Luxury 5★ Oberoi Zahra
One of the finest boutique ships on the Nile — 27 suites, butler service, and private Egyptologist guiding on a 10-night voyage between Aswan and Luxor.
From $12,074 11 days / 10 nights
Discovery Tours Egypt · since 1988
Nile Cruises
Compare every ship class, route, and length — dahabiyas, 5-star ships, and boutique luxury vessels. Egyptologist-guided, all admissions included, fully customizable.
Cairo · Luxor · Aswan · Hurghada · Marsa Alam · Sharm El Sheikh · IATA accredited · Egypt travel specialists
DT Written by the Discovery Tours Egypt team — booking Nile cruises since 1988
Updated From $400 / 4 nights 
30+
Vessels we book
6
Egyptian offices
100k+
Travelers since 1988
4.9★
TripAdvisor rating
What is a Nile cruise
A Nile cruise sails the 200 km between Luxor and Aswan, mooring at Edfu — the best-preserved temple in Egypt — and Kom Ombo, the twin sanctuary of Sobek and Horus. Every motor cruise ship operating the Luxor–Aswan run is rated 5-star by the Egyptian Tourism Authority — tiers (Standard, Deluxe, Ultra-Deluxe, Luxury) sit within 5-star. Traditional dahabiyas (6–12 guests under canvas) are a separate vessel class. Discovery Tours Egypt has booked Nile cruises since 1988 from offices in Luxor and Aswan. We sail the same boats we sell.
Quick answer
The most popular Nile cruise is a 4-night sailing from Luxor to Aswan with stops at Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae temples. Every motor cruise ship is 5-star; tier sets the price. Expect $400–$700 on Standard 5-star, $800–$1,500 on Deluxe 5-star, $1,450–$2,500 on Ultra-Deluxe, $4,900+ on Luxury flagships, and $2,200–$3,800 on a private dahabiya. All admissions, guiding, and meals are included.
Featured ships
Our most-loved Nile cruise ships
Most-loved luxury ships
See all luxury ships → Luxury 5★ Luxury 5★ Sanctuary Sun Boat IV
A 36-suite small-ship luxury cruiser with a retractable glass roof, infinity pool, and dedicated Egyptologist. The closest thing to a private charter on a public schedule.
From $4,900 7 nights
Ultra-Deluxe 5★ Sonesta Sun Goddess
Award-winning 5-star ship with 51 cabins, rooftop pool, and nightly lectures. The most recognizable vessel on the Luxor–Aswan run.
From $2,200 4–8 days
Ultra-Deluxe 5★ MS Historia
A boutique 5-star cruiser with an art-deco interior, 51 cabins, and a sun deck that rivals ships twice its size. Popular with design-conscious travelers.
From $1,450 4 days / 3 nights
Authentic dahabiyas
See all dahabiyas →
Dahabiya Steigenberger Omar El Dahabiya
A traditional 12-cabin wooden dahabiya managed by the Steigenberger group — the ideal fusion of private sailing atmosphere and consistent 5-star service.
From $3,200 7 nights
Dahabiya Dahabiya Habeeba
Six-cabin private dahabiya — canvas sails, a sundeck for dinner under the stars, and moorings at El Kab and Gebel el-Silsila that big ships never reach.
From $2,800 7–8 nights
Best-value deluxe ships
See all deluxe ships →
Deluxe 5★ Mövenpick MS Royal Lotus
68-cabin deluxe ship with Mövenpick's signature dining, a pool deck, and one of the most reliable service records on the river.
From $1,100 4–7 nights
Standard 5★ Nile Premium
Clean, comfortable, and honestly priced — full board, Egyptologist guide, and all temple admissions on the classic Luxor–Aswan route. The smart choice for budget-conscious travelers.
From $520 4 days / 3 nights
Five vessel tiers
Browse by ship class
The Luxor–Aswan route runs the same temples from every deck. Your ship class shapes the atmosphere on board — cabin size, service ratio, dining, and pace.
Standard 5★
Entry-level 5-star fleet · from $400 / 4 nights
→
Deluxe 5★
Mövenpick · Sonesta · rooftop pool · from $1,100
→
Ultra-Deluxe 5★
Boutique 5-star · 36–60 cabins · from $1,450
→
Luxury 5★
Oberoi · Sanctuary Sun Boat · butler service
→
Dahabiya
Traditional sail, separate class · 6–12 guests
→
How long to sail
Browse by cruise length
3nights
3-Night Cruises
The essential temples — Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae — in a compact itinerary. Ideal for Red Sea extensions.
