Festive season 2027/28
Christmas and New Year on the Nile, 2027/28
In 2027 Christmas Eve is a Friday, Christmas Day a Saturday and New Year's Eve a Friday. That shifts the usual pattern: on the many boats that sail south from Luxor on Mondays and north from Aswan on Fridays, the Monday sailings arrive just before the big nights, so it is the Friday 24 December sailing from Aswan that is on board for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and the Friday 31 December sailing for New Year's Eve. Expect festive prices about 25 to 50 per cent above the normal winter rate. The festive weeks are the first to sell out every year, and small dahabiyas go first, so it is worth asking a year ahead.
2027/28
The dates that matter
| Date | Day | What it means on the river |
|---|---|---|
| 20–27 Dec 2027 | Mon–Mon | Christmas peak week; prices at their highest |
| 24 Dec 2027 | Friday | Christmas Eve; gala dinners on many ships. Friday is also when many boats leave Aswan |
| 25 Dec 2027 | Saturday | Christmas Day |
| 31 Dec 2027 | Friday | New Year's Eve; gala dinners and music on board |
| 1 Jan 2028 | Saturday | New Year's Day; the festive band usually ends |
| 7 Jan 2028 | Friday | Coptic Christmas, a public holiday in Egypt |
Which day to start
Which departure puts you on board for the big nights
Most boats pair a four-night sailing south from the Luxor end with a three-night sailing north from Aswan. Find your boat's pattern and pick the sailing that covers the night you care about.
Monday south, Friday north
Historia, Sonesta St George, Sonesta Sun Goddess, Jaz Regent, Iris, Zekrayaat, Lazuli Albatros, Lazuli Highness, Lazuli Karnak
| Sails | Arrives | Route | Festive nights on board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 17 Dec | Mon 20 Dec | Aswan to Luxor or Esna, 3 nights | None |
| Mon 20 Dec | Fri 24 Dec | Luxor or Esna to Aswan, 4 nights | None |
| Fri 24 Dec | Mon 27 Dec | Aswan to Luxor or Esna, 3 nights | Christmas Eve, Christmas Day |
| Mon 27 Dec | Fri 31 Dec | Luxor or Esna to Aswan, 4 nights | None |
| Fri 31 Dec | Mon 3 Jan | Aswan to Luxor or Esna, 3 nights | New Year's Eve |
Saturday south, Wednesday north
Sonesta Star Goddess, Jaz Viceroy, The Orient
| Sails | Arrives | Route | Festive nights on board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 18 Dec | Wed 22 Dec | Luxor or Esna to Aswan, 4 nights | None |
| Wed 22 Dec | Sat 25 Dec | Aswan to Luxor or Esna, 3 nights | Christmas Eve |
| Sat 25 Dec | Wed 29 Dec | Luxor or Esna to Aswan, 4 nights | Christmas Day |
| Wed 29 Dec | Sat 1 Jan | Aswan to Luxor or Esna, 3 nights | New Year's Eve |
Thursday south, Monday north
| Sails | Arrives | Route | Festive nights on board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 20 Dec | Thu 23 Dec | Aswan to Luxor or Esna, 3 nights | None |
| Thu 23 Dec | Mon 27 Dec | Luxor or Esna to Aswan, 4 nights | Christmas Eve, Christmas Day |
| Mon 27 Dec | Thu 30 Dec | Aswan to Luxor or Esna, 3 nights | None |
| Thu 30 Dec | Mon 3 Jan | Luxor or Esna to Aswan, 4 nights | New Year's Eve |
Sunday south, Thursday north
| Sails | Arrives | Route | Festive nights on board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 19 Dec | Thu 23 Dec | Esna to Aswan, 4 nights | None |
| Thu 23 Dec | Sun 26 Dec | Aswan to Esna, 3 nights | Christmas Eve, Christmas Day |
| Sun 26 Dec | Thu 30 Dec | Esna to Aswan, 4 nights | None |
| Thu 30 Dec | Sun 2 Jan | Aswan to Esna, 3 nights | New Year's Eve |
Sailing days are each boat's published weekly pattern and can change for the 2027/28 season; we confirm the exact sailing when we hold your cabin. Boats starting at Esna meet you in Luxor, about an hour's drive north.
Prices
What the festive weeks cost
Through the year, Nile cruise ships cost about US$120 to US$1,500 per person per night and dahabiyas about US$140 to US$1,500. Over Christmas and New Year, expect the top of each boat's own range, typically 25 to 50 per cent above its normal winter rate, either as a separate peak fare or as a compulsory festive supplement or gala-dinner charge. Ask whether those are included when you compare. See how much a Nile cruise costs.
Timing
Why to book a year ahead
The festive weeks sell out before any other dates on the Nile, and the small dahabiyas, with ten to twenty guests, go first. For a whole boat for a family or group over Christmas, ask as early as you can. If you are travelling this coming season instead, see Christmas and New Year 2026/27. For January travel, ask about the winter low water, when the river drops for about a month for canal maintenance; see when to go.
Asked often
Christmas and New Year 2027/28, answered
- Which Nile cruise departure is on board for Christmas 2027?
- On boats that sail south on Mondays and north on Fridays, the Friday 24 December 2027 sailing north from Aswan is on board for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; the Monday 20 December sailing from Luxor arrives in Aswan on the 24th. On Thursday-departure boats such as Loulia and Jaz Royale, the Thursday 23 December sailing from Luxor covers both nights.
- Which Nile cruise departure is on board for New Year's Eve 2027?
- On Monday and Friday boats, the Friday 31 December 2027 sailing north from Aswan; the Monday 27 December sailing arrives in Aswan on the 31st. On Saturday-departure boats, the Wednesday 29 December sailing from Aswan, and on Thursday-departure boats, the Thursday 30 December sailing from Luxor.
- How much more does a Nile cruise cost at Christmas and New Year?
- Expect roughly 25 to 50 per cent above the normal winter rate, sometimes as a compulsory festive supplement or gala dinner charge. Across the year, cruise ships run about US$120 to US$1,500 per person per night and dahabiyas about US$140 to US$1,500.
- When should I book a Nile cruise for Christmas 2027?
- As early as possible, ideally a year ahead. The festive weeks are the first to sell out, and small dahabiyas fill first.
