Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise
A five-star Nile cruiser with sun deck, lounge bar, panoramic windows and full-board dining; guided shore excursions and weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan.
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Accommodation
- 5-Star Cruise Cabin Accommodation
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
- Includes
- Cruise accommodation · Full board meals · Selected guided shore excursions · Daily cabin housekeeping · Onboard restaurant service · Concierge support
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Families with older children · Travelers seeking a guided Nile itinerary
- Guide languages
- English
- Licensed by Egyptian Tourism Authority
- Discovery Tours Egypt
- Cruise is arranged and booked by Discovery Tours Egypt
- Published shore-excursion program
- Standard entrance fees included unless otherwise stated
02Overview
A first look
You step onto the sun‑warmed teak of the Moon Goddess sun deck as the Nile slips past Luxor’s corniche; roasted coffee and river reed scent the air and palms line the opposite bank. Mornings are for guided visits ashore, afternoons for slow sailing, a book on a shaded lounger and temple façades receding in late light.
Our Egyptologists lead onshore commentary and the ship’s concierge handles embarkation and disembarkation formalities; we arrange your included cruise and shore excursions and do not bundle premium tomb tickets. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, and we are a licensed Egyptian tour operator supporting your arrangements on the ground.
Background
The facts
The Sonesta Moon Goddess is a five-star Nile cruise vessel that sails between Luxor and Aswan on the Nile River. It is designed for multi-day river travel with cabin accommodation, public viewing areas, a sun deck, a lounge bar, and an onboard restaurant. Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe, and Suite categories, with some categories providing Nile views or balcony-style features depending on availability.
The cruise program typically includes guided shore excursions to major Upper Egypt monuments. Common stops include Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple in Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari on the west bank, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple near Aswan. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with embarkation and disembarkation at the two cities.
Full board generally begins with lunch on embarkation day and ends with breakfast on disembarkation day. Standard cruise inclusions usually cover the cabin, meals, selected guided shore excursions, daily housekeeping, and onboard concierge support. Drinks beyond still water with meals, gratuities, transfers, flights, and premium tomb tickets are commonly excluded unless specifically booked.
For reference, the Karnak Temple complex lies about 2.5 km north of Luxor Temple, while the drive from Luxor to Aswan by road is roughly 220 km; the Nile cruise follows the river rather than the highway. The route connects several of Egypt’s most important Pharaonic and Greco-Roman sites, making it a practical way to visit multiple archaeological landmarks in one journey.
Named in this entry
Sonesta Moon Goddess·Luxor·Aswan·Karnak Temple·Luxor Temple·Valley of the Kings·Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut·Deir el-Bahari·Temple of Horus·Edfu·Kom Ombo Temple·Philae Temple·Nile River
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This cruise suits adult travelers and older children who want a slower-paced way to see major Nile Valley sites without repeated hotel changes. It is a good fit for history-focused visitors, first-time Egypt travelers, and couples or small groups who prefer guided sightseeing with cabin-based travel.
What lingers
- 01One-day full-board cruise aboard the Sonesta Moon Goddess from Aswan (breakfast, lunch, dinner included)
- 02Guided visits with our Egyptologist to Philae Temple (Agilkia Island) and the Unfinished Obelisk
- 03Visit to the Aswan High Dam (land visit)
- 04Short motorboat transfer to Philae – approximately 10–15 minutes each way (subject to river traffic)
- 05Air-conditioned cabins and public areas plus sun deck for Nile views
- 06All local port fees and standard site entrance fees for the included stops
- 07Operated on the ground by Discovery Tours Egypt – licensed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism (ETAA)
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a land-based sightseeing trip, this vessel combines accommodation, meals, and intercity river travel on one booking. Compared with budget cruises, it offers a higher cabin category mix, onboard restaurant service, a lounge bar, and a sun deck for Nile viewing. It is also more structured than a private day-by-day itinerary because the shore-excursion program follows the vessel’s sailing schedule.