4nights
4-Night Cruises
The classic Luxor → Aswan route. Every major temple on the Nile in one week-friendly voyage.
7nights
7-Night Cruises
Round-trip or dahabiya full itinerary. Adds El Kab, Esna, and Gebel el-Silsila.
10nights
10-Night Voyages
Luxury ships into Lake Nasser — Abu Simbel by boat, Wadi El Seboua, and Amada temples.
The other Nile cruise
Lake Nasser — Aswan to Abu Simbel by boat
Most Nile cruises sail the 200 km of river between Luxor and Aswan. Lake Nasser cruises sail the 480 km of artificial lake the Aswan High Dam created, calling at the Nubian temples UNESCO relocated stone by stone in the 1960s — Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, Qasr Ibrim, and finally Abu Simbel at dawn. Only three ships work the lake: MS Eugenie, MS Kasr Ibrim, and MS Prince Abbas. Most returning Egypt travelers regard it as the more atmospheric of the two voyages.
The five Nubian stops, in sailing order
- 1 KalabshaTemple of Mandulis — relocated from below the High Dam, now perched on an island near Aswan.
- 2 Wadi El SebouaAvenue of sphinxes leading to a Ramesses II rock-cut sanctuary.
- 3 AmadaOldest standing temple in Nubia (Thutmose III, c. 1450 BCE).
- 4 Qasr IbrimThe only Nubian site never moved — viewed from the water, still atop its original cliff.
- 5 Abu SimbelArrival at dawn by boat, not by 6am charter flight — the great temple lit by the first sun on the lake.
The three Lake Nasser ships
MS Eugenie
Luxury · Lake Nasser
A 52-cabin colonial-era beauty — wood-panelled lounges, a top-deck pool overlooking Lake Nasser, and exclusive mooring rights at Qasr Ibrim. The flagship of the Lake Nasser fleet.
From $1,380 4 days / 3 nights
MS Kasr Ibrim
Luxury · Lake Nasser
Sister ship to the Eugenie — 65 cabins, Art Deco interiors, panoramic top deck. Sails the rarely-visited Nubian temples of Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, and Amada before arriving at Abu Simbel by dawn.
From $1,650 5 days / 4 nights
MS Prince Abbas
Ultra-deluxe · Lake Nasser
A 65-cabin Movenpick-managed ship with one of the largest sun decks on the lake. The most-booked vessel for travelers who want to arrive at Abu Simbel by boat at sunrise rather than by morning flight.
From $1,200 4 days / 3 nights
The route
Luxor to Aswan — the Nile cruise route
Almost every Nile cruise sails the 200 km between Luxor and Aswan. Five major temples lie along the route. Dahabiyas access two additional mooring sites the big ships bypass.
Fleet news · 2025–2026
What's just changed on the Nile
We inspect every ship our travelers sail. These are the refit and re-launch updates from the past six months.
Jan 2026
Sonesta Sun Goddess refurbished
Re-launched with refitted cabins and a new à-la-carte restaurant after a 6-week dry-dock.
Dec 2025
MS Historia art-deco refit complete
All 51 cabins refurbished; new spa and library deck added on the Luxor–Aswan route.
Nov 2025
Steigenberger Omar El Dahabiya re-flagged
Now operating year-round on the Luxor–Aswan run with the new Steigenberger crew.
Oct 2025
MS Eugenie returns to Lake Nasser
After major refit, the Eugenie is back on the Aswan–Abu Simbel schedule with refreshed top deck.
Compare all five tiers
Budget to Dahabiya — side by side
Every ship class sails the same temples on the same route. The table below compares what you get on board.
| Feature | Standard 5★ | Deluxe 5★ | Ultra-Deluxe 5★ | Luxury 5★ | Dahabiya |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star rating | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | Separate class |
| Per night from | $100 | $280 | $360 | $1,200+ | $400+ |
| Cabin size | 16–20 m² | 20–28 m² | 28–40 m² | 35–55 m² | 18–28 m² |
| Guests on board | 80–150 | 60–120 | 36–60 | 8–36 | 6–12 |
| Pool | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dining | Buffet | Buffet + grill | À-la-carte | Fine dining | Cook on request |
| Best for | First-timers, value-led | Comfort + reliability | Design-conscious | Couples, VIPs | Intimacy, repeat visitors |
Dahabiya vs cruise ship
The two ways to sail the Nile
Why a dahabiya?
Sail under canvas. Set your own pace.
