Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic windows, Nile-view cabins, a sun deck pool, full-board dining, and guided shore excursions.
The short answer
Sonesta Nile Goddess is a 5-Star 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 $1,073 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
At Luxor, the Nile moves quietly past palm-lined banks as light enters the Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise’s panoramic cabin windows. Between shore excursions, the sun deck gives you a place to watch villages, farmland, and passing feluccas slide by, with the lounge bar and dining room shaping the rhythm of the sailing.
Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, selects and arranges your cabin, cruise booking, and guided shore excursions before you travel.
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 | May – September |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Fridays | October – April: from $1,073double cabinsingle cabin $1,561 | May – September: from $956double cabinsingle cabin $1,346 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,338double cabinsingle cabin $1,988 | May – September: from $1,182double cabinsingle cabin $1,702 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $2,125double cabinsingle cabin $3,263 | May – September: from $1,852double cabinsingle cabin $2,762 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from $2,145double cabinsingle cabin $3,282 | May – September: from $1,872double cabinsingle cabin $2,782 |
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.
What lingers
- 01We don't run large group bus tours; shore excursions are private or small-group with our Egyptologist.
- 02Overnight moorings at Edfu and Kom Ombo allow two-hour temple visits after day boats depart.
- 03Guided excursions led by our Egyptologist at Karnak and Luxor West Bank; entry fees included unless stated.
- 04Private transfers, airport meet-and-greet, and full-board meals included; gratuities and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) excluded.
On property
What's here
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Gym
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Business center
- Laundry
- Bar
- Concierge
- Spa
- Rooftop terrace
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Accommodation in a deluxe cabin (grading by class available on request)
- Guided shore excursions with a local Egyptologist to the named sites
- Use of onboard facilities: sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room
- Port taxes and standard onboard service charges
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for crew and guides
- Flights, airport taxes and visas
- Optional extras such as hot-air balloon or private transfers
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
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time visitors to Egypt, history-focused travelers, and couples or small groups who want a guided Nile itinerary with comfortable onboard facilities. It is also suitable for adults and older children who can manage temple visits, stairs, and periodic coach transfers during shore excursions.
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.
- Royal Liberty Nile Cruise
5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat from Luxor
From $1,054 per person
- Jaz Crown Prince Nile Cruise
5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,054 per person
- Farida Nile Cruise
5-Star Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,054 per person
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 · French · German · Italian · Others
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and any necessary visas
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: wide-brim hat, sunglasses, high SPF sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Lightweight layers for cool mornings and evenings
- A small daypack for shore excursions
- Personal medications plus a basic first-aid kit
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for hot daytime temperatures
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings on deck
- Comfortable closed shoes for archaeological sites
- Swimwear for the sun deck pool (use poolside towels provided onboard)
Children & families
Children aged 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 flat, paved areas of ports and some promenades but are not practical on uneven archaeological sites or on gangways. Ships usually provide child-friendly meal options; high chairs and baby cots vary by vessel and must be requested in advance.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and shore excursions require moderate physical ability. Expect uneven stone surfaces, cobbles, and stepped entrances at Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Philae; some tombs involve narrow doorways and low ceilings. Embarkation and disembarkation include gangplanks with steps and handrails, not vehicle-level ramps. Onboard public areas have stairs between decks; some cabins require one or two steps to enter. Wheelchair users with limited mobility may be able to travel if they can manage transfers and steps with assistance; motorized wheelchairs and scooters are difficult to accommodate on the gangway and in some cabins. We arrange assistance on arrival and at ports when informed in advance, and our Egyptologists can adapt shore visits to reduce walking, but full step-free access cannot be guaranteed at archaeological sites. Please contact us with details of mobility needs before booking so we can discuss practical options.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we select cruise partners and local suppliers with proven local ties. The vessel sails on the Nile using standard river propulsion; we encourage suppliers to follow local waste segregation, sewage treatment and responsible fuel practices but we do not operate the ships. Shore excursions are led by local, licensed Egyptologists and we pay entrance and guide fees directly to the local suppliers, which supports local livelihoods. Catering staff, cleaners and crew are employed locally on most Nile cruisers; where possible we favour suppliers who source food from Egyptian farms and markets. If you would like specifics about fuel type, waste-management procedures, or local procurement for a particular sailing, we will request those details from the cruise company and share them before booking.
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
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01
Soft drinks, specialty beverages, and personal expenses are typically extra; we list exact inclusions on your booking confirmation.02
Some itineraries also include Philae and an overnight at Aswan; exact stops depend on the sailing schedule and Nile levels.03Is the MS Nile Goddess suitable for travelers with limited mobility?
MS Nile Goddess has multiple staircases and gangways that can limit accessibility for travelers with reduced mobility. Shore landings often require steps, uneven ancient stone, or small-boat transfers; many temple approaches are not wheelchair-friendly. We can usually arrange a lower-deck cabin and extra assistance, but please notify us at booking so we can confirm feasibility.04
Pack sun protection, a wide-brim hat, SPF sunscreen, sturdy walking shoes, and modest clothing for temple visits. Also bring passport photocopies, a refillable water bottle, light layers for cool mornings, motion-sickness remedies, and local-currency cash for tips and small purchases. Electrical sockets on many ships use types C and F; bring a universal adapter if you need to charge devices.05
Gratuities for ship crew and Egyptologist guides are not included unless the booking states otherwise; we can add a pre-paid gratuity option if you prefer. Premium entries such as the Tomb of Tutankhamun require timed tickets and extra fees, so we advise booking those in advance.06How do transfers and airport meet-and-greets work for MS Nile Goddess departures?
We meet you at Luxor airport with a name card and provide private transfer to the MS Nile Goddess. Luggage handling and embarkation are managed by our local team as a licensed Egyptian tour operator; early or late flights may require a supplement. If you need a hotel before or after the cruise, we can book it and coordinate pick-up and drop-off times.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-LUX-717354
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Luxor · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Deluxe
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