Royal Elite Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic windows, Nile-view balconies, shaded sun-deck seating, pool area, lounge bar, and full-board dining.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Royal Elite Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02Overview
A first look
At Luxor’s riverbank, the Nile moves quietly past lateen sails, palm shadows, and the warm stone of the embankment. From there, Royal Elite Nile Cruise gives the day a gentle rhythm: watch villages and sugarcane fields pass from the sun deck, read the river through a panoramic window, or settle into the lounge bar as the light changes.
Shore excursions bring the ancient landscape into focus, from temple courts to the Valley of the Kings, while sailing days leave room for conversation, photography, and unhurried meals. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. We select the cabin grade with you and arrange the cruise, port details, and licensed Egyptologists who explain what you see ashore.
Background
The facts
Royal Elite Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel used for sailings between Luxor and Aswan. The cruise program typically connects major Upper Egypt sites, with shore excursions to Karnak Temple Complex on the east bank of Luxor, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple on Agilkia Island near Aswan, and the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of Luxor.
The vessel offers Standard, Deluxe, and Suite cabin categories. Some cabins feature panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies, which are valued on river cruises because they provide direct views of the river while sailing between ports. Onboard facilities include a sun deck with shaded seating and an outdoor pool area, plus a lounge bar and a dedicated dining room.
Royal Elite Nile Cruise is sold on a full board basis, with lunch served on embarkation day and breakfast on disembarkation day. This means meals are included throughout the nights aboard, while drinks beyond standard meal service are usually additional. Pricing is typically per person sharing, with a single supplement applied for solo travelers.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, using the standard Nile cruise ports in each city. Because the cruise line determines the sailing schedule, embarkation and disembarkation may vary by week, but the excursion set normally remains centerd on the best-known temples and tomb sites along the Luxor-Aswan corridor.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who want a structured Nile experience with comfortable cabins, fixed sightseeing, and minimal logistics. It is especially relevant for couples, first-time Egypt visitors, and adults in the 30–70 age range who prefer guided historical travel rather than independent planning.
What lingers
- 01Four-day Nile itinerary between Aswan and Luxor – standard route visiting Kom Ombo and Edfu; daily guided excursions.
- 02Embarkation and disembarkation transfers included in port cities; we handle luggage and check-ins.
- 03Full-board meals served aboard; evenings are free to relax on deck or attend our brief historical talks.
- 04Unlike large coach tours, we avoid rushed 30‑minute stops; shore visits allocate adequate time at Karnak and Edfu.
- 05We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; local Egyptologists lead excursions and our Cairo office supports on-the-ground logistics.
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.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triple Cabin | $778 | $831 | $884 |
| Double Cabin | $877 | $956 | $1,036 |
| Single Cabin | $1,627 | $1,878 | $2,128 |
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triple Cabin | $614 | $644 | $674 |
| Double Cabin | $670 | $715 | $761 |
| Single Cabin | $1,099 | $1,242 | $1,385 |
4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triple Cabin | $558 | $581 | $604 |
| Double Cabin | $601 | $635 | $669 |
| Single Cabin | $922 | $1,030 | $1,137 |
8 Days / 7 Nights · Aswan to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triple Cabin | $792 | $845 | $898 |
| Double Cabin | $890 | $970 | $1,049 |
| Single Cabin | $1,641 | $1,891 | $2,141 |
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.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Accommodation in the chosen cabin grade on board the vessel
- Use of onboard facilities such as sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Shore excursion program as provided by the cruise line
Not included
- Drinks beyond water with meals, unless otherwise stated
- Gratuities and tipping for crew and guides
- International flights and airport taxes
- Visas and travel insurance
- Optional extras such as premium cabin upgrades, private transfers or speciality excursions
