Deluxe Nile Cruises Five-Star for Less

A deluxe Nile cruise is the value end of five-star river cruising: a comfortable ship with a pool on the sun deck, full board, and the same route and temples as the most expensive boats on the river, for a much lower fare. Our deluxe Nile cruises sail between Luxor and Aswan for three or four nights, from $860 per person in a double cabin, with private sightseeing, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees and transfers included.

This page compares the deluxe ships we book, explains what the fare covers, how three and four nights differ, which days the ships sail, and how to get the best price.

What Deluxe Means on the Nile

Almost every cruise ship between Luxor and Aswan is described as five-star, so the label alone does not separate them. In practice the ships fall into a few groups, and “deluxe” is the first of the five-star groups: well-run ships with standard cabins of a good size, a restaurant, a lounge and a sun deck with a pool. They do not have the large suites, small guest numbers or spa facilities of the luxury ships, and they cost a fraction of the price.

If you are weighing an upgrade, our ultra deluxe Nile cruises and luxury Nile cruises pages compare the ships in those groups.

Deluxe Nile Cruise Ships and Prices

Published fares per person, September to April, including full board, private sightseeing, entrance fees and transfers.

A few ships stand out within the group. The Al Hambra has some of the largest suites in its class and a spa with an indoor pool; the Renaissance offers cabins with private balconies or large windows; the Blue Shadow is one of the newer ships in the group; and the Salacia, a step up in price, is known for its attention to detail and food.

Three Nights or Four?

Both versions visit the same main sites. The three-night cruise sails north from Aswan to Luxor; the four-night cruise sails south from Luxor to Aswan and gives you an extra day on board, a slower pace and the passage through the Esna lock.

The fourth night adds only about $150 per person, which makes it the better value per night if your schedule allows.

The Route, Day by Day

A typical four-night deluxe cruise from Luxor runs like this; the three-night cruise covers the same sites in the opposite direction, starting in Aswan.

1. Day 1, Luxor. Board at lunchtime, then visit the temples of Karnak and Luxor on the East Bank.
2. Day 2, West Bank and Esna. The Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then sail through the Esna lock.
3. Day 3, Edfu and Kom Ombo. The Temple of Horus at Edfu, then the double temple of Kom Ombo at sunset.
4. Day 4, Aswan. The Temple of Philae and the High Dam, with time for a felucca sail or a Nubian village visit.
5. Day 5, Aswan. Disembark after breakfast, or add an early trip to Abu Simbel.

Our Luxor to Aswan cruise guide describes each site in more detail.

What the Fare Includes

• Meet and assist on arrival and all transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
• Your cabin with full board on the ship
• Private sightseeing in Luxor and Aswan, as listed in the itinerary
• An English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees to the sites in the itinerary
• Service charges and taxes

What costs extra

• International flights and your Egypt entry visa
• Optional tours such as Abu Simbel or a hot air balloon flight over Luxor
• Drinks and anything not listed in the program
• Tips for the crew and your guide

Choosing a Cabin on a Deluxe Ship

• Ask for an upper deck. Cabins higher up have better views and sit further from the waterline.
• Window or balcony. Most deluxe cabins have a large window; if a balcony matters to you, choose the Renaissance or look at our ultra deluxe ships.
• Travelling as three. A triple cabin brings the three-night fare down to $790 per person on most of these ships.
• Travelling alone. A single cabin costs $1,297 for three nights on most deluxe ships, rather than the double fare plus a large supplement.

How to Get the Best Deluxe Nile Cruise Fare

• Match the ship to your dates. Ships sail on fixed days, so choosing by departure day often gives you more choice than choosing the ship first.
• Take the four-night cruise if you have time: it costs less per night.
• Share a triple cabin if you are a family or three friends.
• Book early for winter. October to April is the main season, and Christmas, New Year and Easter fill first. Our guide to the best time for a Nile cruise explains the seasons.

On a tighter budget still, see our budget Nile cruises.

Combine Your Cruise With Cairo

Most guests add a few nights in Cairo for the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Our Pyramids and Nile cruise tours do this as complete packages with the train or flights included, or we can build a tailor-made trip around your dates.

Why Book Your Deluxe Nile Cruise With Delta Tours Egypt

We are a family-run operator based in Cairo, arranging travel in Egypt since 1974. We match you with a ship that sails on your dates, arrange private sightseeing at each stop, and stay reachable on WhatsApp throughout your cruise. Our main Nile cruises page covers every type of cruise we offer.