Zeina Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic windows, sun deck with pool and bar, spa, library, boutique, full-board dining and small-group shore excursions.
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Zeina is an eight-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and named shore-excursion sites, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Zeina sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions at six sites including Karnak Temple and Philae. Its Full Board service runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Cabin aboard Zeina
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cabin accommodation aboard Zeina · Full board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Sailing between Luxor and Aswan · Shore excursions at Karnak and Luxor Temple · Shore excursion to the Temple of Horus at Edfu · Shore excursion to Kom Ombo · Shore excursion to Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- Best for
- Nile cruise travellers · History and archaeology enthusiasts · Couples · Families sharing a cabin
- Discovery Tours Egypt arranges cruise bookings and related on-the-ground coordination.
- Cabin classes are identified as Standard, Deluxe and Suite; exact cabin dimensions are not provided.
What lingers
- 01Sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with departures offered weekly in both directions
- 02Shore excursions include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
- 03Visit Edfu, home to the Temple of Horus, and Kom Ombo
- 04The excursion programme includes Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 05Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day
02Overview
A first look
At first light the Nile takes on a copper sheen while village feluccas slip past the sun deck and the smell of fresh coffee rises from the lounge bar; the pool tiles warm underfoot and the panoramic windows frame reed beds and temple silhouettes. Onboard, cabins range from Standard with panoramic windows to Suites with Nile-view balconies, meals are served full board, and evenings are relaxed with informal talks and a small library for reading between visits.
Shore excursions run in small groups, so visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo are longer than many packaged river outings. We arrange embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan, and our Egyptologists guide the excursions; Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator handling practicalities.
Background
The facts
Zeina is an eight-day Nile river cruise vessel. Discovery Tours Egypt selects and books the cruise; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.
Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Embarkation and disembarkation take place in Luxor and Aswan. Sailing distances and passage times vary by direction and operating schedule.
Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple form part of Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage property inscribed in 1979. The Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs from the New Kingdom, principally the 16th to 11th centuries BCE. Philae’s temple complex was relocated to Agilkia Island during the UNESCO-led international campaign to save Nubian monuments from flooding after construction of the Aswan High Dam.
The cruise is Full Board, from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water served with meals are typically extra. Cabin classes are Standard, Deluxe and Suite.
Named in this entry
Zeina·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·The Temple of Horus·Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae·Agilkia Island·The Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·Aswan High Dam
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- The Zeina suits adults and older children who want to see the main Nile Valley sites while travelling between Luxor and Aswan. It works well for couples, solo travellers willing to pay a single supplement and families comfortable with scheduled shore excursions and shared cabin arrangements.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a land-based holiday if you want flexible sightseeing, frequent time ashore or step-free access throughout. The scheduled excursions and uneven stone at ancient sites can be tiring for travellers with limited mobility.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- The sailing programme also visits Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
Things to Consider
- Shore excursions follow a schedule rather than your preferred pace.
- Ancient sites have uneven stone and limited shade in places.
- Drinks beyond water with meals are typically charged separately.
- Cabin pricing is per person sharing, with a single supplement typically applied.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most fixed-direction Nile cruise packages cover one sailing direction; Zeina sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Unlike a land-based sightseeing programme, its excursions are interspersed with sailing on the Nile.
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 Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Bundled in
- Pool
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Spa
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Cabin accommodation aboard the Zeina Nile Cruise in the category booked
- Full board, covering lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day
- Access to facilities available on board, such as the sun deck, lounge bar, dining room and pool, if fitted
- The planned shore-excursion programme during sailing between Luxor and Aswan, as set out in the vessel information
- Port and harbour charges
- Services from the local English-speaking cruise team and crew
Not included
- Flights between your home country and Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Drinks other than bottled water served with meals, unless specified
- Personal charges, including laundry, telephone use and spa treatments
- Optional services and shore excursions absent from the vessel information
- Entry to the interiors of the Khufu and Khafre pyramids, and to premium tombs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I, unless requested and paid for separately
- Gratuities for the cruise team and Egyptologists, unless you decide to provide them
- Travel insurance
- Any single-cabin supplement that applies
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask for the cabin’s precise square-metre size and window or balcony type before choosing a class.
- 02
Confirm which drinks are chargeable; water with meals is included, while other drinks are typically extra.
- 03
Check the current temple opening times close to travel, as site hours can change by season.
- 04
Ask whether the shore-excursion order changes with sailing direction before planning photography or site priorities.
