Mövenpick Prince Abbas Lake Cruise, day cruise on Lake Nasser
Day cruise from Aswan across Lake Nasser with timed itineraries to Abu Simbel, onboard lunch and daily departures.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Movenpick Prince Abbas Lake Cruise is a four-day Lake Nasser cruise covering Aswan and the Abu Simbel corridor, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
The Aswan High Dam was completed in 1970, creating Lake Nasser, which extends south towards the Sudanese border. The Movenpick Prince Abbas route serves archaeological sites including Abu Simbel, Amada, Wadi El Seboua and Kasr Ibrim; shore visits depend on schedules and navigation.
- Luxury
- Archaeology & history
- Cultural
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Solo traveller·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- N/A
- Destinations
- Aswan · Abu Simbel
- Includes
- Day cruise aboard Movenpick Prince Abbas · Lunch on board, as specified at booking · Ship crew and standard onboard services · Port and harbour fees where charged by the vessel
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · Travellers with limited time in Aswan · Couples · Families with older children · Small private groups
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Private or small-group transfers are arranged to fit pier timings
- Onboard logistics, local crew coordination and lunch are confirmed at booking
- Standard site entrance fees are clearly separated unless stated otherwise
- 24/7 on-the-ground support is available during travel arrangements
- Itineraries are scheduled to reduce waiting and align with local navigation conditions
What lingers
- 01Sail on Lake Nasser between Aswan and the Abu Simbel area
- 02See the desert shoreline from the lake
- 03Explore a route associated with archaeological sites including Abu Simbel, Wadi El Seboua, Amada and Kasr Ibrim
- 04Have lunch on board, with details confirmed at booking
- 05Travel aboard a deluxe 5-star cruiser selected at booking
02Overview
A first look
By mid-morning the Nile widens into Lake Nasser, the shoreline resolving into pale bands of desert while the Mövenpick Prince Abbas slips along glassy water. On deck you will feel the sun and breeze, hear gulls and the low thud of the engines, and watch small Nubian settlements and fishing skiffs pass as Abu Simbel appears on the horizon.
We arrange the cruise logistics and onboard meals, and our Egyptologists coordinate timing with the ship’s schedule so the day runs to plan. Unlike coach-run shore excursions, this cruise keeps a slower, unhurried pace and offers direct access to Abu Simbel by boat or tender depending on navigation.
Background
The facts
Lake Nasser is the large reservoir south of the Aswan High Dam, created after the dam’s completion in the 1960s. It stretches roughly 550 km from southern Egypt into northern Sudan and is used for both tourism and navigation along the Abu Simbel corridor. A day cruise from Aswan on this waterway is typically timed around pier schedules, navigation conditions and the vessel’s operating timetable.
The Mövenpick Prince Abbas is used for Lake Nasser cruising between Aswan and the Abu Simbel region. Abu Simbel lies about 280 km south of Aswan by road, and the lake route gives a slower approach to the monuments than a direct land transfer. Depending on the schedule, arrival may be by boat or tender, with site access subject to local operating arrangements and security/harbour procedures.
Abu Simbel is best known for the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Hathor, originally built in the 13th century BCE and relocated in the 1960s during the UNESCO rescue campaign linked to the Aswan High Dam project. Lake Nasser cruises are usually chosen for the travel sequence as much as the scenery, with wide desert shoreline views and occasional Nubian settlements visible from the water.
For visitors, the practical logistics matter: departures from Aswan require pier timing, and lunch is served on board rather than ashore. Standard site entrance fees are separate unless explicitly included in the booking, and the cruise experience is generally dependent on navigation schedules, seasonal water conditions and the day’s operating plan.
Named in this entry
Movenpick Prince Abbas·Lake Nasser·Aswan·Abu Simbel·The Great Temple of Ramses II·Temple of Hathor and Nefertari·Wadi El Seboua·Amada·Kasr Ibrim·Aswan High Dam·UNESCO·Nubia
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This is suited to travellers who want a slower, water-based journey between Aswan and the Abu Simbel corridor rather than a long overland coach transfer. It works well for adults and older children interested in ancient Egyptian monuments, lake scenery and a private or small-group travel style with timed logistics.
