommodating, but specific allergy arrangements are not listed, so clear communication is important.

A second reef stop at Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī

The second snorkeling session takes place at Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī and lasts about 45 minutes. Having two reef stops is one of the best features of the itinerary.

The second location breaks up the day and gives you another chance to see fish and coral if the first stop is less clear or less active. It also suits mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while cautious swimmers can stay close to the boat or use a life vest.

You may see rays, turtles, unusual fish, or dolphins, but these are possibilities rather than promises. Water clarity, weather, and wildlife movement change from day to day. The reliable part is the access to Red Sea reef areas with equipment and crew support included.

If snorkeling is the main reason you are booking, pay attention to the sea conditions on the day. The captain can make the ride smoother when conditions allow, but the ocean is still the ocean. People prone to seasickness should plan carefully and bring any personal remedy they normally use.

Massage and Magawish water sports

The cruise includes a massage for each person. It is a short relaxation break between the active stops and gives you something to enjoy even if you do not want to enter the water every time.

Do not expect a full spa treatment. Think of it as a pleasant onboard extra that helps the day feel less like a nonstop activity schedule. The massage is especially welcome after swimming, sitting in the sun, and moving around the boat.

The final activity is at Magawish Island, where you get a banana boat ride lasting about 45 minutes in the itinerary. This is the most playful part of the day, with a faster pace than the beach and snorkeling stops.

The water sports can be good fun, but the ride time may feel short because several people may share the activity. Safety instructions matter here, and you should tell the crew if you have any physical concern. The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and anyone with limited balance or difficulty getting in and out of the water should think carefully before booking.

The crew makes a real difference

The service is one of the strongest parts of this trip. Crew members named in connection with the operation include Andrew, Fox, Jaser, Salam, Ibrahim, and Bilal. Ibrahim is associated with snorkeling guidance, while Bilal has handled photography on some departures.

The crew speaks Arabic, English, German, and Russian. That range helps with safety instructions and makes it easier to ask for help. The staff also work with first-time snorkelers and people who are nervous in the water.

You may be offered photographs during the day. This service costs extra, and the price is not included in the $53 package. Ask for the price before agreeing, especially if you already have a phone that can take the pictures you want.

The crew’s friendly approach is valuable, but the occasional service issue is possible on any busy boat day. One account described a sharp exchange over entering the dining area while wet. The practical lesson is simple: follow the boat’s wet and dry-area rules, and ask where your towel is before you need it.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full Red Sea day with several activities and a clear price. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and first-time snorkelers who want staff support.

It also works for a mixed group. One person can snorkel, another can sunbathe, and another can enjoy the island, lunch, massage, or water sports. You do not have to take part in every activity.

You should think twice if you want a quiet private cruise, a long stay on Orange Bay, or a very relaxed schedule. The day is packed, the pickup may be early, and the return can be around the evening. One departure ran from about 6:40 a.m. to 6 p.m., so plan for a full day away from your hotel.

The boat and activities are not suited to people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around the yacht, swimming, and joining the banana boat require physical ease. A non-swimmer can receive support and use a life vest, but you should still be honest about your comfort level.

Practical details that help the day run smoothly

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the departure details for your date.

The tour offers a separate entrance for skip-the-line access where applicable. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from the five listed resort areas.

Pack the basics:

• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• A towel
• Cash for optional purchases
• A light layer for the early boat ride
• Any personal seasickness treatment you normally use

Keep your expectations realistic. Orange Bay is beautiful but brief. Wildlife sightings are possible but never guaranteed. The meal is generous and varied, though it may not have the crisp finish of food cooked to order. These are small tradeoffs for a day that includes transport, reef stops, food, drinks, a massage, and water sports.

Should you book the Royal Luxury VIP Cruise?

Yes, if you want a busy, good-value day on the Red Sea rather than a single-purpose island visit. The strongest reasons are the two snorkeling stops, supportive crew, clean spacious boat, included food and drinks, and the wide range of activities at $53.

Book a different outing if Orange Bay is your main goal and you want several hours there, or if you dislike long boat days. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see several sides of Hurghada’s sea in one outing. Arrive ready for an early start, use the life vest if needed, confirm any optional costs, and let the crew guide you through the water.

FAQ

How long does the Royal Luxury VIP Cruise last?

The activity lasts 510 minutes, or about eight and a half hours, not including any variation in hotel pickup timing.

Where does hotel pickup operate?

Pickup is available from Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Safaga, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna. Hotel drop-off is provided to the same five areas.

What is included in the lunch?

The open buffet includes fish, chicken, kofta, rice, pasta, oven vegetables, four kinds of salad, bread, and three types of local fruit.

Are drinks included throughout the day?

Yes. Fresh juices, soft drinks, hot drinks, and snacks are included throughout the day.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

The cruise includes two snorkeling stops, at the Small Giftun diving site and Jazīrat Abū Rimāthī. Snorkeling equipment and a life vest are provided.

Is the massage included in the price?

Yes. A massage for each person onboard is included.

Is scuba diving included?

The listed package includes snorkeling, but scuba sessions may be offered as an optional extra onboard. The additional cost is not specified.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A light jacket or hoodie can also help during the early boat ride, when the sea breeze may feel cool.