Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser with a pool, sun deck, restaurant and lounge, plus Wi-Fi for time on board.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Movenpick Royal Lotus is an 8-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and riverbank sites, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
This package includes accommodation in the selected cabin category, full board from lunch on embarkation through breakfast on disembarkation, use of the pool and sun deck, restaurant and lounge access, Wi-Fi and the shore-excursion programme specified at booking. The programme may include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with the cruise arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt and operated by a third-party cruise line.
- Luxury
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Five-star Nile cruise ship
- Destinations
- Nile River · Luxor · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Temple of Horus at Edfu · Kom Ombo · Philae · Valley of the Kings
- Includes
- Chosen cabin type · Full-board meals, beginning with lunch on boarding and ending with breakfast on leaving the ship · Use of the pool and sun deck · Access to restaurants and lounges · Internet access aboard · The shore trips listed in your booked package
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · History enthusiasts · Couples · Families with children · Travellers seeking a combined sailing and sightseeing experience
- Guide languages
- English
- Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism
- Member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718)
- Cruise selected, booked and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
- Local assistance and travel coordination are available through the arranging operator
What lingers
- 01Pool and sun deck on board
- 02Restaurant and lounge for time between excursions
- 03Wireless internet is available aboard
- 04Excursions ashore can take in Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
- 05The excursion programme may visit Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae
- 06Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin categories, subject to availability
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile slips past the sun deck as Movenpick Royal Lotus leaves Luxor or Aswan, with palms, fields and village roofs appearing beyond the rail. The pace is unhurried, but the shore excursions have substance: stand among the columns of Karnak Temple, enter the Valley of the Kings and watch the riverbank change as the vessel sails towards Edfu, Kom Ombo or Philae.
Between visits, read beside the pool, take a cool drink in the lounge bar or watch the water through a panoramic window. Sailing runs weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. We arrange your cabin, embarkation and disembarkation with the cruise line, while our Egyptologists guide the excursions. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
Background
The facts
This 5-star Nile cruise package is arranged between Luxor and Aswan, with sailing schedules available in both directions. Embarkation and disembarkation ports are Luxor and Aswan, and the cruise programme combines sailing days with shore excursions to major ancient sites along the river.
Excursions may include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on Luxor’s East Bank, the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the Ptolemaic Temple of Kom Ombo and the Temple of Philae near Aswan. Karnak is approximately 3 km north-east of Luxor Temple, while the Valley of the Kings is on the opposite bank, around 7 km from central Luxor by road.
The vessel provides Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin categories, subject to availability. Facilities include a restaurant, lounge, Wi-Fi, swimming pool and sun deck. Full board runs from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are generally charged separately.
Named in this entry
Nile River·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·East Bank of Luxor·West Bank of Luxor
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time Egypt visitors, couples, families and history enthusiasts who want to combine accommodation, river sailing and guided visits to ancient sites. It is appropriate for travellers comfortable with boarding procedures, uneven temple surfaces and moderate walking during shore excursions.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a land-based itinerary instead if you need step-free access or want to avoid stairs, uneven archaeological paths and heat. It may also be a poor fit if you need a private cabin without paying a single supplement.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins are available, subject to booking terms.
Things to Consider
- Shore excursions involve uneven surfaces, steps and limited stroller access.
- Luxor and Aswan can exceed 35°C from May to September.
- Drinks (including water) and gratuities cost extra.
- Upper-deck cabins carry a 15% supplement; solo travellers may pay more.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-only Egypt itinerary, this package combines accommodation, river sailing and shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan. Unlike a self-booked cruise, Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the selected cabin, board basis and included excursion programme, while the third-party cruise line operates the vessel.
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
- Pool
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Lounge
- Wi-Fi
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Accommodation aboard Movenpick Royal Lotus in your chosen cabin category
- Full board, beginning with lunch on embarkation and ending with breakfast on disembarkation
- Use of the pool and sun deck while on board
- Use of the restaurant and lounge
- Wi-Fi access on the vessel
- Shore-excursion programme detailed in your booked package
Not included
- 15% charge for an upper-deck cabin
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities
- Optional services and personal spending
- Entrance fees or excursions omitted from the booked package
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Check whether your selected cabin faces the Nile when confirming its category and position.
- 02
Budget separately for drinks (including water) and for gratuities.
- 03
The 15% upper-deck supplement is charged above the standard cabin rate.
- 04
Ask which listed excursions and site entrance fees are covered by your booked package.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Travellers can request Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabins, subject to availability, and may request an upper-deck cabin for a 15% supplement above the standard rate. Private transfers, additional sightseeing, alternative cabin arrangements and extended pre- or post-cruise stays may be added where available; any entrance fees or excursions outside the booked package are extra.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
The Movenpick Royal Lotus fits between a Cairo stay and onward travel from Aswan or Luxor. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions along the route.
Accessibility
Who can join this
A Nile cruise combines access to the vessel with shore excursions over uneven ground. The cruiser may have stairs between decks, narrow corridors, raised thresholds and limited lift capacity, so independent wheelchair movement cannot be guaranteed. Embarkation may involve a gangway and a short walk with luggage. Excursions at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings can include uneven paving, steps, sand and sloping paths. A folding wheelchair is usually more practical than a large mobility scooter, subject to cabin and transport space. Please request an accessibility assessment before booking.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Your cruise is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, through a locally based Nile cruise supplier. The vessel uses Egyptian crew and local Egyptologists for its shore-excursion programme. River travel combines accommodation, dining and transport in one vessel, reducing some separate road journeys between Luxor and Aswan. Shore visits support local guides, drivers, site staff and visitor services in places such as Edfu and Kom Ombo. The vessel uses fuel, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and other energy-intensive facilities. We do not claim renewable power or a certified environmental management system for the cruiser.
