Semiramis III Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser with panoramic views, full-board dining, a sun deck, lounge bar, and shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Semiramis III Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
What lingers
- 01Five-star full-board cruising, with lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 02Sun deck with panoramic Nile views and a shaded lounge area for afternoon relaxation
- 03Onboard dining room serving buffet and set-menu meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- 04Shore-excursion program that includes Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 05Cabins in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes, many with Nile-facing windows or balconies
- 06Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation at those ports
02Overview
A first look
At dawn, the Nile moves quietly past the sun deck, with river reeds, passing villages, and the low call of birds replacing city noise. From a Nile-view balcony or panoramic window, the landscape changes gradually as the vessel sails between Luxor and Aswan, while the lounge bar and dining room give the day an easy rhythm.
Shore excursions bring you onto ancient stone at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae, with time to notice details that pass too quickly from a road vehicle. Semiramis III Nile Cruise sails weekly in both directions. We arrange your cabin, embarkation, and shore-excursion program through a licensed Egyptian tour operator, with our Egyptologists guiding the visits.
Background
The facts
Semiramis III is a five-star Nile cruise vessel used for sailings between Luxor and Aswan on the Nile River. The cruise program typically includes embarkation at Luxor or Aswan, with shore excursion calls at major Upper Egypt monuments such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These are among the best-known sites of Pharaonic and Greco-Roman Egypt, with Karnak and Luxor on the east bank and the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of Luxor.
The vessel offers full-board accommodation, meaning meals are served on board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Cabins are sold in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, with pricing based on per-person sharing; some cabin categories include Nile-facing windows or balconies. Public areas typically include a dining room, a lounge bar or public lounge, and a sun deck for views during sailing.
Weekly sailings run in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, which makes the vessel suitable for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with hotel-style accommodation on the river. Drinks (including water) are typically extra, and gratuities are not normally included unless specifically stated in the booking terms. The cruise is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, while the vessel itself is operated by the cruise line.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and older children who want a comfortable way to visit Upper Egypt’s major temple sites without changing hotels each night. It is especially appropriate for history-focused travelers, couples, and first-time visitors who prefer a guided, structured sailing rather than independent transport.
- Travelers who enjoy onboard relaxation between excursions will also find it suitable, since the public lounge and sun deck create downtime while sailing on the Nile.
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.
On board
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
On property
What's here
- Restaurant
- Gym
- Wi-Fi
- Concierge
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- ✓ 3/4/ or 7 nights’ Standard accommodation on full board basis
- ✓ All sightseeing tours with an English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- ✓ Meet & assist service upon arrival & departure
- ✓ All airport and port transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- ✓ Entrance fees to all listed attractions
- ✓ All service charges & taxes
- ✓ Small group tours (maximum 8 participants)
Not included
- ✘ Any additional meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary.
- ✘ Personal expenses, including laundry, minibar, and spa treatments.
- ✘ Tipping for guides, drivers, and cruise staff (optional but recommended).
- ✘ Travel insurance (strongly recommended).
- ✘ Visa fees and international airfare.
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and shore excursions require moderate physical effort, including repeated boarding via a gangway, walking on uneven ancient stone, and climbing temple steps. Expect cobbles, loose sand at archaeological sites, and stairs inside some tombs and temples without handrails. Most Nile cruisers have cabins accessed by one or two short staircases; a small number of vessels have a passenger lift, please ask at booking if a lift is essential. Wheelchair users with folding mobility chairs can usually be assisted aboard, however standard wheelchairs are not practical for many shore sites. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we will arrange meet-and-assist at the arrival airport and staff assistance for transfers, but please state mobility limitations when booking so we can confirm feasible shore-access options in writing.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses river-going motor vessels with diesel engines, and shore excursions rely on air-conditioned minibuses or local boats for short transfers at temple quays. We choose vessel partners who employ local Egyptian crew, source most provisioning in Luxor or Aswan, and contract local Egyptologists and guides from the communities where they work. Shore-excursion guides are paid locally, and ticket revenues support site maintenance via the official Egyptian Antiquities Ministry fee structure. We recommend travelers reduce single-use plastics by bringing a reusable water bottle. Where possible we book community-run craftspeople for onboard shopping demonstrations and encourage respectful behaviour at sensitive archaeological sites.
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
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and printed booking voucher
- Sunhat, sunglasses and SPF30+ sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes for uneven surfaces
- Lightweight reusable water bottle
- Small daypack for shore excursions
- Medication and basic first-aid items
- Copy of mobility or dietary needs if applicable
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light sweater for cooler evenings on deck
- Comfortable closed shoes for archaeological sites
- A sun-protective hat for deck time and ruins
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare, 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 onboard where there is level corridor access, but many shore sites have steps and uneven ground where a lightweight folding stroller is more feasible than a full-size pushchair. Please advise ages and any special needs at booking so we can confirm cabin bedding arrangements and onboard facilities.
Prices by sailing
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.
| Sailing | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $765single cabin $1,038triple cabin $757 | May – September: from $726single cabin $980triple cabin $718 | Peak dates: from $921single cabin $1,311triple cabin $913 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from $892single cabin $1,256triple cabin $881 | May – September: from $840single cabin $1,178triple cabin $829 | Peak dates: from $1,100single cabin $1,620triple cabin $1,089 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Fridays | October – April: from $1,269single cabin $1,906triple cabin $1,251 | May – September: from $1,178single cabin $1,770triple cabin $1,160 | Peak dates: from $1,633single cabin $2,543triple cabin $1,615 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,290single cabin $1,927triple cabin $1,272 | May – September: from $1,199single cabin $1,791triple cabin $1,181 | Peak dates: from $1,654single cabin $2,564triple cabin $1,636 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. Choose your sailing 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.
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.
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
Location
On the map
Product ID: CRU-NIL-589958
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