Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruises A Step Above Five-Star

Ultra deluxe Nile cruises sit between the value five-star ships and the true luxury boats: newer or recently refurbished ships with larger cabins, more balconies, a better pool deck and more polished dining, at a fraction of the price of the Oberoi or Sanctuary fleets. Our ultra deluxe cruises sail between Luxor and Aswan for three or four nights, from $990 per person in a double cabin, with private sightseeing, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees and transfers included.

This page explains where ultra deluxe fits, compares the ships we book with their fares and departure days, and helps you decide whether the upgrade is worth it for your trip.

What Ultra Deluxe Means on the Nile

Nile cruise categories are set by operators rather than by an international standard, and nearly every ship calls itself five-star. We group the ships we book by what you actually get on board:

For most travelers, ultra deluxe is the sweet spot: a noticeably better ship than the deluxe group, for about $130 to $770 more per person for three nights, without the price of the luxury ships.

Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruise Ships and Prices

Published fares per person in a double cabin, September to April or September to May depending on the ship, including full board, private sightseeing, entrance fees and transfers.

We also book the Esplanade and the MayFlower (from $1,551), the Steigenberger Minerva (from $1,410), the Farah (from $1,200, selected departures) and the new Soleil, with fares quoted for your dates.

What You Get Over a Deluxe Ship

• Outdoor space. Several ultra deluxe ships give every cabin a balcony or a Juliet balcony, which deluxe ships rarely do.
• Suites. More suites per ship, and on the Jaz Senator nothing but suites.
• Newer ships. Several are among the newest or most recently refurbished on the river.
• Facilities. Larger pool decks, and on some ships a spa, sauna, Jacuzzi or gym.
• Dining and service. A more polished restaurant and lounge, and more attention from the crew.

The route, the temples and the sightseeing are the same on every ship. What changes is how comfortable you are between visits, which matters more on a four-night cruise with long afternoons on board.

Ultra Deluxe or Luxury?

The luxury ships, such as the Oberoi Zahra, the Sonesta Star Goddess and Historia, cost about $1,960 to $3,000 for three nights. For that you get much larger suites, fewer guests, a spa and a higher level of service throughout. If those matter more than the price, see our luxury Nile cruises. If you mainly want a newer ship, a balcony and a good pool deck, an ultra deluxe ship gives you most of that for considerably less.

Balcony Cabins and Suites Worth Booking

• Every cabin with a balcony: the Sonesta Moon Goddess, whose 49 cabins all open onto a private balcony, with four presidential suites.
• Juliet balconies and terrace suites: the Tulip, with 40 cabins with Juliet balconies and eight suites with private outdoor seating.
• All suites: the Jaz Senator, the most private ship in this group and a good choice for a family or group charter.
• Royal suites: the Mövenpick Royal Lotus and the Amwaj Living Stone each have two, with their own lounge.

Suites are the first cabins to sell out on every ship, so book early for winter dates.

Departure Days and Itineraries

Each ship sails on two fixed days a week, so the easiest way to choose is often to start from your dates. The three-night cruise sails from Aswan to Luxor; the four-night cruise sails from Luxor to Aswan with an extra day on board and the Esna lock. Both visit Karnak and Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Our Luxor to Aswan cruise guide describes each stop, and the inclusions are the same as on our deluxe cruises: full board, private sightseeing with a guide, entrance fees and transfers.

Who Should Choose Ultra Deluxe

• Couples and honeymooners who want a balcony and a quieter ship, without luxury prices.
• Families who want more space, a good pool deck and suites with more room.
• Four-night cruisers, who spend more time on board and get more out of a better ship.
• Groups considering a charter, for which the all-suite Jaz Senator is well suited.

When to Book

October to April is the main season. For those months, book two to four months ahead, and three to six months ahead for Christmas, New Year and Easter, when the best cabins and suites go first. Our guide to the best time for a Nile cruise covers the seasons.

Combine Your Cruise With Cairo

An ultra deluxe cruise pairs well with a few nights near the Pyramids. See our Pyramids and Nile cruise tours, our main Nile cruises page, or ask us for a tailor-made trip built around the ship you prefer.

Why Book Your Cruise With Delta Tours Egypt

We are a family-run operator based in Cairo, arranging travel in Egypt since 1974. We know the ships, book the cabins directly, arrange private sightseeing at each stop, and stay reachable on WhatsApp throughout your cruise.