Nile cruise shipLuxury flagshipsLuxor → Aswan
MS Esplanade
Art-deco accents on the Luxor–Aswan Nile
MS Esplanade is a Nile cruise ship operated by Mayfair Cruises, built 2013 and refurbished 2018. It has 78 cabins and 2 suites for up to 140 guests.
Good to know
Art-deco accents on the Luxor–Aswan Nile. A five-star Mayfair ship built in 2013 and refurbished in 2018, with 78 cabins and two royal suites for up to 140 guests on the Luxor–Aswan Nile.
- Operator
- Mayfair Cruises
- Accommodation
- 78 cabins · 2 suites
- Guests
- Up to 140
- Decks
- 5
- Dimensions
- 77 × 14 m
- 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
- 4-night departs Saturday from Luxor; 3-night departs Wednesday from Aswan, year-round.
- Season
- The ship does not operate June-August because of extreme heat (40C+); 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
At sail
Day by day
MS Esplanade sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan (7-night Heritage itinerary also reaches Dendera) Departures 4-night departs saturday from luxor; 3-night departs wednesday from aswan, year-round.. 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.
Cabin pricing
Rates by season
Indicative per-person USD rates from the agencies we track, whose published fares for this boat differ widely (different seasons, cabin bases or promotions), so the full published range is shown and we confirm the exact fare on your quote. Your exact fare depends on dates and cabin — we quote every sailing live, with no booking fee to ask.
4 days / 3 nights · Luxor–Aswan corridor
| Cabin | High season · Sep–Apr | Low season · May–Aug |
|---|---|---|
| Double cabin (per person) | $1,775–$2,133 | $1,280–$1,892 |
| Single cabin (sole use) | $3,100–$3,626 | $1,999–$3,215 |
| Triple cabin (per person) | $1,725–$2,091 | $1,250–$1,854 |
5 days / 4 nights · Luxor–Aswan corridor
| Cabin | High season · Sep–Apr | Low season · May–Aug |
|---|---|---|
| Double cabin (per person) | $2,175–$2,691 | $1,590–$2,369 |
| Single cabin (sole use) | $3,750–$4,574 | $2,310–$4,027 |
| Triple cabin (per person) | $2,125–$2,637 | $1,550–$2,322 |
- Cabins are allocated by the operator at confirmation; tell us your preferred deck and we will ask.
- Longer itineraries are priced as the sailings combined, confirmed on your quote.
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 MS Esplanade in the cabin booked
- Meals aboard per the boat's published programme
- Sun deck, pool, spa 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
- 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
- Spa · pool · gym
- Sun Deck swimming pool with two cabanas and loungers; The Spa with steam room, sauna and massage/treatment rooms.
- 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
Keep planning
Plan your Nile cruise
What guests say
Independent traveller reviews of MS Esplanade, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.
4.2 out of 5via Tripadvisor (20)
- ★★★★★
“It was a wonderful experience. The boat is great. The rooms are very comfortable with views of the stunning Nile.”
— Teresa V · via Tripadvisor
Good to know
MS Esplanade questions, answered
How much does MS Esplanade cost?
Advertised rates start from US$810 per person for 3 nights; prices vary by season and cabin.
How many cabins does MS Esplanade have?
78 cabins and 2 suites, for up to 140 guests.
What route does MS Esplanade sail?
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., departing 4-night departs Saturday from Luxor; 3-night departs Wednesday from Aswan, year-round..
What's included on MS Esplanade?
Luxury accommodation, sightseeing entrance fees to monuments, transportation to sights, English- or Spanish-speaking guide, open buffet breakfast and lunch, a la carte dinner, complimentary beverages, welcome drink and daily amenities. Excludes laundry, room service and minibar (except executive cab
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