Suite-led
Luxury Nile Cruises
Historia Beyond Spa and Suites
Twenty-two suites against just six cabins, for 56 guests with 82 crew, built around a central atrium opening onto the Nile.
Cruise route
Luxor to Aswan
Luxor to Aswan Nile cruises usually begin with Luxor East Bank and West Bank sightseeing, then sail south through Edfu and Kom Ombo before ending in Aswan. This is the classic 5 days / 4 nights direction for first-time Nile cruise travelers.
Luxor to Aswan: the standard direction, and why most ships sail it
Seventy-five of our ships run this southbound route, and most of them sail the northbound leg as well. It is the default for a reason: it front-loads the heaviest sightseeing while you are still fresh, and it ends in Aswan, which is the calmer of the two cities to finish in.
Suite-led
Deluxe Fleet
MS Le Fayan I Nile Cruise
The larger Le Fayan ship: 57 cabins and three suites over five decks, with a rooftop pool, spa and fitness centre, sailing…
Private Charter
Dahabiya Nile Cruises
Zein Nile Chateau Dahabiya
Zein Nile Chateau Dahabiya is a traditional wooden sailing boat taking a maximum of twelve guests in two suites and four cabins,…
Five-Star Fleet
Deluxe Nile Cruises
MS Zeina Nile Cruise
MS Zeina is a 74-cabin five-star motor cruiser on the classic Luxor to Aswan route, with a pool deck, spa and full-board…
Luxury
MS Tulip Nile Cruise
A well-established luxury ship on the Luxor to Aswan route, with guided excursions to Karnak, Philae and Edfu, and Abu Simbel as…
5 Star
Luxury Nile Cruises
Amwaj Living Stone Nile Cruise
Launched in 2014 with 58 cabins and suites running from Junior up to Presidential and Royal, on the classic Luxor to Aswan…
Luxury
Movenpick MS Hamees Nile Cruise
One of the largest Movenpick ships, with 66 cabins and suites over 21 sqm and bathtubs, also chartered by Emerald Waterways and…
5 Star
Luxury Nile Cruises
Sunrise Semiramis I Nile Cruise
A larger five-star with 70 cabins and a pool deck, from the well-established Sunrise fleet, on the classic Luxor to Aswan route.
Deluxe
Movenpick MS Royal Lotus Nile Cruise
A Movenpick-branded deluxe ship for travellers who want a recognised hospitality standard rather than an unfamiliar local operator.
New Norm 5 Star
Deluxe Nile Cruises
Concerto II Nile Cruise
Rated to the Ministry of Tourism New Norm standard, with the unusual flexibility of three, four or seven-night sailings on one ship.
Deluxe
Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise
Part of the established Iberotel Nile fleet, offering solid mid-range comfort on the classic Luxor to Aswan run.
Standard
Nile Monarch Cruise
An established Travco Group fleet ship covering the classic route with Edfu and Kom Ombo stops, at dependable standard-tier comfort.
Standard
Nile Empress Cruise
Sister ship to the Nile Monarch: an affordable standard vessel covering the classic route with Edfu and Kom Ombo included.
Standard
Lady Sophia Nile Cruise
An established standard ship for travellers who want full service and daily housekeeping at the lower end of the price range.
Budget Value
Standard Nile Cruises
Grand Star Nile Cruise
A Grand Cruises Egypt fleet ship and one of the more affordable on the river, covering the essential temple route with simple…
Luxury Dahabiya
Movenpick SB Feddya Dahabiya
A Movenpick-branded dahabiya: traditional sailing-boat design, en-suite cabins, and a quiet four-night drift from Luxor to Aswan.
In-Depth
Egypt Tour Packages
Nile Cruise and Luxor Deep Dive Package
Extra days in Luxor before sailing: extended Karnak access, the Valley of the Queens, and West Bank tombs most itineraries skip.
Adventure Add-on
Egypt Tour Packages
Nile Cruise with Sunrise Hot Air Balloon
The classic seven-day temple route with a sunrise hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings built into the itinerary.
Boutique Sailing
Dahabiya Nile Cruises
Nawara Dahabiya
A small dahabiya with a handful of en-suite cabins and attentive crew service, for couples and small groups who want the river…
Best Value Luxury
Steigenberger Regency Nile Cruise
Widely rated the best value in the luxury tier: panoramic-window cabins, a spa and a pool deck, without top-tier pricing.
Modern Luxury
MS Sonesta Moon Nile Cruise
A newer, modern-feeling luxury ship with panoramic-window cabins and consistently strong recent reviews on the classic route.
Deluxe
MS Amarco I Nile Cruise
A reputable mid-range deluxe ship with generous cabins and Nile-view windows, on the standard Luxor to Aswan itinerary.
Deluxe
MS Tuya Nile Cruise
Rated five stars but a three to four star comfort standard in practice, which is why it prices well against other deluxe…
Luxury Dahabiya
Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya
A luxury dahabiya with boutique cabins and close crew service, for travellers who want elegant styling on a small sailing boat.
How the five days usually unfold
- Day 1 — Luxor East Bank. Board at midday, then Karnak and Luxor Temple in the afternoon. Karnak is the largest religious building ever constructed and it deserves the fresh legs.
- Day 2 — West Bank, then sail. Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple and the Colossi of Memnon in the morning, then the ship casts off south toward Esna.
- Day 3 — Edfu and Kom Ombo. Edfu by horse carriage at dawn, Kom Ombo at sunset on the riverbank. This is the best sailing day of the trip.
- Day 4 — Aswan. Philae Temple, the High Dam and the unfinished obelisk, usually with a felucca sail around Elephantine Island.
- Day 5 — Disembark, with Abu Simbel as an optional dawn excursion.
Choosing this direction over the reverse
Sail Luxor to Aswan if you are flying home from Aswan or continuing to Abu Simbel or Lake Nasser, and if you would rather see the demanding sites early. Sail Aswan to Luxor instead if you are ending your trip in Cairo, since Luxor has far more onward flight options.
Prices across these 75 ships start between roughly $429 and $2,450 per person depending on category. Filter by style below, or send us your dates and we will tell you which ships actually have space.