Luxury ★4.4
Al Hambra Nile Cruise
Duration3 · 4 Nights
RouteLuxor ↔ Aswan
From$620 /pp
View Details →
2026 Season · Luxor → Aswan
Egypt Nile Cruises standard to ultra-luxury
Over 100 five-star ships and dahabiyas sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Find the comfort level and price that's right for you.
ETAA LicensedLicence No. 1995
100+ ShipsAcross 6 categories
5.0 on Tripadvisor★★★★★
Since 200916+ years on the Nile
One River · Four Ways to Sail
The same temples — your level of comfort
Every Nile cruise visits the same 3,000-year-old wonders between Luxor and Aswan. What changes as you move up is the space, the dining and the polish. Here's how the four tiers compare.
| Standard★★★★★ | Deluxe★★★★★ | Most PopularLuxury★★★★★ | Ultra Luxury★★★★★ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin size | 16–18 m² | 18–22 m² | 22–31 m² | 31 m²+ |
| Dining | Buffet | Buffet + à la carte | Fine dining | Gourmet · multi-venue |
| Spa & pool | Pool | Pool + spa | Pool + full spa | |
| Egyptologist guide | ||||
| Service ratio | Good | Attentive | Personal | Butler-level |
| From / person | $510 | $620 | $620 | $831 |
| View → | View → | View → | View → |
Choose Your Comfort Level
Nile cruise categories
Every tier is full-board with an Egyptologist guide. The difference is in the space, the service and the polish.
29 ships
Standard Nile Cruises
Comfortable 5★ ships with all the essentials for a great-value Nile journey.
From$510
→
25 ships
Deluxe Nile Cruises
A step up in dining, décor and service — refined comfort on the river.
From$620
→
22 ships
Luxury Nile Cruises
Spacious suites, fine dining and spa facilities for a polished sailing.
From$620
→
26 ships
Ultra Luxury Nile Cruises
Floating palaces — the largest cabins, the finest service on the Nile.
From$831
→
5 ships
Lake Nasser Cruises
Sail past Abu Simbel and remote Nubian temples on serene Lake Nasser.
From$620
→
11 ships
Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Intimate sailing boats — a slow, private way to drift down the Nile.
From$1550
→
Hand-picked Fleet
Our best-selling Nile cruises
The ships our travelers love most — chosen for service, value and that unmistakable Nile magic.
Luxury ★4.4
Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise
Duration3 · 4 Nights
RouteLuxor ↔ Aswan
From$831 /pp
View Details →
Luxury ★4.4
MS Le Fayan I Nile Cruise
Duration3 · 4 Nights
RouteLuxor ↔ Aswan
From$800 /pp
View Details →
Deluxe ★4.4
Blue Shadow Nile Cruise
Duration3 · 4 Nights
RouteLuxor ↔ Aswan
From$620 /pp
View Details →
Deluxe ★4.4
Crown Jewel Nile Cruise
Duration3 · 4 Nights
RouteLuxor ↔ Aswan
From$665 /pp
View Details →
Luxury ★4.4
Nile Premium Nile cruise
Duration3 · 4 Nights
RouteLuxor ↔ Aswan
From$515 /pp
View Details →
Egypt Nile Cruises — Luxor to Aswan, Done Properly
A Nile cruise is the most rewarding way to see Ancient Egypt: you sleep on a moving five-star hotel and wake up beside a new temple almost every morning. Sailing between Luxor and Aswan, our ships call at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and the island temple of Philae — the same monuments the pharaohs built, reached without a single early-morning road transfer.
We are Nile Cruise Trips, a licensed Egyptian tour operator (ETAA) that has run the Nile since 2009. We charter the ships directly rather than reselling, so you get fair local pricing, a qualified Egyptologist guide on board, and a team you can reach on WhatsApp before, during and after you sail.
How long is a Nile cruise?
Most sailings run 3 nights from Aswan to Luxor or 4 nights from Luxor to Aswan. Seven-night round trips add extra time at each temple, while Lake Nasser cruises continue south to Abu Simbel. Live dates are on our 2026 Nile cruise schedule.
