Steigenberger Royale Nile Cruise
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- 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.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
- Discovery Tours Egypt operate from Cairo + 5 regional offices since 1988; licensed by ETAA.
- Sails on the 5-star Steigenberger Royale, a recognized Nile cruise vessel.
- Full-board dining and guided shore excursions included in the itinerary.
- Licensed Egyptian guides accompany temple visits for historical context.
02Overview
A first look
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 programme 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 programme 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
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 programme 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
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
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
8 Days / 7 Nights · Luxor to Luxor
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $1,105 | $1,652 | $2,002 |
| Single Cabin | $2,527 | $4,496 | $5,809 |
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $794 | $1,107 | $1,307 |
| Single Cabin | $1,607 | $2,732 | $3,482 |
4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $690 | $924 | $1,074 |
| Single Cabin | $1,299 | $2,143 | $2,706 |
8 Days / 7 Nights · Aswan to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $1,118 | $1,665 | $2,015 |
| Single Cabin | $2,540 | $4,509 | $5,821 |
Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On property
What's here
- gym
- wifi
- non-smoking
- air-conditioning
- 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.
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.
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
– 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 local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
·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.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Last updated 17 May 2026Product ID: CRU-LUX-211352
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