Nile cruise shipLuxury flagshipsLuxor → Aswan

Ellie Nile Cruise

A 74-cabin Sabena ship on the Luxor–Aswan run

Ellie Nile Cruise is a Nile cruise ship operated by Sabena Nile Cruises (Sabena Group). It has 74 cabins and 6 suites and sails itineraries of 3 or 4 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

A 74-cabin Sabena ship on the Luxor–Aswan run. A five-star deluxe ship of 74 cabins from Sabena Nile Cruises, suited to travellers wanting a full-facility floating hotel on the Luxor–Aswan route.

Class Luxury flagshipsCabins 74Route Luxor → Aswan

Operator: Sabena Nile Cruises (Sabena Group)
Accommodation: 74 cabins · 6 suites
Decks: 4
Route: Luxor, Esna lock, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan
Trip length: 3 · 4 nights
Departures: 3-night ex-Aswan Wednesdays; 4-night ex-Luxor Saturdays
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi on board (reported free/high-speed by resellers)

About Ellie Nile Cruise

Operated by Sabena Nile Cruises, the Ellie is a five-star deluxe ship of 74 cabins across four decks, with contemporary Egyptian decor and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows configured as French balconies. Accommodation is offered as standard cabins, Junior Suites and Executive Suites.

The main restaurant serves international and Egyptian buffets, with afternoon tea and themed Galabiya buffet nights adding variety over a sailing. A sun deck with a swimming pool, a spa with sauna and steam room, a fitness centre, a lounge bar with live music, a pool bar and a gift shop make up the public spaces, backed by 24-hour reception and laundry.

Routes follow the standard corridor between Luxor and Aswan by way of the Esna lock, Edfu and Kom Ombo: three nights from Aswan, four nights from Luxor, or a longer round trip.

Highlights

French-balcony cabins with panoramic windows
Sun-deck swimming pool
Spa with sauna and steam room
Lounge bar with live music
Themed Galabiya buffet nights

At sail

Day by day

Ellie Nile Cruise sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Luxor, Esna lock, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan Departures 3-night ex-aswan wednesdays; 4-night ex-luxor saturdays. The order of the temples is fixed by the river, so what changes between programmes is the direction and how much is fitted into each day.

Luxor to Aswan, 4 nightsusually departs Monday

Day 1
Luxor, embark and the east bank
Board before lunch. The two east-bank temples in the afternoon, when the light is best at Karnak.
Visits Karnak · Luxor Temple
Day 2
The west bank, then sail through the Esna lock
An early start for the tombs, then the boat sails south and passes the Esna lock, often in the evening. Moor at Edfu.
Visits Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon
Optional hot-air balloon at dawn
Day 3
Edfu and Kom Ombo
Edfu at first light, usually reached by horse-drawn carriage from the mooring. Sail to Kom Ombo, whose double temple sits directly above the water.
Visits Edfu · Kom Ombo
Day 4
Aswan
The Aswan cluster, usually in one morning, with a felucca sail among the islands in the afternoon.
Visits High Dam · Philae · Unfinished Obelisk · felucca
Day 5
Disembark
Breakfast on board and disembarkation, typically by 08:00. Abu Simbel is a pre-dawn add-on, not part of the sailing.
Optional Abu Simbel by road or air

Aswan to Luxor, 3 nightsusually departs Friday

Day 1
Aswan, embark
Board before lunch, then the Aswan cluster in the afternoon.
Visits High Dam · Philae · Unfinished Obelisk
Optional felucca among the islands
Day 2
Kom Ombo and Edfu
Sail north. Kom Ombo sits at the mooring; Edfu is a short carriage ride inland.
Visits Kom Ombo · Edfu
Optional Abu Simbel, pre-dawn by road or air
Day 3
Through Esna to Luxor, east bank
The Esna lock can hold the fleet for a while; the east-bank temples follow on arrival.
Visits Esna lock · Karnak · Luxor Temple
Day 4
West bank and disembark
Check out after breakfast, then the west bank before departure.
Visits Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon
Optional hot-air balloon at dawn

Day structure aggregated from the published itineraries for this class of boat and direction. Operators shift a call by half a day and the Esna lock queue moves everything; confirm the running order for your departure.

The fine print

What's included and what isn't

Many ship fares bundle guided shore excursions with an Egyptologist; it varies by package, and your quote states exactly what applies.

Included

Accommodation aboard Ellie Nile Cruise in the cabin booked
Meals aboard per the boat's published programme
Sun deck, pool, spa, gym and lounge throughout
Wi-Fi on board

Not included

Drinks beyond water, tea and coffee served with meals
Gratuities for the crew
Temple entrance fees and Egyptologist guiding, unless your package states them
Transfers and extensions such as Abu Simbel, unless quoted

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Standard cabin
Junior Suite
Executive Suite
Dining: Main restaurant - international and Egyptian buffet
Afternoon tea
Themed/Galabiya buffet nights
Facilities: Sun deck with swimming pool
Spa with sauna and steam room
Fitness centre
Lounge bar with live music
Pool bar
Gift shop
24-hour reception
Laundry
Spa · pool · gym: Outdoor pool on sun deck; spa with sauna, steam room and massage; fitness centre
Itineraries: 3 nights Aswan to Luxor
4 nights Luxor to Aswan
7/8 day Luxor-Aswan round trip

Keep planning

Plan your Nile cruise

Nile River Cruise: the complete guide Luxury Nile cruises Nile cruise vs land tour The cheapest time to cruise the Nile

What guests say

Independent traveller reviews of Ellie Nile Cruise, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.

4.9 out of 5via Tripadvisor (40)

Good to know

Ellie Nile Cruise questions, answered

How much does Ellie Nile Cruise cost?

From US$152 per person per night sharing a cabin, and up to US$205 depending on date; a cabin with a balcony is about 6% more. Sightseeing is quoted separately, from US$368 per adult and US$242 per child.

How many cabins does Ellie Nile Cruise have?

74 cabins and 6 suites.

What route does Ellie Nile Cruise sail?

Luxor, Esna lock, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, departing 3-night ex-Aswan Wednesdays; 4-night ex-Luxor Saturdays.

What's included on Ellie Nile Cruise?

Full board, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees