Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise
A five-star vessel with Nile-view cabins, panoramic glazing, a sun-deck pool, shaded seating, full-board meals and guided shore visits.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Sonesta Nile Goddess is a four-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Sonesta Nile Goddess sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions to six named sites. Its onboard facilities include panoramic-window cabins, a sun deck, a small pool, a lounge bar and a dining room.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Nile Cruise
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Deluxe cabin accommodation · Full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day · Egyptologist-guided shore excursions · Excursions to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple · Excursions to Edfu and Kom Ombo · Excursions to Philae and the Valley of the Kings · Use of the sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room · Port taxes and standard onboard service charges
- Best for
- Couples · History enthusiasts · First-time Nile cruisers · Travellers seeking guided sightseeing
- Guide languages
- English · French · German · Italian · Others
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
- Local Egyptologist guides are arranged for the named shore excursions.
- The vessel sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan in both directions.
- Premium tomb tickets, pyramid interior entry, gratuities and drinks (including water) are identified as exclusions.
What lingers
- 01MS Nile Goddess – four-day Nile cruise departing from Luxor, operating on the Nile through Upper Egypt.
- 02We operate MS Nile Goddess as the on-the-ground operator, not an aggregator or reseller.
- 03Operated by a licensed Egyptian tour operator; we arrange local transfers to Luxor port and pre-cruise briefings.
- 04Cruise timing allows visits to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple; check the itinerary for exact visit windows.
- 05Cabin categories confirmed at booking; ask about on-board dining, deck layouts and wheelchair access options.
02Overview
A first look
Nile Goddess is one of the veteran ships of the Sonesta fleet, a five-star cruiser that has sailed the Luxor–Aswan route for decades and keeps a loyal following for its service and food. Days follow the classic pattern: guided mornings at the temples, afternoons on the sun deck as the river slides past.
Background
The facts
Sonesta Nile Goddess is a Nile River cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan. It has deluxe cabins with Nile views and panoramic windows, a sun deck, a small pool, a lounge bar and a dining room. Discovery Tours Egypt books and arranges the vessel and local Egyptologist-guided shore excursions.
The excursion programme links Luxor’s Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and Valley of the Kings with Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo and Philae. Luxor and Aswan are the embarkation and disembarkation ports. The vessel sails weekly in both directions; sailing and shore excursions alternate along the route.
Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple stand on Luxor’s East Bank, while the Valley of the Kings lies on the West Bank. Edfu is associated with the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus, and Philae’s temple complex was relocated to Agilkia Island after the construction of the Aswan High Dam. No UNESCO World Heritage designation is claimed here for the vessel or its excursion programme.
Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks (including water), gratuities, flights, airport taxes and visas are excluded unless separately arranged. Premium tombs, including Tutankhamun and Seti I, require an additional ticket; the same applies to entry inside Khufu’s pyramid.
Named in this entry
Sonesta Nile Goddess·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Edfu·Temple of Horus·Kom Ombo·Philae·Agilkia Island·Valley of the Kings·Khufu·Tutankhamun·Seti I
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits first-time visitors to Egypt, history-focused travellers and couples who want guided visits to major Nile Valley sites alongside comfortable onboard facilities. School-age children and older travellers who can manage steps, uneven ground and exposed temple sites may also enjoy the structured programme.
Maybe not, if
- Choose another option if you need step-free sightseeing or full access for a stroller, as temple visits involve steps and uneven surfaces. Summer heat and the structured shore-excursion schedule may also be a poor fit for travellers who prefer a relaxed, unplanned holiday.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Visits cover Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings.
- A sun deck, small pool and shaded lounge areas are onboard.
Things to Consider
- Temple grounds include uneven ancient surfaces and steps.
- Some sightseeing areas offer limited shade in the midday sun.
- Drinks (including water) are generally extra.
- Summer sightseeing can mean early starts in high temperatures.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Some shorter packaged sailings omit either Edfu or Kom Ombo. This vessel’s excursion programme includes both, alongside visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the booking and local Egyptologist-guided visits; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
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 Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
On property
What's here
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Gym
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Business centre
- Laundry
- Bar
- Concierge
- Spa
- Rooftop terrace
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Full-board meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Accommodation in a deluxe cabin, with cabin grading available on request
- Guided shore excursions with a local Egyptologist to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- Use of the sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room
- Port taxes and standard on-board service charges
Not included
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for the crew and Egyptologists
- Flights, airport taxes and visas
- Entry to premium tombs and pyramid interiors, including Tutankhamun, Seti I and the interior of Khufu, unless requested
- Optional extras such as a hot-air balloon flight or private transfers
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Ask which cabin class is available: Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades are offered.
- 02
Cabin pricing is per person sharing, so check the single supplement when travelling alone.
- 03
Plan additional funds for drinks (including water) and gratuities for crew and guides.