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
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 |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £2,827 |
| Double cabin | £1,685 |
4 nights / 5 days · Luxor to Aswan
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,735 |
| Double cabin | £1,083 |
3 nights / 4 days · Aswan to Luxor
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £1,373 |
| Double cabin | £883 |
7 nights / 8 days · Aswan to Aswan
| Cabin | High seasonOctober – April |
|---|---|
| Single cabin | £2,833 |
| Double cabin | £1,691 |
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.
On property
What's here
- restaurant
- concierge
Bundled in
- Full board
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Cruise accommodation aboard the Sonesta Moon Goddess (4 nights)
- Full board: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day
- Selected guided shore excursions as per the vessel’s published itinerary
- Onboard restaurant facilities and concierge service
- Daily cabin housekeeping
Not included
- International or domestic flights to/from Luxor or Aswan
- Drinks beyond still water with meals unless stated otherwise
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers and crew (customary; not included)
- Premium or optional entrance tickets (for example, non‑standard or priority access tombs when offered)
- Transfers to embarkation/disembarkation points unless explicitly booked
Tailor it
Make it yours
This cruise can be arranged as a private or small-group style booking depending on availability and travel dates. Optional upgrades may include higher cabin categories, additional transfers, or premium entrance tickets for special tombs when offered. Extra nights in Luxor or Aswan can also be added before or after sailing.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
The Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise requires guests to manage short gangway ramps, narrow cabin corridors and multiple stair flights between decks. Shore excursions include uneven ancient stone, steep steps and sandy approaches; for example, the Valley of the Kings requires steep descents and rises. The vessel’s cabins are not purpose-built for full wheelchair circulation and shore access frequently uses gangways or tender steps. We can arrange assistance at embarkation and disembarkation and recommend travelling with a companion if you have limited mobility. Please contact us with full mobility details before booking so we can advise whether this cruise is suitable and discuss alternatives or additional assistance.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport plus photocopy
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sun protection: hat, UV sunglasses, SPF30+ sunscreen
- Reusable refillable water bottle
- Lightweight daypack for shore excursions
- Personal medication and a small first-aid kit
- Small torch or headlamp for uneven temple steps
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Long sleeves or a scarf for sun protection and temple modesty
- Trousers or skirts that cover the knee for some temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed-toe sandals or trainers for uneven surfaces
- Light jumper for cooler evenings on the Nile deck
Children & families
The cruise typically accepts children; the minimum age is usually 2 years for safety and insurance reasons, though infant bookings may be considered case-by-case—contact us before booking. Pricing is per person sharing; child reductions depend on cabin occupancy and the cruise line’s policy and are applied at booking. Strollers are practical on board but can be awkward on gangways and at some shore sites, so we recommend a lightweight foldable pushchair. Child supervision on decks and during shore visits is the guardian’s responsibility; baby seats or high chairs may not be available on every ship.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We arrange this cruise with a hand-picked cruise line whose crew are locally employed in Luxor and Aswan. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan on scheduled rotations, which reduces repositioning emissions compared with ad-hoc charters. Provisioning uses regional markets when schedules allow, supporting small suppliers in Luxor and Aswan. Onboard waste handling follows the cruise line’s procedures: segregated waste collection, negotiated recycling where municipal services exist, and holding tanks for sewage managed in line with national maritime rules. For transfers we prefer local suppliers who operate modern, low-emission vans where available, and the shore-guides are hired from the communities visited. If you want the cruise operator’s technical environmental statement (fuel type, wastewater treatment), we will request it and share their operations statement before you book.
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
·In summary
The Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise includes accommodation in a Standard, Deluxe, or Suite cabin, full board from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day, and selected guided shore excursions. The vessel’s published program visits Luxor, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise?
Cruise durations vary; your booking confirmation shows the exact embarkation and disembarkation dates and ports. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Individual bookings specify whether you join in Luxor or Aswan and the precise day count; check your confirmation or ask us and we will confirm the exact sailing dates and embarkation time.02Where do I embark and disembark the Sonesta Moon Goddess?
