Royal Elite Nile Cruise
Royal Elite has three cabin grades, selected Nile-view balconies or panoramic windows, a shaded pool deck, lounge bar and dining room.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Royal Elite Nile Cruise is an 8-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and Upper Egyptian archaeological sites, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Royal Elite offers Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins, with selected cabins featuring Nile-view balconies or panoramic windows. Its shore-excursion programme covers six named sites, from Karnak Temple in Luxor to Philae Temple near Aswan. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.
- Luxury
- Family
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Solo travel
- Photography
- Couples·
- Seniors·
- Groups·
- Solo traveller·
- Families with kids
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Nile Cruiser with Standard, Deluxe and Suite Cabins
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · The Nile · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Edfu Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo Temple · Philae Temple · Valley of the Kings
- Includes
- Accommodation in the selected cabin grade · Full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day · Shaded sun deck and outdoor pool area · Indoor lounge bar and dedicated dining room · Cruise-line shore excursion programme · Weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan
- Best for
- First-time Egypt visitors · Couples · Families sharing a cabin · Ancient-history enthusiasts · Travellers wanting full-board river travel · Travellers comparing Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins
- Guide languages
- English
- Egyptologist-guided sightseeing can be arranged as part of the wider tour service.
- 24/7 on-the-ground support is available through the local operator.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718).
What lingers
- 01Four-day cruise aboard MS Royal Elite between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Edfu and Kom Ombo.
- 02Guided shore excursions led by our Egyptologists, not audio-only commentary, for consistent historical context ashore.
- 03Overnight mooring in Aswan allows a late-afternoon visit to Philae Temple and an evening felucca option.
- 04Optional Abu Simbel excursion by road or flight requires an early start and separate booking with the ship.
- 05Early starts for Luxor West Bank and Valley of the Kings minimise crowds but mean pre-dawn transfers from the ship.
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile moves quietly beyond Royal Elite’s cabins, with river traffic and the low hum of the engine replacing the noise of the riverbank. Between shore excursions, the sun deck, outdoor pool area, lounge bar and dining room give you room to slow down while the landscape changes from Luxor’s cultivated banks towards Aswan.
Our Egyptologists bring Karnak Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple into focus without turning each visit into a rushed photo stop. Royal Elite sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation at either city. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, selects and arranges the vessel, shore excursions and local support, with full board from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Background
The facts
Royal Elite is a Nile river cruise vessel arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt. Its cabin grades are Standard, Deluxe and Suite; selected cabins have Nile-view balconies or panoramic windows. Onboard facilities include a shaded sun deck, an outdoor pool area, a lounge bar and a dedicated dining room.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation in either city. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on Luxor’s east bank, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple near Aswan and the Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s west bank.
These sites span several periods of ancient Egyptian history. Karnak developed over many centuries, particularly during the New Kingdom; the Valley of the Kings served as a royal burial ground mainly during the New Kingdom. Philae Temple was relocated to Agilkia Island after construction of the Aswan High Dam. The monuments of ancient Thebes, including Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings, form part of the UNESCO World Heritage property Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis.
Full board covers lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) are extra unless stated otherwise. Temple and tomb access involves walking on uneven ancient surfaces; the Valley of the Kings is on Luxor’s west bank, across the Nile from the city centre.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Aswan·River Nile·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Edfu Temple of Horus·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Valley of the Kings·Theban Necropolis·Ancient Egypt
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time visitors to Egypt, couples and families interested in ancient Egyptian history who prefer combining accommodation, river travel and organised shore excursions. It is also suitable for travellers seeking Standard, Deluxe or Suite cabins and a more structured alternative to arranging separate hotels and transfers.
Maybe not, if
- It is not a good fit for travellers who need step-free access throughout, or who prefer to set their own daily schedule rather than follow a cruise line’s shore-excursion programme. Summer heat in Upper Egypt can also make outdoor sightseeing demanding.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Things to Consider
- Shore visits involve uneven ancient stone, steps and exposed sites.
- Luxor and Aswan can exceed 35°C from May through September.
- Drinks (including water) and gratuities are extra.
- Solo travellers pay a single supplement; cabin prices are per person sharing.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-only Egypt itinerary, this package combines cabin accommodation, river transport and a scheduled shore-excursion programme. Unlike a fixed private tour, shore excursions are provided by the cruise line, while Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the booking and can add services such as private transfers or speciality excursions.
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
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Accommodation aboard the vessel in the selected cabin grade
- Full-board meals from lunch on embarkation day until breakfast on disembarkation day
- Use of onboard facilities, such as the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Use of the outdoor pool area
- The cruise line’s shore excursion programme
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for the crew and Egyptologists
- International flights and airport taxes
- Visas and travel insurance
- Optional extras, including premium cabin upgrades, private transfers and speciality excursions
- Single supplement for solo travellers
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Check whether your selected cabin has a Nile-view balcony or panoramic window; these features apply only to selected cabins.
- 02
Budget separately for drinks (including water), crew and guide gratuities, and any optional speciality excursions.
- 03
Solo travellers should ask for the applicable single supplement before confirming their cabin.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Optional arrangements may include premium cabin upgrades, private transfers and speciality excursions; solo travellers can book with the applicable single supplement.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
The Royal Elite Nile Cruise fits between time in Cairo and further visits in Luxor or Aswan. Weekly sailings run in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so the embarkation port can shape the wider itinerary.
