Ruby 1 Nile Cruise
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Ruby 1 Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02 Overview
A first look
MS Ruby 1 runs a four-day, three-night Nile sailing between principal Nile ports. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange transfers and Egyptologist-guided shore visits.
Background
The facts
Ruby 1 Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt for sailings between Luxor and Aswan on the Nile River. The cruise programme uses the river corridor between Upper Egypt’s two main embarkation ports, with shore excursions typically calling at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings.
The vessel offers graded accommodation in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories. Many cabins include panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies, while suites provide additional living space and a separate seating area. Public facilities include a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, and onboard reception, creating a hotel-style environment for overnight river travel.
Full board is included from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Weekly sailings operate in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, allowing travel to be planned from either end of the route. Standard site entrance fees are typically included in Discovery Tours Egypt arrangements unless a specific exclusion is stated; premium tomb interiors and gratuities are usually excluded unless requested.
The cruise operates on the Nile between major archaeological sites associated with ancient Thebes, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae, making it a practical way to combine transport, accommodation, and guided sightseeing on one itinerary.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who want an organized way to see Upper Egypt’s key monuments without changing hotels every night. It is a good fit for couples, solo travelers, and adults who prefer a comfortable cabin, onboard dining, and guided shore excursions rather than independent travel logistics.
What lingers
- 01 Four-day Nile cruise aboard MS Ruby 1 between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore visits included.
- 02 Visits include Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings) and Karnak Temple with our licensed Egyptologists.
- 03 We schedule Kom Ombo and Edfu visits after dawn, giving two hours at each site away from mass arrivals.
- 04 Cabins feature en-suite bathrooms, panoramic windows and daily housekeeping; safety-certified crew and shore power provided.
- 05 Operated by our licensed Egyptian tour operator as a small-ship cruise; we don't run group bus tours.
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
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Twin/double cabin accommodation on board the vessel
- On-board use of public areas including sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Shore-excursion programme as provided by the vessel
Not included
- Drinks beyond water with meals, speciality beverages and bar bills
- Entrance fees to premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I
- Gratuities for Egyptologists, crew and local guides unless requested
- International and domestic flights, visas and travel insurance
- Single supplement where applicable
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
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
-
01 What is included on the MS Ruby 1 4-day Nile cruise?
Standard inclusions normally cover cabin accommodation, meals, daily shore excursions and site entrance fees unless stated otherwise. Pyramid interiors (Khufu/Khafre) and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) are excluded unless your booking specifies them. International flights, travel insurance and gratuities are not included unless shown on your confirmation. We arrange private or small-group shore excursions rather than mass coach tours, and we will confirm exact inclusions on your booking voucher. -
02 Can I visit the Valley of the Kings from the MS Ruby 1 itinerary?
Many four-day Nile cruises include the Valley of the Kings on Luxor West Bank; check your specific MS Ruby 1 itinerary to confirm. The site requires walking on uneven ancient stone and some steps; visits often start early to avoid heat. Entry to the Tutankhamun tomb is a separate premium ticket and is frequently excluded from standard site fees. -
03 Is there an Egyptologist guiding excursions on MS Ruby 1?
An Egyptologist accompanies many Nile cruise shore visits, but you should confirm for your MS Ruby 1 departure. Our Egyptologists work on selected sailings and provide briefings at each site; specialist-tomb commentary or private-guiding requests may carry extra charges. If you require a guide in a particular language, tell us at booking so we can confirm availability. -
04 How are transfers and airport pick-ups organised for MS Ruby 1?
We arrange private transfers between airport, hotels and the ship for MS Ruby 1 arrivals and departures unless your booking states otherwise. Please send your flight numbers and arrival times so we can schedule meet-and-greet and avoid long waits. Embarkation and disembarkation times vary by port; if you arrive significantly earlier or later than listed, contact us so we can adjust transfer timing. -
05 Is MS Ruby 1 suitable for travellers with reduced mobility?
MS Ruby 1 has gangway steps and narrow passageways; it is not fully wheelchair-accessible without advance arrangements. Shore sites typically involve cobblestones, steps and uneven surfaces (for example at Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank), and tendering may be required in some ports. Tell us your mobility needs at booking so we can request a main-deck cabin, pre-arrange assistance, or propose alternative arrangements on shore. -
06 What luggage should I bring for the MS Ruby 1 cruise?
Cabin storage on Nile vessels is limited; we recommend one medium suitcase plus a small daypack per person. Use soft-sided bags where possible – they are easier for our drivers to load into car boots and for limited cabin storage. Carry essential items and medications in your hand luggage; leave high-value items in your hotel safe if available. -
07 Can solo travellers book a single cabin on MS Ruby 1?
Single cabins are available on many Nile cruise vessels but single-supplement charges commonly apply on MS Ruby 1. A limited number of single or sole-occupancy cabins exist, so early booking is advisable to secure one. Alternatively, some clients choose to share a twin cabin to reduce supplement costs; ask us about shared options when you enquire.
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-082156
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