Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with private Nile-view balconies, panoramic windows, a sun deck pool, lounge bar, and full-board dining.
The short answer
Sonesta Star Goddess is a 5-Star Luxury Nile cruise ship. Embark in Aswan on a Wednesday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Saturday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Prices start at $1,834 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile carries the low hum of the vessel past date palms, sand-colored villages, and fields bright with irrigation water. From a private Nile-view balcony, you can watch the riverbank change slowly while the ship moves between quiet stretches of sailing and shore visits.
The rhythm is unhurried: a shaded hour on the sun deck, lunch in the dining room, then an evening drink in the lounge bar as the river darkens beyond the panoramic windows. We arrange the cabin, shore excursions, and onboard details with a licensed Egyptian tour operator, while our Egyptologists guide you ashore and keep each visit clear and well paced.
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 |
|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from $1,834double cabinsingle cabin $2,789 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from $2,352double cabinsingle cabin $3,626 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from $3,900double cabinsingle cabin $6,129 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from $3,919double cabinsingle cabin $6,149 |
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
- 01Spacious suites with private Nile-view balconies and panoramic windows
- 02Sun deck with loungers and a pool for daytime relaxation
- 03Lounge bar and indoor seating for evening socialising
- 04Onboard dining room serving full board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast
- 05Shore-excursion program visiting Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- ✓ Accommodation onboard Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise Luxury (full board)
- ✓ 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
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 travelers who want a comfortable, guided way to see Upper Egypt’s major monuments without changing hotels every night. It is a good fit for couples, solo travelers, and small groups who prefer a slower pace, onboard dining, and private cabin space with a Nile-view balcony.
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.
- Esmeralda Nile Cruise
5-Star Luxury Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,873 per person
- Tulip Nile Cruise
5-Star Luxury Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,912 per person
- Jaz Regent Nile Cruise
5-Star Luxury Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,658 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
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport with at least six months validity
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a wide-brim hat
- Lightweight daypack for shore excursions
- Reusable water bottle and basic hydration salts
- Copies of travel documents and emergency contact list
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for hot days
- Layered evening wear for cooler nights on the deck
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed shoes for archaeological sites
- A compact waterproof or windproof jacket for sudden breezes
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 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, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be used on the quays and onshore where surfaces permit, but they are awkward on uneven temple approaches and cobbled streets. We can request a high chair with the cruise line, but availability varies by vessel and should be confirmed at booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This cruise requires moderate mobility, because embarking and disembarking use a gangway and there are steps between the quayside and the vessel. Onboard public areas and cabins are linked by corridors and stairs; some vessels have a small lift but many do not. Shore excursions include uneven ancient stone, steps at temple entrances, and soft sand in places, so expect standing and walking on irregular surfaces. Wheelchair users should contact us before booking so we can confirm whether the assigned vessel and the specific excursion sites can be accommodated. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange meet-and-assist at the airport and additional assistance where possible, but full independent wheelchair access cannot be guaranteed at all sites or on every Nile cruiser.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we work with locally based cruise lines, guides, and suppliers to keep revenue in the local economy. The vessel typically uses river diesel engines; where possible we select partners who maintain modern fuel-injection systems and follow recommended engine servicing schedules to limit fuel use and emissions. Onshore transport for excursions is provided by air-conditioned coaches owned by local operators; we ask these partners to follow regular maintenance and to use newer vehicles when available. Onboard practices we encourage include reducing single-use plastics, sorting recyclables where port services allow, and sourcing produce and provisions from local markets in Luxor and Aswan. For travelers who want to reduce their footprint we recommend bringing a refillable water bottle and declining daily bottled water when safe refill stations are available ashore.
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
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-884217
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Sat in Luxor · Wed in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Luxury
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