Mayflower Nile Cruise
The Mayflower features cabins, a sun deck, a lounge bar and dining room, plus shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan.
The short answer
Mayflower is a 5-Star Luxury Nile cruise ship. Board in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Fares are quoted on request for your dates.
02Overview
A first look
The Mayflower takes the classic route between Luxor and Aswan, and the river does most of the entertaining: fields, palms and desert ridges pass the panoramic windows while you settle into the lounge bar between visits. Full board runs from lunch on the day you board to breakfast on the day you leave.
Ashore, an Egyptologist leads the visits on the cruise programme, from the columns of Karnak and Luxor Temple to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Egypt Discovery arranges the cruise, the excursions and your transfers, and confirms the practical details before embarkation.
Routes
Where this ship sails
Each route this ship sails. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.
Cabin pricing
Rates on request
There are no published rates for this ship at the moment. Tell us your dates and we'll reply with a current price for the cabin you have in mind.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
Join the vessel in Luxor and have lunch on board, then explore Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Discover the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple and the Colossi of Memnon, then set sail south in the direction of Edfu.
- 3
See the Temple of Horus in Edfu and Kom Ombo’s double temple before continuing by boat to Aswan.
- 4
Explore the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk. An optional trip to Abu Simbel by air or road can be organised.
- 5
Enjoy a restful day in Aswan: take a felucca around Elephantine Island and Kitchener’s Island, or visit a Nubian village, before the vessel heads north.
- 6
- 7
Return to Luxor with time to see any West Bank sites still on your list, or unwind on the sun deck while the vessel moors for its last night.
- 8
Disembark in Luxor after breakfast and continue with your onward transfer.
- 1
Come aboard your Nile cruiser in Luxor and settle into your cabin over lunch. In the afternoon, explore Karnak Temple, ancient Egypt’s largest religious complex, followed by Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Head across to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. The vessel then sets sail south towards Edfu.
- 3
Explore the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Egypt’s best-preserved temple, before sailing onwards to Kom Ombo to see its double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris. Sail on to Aswan, where the vessel is moored overnight.
- 4
The vessel remains moored in Aswan. Those heading to Abu Simbel set off before dawn, travelling by road or air to the pair of rock-cut temples that Ramesses II had carved into the cliff, and return on board at around midday. Spend the afternoon at leisure on board.
- 5
Following breakfast, leave the ship in Aswan. Spend the morning exploring the city: see the High Dam, reach the Temple of Isis at Philae by motor launch, and visit the granite Unfinished Obelisk, before continuing with your onward transfer.
- 1
Come aboard your Nile cruiser in Aswan and have lunch on board. Explore the High Dam, the Temple of Isis at Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
Head north by boat to Kom Ombo to see its double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, then carry on to Edfu and visit the Temple of Horus. Continue sailing towards Luxor.
- 3
Arrive in Luxor and travel across to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 4
After breakfast, explore Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank before disembarking for your onward transfer.
- 1
Come aboard in Aswan and have lunch on board before visiting the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
Spend a leisurely day in Aswan, sailing by felucca around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Islands, or visiting a Nubian village. An optional trip to Abu Simbel can be arranged.
- 3
Sail north to Kom Ombo to see the twin temple of Sobek and Haroeris, then continue to Edfu and the Temple of Horus.
- 4
In Luxor, cross to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 5
Explore Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank before the vessel turns south on its return voyage.
- 6
- 7
Return to Aswan, where you can unwind on board or join an optional excursion before your last night.
- 8
Disembark in Aswan after breakfast for your onward transfer.
What lingers
- 01Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple as part of the shore-excursion programme.
- 02The programme can include Edfu's Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo.
- 03Explore Philae and the Valley of the Kings on scheduled shore excursions.
- 04Full Board covers meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Bundled in
- Sun deck
- Swimming pool
- Bar
- Spa centre
- Restaurant
- Main lounge
- Boutique and jewellery shop
- Laundry and dry cleaning
- Internet corner / WiFi in public areas
- Library
- Reception
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Standard site entrance fees are typically included.
Not included
- Entry to the interiors of the Pyramids of Khufu and Khafre is typically excluded.
- Entry to premium tombs, including Tutankhamun and Seti I, is typically excluded.
- Gratuities are typically excluded.
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which cabin class and view are confirmed before paying; cabin sizes and views were not supplied here.
- 02
Bring shoes with a firm sole for uneven stone paths at Edfu and the Valley of the Kings.
- 03
Carry small Egyptian pound notes for toilets and incidental purchases at archaeological sites.
- 04
Plan shade and water for exposed site visits, especially during the hotter months.
Add Cairo before or after your cruise
The ship stays between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights back to the UK, are in Cairo. These short extensions link the two.
