Moondance Nile Cruise
A 5-star vessel with shaded deck seating, an indoor saloon and full-board dining; selected cabins have Nile-view balconies.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Moondance Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02Overview
A first look
Background
The facts
Moondance Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel that sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Embarkation and disembarkation take place at the two end ports, and the cruise includes full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Cabins are offered in graded classes such as Standard, Deluxe, and Suite, with some categories featuring panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies.
The vessel’s public areas typically include a sun deck with shaded seating, a lounge bar, an indoor saloon, and a dining room. Meals are served as full board with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and drinks beyond water with meals are usually extra. On 5-star Nile vessels, afternoon tea is commonly included as part of the onboard service.
The shore-excursion program features major Upper Egypt monuments, including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple near Aswan, and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s west bank. These visits are arranged as guided shore excursions rather than fixed coach-only sightseeing. The itinerary combines sailing days on the Nile with monument visits at ports along the route.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise is suited to travelers who want a comfortable way to see Egypt’s major Nile Valley monuments without changing hotels repeatedly. It works well for couples, older travelers, and first-time visitors who prefer guided sightseeing and a cabin-based journey rather than long overland transfers.
What lingers
- 01Four-day cruise aboard MS Moondance between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo.
- 02Guided site visits included; standard Egyptian site entrance fees are covered, pyramid interiors and gratuities excluded.
- 03Our Egyptologist leads visits to Karnak and the Valley of the Kings; private transfers from ship to sites arranged.
- 04Early starts for West Bank tombs (practical drawback); expect uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday.
- 05Unlike large scheduled river services, our cruises prioritise flexible shore times and Egyptologist-led visits.
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
Both directions
Where this ship sails
This vessel works more than one stretch of the river. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
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- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person, per cabin, in GBP. Each rate below covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.
7 nights / 8 days · Luxor to Luxor
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,745 | £3,023 |
| Double cabin | £1,140 | £1,813 |
| Triple cabin | £1,126 | £1,799 |
4 nights / 5 days · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,120 | £1,850 |
| Double cabin | £774 | £1,159 |
| Triple cabin | £767 | £1,151 |
3 nights / 4 days · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £912 | £1,459 |
| Double cabin | £652 | £940 |
| Triple cabin | £646 | £935 |
7 nights / 8 days · Aswan to Aswan
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,761 | £3,039 |
| Double cabin | £1,155 | £1,828 |
| Triple cabin | £1,142 | £1,815 |
Cabin allocation
- Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
- Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
- Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On property
What's here
- gym
- spa
- concierge
- pool
- bar
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day, including breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Accommodation aboard Moondance in the cabin class booked
- Use of the vessel’s shared spaces, including the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- The vessel’s or local partners’ standard shore trips, organised on your behalf
Not included
- Beverages with meals, except water, unless specifically mentioned
- Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists, unless pre-booked
- Optional premium shore excursions and entry fees not included in the vessel’s standard programme, such as pyramid interiors and premium tombs
- Overseas flights, visa costs and personal travel cover
Accessibility
Who can join this
Boarding involves a gangway and steps, and quaysides can be uneven. On board, public areas and many cabins may only be reached by stairs; a lift or wheelchair-adapted cabin is not confirmed. Shore excursions involve paved temple forecourts, uneven ancient stone and, at some river landings, short sandy approaches. Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings can each include steps or surfaces that are difficult for wheelchairs and guests with limited mobility. Please tell us about mobility needs before booking. We can check what assistance is available and advise which visits may be practical, but cannot guarantee step-free access. Service animals require advance notice and relevant documentation.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and a photocopy
- Walking footwear that’s comfortable and has good grip
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
- Reusable water bottle
- Small daypack for shore excursions
- Prescription medication in original packaging
- Plug adapter for type C or F sockets
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for the heat
- Long sleeves and long trousers or skirts for sun protection
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Light layer for cooler evenings on the Nile
- Closed shoes with grip for temple paths and landings
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children aged 12 and above 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. Strollers can be used in some onboard areas but are awkward on uneven quaysides and ancient stone. High chairs may be available in the dining room on request; please ask when booking.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Nile cruiser is diesel-powered; the specific vessel and its engine details are not confirmed before booking. Airport transfers, when arranged, are usually by air-conditioned sedan or minibus. We arrange services with local catering, Egyptologists, port providers and small boat operators, including at Philae, to keep more of the trip's spending with Egyptian suppliers. These arrangements do not remove the environmental impact of diesel sailing or road travel. Some vessels may reduce single-use plastics or offer linen reuse on request, but practices vary by vessel. Ask before travel whether water refill options are available on your assigned cruiser. We can also enquire about a vetted local community visit, but this depends on availability and is not part of the standard programme.
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
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is included on a 4-day Nile cruise on MS Moondance?
Standard archaeological site entrance fees, meals on board, cabin accommodation and scheduled shore excursions are included unless we state otherwise. Flights, premium tomb tickets (for example Tutankhamun) and gratuities are normally excluded; we confirm exact inclusions at booking. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we arrange transfers and on-the-ground logistics for MS Moondance. Unlike many packaged coach departures, we aim to reduce handovers by coordinating door-to-boat transfers where possible.02Which sites will we see on a four-day Nile cruise?
Most four-day Nile cruises include Karnak, Luxor Temple, Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings), Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. The actual sequence depends on the sailing direction (Luxor→Aswan or vice versa) and the ship's schedule; we provide the confirmed day-by-day plan before travel. Interior visits such as the Khufu pyramid or access to premium tombs are separate tickets and may not be part of the standard itinerary.03What facilities and cabin types does MS Moondance have?
MS Moondance has en-suite passenger cabins, a dining saloon and a sun deck; we confirm the exact cabin layout and facilities at booking. Cabins on Nile cruise vessels are generally more compact than hotel rooms and have limited storage; expect narrow corridors and stairs between decks. Upper-deck cabins offer better views but more direct sun; lower cabins are slightly cooler but may have smaller windows. We can request specific cabin locations subject to availability.04Is MS Moondance suitable for someone with limited mobility?
MS Moondance and Nile sites have physical constraints: gangways, ship stairs and uneven temple terrain limit full accessibility. Wheelchair users will usually need transfer assistance and may be unable to enter some tombs or temples because of steps, cobbles and narrow passages. We can arrange supplemental porter assistance and select lower-impact shore options where possible, but please tell us exact mobility needs when you enquire so we can advise realistically.05What should I pack for a 4-day Nile cruise?
Bring high-SPF sun protection, lightweight breathable clothing, sturdy walking shoes and a wide-brimmed hat; modest dress is required for temples and mosques. Also carry a small daypack, insect repellent, daily medications and a refillable water bottle. Evenings can be cooler so a light jumper is useful. Electrical sockets vary on Nile boats; bring a universal adapter and a small torch for dawn or dusk walks around uneven archaeological sites.06When is the best time of year to cruise the Nile on MS Moondance?
The temperate months October to April offer milder daytime temperatures and more comfortable sightseeing. Peak season (December–February) is busier and prices are higher; summer months (May–September) commonly exceed 40°C with intense sun exposure at outdoor sites. We schedule outdoor visits for early morning or late afternoon where possible to avoid the hottest hours; tell us your date-range and we will advise on likely conditions.
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
Product ID: CRU-NIL-493814
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