Semiramis III Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser with panoramic windows, sun deck, lounge bar and full-board dining, sailing weekly between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Semiramis III Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
02Overview
A first look
Morning light on the Nile picks out the blue of the river and the pale stone of Luxor as the Semiramis III rides slowly downstream; from the sun deck you will see temple pylons and village life pass by, while the lounge bar offers a place to sit with a book or a cup of tea. Our Egyptologists join shore excursions and the vessel's programme alternates sailing days with visits to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
We arrange this carefully selected five-star cruiser for weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan, and we handle your embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan. If you have mobility needs, dietary requests or want a quieter cabin, tell us when you enquire and we will request those arrangements with the cruise line on your behalf.
Background
The facts
Semiramis III is a five-star Nile cruise vessel used for sailings between Luxor and Aswan on the Nile River. The cruise program typically includes embarkation at Luxor or Aswan, with shore excursion calls at major Upper Egypt monuments such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These are among the best-known sites of Pharaonic and Greco-Roman Egypt, with Karnak and Luxor on the east bank and the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of Luxor.
The vessel offers full-board accommodation, meaning meals are served on board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Cabins are sold in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, with pricing based on per-person sharing; some cabin categories include Nile-facing windows or balconies. Public areas typically include a dining room, a lounge bar or public lounge, and a sun deck for views during sailing.
Weekly sailings run in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, which makes the vessel suitable for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with hotel-style accommodation on the river. Drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra, and gratuities are not normally included unless specifically stated in the booking terms. The cruise is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, while the vessel itself is operated by the cruise line.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and older children who want a comfortable way to visit Upper Egypt’s major temple sites without changing hotels each night. It is especially appropriate for history-focused travelers, couples, and first-time visitors who prefer a guided, structured sailing rather than independent transport.
- Travelers who enjoy onboard relaxation between excursions will also find it suitable, since the public lounge and sun deck create downtime while sailing on the Nile.
What lingers
- 01Five-star full-board cruising, with lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- 02Sun deck with panoramic Nile views and a shaded lounge area for afternoon relaxation
- 03Onboard dining room serving buffet and set-menu meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- 04Shore-excursion program that includes Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 05Cabins in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes, many with Nile-facing windows or balconies
- 06Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation at those ports
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 | $945 | $1,127 |
| Triple Cabin | $787 | $817 | $939 |
| Single Cabin | $1,809 | $1,946 | $2,583 |
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $683 | $709 | $813 |
| Triple Cabin | $619 | $636 | $705 |
| Single Cabin | $1,203 | $1,281 | $1,645 |
4 Days / 3 Nights · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $610 | $630 | $708 |
| Triple Cabin | $562 | $575 | $627 |
| Single Cabin | $1,000 | $1,059 | $1,332 |
8 Days / 7 Nights · Aswan to Aswan
| Cabin | Low | High | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | $913 | $958 | $1,140 |
| Triple Cabin | $801 | $831 | $952 |
| Single Cabin | $1,823 | $1,959 | $2,596 |
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.
On property
What's here
- restaurant
- gym
- wifi
- concierge
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- ✓ 3/4/ or 7 nights’ Standard accommodation on full board basis
- ✓ All sightseeing tours with an English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- ✓ Meet & assist service upon arrival & departure
- ✓ All airport and port transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- ✓ Entrance fees to all listed attractions
- ✓ Complimentary bottle of water per person per day
- ✓ All service charges & taxes
- ✓ Small group tours (maximum 8 participants)
Not included
- ✘ Any additional meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary.
- ✘ Personal expenses, including laundry, minibar, and spa treatments.
- ✘ Tipping for guides, drivers, and cruise staff (optional but recommended).
- ✘ Travel insurance (strongly recommended).
- ✘ Visa fees and international airfare.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The Semiramis III Nile Cruise requires moderate mobility for embarkation, disembarkation and shore excursions. Guests should expect one or two short staircases between the gangway and main deck, cabin doorways narrower than modern hotel rooms, and some steps within public areas such as the dining room and lounge. Shore excursions often include uneven stone, cobbles and carved tomb steps, and several sites have no ramps. Wheelchair access on board is limited to ambulant wheelchair users who can transfer independently; full electric wheelchair boarding is not possible without prior arrangement. If you use a mobility aid, require step-free cabins, or need assistance at the airport, please contact us before booking. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we coordinate meet-and-assist and can confirm which cabins and embarkation arrangements best match your needs.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and visa (if required)
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: SPF50+ sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses
- Lightweight refillable water bottle (for use where the vessel provides refill stations)
- Copies of medical prescriptions and basic first-aid items
- Camera with extra batteries or charger
- Small daypack for shore excursions
- Any required mobility aids; measure cabin doorway widths with us if your aid is bulky
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting layers for daytime heat
- A light sweater or shawl for cooler evenings on deck
- Covered shoulders and knees for visits to temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
- Smart-casual clothing for evenings in the dining room
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free. Children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare. Children aged 12 years and over 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. Strollers are generally impractical during shore excursions because of uneven surfaces and steps; please request portable baby equipment well before travel if you need high chairs or cots, as availability onboard is limited and subject to the cruise line's confirmation.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The vessel uses conventional marine diesel engines typical of Nile cruisers; fuel and emissions are managed through routine maintenance and engine tuning. Onboard practices we encourage include linen reuse programmes, reduced plastic where the vessel permits refillable water stations instead of single-use bottles, and electricity conservation measures in public areas and cabins. We book local guides, Egyptologists and suppliers directly to ensure payments remain in the local economy; shore-excursion fees support temple site management through the official ticketing system. Where available we prioritise locally produced food for the galley and hire Egyptian crew and suppliers to create jobs in Luxor and Aswan. If you would like specific sustainability details for a particular departure, tell us and we will request the vessel's latest environmental practices from the cruise line.
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
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-589958
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