The MS Nile Premium Cruise, one of the finest ships in our Deluxe Nile Cruises collection, is a 5-star vessel sailing the timeless route between Luxor and Aswan, combining elegant modern comfort with the wonders of ancient Egypt. On board, panoramic-window cabins frame ever-changing river views, while a sun deck with swimming pool, refined restaurant, welcoming lounge bar, fitness room, and 24-hour reception make every moment between temples as memorable as the monuments themselves.
Sailings run year-round on a fixed weekly schedule: every Friday from Aswan for the 3-night cruise to Luxor, and every Monday from Luxor for the 4-night cruise to Aswan or the full 7-night round trip.
Your journey unfolds at the perfect pace: mornings exploring the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae, and golden afternoons watching palm groves and village life drift past from the deck. Every shore excursion is guided by a licensed Egyptologist in a small group of no more than 16 guests.
What sets this cruise apart is who takes you ashore. Egypt Best Vacations is a licensed Egyptian tour operator founded by a professional Egyptologist and a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winner for three consecutive years. When you step into a 3,000-year-old temple with us, you’re guided by genuine expertise — not a script. Comparing ships? The MS Blue Shadow I Nile cruise sails 3 nights from Aswan every Wednesday and 4 or 7 nights from Luxor every Saturday, from $850.
Reserve your cabin on the MS Nile Premium Cruise and sail into history in deluxe style.
Welcome to Aswan, Egypt’s sun-drenched southern gateway, where your 4-day / 3-night Nile cruise to Luxor aboard the 5-star deluxe MS Nile Premium Cruise Ship begins. The moment you arrive, your professional Egyptologist guide from Egypt Best Vacations will be waiting outside the terminal with a personalized signboard, ready to take care of every detail from your very first step.
Your discovery of Aswan opens at the mighty Aswan High Dam, the colossal 1960s engineering project that tamed the Nile’s ancient floods and still powers much of Egypt today. From there, sail by motorboat to the island home of Philae Temple, the graceful Greco-Roman sanctuary of Isis, goddess of magic and love, rescued stone by stone from the rising waters of the Nile.
Your final stop is the remarkable Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in its granite quarry exactly where ancient stonemasons abandoned it — a rare window into how Egypt’s greatest monuments were carved. Then it’s time to board the elegant MS Nile Premium, settle into your panoramic cabin, and enjoy free time soaking up Aswan’s relaxed riverside atmosphere.
Optional Tour: Visit a traditional Nubian Village in Aswan.
Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner
Early risers can begin the day with an unforgettable optional excursion to Abu Simbel departing before dawn to stand before the four colossal statues of Ramses II carved into the mountainside more than 3,200 years ago — many guests call it the single greatest sight in Egypt. If you prefer a slower start, enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board as the MS Nile Premium slips its moorings and begins sailing north, the desert hills and palm-fringed villages of Upper Egypt drifting past your panoramic window.
By afternoon you’ll reach Kom Ombo, where your Egyptologist guide leads you through the Temple of Sobek and Horus— Egypt’s only double temple, perfectly symmetrical, with one side dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the other to the falcon-headed Horus the Elder. Standing dramatically on a bend in the river, it’s one of the most photogenic stops on the entire Nile. Don’t miss the adjoining Crocodile Museum with its mummified crocodiles, and the ancient medical instruments carved into the temple walls.
Back on board, the ship continues its gentle journey north toward Edfu while you relax on the sun deck, watching the sunset paint the Nile gold. A delicious dinner is served on board, followed by a peaceful night’s rest as the ship moors in Edfu, ready for tomorrow’s visit to the great Temple of Horus.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today starts early — and for good reason. After tea, coffee, fresh juice, and cake on board, step ashore in Edfu at first light, when the air is cool and the site is at its quietest, so the ship can sail on in time to reach Luxor’s temples the very same day. A short ride brings you to the magnificent Temple of Horus — the best-preserved temple in all of Egypt. Built during the Ptolemaic era and buried under desert sand for centuries, it survived almost intact: its towering entrance pylon still rises nearly 36 meters, guarded by the famous black granite falcon statue of Horus. Inside, your Egyptologist guide brings the walls to life, from the dramatic reliefs of Horus avenging his father Osiris to the inner sanctuary where the god’s sacred barque once rested. Walking its shadowed halls at dawn feels like entering a temple still in use two thousand years ago.
