What you're actually paying for
The Standard tier, line by line.
- Cabin size (typical)
- 14–17 m²
- Decks
- 4 (cabins on 2)
- Balcony
- Standard cabins · French balcony
- Dining
- Buffet · open seating
- Crew-to-guest ratio
- ≈ 1 : 1.8
- Pool
- Yes · sun-deck plunge pool
- Best for
- First Egypt trip · families · groups
- From (per person)
- $650 · 4 nights / 5 days
“The temples don't get fancier when you pay more. The cabin does.”
Standard sailing rotation
How the schedule works on the Luxor–Aswan loop.
- Durations
- Every vessel on this page sails 4-night, 5-night, and 7-night variants of the same Luxor↔Aswan loop. The 4-night sees Edfu + Kom Ombo + Aswan temples; the 7-night adds a return cruise with more leisure time and (on most ships) a Dendera + Abydos extension.
- Embarkation days
- The most common rotation is Monday from Luxor and Friday from Aswan, but each vessel sets its own schedule – exact departure days are shown per ship below where confirmed. Cat-A and Ultra-Deluxe vessels often add a Saturday Luxor sailing in peak season (Oct–Apr); dahabiyas typically embark on Mondays from Esna.
- What's included
- Full board on every vessel, all temple admissions, Egyptologist guiding, transfers from/to Luxor or Aswan airport, and port fees. Tipping is not included – a printed guide is issued at embarkation.
In the fleet
5-Star Standard Nile cruisers (13).
Each vessel below sails the 4 / 5 / 7-night variants on the schedule above. Prices shown are the lead-in 4-night cabin; longer variants and balcony cabins are quoted on request.
-
A Sara Nile Cruise
Luxor → Aswan
A Sara is a Nile cruise operating between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Aswan. The route groups short, focused visits so you step ashore for temple quays and return to a calm river mooring each evening. Guided highlights include Kom Ombo's double temple, Edfu's Ptolemaic temple, and Luxor West Bank, where the Valley of the Kings sits alongside Hatshepsut's mortuary temple. An optional Abu Simbel transfer can be added on the Aswan leg. We run these cruises with very small groups, which keeps landings flexible and reduces time spent queuing at sites. Unlike mass-market overnight cruise programs, this itinerary pauses at Edfu and Kom Ombo long enough for proper visits. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologists lead the guided visits.
From · 4 nights $489 / pp
-
Grand Rose Nile Cruise
Aswan → Luxor
Grand Rose Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel offering full board accommodation and an onboard programme of shore excursions. The vessel has a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room and cabins graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite, some with Nile-view windows or balconies. The ship typically sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with days alternating between sailing and visits to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. We hand-pick this cruiser when clients want a classic, relaxed onboard atmosphere rather than a large, bar-focused boat.
From · 4 nights $555 / pp
-
Kleos Nile Cruise
Aswan → Luxor
MS Kleos is a four-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan with daily guided shore visits to major temples and tombs. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologists lead every scheduled visit. We arrange private transfers and Egyptologist-guided shore programs rather than audio-only ship excursions. Unlike many cruise-ship shore schedules that rush sites, our pacing gives fuller time at Karnak and on the Luxor West Bank. Expect early starts and substantial walking on uneven ancient stone; strong sun and limited shade are common at sites. Standard site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) are excluded unless requested. Abu Simbel flights, extra hotel nights, and gratuities can be added on request.
-
LA Sarah Nile Cruise
Aswan → LUXOR
LA Sarah Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, visiting Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank. Departures are Wednesdays from Aswan and Saturdays from Luxor. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologists lead all guided excursions, limited to eight guests. Full-board meals, private air-conditioned transfers, and the site entrance fees listed in the itinerary are included. The boat has panoramic windows, a sun deck, a small pool, and a lounge for evening music and folkloric shows. Unlike many mass-market cruises, our guided visits keep groups small and provide paced time at Edfu and Kom Ombo.
-
Princess Sarah II Nile Cruise
Aswan → LUXOR
Princess Sarah II is a Comfort-level Nile cruise operating between Aswan and Luxor, with 3- or 4-night itineraries. The cruise departs from Aswan on Wednesdays and from Luxor on Saturdays, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank. All guided excursions are led by our Egyptologists in small groups, maximum eight guests. Cabins have panoramic windows and private bathrooms, and public areas include a sun deck, swimming pool, gym, and a main dining room serving international cuisine. The price covers full-board accommodation, private air-conditioned transfers, entrance fees listed in the itinerary, meet-and-assist service, and one complimentary bottle of water per person per day. Unlike larger coach-based cruises, we prioritize slow, shore-based visits that let you spend adequate time at Edfu and Kom Ombo. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
-
Radamis II Nile Cruise
Aswan → LUXOR
Radamis II is a Nile cruise offering 3, 4, or 7 night sailings between Aswan and Luxor. It calls at Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank, depending on the chosen itinerary. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange meet-and-assist, private transfers, and guided excursions led by an English-speaking Egyptologist in small groups, maximum eight guests. Onboard facilities include panoramic-window cabins with individual air conditioning, mini bar, LCD TV, full-size bathtubs, a swimming pool, sun loungers, and a barbecue deck. The westbound option departs Aswan every Friday as a 4-day/3-night itinerary; the eastbound option departs Luxor every Monday as a 5-day/4-night itinerary. Optional excursions, for example Abu Simbel by private transfer or domestic flight, can be added for an extra fee.