Tailor it
Make it yours
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so you can enquire about the direction and sailing dates that suit your plans. Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins are available by class; ask about availability and any separately arranged additions to the shore-excursion programme.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Where it fits
Zeina’s weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan fit between time in Cairo and visits to Upper Egypt’s temples and tombs. The vessel sails in both directions, so you can choose the order that best suits your wider itinerary.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This cruise has variable mobility demands and is not fully step-free. Embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor and Aswan include gangways with 3–6 steps and occasional narrow ramps; some vessels use fold-out ramps, others have fixed stairs. On shore excursions you will encounter cobbles, uneven ancient stone, temple steps and sandy surfaces, often without handrails. Cabins are accessed by one to two short staircases on most vessels; a small number of Standard or Deluxe cabins may be reached only by stairs. Wheelchair users should know river taxis and many landing pontoons are not suitable for wheeled mobility aids. We can arrange reduced-walking shore options where possible, and crew will assist with luggage handling at embarkation, but we cannot guarantee full wheelchair access on every vessel. Please contact us before booking so we can assess suitability, note specific mobility needs, and request vessel-level accessibility details from the cruise line.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses diesel-powered river vessels, typical for Nile sailing, and we select partners that comply with local maritime safety requirements. On-board transfers between landing pontoons and shore are by the cruise line's tenders; we encourage guests to use the vessel's collective shuttle for shore departures rather than private taxis to limit vehicle mileage. We contract Egyptian crews, Egyptologists and local handling teams directly, which keeps service income within the communities visited. Shore excursions include visits to community-run markets and licensed guide fees that support local heritage jobs. Single-use plastics are discouraged on most partnered vessels; we ask guests to bring refillable water bottles for use with the vessel's filtered water stations. Where a local supplier runs an optional activity with a community fee, we list that fee separately so customers can choose to support it.
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
- Valid passport with at least six months validity
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: high SPF sunscreen, wide-brim hat, sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle for on-board refills
- Lightweight daypack for excursions
- Copies of travel insurance and emergency contact details
- Small amount of Egyptian pounds for local purchases and tipping
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for hot days
- A lightweight long-sleeve shirt for sun and mosque visits
- Trousers or skirts that cover the knee for temples and mosques
- A light jacket for cooler evenings on deck
- Comfortable closed shoes for temple steps and uneven ground
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; children 12 years and older 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. Safety on board varies by vessel; some cabins and public areas have small steps and limited childproofing, so families with young children should advise us at booking so we can confirm appropriate cabin placement and arrange cot or baby equipment requests with the cruise line where available.
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
- Kom Ombo's TempleRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Sailing schedule runs weekly in both directions
02
Full-board meal window is clearly defined
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical length of a Zeina Nile Cruise sailing?
The Zeina Nile Cruise typically offers sailings of three, four, or seven nights, travelling weekly between Luxor and Aswan in both directions. This flexibility allows you to choose a duration that aligns with your holiday plans.02What does 'full board' mean on the Zeina Nile Cruise?
Full board on the Zeina Nile Cruise includes all main meals, from lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. These are served in the vessel's main dining room. Drinks, apart from water with meals, are typically an additional cost.03Which shore excursions are included in the Zeina Nile Cruise programme?
The Zeina Nile Cruise programme includes guided shore excursions to key ancient sites. These typically feature Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings, all arranged by the vessel's operator.04What are the cabin rules for children aboard the Zeina Nile Cruise?
Children under 6 travel at no charge. Those aged 6 to 11.99 pay half the adult rate, and children aged 12 or over pay the full adult rate. One child at most may share a cabin with their parents; two or more children need a cabin of their own.05What clothing should I pack for time on board and shore excursions?
On board, casual and comfortable clothing is suitable. For shore excursions, we recommend light, breathable fabrics and comfortable walking shoes. When visiting religious sites, modest dress is advised, meaning shoulders and knees should be covered.06Where are the embarkation and disembarkation points for the Zeina Nile Cruise?
Luxor and Aswan are the main boarding and disembarkation points for the Zeina Nile Cruise. Whether you sail from Luxor to Aswan or the other way round depends on your selected departure date and itinerary.07Is the Zeina Nile Cruise suitable for guests with mobility challenges?
Although the Zeina Nile Cruise boat has lifts between decks, excursions ashore mean walking over uneven ancient stone and sand, as well as climbing steps at archaeological sites. Guests with significant mobility concerns should discuss their individual requirements with us before booking.08When is the best time of year to take a Zeina Nile Cruise?
The best time for a Zeina Nile Cruise is generally from October to April, which offers cooler and more pleasant weather for sightseeing. The summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, particularly in Upper Egypt.09Are drinks included with the Zeina Nile Cruise package?
All meals are covered by the full board included on the Zeina Nile Cruise. Drinks, such as soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled water served outside mealtimes, are generally excluded and can be bought on board.10What kind of atmosphere can I expect on the Zeina Nile Cruise?
The Zeina Nile Cruise has an easy-going, comfortable feel, with time to unwind on the sun deck alongside guided cultural visits. Evening entertainment is often provided in the lounge bar, creating a pleasant balance of things to do and time to relax.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-803164
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