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
- A current passport and your booking paperwork
- Walking footwear that feels comfortable and offers good traction
- SPF 50+ sunscreen and lip balm
- A refillable bottle for water
- A sun hat together with sunglasses
- A compact bag for day trips ashore
- A card or cash to cover drinks, tips and personal spending
What to wear
- Breathable, relaxed-fit outfits for hot conditions
- Sturdy, comfortable footwear for navigating uneven temple ground
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- A bathing costume and poolside cover-up for the pool and sun deck
- Light jacket or jumper for air-conditioned indoor areas
- A sun hat together with sunglasses
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price, and those aged 12 or older 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 awkward on gangways, stairs and uneven shore visits. Request a cot or high chair before booking; availability depends on the vessel and sailing date.
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 · Aswan → Luxorembarks Fridays | October – April: from £1,084single cabin £1,609triple cabin £1,084 | May – September: from £940single cabin £1,430triple cabin £912 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,351single cabin £2,050triple cabin £1,351 | May – September: from £1,159single cabin £1,812triple cabin £1,120 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from £2,149single cabin £3,373triple cabin £2,149 | May – September: from £1,813single cabin £2,956triple cabin £1,745 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from £2,164single cabin £3,388triple cabin £2,164 | May – September: from £1,828single cabin £2,971triple cabin £1,761 |
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
- Philae TempleRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Compare Luxor and Aswan sailings before confirming
02
Shore excursions are specified in your booked package
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise?
The Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise is listed as an eight-day cruise. The vessel sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan in both directions, with the exact embarkation and disembarkation dates depending on your booking. Check the confirmed sailing details before arranging flights or other travel.02Where do I embark on the Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise?
Embarkation and disembarkation take place in Luxor or Aswan, according to the sailing booked. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise and can confirm the port details for your dates. The cruise information provided does not specify a transfer or pick-up service, so please ask us about any transport you need before travelling.03What is included in the Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise?
The booked package includes a cabin in the selected category, full board and use of the pool, sun deck, restaurant and lounge. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day. Wi-Fi and the shore-excursion programme specified in your booking are also included; check your package for its exact excursions.04What is not included on the Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise?
Drinks (including water), gratuities and personal expenses are not included. The 15% upper-deck cabin supplement is also extra, and entrance fees or excursions not listed in your booked package are excluded. Review your confirmation to see which site visits and entrance fees apply to your particular sailing.05What cabin types are available on the Movenpick Royal Lotus, and is there a single supplement?
Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins are available, subject to the booking terms and availability. Cabin rates are based on two people sharing; a single supplement typically applies if you occupy a cabin alone. An upper-deck cabin carries a 15% supplement above the standard rate.06Is the Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise accessible for guests with limited mobility?
The available information does not confirm step-free access or cabin adaptations on the Movenpick Royal Lotus. Shore excursions at ancient sites can involve uneven stone, sand, steps and distances on foot. Tell us about any mobility needs before booking so we can check the vessel and the specific excursions in your package.07What is the child policy on the Movenpick Royal Lotus 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, with a maximum of one child per cabin. Two or more children require their own cabin. Confirm cabin availability and the applicable booking terms before making family travel arrangements.08What should I wear and bring for the Movenpick Royal Lotus shore excursions?
Wear comfortable, supportive shoes and bring a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen for visits to Karnak Temple, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Choose light clothing for the heat, with shoulders and knees covered at temples and other religious sites. A light layer can be useful on the sun deck in cooler winter evenings.09Can I take photographs during the Movenpick Royal Lotus shore excursions?
Photography rules vary between sites and may differ for particular monuments, interiors or tombs. Ask your Egyptologist before taking photographs, especially inside the Valley of the Kings, and follow signs and staff instructions. The cruise information provided does not set out a vessel-wide photography policy or confirm whether photography permissions are included.10Which sites can the Movenpick Royal Lotus visit between Luxor and Aswan?
The shore-excursion programme can include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Excursions vary by booked package, so use your confirmation to check which visits are included.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-556291
You Might Also Like
Nile7 Nights
Salima Nile Cruise
Salima is a five-star Nile cruise vessel with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins, a sun deck, lounge bar and dining saloon. Nile-view windows or private balconies are available in specified cabin classes. Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are extra unless stated otherwise. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Unlike a fixed land-based itinerary, the excursion programme follows the vessel’s sailing schedule. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges bookings and embarkation logistics; the cruise vessel is operated by its supplier.
From £839
Luxor7 Nights
Le Fayan Nile Cruise
Le Fayan is a five-star ship sailing between Luxor and Aswan every week, in both directions, on a full-board basis. On board you will find a sun deck with pool, a lounge bar and air-conditioned cabins ranging from Standard to Suite, some with Nile-view balconies and others with panoramic windows. Days alternate between time on the river and organised visits ashore, typically Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. We handle the booking and the excursions; please note that drinks (including water), and entry to premium tombs, are normally charged separately.
From £1,041
Luxor7 Nights
Nile Serenity Nile Cruise
MS Nile Serenity is a four-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore visits and included transfers. We operate as a licensed Egyptian tour operator and manage all local logistics on the ground rather than selling a cruise-only package. Typical shore visits include Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank, though exact sites depend on direction and scheduling. Standard site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors, premium tombs (Tutankhamun/Seti I) and gratuities are excluded unless requested. Note the trade-offs: shortened cruising means some shore stops have limited time ashore and early starts are common.
From £912