Back on board, a full breakfast is served as the MS Nile Premium sails north — a wonderfully relaxed morning on the water as the ship passes through the Esna Lock, a fascinating spectacle in itself, as the vessel is lowered between the two levels of the Nile while local vendors famously call up to the decks.
Upon arrival in Luxor, begin your guided tour of the spectacular Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex ever built in ancient Egypt. Continue to the stunning Luxor Temple, beautifully illuminated and rich in history. Both temples were dedicated to the powerful Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Dinner and a restful overnight on board in Luxor.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Your final day is the grand finale. After breakfast, cross to Luxor’s legendary West Bank, the city of the dead, to explore the Valley of the Kings, where more than 60 rock-cut royal tombs — including that of Tutankhamun — lie hidden in the golden cliffs, their painted corridors still glowing with color after 3,000 years. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the striking terraced monument of Egypt’s greatest female pharaoh, rising in perfect harmony against the Theban cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. Pause at the towering Colossi of Memnon, the two 18-meter guardians that have watched over the Nile floodplain since the reign of Amenhotep III.
After your tour, enjoy a comfortable private transfer to Luxor airport or railway station, carrying memories of four remarkable days on the Nile — or ask us about extending your journey with our Luxor day tours and beyond.
Optional tour: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Over Luxor
Meals Included: Breakfast
Welcome to Luxor, the world’s greatest open-air museum and the ancient city of Thebes, where your 5-day / 4-night Nile cruise to Aswan aboard the 5-star deluxe MS Nile Premium Cruise Ship begins. Your professional Egyptologist guide from Egypt Best Vacations will greet you at Luxor airport or railway station with a personalized signboard — and your adventure starts right away.
Head straight into ancient Egypt with your first encounter at Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex ever constructed, built and enlarged by pharaoh after pharaoh over 2,000 years. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes and stand beneath the Great Hypostyle Hall’s forest of 134 colossal columns, each carved with hieroglyphs that still whisper the prayers of ancient Thebes. Continue to the elegant Luxor Temple, beautifully positioned on the corniche at the heart of the modern city, where colossal statues of Ramses II guard the entrance.
With the temples explored, transfer to the MS Nile Premium, where your panoramic cabin awaits. Check in, settle aboard, and enjoy dinner as the lights of Luxor shimmer across the water. Overnight on board in Luxor.
Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, cross the Nile to Luxor’s fabled West Bank — the city of the dead — where Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs prepared for eternity. Begin at the Valley of the Kings, where more than 60 rock-cut royal tombs, including that of Tutankhamun, descend into the golden cliffs, their painted corridors still vivid after 3,000 years. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, the dramatic terraced monument of Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh, rising in perfect harmony from the base of the Theban cliffs. On the way back, pause at the mighty Colossi of Memnon, two 18-meter stone guardians that have watched over the floodplain for nearly 3,400 years.
Back on board, lunch is served as the MS Nile Premium casts off and begins her graceful journey south. Spend the afternoon on the sun deck watching rural Egypt drift past — palm groves, fishing boats, and village life unchanged for generations — as the ship passes through the Esna Lock, a fascinating spectacle where the vessel is raised between the two levels of the Nile. Afternoon tea on deck, dinner on board, and overnight in Edfu.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning in Edfu, a short ride brings you to the magnificent Temple of Horus,the best-preserved temple in all of Egypt. Buried under desert sand for centuries, it survived almost intact: its entrance pylon still towers nearly 36 meters, guarded by the famous black granite falcon of Horus. Inside, your Egyptologist guide brings the reliefs to life, from Horus avenging his father Osiris to the inner sanctuary where the god’s sacred barque once rested.
Sail on to Kom Ombo, arriving in the afternoon at the Temple of Sobek and Horus, Egypt’s only double temple, perfectly symmetrical, with one half dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the other to the falcon-headed Horus the Elder. Set dramatically on a bend in the river, it’s one of the most photogenic stops on the Nile. Don’t miss the adjoining Crocodile Museum with its mummified crocodiles and the famous carvings of ancient surgical instruments on the temple walls.
