Royal Ruby Nile Cruise
Sail Aswan to Luxor, Kom Ombo and Edfu
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Royal Ruby Nile Cruise is an eight-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and scheduled shore excursions, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Royal Ruby sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions including six major ancient sites. Its eight-day cruise product offers Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins, with Full Board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Cabin aboard the Royal Ruby
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Nights aboard the Royal Ruby · Full Board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day · Shore-excursion programme at Karnak and Luxor Temple · Visit to the Temple of Horus at Edfu · Visit to Kom Ombo · Shore excursions at Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- Best for
- Nile cruise travellers · Travellers visiting Luxor and Aswan · Couples · Families sharing a cabin
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
What lingers
- 01Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.
- 02Visit sites on the cruise excursion programme, including Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple.
- 03See the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the temples at Kom Ombo.
- 04Explore Philae and the Valley of the Kings on scheduled shore excursions.
- 05On-board amenities include a restaurant, bar, Wi-Fi, swimming pool and rooftop terrace.
02Overview
A first look
Royal Ruby is a five-star Nile cruiser sailing the classic route between Luxor and Aswan, with full-board dining, a pool deck and Egyptologist-led shore excursions along the river.
Background
The facts
Royal Ruby is a Nile river cruise vessel available through an eight-day cruise product. Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel. Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes. The fare is priced per person sharing, with a single supplement typically applied.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Luxor and Aswan are the embarkation and disembarkation ports; the route follows the Nile between the two cities.
The sites span several periods of ancient Egyptian history. Karnak and Luxor Temple formed part of ancient Thebes, whose monuments, including the Valley of the Kings, are within the UNESCO-listed Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis. Philae is part of the UNESCO-listed Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae. The Temple of Horus at Edfu was built during the Ptolemaic period, while Kom Ombo’s temple was dedicated to Sobek and Horus.
Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water served with meals are typically extra. Exact site opening hours and access conditions can vary by season and local arrangements; check current details before visiting. Pyramid interiors and premium tomb tickets, including Tutankhamun’s, are not part of the standard site admission unless explicitly requested.
Named in this entry
Royal Ruby·Nile·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae·The Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae·Abu Simbel·Sobek·Horus
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- The Royal Ruby suits couples, solo travellers and families with older children who want to see major Nile sites without changing hotels each night. It is a good fit for travellers interested in ancient Egyptian history and comfortable with scheduled shore excursions and walking over uneven stone.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different holiday if you need step-free access throughout or want a quiet, unscheduled stay with few excursions. Summer heat and walking at archaeological sites can also be difficult for travellers with limited stamina.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Visits include major sites such as Karnak and Philae.
- The shore-excursion programme covers sites on both riverbanks.
Things to Consider
- Uneven stone and steps at several archaeological sites.
- Summer temperatures can exceed 35°C in Upper Egypt.
- Excursion times and site visits follow a set programme.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most Nile cruise programmes link Luxor and Aswan with shore excursions at major river sites. Royal Ruby’s described programme includes Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings; Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the booking, while the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
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.
On board
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
On property
What's here
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Wi-Fi
- Swimming pool
- Rooftop terrace
- Parking
Bundled in
- Pool
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Spa
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- ✓ Standard entrance fees to the listed sightseeing sites
Not included
- ✘ Entry to the interiors of the Khufu and Khafre pyramids
- ✘ Entry to the tombs of Tutankhamun and Seti I
- ✘ Gratuities
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
We’ll confirm your cabin class and deck before booking.
- 02
Keep small notes for tipping separate from spending money; gratuities are not included unless stated.
- 03
Carry sun protection for open-air viewing on the sun deck, especially during the hottest part of the day.
- 04
Check current opening hours for each site close to travel, as access times can change seasonally.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Ask us about adding time in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan before or after the cruise, or arranging extra sightseeing around the shore-excursion programme. Cabin class is a choice between Standard, Deluxe and Suite; prices are per person sharing and a single supplement typically applies.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
Royal Ruby fits into a wider Egypt holiday linking Luxor and Aswan, and can be paired with time in Cairo before or after the Nile.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Boarding and disembarking involve gangways, which can be steep or move with the river level. Quays and shore sites may have uneven stone, steps and loose sand. Cabins on some vessels are reached by stairs, and lifts are not guaranteed. Wheelchair use may be possible on the main deck when gangway access allows, but many shore sites are not wheelchair-friendly. Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings have steps and narrow passages; Philae involves a short boat transfer and stepping onto a landing. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check assistance and cabin location with the assigned cruise supplier. Travellers with significant mobility needs should plan to travel with a companion.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The assigned vessel uses marine diesel engines for river propulsion. Shore excursions use licensed, air-conditioned coaches supplied by local transport companies. Egyptologists, drivers and crew are employed by the cruise line or its local partners; we prioritise suppliers that employ people from the Luxor and Aswan areas. We ask suppliers about practical measures such as waste sorting, water refill stations and buying fresh produce from nearby markets, but these measures are not guaranteed on every vessel. We cannot claim formal environmental certification. Passenger spending during shore visits can also support local guide teams, food suppliers and craftspeople. Tell us about any specific sustainability requirements before booking so we can check them with the assigned supplier.
