Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser featuring a pool on the sun deck, rooftop terrace, lounge bar, spa, gym, panoramic windows and full-board meals; operates weekly between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Thu
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Royal La Terrasse is an eight-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and major Upper Egypt sites, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Royal La Terrasse includes accommodation in the selected cabin class, full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day, and scheduled shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. It also includes use of the pool, rooftop terrace, lounge bar, spa and gym, plus on-board Wi‑Fi subject to signal and capacity.
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples·
- Groups·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Cabin Accommodation
- Destinations
- Luxor · Aswan · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo Temple · Philae Temple
- Includes
- Stay in the chosen cabin category · Full-board meals, from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Excursions ashore as scheduled · Access to the pool, rooftop terrace, lounge bar, spa and gym · On-board Wi-Fi, subject to local signal and capacity · Port and harbour charges, where applicable
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · Couples · First-time visitors to Egypt · Families with school-age children · Travellers wanting a structured Nile itinerary
- Guide languages
- English
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator
- Class-A licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism
- Member of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA #718)
- Scheduled shore excursions and transfers are coordinated in advance
- Local support is available throughout the booking and travel process
What lingers
- 01Sun deck with outdoor pool and rooftop terrace for Nile views while sailing between Luxor and Aswan
- 02Lounge bar and indoor lounge for evening drinks and briefings about forthcoming shore excursions
- 03On-board spa and gym, plus afternoon tea included on 5-star services
- 04Scheduled shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae
- 05Cabin classes ranged Standard, Deluxe and Suite, many with panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies
- 06Full board dining, with lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
02Overview
A first look
At first light the sun deck pool mirrors Luxor's minarets and rows of palms while the vessel slips slowly from the quayside, and the scent of coffee from the dining room mixes with the Nile breeze. Many cabins have panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies, and full board dining is timed around embarkation and disembarkation formalities so meals fit the sailing rhythm.
As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange the Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise and its weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Unlike mass coach cruises, this vessel spaces visits across several sailing days, and our Egyptologists brief guests each evening about the next day's shore excursions and practical details.
Background
The facts
Royal La Terrasse is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt for sailings between Luxor and Aswan. The cruise programme uses the Nile river corridor linking Upper Egypt’s main archaeological sites, with embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan depending on the direction of travel. Standard cruise operations on this route typically combine sailing days with shore excursions rather than a coach-based tour format.
The excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae Temple. Karnak and Luxor are located on the east bank at Luxor; the Valley of the Kings is on the west bank, across the river from the city. Edfu lies between Luxor and Aswan, while Kom Ombo and Philae are reached further south near Aswan.
The vessel offers Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin categories, full board dining from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, and use of facilities such as a sun deck, pool, lounge bar, spa and gym. Nile cruise schedules on this corridor usually alternate sailing days with guided visits, allowing travellers to see major monuments over several nights aboard rather than in a single overland transfer.
As a reference point, Luxor Temple dates largely to the New Kingdom, with major construction under Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, while Philae Temple was relocated in the 20th century during the UNESCO Nubia Campaign. This route therefore combines some of Egypt’s best-known Pharaonic and Greco-Roman monuments within a single river journey.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Edfu Temple of Horus·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Nile River·Upper Egypt·Amenhotep III·Ramesses II·UNESCO Nubia Campaign
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travellers who want a structured way to see Upper Egypt’s key monuments without changing hotels every day. It is especially appropriate for adults, couples and older families who are comfortable with stairs, short coach transfers to sites, and several days aboard a river vessel.
Maybe not, if
- Choose a different holiday if you need step-free access at archaeological sites or prefer to explore without a set excursion programme. Summer departures also require tolerance for strong sun and high temperatures.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- A sun deck, outdoor pool and rooftop terrace provide space between visits.
Things to Consider
- Uneven stone and steep terrain make some site visits demanding.
- Summer heat can make walking and sun-deck time uncomfortable.
- Scheduled excursions offer less flexibility than privately guided visits.
- Drinks (including water) are usually extra.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a hotel stay with separate day tours, this Nile cruise combines accommodation, transport between Luxor and Aswan, and a scheduled excursion programme in one booking. Compared with overland coach touring, it reduces repeated packing and unpacking while keeping the travel route on the Nile. It is also more structured than private tailor-made sightseeing, with set embarkation, disembarkation and sailing days.