Accessibility
Who can join this
A Nile cruise combines access to the vessel with shore visits over uneven historic ground. Embarkation may involve a gangway, steps or a steep ramp, depending on the quay and river level. Cabins, the dining room, lounge bar and sun deck may be connected by internal stairs; lift availability and cabin access depend on the vessel assigned. Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple and the Valley of the Kings have uneven paving, steps or sand, with limited shade at some sites. Wheelchair access cannot be assumed. If you have reduced mobility, contact us before booking so we can check the vessel, cabin, gangway and practical options for the shore excursion programme.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
A river vessel covers the Luxor to Aswan route without requiring separate daily road transfers between each stop, reducing repeated overland travel for the same journey. Shore excursions are delivered through the cruise line's local teams, while Discovery Tours Egypt selects and arranges the cruise with Egyptian suppliers. Navigation, food service, cabin care and shore operations provide work for people along the Nile corridor. Fuel systems, wastewater treatment, recycling and water-saving measures vary by the vessel assigned at booking, so we do not claim standards that have not been verified. Guests can carry a refillable bottle where permitted, avoid single-use plastics and follow conservation rules at temples and tombs.
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
- Passport and booking confirmation
- Comfortable walking footwear with non-slip soles
- Sunscreen SPF50+, lip balm and sunglasses
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Refillable water bottle, where permitted
- A small bag for day trips ashore
- Medication for motion sickness, if required
What to wear
- Lightweight clothing with a relaxed fit
- Layers that let you stay cool in changing temperatures
- Comfortable footwear for uneven temple ground
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and religious sites
- Swimwear and a cover-up for the pool area
- A light jacket for the cooler evenings
Children & families
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free; children aged 6–11.99 years pay 50%; those aged 12 or over pay the 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 are generally impractical on gangways, internal stairs, quays and uneven archaeological ground. Ask us to check whether a cot, high chair and suitable cabin arrangement are available on the vessel assigned to your booking.
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 Wednesdays | October – April: from £623single cabin £825triple cabin £623 | May – September: from £522single cabin £667triple cabin £522 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £736single cabin £1,005triple cabin £736 | May – September: from £601single cabin £794triple cabin £601 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £1,073single cabin £1,544triple cabin £1,073 | May – September: from £837single cabin £1,174triple cabin £837 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from £1,088single cabin £1,559triple cabin £1,088 | May – September: from £853single cabin £1,189triple cabin £853 |
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
- Temple of Horus at EdfuRight here
- Temple at Kom OmboRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
- The Valley of the KingsRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Compare both weekly sailing directions before booking
02
Arrange the cruise with shore excursions at major Nile sites
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical length of a Royal Elite Nile Cruise?
The Royal Elite Nile Cruise usually runs for 4 days and 3 nights when sailing from Luxor to Aswan, or 5 days and 4 nights in the reverse direction. We offer weekly departures in both directions, providing flexibility for your holiday schedule.02Which shore excursions are part of the Royal Elite Nile Cruise?
The Royal Elite Nile Cruise includes a full programme of shore excursions. You will visit significant ancient sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These visits are organised by the cruise line.03What meals are provided on the Royal Elite Nile Cruise?
The Royal Elite Nile Cruise operates on a full board basis. This covers all your meals, beginning with lunch on your embarkation day and concluding with breakfast on your disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) are typically an additional charge.04What cabin options are available on the Royal Elite Nile Cruise?
The Royal Elite Nile Cruise offers various cabin categories, including Standard, Deluxe, and Suites. Certain cabins feature Nile-view balconies or large panoramic windows, allowing you to enjoy the river scenery as you sail.05What facilities can I use on board the Royal Elite Nile Cruise?
Royal Elite Nile Cruise guests can enjoy a range of onboard facilities, including a shaded sun deck, an outdoor swimming pool area, a comfortable lounge bar and a dedicated dining room. These features are intended to make your Nile sailing more enjoyable.06Is the Royal Elite Nile Cruise suitable for families with children?
Yes, families are welcome on the Royal Elite Nile Cruise. Child rates for ages 0–5.99 and 6–11.99 years are available on request. Children must share a cabin with their parents, and each cabin can accommodate no more than one child. Two or more children will need a separate cabin.07What is the policy for solo travellers on the Royal Elite Nile Cruise?
Solo travellers are welcome aboard the Royal Elite Nile Cruise. However, the pricing is based on two people sharing a cabin, so a single supplement usually applies for those travelling alone. Please enquire for specific details on solo traveller rates.08What clothing and items should I bring for the Royal Elite Nile Cruise and excursions?
Bring light, comfortable clothes for warm weather, along with swimwear for the pool. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for shore trips. When visiting temples and religious sites, modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is recommended.09Does the Royal Elite Nile Cruise fare include gratuities?
No, gratuities for the crew and your Egyptologist guide are not included in the standard Royal Elite Nile Cruise price. It is customary to tip the cruise staff and your guide at the end of your holiday. We can provide recommendations for appropriate gratuity amounts.10What are the embarkation and disembarkation arrangements for the Royal Elite Nile Cruise?
You’ll board and leave the Royal Elite Nile Cruise in either Luxor or Aswan, according to the direction of your chosen sailing. We organise transfers to and from the vessel for a seamless start and finish to your cruise.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-895034
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