The Eugenie was proudly named to evoke an historic event in Egypt's recent past: the grand opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, attended by the crown heads of Europe including the Empress Eugenie of Austria. The completion of the Suez Canal marked Egypt's passage into modernity, and a new era of international trade and interaction.

Likewise the Eugenie, the first ship to sail Lake Nasser, launched a new era of tourism, offering travelers fresh vistas of Egypt's natural beauty and archeological treasures. Lake Nasser extended the boundaries of Egypt's touristic possibilities, while the Eugenie reminds us of this ancient country's endless capacity for renewal.

The M.S. Eugenie was constructed in 1993 in the style of a turn-of-the-century Nile steamship. It is 74 meters long (242 feet), with just 52 cabins for maximum comfort, and two luxurious suites. Each cabin has an ensuite bathroom with shower, washbasin, w.c. and hairdryer. Cabins are approximately 21 square meters (or 228 square feet).