Zeina Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with panoramic cabins, a sun deck, lounge bar, pool, and full-board dining.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Embarks
- Wed, Sat
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
02Overview
A first look
At first light, the Nile slips past the sun deck in muted greens and ochers, while the lounge bar stays quiet before breakfast. Aboard Zeina Nile Cruise, the rhythm is unhurried: sailing days alternate with shore excursions, so Karnak Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae, and the Valley of the Kings have time to register beyond a quick photograph.
The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation at either port. Our Egyptologists bring each site into focus, and we arrange the cabin booking, shore-excursion program, and practical details with a licensed Egyptian tour operator, leaving you to watch villages, palms, and late-afternoon light move along 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 embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Bundled in
- Pool
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
- Spa
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation aboard the Zeina Nile Cruise in the cabin category booked
- Full board on board, from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day
- Use of on-board facilities where provided, for example the sun deck, lounge bar, dining room and pool (if present)
- Scheduled shore-excursion program while sailing between Luxor and Aswan, as described in the vessel information
- Port and harbour taxes
- Local English-speaking cruise staff and crew services
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Visas for entry into Egypt
- Drinks beyond bottled water with meals, unless stated otherwise
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and spa treatments
- Optional extras and optional excursions not listed in the vessel information
- Entrance to pyramid interiors (Khufu/Khafre) and premium tombs (Tutankhamun/Seti I) unless explicitly requested and paid for
- Gratuities for cruise staff and Egyptologists unless you choose to add them
- Travel insurance
- Single supplement (where applicable)
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and its shore excursions involve walking on uneven ancient stone, temple stairways, narrow gangways and cobbled paths. Embarkation and disembarkation require using fixed or folding ramps and typically one step up from the quayside into the gangway; luggage porters assist where available. Cabins have standard step-free thresholds, but not all cabins or public spaces are fully wheelchair accessible; elevators are not guaranteed on every cruiser. Shore excursions include sites with multiple stairs and limited handrails, for example Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. If you use a wheelchair or have reduced mobility, tell us at booking so we can confirm which vessel class and shore excursions are feasible, arrange extra assistance where possible, and plan longer transfer times. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we will detail the physical demands of each excursion in your booking documents.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and a photocopy, plus entry visa if required
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip for temple surfaces
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen SPF30+
- Lightweight daypack for personal items on shore excursions
- Reusable water bottle to refill where crew provides safe water
- Any prescribed medication and a small first-aid kit
- Plug adapter (Egypt uses Type C and F sockets)
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting daytime clothing in natural fabrics
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques; carry a scarf
- A warmer layer for early-morning sailings and evenings on deck
- Non-slip closed shoes for archaeological sites and gangways
Children & families
Children 0–5.99 years travel free; children 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare; children 12 years and older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require a separate cabin. Cots are subject to availability on the assigned vessel and must be requested at booking. Strollers are practical for short walks on flat quays and on-board public areas, but they are not suitable for temple sites where steps and uneven ground are common.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Our standard cruise program uses modern diesel motor vessels common on the Nile; coaches used for transfers are air-conditioned, euro-standard coaches with capacity matching the booked group size. We work with the same local cruise suppliers and shore-excursion teams year-round to provide steady seasonal employment for Egyptologists, boat crews and local guides. On-board housekeeping uses refillable toiletry dispensers where the supplier allows, and linens are changed on request to reduce water use. Where possible we source produce and baked goods from local markets in Luxor and Aswan, which supports small growers and bakeries. We ask guests to avoid single-use plastics, to separate recyclable bottles when bins are provided on board, and to follow crew instructions for waste disposal at ports. If you care about a specific sustainability standard, tell us at enquiry and we will confirm which vessel in the booking meets your requirements.
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
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the typical duration of the Zeina Nile Cruise?
The Zeina Nile Cruise typically offers sailings of 3, 4, or 7 nights, traveling weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. This allows guests to choose a duration that best suits their travel plans.02What is included with the full board on the Zeina Nile Cruise?
Full board on the Zeina Nile Cruise includes lunch on your embarkation day through breakfast on your disembarkation day. This covers all main meals served in the main dining room. Drinks beyond water with meals are typically extra.03What shore excursions are part of the Zeina Nile Cruise program?
The Zeina Nile Cruise program includes guided shore excursions to major sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings. These are arranged by the vessel's operator.04What is the cabin policy for children on the Zeina Nile Cruise?
Children aged 0–5.99 years travel free, while those 6–11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price. Children aged 12 and above pay the full adult price. A maximum of one child can share a cabin with parents; two or more children require their own cabin.05What should I wear on board and during shore excursions?
On board, casual comfortable clothing is suitable. For shore excursions, light, breathable fabrics are recommended, along with comfortable walking shoes. When visiting religious sites, modest dress is advised, covering shoulders and knees.06What are the embarkation and disembarkation points for the Zeina Nile Cruise?
The main embarkation and disembarkation points for the Zeina Nile Cruise are Luxor and Aswan. The direction of travel, either Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor, depends on your specific sailing date and chosen itinerary.07Is the Zeina Nile Cruise accessible for guests with mobility concerns?
While the Zeina Nile Cruise vessel has lifts between decks, shore excursions often involve walking on uneven ancient stone, sand, and climbing steps at archaeological sites. Guests with significant mobility concerns should discuss their needs with us prior to booking.08What is the best time of year to take a Zeina Nile Cruise?
The best time to take a Zeina Nile Cruise is generally from October to April, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant for sightseeing. Summer months, May to September, can be very hot, particularly in Upper Egypt.09Are drinks included on the Zeina Nile Cruise?
The Zeina Nile Cruise includes full board, which covers all meals. However, drinks, including soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and bottled water outside of meals, are typically not included and are available for purchase on board.10What is the atmosphere like on the Zeina Nile Cruise?
The Zeina Nile Cruise offers a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, combining leisure time on the sun deck with guided cultural excursions. Evenings often feature entertainment in the lounge bar, providing a pleasant balance of activity and relaxation.
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-803164
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