After you disembark
Flight to Cairo and a night's hotel
Cairo for two nights and a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break Holiday: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Holiday
3-Day Luxor Trip from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Trip from Sharm El Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Trip from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday with Alexandria
Tailor it
Make it yours
Ask us to check cabin class availability and whether private guiding or additional sightseeing can be arranged around the vessel's programme. A Cairo stay or extra nights in Luxor or Aswan may be added to the wider holiday, subject to dates and availability.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Mayflower suits adults and older teenagers who want to see Luxor and Aswan without changing hotels, and who enjoy history, river scenery and guided shore excursions. It also works for couples, solo travellers comfortable with a single supplement and families whose children can manage ancient sites and shared-cabin arrangements.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a land-based holiday instead if you need step-free access throughout or prefer to set your own daily schedule.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Combines river sailing with visits to major ancient sites
Things to Consider
- Uneven stone surfaces at several ancient sites
- Drinks (including water) are usually extra
- Single travellers typically pay a cabin supplement
Where it fits
The Mayflower Nile Cruise works well as the river section of a wider Egypt holiday, paired with time in Cairo before or after sailing. Its excursion programme links Luxor and Aswan, with stops at major sites along the Nile.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise, while the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest fares. Fares are per person, two sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Jaz Elite Regent Nile Cruise
5-Star Luxury Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From £1,398 pp
- Jaz Elite Viceroy Nile Cruise
5-Star Luxury Nile cruise
Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat from Luxor
From £1,398 pp
The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Choose your direction
- Luxor → Aswan4 nightsupstream, against the current
- Aswan → Luxor3 nightsdownstream, with the current
- Round-trip7 nightsreturn to Luxor or Aswan
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Cruise cabin
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cabin aboard the Mayflower · Full Board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Shore-excursion programme at Karnak and Luxor Temple · Visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu · Visit to Kom Ombo · Shore excursions at Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- Best for
- Nile cruise travellers · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and booking confirmation
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Light daypack or crossbody bag
- Reusable water bottle
- Personal medication and basic first-aid items
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for warm days
- A hat and light layer for sun protection
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees for mosques and religious sites
- Comfortable closed shoes for stone paths and steps
- A light jumper for cooler evenings on the Nile
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12 years and older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Cots and extra bedding depend on the vessel assigned. Strollers can be used on board but may be difficult on quays and temple forecourts. Send us each child’s age so we can check cabin availability and bedding.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and its shore excursions involve uneven stone, cobbled paths, sandy banks and steps, so some mobility is needed. Temple ramps can be narrow, and steps at sites such as Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings may lack handrails. Cabins may be reached by stairs, and a passenger lift is not guaranteed on the vessel assigned. Wheelchair assistance may be possible with advance notice, but independent wheelchair access cannot be assured at every quay or historic site. Tell us about mobility aids or other access needs before booking so we can check the assigned vessel and landing arrangements.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Transfers to and from the embarkation port are arranged with Egyptian-owned transport companies and use air-conditioned coaches. The cruise vessel uses its standard diesel engines and employs its own local crew; Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the booking but does not own or operate the vessel. We contract local Egyptologists, guides and small service providers in Luxor and Aswan, paying per-tour fees to local professionals. Refillable water arrangements depend on the vessel, so we will confirm whether refill stations are available before travel. Shore excursions may use local guides and small craft operators. At archaeological sites, follow site rules and avoid touching carved stone.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is included in the Mayflower Nile Cruise fare?
Your cruise fare includes full board, covering lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. It also includes the organised shore excursions with our Egyptologists, as detailed in the vessel's programme.02What shore excursions are offered on the Mayflower Nile Cruise?
The Mayflower Nile Cruise includes guided shore excursions to key sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae Temple. These are led by our qualified Egyptologists.03What is the policy for children on the Mayflower Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free, while those 6 to 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.04What should I wear on a Nile cruise and for shore excursions?
For shore excursions, comfortable walking shoes are essential, along with light, breathable clothing. When visiting religious sites, modest dress is required, meaning shoulders and knees should be covered. A hat and sunglasses are advisable for sun protection.05Are drinks included with meals on the Mayflower Nile Cruise?
Other beverages, such as soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and speciality coffees, are generally available for an additional charge. Afternoon tea is typically included on 5-star vessels.06What is the best time of year to take a Mayflower Nile Cruise?
The cooler months from October to April are generally considered the best time for a Nile cruise, offering pleasant temperatures for shore excursions. The period from November to March is particularly popular for winter sun travellers.07What cabin types are available on the Mayflower Nile Cruise?
The Mayflower Nile Cruise offers various cabin categories, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suites. These typically feature panoramic windows, and some higher categories may offer private Nile-view balconies. All cabins are designed for comfort during your sailing.08Is the Mayflower Nile Cruise suitable for travellers with mobility concerns?
While the vessel itself has lifts between decks, shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient stone, sand, and climbing steps at archaeological sites. Travellers with significant mobility concerns should discuss their specific needs with us before booking.09What is the embarkation and disembarkation process for the cruise?
Embarkation and disembarkation typically occur in Luxor or Aswan, depending on your chosen sailing direction. Specific timings and port details will be confirmed in your travel documents before your departure.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-824139
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Luxor · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
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