For two
A honeymoon on the Nile
For a honeymoon, book the suite, not the cabin, and choose a small boat. The Oberoi Zahra’s terrace suites with a private whirlpool and Sonesta Star Goddess’s balcony suites are the classic choices on a ship. On a dahabiya such as The Orient or Loulia, the stern suite and a boat of ten or twelve guests feel close to private. Go between October and April, and tell the boat it is your honeymoon when you book.
Where to sleep
The best suites for a honeymoon
From each boat’s own specification. Suites are few on every boat, so they go first.
| Boat | The suite | Boat type |
|---|---|---|
| The Oberoi Zahra | Terrace suites with a private heated whirlpool; Master Suite of 115 m² | Ship, 54 guests |
| Sonesta Star Goddess | All-suite: 33 suites of 35 to 52 m², each with its own balcony | Ship, 66 guests |
| Historia | Themed Presidential and Royal Suites on a 2021 boutique ship | Ship, 88 guests |
| Iris | Upper-deck royal suites of 40 m² with a veranda; heated pool on deck | Dahabiya, built 2025 |
| The Orient | One terrace suite of 26 m² on a boat for ten guests | Dahabiya |
| Loulia | Two stern suites with four-poster beds and private balconies | Dahabiya, 12 guests |
| Lazuli Highness | One double suite with a terrace-balcony at the stern; jacuzzi on deck | Dahabiya, 10 guests, built 2023 |
See the Oberoi Zahra, Sonesta Star Goddess, Historia, Iris, The Orient, Loulia and Lazuli Highness.
Choosing
Ship or dahabiya for a honeymoon?
A small luxury ship gives you a spa, a pool, a choice of where to eat and a crew of dozens. Guests on the Oberoi Zahra single it out for honeymooners, and Sonesta Star Goddess guests mention the balcony suites first. Ask for an upper-deck suite on the river side, so the view is not a neighbouring hull when ships moor side by side.
A dahabiya is quieter and more romantic: no engine under sail, island moorings, dinner on deck under the stars. The trade-off is a shared table with the other guests, unless you take the whole boat. On the smallest dahabiyas that is only five or six cabins; see chartering a dahabiya for yourselves.
Worth planning
Moments worth planning
- A felucca at sunset in Aswan, around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Island.
- A hot-air balloon over the West Bank of Luxor at dawn, before the cruise or after it.
- Dinner on a riverbank or island, which many dahabiyas serve at least once on a trip.
- An early, quiet visit to Philae or Kom Ombo before the coach groups arrive.
- A night or two at a historic hotel in Luxor or Aswan before or after the boat.
Timing
When to go
October to April is the season. November and February give warm days without the Christmas prices; December and January are the coolest and dearest. If your wedding is in summer, a Nile honeymoon still works on a ship with a pool, with sightseeing at dawn. See when to go and, for the festive weeks, Christmas and New Year on the Nile.
Prices
What a honeymoon on the Nile costs
Nile cruise ships run about US$120 to US$1,500 per person per night and dahabiyas about US$140 to US$1,500. A honeymoon suite sits at the upper end of each boat’s range. Ask for the price of the suite and the standard cabin side by side, and whether any honeymoon touches are included. See how much a Nile cruise costs.
Asked often
Nile honeymoons, answered
- Is a Nile cruise good for a honeymoon?
- Yes. You unpack once, the temples come to you, and the evenings on deck are quiet and romantic. Choose a small luxury ship with a suite, such as the Oberoi Zahra or Sonesta Star Goddess, or a small dahabiya such as The Orient or Loulia.
- Which Nile cruise is best for a honeymoon?
- The Oberoi Zahra is the classic choice, with terrace suites that have a private heated whirlpool and only 54 guests. Sonesta Star Goddess is all-suite with balconies. For more privacy, a dahabiya with a stern suite, or a whole small dahabiya to yourselves.
- How many nights should a Nile honeymoon be?
- Four nights from Luxor or Esna to Aswan covers every main temple at an easy pace. Add a night or two in Luxor or Aswan, or take a seven-night trip if the river is the whole holiday.
- Can a dahabiya be booked just for two?
- Yes, by chartering the whole boat. The smallest dahabiyas have four to six cabins, so you pay for the boat rather than a cabin. It is the most private way to see the Nile.