- 04
If visiting Tutankhamun or Seti I, confirm the extra ticket arrangements before the excursion.
- 05
Entry inside Khufu’s pyramid is separate from standard site admission.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Cabins are available in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes, with grading details available on request. Hot-air balloon flights and private transfers can be arranged as optional extras; ask us whether private shore excursions or a longer itinerary can be organised for your dates.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
The Sonesta Nile Goddess fits between a Luxor stay and time in Aswan, linking the temples and tombs of Luxor with Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise and its shore excursions involve steps and uneven surfaces. At Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Philae, expect rough stone paths, cobbles and stepped entrances; some tombs have narrow doorways and low ceilings. Gangways used at embarkation and disembarkation have steps and handrails rather than vehicle-level ramps. Onboard public areas may be reached by stairs, and some cabins have one or two steps at the entrance. Wheelchair access cannot be guaranteed, particularly for motorised chairs on gangways or in cabins. Our Egyptologists can discuss ways to reduce walking, but archaeological sites are not fully step-free. Please tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check practical arrangements with the cruise provider.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Nile cruiser uses the vessel’s standard river propulsion; the fuel type and onboard waste-management procedures have not been supplied for this sailing. We arrange the cruise with a third-party provider and do not operate the vessel, so we cannot verify its fuel use, sewage treatment or waste systems. Shore excursions are led by local Egyptologists, and the programme includes visits to sites such as Karnak, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. The cruise also employs onboard crew and catering staff through its provider. We do not have confirmed details about local food sourcing or specific community initiatives. If these points matter to your booking, we can ask the cruise provider for current information before you travel.
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 visa
- Walking shoes with good grip
- Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Light layers for cool mornings and evenings
- Small day bag for shore excursions
- Personal medicines and basic first-aid supplies
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime heat
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples
- A light jacket or jumper for cooler evenings on deck
- Comfortable closed shoes for uneven archaeological sites
- Swimwear for the onboard pool
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel at no charge; those aged 6 to 11.99 years pay half the adult price, while children aged 12 and over pay the full adult price. Children need to share a cabin with a parent, with no more than one child in each cabin. Gangways and uneven archaeological paths make strollers impractical. High chairs and baby cots differ between vessels, so please request them in advance.
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 |
|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Fridays | October – April: from £753single cabin £1,046 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Mondays | October – April: from £909single cabin £1,299 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Mondays | October – April: from £1,375single cabin £2,058 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Fridays | October – April: from £1,391single cabin £2,073 |
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
- Luxor Temple18 min walk
- Karnak Temple4 km
- Luxor Museum15 min walk
- Mummification Museum6 min walk
- Valley of the Kings27 km
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Local Egyptologists guide visits to the named ancient sites
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is included in the MS Nile Goddess 4-day cruise price?
Standard cruise prices usually include cabin accommodation, full-board meals, daily excursions, and harbour taxes. Standard archaeological site entrance fees are included unless we state otherwise; premium tombs and pyramid interiors remain excluded. Drinks, personal expenses and gratuities are normally excluded; we list exact inclusions on your booking confirmation.02What is a typical itinerary for a 4-day Nile cruise from Luxor?
A four-day cruise from Luxor typically visits Luxor West Bank and then sails to Edfu and Kom Ombo. On-shore timings vary by schedule; some itineraries include an Aswan overnight while others return to Luxor. Unlike 3‑night packages, a four-day cruise normally allows longer site visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo.03How do I get to the MS Nile Goddess in Luxor?
We arrange hotel or airport pickup in Luxor and transfer you to the ship’s mooring; check your voucher for timings. Moorings can be on the Corniche or at a nearby jetty; the exact location appears on your final details. If you arrive independently, call the emergency number shown on your voucher for on‑the‑day directions.04Who operates the MS Nile Goddess and who provides the guides?
The cruise is operated on the ground by a licensed Egyptian tour operator; we organise the vessel’s shore excursions and guides. Guides for scheduled visits are licensed Egyptologists; private-guide upgrades are possible at booking. We prefer smaller guided groups for temple visits where operationally feasible; guide names and languages are confirmed on your final voucher.05Is the MS Nile Goddess suitable for guests with limited mobility?
Access to most Nile cruise vessels requires climbing a gangway and several cabin steps; mobility limitations need prior notice. Landing sites and archaeological areas typically have uneven stone, steps and limited shade; wheelchairs are difficult to use ashore. If you have mobility needs, tell us at booking so we can advise or arrange a tailored plan.06What should I pack for a four-day Nile cruise?
Bring sun protection, a wide‑brim hat, light layers, comfortable walking shoes and modest clothing for temple visits. Nights can be cool on deck so include a light jumper; carry a small daybag for shore visits and insect repellent. Carry cash in small notes for local purchases and gratuities, as card acceptance can be limited ashore.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-LUX-717354
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