Meet the crew
Your Crew
The Heart of Magdalena
Behind every journey aboard the Magdalena is a carefully selected crew of 15 people, some working aboard the dahabeya itself and others upon the tugboat that quietly accompanies her journey along the Nile.
But for us, creating an exceptional crew has never been simply about finding people who know how to do their jobs well. It has been about finding the right people.
Through his lifetime of experience upon the Nile, Mohamed Yousef brought together something very special: a team of experienced professionals who are also genuinely kind, respectful and warm human beings. People who understand that beautiful hospitality is found not only in what we do for our guests, but in how we make them feel.
Our crew works together with a remarkable sense of harmony and teamwork. They are warm without becoming overly familiar, attentive without being intrusive, and always present without making guests feel watched or intimidated. Their service comes naturally, with kindness, dignity and genuine Egyptian hospitality.
Caring for Every Detail
At the heart of daily life aboard Magdalena is Mustafa, our Boat Manager, who oversees the guest experience and coordinates the entire crew, making sure that every element of the journey remains aligned with the high standard of service we wish to offer.
Our two housekeepers, Ahmed and Hussein, quietly care for Magdalena’s cabins and shared spaces, ensuring that everything remains beautifully presented and immaculately clean throughout the journey. Their attention to detail allows guests to return each day to a space that feels fresh, peaceful and cared for.
Our two barmen, Ahmed and Hamdi, look after our guests throughout the day, preparing wonderful hot drinks, cooling refreshments and freshly made juices — from the first morning coffee as the Nile awakens to a refreshing drink beneath the afternoon sun.
And then there is the kitchen — one of the beating hearts of Magdalena.
Chef Hossam, together with his assistant, creates the meals served aboard, bringing together beautiful ingredients, Egyptian flavours and international influences in food that is fresh, generous and prepared with great care.
Alongside him is Faris, our pastry and bakery chef, responsible for the sweeter side of life aboard Magdalena. From desserts and pastries to our own freshly prepared breads and croissants, much of what appears on our table is created right here aboard the boat.
In the Hands of Experienced Captains
Magdalena’s journey is entrusted to two highly experienced Nile captains, Mohamed and Ahmed — one at the helm of the dahabeya and the other responsible for the tugboat that accompanies and assists her when needed.
Both have spent many years navigating the Nile and carry the kind of knowledge that comes only through experience: an intimate familiarity with the river, its currents, winds, changing water levels and the particular conditions of sailing between Luxor and Aswan.
While our guests relax into the gentle rhythm of life aboard Magdalena, her captains and nautical crew are quietly taking care of the journey itself — allowing her to move safely and gracefully through the landscapes of the Nile.
A Crew That Stays Together
There is another part of our philosophy that guests may never see, but which we believe they can feel.
We invest significantly in keeping our crew together throughout the year, rather than assembling a changing team only when guests arrive. We believe that truly exceptional hospitality can only grow from stability. When people feel secure, respected and valued in their work, something changes. They have the space to care. They know one another. They understand each other’s rhythm. They become a team rather than simply a collection of employees. And this matters deeply to us.
The standard we want aboard Magdalena cannot be created through beautiful interiors alone. Luxury, for us, is also the quality of the human experience. It is entering your cabin and finding everything immaculate. It is someone remembering how you enjoy your morning coffee. It is a meal prepared with pride. It is receiving help before you need to ask for it. And it is feeling genuinely cared for while still having all the privacy and space you desire.
Mohamed somehow created a little magic when he brought these fifteen people together.
They know the Nile.
They know their work.
They know how to care for people.
But above all, they work together with something we value enormously aboard Magdalena: kindness, respect, stability and Love.
Because the spirit of Magdalena does not live only in her design, her stories or her sacred spaces. It lives in the people who care for her — and who, every day, care for you.
