Deluxe Nile Cruises
Solaris I Nile Cruises
The Solaris I Nile Cruise offers an unforgettable journey through the heart of ancient…
per person
$500
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
31 boats
3 – 7 nights
4.9 average
From $500 per person
October – AprilBest months to travel
3 – 7 nightsMost booked length
PrivateEvery departure
Free cancellationUp to 30 days before
Deluxe Nile cruises sit between standard and luxury — larger cabins, a proper pool deck, and noticeably better food, without the 5★ price. Every deluxe Nile cruise is full board, with all excursions and entry fees included.
Deluxe versus standard versus luxury
Deluxe is the sweet spot most guests choose once they've compared the three. The cabins are 20–25% bigger, the food is à la carte rather than buffet, and the sun deck is quieter (around 100 guests rather than 120). Prices land roughly 40% above the equivalent standard boat.
Recommended deluxe boats
Sonesta St George, Movenpick MS Darakum, Nile Dolphin. Each has been inspected by our team; each has private balconies on all cabins and a resident Egyptologist for the shore excursions.
Cabin selection matters more here
Ask for a French balcony on the upper deck. The lower-deck cabins have panoramic windows but no outdoor space; the mid-deck have small balconies that catch the shade all afternoon. Extra $80–120 per cabin per night, worth it.
Departure schedule
Weekly, year-round. Peak weeks (Christmas, Easter, February) sell out three months ahead.
Deluxe Nile Cruises
Nile Style Nile Cruise
The Nile Style Nile Cruise is a luxurious 5-star floating hotel cruising between Luxor…
per person
$520
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Concerto Nile Cruise
The Concerto Nile Cruise offers a luxurious journey along the Nile River, combining elegance…
per person
$530
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Nile Premium Nile Cruise
The Nile Premium Nile Cruise offers a sophisticated and comfortable journey along the iconic…
per person
$550
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Farida Nile Cruise
The Farida Nile Cruise offers an enchanting journey through the heart of Egypt, combining…
per person
$620
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Renaissance Nile Cruise
The Renaissance Nile Cruise offers a sophisticated and relaxing way to discover the timeless…
per person
$630
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Al Kahila Nile Cruise
The Al Kahila Nile Cruise offers a luxurious and unforgettable journey along the legendary…
per person
$635
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Nile Serenity Nile Cruise
The Nile Serenity Nile Cruise offers an elegant and relaxing way to experience the…
per person
$640
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Salima Nile Cruise
The Salima Nile Cruise offers a delightful blend of comfort, elegance, and cultural discovery…
per person
$640
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise
Sail through the heart of ancient Egypt aboard the Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise,…
per person
$645
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Iberotel Crown Emperor Nile Cruise
Experience the magic of the Nile aboard the Iberotel Crown Emperor Nile Cruise, a…
per person
$650
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Magic I Nile Cruise
Set sail on an unforgettable journey with the Magic I Nile Cruise, where comfort…
per person
$650
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Lady Carol Nile Cruise
Experience the charm of the Nile aboard the Lady Carol Nile Cruise, a comfortable…
per person
$650
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Al Hambra Nile Cruise
Experience the timeless beauty of the Nile aboard the Al Hambra Nile Cruise, where…
per person
$650
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Sabena Al Jamila Nile Cruise
The Sabena Al Jamila Nile Cruise offers a luxurious and memorable journey through the…
per person
$650
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
MS Radamis I Nile Cruise
Experience an unforgettable journey along the timeless Nile aboard the MS Radamis I Nile…
per person
$655
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Moon Dance Nile Cruise
Discover the beauty of the Nile aboard the Moon Dance Nile Cruise, where elegance,…
per person
$660
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Kleos Nile Cruise
Discover the timeless charm of the Nile aboard the Kleos Nile Cruise, where modern…
per person
$660
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
MS Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise
Sail through the heart of ancient Egypt aboard the MS Royal La Terrasse Nile…
per person
$660
