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From per person£450
Nile Cruise5-Star DeluxeLuxor → Aswan

Grand Rose Nile Cruise

5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic windows, sun deck with shaded seating, lounge bar, full-board dining and guided shore excursions, sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan.

At a glance

Length
8 days · 7 nights
Embarks
Wed, Sat
Board
Full Board
Class
5-star

The short answer

Grand Rose Nile Cruise is a 5-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation
5-Star Cabin Accommodation
Destinations
Luxor · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Edfu (Temple of Horus) · Kom Ombo · Philae Temple · Valley of the Kings
Includes
Full board meals · Booked cabin accommodation · Use of onboard facilities · Scheduled shore excursions
Best for
History enthusiasts · First-time visitors · Couples · Families with older children
Guide languages
English · Italian · French · German · Others · English
  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • Cruise booking and embarkation logistics are arranged in advance by Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • Shore excursions are coordinated to match the vessel’s published cruise program.
  • Standard site entrance fees are included unless a premium ticket is explicitly stated.
  • Gratuities, drinks beyond water with meals, and personal expenses are clearly separated from inclusions.

02Overview

A first look

By early light the Nile flattens into a bright ribbon and the air carries river reed and distant calls of fishermen, seen from the sun deck as the vessel slips past palm-lined banks. Cabin doors open onto panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies; the dining room and lounge bar set the day's tempo with full board meals and evening briefings.

We arrange weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan, and the vessel's shore-excursion programme alternates sailing days with full days ashore so visits are less rushed than on short cruises. Our Egyptologists meet you on board to brief each visit and answer questions, and embarkation logistics are handled for you.

Background

The facts

Grand Rose Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel used for scheduled sailings between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel’s program alternates sailing days with shore excursions to major Upper Egypt monuments, including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. Embarkation and disembarkation are handled at Luxor and Aswan, the two main cruise ports on the Upper Nile.

Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, with some units featuring Nile-view windows or balconies. Public areas typically include a sun deck with shaded seating, a lounge bar, a dining room, and a small pool. The vessel is sold on a full-board basis, meaning lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day are included in the cruise program.

The shore-excursion schedule focuses on sites associated with the New Kingdom and later Pharaonic and Greco-Roman periods. Karnak Temple was expanded over many centuries, while Luxor Temple is closely linked to New Kingdom royal ceremony and later Roman modifications. Edfu is among the best-preserved temples in Egypt, Kom Ombo is a rare double temple, and Philae was relocated after the construction of the Aswan High Dam to protect it from rising waters.

Grand Rose is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, which coordinates the booking and cruise logistics while the vessel itself is operated by the cruise line. Standard entrance fees are included unless a premium ticket is specifically stated; drinks beyond water with meals, gratuities, and personal expenses are usually extra.

Named in this entry

Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus, Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Valley of the Kings·Upper Egypt·Nile River·New Kingdom of Egypt

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This cruise suits travelers who want a structured Nile itinerary with hotel-style comfort, especially adults and older teens interested in ancient Egyptian temples and river scenery. It is also appropriate for first-time visitors who prefer having meals, cabin accommodation, and shore excursions organized in advance.

Maybe not, if

  • Not suitable for people needing full wheelchair access
  • Those who prefer fast-paced, activity-heavy itineraries
  • Guests with severe mobility restrictions due to temple steps

What lingers

  • 01Sun deck with shaded seating and panoramic Nile views
  • 02Lounge bar and indoor seating for evening briefings and relaxation
  • 03Dining room serving full board meals from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast
  • 04Cabin grades: Standard, Deluxe and Suite, several with Nile-view windows or balconies
  • 05Shore-excursion programme visiting Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and Valley of the Kings

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a hotel stay in Luxor or Aswan, this cruise combines accommodation, meals, and scheduled shore excursions on one vessel while sailing between the two cities. Compared with a land-only itinerary, it reduces repeated packing and transfers because the route, dining, and cabin are handled as part of the cruise program. It is more structured than a custom private overland tour, but it keeps the main temple visits and river travel in one booking.

