Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise

The short answer

Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise is an 8-day Nile cruise visiting Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

• Luxury
• Archaeology & history

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

5-Star Nile Cruise Vessel

Destinations

Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

Cruise cabin accommodation · Meals on a full-board basis · A selection of guided shore excursions · Cabin cleaned daily · On-board restaurant service · Concierge support

Best for

History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Families with older children · Travellers wanting a cabin-based Nile journey

Guide languages

English

What lingers

• 01One-day full-board cruise aboard the Sonesta Moon Goddess from Aswan (breakfast, lunch, dinner included)
• 02Guided visits with our Egyptologist to Philae Temple (Agilkia Island) and the Unfinished Obelisk
• 03Visit to the Aswan High Dam (land visit)
• 04Short motorboat transfer to Philae – approximately 10–15 minutes each way (subject to river traffic)
• 05Air-conditioned cabins and public areas plus sun deck for Nile views
• 06All local port fees and standard site entrance fees for the included stops
• 07Operated on the ground by Discovery Tours Egypt – licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism (ETAA)

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a land-only Egypt tour, this cruise combines transport, accommodation and guided sightseeing on one river vessel. Compared with budget cruises, it offers Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin categories, full board dining and a more formal onboard service setup. It also differs from hotel-based sightseeing in Luxor or Aswan because the itinerary is organised around sailing days and port calls rather than staying in one city. Visitors who want a fixed base in either Luxor or Aswan may prefer a hotel stay, while those who want to move between both cities usually choose a Nile cruise.

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

On property

What's here

• Restaurant
• Concierge

Bundled in

• 🍽Full board

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   Ask which cabin category and view are confirmed in writing; Nile-view features vary by cabin and availability.

2. 02

   Keep small notes for tips, as crew and guide gratuities are not included.

3. 03

   Check the current opening arrangements for Philae before travel, as access involves local boat arrangements.

4. 04

   Pack sun protection for time on the open deck, particularly during the warmer part of the day.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Bookings can usually be tailored with cabin category preferences such as Standard, Deluxe or Suite, subject to availability. Travellers may also request private arrangements for transfers, added sightseeing, or upgraded dining and special-service preferences where offered by the cruise line. It is also possible to build a longer Egypt itinerary around the cruise, for example by adding Luxor, Aswan, Cairo or a Red Sea stay before or after sailing. Premium tomb access and other optional entrance tickets can be added separately when available.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This Nile cruise involves physical access challenges on board and during shore excursions. Boarding may require using a short, sloping gangway, and cabins can have narrow corridors. Moving between decks may involve several flights of stairs. At Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, expect uneven ancient stone, steps and sandy ground. The Valley of the Kings has steep paths and steps at some tomb entrances. Wheelchair access may be restricted by the gangway, tender steps and cabin layout; cabins are not confirmed as fully wheelchair accessible. We can ask the cruise operator about assistance at embarkation and disembarkation. Please share your mobility needs before booking so we can check what is practical. A travelling companion may be helpful.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

We arrange this cruise with a hand-picked cruise line whose crew are locally employed in Luxor and Aswan. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan on scheduled rotations, which reduces repositioning emissions compared with ad-hoc charters. Provisioning uses regional markets when schedules allow, supporting small suppliers in Luxor and Aswan. Onboard waste handling follows the cruise line’s procedures: segregated waste collection, negotiated recycling where municipal services exist, and holding tanks for sewage managed in line with national maritime rules. For transfers we prefer local suppliers who operate modern, low-emission vans where available, and the shore-guides are hired from the communities visited. If you want the cruise operator’s technical environmental statement (fuel type, wastewater treatment), we will request it and share their operations statement before you book.

• 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

• Luxor Temple15 min walk
• Karnak Temple3 km
• The Valley of the Kings8 km
• Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari)8 km

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How many nights is the Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise?

   Cruise durations vary; your booking confirmation shows the exact embarkation and disembarkation dates and ports. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Individual bookings specify whether you join in Luxor or Aswan and the precise day count; check your confirmation or ask us and we will confirm the exact sailing dates and embarkation time.
2. 02Where does the Sonesta Moon Goddess cruise begin and end?

   Embarkation and disembarkation ports are Luxor and Aswan; your confirmation states which port applies to your cruise. Transfers to those ports are not included unless explicitly booked. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can add transfers to your reservation, including pickup times and meeting-point details when you provide your arrival information.
3. 03What does full board include on this cruise?

   Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. It covers three meals daily in the vessel’s restaurant and daily cabin housekeeping. Drinks (including water) are typically extra; the ship’s concierge can confirm which beverages or meal supplements are chargeable during your cruise.
4. 04Are tickets for premium tombs and excursions with special access included?

   Premium or optional entrance tickets, including priority-access or non‑standard tombs, are not included in the cruise fare. When offered on the vessel’s programme, these are optional extras. We can pre-book many of these extras through the ship’s excursion desk or locally, but we do not bundle them automatically with the cruise price.
5. 05What cabin classes are available and is there a single‑occupancy supplement?

   Cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite; many cabins have Nile-view balconies or panoramic windows. Pricing is per person sharing and a single-occupancy supplement typically applies. Exact cabin size, location and the single-supplement policy are listed on your booking confirmation; we can request specific cabin numbers subject to availability.
6. 06How accessible is the vessel and the shore‑excursion programme for limited‑mobility guests?

   The vessel has stairs between public decks and cabins, and some shore sites require walking on uneven ancient stone and steps. Tell us at booking so we can advise on cabin placement and suitability of shore excursions. We can sometimes arrange gentler shore options, but steep ramps and narrow tomb passages make some sites impractical for wheelchair users.
7. 07Can families with children travel on the Sonesta Moon Goddess?

   Children are welcome, but cabin layouts and shore excursions may be less suitable for very young children. Many temples and tombs involve stairs and uneven ground. Tell us ages at enquiry so we can recommend cabin types and which excursions to avoid; we can also advise whether infant facilities and child meals meet your needs.
8. 08What clothing and other items should I pack for on board and for excursions ashore?

   Bring sun protection (broad-brim hat, SPF 30+, sunglasses), comfortable walking shoes for uneven stone, a light layer for mornings and evenings, and modest clothing for temples (shoulders and knees covered). Also pack a small day bag, refillable water bottle, and any prescription medication. The vessel’s sun deck and lounge provide shade and shelter between excursions.
9. 09Can visitors take photographs or use tripods at the sites visited during the cruise?

   Photography is generally allowed at open-air temples such as Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae; rules vary by site and changeable on the day. Flash is usually forbidden inside tombs, and tripods or professional equipment may require a permit. Local site staff enforce rules; follow their instructions and check with the ship’s excursion desk if you need a permit.
10. 10What time of year is ideal for this Nile cruise, and are there seasonal factors to consider?

    The main season for Nile cruising is October–April when temperatures are milder. Summer months are very hot inland, especially at midday. Ramadan can alter opening hours and service timings at religious sites and restaurants; we will advise on local timings and any likely changes to the shore-excursion schedule when you book.