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
MS Amwaj Living Stone Nile Cruise
Discover the wonders of ancient Egypt aboard the MS Amwaj Living Stone Nile Cruise,…
per person
$660
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Nile Capital Nile Cruise
The Nile Capital Nile Cruise offers an exceptional voyage through the heart of Egypt,…
per person
$670
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Blue Shadow Nile Cruise
The Blue Shadow Nile Cruise is a luxurious 5-star ship offering a premium experience…
per person
$680
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Nile Excellence Nile Cruise
The Nile Excellence Nile Cruise delivers a sophisticated and unforgettable journey along the legendary…
per person
$680
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Alyssa Nile Cruise
Discover the wonders of ancient Egypt in style aboard the Alyssa Nile Cruise, a…
per person
$685
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise
The Sonesta Moon Goddess is a stylish 5-star Nile cruise offering a smooth and…
per person
$690
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Solaris II Nile Cruises
The Solaris II Nile Cruise offers a sophisticated and relaxing journey along Egypt’s legendary…
per person
$765
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
MS Salacia Nile cruise
Step aboard the MS Salacia Nile Cruise and experience a refined journey along the…
per person
$785
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Chateau Lafayette Nile Cruise
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of ancient Egypt aboard the Chateau…
per person
$785
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Lady Mary Nile Cruise
Step aboard the Lady Mary Nile Cruise and experience a graceful journey through the…
per person
$800
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Deluxe Nile Cruises
Esplanade Nile Cruise
The Esplanade Nile Cruise is a luxurious 5-star floating hotel designed for travelers who…
per person
$800
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Compare
How the itineraries stack up
The honest version — this is what your budget actually changes.
| Level | Duration | Hotels | What's different | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value4★ | 8 – 10 days | 4★ properties | The essentials, done properly. Clean rooms, licensed guides, no shortcuts. | $500 |
| Mid-range4★ superior | 10 – 12 days | 4★ superior + deluxe cruise | Bigger rooms, better food, and named-brand cruise boats. | $650 |
| Luxury5★ | 12 – 14 days | 5★ Cairo & Luxor · luxury cruise | Suites, fine dining, resident Egyptologist on the cruise. | $800 |
All prices are per person and fall with group size. Send us the number and we'll quote it exactly.
Why book with us
What sits inside the price
Egypt is cheap to book badly. These four are the difference, and they are written into every confirmation we send.
Licensed Egyptologists only
A Ministry licence and a degree in Egyptology. No drivers doubling as guides.
IncludedOne price, quoted upfront
Entry tickets, transfers, guiding and taxes are in the number you approve.
No extrasHotels we have slept in
Inspected in person, named on your voucher. If a room isn't what we promised, we move you.
InspectedOne number, 24/7
The same WhatsApp thread from enquiry to airport, staffed by the person who planned your trip.
24 / 7Traveller reviews
What guests say
Collected from TripAdvisor and Google. We publish the critical ones too.
4.9
345+ reviews on TripAdvisor & Google
“Our guide Hoda knew every corner of the Valley of the Kings and got us in before the coaches arrived. Fourteen days and not one wasted morning.”
“Our flight to Aswan was cancelled the night before. The team rebooked us, moved the hotel and messaged at 1am to confirm. We didn't lose a single site.”
“The boat is comfortable rather than glamorous — be clear on that. But the guiding was the best of the three trips I have taken to Egypt.”
Before you go
Travel tips for Egypt
The things guests ask us on the phone, answered properly. Written by the team who meet you at the airport.
When to travel
October to April for the archaeology. May to September for the Red Sea, at roughly two-thirds of the price.
November – FebruaryPeak season. Luxor sits at 23–25°C, ideal for tombs and temples. Busiest and priciest — book about three months ahead.
March – April, October – NovemberOur own favourite. 29–35°C, noticeably thinner crowds, and prices below the December peak.
May – September41°C in Upper Egypt by lunchtime. Excellent for Hurghada and Sharm, hard work in the Valley of the Kings unless you finish by eleven.
Nights get cold8°C in Luxor in January is normal, and cruise sun decks are chilly after dinner. Bring a jacket — nobody expects to need one.
