Egypt Discovery
Nile Cruise5-Star LuxuryLuxor → Aswan

Movenpick MS Sun Ray Nile Cruise

Panoramic windows, a sun deck, lounge bar and full-board dining distinguish this 5-star vessel on the Nile.

At a glance

Length
5 days · 4 nights
Embarks
Mon, Thu
Board
Full Board

The short answer

Movenpick Sun Ray is an eight-day Nile cruise vessel serving Luxor, Aswan and historic sites along the river, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

Movenpick Sun Ray sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, a river route of about 200 km. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation
Nile cruise cabin
Destinations
Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
Includes
Cabin aboard Movenpick Sun Ray · Full Board from embarkation-day lunch to disembarkation-day breakfast · Sailing between Luxor and Aswan · Shore-excursion programme · Visits to Karnak and Luxor Temple · Visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo temples · Visits to Philae and the Valley of the Kings
Best for
Couples · Families · First-time visitors to Egypt · Travellers seeking a Nile cruise
  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.

What lingers

  • 01Shore excursions include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple.
  • 02Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and Kom Ombo.
  • 03The excursion programme includes Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
  • 04Weekly sailings operate in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.

02Overview

A first look

Sun Ray sails under the Mövenpick flag, a premium five-star cruiser on the classic Luxor–Aswan route known for its dining, with a pool deck and guided temple calls between the two cities. Cabin rates and departures for this vessel are confirmed on request — let us know your dates and we will check availability and pricing directly with the operator.

Background

The facts

Movenpick Sun Ray is a Nile cruise vessel offering an eight-day cruise product between Luxor and Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise line.

The sailing connects Luxor and Aswan, about 200 km apart by river. Its shore-excursion programme includes 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 the two ports, with sailing days alternating with visits ashore.

These sites span several periods of ancient Egyptian history. Karnak and Luxor temples formed part of ancient Thebes, whose monuments are included in the UNESCO-listed Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis. The Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs of the New Kingdom, while Philae’s temple complex was relocated before the Aswan High Dam reservoir flooded its original island.

Excursion access and site opening hours vary by location and season; check current timings before travel. Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) are typically charged separately.

Named in this entry

Movenpick Sun Ray·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae·The Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·Nile River·Aswan High Dam

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This cruise suits couples, friends and families with older children who want to see major Nile sites without changing hotels each night. Choose it if you value a river-based journey between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions to places including Karnak Temple, Edfu and Philae rather than a fixed stay in one city.

Maybe not, if

  • It is not a good fit for travellers who need step-free access or prefer to avoid stairs, uneven stone and heat during site visits. Choose a land-based stay if you want complete control over daily timings or do not enjoy shared dining and public spaces.

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin classes offer a choice of budget and space.

Things to Consider

  • Ancient sites involve uneven stone, steps and exposed areas.
  • Excursion timings can mean early starts, especially in warmer months.
  • Drinks (including water) are typically charged separately.
  • Cabin pricing is per person sharing, with a single supplement typically applied.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most Nile cruise products are described around a particular sailing direction; Movenpick Sun Ray is presented as a vessel sailing weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Unlike a city-based hotel stay, its shore-excursion programme links sites along the river, with sailing between visits.

The route

Luxor and Aswan

  1. LuxorKarnak & the Valley of the KingsEmbark
  2. EdfuThe Temple of Horus
  3. Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
  4. AswanPhilae Temple & the High DamDisembark

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 round-trip embarkation from Luxor. On 7-night round-trips each site is visited once.

  1. 1

  2. 2

  3. 3

  4. 4

  5. 5

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Standard entrance fees for scheduled sites

Not included

  • Entry to the interiors of the Khufu and Khafre pyramids
  • Entry to premium tombs, including those of Tutankhamun and Seti I
  • Gratuities
  • Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Check whether afternoon tea is included in the booking details; this varies by vessel and is not confirmed for this cruise.

  2. 02

    Allow time to confirm each excursion's entry arrangements, as premium tomb tickets can be separate from standard site admission.

  3. 03

    Carry modest clothing for visits to religious sites and sun protection for exposed areas during shore excursions.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Ask Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, about private guiding, additional site visits or extending your stay in Luxor or Aswan; availability depends on your dates and arrangements. Cabin class choices are Standard, Deluxe and Suite, and solo travellers should budget for the typical single supplement.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Where it fits

Movenpick Sun Ray fits between stays in Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions to major sites along the Nile. It can sit within a wider Egypt itinerary that also includes time in Cairo.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This Nile cruise and its shore excursions require moderate mobility. Boarding may involve two to four steps, and some quays have uneven stone surfaces. There are stairs between decks, and some cabins have a step between the corridor and bathroom. Shore visits can include cobbled temple paths, sandy riverbank approaches, steep ramps and narrow tomb passages, including at the Valley of the Kings. Wheelchair access is limited, and some sites are not accessible to wheelchairs. We can ask the cruise line about assistance at embarkation and disembarkation, but access cannot be guaranteed for every mobility aid or excursion. Please tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can discuss the specific vessel and excursion arrangements.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

