Standard
Cruise category
Standard Nile Cruises
Standard Nile cruises are practical, budget-friendly river cruise options for travelers who mainly want the core Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan sightseeing route at a lower starting price. Cabins and facilities are simpler, but the route value can be excellent when expectations are clear.
Standard Nile cruises: honest value, with clear trade-offs
The 18 ships here start between about $429 and $539 per person for four nights, which is the lowest entry point on the Nile. That price is real, and so are the compromises. Being clear about both is the only way to avoid disappointment on board.
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Standard Budget Value Standard Nile Cruises
Grand Star Nile Cruise
Standard Fleet A Sara Nile Cruise
A Sara Nile Cruise gives travelers who want the best possible value on the Nile a real edge: A five-star rated ship…
Standard Fleet Radamis I Nile Cruise
On the Aswan to Luxor route through Kom Ombo and Edfu, Radamis I Nile Cruise stands out for Sister ship to Radamis…
Standard Fleet Princess Sarah II Nile Cruise
Princess Sarah II Nile Cruise pairs A five-star standard ship with straightforward comfort and Valley of the Kings access with the classic…
Standard Fleet MS Royal Ruby Nile Cruise
Built around A five-star rated ship with a full 4-night Luxor to Aswan schedule, MS Royal Ruby Nile Cruise covers Kom Ombo…
Standard Fleet MS Monte Carlo Nile Cruise
MS Monte Carlo Nile Cruise gives travelers who want a suite upgrade option on a budget a real edge: 66 junior suites…
Standard Fleet MS Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise
On the Aswan to Luxor route through Kom Ombo and Edfu, MS Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise stands out for Five-star comfort across…
Standard Fleet MS Nile Dolphin
MS Nile Dolphin pairs A five-star deluxe-fitted floating hotel that has sailed the Luxor to Aswan route since 2007 with the classic…
Standard Fleet Nile Story Nile Cruise
Built around Sails Aswan to Luxor on a fixed 3 or 4 night weekly schedule, Nile Story Nile Cruise covers Kom Ombo…
Standard Fleet HS Solaris I Nile Cruise
HS Solaris I Nile Cruise gives travelers who want a newer feel at a standard price a real edge: Modern fittings paired…
Standard Fleet MS Nile Quest
On the Aswan to Luxor route through Kom Ombo and Edfu, MS Nile Quest stands out for A deluxe-fitted five-star cruiser with…
Budget Deal Standard Nile Cruises
Princess Sarah Nile Cruise
A budget-friendly standard Nile cruise for travelers who want the essential temple route and a simple onboard experience.
Reliable Standard Kahila Nile Cruise
A standard Nile cruise option for travelers seeking a straightforward route with essential onboard services and classic sightseeing.
Standard Value Radamis II Nile Cruise
A practical standard cruise option for travelers who care most about route coverage, guided temple visits, and a lower starting cost.
What you genuinely get
The same river, the same temples, the same guides in many cases. Standard ships sail the identical Luxor–Edfu–Kom Ombo–Aswan route on the same schedule as ships costing three times more. Meals are full board. Cabins are air-conditioned with a private bathroom. For a traveller whose priority is seeing Upper Egypt rather than the vessel itself, this category does the job.
What to expect realistically
- Older hulls. Most standard ships are 1990s builds with periodic light refits. Fittings show wear.
- Smaller cabins, typically 14–18 square metres, with a sealed window rather than a balcony.
- Buffet-only dining at fixed times, with a narrower menu and limited handling of dietary needs.
- Larger excursion groups, and often a shared guide across several cabins’ worth of guests.
Who should book this category — and who should not
It suits budget-conscious travellers, younger visitors, and anyone treating the cruise as transport-plus-sightseeing rather than the holiday itself. It suits people who have travelled in Egypt before and know what they are buying.
It suits honeymooners and once-in-a-lifetime trips poorly. If this is the only time you will sail the Nile, the jump to deluxe is usually around $150–250 per person and it changes the on-board experience more than that number suggests.
Ask us for the ship’s last refurbishment year before booking anything in this category. It is the single most useful question you can ask.