What we'd book. Late October or early November for a first trip — warm enough for the coast, cool enough for the tombs, six weeks clear of the Christmas crowds.
Visas & entry
Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival or apply online before travelling. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date.
Visa on arrivalUS$25 in cash at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm and Luxor airports. Single-entry, 30 days.
e-Visa (recommended)Apply at visa2egypt.gov.eg 7 days before travel. US$25, single-entry.
Passport validitySix months from arrival, plus one blank page for the entry stamp.
Sinai-only exemptionFree 15-day permit for Sharm airport if you're not leaving South Sinai. Ask on arrival.
Money & tipping
The currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). US dollars and euros are widely accepted at hotels and cruise boats; local shops and cafés want EGP.
ATMsWidely available in Cairo, Luxor and the resort towns. Withdraw EGP for local spending; the exchange rate is fine.
Guide tippingUS$10–15 per person per day is the norm. Driver US$5. Restaurant staff 10% if not on the bill.
Cruise crewUS$70–100 per person for a 4-night cruise, pooled and split by the boat manager on the last night.
Card acceptanceHotels and 4★+ restaurants take Visa and Mastercard. Small shops and cafés want cash.
What to wear
Layered light clothing during the day, something warmer for the desert at night, and a scarf if you're visiting mosques or churches.
At the sitesClosed shoes with grip (the tombs are steep), a hat, sunglasses and sun cream.
At the mosquesShoulders and knees covered. Shoes off at the door — a light scarf handles it.
On the cruiseSmart casual at dinner, swimwear on the sun deck, light layers for the top deck at sunset.
In summerCotton or linen. Loose fit. Colours don't matter — locals wear everything from black to bright.
Health & safety
Egypt is generally safe for tourists, especially in the main destinations. Standard travel-health precautions apply.
WaterBottled only, and included on every day tour. Ice at hotel and cruise restaurants is fine.
Travel insuranceComprehensive cover is a condition of booking. Must include diving and ballooning if you're adding those.
MedicalCairo and Sharm have international hospitals (As-Salam, Sharm International). Pharmacies open late, most staff speak some English.
EmergencyOur WhatsApp is answered day and night. If it's a medical situation we call an ambulance for you and meet you at hospital.
Customs & etiquette
Egyptians are famously hospitable, and small courtesies go a long way. The below is the minimum.
PhotographyAsk before photographing people. Never photograph military or police installations.
RamadanSites stay open with shorter hours. Many restaurants close during the day; hotels serve normally.
AlcoholAvailable in hotels, cruise boats, and licensed restaurants. Not sold in supermarkets during Ramadan.
HagglingExpected at Khan El Khalili and the papyrus/perfume shops. Start at 40% of the asked price. Not expected at supermarkets, restaurants or hotels.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Deluxe sits between standard and luxury. The cabins are noticeably larger, the food is served à la carte rather than as a buffet, and the sun deck is quieter with fewer guests on board. You get a clear step up in comfort without the full 5-star price tag.
Deluxe is the sweet spot many guests choose once they compare all three tiers. You gain bigger cabins, better dining and a calmer atmosphere, while the price lands well below a luxury 5-star suite boat. If you want real comfort but do not need a private balcony, deluxe usually offers the best value.
Yes. Every Nile cruise, whatever the class, follows the same Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan route because that is what the river reaches. On a deluxe boat all shore excursions and entry fees are included, and you explore each temple with your licensed Egyptologist just as on any other cruise.
Yes. Deluxe Nile cruises are full board, so breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included. The key difference from a standard boat is that meals are typically served à la carte rather than buffet-style, which most guests find a meaningful upgrade over a multi-day sailing.
Deluxe boats generally carry fewer guests than a standard boat, which is why the sun deck and dining room feel calmer. The exact number varies by vessel. Send us your dates through the enquiry form or WhatsApp and we will match you to a boat and confirm its capacity.
Something different in mind?
Tell us what you most want to see. A consultant in Cairo replies with a draft itinerary and a real price within one working day.