Royal Lily Nile Cruise
Travel in style on the Royal Lily Cruise, a five-star luxury Nile voyage with enduring comfort, captivating scenery and an authentic experience on the Nile.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Mövenpick Royal Lily is a 4-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
The Nile sailing route links Luxor and Aswan, about 220 km apart in a straight line, with shore excursions at sites including Edfu and Kom Ombo. The Valley of the Kings and Luxor’s ancient Thebes are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1979.
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Photography
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Nile cruise cabin
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cruise cabin accommodation · Full-board meals · Commentary on board in English · Guided excursions to selected sites, per itinerary · Roundtrip hotel transfers within city limits, where offered · Port fees and service charges
- Best for
- Couples · Families · First-time visitors to Egypt · Travellers combining Luxor and Aswan
- Guide languages
- English
- Full-board meals, English-speaking onboard commentary, and port fees and service charges are included.
- The supplied exclusions identify site entrance fees, gratuities, travel insurance and visa fees as not included unless specified.
What lingers
- 01Air-conditioned cabins with Nile-view picture windows
- 02Rooftop sun deck overlooking the Nile
- 03Panoramic lounge bar and onboard restaurant
- 04Full-board breakfast, lunch and dinner
- 05Egyptian folkloric entertainment on board
- 06Guided shore excursions may include Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Philae, according to the itinerary
02Overview
A first look
The Royal Lily Cruise is a 5-star Luxury Nile Cruise sailing between Aswan and Luxor with flexible itinerary lengths. Choose the 4 Days / 3 Nights option (Aswan → Luxor, departs every Friday) or the 5 Days / 4 Nights option (Luxor → Aswan, departs every Monday); an 8-day combined itinerary is also available on request.
Onboard you have full-board dining, English-speaking commentary, guided shore excursions to the headline temples – Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor – plus Egyptian folkloric entertainment in the evenings. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges and supports this cruise as a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Entrance fees, optional excursions and gratuities are not included.
Background
The facts
Mövenpick Royal Lily is a Nile River cruise vessel booked and arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator. It sails between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation at those ports. The vessel sails weekly in both directions.
Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple and Philae Temple. Luxor and Aswan are about 220 km apart in a straight line; the river sailing route is longer. Visits take place on shore-excursion days, with sailing between stops.
The monuments span several periods of ancient Egyptian history. Karnak and Luxor temples developed over many centuries, especially during the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE). The Valley of the Kings served as a royal burial ground mainly in the New Kingdom. The ancient Thebes site, including Luxor and the Theban necropolis, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1979. Philae’s monuments are part of the UNESCO Nubian Monuments sites.
Shore visits follow the opening hours and access rules set by each site, which can change seasonally or for operational reasons. Temple grounds include uneven ancient stone and outdoor sections; midday visits can mean limited shade. Site entrance fees are excluded unless the booking specifies otherwise. Cabin class, views and facilities should be confirmed against the selected sailing and booking details.
Named in this entry
Mövenpick Royal Lily·Nile River·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·The Valley of the Kings·Hatshepsut Temple·Edfu·Horus Temple·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Thebes·Nubian Monuments
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adults and older teenagers interested in ancient Egyptian sites who prefer travelling between Luxor and Aswan by river. Couples, solo travellers and families comfortable with shared cabin arrangements may value having meals and a shore-excursion programme organised together.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a land-based trip if you need step-free access or want to set your own pace at every site. It may also disappoint travellers seeking an all-inclusive drinks package, since drinks (including water) are typically extra.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Sails between Luxor and Aswan, linking major Nile Valley sites
- Full-board meals are provided during the cruise
- English-language onboard commentary accompanies the cruise programme
Things to Consider
- Archaeological-site entrance fees are excluded
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and crew are extra
- Ancient sites involve uneven stone and substantial walking
- Drinks (including water) are typically extra
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most cruise listings lead with the route and board basis. This entry also names the principal shore-excursion sites and notes that archaeological-site entrance fees are excluded unless specified. Unlike a single-direction sailing description, the vessel sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan in both directions.
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
On property
What's here
- Air-conditioned cabins with Nile-view picture windows
- Rooftop sun deck
- Onboard restaurant (full-board dining)
- Panoramic lounge bar
- Onboard entertainment (Egyptian folkloric show)
- Guided shore excursions to headline temples
- Roundtrip hotel transfers within city limits where offered
Bundled in
- Full board
- Group Egyptologist
- Hotel pickup
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Accommodation aboard the Mövenpick Royal Lily Nile Cruise
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
- Commentary on board in English
- Guided shore excursions to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Philae, as set out in the itinerary
- Return transfers between hotels and the vessel within city limits, where available
- Port fees and service charges
Not included
- Admission to archaeological sites and museums, unless stated otherwise
- Optional excursions on land and additional guided tours
- International and domestic flights
- Accommodation before or after the cruise
- Personal purchases and costs, including souvenirs, drinks and laundry
- Tips for Egyptologists, drivers and crew on board
- Fees for visas and travel insurance
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Confirm whether the booking includes site entrance fees before budgeting for the shore excursions.
