Ruby 1 Nile Cruise
A 5-star Nile cruiser with graded cabins, panoramic windows, Nile-view balconies, full-board dining, and a sun deck lounge bar.
At a glance
- Length
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Ruby 1 Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
02Overview
A first look
MS Ruby 1 runs a four-day, three-night Nile sailing between principal Nile ports. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange transfers and Egyptologist-guided shore visits.
Background
The facts
Ruby 1 Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt for sailings between Luxor and Aswan on the Nile River. The cruise program uses the river corridor between Upper Egypt’s two main embarkation ports, with shore excursions typically calling at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple, and the Valley of the Kings.
The vessel offers graded accommodation in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories. Many cabins include panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies, while suites provide additional living space and a separate seating area. Public facilities include a sun deck, lounge bar, dining room, and onboard reception, creating a hotel-style environment for overnight river travel.
Full board is included from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Weekly sailings operate in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, allowing travel to be planned from either end of the route. Standard site entrance fees are typically included in Discovery Tours Egypt arrangements unless a specific exclusion is stated; premium tomb interiors and gratuities are usually excluded unless requested.
The cruise operates on the Nile between major archaeological sites associated with ancient Thebes, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae, making it a practical way to combine transport, accommodation, and guided sightseeing on one itinerary.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits travelers who want an organized way to see Upper Egypt’s key monuments without changing hotels every night. It is a good fit for couples, solo travelers, and adults who prefer a comfortable cabin, onboard dining, and guided shore excursions rather than independent travel logistics.
What lingers
- 01Four-day Nile cruise aboard MS Ruby 1 between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore visits included.
- 02Visits include Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings) and Karnak Temple with our licensed Egyptologists.
- 03We schedule Kom Ombo and Edfu visits after dawn, giving two hours at each site away from mass arrivals.
- 04Cabins feature en-suite bathrooms, panoramic windows and daily housekeeping; safety-certified crew and shore power provided.
- 05Operated by our licensed Egyptian tour operator as a small-ship cruise; we don't run group bus tours.
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 Aswan and disembarkation in Luxor.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person, per cabin, in GBP. Each rate below covers the full sailing, the guided sightseeing programme along the route, and your arrival and departure transfers between the vessel and the local airport or railway station.
7 nights / 8 days · Luxor to Luxor
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,886 | £2,491 |
| Double cabin | £1,214 | £1,550 |
4 nights / 5 days · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,198 | £1,543 |
| Double cabin | £814 | £1,006 |
3 nights / 4 days · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £970 | £1,229 |
| Double cabin | £682 | £826 |
7 nights / 8 days · Aswan to Aswan
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April | Peak season18 Dec – 6 Jan, 21 Mar – 4 Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,893 | £2,497 |
| Double cabin | £1,221 | £1,557 |
Cabin allocation
- Nile vessels do not have interconnecting cabins.
- Book early and we will ask the vessel to place your party together — usually adjacent, or directly opposite.
- Cabin numbers are confirmed by the vessel at check-in.
