Farida Nile Cruise

The short answer

Farida Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• Luxury

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

5-Star Cruise Vessel with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins

Includes

Full board from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast · Shared shore excursions · Accommodation in selected cabin grade · Embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan ports · Use of sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room

Best for

History enthusiasts · Couples · First-time visitors to Egypt · Small groups · Travellers who prefer unpacking once

Guide languages

English · French · German · Italian · Others

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01 Sun deck for Nile viewing and evening sunsets
• 02 Lounge bar with panoramic windows and indoor seating
• 03 Dining room serving full-board meals from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast
• 04 Shore-excursion programme to Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
• 05 Calls at Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae on alternating days
• 06 Cabin classes: Standard, Deluxe and Suite with Nile-view windows or balconies where available

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike land-based sightseeing tours, this cruise combines hotel-style accommodation, onboard dining, and temple visits while the vessel travels between Luxor and Aswan. Compared with large coach tours, it offers fewer hotel changes and a more structured sightseeing rhythm with sailing days and excursion days. It is also different from short riverboat trips because it includes overnight cabin accommodation and a full-board programme.

Bundled in

• 🍽 Full board

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

1. 01

   Book early morning Karnak visits to avoid heat and large tour groups.

2. 02

   Carry small Egyptian pounds and exact change for market purchases and Nile-side vendors.

3. 03

   Bring a compact torch for tomb descents and uneven temple corridors after dusk.

4. 04

   Reserve a window or upper-deck cabin early for consistently better Nile river views.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The cruise can be arranged as a private or shared travel component, depending on the wider itinerary booked through Discovery Tours Egypt. Travelers may also request cabin upgrades where available, extra nights in Luxor or Aswan, or add-on visits before embarkation or after disembarkation. Meal and sightseeing arrangements can sometimes be adjusted to match flight schedules or onward travel.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This cruise requires boarding a gangway and moving around narrow corridors, interior steps and external staircases between decks; some cabins have steps at their entrances and door widths that may not fit standard wheelchairs. Shore excursions include uneven ancient stone, loose sand and steps at Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings; many temple entrances have steps with no handrail and low lighting in tomb interiors. The vessel’s public areas (sun deck, lounge bar, dining room) are reached via stairs; there is limited step-free circulation on board. If you require step-free access, a wheelchair‑accessible cabin, or assistance at embarkation/disembarkation, tell us at booking so we can arrange port staff help and shipboard assistance. Please note full step-free access ashore cannot be guaranteed at all archaeological sites and some excursions will remain physically demanding.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

While you're here

Worth pairing

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

The vessel is a conventional Nile cruiser powered by marine diesel engines; fuel type and engine emissions are determined by the cruise line. For transfers beyond short dockside movements we contract small, modern minibuses with licensed local drivers; these vehicles are used only where road transfers are necessary for shore programmes. Fresh produce, bread and many dining ingredients are sourced from suppliers in Luxor and Aswan to reduce road haul distances and support local businesses. Crew, excursion guides and catering staff are locally employed; tips are discretionary and are distributed according to the vessel’s internal policy. We provide filtered drinking water on board for refilling personal bottles and encourage guests to reuse towels and avoid single‑use plastics. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we prioritise partners who employ local residents for shore services and catering and ask guests to respect local communities during visits.

• Licensed local Egyptologists

  ETAA-credentialed, on payroll

• Fair wages on the ground

  Drivers + guides paid above market

• Site preservation

  We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols

• Carbon-aware itineraries

  Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical

· In summary

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01 How long is the Farida Nile Cruise programme?

   The Farida Nile Cruise follows a weekly Luxor–Aswan rotation with days alternating between sailing and shore excursions. Exact day count for a specific sailing varies by departure; contact us for confirmed dates and the precise number of days for the sailing you are booking. We will supply the vessel’s schedule and the embarkation/disembarkation ports (Luxor or Aswan) with your booking documents.
2. 02 What are the embarkation and disembarkation procedures and times?

   Embarkation and disembarkation take place at Luxor or Aswan river ports, and times vary by sailing. We send the vessel’s boarding time and final port instructions before travel. Allow time for port formalities; you should arrive at the listed port at the time specified on your boarding pass or in our final documentation.
3. 03 What does full board include on the Farida Nile Cruise?

   Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, plus accommodation in your chosen cabin grade. Shared shore excursions listed in the vessel’s programme and use of public areas (sun deck, lounge bar, dining room) are included. Beverages beyond bottled water with meals are typically charged locally unless stated otherwise.
4. 04 Are gratuities and premium entrances included in the fare?

   Gratuities for cruise crew and excursion guides are customary and not included in the fare. Optional premium entrances—such as premium tombs in the Valley of the Kings—are also excluded and paid locally. If you prefer, we can advise customary tipping amounts and arrange pre-payment of service charges where the vessel allows it.
5. 05 Is the cruise suitable for travellers with limited mobility?

   The vessel has cabins and public areas accessed by internal steps; some gangways and shore landings can be steep or uneven. Many Nile ports have quays or boats with steps and no ramps. Tell us your mobility needs before booking so we can liaise with the cruise line about cabin choice and the practicalities at specific landings.
6. 06 Can families with children travel on the Farida Nile Cruise?

   Families routinely travel on this vessel, but cabin layouts and bedding vary by class and single-occupancy cabins usually carry a supplement. Excursions involve walking over uneven ancient stone and stairs. Check child-age policies, cot and extra‑bed availability with us at booking so we can confirm suitable cabins and any restrictions for shore visits.
7. 07 What should I bring and wear on board and during excursions?

   Bring sun protection (wide‑brim hat, SPF 30+ sunscreen, sunglasses), comfortable walking shoes with grip, and a small daypack. For temples and mosques, modest dress is expected—shoulders and knees covered. Pack a light jacket for cool mornings and evenings, and a refillable water bottle for use between escorted visits.
8. 08 Are photography and flash allowed at the sites the cruise visits?

   Photography rules vary by site: flash is commonly prohibited inside tombs and in some temples, and tripods may be restricted. The Valley of the Kings and many temples permit non‑flash personal photography but not professional shoots without a permit. We will confirm site-specific rules in your excursion briefings each day.
9. 09 When is the best time of year to sail for comfortable temperatures and good light?

   October through April offers cooler temperatures and softer daylight; daytime highs in winter months are typically in the low to mid 20s°C. Summer (June–August) can be very hot, especially on exposed sun decks and during midday excursions. We schedule excursions to avoid the hottest hours where possible but recommend early‑morning visits in summer.
10. 10 Will I be able to visit premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Seti I on shore excursions?

    Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Seti I are not included in the standard shore-excursion programme and are charged locally if you choose to enter. Availability and opening hours vary and some tombs limit daily entries. Tell us in advance if you wish to include premium tombs so we can check availability and advise on additional local charges.

If plans change

Cancellation

More than 30 days

Full refund less a £50 admin fee

15–30 days

50% refund

Within 14 days

No refund – date changes considered case by case