Which cruise category is right for me?
Every ship we sell is five-star and full board and visits the same temples — what changes is the space, the dining and the polish:
- Standard 5★ Nile cruises — comfortable cabins and buffet dining; the best value on the river.
- Deluxe Nile cruises — larger cabins, à-la-carte options and a quieter sun deck.
- Luxury Nile cruises — suites, fine dining and attentive personal service.
- Ultra-luxury Nile cruises — the newest ships on the Nile, with the largest suites and butler-level care.
- Dahabiya sailing boats — small, wind-powered boats for a slow, private Nile.
- Lake Nasser cruises — the calm route to Abu Simbel and the Nubian temples.
When is the best time to sail the Nile?
October to April brings warm days (around 25–30°C) and cool evenings — the most comfortable season for temple touring, and the busiest, so Christmas, New Year and Easter sell out first. June to August is hot (up to 40°C) but quieter, with lower fares. Current deals are on our Nile cruise offers page.
What’s included in the price?
Full-board accommodation, every guided temple visit with a licensed Egyptologist, and airport meet-and-assist are standard. Optional tours, drinks and tipping are extra — set out plainly in our pricing policy. If you’d rather have the whole trip planned with Cairo, the pyramids and internal flights, browse our Egypt tours with a Nile cruise.
Rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor and chosen by travellers from around the world, we build each sailing around your dates, group size and budget. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll send real availability and a tailored quote within 24 hours.
The Nile Cruise Trips Difference
Why book with us
A local operator on the Nile since 2009 — licensed, rated 5.0, and with you at every step.
Licensed & trusted
ETAA Licence No. 1995, operated by Travel In Egypt — a registered Egyptian travel company, not a reseller.
Egyptologist guides
Every cruise includes a qualified English-speaking Egyptologist who brings 3,000 years of history to life.
Built your way
Pick your ship, season and nights — we tailor the itinerary, hotels and tours around exactly what you want.
24 / 7 support
Real people on call before and during your trip — by phone, email or WhatsApp, any day of the week.
Real Guest Reviews
Loved by travelers
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.
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 a lot with the weather. Here's 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 — just pick a ship with a shaded sun-deck and pool.
- Book early for Christmas, New Year and Easter — the most popular sailing dates sell out 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 Egyptian sun is strong even in winter.
- Temples: comfortable walking shoes and modest cover for shoulders and knees.
- Handy extras: a reusable water bottle, basic meds and a power adapter (Egypt uses type C/F plugs).
★ Same temples, more comfortStandard vs Luxury — what really changes
Every tier follows the same route and visits the same temples with an Egyptologist guide. As you move up, you're paying for comfort, not access:
- Cabin space: from 16 m² on standard ships up to 31 m²+ suites on ultra-luxury.
- Dining: buffet on standard, fine dining and multiple venues higher up.
- Facilities & service: spa, larger pools and a higher staff-to-guest ratio as you climb the tiers.
💵 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.
- Cards & ATMs: available in cities, but cash is king at markets and smaller stops.
Good to Know
Egypt Nile cruise questions
Everything first-time cruisers ask before choosing a ship. Still unsure? Our Nile experts reply within hours.
01 What's the difference between the categories? +
All categories are five-star and full-board with the same temple visits. The difference is in cabin size, dining quality, onboard facilities (spa, pool, gym) and the level of personal service. Ultra-luxury ships offer the most space and the highest staff-to-guest ratio.
02 When is the best time for a Nile cruise? +
October through April is the prime season, with warm days (around 25–30°C) and cool evenings. June to August is the hottest, near 40°C — cruises still run year-round, but winter is the most comfortable.
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, tipping and personal expenses are excluded.
05 How do I book? +
Send an inquiry on any cruise and a specialist will reply with a tailored quote. Reserve with a 30% deposit (50% over Christmas, New Year and Easter), payable by card, bank transfer or Western Union.
Not sure which tier to pick?
Tell us your budget and dates — we'll match you to the right ship.
Ask our experts →