★4.4
A Sara Nile Cruise
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$520 /pp
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★★★ Standard · 5-Star Category
Standard Nile Cruises
Comfortable 5★ ships with all the essentials for a great-value Nile journey. Same temples, same Egyptologist guides along the classic Luxor–Aswan route.
ETAA LicensedLicence No. 1995
29 Standard ShipsFrom $510 / person
5.0 on Tripadvisor★★★★★
Full BoardEgyptologist guide
Best of the Nile
Five-star comfort on the Nile
Our Standard Nile Cruises sail the same Luxor–Aswan route, visit the same temples with an Egyptologist guide, and enjoy full-board dining — standard ships give you exactly the level of comfort and price that fits your trip.
29Ships
$510From / person
3–7Nights
The Fleet
All Standard Nile Cruises
Every ship below is full-board with an Egyptologist guide. Tap any cruise for itineraries, cabins and live prices.
★4.4
Alma nile cruise
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$520 /pp
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★4.4
Beau Soleil Nile cruise
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$510 /pp
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★4.4
blue shadow 4
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$520 /pp
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★4.4
Grand Rose Nile Cruise
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$510 /pp
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★4.4
Imperial nile cruise
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$530 /pp
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★4.4
M/S Nile Dolphin
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$520 /pp
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★4.4
M/S Semramis II
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$515 /pp
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★4.4
MS Giselle Nile Cruise
3 · 4 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$525 /pp
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★4.4
MS Helio Nile Cruise
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$520 /pp
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★4.4
MS Nile Jewel Nile cruise
3 · 4 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$580 /pp
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★4.4
MS Nile Plaza Nile Cruise
3 · 4 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$560 /pp
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★4.4
MS Radamis I Nile Cruise
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$620 /pp
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★4.4
MS Royal Ruby Nile Cruise
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$520 /pp
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★4.4
MS Zeina Nile Cruise
3 · 4 · 7 Nights Luxor ↔ Aswan
From$515 /pp
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14 more standard cruises available
What's On Board
What every standard ship includes
The essentials done well — here's what comes as standard across the category.
Full-board dining
Breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily — with Egyptian and international dishes.
Egyptologist guide
A qualified English-speaking guide leads every temple visit along the route.
Sun-deck & pool
An open sun-deck with a pool to relax between temples as the riverbanks drift by.
Air-conditioned cabins
Comfortable en-suite cabins with individual climate control and river views.
Standard 5★ Nile Cruises — Five-Star Comfort at the Best Price
A Standard 5-star Nile cruise is the smart choice for travellers who want the full temple experience without paying for suites and butlers they won’t use. You still get a comfortable five-star cabin with a private bathroom and a river view, full-board dining, a sun deck with a pool, and exactly the same guided sightseeing as every other ship on the river.
What really shapes your trip on a standard boat isn’t the marble in the lobby — it’s the guide. Every Nile Cruise Trips sailing includes a licensed Egyptologist who turns a row of columns into a story you’ll remember. As a licensed Egyptian operator that has worked the Nile since 2009, we book these ships directly, so standard-tier prices stay genuinely low and honest.
What you’ll see on a standard Nile cruise
The itinerary is the same five-star route between Luxor and Aswan: the vast temple complex of Karnak and Luxor Temple, the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the double temple of Kom Ombo, and the High Dam and the island temple of Philae at Aswan. On a standard ship you visit every one of these with an expert guide — you simply pay less for the cabin in between.
What’s included
- Five-star cabin with private bathroom; full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner), buffet-style.
- All guided temple visits with a licensed Egyptologist; sightseeing as per the itinerary.
- Pool and sun deck, lounge, and airport meet-and-assist on arrival.
Optional excursions — the Sound & Light show at Karnak, or a sunrise hot-air balloon over Luxor — plus drinks and tipping are extra, and always shown up front in our pricing policy.
How much does a standard Nile cruise cost?
Standard cruises are the most affordable five-star option, and the value is best on 3-night Aswan–Luxor sailings and during the warmer months. Booking a few weeks ahead usually beats walk-up rates — although genuine bargains do surface on our last-minute Nile cruise deals, and seasonal discounts appear on the offers page.