Maybe not, if
- Choose another option if you need step-free access or cannot manage boarding steps and possible pier waits. It may also be less comfortable for infants and toddlers in hot weather.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Lake Nasser scenery offers a different perspective from the Nile route.
- Boat travel avoids making the whole journey by coach.
- Abu Simbel may be reached by boat or tender, subject to schedules.
- Onboard lunch is included as specified at booking.
Things to Consider
- Transfers to the hotel or pier are not included unless booked.
- Abu Simbel entrance fees and optional excursions cost extra.
- Pier access and boarding steps may limit stroller use.
- Heat can be intense from May to September.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a direct coach excursion to Abu Simbel, this itinerary uses Lake Nasser for a slower journey with onboard lunch and water views. It is also different from a full Nile cruise because it is a single-day sailing rather than a multi-night river itinerary. Private or small-group transfers are used instead of mass coach pickups, which reduces waiting time at the pier.
The route
Aswan and Abu Simbel
Choose your direction
- Aswan → Abu Simbel3 nightsupstream, against the current
- Abu Simbel → Aswan2 nightsdownstream, with the current
On board
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Aswan and disembarkation in Abu Simbel.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Day sailing on Lake Nasser aboard Movenpick Prince Abbas
- Lunch served on board, as confirmed when booking
- The vessel’s crew and usual onboard services
- Port and harbour charges, where levied by the vessel
Not included
- Travel between your Aswan hotel and the pier, unless arranged separately
- Admission to Abu Simbel and other archaeological sites
- Tips for crew and guides, optional shore excursions and premium drinks
- Domestic flights and long-distance transfers
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Check whether your booking includes transfers from your Aswan hotel to the pier before confirming your travel plans.
- 02
Ask which shore visits are scheduled for your departure, as navigation and local timings can change the programme.
- 03
Confirm whether lunch is included in your specific booking and what onboard services it covers.
- 04
Budget separately for crew gratuities, optional excursions and premium beverages.
Tailor it
Make it yours
This itinerary can be arranged with private or small-group transfers to and from the Aswan pier, and timing can be adjusted to reduce waiting where possible. Depending on the booking, it may also be combined with Abu Simbel site visits, upgraded meal options or a longer Lake Nasser programme if additional cruising nights are requested.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
This Lake Nasser cruise fits after an Aswan stay, with Abu Simbel as the main southern connection. It is a different route from the Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The day cruise requires boarding from a harbour gangway and negotiating several steps. Expect 6 to 12 steps up from the quay onto the gangway and further steps onto the ship, with stairs between interior and exterior seating areas. Decks can be wet, uneven, and have limited handrail coverage in some outdoor sections. There is no continuous step-free route from the quay to all main public areas on typical day departures. If you use a wheelchair or have reduced mobility, tell us before booking so we can advise whether assistance is feasible, arrange closest-possible harbour transfer, and brief the ship crew. Travellers who require steady footing should bring a companion where possible, and allow extra time at embarkation and disembarkation.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Mövenpick Prince Abbas is a fuel-powered motor cruiser using diesel propulsion and onboard generators for hotel services. Shore transfers to the harbour are by air-conditioned minivan or coach depending on group size; we schedule these to combine pick-ups and avoid unnecessary empty runs. Lunches are sourced locally in Aswan from suppliers and markets within 24 hours of sailing, and the ship crew are paid and tipped locally to retain earnings in the community. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we log departure patterns to limit repositioning mileage and where possible we request suppliers avoid single-use plastics on board. We work directly with the ship’s crew and the Aswan harbour authority on operational matters.
