Royal Lily Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic cabin windows, a rooftop sun deck, full-board dining, and an Egyptian folkloric show onboard.
The short answer
Royal Lily is a 5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise ship. Embark in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Prices start at $1,483 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
At sunrise, the Nile slips past the sun deck in long bands of copper and green, while the riverbank villages come into view beyond your panoramic cabin window. Between sailings, the vessel becomes a calm base for seeing Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan, with time to listen to onboard Egyptian music, dine in the restaurant, or watch the temples approach from the lounge bar.
We arrange your embarkation, shore-excursion program, and local support with a licensed Egyptian tour operator, while our Egyptologists explain the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Philae Temple in clear, practical detail.
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. Embarkation days and prices are in the table below.
Cruise lengths, embarkation days and prices
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the whole cruise, the guided sightseeing program along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the ship and the local airport or train station.
| Cruise | October – Aprilcurrent season |
|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Fridays | October – April: from $1,483double cabinsingle cabin $2,193 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,884double cabinsingle cabin $2,831 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $3,081double cabinsingle cabin $4,737 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from $3,100double cabinsingle cabin $4,756 |
Choose your cruise and date in the booking panel for the exact price.
Cabin allocation
- Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
- Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
- Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
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.
The ship
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise ship
- Cabins
- 2
What lingers
- 01Board at the Aswan Nile quay and visit the Aswan High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk with an Egyptologist.
- 02Walk the granite causeway to Philae and tour the Temple of Isis with commentary on relocation history.
- 03Moor at Kom Ombo for a guided tour of the double temple to Sobek and Haroeris and its surgical offerings.
- 04Overnight mooring at Edfu provides a morning visit to the Temple of Horus, avoiding the midday heat and crowds.
- 05Coach transfers to Luxor’s West Bank deliver guided visits to the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple.
- 06See the Colossi of Memnon and explore Karnak’s Hypostyle Hall with measured explanations of pylons, courts and reliefs.
- 07Disembark at the Luxor quay following an afternoon visit to Luxor Temple, with transfers to hotels or airport.
On property
What's here
- Air-conditioned cabins with Nile-view picture windows
- Rooftop sun deck
- Onboard restaurant (full-board dining)
- Panoramic lounge bar
- Onboard entertainment (Egyptian folkloric show)
- Guided shore excursions to headline temples
- Roundtrip hotel transfers within city limits where offered
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
- Hotel pickup
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- All guided sightseeing tours as per the itinerary
- Professional Egyptologist guide
- Full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- All transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Entrance fees to all scheduled attractions
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off (as per itinerary)
Not included
- Entrance fees to archaeological sites or museums (unless explicitly specified for a given itinerary).
- Optional land excursions or supplementary guided tours.
- International or domestic flights.
- Pre- or post-cruise overnight accommodation.
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, drinks, laundry, telephone, internet).
- Gratuities for crew, guides and drivers.
- Travel insurance.
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
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
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.
- Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,483 per person
- Steigenberger Legacy Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,522 per person
- Steigenberger Royale Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Aswan / Thu from Luxor
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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
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- English
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and photocopy
- Sun hat or cap and high SPF sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Lightweight layers for hot days and cooler evenings
- Small daypack for shore excursions
- Reusable water bottle for refill stations
- Basic medications and motion-sickness remedies
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime
- Shawl or scarf and covered shoulders for temples and mosques
- Long trousers or skirts for evening visits to religious sites
- A light jacket for cooler early mornings and evenings
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children 12 years and older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin; two or more children require a separate cabin. Strollers are practical on the vessel but may be difficult at some shore sites because of steps and uneven surfaces. High chairs are available on request subject to supply by the cruise host; please request child equipment at time of booking so we can confirm availability.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise requires a moderate level of mobility. Embarkation and disembarkation use a gangway and may involve two to four steps, depending on river level. Onboard public areas include stairs between decks, and many cabins are accessed by steps; only a limited number of cabins are on the lower deck with step-free access. Shore excursions include uneven ancient stone, narrow tomb passages, and sand or loose gravel at some sites, notably Valley of the Kings and Kom Ombo. Wheelchair users should note that temples and archaeological sites generally have steps and limited ramp access; transfer launches from the cruiser to shore may not be wheelchair accessible. If you need assistance, we arrange meet-and-assist on arrival and can provide a helper where available, but we cannot guarantee full accessibility for every site. Please tell us about mobility needs at booking so we can advise which parts of the program are feasible and arrange appropriate support where possible.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel is a motorized Nile cruiser powered by diesel engines, typical for river navigation between Luxor and Aswan. For transfers and excursions we contract air-conditioned coaches owned by local companies licensed in Upper Egypt. We work with locally owned suppliers and pay local guides and crew directly to support the regional economy. Catering sources fresh produce from markets in Luxor and Aswan rather than importing from overseas, which reduces road transport miles. Onboard, single-use plastics are being reduced through refillable water stations and glass where possible; linen is exchanged on request to save water and detergent. Excursions are timed to avoid peak-site congestion when feasible, and entrance fees paid on-site contribute to Egyptian site conservation. If you have a specific sustainability concern, tell us at booking and we will share supplier details and options.
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
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-762309
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Luxor · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe
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