Moondance Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with a shaded sun deck, panoramic windows, full-board dining, and guided shore excursions.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Moondance Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile moves past the sun deck in muted greens and silver, while the riverbank wakes to bird calls and the low sound of village life. From the lounge bar, you can watch the landscape change between Luxor and Aswan, then step ashore with our Egyptologists to examine temples, tombs, and carved stone at a measured pace.
Back aboard Moondance Nile Cruise, shaded seating, the indoor saloon, and the dining room give the sailing days an easy rhythm. Cabins range from Standard to Suite, with panoramic windows and Nile-view balconies where available. We arrange the vessel, cabin class, and shore-excursion details through a licensed Egyptian tour operator, so your Egyptologist can focus on context while the practical arrangements are handled.
Background
The facts
Moondance Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel that sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Embarkation and disembarkation take place at the two end ports, and the cruise includes full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Cabins are offered in graded classes such as Standard, Deluxe, and Suite, with some categories featuring panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies.
The vessel’s public areas typically include a sun deck with shaded seating, a lounge bar, an indoor saloon, and a dining room. Meals are served as full board with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and drinks beyond water with meals are usually extra. On 5-star Nile vessels, afternoon tea is commonly included as part of the onboard service.
The shore-excursion program features major Upper Egypt monuments, including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple near Aswan, and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s west bank. These visits are arranged as guided shore excursions rather than fixed coach-only sightseeing. The itinerary combines sailing days on the Nile with monument visits at ports along the route.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise is suited to travelers who want a comfortable way to see Egypt’s major Nile Valley monuments without changing hotels repeatedly. It works well for couples, older travelers, and first-time visitors who prefer guided sightseeing and a cabin-based journey rather than long overland transfers.
What lingers
- 01Four-day MS Moondance cruise between Luxor and Aswan – daily navigation with planned shore visits to Luxor West Bank and Philae.
- 02Guided visits to Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings; standard site entrance fees are included unless stated otherwise.
- 03Overnight mooring at Edfu – we schedule two hours at Edfu Temple, unlike many cruises' 40-minute visits.
- 04Onboard amenities: air-conditioned cabins, sun deck for Nile views, and evening briefings by our Egyptologist.
- 05Private transfers between dock and hotels are included; your driver meets you on arrival with a name card.
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
Both directions
Where this ship sails
This vessel works more than one stretch of the river. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
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- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
8 Days / 7 Nights · Luxor to Luxor
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $1,081 | $1,309 | $1,536 |
| Triple Cabin | $908 | $1,060 | $1,212 |
| Single Cabin | $2,401 | $3,265 | $4,130 |
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $787 | $917 | $1,047 |
| Triple Cabin | $688 | $775 | $861 |
| Single Cabin | $1,541 | $2,035 | $2,529 |
4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $688 | $786 | $883 |
| Triple Cabin | $614 | $679 | $744 |
| Single Cabin | $1,254 | $1,624 | $1,995 |
8 Days / 7 Nights · Aswan to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $1,095 | $1,322 | $1,550 |
| Triple Cabin | $922 | $1,074 | $1,225 |
| Single Cabin | $2,414 | $3,279 | $4,143 |
Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On property
What's here
- gym
- spa
- concierge
- pool
- bar
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Accommodation in the booked cabin class on board the Moondance Nile Cruise
- Use of public areas on board including sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Standard shore excursions as offered by the vessel or local partners, arranged for you
Not included
- Drinks other than water with meals, unless expressly stated
- Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists unless pre-booked
- Optional premium shore excursions and entry fees not listed in the vessel's standard program (for example, pyramid interior, premium tombs)
- International flights, visas and personal travel insurance
Accessibility
Who can join this
The Moondance Nile Cruise involves boarding via the ship gangway, steps onto the vessel, and walking on uneven quayside surfaces at some ports. Onboard public areas are reached by single flights of stairs between decks; many cabins are accessed by stairs rather than lifts. Shore excursions include walking on paved temple forecourts, uneven ancient stone, and short sandy approaches at river landings. Wheelchair users with full mobility needs should contact us in advance, as standard cabins and most landing stages are not wheelchair-adapted; transfer assistance can be arranged but some sites require stair negotiation. Guests with limited mobility should notify us at booking so we can advise which shore excursions are practicable and request ground assistance where possible. Service animals are accepted with prior notice and documentation.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and a photocopy
