Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser with spacious suites and Nile-view balconies, sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, panoramic windows, full-board dining and guided shore excursions.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02Overview
A first look
Star Goddess is the all-suite ship of the Sonesta fleet — every accommodation on board is a suite with its own private terrace facing the river, which makes her one of the most sought-after vessels between Luxor and Aswan. Sailings follow the classic three, four and seven-night itineraries with Egyptologist-guided sightseeing throughout.
Background
The facts
Sonesta Star Goddess is a five-star Nile cruise vessel that sails between Luxor and Aswan on the Nile River in Upper Egypt. Embarkation and disembarkation are handled in Luxor and Aswan, with the ship’s program alternating sailing time and guided shore excursions rather than continuous overland travel.
The vessel’s excursion program typically includes 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 monuments of New Kingdom and Ptolemaic Egypt; for example, Karnak developed over many centuries beginning in the Middle Kingdom, while the Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs from the 18th to 20th Dynasties.
Cabins are arranged as suites with panoramic windows and private Nile-view balconies, and the ship also features a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, and pool for time spent while sailing between temple stops. Meals are provided on a full-board basis from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast, while drinks beyond water are usually extra.
Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise for travelers who want a guided Upper Egypt river journey with a fixed onboard program and hotel-style accommodation on the Nile. Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan make it suitable for either routing, depending on the wider Egypt itinerary.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who want a comfortable, guided way to see Upper Egypt’s major monuments without changing hotels every night. It is a good fit for couples, solo travelers, and small groups who prefer a slower pace, onboard dining, and private cabin space with a Nile-view balcony.
What lingers
- 01Suites with private Nile-view balconies and panoramic windows
- 02Sun deck with loungers and a pool
- 03Lounge bar and indoor seating
- 04Full Board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast
- 05Shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 06Weekly departures in either direction from Luxor to Aswan
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
- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person, per cabin, in GBP. Each rate below covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.
7 nights / 8 days · Luxor to Luxor
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £4,402 |
| Double cabin | £2,754 |
4 nights / 5 days · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £2,638 |
| Double cabin | £1,697 |
3 nights / 4 days · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £2,050 |
| Double cabin | £1,344 |
7 nights / 8 days · Aswan to Aswan
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £4,418 |
| Double cabin | £2,770 |
Cabin allocation
- Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
- Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
- Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.
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 vessel in your selected cabin class
- Full Board meals, from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day
- Daily cabin housekeeping and onboard service
- Shore excursions included in the vessel’s programme
Not included
- Flights from abroad and airport charges
- Drinks with meals beyond water, unless specified
- Gratuities for the crew and local guides, unless stated otherwise
- Optional premium site entry and private excursions not included in the vessel’s programme
- Visa to enter Egypt and personal expenditure
Accessibility
Who can join this
Embarking and disembarking usually involve a gangway, and the level can change with the river and quay. Steps may also connect the quayside to the vessel. On board, corridors and stairs link cabins and public areas; a lift is not guaranteed. Shore excursions at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings can include uneven ancient stone, steps and soft sand. Wheelchair access cannot be guaranteed on the vessel or at every site. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check the assigned vessel and discuss which visits may be manageable.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport, with at least six months' validity
- Comfortable walking shoes with a good grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a wide-brimmed hat
- A lightweight pack for day trips ashore
- Refillable water bottle
- Copies of travel documents and emergency contacts
- Basic hydration salts
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for warm days
- A light layer for cooler evenings on deck
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Comfortable, closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
- A compact windproof or waterproof jacket
Children & families
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free; children aged 6–11.99 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 awkward on uneven temple approaches. A high chair can be requested, but availability varies by vessel and should be checked before booking.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Nile cruiser is owned and operated by its cruise line, and the vessel and shore-excursion arrangements are selected and booked by us. River cruisers typically use diesel engines; we cannot verify this vessel's fuel use or emissions data. Shore excursions may use air-conditioned coaches arranged through local transport suppliers. We ask suppliers about vehicle maintenance and newer vehicles where available, but cannot promise a particular vehicle. Local guides, cruise staff and suppliers provide services in Luxor, Aswan and along the route. On board, reducing single-use plastics and sorting recycling depends on the operator and port facilities. Bring a refillable bottle and use it only where safe refill water is available.
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 does the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise package include?
The cruise includes accommodation in your chosen cabin, full board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast, daily housekeeping, and all listed shore excursions with an Egyptologist guide. Entrance fees to all scheduled sites are also covered.02Are any extra charges excluded from the cruise fare?
Yes, some costs are not included. These typically cover international flights, Egypt entry visas, drinks beyond water with meals, gratuities for the crew and guides, and any optional premium site entries or private excursions not part of the vessel's programme.03What types of cabins are available on the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise?
The Sonesta Star Goddess offers spacious suites, each featuring a private Nile-view balcony and panoramic windows. All cabins provide comfortable accommodation with modern amenities for your journey along the Nile.04Is the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise a good choice for children and families?
Yes, the cruise is family-friendly. Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, and those 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin.05What are the operating dates for the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise?
The Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise operates weekly throughout the year. It sails in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, offering regular departures for travellers to experience the Nile.06What kind of shore excursions are included with the cruise?
The cruise includes a comprehensive shore-excursion programme. You will visit key ancient sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings, all with an Egyptologist guide.07What should I wear on the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise and during excursions?
For onboard comfort, casual clothing is suitable. For shore excursions, light, breathable clothing is recommended, along with comfortable walking shoes. When visiting religious sites, modest dress is advised, covering shoulders and knees.08What is the typical embarkation and disembarkation process?
Embarkation usually takes place in Luxor or Aswan, depending on your chosen sailing direction. You will board the vessel and have lunch, with disembarkation occurring after breakfast on the final day. Our team will assist with transfers.09What is the dining experience like on board the Sonesta Star Goddess?
The vessel offers full board dining, with meals served in the onboard dining room from lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. The cuisine typically features a mix of local and international dishes.10What facilities are available on the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise?
The Sonesta Star Goddess features a sun deck with loungers and a pool for relaxation. There is also a lounge bar for evening socialising and an indoor seating area, providing various spaces to enjoy your time on the Nile.
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-884217
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