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 or identity document
- A sun hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Light waterproof layer for wind or spray
- Personal medicines and remedies for seasickness
- Small daypack, water bottle and camera
- Printed or mobile booking voucher
What to wear
- Light, breathable clothes
- Non-slip, closed-toe shoes
- Light scarf or shawl for sun and wind protection
- Covered shoulders if you plan mosque visits
- Sunglasses with UV protection
Children & families
Children of all ages may travel on the day cruise, but the gangway and deck layout limit infant safety measures. Strollers are practical to the harbour but may need to be folded and carried across the gangway; high chairs are not standard on board. Tell us each child’s age at booking so we can reserve suitable seating and advise on safety. On board, under-6s sail free in their parents' cabin and children aged 6 to 11 pay half the adult fare on an extra bed, one child per cabin at most. Anyone 12 or over pays the adult fare.
Prices by sailing
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double cabin. Each price 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.
| Sailing | October – Aprilcurrent season | May – September |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Abu Simbel → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from £862single cabin £1,286triple cabin £862 | May – September: from £597single cabin £848triple cabin £583 |
| 4 nights · Aswan → Abu Simbelembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,083single cabin £1,648triple cabin £1,083 | May – September: from £730single cabin £1,065triple cabin £711 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,703single cabin £2,692triple cabin £1,703 | May – September: from £1,085single cabin £1,671triple cabin £1,052 |
Choose your sailing and date in the booking panel for the exact price.
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.
These fares are a guide, as prices and cabins move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.
Add Cairo before or after your cruise
The ship stays between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights back to the UK, are in Cairo. These short extensions link the two.
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
Location
On the map
While you're here
Worth pairing
- Philae TempleRight here
- Kalabsha TempleRight here
- Wadi El SebouaRight here
- Amada TempleRight here
- Abu Simbel templesRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Lake Nasser route arranged around local sailing schedules
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long does the Mövenpick Prince Abbas Lake Cruise last?
The Mövenpick Prince Abbas Lake Cruise is a day-long trip on Lake Nasser. It usually operates from morning until late afternoon, giving you time to enjoy a relaxed voyage and visit key sites.02What does the cruise fare cover?
The fare covers a day cruise aboard the Mövenpick Prince Abbas, lunch on board, services from the ship’s crew, and standard port and harbour charges. It’s a comfortable way to discover Lake Nasser.03Does the cruise include transfers to the pier?
Transfers between your Aswan hotel or the pier and the cruise are not routinely included. We can organise private or small-group transfers separately to help you arrive and depart on time.04Are entrance fees for Abu Simbel covered by the cruise price?
The cruise fare does not cover admission to Abu Simbel or other archaeological sites. You can buy these tickets separately at the entrance to each site.05What clothing is suitable for a day cruise on Lake Nasser?
For warm weather, we suggest wearing light, comfortable clothes and bringing a hat, sunglasses and sun cream. If you intend to visit religious sites ashore, modest clothing is advisable.06Would the Mövenpick Prince Abbas cruise be suitable for children?
Yes, the cruise is usually suitable for children, with a leisurely pace and onboard facilities. Families may wish to take the duration and sun exposure into account for younger travellers. Children aged 0–5.99 travel free; those aged 6–11.99 pay 50%; from 12 onwards, the full adult price applies. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin; two or more children need a cabin of their own.07Which time of year is best for a Lake Nasser cruise?
October to April is generally the best period for a Lake Nasser cruise, as temperatures are milder. Summer can be extremely hot, especially in Aswan and Abu Simbel.08What food is served on board for lunch?
Lunch on board usually consists of a buffet offering a range of Egyptian and international dishes. Menus are confirmed when you book and cater for a variety of tastes.09How accessible is the Mövenpick Prince Abbas for guests with mobility needs?
Ramps and lifts on the Mövenpick Prince Abbas provide access between decks, though gangways leading to the ship may be steep. Shore excursions can include walking over uneven ground.10How is this day cruise different from a Lake Nasser cruise lasting several nights?
This one-day cruise provides a focused introduction to Lake Nasser and the Abu Simbel corridor. Multi-night cruises visit more lakeside sites over several days, allowing for a more in-depth experience.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-ASW-210421
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