A dahabiya carries 6–12 guests in private cabins on a traditional wooden sailing vessel. No engine noise under sail, no fixed schedule, no pool — but a sundeck for dinners under the stars, moorings at El Kab and Esna that the big ships bypass, and a level of personal attention that's simply not possible at 200-guest scale. Best for couples, repeat visitors, and anyone who'd rather feel the river than cross it off a checklist.
6–12 guests7–8 nightsFrom $2,200 ppSail under canvas
Browse dahabiyas →
Why a cruise ship?
Pool, pool deck, and every temple on four nights.
A 5-star motor cruiser carries 60–200 guests, departs on a fixed schedule (usually Monday and Friday from Luxor), and covers Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae in four nights. Pool, gym, nightly Egyptologist lectures, and a bar with an Egyptian wine list. The predictable schedule and full amenity set make it the right call for first-time Egypt travelers, families, and anyone who wants the temple circuit without expedition planning.
60–200 guests4 nightsFrom $800 ppPool + gym
Browse cruise ships →
Cruise or land tour?
Is a Nile cruise the right choice for you?
For first-time visitors to Egypt, a Nile cruise is almost always the most efficient way to see the great temples. Returning travelers, families with young children, or guests who want extended stays in particular towns may be better served by a land-based itinerary.
Choose a Nile cruise if…
- You want the temples in chronological order without daily hotel changes
- You'd rather unpack once and let the ship handle the logistics
- Sunset on the river and golden-hour sail-by views matter to you
- It's your first time in Egypt and you want the most efficient temple sweep
Choose a land-based tour if…
- You're a returning visitor focused on specific archaeology (workshops, tombs by appointment)
- You want more time in Cairo's museums or off-Nile sites (Saqqara, Dahshur, Western Desert)
- You travel with younger children who'd prefer a hotel pool to a cabin
- You'd like to extend stays in particular towns (Aswan, Luxor west bank villages)
Cruise + land packages
Pair your cruise with Egypt's best
A Nile cruise is the anchor of most Egypt itineraries. These three combinations are our most-booked add-ons — each gives you the cruise plus something the river can't.
Cruise + Cairo
4-night Nile cruise paired with 2 nights in Cairo — Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum before or after the river.
From $1,800 pp
View itineraries →
Cruise + Red Sea
4-night Nile cruise followed by 3–4 nights at Hurghada or Marsa Alam — temples, then reef. The complete Egypt vacation.
From $2,100 pp
View itineraries →
Cruise + Abu Simbel
3 or 4-night cruise with Abu Simbel included — either by early-morning flight from Aswan or, on 10-night voyages, by boat through Lake Nasser.
From $1,400 pp
View itineraries →
How to choose
Four decisions that narrow it down
01
Direction — which way to sail?
Luxor → Aswan is the most-booked direction: you start at the world's largest temple complex and finish near Abu Simbel and the Aswan airport. Aswan → Luxor reverses the sequence — Karnak is your finale instead of your opening act. Both visit identical temples; choose based on your flight connections.
02
Class — what tier fits your budget?
Budget ships start at $400 per person for 4 nights; luxury boutique ships run $4,900+. The temples are the same from any deck. Choose by how much time you plan to spend on board vs. at the monuments — if you're off the ship every morning, a budget cabin is a smart trade.
03
Duration — 3, 4, or 7 nights?
Three nights is the minimum to cover the key temples. Four nights is the sweet spot — every major monument without rushing. Seven nights suits dahabiyas and round-trip itineraries; you visit smaller temples the short cruises skip. Ten nights opens up Lake Nasser and Abu Simbel by boat.
04
Season — heat, peak, or value?
October–April is the comfortable season (20–30°C, peak fares). November and February are the sweet spots — gentle weather, not yet Christmas prices. May–September is hot (35–40°C) but 30–40% cheaper and the temples are quieter before 9 am. Ramadan timing shifts year to year — ask us.
How to book
Five steps to your Nile cruise
- 01
Shortlist 2–3 ships
Tell us your travel dates, budget tier, and whether you lean dahabiya or motor cruiser. We send a curated shortlist within 24 hours — not a catalog, a recommendation.
- 02
Pick direction and cabin
Choose Luxor → Aswan or Aswan → Luxor based on your flight connections. Select cabin category: standard, superior, junior suite, or suite. We advise on which deck is quietest.
- 03
Confirm dates and group
We check live availability and hold your cabin for 48 hours. Solo, couple, family, or group — we adjust pricing and confirm the exact embarkation logistics.