-
Royal Esadora Nile Cruise
Aswan → LUXOR
Sail between Aswan and Luxor aboard Royal Esadora, visiting Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank. Accommodation is on a full board basis, with guided excursions led by an English-speaking Egyptologist, limited to a maximum of eight guests per guided party. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange private, air-conditioned transfers, meet-and-assist services, and entrance tickets listed in the itinerary. Onboard facilities include a sun deck with pool, a lounge and bar, a small fitness area, and a massage room. Unlike many short itineraries that treat Edfu and Kom Ombo as brief stops, this schedule allows proper time ashore at both temples. Optional excursions such as Abu Simbel can be arranged for an additional fee, and onboard WiFi and beverages are charged separately.
-
Royal Princess Nile Cruise
Aswan → LUXOR
Royal Princess Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor on scheduled 3- and 4-night departures. The route calls at Kom Ombo and Edfu, and includes visits to Luxor East Bank and Luxor West Bank. We provide full-board accommodation onboard, guided excursions with our English-speaking Egyptologists, entrance fees as listed, air-conditioned transfers, and one complimentary bottle of water per person each day. Group tours are limited to a maximum of eight participants, which allows longer time at Edfu and quieter landings at Kom Ombo compared with larger cruise ships. Embarkation is in Aswan, disembarkation in Luxor, with Friday departures running Aswan to Luxor and Monday departures running Luxor to Aswan. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange all on-the-ground services.
-
Royal Ruby Nile Cruise
Aswan → LUXOR
The Royal Ruby Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Luxor East and West Banks, and Aswan sights. Choose the 4-day, 3-night Aswan to Luxor sailing that departs Fridays, or the 5-day, 4-night Luxor to Aswan sailing that departs Mondays. We arrange all guided excursions with an English-speaking Egyptologist, meet and assist on arrival and departure, and small-group tours limited to eight participants. Onboard facilities include a sundeck with a swimming pool, a panorama bar, a restaurant, nightly entertainment, and WiFi in public areas. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we do not run large coach groups, so shore visits aim for quieter access and more time at each temple. Optional excursions to Abu Simbel can be arranged from Aswan.
From · 4 nights $960 / pp
-
Semiramis II Nile Cruise
Aswan → LUXOR
Semiramis II runs 3- and 4-night Nile cruises between Aswan and Luxor, with Aswan departures on Mondays and Luxor departures on Thursdays. The itinerary schedules guided visits to Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank, plus Aswan sightseeing. All tours are led by English-speaking Egyptologists we arrange, and small groups are capped at eight participants. Full board dining is provided on board, and the price covers airport and port transfers, meet and assist service, entrance fees to listed sites, and one bottle of water per person per day. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we keep groups small rather than running coach-size tours. Unlike larger cruise schedules that rush temple stops, this itinerary allocates dedicated visits to both Edfu and Kom Ombo.
From · 4 nights $489 / pp
-
Semiramis III Nile Cruise
Aswan → Luxor
Semiramis III Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruiser offering full-board accommodation, public lounges, and a sun deck for views on the Nile. We arrange this vessel for sailings that run weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel's shore-excursion programme normally calls at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Cabins are grouped in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes, pricing is per person sharing, and drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra.
From · 4 nights $750 / pp
-
Tower Prestige Nile Cruise
Aswan → Luxor
Board the MS Tower Prestige at Luxor's Nile pier; I meet you on deck and point across the river to Karnak's pylons. We set a steady rhythm: early-morning visits to the West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon) before the coach tours arrive, an afternoon passage through the Esna lock, and an overnight mooring at Edfu so the Horus Temple receives a proper two-hour visit. Cabins are Classic Nile-cruise scale–roughly 12 m² with en-suite facilities and modest storage–suitable if you pack light. The sun deck gives shaded and open seating; the dining salon serves full-board meals prepared to local taste and timed around excursions. Expect straightforward service from a local crew; the vessel is Classic tier, not a five-star floating resort: there is no spa or gym, Wi‑Fi is patchy, and power can dip briefly when the generator switches. I guide every excursion: I explain the ritual passages at Karnak, point out tomb decoration styles in the Valley, and time our visits so light and crowd levels work to your advantage. Sailing between Luxor and Aswan keeps most travel on daylight hours; you live the riverbank–fishing feluccas, sugarcane fields, village children waving–rather than long overnight crossings. We disembark in Aswan with guided visits to Philae, the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk. If you prefer more space or luxury amenities, ask about our higher-tier vessels; the MS Tower Prestige is compact, direct, and focused on the monuments.
