Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser with spacious suites and Nile-view balconies, sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, panoramic windows, full-board dining and guided shore excursions.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise is a four-day Nile cruise vessel covering Luxor, Aswan and listed shore excursions, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
·In summary
Sonesta Star Goddess sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with shore excursions at six named sites, including Karnak Temple and Philae. Full board runs from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast; drinks (including water) are typically extra.
- Luxury
- Cultural
- Archaeology & history
- Couples·
- Seniors
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- Five-star Nile cruise vessel
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cabin in the chosen class · Full board from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast · Daily housekeeping · Onboard service · Shore excursions in the vessel programme · Visits to Karnak and Luxor Temple · Visits to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae · Visit to the Valley of the Kings
- Best for
- Nile cruise travellers · Couples · Solo travellers · Families with children
- Drinks (including water) and gratuities are typically extra unless specified.
What lingers
- 01Suites with private Nile-view balconies and panoramic windows
- 02Sun deck with loungers and a pool
- 03Lounge bar and indoor seating
- 04Full Board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast
- 05Shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings
- 06Weekly departures in either direction from Luxor to Aswan
02Overview
A first look
Star Goddess is the all-suite ship of the Sonesta fleet — every accommodation on board is a suite with its own private terrace facing the river, which makes her one of the most sought-after vessels between Luxor and Aswan. Sailings follow the classic three, four and seven-night itineraries with Egyptologist-guided sightseeing throughout.
Background
The facts
Sonesta Star Goddess is a Nile cruise vessel serving the Luxor to Aswan route in Upper Egypt. Discovery Tours Egypt selects, books and arranges the cruise; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Embarkation and disembarkation ports are Luxor and Aswan.
Karnak Temple developed over many centuries, beginning in the Middle Kingdom. The Valley of the Kings contains royal tombs dating mainly from the 18th to 20th Dynasties of the New Kingdom. Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings form part of the UNESCO-listed Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis; Philae is included in the UNESCO-listed Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae.
Suites have panoramic windows and private Nile-view balconies. Onboard facilities include a sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room. Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are typically extra. Site opening hours can vary, so check current timings before travel.
Named in this entry
The Sonesta Star Goddess·Luxor·Aswan·Nile River·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Temple of Horus at Edfu·Kom Ombo·Philae·The Valley of the Kings·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits couples, solo travellers and families with school-age children or teenagers who want guided visits to Upper Egypt’s major monuments without changing hotels each night. Choose it if private cabin space, a Nile-view balcony and onboard dining matter more than setting your own daily schedule.
Maybe not, if
- It is less suited to travellers who need step-free access or dislike walking on uneven ancient stone at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Travellers wanting complete control over excursion times should consider a privately arranged itinerary instead.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Alternating sailing and shore visits avoid a coach-tour-only pace
Things to Consider
- Uneven ancient stone at several archaeological sites
- Limited shade during midday visits in warmer months
- Fixed shore-excursion programme offers less control over timing
- Drinks (including water) and crew gratuities are extra
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most Nile cruise programmes combine sailing with scheduled shore excursions; this vessel’s programme includes six named sites between Luxor and Aswan. Unlike an overland sightseeing circuit, visits are arranged around the vessel’s sailing programme and embarkation ports.
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
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Accommodation aboard the vessel in your selected cabin class
- Full Board meals, from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day
- Daily cabin housekeeping and onboard service
- Shore excursions included in the vessel’s programme
Not included
- Flights from abroad and airport charges
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Gratuities for the crew and local guides, unless stated otherwise
- Optional premium site entry and private excursions not included in the vessel’s programme
- Visa to enter Egypt and personal expenditure
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Carry small Egyptian-pound notes for personal purchases and gratuities, which are not included unless stated.
- 02
Bring sun protection for time on the open sun deck, particularly during midday sailing.
- 03
Pack modest clothing for visits to religious sites such as Philae and Karnak Temple.
- 04
Ask which optional premium site entries apply to your chosen excursions before embarkation.
Tailor it
Make it yours
We arrange the cruise and can help you ask about private excursions or optional premium site entries, which are not included unless specified. The vessel’s shore programme is set, so travellers wanting more time in Upper Egypt can enquire about adding nights in Luxor or Aswan before or after sailing.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Where it fits
The Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise fits between a Luxor stay and time in Aswan, linking the temples along the river with visits to the Valley of the Kings. We arrange the booking and shore excursions; the cruise vessel is operated by its cruise line.
