Ruby 1 Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with graded cabins, panoramic windows, Nile-view balconies, full-board dining, and a sun deck lounge bar.
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Fri in Luxor · Mon in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Standard
The short answer
Ruby 1 is a 5-Star Standard Nile cruise ship. Embark in Aswan on a Monday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Friday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Prices start at $974 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
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 | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $974single cabin $1,364 | Peak dates: from $1,169single cabin $1,715 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from $1,198single cabin $1,718 | Peak dates: from $1,458single cabin $2,186 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Fridays | October – April: from $1,863single cabin $2,773 | Peak dates: from $2,318single cabin $3,592 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,884single cabin $2,794 | Peak dates: from $2,339single cabin $3,613 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. 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 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 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 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.
- 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.
02Overview
A first look
At Luxor's riverbank, the Nile moves quietly past the mooring while the city wakes behind you. From the sun deck, you can watch palm-lined banks slide by, then return to a lounge bar or dining room as the vessel continues toward Aswan. A Standard, Deluxe, or Suite cabin gives the sailing a private rhythm, with panoramic windows or a Nile-view balcony available in many categories.
Shore excursions bring the river into focus through temple courtyards, carved columns, and the Valley of the Kings' desert paths. Our Egyptologists explain what you are seeing without rushing the moment, and we arrange your embarkation, cabin booking, and shore-excursion schedule as a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
What lingers
- 01We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; an Egyptologist briefs guests onboard before Karnak and Luxor Temple visits.
- 02Unlike typical cruise-ship shore excursions, our Egyptologist joins shore visits and coordinates timings to reduce crowding at sites.
- 03We arrange private transfers between port and hotels in Luxor or Aswan to avoid public-taxi negotiation.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Twin/double cabin accommodation on board the vessel
- On-board use of public areas including sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Shore-excursion program as provided by the vessel
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Entrance fees to premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I
- Gratuities for Egyptologists, crew and local guides unless requested
- International and domestic flights, visas and travel insurance
- 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.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who want an organized way to see Upper Egypt’s key monuments without changing hotels every night. It is a good fit for couples, solo travelers, and adults who prefer a comfortable cabin, onboard dining, and guided shore excursions rather than independent travel logistics.
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.
- Tower Prestige Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard Nile cruise
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From $974 per person
- Jamila Nile Cruise
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From $974 per person
- Blue Shadow I Nile Cruise
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Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat 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
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport, visa if required, and a photocopy in your hand luggage
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes with grip for uneven stone and sand
- Sun protection: high SPF sunscreen, a wide-brim hat and UV sunglasses
- Lightweight day pack for water, camera and personal items
- Reusable water bottle for refills on board where possible
- Small flashlight or headlamp for uneven temple interiors and tombs
- Any personal medications, with copies of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable layers for hot days and cooler evenings
- Modest clothing for temples and mosques, covered shoulders and knees
- A light scarf or shawl for sun protection and temple entry if required
- Comfortable trousers or long skirts 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, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical for promenades and the vessel public areas but are not suitable for uneven temple terrain; many sites have steps that make pushchairs impractical. High chairs are not guaranteed on every vessel, so request one at booking and we will confirm availability with the assigned cruiser.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and shore excursions include uneven surfaces, steps, narrow gangways and cobbled or sandy ancient sites. Boarding typically involves a few steps between the dock and the vessel, and some cabins are reached by staircases; elevators are not guaranteed. Shore visits include stairs and steep ramps at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, plus uneven stone, loose gravel and sand underfoot. Wheelchair users can travel but should contact us before booking so we can check the specific vessel assignment and arrange portable ramps or alternative landing procedures where possible. Travelers who use mobility aids should be accompanied by a companion able to assist with transfers and steps. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we can provide detailed, site-by-site accessibility notes and recommend cabin grades with easier boarding where available.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange this Nile cruise with locally based, graded vessels that use diesel engines common to inland river cruising; many vessels have twin-engine configurations and standard fuel consumption for river navigation. Transfers to and from Luxor International Airport use late-model air-conditioned minibuses or sedans run by local drivers who are paid standard local wages. Shore excursions are delivered by Egyptian-licensed guides and small local businesses in Luxor and Aswan, so the tourist spend supports those communities directly. On board, single-use plastics are limited where the vessel can control provisioning. We encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles and to leave gratuities directly with guides and crew if they wish to reward service. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we monitor supplier practices and favor partners who employ local crews, offer fair pay, and hire Egyptologists from regional pools.
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
What you get back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your trip you tell us and the type of trip you book. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01
Standard site entrance fees and daily meals aboard are included in the published price unless the itinerary states otherwise. Drinks, personal expenses, and gratuities are also excluded unless the cruise notes otherwise–we state inclusions clearly on your booking confirmation.02How do I get to the ship on day one and where does the cruise end?
If your cruise starts in Luxor our driver meets you at Luxor airport or your hotel; in Aswan we meet at Aswan airport or the cruise jetty. Unlike shore excursions sold from hotels, cruise embarkation is time-specific–we send exact boarding times and final vouchers in advance.03Are meals and vegetarian options available on MS Ruby 1?
Tell us dietary needs at booking and we relay them to the onboard chef; specialty requests (gluten-free, severe allergies) are best confirmed 72 hours before embarkation. Kosher or certified halal meals require advance arrangement and may incur additional charges.04
Bring sun protection, light layers, comfortable walking shoes, and modest clothing for temple and mosque visits. Pack a hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, refillable water bottle, sunglasses, a small daypack, and closed shoes for uneven ancient stone. Carry prescription medication in your hand luggage and an international adapter (Egypt commonly uses Type C and F outlets).05Is the MS Ruby 1 suitable for travelers with limited mobility?
Many Nile vessels have steps, narrow gangways, and uneven stone at sites, so mobility limitations require advance discussion. We can suggest cabins near the main deck where available and arrange gentler shore options, but ships rarely have elevators or full wheelchair ramps. Sites such as Karnak and Luxor West Bank include stairs and cobbles; tell us mobility needs at booking so we can plan alternatives or a land-based program if needed.06
Gratuities for crew, guides, and drivers are usually not included and are expected by local staff unless stated otherwise. Cash in small bills (USD or Egyptian pounds) is widely accepted and appreciated.07Who operates and supports the MS Ruby 1 while I am in Egypt?
Discovery Tours Egypt operates MS Ruby 1 arrangements on the ground as a licensed Egyptian tour operator. We provide local drivers, Egyptologists, and on-the-ground support; we do not act as a remote reseller. If you want extras–private guide time, entrance upgrades, or pre-paid gratuities–we can arrange and invoice them before travel.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-082156
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