From · 4 nights $750 / pp
-
Zeina Nile Cruise
Luxor → Aswan
Zeina Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, visiting Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank. The vessel offers full-board accommodation, a sun deck with pool and bar, a spa and massage room, a library, and a boutique. Shore visits run in small groups, maximum eight participants, which reduces time spent waiting at temple entrances. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange transfers, embarkation formalities, and local support on the ground. Unlike larger escorted coaches, this cruise keeps shore groups small, allowing longer visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo than many packaged river outings.
Sail-powered alternative
5-Star Standard dahabiyas (2).
Dahabiyas run a different schedule from motor cruisers – typically Monday from Esna with 5 or 7-night sailings only. No 4-night option. River-bank moorings at El Kab and Silsila are the standing draw.
-
Akhnaton Dahabiya
Esna → Aswan
Akhnaton Dahabiya is a seven-day Nile sailing between Luxor and Aswan aboard a traditional dahabiya. We provide an Egyptologist for guided shore visits. We arrange embarkation, crew, daily breakfasts and scheduled transfers; standard site entrance fees are included unless stated otherwise (premium tombs and pyramid interiors are excluded). We don't run group bus tours – the dahabiya keeps travel slow, with fewer transfers and more daylight at temples than typical four-night Nile cruises. Expect early starts for sunrise visits, limited shade on deck at midday, and walking on uneven ancient stone during shore visits. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and handle all local logistics.
-
Merit 1 Dahabiya
Esna → Aswan
Merit 1 is a seven-day dahabiya sailing the Nile between Luxor and Aswan with slow-paced shore time. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and operate Merit 1 as a private dahabiya option rather than a mass coach-based cruise. The itinerary can include Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with our Egyptologists guiding key visits when these sites are scheduled. Unlike four-night motor-boat cruises, the dahabiya paces shore time more gently and often moors at quieter riverbanks away from crowded quays. Trade-offs: limited onboard facilities compared with larger ships, early starts for some temple visits, and walking on uneven ancient stone.
Five things to know
Before you book Standard.
-
01 Is the food on a 5-star standard cruise actually OK?
Yes. Every 5-star Standard vessel we book runs a buffet that includes Egyptian, Mediterranean, and Western mains at every meal, fresh fruit, and freshly baked bread. A la carte specialty restaurants are typically Deluxe or Ultra-Deluxe and up – but the buffet on Standard ships in 2026 is genuinely good. We avoid the 4-star floating hotels for exactly this reason.
-
02 Will I miss any temples by picking the budget tier?
No. Standard, Deluxe, Ultra-Deluxe, and Luxury vessels all dock at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Esna and visit Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, and Philae. The shore-excursion itinerary is identical – the cruise tier sets the cabin, food format, and on-board polish, not what you see ashore.
-
03 What's the cabin like – is it cramped?
Standard cabins are 14–17 m² (smaller than a typical 5-star hotel room, larger than a cruise ship interior cabin). All have ensuite, climate control, panoramic window (or French balcony on higher decks), in-room safe, and twin or double bed configuration. They're designed for sleeping – you spend the day ashore or up top on the sun deck.
-
04 How many people are on the boat?
Standard 5-star vessels typically carry 60–80 cabins (120–160 guests at full occupancy). That's social but not crowded. If you want fewer people on board, the Dahabiya tier sails with 8–12 cabins maximum – quieter, but a different style of trip and a different price.
-
05 Is the operator the same as on the higher tiers?
Yes. Discovery Tours Egypt has operated cruise departures across all four tiers since 1988 from our Cairo head office and Luxor + Aswan branches. The shore-excursion crew, Egyptologists, and reservations team are shared. The vessel is what differs.
Different budget?
The other three tiers.
-
5-Star Deluxe
Step up the cabin square-meterage and the bathroom. Same temples, more finish.
-
5-Star Ultra Deluxe
Newer fleet, broader balconies, attentive crew ratio – the polish without the Luxury price.
-
5-Star Luxury
Category-A vessels and sail-powered dahabiyas. Smaller-scale, off-the-beaten-path stops.
Talk to the Cairo desk
Send your travel window. We'll send back three boats and a hold.
– Suhaila · Discovery Tours Egypt