Pirates Sailing Boat vs Elite VIP Cruise: Snorkeling Trip Comparison

Quick answer: If you want the atmosphere of a traditional wooden sailing ship and a relaxed, sociable day with two guided snorkeling stops, book the Pirates Sailing Boat. If you want a modern, spacious luxury boat with more snorkeling stops, more amenities, and equipment included, book the Elite VIP Cruise. Both include a full day of snorkeling and lunch — the difference is the boat itself and how much is built in.

Two boats, one goal: get you snorkeling the Red Sea

Both trips are full-day snorkeling excursions with lunch on board, and both are strong choices for confident swimmers. Where they differ is the vessel and what comes with it — worth knowing before you book, since the on-board experience is genuinely different.

Pirates Sailing Boat

The Pirates Sailing Boat is a twin-masted wooden sailing ship — a traditional vessel rather than a modern motor cruiser, which gives the day a different character: more rustic, more sociable, with the feel of an old-fashioned sailing trip. It stops at two snorkeling sites with a guide.

What's included: an open buffet lunch (seafood soup, fresh salads, rice, pasta, shrimp, calamari, fish, chicken, kofta, and seasonal fruit), soft drinks, and a snorkel guide. What's not included: transfer, personal snorkeling equipment, and national park fees.

This is the trip for:

• Travelers who like the character of a traditional sailing ship over a modern motorboat
• Groups who want a sociable, relaxed atmosphere on deck
• Confident swimmers happy to bring or rent their own snorkeling gear
• Anyone who prefers two unhurried snorkeling stops over a packed schedule

Elite VIP Cruise

The Elite VIP Cruise is a four-deck luxury motor boat — an open sun deck, a shaded mid-deck, and two air-conditioned salons — built for space and comfort. It stops at three snorkeling sites with a guide, and life jackets are available for less confident swimmers.

What's included: an open buffet lunch (soups, salads, sides, BBQ chicken and Egyptian kofta, or grilled shrimp and fish), soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, a snorkel guide, and wifi on board. What's not included: transfer and national park fees.

This is the trip for:

• Travelers who want a modern, spacious boat with air-conditioned indoor space
• Groups who'd rather have snorkeling equipment included than rent or bring their own
• Anyone who wants more snorkeling stops in the day
• Guests who want to stay connected on board, or who feel more comfortable knowing life jackets are available

Pirates vs Elite VIP: side-by-side

Can you do both?

Yes — and if you're a strong swimmer who enjoys snorkeling, doing one on an earlier day and the other later in your stay is a good way to compare the Red Sea's reef sites from two different boats rather than choosing just one experience.

Book your Hurghada trip

• Pirates Sailing Boat — Hurghada
• Elite VIP Cruise — Hurghada
• Nefertari Cruise — Hurghada
• Royal Seascope Submarine — Hurghada

Check each trip page for current inclusions and availability before booking.