- 04
Add flights, hotels, and extras
Many guests combine the cruise with Cairo nights, a Red Sea extension, or Abu Simbel by flight. We build the full itinerary and issue a single, itemized quote.
- 05
We confirm and document
25% deposit confirms your booking. Full documentation — tickets, emergency contacts, Luxor and Aswan office numbers, tipping guide — is issued 30 days before sailing.
What's included
All admissions. All meals. All guiding.
Headline cabin price is the real price. Everything below is in your quote unless you specifically opt out.
Private cabin
Air-conditioned, en-suite, daily housekeeping
Full board
Breakfast · lunch · dinner · afternoon tea on board
All temple admissions
Karnak · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Philae + Valley of the Kings
Egyptologist guide
Credentialed, in-house — not a freelance coach guide
Airport/hotel transfers
Air-conditioned vehicles, Luxor and Aswan
Port fees
All embarkation and disembarkation taxes
On-board entertainment
Galabeya night · Nubian folkloric show
Wi-Fi on board
Satellite Wi-Fi on most 5-star and deluxe ships
Shore excursion vehicles
Private AC transport at every temple stop
Arrival assistance
Meet-and-greet from our Luxor or Aswan office
Bottled water daily
On board and on shore excursions throughout
Tipping guide
Printed guide at embarkation — not included in price
When to sail
Year-round on the Nile
October–April is peak sailing season — comfortable temperatures, full ships, higher fares. May–September is 30–40% cheaper and the temples are less crowded before 9 am.
Jan
23°C
Peak fares
Feb
26°C
Peak fares
Mar
30°C
Shoulder peak
Apr
33°C
Shoulder peak
May
37°C
Value
Jun
40°C
Best fares
Jul
41°C
Best fares
Aug
40°C
Best fares
Sep
37°C
Value
Oct
33°C
Peak fares
Nov
27°C
Peak fares
Dec
23°C
Holiday surcharge
Peak season — book early Shoulder Low season — best fares, very hot
Oct–Apr: Peak
The comfortable season — 20–30°C, low humidity. November and February are sweet-spot months: perfect weather without full Christmas pricing.
May–Sep: Value
35–40°C, but 30–40% cheaper fares. Mornings at the temples (before 9 am) are very manageable. Crowds are minimal.
Ramadan
Variable dates — check the year's calendar. Some temple sites adjust hours; the river remains fully operational. A unique atmosphere, worth it for cultural immersion.
Christmas/NY surcharge
The Christmas–New Year window typically carries a 20–35% premium. Book 9–12 months ahead to secure the ship and cabin you want.
What travelers ask first
Six questions before booking
Visa for Egypt
US passport holders get a visa on arrival ($25). E-visas available online 3–5 days ahead. We include full pre-trip documentation.
Read full guide →
Will I get seasick?
No — the Nile is a calm river. Motion is minimal even on a sailing dahabiya. Travelers who avoid sea cruises do fine on the Nile.
Read full guide →
Is there Wi-Fi on board?
Yes on all 5-star and deluxe ships — satellite Wi-Fi. Speed is modest; sufficient for messaging and email. Dahabiyas are typically offline.
Read full guide →
What to wear
Smart-casual evenings; covered shoulders and knees at temples. Swimwear on the sundeck. Galabeya night on most ships — costumes provided.
Read full guide →
Tipping etiquette
$5–8/night housekeeping · $5–10/dinner waiter · $10–15/day Egyptologist. We provide a printed tipping guide at embarkation.
Read full guide →
Single supplement
Most ships charge 50–75% single supplement on a private cabin. Some budget ships offer sole-occupancy at no supplement in low season — ask us.
Read full guide →
Why Discovery Tours Egypt
36 years on the Nile
30+
Vessels we book
6
Egyptian offices
100k+
Travelers since 1988
4.9★
TripAdvisor rating
Vessels we know personally
We don't book through OTA inventory. Every dahabiya we sell, every 5-star ship we recommend, every deluxe cabin we hold — our Luxor and Aswan office staff have walked the boat and met the captain. When we say a cabin is quiet, the engine room isn't next door.
30+ inspected vessels Direct operator relationships Cabin-by-cabin knowledge
Licensed Egyptologists on every sailing
Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Abu Simbel — every shore excursion runs with our in-house Egyptologist guides, not a freelance coach guide who reads off a card. They are Ministry-credentialed, speak your language, and adjust pace for kids, mobility, or weather.
