Nile Saray Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile ship with 57 cabins, a pool on the sun deck and a 110-seat buffet restaurant.
The short answer
Nile Saray is a 5-Star Standard Nile cruise ship. Board in Aswan for 3 nights to Luxor (on a Wednesday) or a 7-night round trip (on a Saturday), or in Luxor on a Saturday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Fares start from £805 per person, two sharing a double cabin, with full board, guided sightseeing and transfers included.
02Overview
A first look
The Nile Saray has carried guests along the Nile since 1990, and a full renovation in 2009 brought its cabins and public rooms up to five-star standard. There are 57 cabins, a sun deck with a pool and 90 loungers, a buffet restaurant that seats 110 and a bar open from ten in the morning until midnight.
Between the ship's quiet hours and the shore excursions, the days are easy. Evenings bring live music, belly dancing or a Nubian show. We book your cruise and arrange the sightseeing, and the ship itself is run by its own cruise company. Drinks are not included, even with meals.
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. Embarkation days and prices are in the table below.
Cruise lengths, embarkation days and fares
Fares are per person in GBP, based on two sharing a double cabin. Each fare includes the full cruise, the guided sightseeing programme on the way, and transfers between the boat and the local airport or railway station at both ends.
| Cruise | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from £805double cabinsingle cabin £1,057 | May – September: from £733double cabinsingle cabin £935 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £1,001double cabinsingle cabin £1,338 | May – September: from £905double cabinsingle cabin £1,174 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £1,550double cabinsingle cabin £2,139 | May – September: from £1,381double cabinsingle cabin £1,853 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £1,564double cabinsingle cabin £2,153 | May – September: from £1,396double cabinsingle cabin £1,867 |
Pick your cruise and date in the booking panel to see the exact fare.
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.
These fares are a guide, as prices and cabins move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.
- New
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 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
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.
The ship
- Class
- 5-Star Standard Nile cruise ship
- Cabins
- 57
What lingers
- 01Choose a 16 m² Standard Cabin or a 30 m² Junior Suite with its own seating area.
- 02Spend afternoons on the sun deck, with a pool and 90 sun loungers.
- 03Dine at the International Restaurant, an open buffet with seating for 110.
- 04Keep fit in the gym, free of charge; massage is available on request for a fee.
- 05Join guided shore excursions to sites such as Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings.
- 06Spend the evenings with live music, a galabeya party, belly dancing or a Nubian show.
On property
What's here
- Pool
- Sun Deck
- Spa
- Gym
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Lounge
- Wi-Fi
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Cabin accommodation aboard the Nile Saray
- Full board, from lunch on the day you embark to breakfast on the day you disembark
- Selected guided shore excursions as part of the cruise programme
- Standard entrance fees for the included excursions
- Use of the sun deck, pool and gym
- Evening entertainment on board
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers and crew
- Premium or optional entrance tickets
- Transfers, unless booked
- Mini-fridge, bar, massage and laundry charges
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 confirm the cabin category before you travel. Transfers can be booked separately, and premium tickets or extras such as massage can be added where available. Tell us if you would like extra nights in Luxor or Aswan.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time visitors to Egypt and history enthusiasts who want river travel combined with guided visits to the great temples. You should be happy to board by gangway and walk around large sites, where steps, uneven ground and the heat are part of the day.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-only tour of Egypt, this cruise combines river travel between Luxor and Aswan with selected guided shore excursions, full board and standard entrance fees. Drinks, transfers unless booked, gratuities and optional premium tickets cost extra.
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.
- Blue Shadow I Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard Nile cruise
Embarks Wed from Aswan / Sat from Luxor
From £805 pp
- Royal Amira Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From £805 pp
- Tower Prestige Nile Cruise
5-Star Standard Nile cruise
Embarks Mon from Luxor / Fri from Aswan
From £790 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
- Five-star Nile cruise cabin
- Destinations
- Luxor · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Your cabin · Full board, lunch on arrival to breakfast on departure · Guided shore excursions to selected sites · Standard entrance fees for those visits · Use of the sun deck, pool and gym · Live music and evening shows
- Best for
- First visits to Egypt · History lovers · Couples · Families who can manage temple walking
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 travel free, those aged 6 to 11.99 pay half the adult fare and anyone aged 12 or over pays the adult fare. A child shares a cabin with their parents, with a limit of one child per cabin, and two or more children need their own cabin. Buggies can be awkward on gangways, between decks and on the uneven paths at ancient sites. Ask us whether a high chair is available on board.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The ship has a sun deck, pool, restaurant, bar, gym and cabins, but step-free routes and wheelchair access are not confirmed. Boarding uses a gangway and moving between decks may mean stairs. Excursions can involve steps, uneven stone and exposed paths at places such as Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, which can be hard going for guests with limited mobility. Tell us what you need before you book and we will check the boarding arrangements and the excursions for your dates.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The ship is run by its own cruise company, and we arrange your cruise and sightseeing with local suppliers. Excursions use local Egyptologists and drivers, though vehicle types, fuel use and each supplier's environmental practices vary and are not confirmed for every booking. We cannot vouch for the ship's waste, water or energy practices. Ask us which suppliers we use for your trip.
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 does the Nile Saray fare include?
Your cabin, full board from lunch on the day you embark to breakfast on the day you disembark, selected guided shore excursions with their standard entrance fees, and use of the sun deck, pool and gym. Evening entertainment is on the house too. The ship is run by its cruise company; we book the cruise and arrange your sightseeing.02Are airport and port transfers included?
No, transfers are extra unless you book them with us. We can arrange them for you, so tell us your flight times and we will plan the meeting point with you. Flights are not part of the fare.03What will I pay for on board?
Drinks are not included, even with meals, and the Semiramis Bar charges for what you order. The mini-fridge, massage and laundry also cost extra, as do gratuities for guides, drivers and crew and any premium entrance tickets.04Can I bring my children?
Yes. Children aged 0 to 5.99 travel free, those aged 6 to 11.99 pay half the adult fare, and anyone from 12 pays the adult fare. A child shares a cabin with their parents, with a limit of one child per cabin; two or more children need a cabin of their own.05Is the ship suitable for guests with limited mobility?
Step-free access is not confirmed. Boarding involves a gangway and moving between decks may mean stairs, while temples and tombs often have steps and uneven stone. Please tell us what you need before booking and we will check what can be done.06What should I pack?
Light, breathable clothes for the heat, a hat, sunglasses, sun cream and comfortable walking shoes. Bring a light layer for air-conditioned rooms and cooler evenings, and cover your shoulders and knees at religious sites. Pack any medication you take.07May I take photographs at the sites?
It depends on the site. Look for posted notices and ask your Egyptologist before you use a camera in a temple or tomb, as some tombs forbid photography or sell a separate camera ticket. Please ask before photographing people.08When is the best time to go?
The cooler months, roughly October to April, are the most comfortable for sightseeing in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Summer is hot and the shade is limited. Opening hours can change during Ramadan, so check the excursion times for your dates.09Where do the shore excursions go?
The programme includes selected visits to places such as Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, and the route can also take in Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. The excursions you get depend on your booking. Premium or optional tickets, including some tomb interiors, are not included.10How are cabin prices worked out, and what if I travel alone?
Prices are per person sharing a double cabin. If you book a cabin on your own, you pay the single-cabin rate, which the booking page shows for your dates.
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-503687
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Sat in Luxor · Wed in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-Star Standard
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