Indicative rates only – pricing and cabins fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Full board meals: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Twin/double cabin accommodation on board the vessel
- On-board use of public areas including sun deck, lounge bar and dining room
- Shore-excursion program as provided by the vessel
Not included
- Drinks beyond water with meals, speciality beverages and bar bills
- Entrance fees to premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I
- Gratuities for Egyptologists, crew and local guides unless requested
- International and domestic flights, visas and travel insurance
- Single supplement where applicable
Accessibility
Who can join this
The vessel and shore excursions include uneven surfaces, steps, narrow gangways and cobbled or sandy ancient sites. Boarding typically involves a few steps between the dock and the vessel, and some cabins are reached by staircases; elevators are not guaranteed. Shore visits include stairs and steep ramps at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, plus uneven stone, loose gravel and sand underfoot. Wheelchair users can travel but should contact us before booking so we can check the specific vessel assignment and arrange portable ramps or alternative landing procedures where possible. Travellers who use mobility aids should be accompanied by a companion able to assist with transfers and steps. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we can provide detailed, site-by-site accessibility notes and recommend cabin grades with easier boarding where available.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport, visa if required, and a photocopy in your hand luggage
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes with grip for uneven stone and sand
- Sun protection: high SPF sunscreen, a wide-brim hat and UV sunglasses
- Lightweight day pack for water, camera and personal items
- Reusable water bottle for refills on board where possible
- Small flashlight or headlamp for uneven temple interiors and tombs
- Any personal medications, with copies of prescriptions
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable layers for hot days and cooler evenings
- Modest clothing for temples and mosques, covered shoulders and knees
- A light scarf or shawl for sun protection and temple entry if required
- Comfortable trousers or long skirts for archaeological sites
Children & families
Children 0 to 5.99 years travel free; children 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult price; 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 their own cabin. Strollers are practical for promenades and the vessel public areas but are not suitable for uneven temple terrain; many sites have steps that make pushchairs impractical. High chairs are not guaranteed on every vessel, so request one at booking and we will confirm availability with the assigned cruiser.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange this Nile cruise with locally based, graded vessels that use diesel engines common to inland river cruising; many vessels have twin-engine configurations and standard fuel consumption for river navigation. Transfers to and from Luxor International Airport use late-model air-conditioned minibuses or sedans run by local drivers who are paid standard local wages. Shore excursions are delivered by Egyptian-licensed guides and small local businesses in Luxor and Aswan, so the tourist spend supports those communities directly. On board, single-use plastics are limited where the vessel can control provisioning, and water is supplied in refillable dispensers rather than individual bottled servings on most 5-star vessels. We encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles and to leave gratuities directly with guides and crew if they wish to reward service. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we monitor supplier practices and favor partners who employ local crews, offer fair pay, and hire Egyptologists from regional pools.
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 included on the MS Ruby 1 4-day Nile cruise?
Standard inclusions normally cover cabin accommodation, meals, daily shore excursions and site entrance fees unless stated otherwise. Pyramid interiors (Khufu/Khafre) and premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) are excluded unless your booking specifies them. International flights, travel insurance and gratuities are not included unless shown on your confirmation. We arrange private or small-group shore excursions rather than mass coach tours, and we will confirm exact inclusions on your booking voucher.02Can I visit the Valley of the Kings from the MS Ruby 1 itinerary?
Many four-day Nile cruises include the Valley of the Kings on Luxor West Bank; check your specific MS Ruby 1 itinerary to confirm. The site requires walking on uneven ancient stone and some steps; visits often start early to avoid heat. Entry to the Tutankhamun tomb is a separate premium ticket and is frequently excluded from standard site fees.03Is there an Egyptologist guiding excursions on MS Ruby 1?
An Egyptologist accompanies many Nile cruise shore visits, but you should confirm for your MS Ruby 1 departure. Our Egyptologists work on selected sailings and provide briefings at each site; specialist-tomb commentary or private-guiding requests may carry extra charges. If you require a guide in a particular language, tell us at booking so we can confirm availability.04How are transfers and airport pick-ups organised for MS Ruby 1?
We arrange private transfers between airport, hotels and the ship for MS Ruby 1 arrivals and departures unless your booking states otherwise. Please send your flight numbers and arrival times so we can schedule meet-and-greet and avoid long waits. Embarkation and disembarkation times vary by port; if you arrive significantly earlier or later than listed, contact us so we can adjust transfer timing.05Is MS Ruby 1 suitable for travellers with reduced mobility?
MS Ruby 1 has gangway steps and narrow passageways; it is not fully wheelchair-accessible without advance arrangements. Shore sites typically involve cobblestones, steps and uneven surfaces (for example at Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank), and tendering may be required in some ports. Tell us your mobility needs at booking so we can request a main-deck cabin, pre-arrange assistance, or propose alternative arrangements on shore.06What luggage should I bring for the MS Ruby 1 cruise?
Cabin storage on Nile vessels is limited; we recommend one medium suitcase plus a small daypack per person. Use soft-sided bags where possible – they are easier for our drivers to load into car boots and for limited cabin storage. Carry essential items and medications in your hand luggage; leave high-value items in your hotel safe if available.07Can solo travellers book a single cabin on MS Ruby 1?
Single cabins are available on many Nile cruise vessels but single-supplement charges commonly apply on MS Ruby 1. A limited number of single or sole-occupancy cabins exist, so early booking is advisable to secure one. Alternatively, some clients choose to share a twin cabin to reduce supplement costs; ask us about shared options when you enquire.
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-082156
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