Steigenberger Royale Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser with a sun deck, lounge bar, panoramic dining room, full-board dining, and Nile-view balcony cabins.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Steigenberger Royale Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
This 4-day, 3-night luxury Nile cruise aboard the Steigenberger Royale sails from Luxor to Aswan, full board with guided shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu and Kom Ombo. Discovery Tours Egypt operates from Cairo with five regional offices since 1988 and is licensed by ETAA.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-star Nile cruise cabins with en-suite bathrooms and attentive service.
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
- Discovery Tours Egypt operate from Cairo + 5 regional offices since 1988; licensed by ETAA.
- Full-board dining and guided shore excursions included in the itinerary.
- Licensed Egyptian guides accompany temple visits for historical context.
What lingers
- 01Five-star vessel with sun deck, lounge bar and panoramic dining room
- 02Cabin categories include Standard, Deluxe and Suite, some with Nile-view balconies
- 03Onboard shore-excursion program visits Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 04Full board dining from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast
- 05Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, suitable for combining with Nile-side stays
02Overview
A first look
As the Nile current carries the Steigenberger Royale Nile Cruise past date palms and limestone banks, the sun deck becomes a quiet place to watch village life unfold. Inside, panoramic windows frame the changing river while the dining room moves from Egyptian dishes to international favorites. Between sailing days, our Egyptologists guide you through moments such as the columns of Karnak, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, and Philae’s island setting, with time to return to the lounge bar or pool afterward.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, giving you flexibility when planning your Egypt trip. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange the booking, embarkation details, and shore-excursion program so your time aboard feels straightforward from the start.
Background
The facts
The Steigenberger Royale is a five-star Nile cruise vessel used on the Luxor–Aswan river corridor. It sails weekly in both directions and is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Embarkation and disembarkation are typically in Luxor or Aswan, with full board provided from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Public areas usually include a sun deck, a lounge bar, and a panoramic dining room. Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, with Nile-view windows or balconies available in selected cabins. As with most Nile vessels, the exact cabin size and view category can vary by deck and booking class.
The vessel’s shore excursion program generally includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple near Aswan, and the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of Luxor. These sites cover major Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, and temple complexes linked to the New Kingdom and later periods of Egyptian history. Standard entrance fees are typically included, while special tombs and pyramids interiors are excluded unless requested.
Named in this entry
Steigenberger Royale·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak·Valley of the Kings·Edfu Temple·Kom Ombo·Esna Lock·Nile River·Discovery Tours Egypt·ETAA
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and families who want a comfortable way to visit Upper Egypt’s major monuments without changing hotels every night. It is also a good fit for first-time visitors, history-focused travelers, and guests who prefer a structured guided program with onboard dining.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers needing full wheelchair accessibility–many sites have steps
- Those wanting intensive trekking or active adventure itineraries
- Guests uncomfortable with early-morning or hot-weather excursions
Worth knowing
How this compares
Versus longer 7-night cruises, this 4-day itinerary concentrates on the core Luxor–Aswan temple cluster, offering a compact schedule with more focused shore time at key sites.
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
- Gym
- Wi-Fi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Laundry
- Bar
- Business center
- Spa
- Rooftop terrace
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- ✓ 3/4/ or 7 nights’ Deluxe 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
- ✓ Complimentary bottle of water per person per day
- ✓ 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.
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Book a cabin with a large window or private balcony for Nile views.
- 02
Schedule Luxor's West Bank visits early morning to avoid midday heat and crowds.
- 03
Carry small local currency for temple donations, market purchases, and tipping crew.
- 04
Bring a lightweight scarf for temple visits; shoulders and knees should be covered.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The ship offers level cabin corridors, but gangways and some boarding ramps may be steep. Many temples and archaeological sites have uneven steps and rough stone; wheelchair users should advise Discovery Tours Egypt in advance to discuss arrangements.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Discovery Tours Egypt works with local suppliers and supports local guides and crew training. Onboard practices aim to minimise waste and promote respectful visits to 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 travel documents
- Local currency and a small day wallet for market purchases
- High-SPF sunscreen and a wide-brim hat
- Comfortable walking shoes and a small daypack
- Reusable water bottle and personal medications
- Copies of important documents stored separately
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime temple visits
- Modest cover for temples–shoulders and knees should be covered
- Comfortable closed shoes for uneven surfaces and short walks
- Smart-casual attire for evening dining areas
Children & families
Children are welcome; cabin-sharing and child rates vary by sailing. Please contact Discovery Tours Egypt for age restrictions, berthing arrangements and exact fare details.
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 $1,506single cabin $2,243 | May – September: from $941single cabin $1,331 | Peak dates: from $1,740single cabin $2,793 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Thursdays | October – April: from $1,880single cabin $2,862 | May – September: from $1,126single cabin $1,646 | Peak dates: from $2,192single cabin $3,596 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Thursdays | October – April: from $2,998single cabin $4,718 | May – September: from $1,679single cabin $2,589 | Peak dates: from $3,544single cabin $6,001 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $3,019single cabin $4,739 | May – September: from $1,700single cabin $2,610 | Peak dates: from $3,565single cabin $6,022 |
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
- More than 30 days
- 75% refund, or 100% as credit for future travel
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund, or 75% as credit
- 7–14 days
- 25% refund, or 50% as credit
- 2–6 days
- No refund; 25% as credit
- Under 48 hours or no-show
- No refund or credit
Notice is counted from your arrival in Egypt. Some vessels have their own terms; if yours does, we tell you before any payment is made.Read our full cancellation and refund policy
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Karnak Temple complex (Luxor)
- Luxor Temple on the Nile corniche
- Valley of the Kings (West Bank)
- Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
- Luxor Museum
Product ID: CRU-LUX-211352
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