Alexander The Great Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic cabin windows, shaded sun-deck seating, full-board dining, and an onboard lounge bar.
The short answer
Alexander The Great is a 5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise ship. Embark in Aswan on a Wednesday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Saturday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Rates are on request: send us your dates for a live price.
02Overview
A first look
By late afternoon, the Nile turns copper beyond the sun deck, with feluccas cutting across the current and the riverbank sliding quietly past your cabin window. Between sailings, the lounge bar and dining room give the day an easy rhythm, while shaded seating lets you stay outside without missing the changing landscape.
Ashore, our qualified English-speaking Egyptologists bring context to Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Philae, then give you time to look, photograph and ask questions. We arrange the cabin category, shore-excursion program and onboard services, with full board from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation.
Routes
Where this ship sails
Each route this ship sails. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.
Cabin pricing
Rates on request
We don't have current published rates for this ship. Send us your dates and we'll come back with a live price for the cabin you want.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
Board at Luxor and enjoy lunch on board before visiting Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Explore the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then begin sailing south towards Edfu.
- 3
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the double temple at Kom Ombo, then sail on to Aswan.
- 4
Visit the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk. An optional flight or drive to Abu Simbel can be arranged.
- 5
A relaxed day at Aswan: sail by felucca around Elephantine Island and Kitchener’s Island, or visit a Nubian village, before the vessel turns north.
- 6
- 7
Arrive back at Luxor with time for any West Bank sites not yet seen, or relax on the sun deck as you moor for the final night.
- 8
After breakfast, disembark at Luxor for your onward transfer.
- 1
Board your Nile cruiser at Luxor and settle into your cabin over lunch. In the afternoon visit Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex of ancient Egypt, and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. The vessel then begins sailing south towards Edfu.
- 3
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt, then sail on to Kom Ombo and its double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris. Continue sailing to Aswan, where the ship moors for the night.
- 4
The ship lies moored at Aswan. Guests visiting Abu Simbel leave before dawn, by road or by air, for the two rock temples Ramesses II cut into the cliff, returning aboard around midday. The afternoon is at leisure on board.
- 5
After breakfast, disembark at Aswan. The morning then covers Aswan itself: the High Dam, the Temple of Isis at Philae reached by motor launch, and the granite Unfinished Obelisk, before your onward transfer.
- 1
Board your Nile cruiser at Aswan and enjoy lunch on board. Visit the High Dam, the Temple of Isis at Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
Sail north to Kom Ombo for its double temple of Sobek and Haroeris, then continue to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus. Sail on towards Luxor.
- 3
Reach Luxor and cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 4
After breakfast visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, then disembark for your onward transfer.
- 1
Board at Aswan and enjoy lunch on board, then visit the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
A relaxed day at Aswan by felucca around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Islands, or a Nubian village visit. An optional Abu Simbel excursion can be arranged.
- 3
Sail north to Kom Ombo for the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris, then Edfu for the Temple of Horus.
- 4
At Luxor, cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 5
Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, then the vessel begins its return sailing south.
- 6
- 7
Arrive back at Aswan with time to relax on board or take an optional excursion before your final night.
- 8
After breakfast, disembark at Aswan for your onward transfer.
What lingers
- 01Sun deck with shaded seating and panoramic Nile views for late-afternoon light
- 02Graded cabins: Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes with Nile-view windows or balconies where available
- 03On-board lounge bar and dining room serving full board meals, plus afternoon tea on most sailings
- 04Shore excursions led by qualified Egyptologists to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
- 05Visits to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with time ashore for temple exploration and photography
On property
What's here
- Restaurant
- Gym
- Bar
- Wi-Fi
- Spa
- Concierge
- Business center
- Parking
- Rooftop terrace
Bundled in
- Pool
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Spa
- Swimming pool (sun deck bar)
- Mini bar in cabins
- TV in cabins
- Soundproofed decks
- Lounge bar
- Library
- Boutique / jeweler shop
- Spa center and massage room
- Internet corner
- Laundry and dry cleaning
- Doctor available 24 hours
- Gift shop
- Ultra violet water treatment
- Meeting space
- Major credit cards accepted
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Shared shore excursions as listed in the vessel program, with English-speaking Egyptologist guiding on-site
- Accommodation in the booked cabin category with daily cabin service
- Port and harbour taxes where applicable
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- International and domestic flights, visas and travel insurance
- Premium tombs (for example Tutankhamun or Seti I) and other optional paid site extras
- Gratuities for ship crew, Egyptologists and local guides unless explicitly included
- Single supplement where applicable
Add before or after your cruise
The ship sails between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights home, are in Cairo. These short add-ons join the two.