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and shore excursions include uneven stone, stepped temple entrances, narrow tomb passages and soft sand in places, so this cruise requires a moderate level of mobility. On board, the vessel has multiple staircases between decks; some cruisers have at least one elevator but availability varies by assigned ship. Shore excursions often require walking on cobblestones, temple stone, and descending into the Valley of the Kings via stairs and ramps; the tombs have low, uneven entrances and limited turning space. Wheelchair users should expect assisted boarding at the port only where local port ramps are available, and tactile or ramp access at archaeological sites is limited. If you use a mobility scooter or powerchair, contact us before booking so we can advise on the specific ship assignment and local transfer feasibility. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we will arrange meet-and-assist at the arrival airport and coordinate any reasonable on-the-ground adjustments, but we cannot guarantee full accessibility at all sites due to historic-site constraints.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and copy, plus emergency contact details
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: SPF 30+, wide-brim hat, sunglasses
- Light layers for cool mornings and air-conditioned interiors
- Reusable water bottle (refillable on many vessels)
- Small daypack for ashore excursions
- Medications, basic first-aid items, and hand sanitizer
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light sweater or jacket for evenings on deck
- Closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites and tomb visits
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children 12 years and above pay the full adult fare. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be used on board but are impractical at many shore sites because of uneven surfaces and steps; high chairs and baby cots depend on the assigned vessel and must be requested at booking.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses river diesel propulsion and air-conditioned coaches provided by local suppliers for transfers and excursions; vehicle age and emissions standards vary by assigned supplier. We work with Egyptian crew and local Egyptologists for shore programmes, and the vessel’s catering sources many fresh produce items from markets in Luxor and Aswan, supporting local vendors. On excursions we encourage small-group site visits to reduce crowding and we request that passengers follow site regulations about photography, litter, and touching monuments. Single-use plastic reduction practices depend on the assigned cruise line; on many five-star Nile cruisers refillable water stations are provided and afternoon tea is supplied in reusable service. If you have specific sustainability requirements, tell us at booking and we will request supplier practices in writing. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we prioritise suppliers who employ local staff and use local guides, which channels a portion of guest spend into the regional economy.
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 Royal Elite 4-day cruise?
The cruise price normally includes cabin accommodation, full-board meals, scheduled shore excursions, and embarkation/disembarkation transfers. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; always check your booking voucher for exact inclusions. Standard site entrance fees are included unless the itinerary states otherwise. Gratuities, pyramid interior tickets (Khufu/Khafre), and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) are normally excluded unless explicitly listed.02Are entrance fees and site tickets included with the cruise?
Standard site entrance fees are included unless your itinerary or voucher says otherwise. Pyramid interior access (Khufu/Khafre) and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I typically incur extra charges paid at the site. We will confirm which tickets are included when you book, and we can pre-purchase premium entries if you request them in advance.03How are airport and cruise transfers handled for MS Royal Elite guests?
We provide meet-and-greet and door-to-door transfers for scheduled embarkation and disembarkation. We don't run group bus tours; instead we arrange specific pick-ups tied to the cruise schedule and passenger flight information. Please send flight numbers and arrival times so we can adjust for delays; late or unscheduled arrivals may require an additional transfer charge.04Can you arrange a hotel night before or after the 4-day cruise?
Yes – we can arrange pre- or post-cruise hotel nights in Luxor or Aswan on request. Early embarkation or late disembarkation times can make a hotel night practical; we can also store luggage if your room isn't ready. Tell us your flight schedule so we can reserve the correct night and coordinate transfers to the MS Royal Elite.05Is there Wi‑Fi and electricity in the cabins on MS Royal Elite?
Egypt uses 220–240V mains; bring a compatible adapter and charger for cabin outlets. Ships commonly offer Wi‑Fi, but signal strength varies along the Nile and in port; expect intermittent connections during sailing. A power bank is useful for full-day excursions and early-morning photography.06What should I pack for a 4-day Nile cruise on MS Royal Elite?
Bring sun protection (hat, SPF 30+), comfortable walking shoes, lightweight layers, and necessary prescription medications. Temples and mosques require modest dress–cover shoulders and knees–so pack a light scarf or long sleeves. Also bring a refillable water bottle, photocopies of passport and visa, small daypack, and a small cash wallet for tips and local purchases; expect some walking on uneven stone and limited shade at midday.
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-895034
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