Royal Amira Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser with panoramic windows, Nile-view balconies, a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, and full-board service.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Royal Amira Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02Overview
A first look
Background
The facts
Royal Amira is a five-star Nile cruise vessel that sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan in both directions. Embarkation and disembarkation are handled at Luxor and Aswan, and the cruise program combines sailing days with scheduled shore excursions to major Upper Egypt monuments.
The vessel’s excursion program includes Karnak Temple Complex on the east bank of Luxor, Luxor Temple in the city center, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the twin temple of Kom Ombo, Philae Temple near Aswan, and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s west bank. These sites represent Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, and later religious history, with travel between Luxor and Aswan covering the river corridor of Upper Egypt rather than overland coach transfers.
Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, with many cabins featuring Nile-view windows or balconies. On board, guests have access to a sun deck, lounge bar, and dining room, and meals are served on a full board basis from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Because the cruise spaces visits across sailing days, Edfu and Kom Ombo are usually experienced as separate shore excursions rather than rushed stops. Discovery Tours Egypt selects and arranges the cruise, while the vessel’s own cruise manager and crew handle onboard service and the guided excursion program.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who want to see Upper Egypt’s major archaeological sites without changing hotels every night. It is a good fit for adults, couples, and families who prefer a relaxed private-cabin river journey with guided sightseeing and onboard dining.
What lingers
- 01Four-day cruise between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak and Luxor West Bank.
- 02We moor overnight at Edfu so guests have two hours to explore Horus Temple after the boats depart.
- 03Included: Nile-side cabins, daily breakfasts and lunches, guided shore excursions, and standard site entrance fees.
- 04Early-morning optional balloon flights over Luxor available; we can pre-book transfers and tickets on your behalf.
- 05Unlike cruise-only packages, we include private airport transfers in Aswan and Luxor for smooth embarkation and disembarkation.
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.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
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
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $899 | $1,013 | $1,127 |
| Triple Cabin | $793 | $869 | $945 |
| Single Cabin | $1,673 | $2,060 | $2,446 |
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $683 | $748 | $813 |
| Triple Cabin | $622 | $666 | $709 |
| Single Cabin | $1,125 | $1,346 | $1,567 |
4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $610 | $659 | $708 |
| Triple Cabin | $565 | $597 | $630 |
| Single Cabin | $942 | $1,108 | $1,273 |
8 Days / 7 Nights · Aswan to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $913 | $1,027 | $1,140 |
| Triple Cabin | $807 | $883 | $958 |
| Single Cabin | $1,686 | $2,073 | $2,460 |
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.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard the Royal Amira in the selected cabin class
- Full board meals, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Use of public areas: sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Scheduled shore excursions organized by the vessel to named archaeological sites
- English-speaking cruise manager and onboard crew service
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Drinks beyond bottled water with meals, unless stated otherwise at booking
- Gratuities for crew, guides and drivers
- Personal expenses and optional extras (spa treatments, boutique purchases)
- Travel insurance and visa fees
Accessibility
Who can join this
The cruise involves boarding via a ship gangway and stairs; many public areas and cabins are reached by at least one flight of steps or a narrow corridor. On shore excursions you should expect uneven ancient stone, temple steps, sand, and short distances walked on cobbles and compacted dirt. Wheelchair users with full mobility needs should contact us before booking; most Nile cruisers cannot accommodate full-size wheelchairs in cabins or on landing stages. Guests who use mobility aids may be able to embark with advance notice and assistance from the cruise crew, but landing at some archaeological sites requires transfers over steps. If you have limited mobility, respiratory or cardiac conditions, or difficulty climbing stairs, tell us when you enquire so we can explain which excursions are practical and request assistance ashore where possible.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and any visas
- Sun protection: SPF50+ sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip for ruins and temple steps
- Light rain jacket or wind layer for evening sailing on the sun deck
- Reusable water bottle (refill where the vessel provides safe water)
- Small daypack for water, camera, and personal items
- Any personal medication plus a printed prescription
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime heat
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A smart-casual outfit for evening dining in the ship's dining room
- Flat, closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
- Light layers for cooler evenings on the sun deck
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children 12 years and older pay the full adult fare. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical onboard for moving around the public areas but may be difficult when embarking ashore at sites with steps. High chairs and baby cots depend on the vessel’s equipment; request these at booking and we will confirm availability with the cruise.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel sails the Nile using diesel-powered engines typical of river cruisers; shore transfers and excursions organised by the vessel use air-conditioned coaches and launches. We work with locally based suppliers, including the vessel crew, Egyptologists hired per cruise, and licensed local guides at sites, so most service spend stays in the local economy. Onboard waste is segregated where the cruise operator allows and recyclable materials are returned to port facilities for processing. We encourage guests to minimise single-use plastics, use refillable water bottles where safe water is supplied, and respect site rules to avoid trampling fragile archaeology. We do not consolidate shore excursions with large third-party day-tour operators; the vessel’s scheduled programme is used to reduce duplicate traffic at sites and to keep transit distances within the Luxor–Aswan corridor.
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 in the 4-day MS Royal Amira Nile cruise?
The cruise price includes full-board meals, cabin accommodation, scheduled shore excursions and transfers we arrange. Standard site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors and premium tombs are excluded unless you request them. Gratuities and any personal expenses (drinks outside meal times, laundry) are normally charged separately. We operate this cruise as the on-the-ground licensed Egyptian tour operator and supply local guides and transfers as part of the booking.02What is the typical itinerary for a 4-day Nile cruise on MS Royal Amira?
A four-day Nile cruise commonly links Luxor and Aswan with scheduled stops at both East and West Bank temples. Exact sequence depends on the sailing slot and river conditions; we send a confirmed day-by-day itinerary with timings when you book. Unlike one-day coach trips, a four-day cruise lets you visit multiple sites without repeated packing, though expect early starts and walking on uneven ancient stone at some landings.03Are meals and drinks included on MS Royal Amira?
Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included on board. Soft drinks, local tea and coffee at meal times are usually included; alcoholic drinks, premium bottled water and speciality beverages are normally charged separately. We can cater for dietary requirements (vegetarian, gluten-free, halal) with at least 72 hours' notice–please confirm when you book.04Is the MS Royal Amira suitable for guests with reduced mobility?
The vessel has steps and narrow gangways and is not suitable for full wheelchair access. Shore landings often involve stepping on to uneven quays, sand or small tenders, and some temple approaches include cobbles and steps. If you have limited mobility we can plan reduced-walking excursions and a companion car where port infrastructure allows, but you must tell us at booking so we can assess each landing in advance.05What should I pack for a 4-day Nile cruise?
Bring sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, modest clothing for temple and mosque visits and a light jacket for cooler evenings. Also pack a sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, insect repellent in summer, swimwear, a small daypack and any prescription medicines. Carry photocopies of your passport and some Egyptian pounds for tips and small purchases; shipboard plug types vary, so bring a universal adaptor.06Are tips and gratuities included on the MS Royal Amira?
Gratuities are normally not included in the cruise price and are expected for crew, guides and drivers. Typical amounts vary by party size and local custom, so many guests carry small cash in Egyptian pounds to tip at the end of the cruise. If you prefer a cashless approach we can arrange to collect a suggested service charge in advance–please tell us when you confirm 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
Product ID: CRU-NIL-520219
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