Sonesta St. George I Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic windows, full-board dining, a sun deck, lounge bar, and guided shore excursions.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- New
02Overview
A first look
By late afternoon, the Nile catches the sun beside the Sonesta St. George I Nile Cruise, while the riverbank slips past the sun deck and the lounge bar settles into a quieter rhythm. Inside, your cabin gives you a private place to watch the landscape through a panoramic window or Nile-view balcony, then return to the dining room for full-board meals.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with sailing days alternating with shore excursions at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings. We arrange embarkation, disembarkation, and our Egyptologists' guidance so the days ashore feel organized without rushing the hours on the river.
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.
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on round-trip embarkation from LUXOR. On 7-night round-trips each site is visited once.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise involves steps, gangways, and uneven surfaces typical of river vessels and ancient sites. Embarkation and disembarkation require negotiating a short gangway and one or two steps between the dock and the vessel; some ports have floating pontoons that move with the river. Onshore, major sites such as Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings have cobbles, stone ramps, and stairs. Wheelchair users should note that full independent wheelchair access cannot be guaranteed on shore excursions because many temple approaches and tombs have steps and narrow passages. The vessel provides cabin-level access on the main passenger decks, and crew can assist with luggage and boarding where space and port facilities allow. If you require a ramp, a dedicated wheelchair seat, or close assistance, tell us before booking so we can confirm accessibility options and coordinate assistance with local partners.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and any required visas
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: wide-brim hat, sunglasses, SPF30+ sunscreen
- Lightweight daypack for shore excursions
- Reusable water bottle (empty for airport security)
- Small flashlight or headlamp for uneven tomb passages
- Copies of travel and emergency contact details
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable layers for hot days and cooler evenings
- Covered shoulders and knees for visits to mosques and some temples
- Sturdy closed shoes for uneven stone and tomb steps
- A light scarf or wrap for sun protection and modesty in religious sites
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; children 12 years and over pay the full adult fare. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; if you travel with two or more children, you must book a separate cabin for them. Strollers are practical on the vessel decks and in ports, but many temple entrances and tombs are not stroller-friendly due to steps and narrow passages. Please tell us the ages of children at booking so we can confirm bedding and cabin configuration.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses diesel-powered river cruise vessels and motor tenders for shore transfer when the port layout requires them. Onboard energy consumption follows the vessel operator's routines, including LED lighting in public areas and timed air conditioning in cabins where installed by the cruise operator. We contract with locally owned suppliers for sightseeing, Egyptologists, and excursions, which keeps spending within the communities along the Nile. Local guides and crew are paid by the cruise operator; tipping follows local customary rates and is not consolidated into the fare. We encourage guests to bring refillable water bottles because the vessel supplies bottled drinking water per cruise operator practice. When possible we recommend early-morning or late-afternoon excursions to reduce midday heat impact on fragile temple surfaces and to spread visitor pressure across time slots.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Product ID: CRU-NIL-372615
You Might Also Like
Nile7 Nights
Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise
Sail between Luxor and Aswan aboard the Jaz Elite Senator, visiting Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Philae, Edfu, and Kom Ombo. The vessel features all-suite accommodation and an evening folkloric show, with daytime deck space for river views and temple façades. Our Egyptologists lead guided visits, and tours are capped at eight guests to keep groups small and focused. Compared with many larger Nile boats, the Jaz Elite Senator offers only suite accommodation rather than mixed cabin types. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we coordinate on-the-ground logistics, so guests step off the gangway straight into scheduled visits and evening briefings with the guide.
7 Nights
Jaz Viceroy Nile Cruise
Nile7 Nights
MayFair Nile Cruise
The MayFair Nile Cruise sails the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings on Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Shore visits are scheduled to allow focused time at the major temples and tombs, with Egyptologists available to accompany archaeological sightseeing. Cabins and public spaces vary by vessel; we confirm exact cabin details at booking. Unlike day trips that require long drives back each evening, a multi-night cruise keeps you close to the sites and reduces repeated land transfers. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange transfers, Egyptologists, and your cruise booking aboard the MayFair.