Royal Princess Nile Cruise

The short answer

Royal Princess is an 8-day Nile cruise vessel serving Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions at major river sites, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

Nile cruise vessel

Destinations

Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

Cabin accommodation aboard Royal Princess · Full Board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day · Sailing between Luxor and Aswan · Shore-excursion programme at Karnak and Luxor Temple · Shore excursions at Edfu and Kom Ombo · Shore excursions at Philae and the Valley of the Kings · Standard site entrance fees

Best for

Nile cruise travellers · Ancient Egyptian history enthusiasts · Couples · Families sharing a cabin

What lingers

• 01Sail between Luxor and Aswan on the Nile, with weekly departures in both directions.
• 02Shore excursions include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor.
• 03Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the temples of Kom Ombo.
• 04The programme includes Philae in Aswan and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank.
• 05Five-star classification; the assigned vessel and its facilities are confirmed at booking.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most Nile cruise listings focus on a fixed sailing itinerary. Royal Princess is presented as a vessel sailing weekly in both directions, with shore excursions at named sites along the Luxor to Aswan route. Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.

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.

• Aswan to Luxor3 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor to Aswan4 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Aswan round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide

Bundled in

• ·Gym
• ·Sauna
• ·Steam Room
• ·Massage Room (with fee)
• ·Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
• ·Restaurant
• ·Bar
• ·Mezzanine / Gift Shop
• ·Boutiques
• ·Hairdresser
• ·Laundry
• ·Doctor on Call

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

1. 01

   At Karnak, allow time to look up in the Great Hypostyle Hall; its columns carry carved reliefs and inscriptions.

2. 02

   At Luxor Temple, compare the temple’s ancient stonework with the later mosque built within the complex.

3. 03

   At Edfu, check the current return-to-vessel time before exploring the Temple of Horus independently.

4. 04

   Carry a light layer for the sun deck, where river breezes can feel cooler after sunset.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so the departure direction can be selected around your wider travel plans. Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins are available; ask us to confirm current cabin views, prices and any available additions to the shore-excursion programme. Any extension or meal change should be confirmed before booking.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Accessibility

Who can join this

A Nile cruise involves steps and uneven surfaces, so it requires a moderate level of mobility. Embarkation and disembarkation use a gangplank, and passengers may need to manage one or two steps even when crew members carry the luggage. Cabins are often compact, with narrow doorways and limited turning space that can restrict wheelchair or large mobility scooter access. Shore excursions at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings can involve uneven ancient stone, stairs and sand. We can request an accessible transfer and assistance in advance, but access cannot be guaranteed on every vessel or at every site. Please tell us about mobility aids or medical equipment before booking so we can discuss practical options.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

Nile cruisers generally use diesel engines, while shore excursions commonly travel by air-conditioned coach. These are the main transport-related emissions for this type of holiday, and practices vary between cruise suppliers. We arrange the cruise with local suppliers whose crew and Egyptologists work along the Nile, including in Luxor and Aswan. Shore visits use local licensed guides, and standard entrance fees support the management of Egypt’s archaeological sites. Waste handling differs by vessel, so we cannot promise a particular recycling system. You can reduce disposable plastic by bringing a reusable bottle and using crew recycling facilities where available. Ask us for supplier-specific information before booking; we will share what is confirmed for the vessel assigned to your cruise.

• 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

Before you go

What to pack & wear

If plans change

Cancellation

More than 30 days

75% back, or 100% kept as credit towards a future holiday

15–30 days

50% back, or 75% kept as credit

7–14 days

25% back, or 50% kept as credit

2–6 days

Nothing back; 25% kept as credit

Under 48 hours, or if you don't turn up

No refund and no credit

Notice is counted from the day you arrive in Egypt. A few vessels have their own terms; where that's so, we'll let you know before any payment is taken.Read our full cancellation and refund policy

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Karnak TempleRight here
• Luxor TempleRight here
• Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
• The temple at Kom OmboRight here
• Philae TempleRight here
• The Valley of the KingsRight here

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long is the Royal Princess Nile Cruise?

   This Royal Princess Nile Cruise page describes an 8-day holiday. The exact number of nights aboard depends on the embarkation and disembarkation dates shown for your selected sailing, so check those dates before booking. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.
2. 02Where do I embark and disembark for the Royal Princess Nile Cruise?

   Embarkation and disembarkation are in Luxor or Aswan, according to the sailing you select. We arrange the airport or hotel transfers shown in your booking, with air-conditioned vehicles. Your final travel documents confirm the port, timings and transfer arrangements; do not assume the vessel departs from the same city on every sailing.
3. 03What does the Royal Princess Nile Cruise package include?

   The package includes full board, guided shore excursions with an English-speaking Egyptologist, listed site entrance fees and transfers in air-conditioned vehicles. It also includes meet-and-assist on arrival and departure, one bottle of water per person per day, service charges and taxes. Excursions are operated in small groups of up to eight participants.
4. 04What is not included in the Royal Princess Nile Cruise?

   Drinks beyond the water provided are generally extra, and gratuities are not included unless your booking says otherwise. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Check the page and your final arrangements for any other exclusions, including optional purchases or services not listed as included.
5. 05Would the Royal Princess Nile Cruise work well for travellers with limited mobility?

   The vessel and shore excursions may involve steps, gangways and uneven ancient surfaces, so mobility can be challenging. The programme includes visits to sites such as Karnak Temple, Edfu and the Valley of the Kings, where walking is required. Tell us about access needs before booking so we can check what can be arranged.
6. 06What is the children’s policy on the Royal Princess Nile Cruise?

   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. Ask us to confirm cabin availability and the applicable price for your family’s dates.
7. 07What should I wear and bring on the Royal Princess Nile Cruise?

   Bring light, breathable clothing, a hat, sunglasses, high-factor sun cream and comfortable shoes for uneven temple paths. A light layer is useful on deck and in air conditioning. Wear modest clothing at religious sites, covering shoulders and knees. A reusable water bottle is practical, although one bottle per person per day is included.
8. 08Can I take photographs on the Royal Princess Nile Cruise and during excursions?

   Photography is generally possible during the sailing and at many outdoor sites, but rules vary by location. Some tombs and museum areas restrict photography or require a separate permit; follow posted notices and your Egyptologist’s guidance. Ask before photographing local people, and avoid using flash where it is prohibited.
9. 09When is the best time to take the Royal Princess Nile Cruise?

   November to March usually brings cooler conditions for shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan. Summer can be very hot, particularly at exposed sites, so plan for sun protection and take water. The vessel sails weekly throughout the year, but availability and excursion conditions depend on the selected dates.
10. 10Which places does the Royal Princess Nile Cruise visit?

    The shore-excursion programme covers Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Excursions alternate with sailing between Luxor and Aswan, and the order depends on the direction and schedule. Unlike a single-site river outing, this programme links major temples on both banks of the Nile.