Nile cruise shipLuxury flagshipsLuxor → Aswan
MS Medea
A classically furnished Luxor–Aswan sailing
MS Medea is a Nile cruise ship operated by Spring Tours, built 1999 and refurbished 2004. It has 59 cabins and 2 suites for up to 118 guests and sails itineraries of 3 or 4 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.
Good to know
A classically furnished Luxor–Aswan sailing. A five-star Spring Tours ship built in 1999 and refurbished in 2004, with 59 cabins and two suites for up to 118 guests on the Luxor–Aswan Nile.

- Operator
- Spring Tours
- Accommodation
- 59 cabins · 2 suites
- Guests
- Up to 118
- Decks
- 5
- Dimensions
- 72.35 × 14.3 m
- Built
- 1999 · refit 2004
- Route
- Luxor / Esna / Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan; Philae; Abu Simbel optional
- Trip length
- 3 · 4 nights
- Departures
- 3 nights: every Monday from Aswan; 4 nights: every Thursday from Luxor.
- Season
- Season split: Summer 27 April to 26 September; Winter 27 September to 26 April.
- Wi-Fi
- WiFi available against a charge
About MS Medea
Built in 1999 and refurbished in 2004, MS Medea is a classically furnished five-star ship operated by Spring Tours, carrying up to 118 guests across five decks. Cabins are dressed in rich fabrics, wood panelling and traditional furniture, with twin, double, single and junior-suite categories.
The main restaurant seats 120, and public spaces include a spacious lounge bar with Chesterfield sofas and a main lounge with a music system and dance floor. The sun deck carries a bar, a swimming pool and outdoor fitness equipment, with a gift shop, 24-hour reception and doctor on board. Air conditioning runs throughout, and the vessel is approved by Lloyd's Shipping of London.
Itineraries run three nights from Aswan to Luxor and four nights from Luxor to Aswan, calling at Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with Abu Simbel offered as an optional excursion.
Highlights
- Sun-deck pool with outdoor fitness equipment
- Restaurant seating 120 guests
- Lounge bar with Chesterfield sofas
- Main lounge with dance floor
- Approved by Lloyd's Shipping of London
At sail
Day by day
MS Medea sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Luxor / Esna / Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan; Philae; Abu Simbel optional Departures 3 nights: every monday from aswan; 4 nights: every thursday from luxor.. 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 two independent published sources within 2%. 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) | $1,544 | $1,030 |
| Single cabin (sole use) | $2,441 | $1,666 |
| Triple cabin (per person) | $1,495 | $957 |
5 days / 4 nights · Luxor–Aswan corridor
| Cabin | High season · Sep–Apr | Low season · May–Aug |
|---|---|---|
| Double cabin (per person) | $1,853 | $1,212 |
| Single cabin (sole use) | $2,940 | $1,970 |
| Triple cabin (per person) | $1,813 | $1,127 |
- 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 Medea 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
- Twin cabin - 36 units, ca. 20 sqm
- Double cabin - 18 units, ca. 20 sqm
- Double cabin (smaller) - 2 units, ca. 16 sqm
- Single cabin - 1 unit, ca. 13 sqm
- Junior Suite - 2 units, ca. 28 sqm
- Dining
- Main restaurant, 120 covers
- Lounge bar
- Sun deck bar
- Facilities
- 24-hour reception desk
- Restaurant with 120 covers
- Spacious lounge bar with Chesterfield sofas
- Main lounge with music system and dance floor
- Sun deck with bar, swimming pool and outdoor fitness equipment
- Gift shop
- 24-hour doctor
- Water purification system
- Fire and soundproof walls and ceilings
- Air conditioning throughout
- Approved by Lloyd's Shipping of London
- Height 11.60 m; draft 1.59 m
- Beauty salon
- 2 bars/lounges
- Spa · pool · gym
- Swimming pool and outdoor fitness equipment on the sun deck; massage services available.
- Itineraries
- 4 days / 3 nights - Aswan to Luxor (Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor)
- 5 days / 4 nights - Luxor to Aswan (Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan)
Keep planning
Plan your Nile cruise
Good to know
MS Medea questions, answered
How much does MS Medea cost?
Advertised rates start from US$976 per person for 3 nights; prices vary by season and cabin.
How many cabins does MS Medea have?
59 cabins and 2 suites, for up to 118 guests.
What route does MS Medea sail?
Luxor / Esna / Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan; Philae; Abu Simbel optional, departing 3 nights: every Monday from Aswan; 4 nights: every Thursday from Luxor..
What's included on MS Medea?
Full board plus meet-and-assist, air-conditioned transfers, private excursions, entrance fees, English-speaking guide (1–8 pax), daily water bottle, service charges and taxes
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