Shore transfers use air-conditioned coaches and small launch boats arranged through local suppliers. The cruise vessel is assigned by the cruise line, which owns and operates it. Onboard produce and bread are sourced from bakeries in Luxor and Aswan, and Egyptologist guides live in the region. These arrangements direct some visitor spending to local businesses and professionals. The cruise line may limit single-use plastics where its suppliers allow and use a water-conscious linen-laundry schedule. Practices can vary by assigned vessel. Carrying a reusable water bottle and using the waste bins provided are practical ways to reduce disposable packaging and litter during shore visits.

  • 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 required entry documents
  • Comfortable walking shoes with a good grip
  • Sun hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen
  • A refillable water bottle and a small day bag
  • Light waterproof or windproof layer for early excursions
  • Phone charger and Type C or E power adaptor
  • Any medication you need during sailing and shore visits

What to wear

  • Light, loose-fitting clothes for hot days
  • Covered shoulders and knees for mosques and religious sites
  • A light scarf or long sleeves for sun protection
  • Closed-toe shoes for uneven temple paths and tomb visits
  • Smart-casual clothing for the dining room

Children & families

Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; guests 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 used aboard, but steps, uneven paths and narrow passages make them impractical at many sites. High chairs are not guaranteed; request one when booking and we will pass the request to the cruise line.

Cabin pricing

Rates on request

There are no published rates for this ship at the moment. Tell us your dates and we'll reply with a current price for the cabin 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.

How an extension is arranged

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

Luxor and Aswan — where it sails in EgyptMediterranean SeaRed SeaWestern DesertEastern DesertLake NasserLuxorEdfuKom OmboAswanCairoAbu SimbelN
Cairo lies north; your cruise is the gold stretch in the south. The Nile flows north, so sailing upstream means heading south.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Karnak Temple, LuxorRight here
  • Luxor TempleRight here
  • The Valley of the KingsRight here
  • Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
  • Philae Temple, AswanRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Shore excursions span temples, tombs and river towns

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How long is the Movenpick MS Sun Ray Nile Cruise?
    The Movenpick MS Sun Ray Nile Cruise typically runs for 8 days, with sailing days alternating with shore excursions. This allows for a comprehensive exploration of the Nile's key sites between Luxor and Aswan.
  2. 02What is included in the Movenpick MS Sun Ray Nile Cruise fare?
    The cruise fare includes full board, covering lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. It also includes the organised shore excursions to sites such as Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings, accompanied by our Egyptologists.
  3. 03What is not included in the Movenpick MS Sun Ray Nile Cruise fare?
    Drinks (including water) are typically not included and are an additional charge. Gratuities for the crew and Egyptologists are also excluded, as are any personal expenses or optional activities not listed in the standard excursion programme.
  4. 04What are the embarkation and disembarkation points for the cruise?
    The Movenpick MS Sun Ray Nile Cruise typically embarks and disembarks in either Luxor or Aswan. The vessel sails weekly in both directions, so your specific start and end points will depend on your chosen sailing date.
  5. 05What are the cabin options on the Movenpick MS Sun Ray?
    The Movenpick MS Sun Ray offers various cabin classes, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suites. Cabins feature panoramic windows, and some may offer Nile-view balconies, providing comfortable accommodation during your journey.
  6. 06Is the Movenpick MS Sun Ray Nile Cruise suitable for children?
    Yes, children are welcome. Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, while those 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and over pay the full adult price. A maximum of one child can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.
  7. 07What should I wear on a Nile Cruise and for shore excursions?
    For shore excursions, comfortable walking shoes are essential as you will be exploring ancient sites. Lightweight, breathable clothing is recommended, and modest dress covering shoulders and knees is appropriate for temple visits. On board, casual attire is suitable.
  8. 08What is the best time of year to take a Movenpick MS Sun Ray Nile Cruise?
    The cooler months from November to March are generally considered the best time for a Nile Cruise, offering pleasant temperatures for sightseeing. This period aligns with the UK's winter sun season. Summer months can be very hot, especially for shore excursions.
  9. 09What kind of activities are available on board the Movenpick MS Sun Ray?
    On board, you can relax on the sun deck, often featuring a pool, and enjoy the passing scenery. There is also a lounge bar and a dining room. Evenings may include entertainment or simply offer a chance to unwind after a day of exploration.
  10. 10How are shore excursions organised and led?
    Shore excursions are arranged for you and led by our qualified Egyptologists. They provide historical context and insights at each site, ensuring you gain a deeper understanding of Egypt's ancient civilisation. You will travel in comfortable, air-conditioned transport for these visits.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour·Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-805239

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