Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with spacious suites, Nile-view cabins, a pool, rooftop terrace, full-board dining, and a lounge bar.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
What lingers
- 01Spacious suites and Nile-view cabins, graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes
- 02Sun deck with pool and rooftop terrace for Nile views and late-afternoon shade
- 03Lounge bar and multiple indoor seating areas for evening briefings and relaxation
- 04Full-board dining, with main restaurant service and room service available
- 05Shore-excursion program calling at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
- 06Embarkation and docking in front of Luxor Temple, before Luxor Bridge
02Overview
A first look
By late afternoon, the Nile reflects the sandstone of Luxor Temple as the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise lies alongside before Luxor Bridge. From the sun deck, you can watch feluccas cross the current, then settle into a lounge bar as the river darkens beyond the panoramic windows.
Our shore-excursion program brings the ancient landscape into focus, from Karnak’s columned halls to the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Horus at Edfu. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with sailing days giving the river room to set the pace. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and our team arranges the booking, embarkation details, and Egyptologist support before you board.
Background
The facts
The Sonesta Sun Goddess is a five-star Nile cruise vessel that sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan in both directions. Embarkation and disembarkation are typically in Luxor and Aswan, with docking in Luxor in front of Luxor Temple, before Luxor Bridge. The cruise is arranged as a river itinerary, with sailing days alternating with shore excursions rather than a fixed land-based tour.
The excursion program commonly includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of Luxor, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple near Aswan. These sites represent major periods of ancient Egyptian history, from the New Kingdom temples of Karnak and Luxor to Greco-Roman Philae. Visitor timing is coordinated around the vessel’s sailing schedule, so departure times from the ship depend on the day's river movement and port calls.
On board, the vessel offers spacious suites and Nile-view cabins in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, along with a sun deck, pool, rooftop terrace, lounge bar, restaurant, and indoor seating areas. Full board usually runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, with standard onboard service fees and port charges included. Drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra, and room service is available on selected sailings.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who want a comfortable Nile experience with more space than a basic cabin and a structured sightseeing program. It is a good fit for couples, older travelers, and first-time visitors who prefer a guided river itinerary with full-board dining and onboard facilities.
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 Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
On property
What's here
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Family rooms
- Spa
- Wi-Fi
- Swimming pool
- Garden
- Rooftop terrace
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise
- Full-board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Use of public onboard facilities (pool, spa, rooftop terrace, lounges, restaurant)
- Port charges and standard onboard service fees
Not included
- Drinks beyond bottled water with meals, unless stated otherwise
- Optional shore-excursion entrance fees and private guided excursions unless specified
- Pyramid interior tickets and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) unless explicitly requested
- Gratuities for crew and local guides, unless included in your booking confirmation
Accessibility
Who can join this
This cruise involves boarding and moving between decks, walking on gangways, and sometimes stepping onto uneven quays at embarkation and disembarkation. Sites visited include the Valley of the Kings and Kom Ombo, which have uneven stone, stairs, and narrow passages; Karnak Temple has long paved avenues and some cobbled sections. Wheelchair users should note that not all Nile cruisers have lift access between decks, and shore-excursion landings often require steps up or down from the boat. We can arrange wheelchair-accessible vehicles for transfers on request, but availability depends on local supplier capacity. Please tell us about mobility needs when you book so we can confirm what is feasible and advise on specific site access and alternative arrangements.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses diesel-powered river vessels and local road transfers, typically air-conditioned coaches for shore excursions. We work with locally based suppliers for crew, guides, and catering to keep economic benefit within the region. Onboard water is usually supplied in refillable dispensers to reduce single-use plastics; guests are asked to reuse cabin water bottles where provided. We encourage guests to follow site rules to protect fragile monuments, for example staying on marked paths at the Valley of the Kings and not touching reliefs at Kom Ombo. Local community initiatives such as village craft cooperatives are used for optional market visits when available, and tip distribution to local guides and boat crew is organized through transparent on-site channels. If you have specific sustainability priorities, tell us at enquiry so we can match the right vessel and supplier.
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
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- High-SPF sunscreen and lip protection
- Wide-brim hat and sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle for refills
- Small daypack for excursions
- Any required medication and a basic first-aid kit
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable layers for warm days and cooler evenings
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed shoes for archaeological sites
- A light sweater or jacket for evening on the sun deck
- Swimwear and a cover-up for the pool and sun deck
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult per-person sharing fare; children 12 years and over pay the full adult fare. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical on the vessel but can be difficult on some shore landings and at archaeological sites that have stairs and uneven stone. Please tell us ages and sleeping arrangements at booking so we can advise on cabins and safety measures.
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 |
|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Fridays | October – April: from $2,403single cabin $3,768 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from $3,076single cabin $4,896 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from $5,091single cabin $8,276 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from $5,112single cabin $8,297 |
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
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical duration of a Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise?
The Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise typically offers sailings of 3 or 4 nights. These itineraries usually travel between Luxor and Aswan, allowing guests to experience key sites along the Nile River.02What is included in the full board basis on the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise?
The full board basis includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, starting with lunch on the embarkation day and concluding with breakfast on the disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water with meals are typically an additional cost.03What shore excursions are part of the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise program?
The cruise program includes guided shore excursions to major sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple. These are arranged by our Egyptologists.04What are the cabin options available on the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise?
The Sonesta Sun Goddess offers various cabin categories, including standard cabins, deluxe cabins, and suites. Many cabins feature panoramic windows, and some include Nile-view balconies, providing comfortable accommodation during your sailing.05What is the embarkation and disembarkation process for the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise?
Embarkation for the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise typically occurs in Luxor or Aswan, depending on your itinerary direction. You will board the vessel and settle into your cabin, with disembarkation at the opposite city at the end of your cruise.06Is the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise suitable for families with children?
The Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise can accommodate families, offering amenities like family rooms and a swimming pool. Our Egyptologists tailor shore excursions to be engaging for various age groups, though some ancient sites involve walking on uneven terrain.07What should I wear and bring for a Nile cruise on the Sonesta Sun Goddess?
For shore excursions, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sun cream are essential. Modest clothing is recommended for temple visits. On board, smart casual attire is suitable for evenings. Bring any personal medications and a camera.08What is the best time of year to take a Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise?
The best time for a Nile cruise is typically from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, May to September, can be very hot, particularly for outdoor excursions.09What is the accessibility like on the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise and during shore excursions?
The Sonesta Sun Goddess has lifts between decks, but cabins may not be fully wheelchair accessible. Shore excursions involve walking on ancient, uneven surfaces and steps at many sites. Guests with mobility concerns should discuss specific needs with us.10Are alcoholic beverages included with the full board on the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise?
No, alcoholic beverages are not included in the full board basis on the Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise. These, along with soft drinks and specialty coffees, are available for purchase from the lounge bar and restaurant.
Product ID: CRU-NIL-480819
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