- 02
Ask which cabin class and Nile-facing view are allocated before confirming, as cabin details vary by booking.
- 03
Carry sun protection for open-air temple visits, where shade can be limited around midday.
- 04
Keep small notes available for personal gratuities, which are excluded from the inclusions.
Tailor it
Make it yours
The vessel has 4-, 5- and 8-day sailing options, with departures listed on Fridays and Saturdays; confirm the available route and dates when enquiring. Optional land excursions are available at extra cost, and pre- or post-cruise accommodation can be arranged separately.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
The Mövenpick Royal Lily Nile Cruise can form the river section of a wider Egypt holiday, between time in Luxor and Aswan. Add Cairo before or after the sailing for the Egyptian Museum and Giza Plateau.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise requires moderate mobility. Embarkation and disembarkation use a gangway, whose slope and step count can change with the river level. Public areas may be reached by stairs, and access to cabins can involve steps; step-free cabin availability is limited and must be confirmed before booking. Shore excursions include uneven ancient stone, sand and loose gravel, particularly at the Valley of the Kings and Kom Ombo. Tomb passages can be narrow, while temples such as Philae and Karnak have steps and limited ramp access. Transfers between the vessel and shore may not be wheelchair accessible. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check cabin access and discuss which visits are practical. Full access at every site cannot be guaranteed.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Nile cruiser uses diesel engines for river sailing. Local companies provide the air-conditioned coaches used for excursions and transfers where these are arranged. We work with suppliers in Luxor and Aswan, including local guides and vessel crew, so spending supports businesses in the places visited. Fresh produce is sourced from markets in Luxor and Aswan where available; exact sourcing varies. Onboard measures may include glass in place of some single-use plastics and linen changes on request, depending on the vessel assigned. Excursion timing can be adjusted where feasible to reduce time in peak visitor periods. Entrance fees contribute to the management of Egyptian archaeological sites. Ask us before booking if you need details about the specific vessel or its current practices.
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 and a photocopy
- Sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen
- Grippy, comfortable footwear for walking
- Light layers for warm days and cooler evenings
- A compact daypack for trips ashore
- Reusable water bottle
- Personal medication and motion-sickness remedies
What to wear
- Loose, lightweight clothes for daytime
- Covered shoulders and modest clothing for temples and mosques
- Long trousers or a long skirt for religious sites
- A light jacket for cool early mornings and evenings
- Closed-toe walking shoes with good grip
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children aged 12 and over pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be used aboard but are difficult at sites with steps, sand or uneven ground. High chairs may be available on request, subject to confirmation by the cruise host.
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 |
|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Fridays | October – April: from £1,084single cabin £1,609 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,351single cabin £2,050 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from £2,149single cabin £3,373 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from £2,164single cabin £3,388 |
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
- Karnak TempleRight here
- Luxor TempleRight here
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
- Edfu's Temple of HorusRight here
- Kom Ombo TempleRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Compare cabin options before confirming your booking
02
We arrange transfers where the itinerary offers them
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical duration of a Royal Lily Nile Cruise?
The Royal Lily Nile Cruise offers flexible itineraries, typically sailing for 4, 5, or 8 days between Luxor and Aswan. Sailings depart on Fridays and Saturdays, allowing you to choose the length that best suits your holiday plans.02What is included in the full-board meals on the Royal Lily Nile Cruise?
Your full-board arrangement includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, starting with lunch on your embarkation day and concluding with breakfast on your disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) are typically an additional charge.03What shore excursions are part of the Royal Lily Nile Cruise programme?
The cruise programme includes guided excursions to major sites such as Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, and Philae Temple. These are led by our professional Egyptologist guides.04Are transfers to and from the Royal Lily Nile Cruise included?
Yes, roundtrip hotel transfers within the city limits of Luxor or Aswan are included where offered. These transfers ensure a smooth journey to and from your embarkation or disembarkation point.05What is the accessibility like on the Mövenpick Royal Lily Nile Cruise?
While the vessel itself has lifts between decks, shore excursions often involve walking on uneven ancient stone, sand, and stairs at archaeological sites. Travellers with mobility concerns should consider these aspects when planning.06Is the Royal Lily Nile Cruise suitable for families with children?
Yes, the Royal Lily Nile Cruise welcomes families. Children aged 0-5.99 years travel free, and those 6-11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin.07What should I wear and bring for a Nile Cruise holiday?
We recommend light, breathable clothing for daytime excursions, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sun cream. Modest dress is advised for temple visits, covering shoulders and knees.08What is the photography policy at the archaeological sites visited?
Photography is generally permitted at most outdoor archaeological sites. However, some tombs and museum interiors may prohibit photography or require a separate photography ticket. Your Egyptologist will advise on specific rules.09When is the best time of year to take a Royal Lily Nile Cruise?
The cooler months from November to March are ideal for a Nile Cruise, offering pleasant temperatures for exploring the sites. The summer months (June-August) are very hot, with early morning excursions typically arranged.10Are entrance fees to the archaeological sites included in the cruise price?
No, entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums are not included in the standard cruise package unless explicitly specified for a particular itinerary. These are typically paid locally.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-762309
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