Egypt Discovery
From per personOn Request
Nile Cruise 5-Star Deluxe Aswan → Luxor

Moondance Nile Cruise

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.

02 Overview

A first look

A four-day sail on MS Moondance links key Nile sites between Luxor and Aswan. We provide private guides, transfers and on-board meals as a licensed Egyptian tour operator.

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 programme 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

  • 01 Four-day cruise aboard MS Moondance between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo.
  • 02 Guided site visits included; standard Egyptian site entrance fees are covered, pyramid interiors and gratuities excluded.
  • 03 Our Egyptologist leads visits to Karnak and the Valley of the Kings; private transfers from ship to sites arranged.
  • 04 Early starts for West Bank tombs (practical drawback); expect uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday.
  • 05 Unlike large scheduled river services, our cruises prioritise flexible shore times and Egyptologist-led visits.

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 Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

On property

What's here

  • gym
  • spa
  • concierge
  • pool
  • bar

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Full board: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Accommodation in the booked cabin class on board the Moondance Nile Cruise
  • Use of public areas on board including sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
  • Standard shore excursions as offered by the vessel or local partners, arranged for you

Not included

  • Drinks other than water with meals, unless expressly stated
  • Gratuities for crew and Egyptologists unless pre-booked
  • Optional premium shore excursions and entry fees not listed in the vessel's standard programme (for example, pyramid interior, premium tombs)
  • International flights, visas and personal travel insurance

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12+ pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents (maximum one child per cabin). Two or more children require their own cabin.

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.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01 What 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.
  2. 02 Which 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.
  3. 03 What 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.
  4. 04 Is 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.
  5. 05 What 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.
  6. 06 When 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

Last updated 18 May 2026 Product ID: CRU-NIL-493814

You Might Also Like

Al Kahila Nile CruiseLuxor

3 Nights

Al Kahila Nile Cruise

Al Kahila Nile Cruise is a river vessel offering cabin classes with Nile views, a sun deck, lounge bar and a dining room. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Full board applies from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, with shore excursions at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings included in the vessel programme. Discovery Tours Egypt has carefully selected and arranges this cruise as part of your Egypt travel plans. Unlike coach-based group tours, the cruise alternates sailing and on-shore visits for a paced itinerary.

From £730

Alyssa Nile CruiseNile

3 Nights

Alyssa Nile Cruise

Alyssa Nile Cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Philae Temple. We arrange small-group cruises with English-speaking Egyptologists, full-board meals, airport and port transfers, and entrance fees for the listed sites. Groups are capped at eight participants, so visits are quieter and queuing times are typically shorter than on larger cruise programs. The itinerary includes a horse-drawn chariot visit to Edfu and a folkloric evening ashore. Optional excursions, such as Abu Simbel from Aswan, can be added. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Cairo-based team coordinates every detail on the ground, from meet-and-assist to transfers and local guides.

From £730

Chateau Lafayette Nile CruiseNile

3 Nights

Chateau Lafayette Nile Cruise

Chateau Lafayette Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. The vessel is a classic, five-star cruise with a sun deck, pool and evening entertainment on board. Days combine guided visits to named sites, including a chariot ride to Edfu’s Temple of Horus, with relaxed afternoons watching the river. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we coordinate transfers, meet-and-assist and English-speaking Egyptologist guides for the excursions. We do not run group bus tours, excursions are private and led by an Egyptologist. Unlike many short packaged cruises that rush temple visits, this programme schedules fuller time at Edfu and Kom Ombo. Optional Abu Simbel excursions are available from Aswan on selected departures.

From £540