Ruby 1 Nile Cruise

The short answer

Ruby 1 Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• Luxury

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01 Four-day MS Ruby 1 Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, covering Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae.
• 02 We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; an Egyptologist briefs guests onboard before Karnak and Luxor Temple visits.
• 03 Unlike typical cruise-ship shore excursions, our Egyptologist joins shore visits and coordinates timings to reduce crowding at sites.
• 04 We arrange private transfers between port and hotels in Luxor or Aswan to avoid public-taxi negotiation.
• 05 Standard four-day itinerary requires early starts and walking on uneven stone surfaces at Luxor West Bank; bring sturdy shoes.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01 What is included in the price for the MS Ruby 1 4-day Nile cruise?

   Standard site entrance fees and daily meals aboard are included in the published price unless the itinerary states otherwise. Pyramid interiors (Khufu, Khafre) and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) are normally excluded unless you request them; we can pre-book these at extra cost. Drinks, personal expenses, and gratuities are also excluded unless the cruise notes otherwise–we state inclusions clearly on your booking confirmation.
2. 02 How do I get to the ship on day one and where does the cruise end?

   Arrival and departure ports vary; most 4-day Nile cruises embark or disembark in Luxor or Aswan. 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.
3. 03 Are meals and vegetarian options available on MS Ruby 1?

   Full-board meals are standard on 4-day Nile cruises; most ships provide vegetarian and light-diet options when informed in advance. 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.
4. 04 What should I pack for a 4-day Nile cruise?

   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).
5. 05 Is 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.
6. 06 What are typical gratuity expectations on a 4-day Nile cruise?

   Gratuities for crew, guides, and drivers are usually not included and are expected by local staff unless stated otherwise. A practical guideline is roughly US$5–10 per passenger per day for the crew and about US$10–20 total for your Egyptologist guide during the cruise; we can pre-collect tips if you prefer. Cash in small bills (USD or Egyptian pounds) is widely accepted and appreciated.
7. 07 Who 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.

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