After you dock
Aswan to Cairo flight and one hotel night
Two nights in Cairo with a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Tour
3-Day Luxor Tour from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Tour from Sharm El Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Tour from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Tour with Alexandria
Tailor it
Make it yours
The cruise can often be arranged in different cabin categories, from Standard to Suite, with Nile-view windows or balconies where available. Travelers may also request private arrangements, upgraded cabins, extended pre- or post-cruise stays in Luxor or Aswan, or additional sightseeing depending on availability.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who want a guided Nile journey with comfort-level accommodation, structured sightseeing, and minimal logistics. It is a strong fit for couples, solo travelers, and families with older children who are interested in ancient Egyptian history and temple visits.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-based Luxor-Aswan transfer, this cruise combines accommodation, meals, and sightseeing on the same Nile journey. Compared with independent travel, it provides pre-arranged shore excursions with an Egyptologist, which reduces planning and site-entry coordination. Compared with a short day visit, the vessel allows time to visit several major temple sites in sequence while staying on the river. The graded cabin options and full-board format also make it closer to a floating hotel experience than a simple sightseeing boat.
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest prices. Prices are per person, sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Salima Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,283 per person
- Nile Premium Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,302 per person
- Amwaj Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Aswan / Thu from Luxor
From $1,341 per person
The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Choose your direction
- Luxor → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Aswan → Luxor3 nightsdownstream, with the current
- Round-trip7 nightsreturn to Luxor or Aswan
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star River Vessel
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Full board meals · Accommodation in booked cabin category · English-speaking Egyptologist on shore excursions · Shared shore excursions as listed · Daily cabin service · Port and harbour taxes where applicable
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Families with older children · Travelers seeking guided sightseeing on the Nile
- Guide languages
- English
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and a printed booking voucher
- Sun protection: high SPF sunscreen, wide-brim hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip for uneven stone and steps
- Lightweight daypack for camera, water and a light layer
- Refillable water bottle (there are water stations on board)
- Small torch or phone torch for dim tomb interiors
- Any required medication in original packaging
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in natural fibres
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light jacket or shawl for cooler early mornings and evenings
- Non-slip closed shoes for temple stone surfaces
- A hat for sun protection while on the sun deck
Children & families
Minimum age for this cruise is 4 years, due to embarkation steps and shore-excursion logistics. Child fares are available for ages 4 to 11 at reduced rates when sharing a cabin with two adults; infants under 2 travel at a nominal infant rate but must occupy a parent s lap or bring a travel cot if the vessel can accommodate one. Strollers are not practical on board or at many temple sites; a lightweight carrier is more useful for shore visits. High chairs on board are limited and must be requested at booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This cruise involves boarding a river vessel with gangway steps and narrow doorways; passengers should be able to manage 4 to 10 steps when embarking and disembarking. Shore excursions include uneven temple causeways, stone steps at Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, and soft sand at Philae; some tombs require stooping and low-light walking. Wheelchairs are not practical for many temple approaches or interior tomb visits. The vessel has on-board corridors and cabins of varying widths, but accessible cabins are limited; please contact us before booking so we can confirm cabin layout and arrange assistance where feasible. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we will meet you on arrival to coordinate transfers and porterage, but do not promise full accessibility at all archaeological sites.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel uses diesel-powered river engines typical of Nile cruisers; on-board power is supplied by the ship's generators while moored and underway. Shore excursions are carried out in air-conditioned coaches that meet local emissions standards; we engage local coach companies and Egyptologists so payments support nearby businesses. Crew, catering and cleaning staff are employed locally and supplied through the vessel's Egyptian crew roster. Where possible, we encourage guests to use refillable water bottles to reduce single-use plastics. We do not claim formal environmental certification for the vessel; instead, we prioritise supplier relationships that offer transparent waste management and local employment benefits.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is included in the full board arrangement on the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?
Full board on the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise includes all meals, from lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) are typically an additional charge.02What shore excursions are part of the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise program?
The cruise program includes shared shore excursions to key sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, and Philae. These excursions are guided by an English-speaking Egyptologist.03What should I wear on the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise and during shore excursions?
For comfort on board, casual clothing is suitable. During shore excursions, light, breathable fabrics are recommended. When visiting temples and religious sites, modest dress is appropriate, covering shoulders and knees.04Is the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise suitable for families with children?
The Alexander The Great Nile Cruise can be suitable for families. Children often enjoy the experience of sailing on the Nile and visiting ancient sites. We recommend considering the activity level of the shore excursions for younger children.05What is the accessibility like on the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise and at the sites visited?
Access on board the vessel generally involves stairs between decks. Shore excursions may include walking on uneven ancient stone, sand, and some stairs at temple sites. Travelers with mobility concerns should contact us to discuss specific arrangements.06Are gratuities included in the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise package?
No, gratuities for the ship's crew, Egyptologists, and local guides are not included in the cruise package. It is customary to tip for good service, and we can provide guidance on appropriate amounts.07What kind of cabins are available on the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?
The Alexander The Great Nile Cruise offers graded cabins, typically including standard, deluxe, and suite categories. All cabins are designed for comfort, often featuring panoramic windows or balconies with Nile views.08What is the best time of year to take the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?
The most popular time for a Nile Cruise is from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, are hotter but offer fewer crowds.09What happens on embarkation and disembarkation days for the Alexander The Great Nile Cruise?
On embarkation day, you will board the vessel, typically in Luxor or Aswan, and enjoy lunch as your first included meal. Disembarkation occurs after breakfast on your final day, either in Luxor or Aswan, depending on your sailing direction.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-758050
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Sat in Luxor · Wed in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe
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