Sun Times Nile Cruise

The short answer

Sun Times Nile Cruise is an 8-day Nile cruise covering Luxor, Aswan and Upper Egypt’s archaeological sites, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.

·In summary

• Luxury

Snapshot

Good to know

Accommodation

Five-Star Nile Cruise

Destinations

Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan

Includes

Full-board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast · Use of the sun deck and pool where present · Vessel-arranged shore excursions · Visits to Karnak and Luxor Temple · Visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo · Visits to Philae and the Valley of the Kings

Best for

Nile cruise travellers · History and archaeology enthusiasts · Couples · Families

Guide languages

English

What lingers

• 01Four-day Nile cruise on MS Sun Times calling at Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan.
• 02Guided visits include Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings) with our Egyptologist.
• 03All meals on board are included; shore-excursion entrance fees are included unless otherwise stated.
• 04Operated by us, a licensed Egyptian tour operator; we provide private transfers rather than large coach group transfers.
• 05Early starts and walking on uneven ancient stone at archaeological sites mean sensible footwear and a 06:00 wake-up are common.

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

Worth knowing

How this compares

Many Nile cruise descriptions focus on a single Luxor-to-Aswan sailing; Sun Times sails weekly in both directions. Unlike a land-based sightseeing tour, its programme combines river sailing with shore excursions at sites including Edfu and Kom Ombo.

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

• Non-smoking rooms
• Air conditioning
• Swimming pool
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Laundry
• Spa
• Bar
• Wi-Fi
• Garden
• Rooftop terrace

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   Choose a Nile-view balcony cabin grade if private outdoor river views matter to you.

2. 02

   Ask which cabin grades have panoramic windows, as the view depends on the category booked.

3. 03

   Keep Egyptian pounds available for small purchases at stops, and confirm current prices before buying.

4. 04

   Carry sun protection for exposed areas on the sun deck, particularly around midday.

Tailor it

Make it yours

Cabins are available in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades, with views and features varying by cabin. Optional premium visits, such as pyramid interiors or private guided tomb entries, can be arranged at additional cost. Discovery Tours Egypt can also arrange airport and port transfers or extend your holiday with additional nights in Luxor or Aswan.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

Boarding your Nile cruiser may involve an uneven riverbank or dock, a ramp and a narrow gangway. Ask us to check the assigned vessel before booking, as cabin access and facilities vary. On board, stairs connect decks and an elevator, if fitted, may not serve every level. Shore excursions at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings include uneven ancient stone, sand and steps. Some areas may be manageable with advance planning, but many visits require walking and independent mobility. Please tell us about any mobility needs before booking so we can check the vessel and excursion arrangements.

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

A Nile cruise travels between Luxor and Aswan by river, reducing the need for repeated road journeys between those cities. The vessel uses standard marine systems for power, air conditioning, water and waste handling. The cruise line has not supplied fuel-efficiency or waste data, so we cannot quantify the vessel’s environmental impact. We arrange shore visits through local Egyptian suppliers, supporting work for Egyptologists, drivers, guides, dock workers and site-based service providers. Where practical, bring a refillable water bottle, avoid single-use plastics and follow marked paths and site rules at Karnak Temple, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.

• 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
• The Kings' ValleyRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   We arrange the vessel and its named-site excursion programme

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01What is included in the 4-day MS Sun Times Nile cruise?

   The cruise fare normally includes your cabin, full-board meals, routine port fees and standard on-board services. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we confirm exactly what is included at booking. Optional items commonly excluded are private shore excursions, premium alcoholic drinks, Pyramid interior tickets and international flights; we can pre-arrange any of these. If you need a precise inclusions list for your booking, ask us and we will send the ship’s passenger information sheet.
2. 02How do I reach the MS Sun Times and what are embarkation times?

   We confirm the embarkation pier and boarding time at least 48 hours before departure. We can arrange hotel transfers in Egypt if booked in advance; otherwise you should plan to arrive at the designated harbour at the stated check-in time. Expect passport checks, luggage handling and a short safety briefing; embarkation formalities typically take 30–60 minutes depending on passenger numbers. Unlike single-day shore excursions, a cruise night means you remain on board between ports rather than returning to a land hotel each evening.
3. 03Are the cabins on MS Sun Times air-conditioned and what cabin types are available?

   Cabins on Nile cruise ships are air-conditioned and include en-suite facilities and daily housekeeping. Cabin categories commonly offered are twin, double and single layouts across lower, middle and sun decks; exact deck placement and cabin dimensions vary by vessel. If you have a cabin preference (deck level, bed type or interconnecting cabins), tell us at booking and we will request it with the ship – allocation is subject to availability. We recommend confirming cabin specs on your booking confirmation before travel.
4. 04Is Wi‑Fi available on board the MS Sun Times?

   Wi‑Fi is usually available onboard Nile cruise ships but signal strength can be intermittent and slower than hotel connections. Satellite or shore-based connections can drop when the ship is between ports; many guests buy a local SIM for reliable data ashore. The ship may charge for higher-speed or guaranteed data packages; we can confirm the operator’s current Wi‑Fi policy for your sailing. For work-critical needs, request specifics before you travel so we can advise alternatives.
5. 05Are gratuities, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages included in the fare?

   Gratuities and premium alcoholic drinks are commonly excluded from basic Nile cruise fares. Drinks policies vary by operator and ticket. Tipping the crew and guides is customary in Egypt; we can add a pre-paid gratuity option to your reservation if you prefer. Ask us to supply the ship’s bar and gratuity policy for your departure so there are no surprises.
6. 06Is the MS Sun Times suitable for travellers with limited mobility?

   Many Nile cruise ships have limited wheelchair access and involve steps and narrow gangways. Shore landings often require climbing steps from small boats or stepping onto uneven river banks; historical sites ashore can have cobbles, stairs and rough terrain. The ship’s crew can assist where practical, but full wheelchair-accessible cabins and lifts are rare on traditional Nile vessels; please tell us your exact mobility needs at enquiry. If mobility is a primary concern, we will advise whether MS Sun Times is appropriate or suggest alternative arrangements.