About the Nile
Nile cruises run between Luxor and Aswan, almost always as part of a guided land package that includes Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza. Modern Nile vessels are sun-deck oriented with shaded pools and outdoor lounges; the most luxurious operate as floating boutique hotels with under twenty staterooms.
Headline destinations: Luxor, Aswan, Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel.
The river flows through 2 countries — Egypt, Sudan. 14 ships from 6 different operators currently sail itineraries here, ranging from week-long classic loops to multi-week extended voyages.
Featured itineraries on the Nile
| Itinerary | Length | Sample ports |
|---|---|---|
| Wonders of Egypt & the Nile | 12 nights | Cairo · Luxor · Esna · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Abu Simbel |
| Treasures of Egypt | 8 nights | Cairo · Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan |
Operators sailing the Nile
Viking River Cruises
Scandinavian-styled Longships exploring Europe's great waterways.
AmaWaterways
Boutique river ships with twin balconies and onboard bicycles.
Emerald Cruises
Star-Ships with an indoor pool that converts to a cinema.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Floating boutique hotels with hand-curated antiques.
Aqua Expeditions
Luxury small-ship river cruising in the Mekong, Amazon and beyond.
Sanctuary Retreats
Boutique river cruising on the Nile, Yangtze and Irrawaddy.
Ships sailing the Nile
| Ship | Cruise line | Class | Guests | Launched |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmaDahlia | AmaWaterways | Nile | 72 | 2009 |
| AmaLilia | AmaWaterways | Nile | 82 | 2024 |
| AmaMelodia | AmaWaterways | Nile | 72 | 2018 |
| Aqua Nera | Aqua Expeditions | Aqua Design | 40 | 2020 |
| Aria Amazon | Aqua Expeditions | Aqua Design | 32 | 2011 |
| Emerald Azzurra | Emerald Cruises | Yacht | 100 | 2022 |
| River Tosca | Uniworld Boutique River Cruises | Nile | 82 | 2008 |
| Sanctuary Nile Adventurer | Sanctuary Retreats | Sanctuary Nile | 44 | 2013 |
| Sanctuary Sun Boat III | Sanctuary Retreats | Sanctuary Nile | 36 | 2002 |
| Sanctuary Sun Boat IV | Sanctuary Retreats | Sanctuary Nile | 80 | 2007 |
| Viking Aton | Viking River Cruises | Nile | 82 | 2022 |
| Viking Hathor | Viking River Cruises | Nile | 82 | 2024 |
| Viking Osiris | Viking River Cruises | Nile | 82 | 2022 |
| Viking Sobek | Viking River Cruises | Nile | 82 | 2024 |