Ministry-credentialed guides In-house (not freelance) Adjustable pace for families
24-hour support from six Egyptian offices
Cairo · Luxor · Aswan · Hurghada · Marsa Alam · Sharm El Sheikh. Two of our six offices sit on the cruise route — Luxor at the start, Aswan at the end. If your flight delays, our local team boards your cabin late. If a temple opens early on a hot day, our team rebooks. There is no foreign call center.
Luxor + Aswan offices on route 24/7 in-trip support Local authority to re-book
Traveler reviews · 4.9 ★ across 1,247 reviews
What recent Nile cruise travelers say
★★★★★
Booked the Sonesta Sun Goddess through Discovery Tours and would book again tomorrow. The Egyptologist guide — Ahmed — turned every temple into a story we still talk about. The handoff between Cairo and Luxor was seamless.
Margaret W.
Boston, MA ·
★★★★★
Did the 7-night Steigenberger dahabiya — 10 of us, single boat, sails up. The mooring at El Kab alone was worth the trip. Discovery Tours arranged a private guide who never left our side. Faultless.
James & Priscilla R.
Austin, TX ·
★★★★★
We added the Lake Nasser cruise on the back of the Luxor–Aswan run and it was the better of the two. Arriving at Abu Simbel by boat at sunrise is something every Egypt traveler should do.
Diane H.
Vancouver, BC ·
Responsible cruising
How we choose the ships we sell
Not every ship on the Nile is one we'd put a family member on. Our shortlist is built on four criteria — local employment, plastic policy, engine standards, and where the shore-excursion money lands.
👥
Local crew
Every ship we sell is staffed by Egyptian crew — captain, chef, guides, housekeeping. We do not work with operators who fly in expatriate management.
🌱
Plastic policy
Refillable water bottles on board and on shore excursions on all our 5-star and dahabiya partners. Single-use plastic bottles phased out by 2027.
⛽
Modern engines
Our shortlisted fleet uses post-2015 low-sulphur fuel standards. We avoid ships running the older heavy-fuel engines that previous operators tolerated.
🏘
Community spend
Shore excursions buy from local markets, craft cooperatives, and Nubian villages — not airport-zone bazaars built for tour-bus volume.
Accessibility
Traveling with reduced mobility
Tell us at inquiry stage and we'll match you to a ship and cabin that fits. We pre-screen every embarkation port and temple site for the specific mobility profile you describe.
- Step-free embarkationAll deluxe and ultra-deluxe ships have step-free gangways at Luxor and Aswan ports.
- Accessible cabinsMövenpick, Sonesta, and Sanctuary ships offer wheelchair-accessible cabins (book 90 days ahead).
- Temple-site mobilityEdfu and Kom Ombo are mostly flat; Karnak and Philae have ramps. Valley of the Kings requires some stair climbing — we advise per tomb.
- Lift access on boardAll ships in our 5-star and ultra-deluxe shortlist have passenger lifts between all decks except sundeck.
FAQ
Nile cruises — answered
- What is a Nile cruise? +
- A Nile cruise is a multi-night voyage aboard a purpose-built vessel sailing the 200 km stretch of the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan in southern Egypt. Ships moor overnight at Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan, with guided excursions to the temples at each stop. Vessels range from intimate 6-cabin dahabiyas sailing under canvas to 5-star motor cruisers carrying up to 200 guests.
- How long is a Nile cruise? +
- The most popular length is 4 nights — enough to cover every major temple from Luxor to Aswan without rushing. Three-night cruises are faster-paced and popular with travelers adding a Red Sea extension. Seven-night cruises are typically on dahabiyas and include smaller temples the short cruises bypass. Ten-night luxury voyages continue into Lake Nasser to reach Abu Simbel by boat.
- What is included in a Nile cruise? +
- All Discovery Tours Nile cruises include: private Egyptologist guide on every shore excursion, all temple and site admissions (Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae), full board on the ship (breakfast, lunch, dinner), air-conditioned transfers at every port, port fees, and 24/7 in-country support from our Luxor and Aswan offices. Flights, gratuities, beverages outside mealtimes, and Abu Simbel day trips are separate unless specified.
- How much does a Nile cruise cost? +
- Every Nile cruise ship is rated 5-star by the Egyptian Tourism Authority — pricing varies by tier within 5-star, not by star rating. Standard 5-star ships: from $400–$700 per person for 4 nights. Deluxe 5-star ships: from $1,100–$1,600. Ultra-deluxe 5-star: from $1,450–$2,500. Luxury flagships (Oberoi Zahra, Sanctuary Sun Boat): from $4,900+. Traditional dahabiyas (a separate vessel class, not star-rated): from $2,200–$3,800 per person for 7 nights. All prices are per person sharing, all-inclusive of board and admissions.
