Ruby 1 Nile Cruise

The short answer

Ruby 1 Nile Cruise is a Nile cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

• Luxury

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

Five-Star Nile Cruise

Destinations

Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

Twin or double cabin aboard Ruby 1 · Full board from embarkation lunch to disembarkation breakfast · Use of the sun deck · Use of the lounge bar and dining room · Vessel shore-excursion programme

Best for

Nile cruise travellers · Couples · Families · Travellers choosing cabin options

What lingers

• 01Four-day Nile cruise aboard MS Ruby 1 between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore visits included.
• 02Visits include Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings) and Karnak Temple with our licensed Egyptologists.
• 03We schedule Kom Ombo and Edfu visits after dawn, giving two hours at each site away from mass arrivals.
• 04Cabins feature en-suite bathrooms, panoramic windows and daily housekeeping; safety-certified crew and shore power provided.
• 05Operated by our licensed Egyptian tour operator as a small-ship cruise; we don't run group bus tours.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Some Nile cruise arrangements are planned for travel in one direction only. Ruby 1 has weekly sailings in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so the embarkation port can be chosen at either end.

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.

• Aswan to Luxor3 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor to Aswan4 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Luxor round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide
• Aswan round trip7 nights on this shipRead the route guide

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   Ask which cabin side and deck are available when booking; cabin views vary and specific assignments are not guaranteed.

2. 02

   Pack a light layer for the sun deck, where river breezes can feel cooler than the shore.

3. 03

   Budget separately for bar drinks, premium tomb tickets and gratuities; these are not included unless arranged.

4. 04

   Check the day’s excursion timings with the vessel’s crew, as the programme alternates shore visits with sailing.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Choose Standard, Deluxe or Suite accommodation; Suites have more living space and separate seating, while many cabins offer a panoramic window or Nile-view balcony. Ruby 1 sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, so you can discuss which embarkation and disembarkation ports suit your plans. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges the cruise and can advise on fitting it into a longer Egypt holiday.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

The vessel and shore excursions involve uneven surfaces, steps, narrow gangways and, at some sites, sand or loose gravel. Boarding usually requires stepping between the dock and the vessel; cabins may be reached by stairs, and lifts are not guaranteed. Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae have uneven ancient stone, steps or steep ramps, so wheelchair access can be limited. Some visits may need to be adapted or missed. If you use a wheelchair or mobility aid, contact us before booking so we can check the vessel assigned and discuss possible ramp or landing arrangements. A companion able to assist with steps and transfers is advisable.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

Nile cruisers commonly use diesel engines for river navigation. The specific vessel and its fuel use are not confirmed until assignment, so we cannot give a reliable figure for emissions. Transfers arranged for guests use locally run cars or air-conditioned minibuses, depending on group size and availability. Shore excursions are delivered by Egyptian guides and local suppliers in Luxor and Aswan, keeping part of the visitor spend in those communities. Practices vary by vessel; ask us to check whether refillable water dispensers are available on your assigned cruiser. Bringing a reusable bottle can reduce reliance on single-use bottles where refills are offered. We can also pass on questions about crew employment and onboard waste practices to the selected supplier before booking.

• 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

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

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Karnak TempleRight here
• Luxor TempleRight here
• Valley of the KingsRight here

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01What is included on the MS Ruby 1 4-day Nile cruise?

   Standard inclusions normally cover cabin accommodation, meals, daily shore excursions and site entrance fees unless stated otherwise. Pyramid interiors (Khufu/Khafre) and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) are excluded unless your booking specifies them. International flights, travel insurance and gratuities are not included unless shown on your confirmation. We arrange private or small-group shore excursions rather than mass coach tours, and we will confirm exact inclusions on your booking voucher.
2. 02Can I visit the Valley of the Kings from the MS Ruby 1 itinerary?

   Many four-day Nile cruises include the Valley of the Kings on Luxor West Bank; check your specific MS Ruby 1 itinerary to confirm. The site requires walking on uneven ancient stone and some steps; visits often start early to avoid heat. Entry to the Tutankhamun tomb is a separate premium ticket and is frequently excluded from standard site fees.
3. 03Is there an Egyptologist guiding excursions on MS Ruby 1?

   An Egyptologist accompanies many Nile cruise shore visits, but you should confirm for your MS Ruby 1 departure. Our Egyptologists work on selected sailings and provide briefings at each site; specialist-tomb commentary or private-guiding requests may carry extra charges. If you require a guide in a particular language, tell us at booking so we can confirm availability.
4. 04How are transfers and airport pick-ups organised for MS Ruby 1?

   We arrange private transfers between airport, hotels and the ship for MS Ruby 1 arrivals and departures unless your booking states otherwise. Please send your flight numbers and arrival times so we can schedule meet-and-greet and avoid long waits. Embarkation and disembarkation times vary by port; if you arrive significantly earlier or later than listed, contact us so we can adjust transfer timing.
5. 05Is MS Ruby 1 suitable for travellers with reduced mobility?

   MS Ruby 1 has gangway steps and narrow passageways; it is not fully wheelchair-accessible without advance arrangements. Shore sites typically involve cobblestones, steps and uneven surfaces (for example at Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank), and tendering may be required in some ports. Tell us your mobility needs at booking so we can request a main-deck cabin, pre-arrange assistance, or propose alternative arrangements on shore.
6. 06What luggage should I bring for the MS Ruby 1 cruise?

   Cabin storage on Nile vessels is limited; we recommend one medium suitcase plus a small daypack per person. Use soft-sided bags where possible – they are easier for our drivers to load into car boots and for limited cabin storage. Carry essential items and medications in your hand luggage; leave high-value items in your hotel safe if available.
7. 07Can solo travellers book a single cabin on MS Ruby 1?

   Single cabins are available on many Nile cruise vessels but single-supplement charges commonly apply on MS Ruby 1. A limited number of single or sole-occupancy cabins exist, so early booking is advisable to secure one. Alternatively, some clients choose to share a twin cabin to reduce supplement costs; ask us about shared options when you enquire.