Embarkation and disembarkation ports are Luxor and Aswan; your confirmation states which port applies to your cruise. Transfers to those ports are not included unless explicitly booked. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can add transfers to your reservation, including pickup times and meeting-point details when you provide your arrival information.03What does full board include on this cruise?
Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. It covers three meals daily in the vessel’s restaurant and daily cabin housekeeping. Drinks beyond still water with meals are typically extra; the ship’s concierge can confirm which beverages or meal supplements are chargeable during your cruise.04Are premium tomb tickets and special‑access excursions included?
Premium or optional entrance tickets, including priority-access or non‑standard tombs, are not included in the cruise fare. When offered on the vessel’s programme, these are optional extras. We can pre-book many of these extras through the ship’s excursion desk or locally, but we do not bundle them automatically with the cruise price.05What cabin classes are available and is there a single‑occupancy supplement?
Cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite; many cabins have Nile-view balconies or panoramic windows. Pricing is per person sharing and a single-occupancy supplement typically applies. Exact cabin size, location and the single-supplement policy are listed on your booking confirmation; we can request specific cabin numbers subject to availability.06How accessible is the vessel and the shore‑excursion programme for limited‑mobility guests?
The vessel has stairs between public decks and cabins, and some shore sites require walking on uneven ancient stone and steps. Tell us at booking so we can advise on cabin placement and suitability of shore excursions. We can sometimes arrange gentler shore options, but steep ramps and narrow tomb passages make some sites impractical for wheelchair users.07Can families with children travel on the Sonesta Moon Goddess?
Children are welcome, but cabin layouts and shore excursions may be less suitable for very young children. Many temples and tombs involve stairs and uneven ground. Tell us ages at enquiry so we can recommend cabin types and which excursions to avoid; we can also advise whether infant facilities and child meals meet your needs.08What should I bring and wear on board and for shore excursions?
Bring sun protection (broad-brim hat, SPF 30+, sunglasses), comfortable walking shoes for uneven stone, a light layer for mornings and evenings, and modest clothing for temples (shoulders and knees covered). Also pack a small day bag, refillable water bottle, and any prescription medication. The vessel’s sun deck and lounge provide shade and shelter between excursions.09Are photography and tripods allowed at the sites visited from the cruise?
Photography is generally allowed at open-air temples such as Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae; rules vary by site and changeable on the day. Flash is usually forbidden inside tombs, and tripods or professional equipment may require a permit. Local site staff enforce rules; follow their instructions and check with the ship’s excursion desk if you need a permit.10When is the best time of year to take this Nile cruise and are there seasonal considerations?
The main season for Nile cruising is October–April when temperatures are milder. Summer months are very hot inland, especially at midday. Ramadan can alter opening hours and service timings at religious sites and restaurants; we will advise on local timings and any likely changes to the shore-excursion schedule when you book.
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-348051
You Might Also Like
Nile7 Nights
Alexander The Great Nile Cruise
Six-night Prestige Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan aboard a 5-star vessel. Typical calls include Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange transfers, Egyptologists and shore excursions. We don't run group bus tours, we favour paced days so you see Edfu and Kom Ombo properly, not in 40 minutes. Unlike many four-night packages, this six-night voyage gives longer calls and more cruising time.
Nile7 Nights
Amada Nile Cruise
Amada Nile Cruise is a luxury 5-star river cruise linking Luxor and Aswan, with sailing scheduled weekly in both directions. Your cruise ship provides a calm base while the shore-excursion programme visits Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Embarkation and disembarkation are available in Luxor or Aswan. Unlike a land-based Nile itinerary, you unpack once while travelling between the principal archaeological sites. The cruise is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, with the vessel selected and booked through its cruise partners.
From £624
Nile7 Nights
Amwaj Nile Cruise
Amwaj Nile Cruise is a river vessel offering full-board sailings on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel sails weekly in both directions and embarks and disembarks at Luxor and Aswan. On board you will find a sun deck, lounge bar and a dining room; cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite. The excursion programme alternates sailing days with visits to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. We select and arrange this cruise for our clients, and we do not bundle premium site extras such as pyramid interiors, which are optional and charged separately.
From £566