- Dahabiya or cruise ship — which is better? +
- A dahabiya (6–12 guests, traditional wooden sail vessel) is the best choice for couples, second-time visitors, and anyone who values atmosphere over amenities — no pool, but a private sundeck, intimate dinners, stops at temples the big ships skip, and a pace set by the wind and your preferences. A 5-star motor cruiser (100–200 guests) is better for first-timers who want a pool, a gym, and nightly lectures alongside the temple circuit.
- What is the best route direction — Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor? +
- Luxor → Aswan is the most-booked direction: you begin at the world's largest temple complex (Karnak) and end near Abu Simbel and the Aswan airport. Aswan → Luxor reverses the sequence — Karnak is your finale. Both directions visit identical temples. Choose based on your flight connections rather than any temple preference.
- When is the best time for a Nile cruise? +
- October through April is the comfortable season — 20–30°C on the river, low humidity. November and February are the sweet spots: not yet Christmas prices, and weather is ideal. May through September is hot (35–40°C) but 30–40% cheaper and the temples are quieter before 9 am. Book 6 months ahead for November, February, and the Christmas/New Year window.
- Can I combine a Nile cruise with Cairo? +
- Yes — and most first-time Egypt travelers do. The standard combination is 2 nights Cairo (Pyramids, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum) followed by a 4-night Nile cruise, then fly home from Aswan. We handle all internal flights, transfers, and guide continuity across Cairo and the Nile leg.
- Is a Nile cruise family-friendly? +
- Yes. Most 5-star cruise ships have family cabins, pools, and evening entertainment. Our Egyptologist guides pitch their temple narration to the age range in your group — hieroglyph workshops, treasure-hunt sheets, and story-led site introductions are standard for families with kids aged 6+. Dahabiyas are better suited to older teens and adults than young children (smaller spaces, no pool).
- Is there a single supplement on Nile cruises? +
- Most ships charge 50–75% single supplement for sole occupancy of a double cabin. Some Standard 5-star ships offer no-supplement single cabins in the low season (May–September). We always check current availability — ask us when you inquire.
- What is a round-trip Nile cruise? +
- A round-trip Nile cruise departs from Luxor, sails south to Aswan (or vice versa), then returns to the starting port. This format is common on 7-night dahabiya charters and some 7-night motor cruiser itineraries. It suits travelers flying in and out of the same city (Luxor or Aswan) or those who want to experience the Nile in both directions.
- How do I book a Nile cruise? +
- Send us your preferred travel dates, group size, and whether you lean dahabiya or motor cruiser. We reply within 24 hours with a curated shortlist — not a catalog. To confirm, a 25% deposit holds your cabin; balance is due 30 days before embarkation. Full documentation (boarding passes, emergency contacts, tipping guide) is issued at that time.
- What is a Lake Nasser cruise? +
- A Lake Nasser cruise is a 3- to 4-night voyage on the artificial lake created by the Aswan High Dam, sailing between Aswan and Abu Simbel. Unlike the classical Luxor–Aswan Nile river cruise, the Lake Nasser route visits the Nubian rescue temples that UNESCO relocated in the 1960s — Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, Qasr Ibrim, and finally Abu Simbel at dawn. Three ships work the lake: MS Eugenie, MS Kasr Ibrim, and MS Prince Abbas.
- Is a Nile cruise worth it? +
- Yes — for most first-time visitors to Egypt, a Nile cruise is the single most efficient way to see the country's great Pharaonic temples. You unpack once, sleep on the river, and let the boat handle the logistics between Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. The alternative — a multi-stop overland tour with daily hotel changes — costs more and reaches fewer temples in the same week.
- Are Nile cruises safe in 2026? +
- Yes. Nile cruise tourism has operated continuously since the 1960s and is among the most security-screened activities in Egypt. Every embarkation point has tourist police, every ship runs licensed Egyptologist guides, and the US State Department and UK Foreign Office travel advice for the Nile Valley remains unchanged from prior years. We monitor advisories daily and adjust itineraries if needed.
Ready to plan your Nile cruise?
Tell us your dates and group size. A specialist from our Luxor or Aswan office replies within 24 hours with a tailored cruise quote — dahabiya or motor cruiser, budget to boutique luxury.
Cairo · Luxor · Aswan · Hurghada · Marsa Alam · Sharm El Sheikh