The route

Luxor and Aswan

  1. LuxorKarnak & the Valley of the KingsEmbark
  2. EdfuThe Temple of Horus
  3. Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
  4. AswanPhilae Temple & the High DamDisembark

Choose your direction

  • Luxor → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
  • Aswan → Luxor3 nightsdownstream, with the current
  • Round-trip7 nightsreturn to Luxor or Aswan

At sea

Detailed itinerary

Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.

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Cabin pricing

Pricing & seasonal rates

Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.

8 Days / 7 Nights · Luxor to Luxor

CabinLowHighPeak
Single Cabin$1,416$1,521$1,749
Double Cabin$843$909$996
Triple Cabin$742$777$1,054

5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor to Aswan

CabinLowHighPeak
Single Cabin$972$1,032$1,162
Double Cabin$644$682$732
Triple Cabin$587$607$765

4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan to Luxor

CabinLowHighPeak
Single Cabin$823$868$966
Double Cabin$578$606$643
Triple Cabin$534$549$668

8 Days / 7 Nights · Aswan to Aswan

CabinLowHighPeak
Single Cabin$1,429$1,534$1,761
Double Cabin$856$921$1,009
Triple Cabin$755$790$1,067

Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).

Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

On property

What's here

  • restaurant
  • bar
  • concierge
  • rooftop-terrace
  • pool

Bundled in

  • Full board
  • Hotel pickup
  • Airport transfer
  • Private transfer
  • Group Egyptologist
  • All entry tickets

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Full board meals, beginning with lunch on embarkation day and finishing with breakfast on disembarkation day
  • Accommodation in the cabin grade you book, on board the vessel
  • Use of on board facilities including the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
  • Scheduled shore excursions that form the vessel's excursion programme

Not included

  • Drinks beyond water with meals, unless a drinks package is stated at booking
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • International or domestic flights and any airport taxes
  • Egypt entry visa and travel insurance
  • Site-specific premium entrance tickets not included, for example pyramid interiors or premium tombs, unless explicitly stated

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Request an upper-deck cabin for broader Nile views during sailing and sunrise

  2. 02

    Plan temple visits early in the morning to avoid heat and crowds

  3. 03

    Carry small Egyptian pounds for market purchases, tips, and snack stalls onshore

  4. 04

    Bring a lightweight scarf for sun protection and to cover shoulders at temples

Tailor it

Make it yours

Travelers can usually choose between private arrangements or a standard cruise booking, depending on the available sailing and cabin category. Upgrades may include higher-grade cabins, balcony or Nile-view options where available, and extended land arrangements before or after the cruise. Additional site visits, meal-related requests, or linked hotel stays in Luxor or Aswan can often be added when booked in advance.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

The Grand Rose Nile Cruise requires boarding a gangway and moving between decks using steps and low thresholds, so travellers with reduced mobility should plan accordingly. Cabins may have narrow doorways and some require steps to access; lift access between decks is limited on most Nile cruisers. Embarkation and shore excursions typically involve short walks on river quays, uneven cobbles, historic stone paving and short staircases at temples and tombs. Wheelchair users usually need a collapsible wheelchair and assistance for boarding and shore transfers; please tell us your exact requirements before booking so we can check cabin suitability and request staff assistance with the cruise line. If you use a walking stick or have limited stamina, allow extra time for temple approaches and tell your Egyptologist before each excursion so they can plan pacing and rest stops.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

What to bring

  • Valid passport with at least six months validity
  • Printed or digital travel documents and visas
  • Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
  • High-factor sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a brimmed hat
  • Reusable water bottle for on-board refills
  • Lightweight daypack for shore excursions
  • Prescription medicines in original packaging

What to wear

  • Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in natural fibres
  • Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
  • Comfortable closed shoes for archaeological sites
  • A warm layer for cooler evenings on the sun deck
  • Sunglasses and a brimmed hat for strong sun

Children & families

Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be useful on flat promenades and in ports, but they are impractical at many temple approaches and inside tombs because of steps and narrow passages. High chairs are not guaranteed on board; request them at booking and we will check availability with the cruise line.