Accessibility
Who can join this
Embarking and disembarking usually involve a gangway, and the level can change with the river and quay. Steps may also connect the quayside to the vessel. On board, corridors and stairs link cabins and public areas; a lift is not guaranteed. Shore excursions at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings can include uneven ancient stone, steps and soft sand. Wheelchair access cannot be guaranteed on the vessel or at every site. Tell us about mobility needs before booking so we can check the assigned vessel and discuss which visits may be manageable.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The Nile cruiser is owned and operated by its cruise line, and the vessel and shore-excursion arrangements are selected and booked by us. River cruisers typically use diesel engines; we cannot verify this vessel's fuel use or emissions data. Shore excursions may use air-conditioned coaches arranged through local transport suppliers. We ask suppliers about vehicle maintenance and newer vehicles where available, but cannot promise a particular vehicle. Local guides, cruise staff and suppliers provide services in Luxor, Aswan and along the route. On board, reducing single-use plastics and sorting recycling depends on the operator and port facilities. Bring a refillable bottle and use it only where safe refill water is available.
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, with at least six months' validity
- Comfortable walking shoes with a good grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a wide-brimmed hat
- A lightweight pack for day trips ashore
- Refillable water bottle
- Copies of travel documents and emergency contacts
- Basic hydration salts
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for warm days
- A light layer for cooler evenings on deck
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- Comfortable, closed-toe shoes for archaeological sites
- A compact windproof or waterproof jacket
Children & families
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free; children aged 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; children aged 12 years and over pay the full 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 awkward on uneven temple approaches. A high chair can be requested, but availability varies by vessel and should be checked before 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 |
|---|---|
| 3 nights · Aswan → Luxorembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from £1,344single cabin £2,050 |
| 4 nights · Luxor → Aswanembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £1,697single cabin £2,638 |
| 7 nights · Luxor → Luxorembarks Saturdays | October – April: from £2,754single cabin £4,402 |
| 7 nights · Aswan → Aswanembarks Wednesdays | October – April: from £2,770single cabin £4,418 |
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 Temple7 min walk
- Karnak Temple4 km
- The Valley of the Kings27 km
- Edfu Temple100 km
- Philae Temple214 km
Why book this with us
Three reasons, stated plainly
01
Private Nile-view balcony in every suite
02
Shore programme spans Luxor, Edfu and Aswan
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What does the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise package include?
The cruise includes accommodation in your chosen cabin, full board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast, daily housekeeping, and all listed shore excursions with an Egyptologist guide. Entrance fees to all scheduled sites are also covered.02Are any extra charges excluded from the cruise fare?
Yes, some costs are not included. These typically cover international flights, Egypt entry visas, drinks (including water), gratuities for the crew and guides, and any optional premium site entries or private excursions not part of the vessel's programme.03What types of cabins are available on the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise?
The Sonesta Star Goddess offers spacious suites, each featuring a private Nile-view balcony and panoramic windows. All cabins provide comfortable accommodation with modern amenities for your journey along the Nile.04Is the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise a good choice for children and families?
Yes, the cruise is family-friendly. Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, and those 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, with a maximum of one child per cabin.05What are the operating dates for the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise?
The Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise operates weekly throughout the year. It sails in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, offering regular departures for travellers to experience the Nile.06What kind of shore excursions are included with the cruise?
The cruise includes a comprehensive shore-excursion programme. You will visit key ancient sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings, all with an Egyptologist guide.07What should I wear on the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise and during excursions?
For onboard comfort, casual clothing is suitable. For shore excursions, light, breathable clothing is recommended, along with comfortable walking shoes. When visiting religious sites, modest dress is advised, covering shoulders and knees.08What is the typical embarkation and disembarkation process?
Embarkation usually takes place in Luxor or Aswan, depending on your chosen sailing direction. You will board the vessel and have lunch, with disembarkation occurring after breakfast on the final day. Our team will assist with transfers.09What is the dining experience like on board the Sonesta Star Goddess?
The vessel offers full board dining, with meals served in the onboard dining room from lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. The cuisine typically features a mix of local and international dishes.10What facilities are available on the Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise?
The Sonesta Star Goddess features a sun deck with loungers and a pool for relaxation. There is also a lounge bar for evening socialising and an indoor seating area, providing various spaces to enjoy your time on the Nile.
Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: CRU-NIL-884217
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