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and sunglasses
- Lightweight hat and reusable water bottle
- Small daypack for excursions
- Any prescription medication in original packaging
- Plug adapter (Egypt uses type C and F sockets)
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime
- Long sleeves and long trousers or skirts for sun protection and temples
- Covered shoulders and modest dress for visits to religious sites
- A light layer for cooler evenings on the Nile
- Non-slip closed shoes for temple approaches and landings
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free when sharing a cabin with two paying adults; children 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children 12 years and above pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical for onboard corridors and quay promenades but may be difficult on uneven ancient stone at sites such as Karnak and Valley of the Kings; high chairs may be available in the dining room on request, please ask at booking.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses diesel-powered river vessels, typically modern Nile cruisers with twin-engine propulsion and stabilised hulls; we do not assign a specific ship until booking. Transfers to and from airports are usually in air-conditioned minibuses or sedans that meet Egyptian regulatory standards. We contract locally owned catering, guiding, and port services, paying suppliers directly to support local livelihoods. Shore excursions employ licensed Egyptologists and small, local boat operators at Philae and island landings, rather than large centralized suppliers. Onboard practices commonly include reduced single-use plastics for packaged water and coordinated linen reuse on request; guests can request water refill options to minimise plastic waste. If you wish to add a community visit or support a local social enterprise, tell us at booking so we can arrange vetted partners and direct contributions.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is included on the MS Moondance 4-day Nile cruise?
Meals on board, guided shore excursions, onboard crew, and transfers are normally included unless we state otherwise. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we provide a full inclusions list with your booking so there are no surprises. Standard site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors and premium tombs are excluded unless requested separately. International flights, visas, and personal travel insurance are not included.02Which sites does the 4-day Nile cruise visit?
Four-day Nile cruises typically operate between Luxor and Aswan; exact calls vary by departure and river conditions. Confirm the MS Moondance day-by-day itinerary with us and we will send a timed schedule before travel. We include local Egyptologists for guided visits rather than recorded commentary, and we can sometimes adjust shore time when feasible. Early starts, overnight moorings, and river navigation determine how long you have at Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, or Kom Ombo.03Are entrance fees and pyramid interior tickets included?
Standard site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors and premium tombs are excluded unless you book them separately. Specifically, Khufu interior access and the Tutankhamun and Seti I premium tombs require extra tickets and may need advance reservations. We can pre-purchase these tickets to avoid queues, but they add to the total cost and are subject to availability. Please tell us at booking if you want these extras.04What cabin types and amenities are aboard MS Moondance?
Cabin types and onboard amenities vary–please request the MS Moondance deck plan and current cabin inventory. Typical Nile cabins have en-suite bathrooms, climate control, built-in storage, and either windows or a private balcony; confirm specifics with us. Wi‑Fi coverage on the Nile is limited and often slow, so download maps and guides before boarding. We can request specific cabin positions (lower deck, forward, aft) subject to availability at booking.05Is tipping included on the cruise and how much should we budget?
Gratuities are normally not included; budget cash for crew, guides, and local staff unless you ask us to pre-collect. A common guideline is $5–10 per person per day for onboard crew, with separate tips for your Egyptologist and drivers; actual amounts vary by group size and service. Tipping in Egypt is mostly cash and often paid in Egyptian pounds. We can add a standard service-package to your invoice if you prefer to prepay gratuities.06Can travelers with limited mobility do the MS Moondance 4-day cruise?
Mobility limitations are possible but constrained–boats have steps, narrow gangways, and temple sites feature uneven stone and stairs. We can arrange ground-level transfers, private cars, and crew assistance where available, and we will request lower-deck cabins when offered. Many temples and the Valley of the Kings have uneven surfaces and limited ramps, so wheelchair access is not guaranteed. Tell us your exact needs at booking so we can assess feasibility and recommend adjustments.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Product ID: CRU-NIL-493814
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