Location

On the map

Luxor and Aswan — where it sails in EgyptMediterranean SeaRed SeaWestern DesertEastern DesertLake NasserLuxorEdfuKom OmboAswanCairoAbu SimbelN
Cairo lies north; your cruise is the gold stretch in the south. The Nile flows north, so sailing upstream means heading south.

While you're here

Worth pairing

Responsible travel

How we travel here

The vessel uses inboard diesel engines for propulsion and small launch boats for some shore landings, so fuel use and emissions are typical for Nile river cruisers. On board the cruise line limits single-use plastics where ship systems permit, operates a linen-reuse programme on multi-night sailings and provides public-area water-refill points rather than single-use bottled water. Shore excursions are supplied by local licensed guides, craftspeople and port crews, which directs income to businesses in Luxor and Aswan; the cruise employs local crew and on-board staff recruited from the region. If you would like lower-impact ashore options, ask your Egyptologist about walking routes, visits to craft co-operatives and shore activities that channel spending to local initiatives. We arrange the cruise as a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can pass specific sustainability requests to the cruise line before you travel.

  • 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

Grand Rose Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt with full board accommodation from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day. The cruise includes a scheduled shore-excursion program to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings. Cabins are available in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite grades, with some offering Nile-view windows or balconies.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What is the typical duration of the Grand Rose Nile Cruise?
    The Grand Rose Nile Cruise typically offers sailings of eight days between Luxor and Aswan. These voyages alternate weekly between northbound and southbound routes, providing a comprehensive experience of the Nile River and its historical sites.
  2. 02What is included in the full board meal plan on the Grand Rose Nile Cruise?
    Full board on the Grand Rose Nile Cruise includes all meals from lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. This covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in the main dining room. Drinks beyond water with meals are generally excluded.
  3. 03What shore excursions are part of the Grand Rose Nile Cruise programme?
    The Grand Rose Nile Cruise includes a scheduled programme of shore excursions to major sites. These typically feature visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple.
  4. 04What types of cabins are available on the Grand Rose Nile Cruise?
    The Grand Rose Nile Cruise offers cabins in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite grades. Many cabins feature panoramic windows or balconies, allowing for views of the Nile. All cabins are designed for comfort during your sailing.
  5. 05What amenities are available on board the Grand Rose Nile Cruise?
    On board the Grand Rose Nile Cruise, guests can enjoy a sun deck with shaded seating, a lounge bar, a main dining room, and a small pool. These facilities are available for all guests throughout their sailing.
  6. 06What is the policy for children on the Grand Rose Nile Cruise?
    Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, while those 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and above pay the full adult fare. One child maximum can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.
  7. 07What should I wear for shore excursions from the Grand Rose Nile Cruise?
    For shore excursions, we recommend comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven ancient stone and sand. Light, breathable clothing is best for the Egyptian climate, and modest dress is advised for visits to religious sites like temples and mosques.
  8. 08Are gratuities included in the Grand Rose Nile Cruise package?
    No, gratuities for the cruise staff and Egyptologists are not included in the Grand Rose Nile Cruise package. It is customary to tip for good service, and we can provide guidance on appropriate amounts closer to your departure.
  9. 09What is the best time of year to take the Grand Rose Nile Cruise?
    The best time to take the Grand Rose Nile Cruise is generally from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, especially for daytime excursions.
  10. 10Does the Grand Rose Nile Cruise include visits to premium sites like pyramid interiors?
    The Grand Rose Nile Cruise includes standard entrance fees for the scheduled shore excursions. However, site-specific premium entrance tickets, such as for pyramid interiors or certain premium tombs, are not included unless explicitly stated in your booking.

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

Editorial review

Discovery Tours

Last updated 17 May 2026Product ID: CRU-LUX-766321

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