The ship continues south through the evening light toward Aswan. Dinner on board and overnight in Aswan.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, discover the highlights of Egypt’s sun-drenched southern gateway. Begin at the impressive Aswan High Dam, the colossal 1960s engineering project that tamed the Nile’s ancient floods and still powers much of Egypt today. Then sail by motorboat to the island home of Philae Temple, the graceful Greco-Roman sanctuary of Isis, goddess of magic and love, rescued stone by stone from the rising waters of the Nile. Conclude at the remarkable Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in its granite quarry exactly where ancient stonemasons abandoned it — a rare window into how Egypt’s greatest monuments were carved.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy. Choose an optional early-morning or afternoon adventure:
Tonight, enjoy a festive farewell dinner on board and your final overnight in Aswan.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a final breakfast on board, check out (around 08:00 AM) and enjoy a comfortable private transfer to Aswan airport or railway station — or ask us about extending your Egyptian adventure with an Abu Simbel trip or one of our Aswan day tours.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Welcome to Luxor, the world’s greatest open-air museum, where your 8-day / 7-night round-trip Nile cruise aboard the 5-star deluxe MS Nile Premium Cruise Ship begins — entirely at your own pace. Whatever time you arrive, your Egypt Best Vacations representative will greet you at Luxor airport or railway station with a personalized signboard and escort you by private air-conditioned vehicle to the ship. Check in to your panoramic cabin, enjoy lunch and dinner on board, and settle into the rhythm of the Nile. There’s no tour schedule to catch today — arrive on a morning flight or an evening train, your cruise begins the moment you step aboard. Overnight in Luxor.
Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, cross to Luxor’s fabled West Bank, the city of the dead. Explore the Valley of the Kings, where more than 60 rock-cut royal tombs — including Tutankhamun’s — descend into the golden cliffs, their painted corridors still vivid after 3,000 years. Continue to the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and pause at the towering Colossi of Memnon. Back on board, lunch is served as the ship casts off and sails south through the Esna Lock — a fascinating spectacle as the vessel is raised between the two levels of the Nile. Afternoon tea on the sun deck, dinner, and overnight in Edfu.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning in Edfu, visit the magnificent Temple of Horus, the best-preserved temple in Egypt, its 36-meter pylon still guarded by the famous black granite falcon. Sail on to Kom Ombo for the afternoon visit to the Temple of Sobek and Horus, Egypt’s only double temple, dramatically set on a bend in the river, don’t miss the Crocodile Museum and the carvings of ancient surgical instruments. The ship continues south through the evening light. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Discover Egypt’s sun-drenched southern gateway: the mighty Aswan High Dam, the island sanctuary of Philae Temple dedicated to Isis, goddess of magic and love, and the remarkable Unfinished Obelisk, still lying where ancient stonemasons abandoned it. The afternoon is free — perhaps a sunset felucca sail around Elephantine Island. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is yours — the great luxury of the 7-night cruise. Rise before dawn for the unmissable optional excursion to Abu Simbel, standing before the four colossal statues of Ramses II carved into the mountainside over 3,200 years ago. Or take the optional tour to a traditional Nubian Village, a splash of color and hospitality on the Nile’s west bank. Prefer pure relaxation? The sun deck, pool, and Aswan’s easygoing corniche are all at your disposal. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today the MS Nile Premium turns for home, and the river itself becomes the destination. Watch the timeless scenery of Upper Egypt glide past from the sun deck — fishermen casting nets, water buffalo at the river’s edge, golden desert hills meeting green fields — as the ship calls again at Kom Ombo and sails on to Edfu. Having already explored the temples southbound, you’re free to simply savor cruise life: a swim in the pool, afternoon tea as the sun sets, and a leisurely dinner on board. Overnight in Edfu.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A gentle morning on the water as the ship sails north from Edfu and descends through the Esna Lock back toward Luxor — with local vendors famously calling up to the decks as you pass. Then comes the grand finale of your cruise: step ashore for Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex ever constructed, walking the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes and standing beneath the Great Hypostyle Hall’s forest of 134 colossal columns carved over 2,000 years of pharaonic history. Continue to the elegant Luxor Temple on the corniche, guarded by colossal statues of Ramses II, and if your visit falls toward evening, its illuminated columns against the night sky are pure magic. Farewell dinner and final overnight on board in Luxor.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a final breakfast on board, check out (around 08:00 AM) and enjoy a comfortable private transfer to Luxor airport or railway station — or ask us about extending your journey with our Luxor day tours, a trip to Dendara and Abydos, and beyond.
Meals Included: Breakfast