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
- Restaurant
- Wi-Fi
- Spa
- Concierge
- Business centre
- Bar
- Parking
- Rooftop terrace
- Gym
- Swimming pool
Bundled in
- Airport transfer
- Hotel pickup
- Full board
- Private transfer
- Private Egyptologist
- Group Egyptologist
- All entry tickets
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Accommodation in the selected cabin class on board the vessel.
- Full board: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
- Scheduled shore excursions included in the vessel's programme between Luxor and Aswan.
- Use of the onboard facilities, including the swimming pool, roof terrace, lounge bar, spa and gym.
- On-board WiFi, subject to local signal strength and capacity.
- Port and harbour taxes, where applied by the cruise line.
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt.
- Egypt entry visa and travel insurance.
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Optional or premium excursions, and private guides not included in the vessel's scheduled programme.
- Personal expenses, including on-board specialist treatments and services.
- Gratuities for on-board staff and local guides, unless pre-purchased.
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which cabin categories have Nile-view balconies before choosing; balcony availability varies by cabin.
- 02
Carry small cash for personal purchases at shore stops, as spending arrangements can differ between sites.
- 03
Bring sun protection for time on the open deck and during exposed archaeological-site visits.
- 04
Keep modest clothing available for religious sites, including Philae Temple.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Travellers can usually choose between Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin categories, subject to availability. The cruise can also be paired with extra nights in Luxor or Aswan, or with private sightseeing before or after the sailing. Meal upgrades, optional excursions and private guiding may be arranged separately if requested.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
Pair the cruise with time in Cairo before flying to Luxor, or add a stay in Aswan after disembarkation to visit Abu Simbel. Royal La Terrasse sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so either port can anchor the Nile portion of your itinerary.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise requires a moderate level of mobility. Embarkation and disembarkation use a gangway with steps and uneven surfaces at some quays, and some piers have steep or irregular ramps. Shore-excursion transfers typically include short walks over cobbles, sand and temple steps; many temple entrances have staircases without handrails. Cabins commonly have a single step at the doorway and some suite thresholds are narrow; elevators are limited or absent on many Nile cruisers. Full wheelchair access throughout the vessel and at most archaeological sites is not possible. We can request port-side assistance with luggage and coordinate reduced-mobility transfers and seating on excursions where the cruise line and sites permit, but please contact us before booking with exact mobility needs so we can confirm what the vessel and local sites can provide.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange the Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise with a cruise line that uses conventional diesel river engines, the standard propulsion for most Nile vessels. Shore excursions are carried out by local suppliers using air-conditioned minibuses driven by Egyptian staff. The vessel sources much of its fresh produce from regional markets in Luxor and Aswan, and the on-board crew is predominantly Egyptian, so wages and local procurement benefit the communities visited. Waste-management practices vary by supplier; we formally request recycling and food-waste separation where facilities exist, and we record and report shortfalls back to the cruise line. If reducing your carbon footprint is a priority, ask us about voluntary carbon-offsetting options and shore-excursion alternatives that favour walking or felucca trips powered by sail.
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 plus any required visas, photocard and photocopy
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip for temple steps and quays
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a wide-brimmed sun hat
- Lightweight layers for cool mornings and evenings on deck
- Use insect repellent for evenings by the river
- Small daypack for shore excursions and water bottle
- Any personal medication plus a copy of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting daytime clothing in breathable fabrics
- Covered shoulders and knee-length skirts or trousers for temples and mosques
- Bring a warm layer for breezes on deck in the early morning or evening
- Non-slip shoes suitable for gangways and uneven stone steps
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; children 12 years and above pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers can be practical aboard the vessel but may be cumbersome on cobbled temple approaches and at some quays. High chairs and child equipment depend on the cruise line; we will request them on your behalf and confirm availability prior to travel.
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 | Peak dates18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from £609single cabin £825 | May – September: from £551single cabin £739 | Peak dates: from £739single cabin £1,027 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Thursdays | October – April: from £717single cabin £1,005 | May – September: from £640single cabin £890 | Peak dates: from £890single cabin £1,274 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Thursdays | October – April: from £1,039single cabin £1,544 | May – September: from £905single cabin £1,342 | Peak dates: from £1,342single cabin £2,014 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,054single cabin £1,559 | May – September: from £920single cabin £1,357 | Peak dates: from £1,357single cabin £2,030 |
Peak dates: 18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr, 9 Apr – 23 Apr. 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
- The Kom Ombo TempleRight here
- Philae TempleRight here
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Scheduled visits cover six major Nile sites
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long does a Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise usually last?
The Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise usually runs for 8 days, travelling between Luxor and Aswan. The itinerary gives you the chance to discover the main ancient sites along the Nile River.02How do guests embark and disembark on the Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise?
You board and leave the Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise in Luxor and Aswan. We organise transfers to and from the vessel at the beginning and end of your cruise, in line with your flight or hotel timings.03What does the Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise fare cover?
Your cruise fare covers a cabin in your selected class, full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day, and the scheduled shore excursions. Wi-Fi and access to on-board facilities, including the pool, rooftop terrace and lounge bar, are also covered.04What is excluded from the Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise package?
International flights, visas for entry to Egypt, travel insurance and most drinks (including water) are excluded. Optional excursions, private guides outside the scheduled programme, personal spending and gratuities for staff and guides are also not included.05Can guests with mobility concerns access the Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise?
Gangways on Nile cruise vessels, including the Royal La Terrasse, may be steep, depending on river levels. There are stairs between decks on board. Shore excursions require walking across uneven ancient sites, which can be difficult for guests with significant mobility concerns.06What are the arrangements for children on the Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0–5.99 travel at no charge, and those aged 6–11.99 pay half the adult fare. From age 12, children pay the full adult fare. A maximum of one child may share a cabin with their parents; two or more children need a cabin of their own.07What should I pack and wear for a Nile cruise aboard Royal La Terrasse?
For daytime excursions, pack light, comfortable clothes; choose modest dress for religious sites and smart casual outfits for evenings on board. Remember sun protection, comfortable walking shoes and any medicines you need personally.08What are the photography rules at the sites visited during the cruise?
In general, photography is allowed at most ancient sites, but flash may be banned in some areas, and video cameras may need a separate ticket. Your Egyptologist will explain the rules at each stop so you can follow them.09When is the ideal time of year for a Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise?
October to April is usually the ideal period for a Nile cruise, as sightseeing conditions are cooler and more comfortable. From May to September, summer temperatures can be very high, particularly in Upper Egypt.10Which major ancient sites are visited during the Royal La Terrasse Nile Cruise programme?
The Royal La Terrasse cruise itinerary features visits to renowned sites including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu's Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple and Philae Temple, providing an extensive historical journey.
Last updated 19 August 2026Product ID: CRU-NIL-618457
You Might Also Like
Nile7 Nights
Radamis II Nile Cruise
Radamis II is a Comfort Nile cruise operating 3- and 4-night sailings between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo and Edfu. All guided excursions are led by an English-speaking Egyptologist in small groups, maximum eight travellers. Cabins have panoramic windows, individual air-conditioning and bathrooms with full-size bathtubs; public areas include a sun deck, swimming pool and a barbecue area. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange meet-and-assist, private air-conditioned transfers and on-board coordination. We do not run large coach-group excursions, so visits are paced for photography and short walks rather than rushed coach drop-offs. Choose the shorter Friday Aswan to Luxor option or the Monday Luxor to Aswan sailing, both timed to include the West Bank and East Bank highlights of Luxor.
Nile7 Nights
Royal Elite Nile Cruise
Four-day cruise on MS Royal Elite between Luxor and Aswan, visiting Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu and Kom Ombo. We operate shore visits with our Egyptologists and private transfers; we are a licensed Egyptian tour operator. We don't run coach-load group excursions – we limit shore groups and schedule visits to avoid the mid-afternoon heat where possible. Unlike many three-night packaged cruises, this itinerary includes full calls at both Edfu and Kom Ombo. Expect early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone, and open decks that get hot at midday. Standard site entrance fees are included; optional extras such as Abu Simbel flights, pyramid interiors and gratuities are not included.
From £623
Nile7 Nights
Princess Sarah Nile Cruise
Princess Sarah is a 5-star Nile cruiser with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin grades, plus a restaurant, lounge, bar, sun deck and swimming pool. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, with sailing between visits. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are extra. Unlike a fixed land itinerary, the cruise combines time on the river with visits to major temples and sites. Cabin pricing is based on two people sharing, and a single supplement applies.
From £623