Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise

The short answer

Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise is an 8-day river cruise covering sites between Luxor and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

Nile cruise cabin

Destinations

Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

Cabin aboard Iberotel Crown Empress · Full Board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Shore excursions at Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple · Shore excursion to the Temple of Horus at Edfu · Shore excursion at Kom Ombo · Shore excursion to Philae Temple

Best for

Nile cruise travellers · Couples · Families · Egypt first-time visitors

What lingers

• 01Cruise between Luxor and Aswan on the Nile.
• 02Shore excursions may include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple.
• 03Visit Edfu’s Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo as part of the excursion programme.
• 04Excursion options include Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
• 05The 5-star category identifies the cruise standard.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Many Nile cruise programmes focus on a fixed sailing in one direction; Iberotel Crown Empress sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Unlike a land-only itinerary, this vessel combines sailing stretches with shore excursions at named archaeological sites.

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.

• Aswan to Luxor3 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor to Aswan4 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Aswan round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   Carry small Egyptian-pound notes for toilets and site attendants; gratuities are not included unless your booking states otherwise.

2. 02

   Take a light layer for breezy evenings on the sun deck, even after warm afternoons on shore.

3. 03

   Keep sun protection and water with you during site visits, where shade can be limited.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Ask us whether private shore excursions, extra sites or additional nights in Luxor or Aswan can be arranged around the vessel's schedule. Cabin choice is by Standard, Deluxe or Suite class; confirm the available views and any meal or drinks upgrades before booking.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

Boarding involves a gangway, which can be steep, and pier surfaces may be uneven. Inside the vessel, cabins and public areas have narrow corridors, and stairs connect decks; a lift may not serve every deck. Wheelchair users may need to transfer to the gangway, vessel or shore transport, so access cannot be assumed. Shore excursions can involve uneven ancient stone, steps and exposed ground at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Tell us about mobility needs before booking. We can check the vessel assigned, request a lower-deck cabin where available and discuss which excursions may be manageable.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

This cruise uses a diesel-powered river vessel. Transfers between the airport and embarkation pier may be by private car or coach, depending on the arrangements confirmed for your booking. We select and arrange local cruise and transport suppliers; the vessel and its crew are owned and managed by the cruise line. Shore excursions are arranged with local Egyptologists, supporting employment in the places visited, including Luxor and Aswan. We do not have verified information about the assigned vessel’s fuel use, waste practices, water refilling facilities or the proportion of supplies bought locally, so we cannot make specific environmental claims about them. You can ask us to pass a practical sustainability request to the supplier before travel.

• 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

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Karnak TempleRight here
• Luxor TempleRight here
• Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
• Kom Ombo TempleRight here
• Philae TempleRight here
• The Valley of the KingsRight here

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long is the Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise?

   The Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise is listed as an 8-day product. Sailing alternates with shore excursions, so the pace includes time on the river as well as visits ashore. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Your exact embarkation and disembarkation dates depend on the sailing you select.
2. 02Where do I embark and disembark on the Iberotel Crown Empress?

   Embarkation and disembarkation take place in Luxor and Aswan. The vessel sails in both directions, so the order depends on your selected sailing. We arrange the cabin category and shore-excursion schedule for you. Please check your booking details for the confirmed port and timing, as these are specific to your departure.
3. 03What is included in the Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise?

   Full Board runs from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. The vessel’s excursion programme includes visits at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Confirm the page’s Inclusions list for precisely what is covered in your booking, including any applicable entrance fees.
4. 04What is not included on the Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise?

   Drinks (including water) are typically charged separately. Pyramid interior tickets and premium tomb tickets, such as Tutankhamun’s tomb, are not included unless your booking says otherwise; gratuities are also excluded unless stated. Check the Inclusions list and cancellation terms on the page before booking, as your specific arrangement determines what is covered.
5. 05Are there mobility or fitness requirements for the Iberotel Crown Empress shore excursions?

   The excursion programme includes historic sites with uneven stone surfaces and steps, which can be challenging for some visitors. Access conditions vary between temples and tombs. If you have mobility needs, we'll confirm the relevant site visits and cabin arrangements before booking.
6. 06What is the children’s policy on the Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise?

   Children 0–5.99 years travel free; 6–11.99 years pay 50%; 12+ 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. Prices are per person sharing, and the applicable child rate should be confirmed against your booking.
7. 07What should I pack for the Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise?

   Pack sun protection, a hat, comfortable shoes with grip and light clothing for warm days. A light layer can be useful indoors or on the sun deck when the breeze picks up. Wear modest clothing when visiting temples and mosques, with shoulders and knees covered. Bring water for shore excursions and follow your Egyptologist’s guidance.
8. 08Can I take photographs during the Iberotel Crown Empress shore excursions?

   Photography rules vary by site and by the area being visited. Some tombs restrict photography or require a separate camera ticket, and flash may be prohibited to protect painted surfaces. Ask your Egyptologist before taking photographs inside a tomb or temple, and follow posted signs. Drone use should not be assumed to be permitted.
9. 09When is the best time to sail on the Iberotel Crown Empress?

   November to March is generally the more comfortable season for visiting Luxor, Aswan and their archaeological sites. Summer brings much higher daytime temperatures, especially during visits at exposed locations such as Karnak Temple. The vessel sails weekly in both directions, but the available departure dates depend on the sailing schedule.
10. 10Which sites does the Iberotel Crown Empress visit between Luxor and Aswan?

    The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Days alternate between sailing and visits ashore, rather than following one continuous sightseeing schedule. The sequence varies with the vessel’s direction and sailing arrangements, so check your confirmed programme for visit order.