What you're actually paying for
The Signature Collection tier, line by line.
- Ships
- Historia · The Oberoi Philae · The Oberoi Zahra
- Cabins
- Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades · panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies
- On board
- Sun deck · lounge bar · restaurant
- Route
- Luxor ⇄ Aswan · sailing lengths vary by ship
- Best for
- Honeymoons · milestone holidays · travellers for whom the ship is part of the journey
- From (per person)
- from £2,378 per person · high season, October–April
“Ultra-luxury does not mean more temples. It is the same river and the same Egyptologist – on a ship you will remember as clearly as Karnak.”
Standard sailing rotation
How the schedule works on the Luxor–Aswan loop.
- Durations
- Every vessel on this page sails 4-night, 5-night, and 7-night variants of the same Luxor↔Aswan loop. The 4-night covers Edfu + Kom Ombo + Aswan temples; the 7-night adds a return cruise with more leisure time and (on most ships) a Dendera + Abydos extension.
- Embarkation days
- The most common rotation is Monday from Luxor and Friday from Aswan, but each vessel sets its own schedule – exact departure days are shown per ship below where confirmed. Cat-A and Ultra-Deluxe vessels often add a Saturday Luxor sailing in peak season (Oct–Apr); dahabiyas typically embark on Mondays from Esna.
- What's included
- Full board on every vessel, all temple admissions, Egyptologist guiding, transfers from/to Luxor or Aswan airport, and port fees. Tipping is not included – a printed guide is issued at embarkation.
In the fleet
Signature Collection Nile cruisers (4).
Each vessel below sails the 4 / 5 / 7-night variants on the schedule above. Prices shown are the lead-in 4-night cabin; longer variants and balcony cabins are quoted on request.
Historia Nile Cruise
Luxor → Aswan
A welcome drink on arrival, a freshly prepared buffet lunch with vegetarian choices, English-speaking onboard commentary and roundtrip hotel transfers within city limits where offered. All port fees, taxes and service charges are included. The cruise operates aboard the MS Historia. Entrance fees to archaeological sites, optional land excursions and gratuities are not included.
from£2,378per person · high season, October–April
Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise
Luxor → Luxor
The cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. The Jaz Elite Senator is an all-suite Nile vessel offering full-board dining and guided excursions. An English-speaking Egyptologist leads small-group visits, limited to a maximum of eight guests per guide. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange meet-and-assist services, private deluxe air-conditioned transfers and the on-the-ground excursions listed. Unlike larger mass-market Nile ships, the Jaz Elite Senator provides all-suite accommodation and typically operates with smaller guided groups, which reduces time waiting at sites. Practical departures run from Luxor or Aswan, with a variety of itinerary lengths available.
from£2,378per person · high season, October–April
The Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise
Aswan → Luxor
As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we provide our Egyptologists for shore excursions and time visits early or late to avoid the midday sun. Unlike larger motor-vessel programmes, we keep longer stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than brief drive-by visits. Expect early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade on sun decks; premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's are excluded unless requested. We arrange private transfers and bespoke extensions in Luxor or Aswan.
from£3,873per person · high season, October–April
The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise
Aswan → Luxor
Trade-offs include early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday temple visits.
from£2,924per person · high season, October–April
Five things to know
Before you book Signature Collection.
01Is an ultra-luxury Nile cruise the same as Ultra-Deluxe?
No. Ultra-Deluxe is the trade name for our Prestige tier – boutique 5-star ships a step below 5-Star Luxury. Ultra-luxury is our Signature Collection: the three ships we rate above Luxury itself.
02Which ships are in the Signature Collection?
Historia, The Oberoi Philae and The Oberoi Zahra. The list is kept deliberately short – a ship joins only when it sits clearly above the best of the 5-Star Luxury fleet, in price and in what that price buys.
03How far in advance should I book?
Sooner than for any other tier. The top cabin grades go first, and the popular winter dates can be taken many months ahead, so it is worth telling us your dates as early as you can.
04Can an ultra-luxury cruise be part of a wider Egypt holiday?
Yes, and that is how most of our guests travel. We arrange Cairo, Giza and Abu Simbel around the sailing, with the same private Egyptologist throughout.
05Is it worth choosing the Signature Collection over Luxury?
For a short cruise as part of a busy itinerary, Luxury usually gives you everything you need. For a honeymoon, a special anniversary, or anyone who wants the ship to be as memorable as the temples, the Signature Collection is the one we would choose.
Different budget?
The other tiers.
5-Star Luxury
Category-A cruisers – the finest of the full-size fleet, a step below ultra-luxury.
5-Star Ultra Deluxe
Ultra-Deluxe – boutique 5-star, a different and lower grade than ultra-luxury.
Then pick a route
Which way to sail.
Talk to the Cairo desk
Send your travel window. We'll send back three boats and a hold.
– Suhaila · Egypt Discovery