Standard, or a step up?
If you’d like a little more cabin space and à-la-carte dining for a small extra outlay, compare Deluxe Nile cruises; for suites and fine dining, see Luxury Nile cruises. You can weigh every tier side by side on the Egypt Nile cruises hub. Tell us your dates and we’ll recommend the best-value standard ship sailing that week, with a clear all-in quote within 24 hours.
Plan Like a Local
Nile cruise travel tips
Insider advice from a team that's sailed the Nile since 2009 — tap a topic to learn more.
☀ Oct–Apr is peakBest time to sail the Nile
The sailing season runs all year, but the experience changes with the weather. What to expect:
- October – April (peak): warm days of 25–30°C and cool evenings — the most comfortable months for temple touring.
- May – September: hot, up to 40°C. Cruises still run and prices drop even further.
- Book early for Christmas, New Year and Easter — the most popular dates fill fast.
🧳 Pack lightWhat to pack
Cabins are comfortable but compact — pack smart and light. The essentials:
- Daywear: light cotton and linen, plus a layer for breezy evenings on deck.
- Sun protection: a hat, sunglasses and SPF 50 — the sun is strong even in winter.
- Temples: comfortable walking shoes and modest cover for shoulders and knees.
- Extras: a reusable water bottle, basic meds and a type C/F power adapter.
💵 Carry small notesTipping & money
Tipping (baksheesh) is part of the culture and always appreciated for good service. A simple guide:
- Carry small notes in US dollars or Egyptian pounds for tips and souvenirs.
- Crew: a shared tip box at the end of the cruise is customary, split among the ship's team.
- Guide & driver: tipped separately and directly — they're with you every day on shore.
🛕 Luxor → AswanThe route & temples
Nile cruises sail the classic Luxor–Aswan stretch, stopping at the great riverside temples:
- Luxor: Karnak & Luxor temples, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut.
- Edfu & Kom Ombo: the temples of Horus and Sobek, right on the riverbank.
- Aswan: Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk.
Real Guest Reviews
Loved by travelers from around the world
We’re rated a perfect 5.0 on Tripadvisor — here’s what guests say after sailing the Nile with us.
5.0
13 reviews on Tripadvisor
K★★★★★
We've taken many trips but nothing compares to this. Abu Simbel and Hatshepsut were breathtaking, and the balloon ride over Luxor was unforgettable. Every detail was handled.
W★★★★★
Ahmed was an incredible guide and the ship was spotlessly clean. Everything ran perfectly from start to finish — we couldn't have asked for more on our first Nile cruise.
C★★★★★
We had a fantastic time thanks to Mona, and our guide Amir was brilliant. We left Egypt with a new friend. Genuinely the trip of a lifetime for the whole family.
Good to Know
Standard cruise questions
Everything travelers ask before choosing a ship in this category. Still unsure? Our Nile experts reply within hours.
01 Are these cruises really five-star? +
Yes — every ship we offer is officially rated five-star. The category tier refers to cabin size, dining and onboard extras within the five-star bracket; all are comfortable, clean and fully equipped.
02 Do I see the same temples as other tiers? +
Absolutely. Every tier follows the same Luxor–Aswan route and visits the same temples with an Egyptologist guide. You don't miss any sightseeing by choosing this category — you simply choose your level of onboard comfort.
03 How many nights should I choose? +
Most cruises run 3 nights (Aswan to Luxor) or 4 nights (Luxor to Aswan). Longer 7-night round trips give a more relaxed pace and cover the same sites with extra time at leisure.
04 What's included in the price? +
Full-board accommodation, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, private air-conditioned transfers, all entrance fees in the programme, and taxes. Optional tours, drinks and tipping are extra.
05 Can I upgrade or change ships later? +
Yes — until your deposit is confirmed you can switch to another ship or tier at any time. Just let your specialist know and we'll adjust your quote.
Not sure which ship to pick?
Tell us your budget and dates — we'll match you to the right cruise.
Ask our experts →