Independent
MS Esplanade
Art-deco accents on the Luxor–Aswan Nile
- Operator
- Mayfair Cruises
- Accommodation
- 78 cabins · 2 suites
- Guests
- Up to 140
- Decks
- 5
- Built
- 2013 · refit 2018
- Route
- Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan (7-night Heritage itinerary also reaches Dendera). Sites featured: Valley of the Kings and Queens, Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak and Luxor Temples, Esna Temple of Khnum, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple and Trajan's Kiosk, Aswan High Dam, Abu Simbel, Dendera Temple, felucca sailing, Luxor hot-air balloon.
- Departures
- SOURCES CONFLICT. Official site names Saturday departures for the 7-night Luxor-Luxor Heritage itinerary. luxorandaswan.com and egypttoursportal.com: Saturdays from Luxor, Wednesdays from Aswan. nilecruisen.com: 4-night departs Saturday from Luxor, 3-night departs Wednesday from Aswan (year-round).
- Season
- Per the official 2026/2027 tariff PDF, the ship does not operate June-August because of extreme heat (40C+); published departures run roughly September through May.
- Wi-Fi
- Complimentary Wi-Fi listed as a standard in-cabin amenity for all cabin categories on the official ship page.
About MS Esplanade
Launched in 2013 and refurbished in 2018, MS Esplanade carries 78 cabins and two Royal Suites across five decks for up to 140 guests. Interiors pair stone and earth tones with understated art-deco accents; Deluxe and Deluxe Executive cabins measure 20 m² and the Royal Suites 36 m², with a living area and large sofa.
The Belle Vue Restaurant serves buffet breakfast and lunch and à la carte dinners of local and international dishes, with afternoon tea in the Nostalgie Salon and drinks in the Plaisir Bar & Lounge. The sun deck holds a swimming pool with two cabanas and loungers, and The Spa offers steam and sauna rooms alongside massage and treatments.
The seven-night Heritage itinerary runs Luxor to Luxor with 17 excursions and reaches Dendera, while shorter three- and four-night sailings link Luxor and Aswan via Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. The ship pauses through the peak summer heat, with departures running roughly September to May.
Highlights
- Sun-deck pool with two cabanas
- The Spa with steam and sauna rooms
- Belle Vue Restaurant with à la carte dinners
- Nostalgie Salon for afternoon tea and mini-library
- Seven-night Heritage itinerary reaching Dendera
The boat in detail
- Cabin categories
- Deluxe Cabin - 20 sqm (215 sq ft) - 54 units (10 Main Deck, 20 Nostalgie Deck, 24 Upper Deck) | Deluxe Executive Cabin - 20 sqm - 24 units (8 Nostalgie Deck, 8 Upper Deck, 8 Upper Deck with veranda); includes complimentary local beverages in the lounge | Royal Suite - 36 sqm (388 sq ft) - 2 units on Nostalgie Deck, bedroom area plus living area with large sofa | Plus 6 tour guide / tour leader cabins on the Nile Deck (not sold to guests)
- Dining
- Belle Vue Restaurant - 'a modern fusion of local authentic dishes and international cuisine'; open buffet breakfast and lunch, a la carte dinner | Plaisir Bar & Lounge - main deck bar and social space | Nostalgie Salon - afternoon tea | Sun deck pool bar / BBQ
- Facilities
- Sun Deck with swimming pool, 2 pool cabanas and sun loungers | The Spa - steam and sauna rooms, therapeutic massages and treatments | Nostalgie Salon - Nile views, afternoon tea service, mini-library | Plaisir Bar & Lounge (Main Deck) | Lobby / reception | Boutique | Certified by the Polish Register of Shipping (IACS member) | Safety: radio comms, GPS, depth measurement, CCTV, life jackets and rafts, fire hydrants and extinguishers, smoke and fire alarm system, emergency lighting, first aid kits, rescue boat | Note: CruiseMapper records no elevators and no self-service laundry, while egypttoursportal.com lists an elevator - contradiction
- Spa · pool · gym
- Sun Deck swimming pool with two cabanas and loungers; The Spa with steam room, sauna and massage/treatment rooms; CruiseMapper additionally lists a gym. Official page describes The Spa and pool but does not name a separate gym for Esplanade.
- Itineraries
- 7-night Heritage itinerary: Luxor to Luxor round trip, 17 excursions, departs Saturday | 4-night itinerary: Luxor to Aswan, 12 essential excursions | 3-night itinerary: Aswan to Luxor, 11 essential excursions
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