Lake Nasser cruiseDeluxe fleet shipsAswan → Abu Simbel

MS Kasr Ibrim

Art Deco Lake Nasser cruiser

MS Kasr Ibrim is a Nile cruise ship operated by Belle Époque Travel, built 1997. It has 55 cabins and 10 suites and sails itineraries of 3 or 4 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Art Deco Lake Nasser cruiser. MS Kasr Ibrim is a five-star deluxe, 55-cabin Lake Nasser cruiser sailing Aswan to Abu Simbel past the lake's Nubian temples.

Class Deluxe fleet shipsCabins 55Board full boardRoute Aswan → Abu Simbel

Operator: Belle Époque Travel
Accommodation: 55 cabins · 10 suites
Decks: 4
Dimensions: 79 m
Built: 1997
Route: Aswan, Kalabsha, Beit El Wali, Kertassi, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Meharakka, Amada, Temple of Derr, Kasr Ibrim, Abu Simbel
Trip length: 3 · 4 nights
Departures: Saturday from Aswan (4 nights); Wednesday from Abu Simbel (3 nights)

About MS Kasr Ibrim

Launched in 1997 and named after the citadel above Lake Nasser, MS Kasr Ibrim is a 79-metre cruiser with 55 cabins and ten suites over four decks, its interior styled after the Art Deco of the 1920s. Spacious cabins measure around 22.75 square metres and, on three of the four decks, open onto private balconies over the lake.

Suites range from seven Junior Suites to an Imperial Suite of 140 square metres. Dining is full board in the main restaurant, with a lounge bar and the Cat Bar, plus a Safari Lounge, library and room service.

Sailing Lake Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel, the ship departs Aswan on Saturdays and Abu Simbel on Wednesdays, calling at Kalabsha, Beit El Wali, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, the Temple of Derr and Kasr Ibrim. On board are a mosaic-lined swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and exercise equipment.

Highlights

Balcony cabins on three decks
Mosaic-lined swimming pool
Ten suites, up to 140 sqm
Sauna, steam bath and exercise equipment
Aswan to Abu Simbel via Nubian temples

At sail

Day by day

MS Kasr Ibrim sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan, Kalabsha, Beit El Wali, Kertassi, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Meharakka, Amada, Temple of Derr, Kasr Ibrim, Abu Simbel Departures saturday from aswan (4 nights); wednesday from abu simbel (3 nights). The temples on this route were moved above the water when the lake filled, and they are called at in a fixed order, so what changes between programmes is the direction and how much is fitted into each day.

Aswan to Abu Simbel, 4 nights

Day 1
Aswan, embark, and the temples beside the dam
Board at the High Dam quay. Kalabsha and its two smaller neighbours were moved to one site above the dam when the lake filled, so all three stand together a short ride from the mooring.
Visits High Dam · Kalabsha · Beit El Wali · Kertassi
Day 2
Wadi El Seboua
Sail south. Three relocated temples share this mooring and are seen on one walk.
Visits Wadi El Seboua · Dakka · Meharraqa
Day 3
Amada, then Kasr Ibrim from the water
Amada, Derr and the Tomb of Pennut were regrouped at a single landing. Kasr Ibrim stands where it was built, on its clifftop, and is seen from the boat rather than visited.
Visits Amada · Temple of Derr · Tomb of Pennut · Kasr Ibrim
Day 4
Abu Simbel
The boat moors within sight of the two facades. Most programmes allow both an afternoon and an early-morning visit before disembarkation.
Visits Great Temple of Ramesses II · Temple of Nefertari
Optional Sound and Light show at the temples
Day 5
Disembark at Abu Simbel
Check out after breakfast. Onward travel to Aswan is by road or the short flight.

Abu Simbel to Aswan, 3 nights

Day 1
Abu Simbel, embark
Join the boat at Abu Simbel. The two temples are the afternoon, with the lake ahead to the north.
Visits Great Temple of Ramesses II · Temple of Nefertari
Optional Sound and Light show at the temples
Day 2
Kasr Ibrim and Amada
Kasr Ibrim is passed and seen from the deck; the Amada landing follows, where three monuments were regrouped.
Visits Kasr Ibrim · Amada · Temple of Derr · Tomb of Pennut
Day 3
Wadi El Seboua, then north to Kalabsha
Two moorings in a day as the boat runs north towards the dam.
Visits Wadi El Seboua · Dakka · Meharraqa · Kalabsha · Beit El Wali
Day 4
Aswan, disembark
Arrive above the High Dam and disembark after breakfast.
Visits High Dam

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 MS Kasr Ibrim in the cabin booked
Full board across all sailing days
Sun deck, pool, spa and lounge throughout

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: Executive Deck: 12 twin-bedded cabins with balconies
Upper Deck: 18 twin-bedded cabins with balconies
Main Deck: 18 twin-bedded cabins with balconies
Lower Deck: 7 twin-bedded cabins, no balcony, triple occupancy available
7 Junior Suites (29 sqm each)
2 Royal Suites (58 sqm each)
1 Imperial Suite (140 sqm)
Dining: Main Restaurant, full board
Lounge Bar
Cat Bar
Facilities: 24-hour reception
Mosaic-lined swimming pool
Sun deck and shaded deck area
Sauna
Steam bath
Exercise equipment
Lounge Bar
Cat Bar
Safari Lounge
Library
Room service
Full air-conditioning
Water filtration system
Spa · pool · gym: Mosaic-lined swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and exercise equipment. No dedicated spa named.
Itineraries: 4 nights / 5 days Aswan to Abu Simbel, departing Saturday
3 nights / 4 days Abu Simbel to Aswan, departing Wednesday

Keep planning

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

Good to know

MS Kasr Ibrim questions, answered

How much does MS Kasr Ibrim cost?

Advertised rates start from US$640 per person; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does MS Kasr Ibrim have?

55 cabins and 10 suites.

What route does MS Kasr Ibrim sail?

Aswan, Kalabsha, Beit El Wali, Kertassi, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Meharakka, Amada, Temple of Derr, Kasr Ibrim, Abu Simbel, departing Saturday from Aswan (4 nights); Wednesday from Abu Simbel (3 nights).

What's included on MS Kasr Ibrim?

Not itemised on the listing page