Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise
The short answer
Steigenberger Minerva is a 5-Star Ultra Deluxe 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 Thursday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Prices start at $1,522 per person sharing a double cabin, including full board, guided sightseeing and transfers.
02Overview
A first look
Morning light moves across the Nile as the Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise leaves Luxor, with riverbanks, palms, and village life passing beyond the panoramic windows. Between sailing days, the vessel brings you ashore to see Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings, while the sun deck, pool, and lounge bar give you space to slow down between visits.
Our licensed Egyptian tour operator arranges the booking, shore-excursion coordination, and support from our Egyptologists, with full board served from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast.
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 | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $1,522double cabinsingle cabin $2,259 | May – September: from $1,151double cabinsingle cabin $1,639 | Peak dates: from $1,600double cabinsingle cabin $2,419 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Thursdays | October – April: from $1,936double cabinsingle cabin $2,919 | May – September: from $1,442double cabinsingle cabin $2,092 | Peak dates: from $2,040double cabinsingle cabin $3,132 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Thursdays | October – April: from $3,172double cabinsingle cabin $4,892 | May – September: from $2,307double cabinsingle cabin $3,445 | Peak dates: from $3,354double cabinsingle cabin $5,265 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $3,191double cabinsingle cabin $4,911 | May – September: from $2,327double cabinsingle cabin $3,464 | Peak dates: from $3,373double cabinsingle cabin $5,284 |
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 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
- 01Sun deck with pool and rooftop-terrace, open for lounging while sailing on the Nile
- 02Lounge bar and indoor seating areas with panoramic windows for river views
- 03Cabins in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes, many with Nile-view balconies
- 04Shore-excursion program visits Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 05Full board dining from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast, with buffet and plated options
On property
What's here
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Wi-Fi
- Garden
- Rooftop terrace
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- ✓ 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 adult travelers and older children who are interested in ancient Egyptian history, river scenery, and a more relaxed pace than a land-only itinerary. It is a good fit for couples, small private groups, and first-time visitors who want guided monument visits with accommodation already organized.
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.
- Steigenberger Legacy Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From $1,522 per person
- Steigenberger Royale Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Aswan / Thu from Luxor
From $1,522 per person
- Steigenberger Regency Nile Cruise
5-Star Ultra Deluxe Nile cruise
Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat from Luxor
From $1,522 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
- Printed or mobile copy of your cruise booking and emergency contact
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip for temple sites
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, high SPF sunscreen
- Lightweight rain jacket or wind layer for early mornings
- Reusable water bottle and basic hand sanitizer
- Small day pack for shore excursions
- Any personal medication plus a copy of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for hot days
- Long trousers or long skirts and covered shoulders for temple and mosque visits
- A light sweater or jacket for cooler early mornings on deck
- Comfortable closed shoes for archaeological sites and stairs
- Swimwear for the sun deck pool (cover-up for indoor areas)
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, with a maximum of one child per cabin; two or more children require a separate cabin. Cots and rollaway beds depend on the cruise operator and cabin class, so we recommend advising us at booking if you need child bedding. Strollers are useful on the ship but may be awkward on some shore landings with steps; bring a compact stroller for cobbled areas.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel has multiple decks accessed by stairs and shallow gangways; expect steps and uneven surfaces when moving between deck levels and during shore excursions. Cabins are reached by corridor steps on some stairs; elevators are not guaranteed on every Nile cruiser, so please ask us if you require a cabin on a lower deck. Gangways and quay access at smaller landing stages can be narrow and may have a single step up or down. Shore visits often involve cobbled temple forecourts, stone stairways and sandy approaches. We arrange wheelchair-accessible transfers and can request mobility-assist equipment from local partners, but availability varies between cruise operators and ports. If you use a wheelchair, scooter, or have reduced mobility, tell us at booking so we can confirm which vessel, cabin and excursion options are feasible, and so a named representative meets you on arrival to assist.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We aim to minimise the trip's local environmental and social impact by using modern diesel-hybrid or low-emission coach transfers arranged with local suppliers, and by selecting vessels whose operators follow local waste-handling rules. On-board facilities such as laundry and kitchen run with municipal electricity where available; some vessels use on-board generators while sailing. We contract local Egyptologists and guides, pay entry and guiding fees locally, and buy provisioning from Luxor and Aswan suppliers to support the local economy. Crew and shore-staff are employed by the cruise operator; we choose partners with documented staff contracts and standard working hours. Where possible we encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles and to avoid single-use plastics, and we request that shore-excursion walking groups keep to defined paths at archaeological sites to limit wear on sensitive areas. If you have specific sustainability requirements, tell us at enquiry so we can confirm the current supplier practices for your sailing.
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-238574
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Thu in Luxor · Mon in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe
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