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
What to bring
- Passport and any required visa
- Grippy, comfortable footwear for walks
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ and a wide-brim hat
- Sunglasses and a reusable water bottle
- A small, lightweight rucksack for shore trips
- Personal medicines and prescription copies
- Camera, spare batteries or charger
What to wear
- Breathable, light layers for daytime wear
- Long sleeves, long trousers or a wrap for temple visits
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for mosques
- Closed-toe shoes for uneven stone and sandy paths
- A light layer for cooler evenings on the Nile
- Modest swimwear and a cover-up for public areas
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. Strollers can be practical on the vessel’s main deck and embarkation area, but steps, narrow entrances and uneven ground can make them difficult on shore excursions. A cot or baby equipment can be requested from the assigned supplier, but availability is not guaranteed; please ask before booking.
Cabin pricing
Rates on request
There are no published rates for this ship at the moment. Tell us your dates and we'll reply with a current price for the cabin you have in mind.
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
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Karnak TempleRight here
- Luxor TempleRight here
- Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
- Temple: Kom OmboRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Cabin grades include Standard, Deluxe and Suite
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Royal Ruby Nile Cruise?
The listed Royal Ruby Nile Cruise programme is 8 days. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, while the exact nights aboard and excursion sequence depend on the sailing arranged for you. Check the page itinerary for your departure’s embarkation and disembarkation details.02Where do I embark and disembark on the Royal Ruby Nile Cruise?
Embarkation and disembarkation are in Luxor or Aswan, depending on the sailing direction. The vessel sails weekly both ways between these cities. We arrange the relevant transfers and embarkation details for your booking; check your final travel documents for the port and timings.03Which features are included in the Royal Ruby Nile Cruise package?
The package includes full board, guided shore excursions with an English-speaking Egyptologist, entrance fees to listed sites and transfers. Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. A bottle of water per person per day is included, along with meet-and-assist on arrival and departure.04What is not included in the Royal Ruby Nile Cruise package?
Visa fees, international flights, travel insurance, gratuities, personal expenses and meals or drinks not specified are excluded. Drinks beyond water with meals are usually extra. Optional purchases and services, such as laundry, minibar items or spa treatments, are also at your own expense; check the page for the final inclusions and cancellation terms.05Is the Royal Ruby Nile Cruise appropriate for travellers with restricted mobility?
Accessibility depends on the vessel’s cabin layout, gangways and the shore sites visited. Ancient temples and tombs can involve uneven stone, steps, sand and limited shade, and boarding may require negotiating a gangway. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check the specific sailing arrangements.06What is the child policy on the Royal Ruby 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, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Ask us to confirm cabin availability for your family’s dates.07What should I wear and bring on the Royal Ruby Nile Cruise?
Pack light, breathable clothing, a hat, high-factor sun cream, sunglasses and comfortable shoes for uneven temple grounds. Modest clothing is appropriate at religious sites: cover shoulders and knees. A light layer can be useful in the evening, particularly in winter. Bring any personal medicines you may need during the sailing.08Are photographs allowed on Royal Ruby Nile Cruise excursions?
Photography rules vary by site and can change, so follow notices and your Egyptologist’s guidance at each stop. Flash photography may be restricted inside tombs, and some sites require a separate photography ticket or prohibit cameras in particular areas. Ask before taking pictures of local people, staff or other visitors.09What time of year is best for a Royal Ruby Nile Cruise?
November to March generally brings cooler conditions for visiting Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Summer can be very hot, especially during open-air temple visits, so excursions may feel more demanding. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan; choose dates with the heat and early site visits in mind.10Which sites does the Royal Ruby Nile Cruise visit?
The shore-excursion programme can include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. The order varies with the sailing direction and schedule. Unlike a fixed land circuit, the programme combines visits ashore with time sailing along the Nile.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-854613
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