Lake Nasser cruiseStandard & independentAswan → Abu Simbel

MS Nubian Sea

Lake Nasser cruiser to Abu Simbel

MS Nubian Sea is a Nile cruise ship, built 1995. It has 70 cabins and 4 suites for up to 140 guests and sails itineraries of 3 or 4 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Lake Nasser cruiser to Abu Simbel. MS Nubian Sea is a 70-cabin Lake Nasser cruiser for up to 140 guests, sailing Aswan to Abu Simbel past the lake's Nubian temples.

Class Standard & independentCabins 70 · up to 140 guestsBoard full boardRoute Aswan → Abu Simbel

Operator: Independent
Accommodation: 70 cabins · 4 suites
Guests: Up to 140
Decks: 4
Built: 1995
Route: Aswan (High Dam, Philae, Unfinished Obelisk), Kalabsha Temple, Beit El Wali, Kertassi, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Meharraqa, Amada, Temple of Derr, Tomb of Pennut, Kasr Ibrim Citadel, Abu Simbel; crosses the Tropic of Cancer
Trip length: 3 · 4 nights
Departures: Monday from Aswan (4 nights); Friday from Abu Simbel (3 nights)
Wi-Fi: WiFi listed among on-board amenities.

About MS Nubian Sea

MS Nubian Sea sails Lake Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel, carrying 70 cabins and four suites for up to 140 guests. Cabins have panoramic windows framing the lake, private bathrooms, colour television and individually controlled air-conditioning, giving a comfortable, homely feel on the water.

Dining is full board in the main restaurant, with a covered outdoor restaurant, bars and an optional Sound and Light dinner at Abu Simbel. On deck are an outdoor swimming pool, sun deck, lounge areas, a discotheque and sauna, with a 24-hour doctor and gift shop on board.

The route calls at Kalabsha, Beit El Wali, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Amada, the Temple of Derr and the citadel of Kasr Ibrim, crossing the Tropic of Cancer on the way to the temples of Abu Simbel. Departures leave Aswan on Mondays and Abu Simbel on Fridays.

Highlights

Up to 140 guests, 70 cabins
Panoramic-window cabins
Outdoor pool, sun deck and sauna
Optional Sound and Light dinner at Abu Simbel
Crosses the Tropic of Cancer

At sail

Day by day

MS Nubian Sea sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan (High Dam, Philae, Unfinished Obelisk), Kalabsha Temple, Beit El Wali, Kertassi, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Meharraqa, Amada, Temple of Derr, Tomb of Pennut, Kasr Ibrim Citadel, Abu Simbel; crosses the Tropic of Cancer… Departures monday from aswan (4 nights); friday 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 Nubian Sea in the cabin booked
Full board across all sailing days
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: Cabins with panoramic windows, private bathroom with hairdryer, colour TV with movie channel, mini bar, individually controlled air-conditioning, safety box, international telephone
Suites (4)
Dining: Main restaurant, full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Covered outdoor restaurant
Bars
Optional Sound & Light Show dinner experience at Abu Simbel
Facilities: Outdoor swimming pool
Sun deck
Lounge areas
Bars
Discotheque
Sauna
Gift shop
24-hour doctor
International telephone
Safety boxes
Individually controlled air-conditioning
Spa · pool · gym: Outdoor swimming pool and sauna. No spa or gym.
Itineraries: 4 nights / 5 days Aswan to Abu Simbel, departing Monday
3 nights / 4 days Abu Simbel to Aswan, departing Friday

Keep planning

Plan your Nile cruise

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 Nubian Sea questions, answered

How much does MS Nubian Sea cost?

Advertised rates start from US$450 per person for 3 nights; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does MS Nubian Sea have?

70 cabins and 4 suites, for up to 140 guests.

What route does MS Nubian Sea sail?

Aswan (High Dam, Philae, Unfinished Obelisk), Kalabsha Temple, Beit El Wali, Kertassi, Wadi El Seboua, Dakka, Meharraqa, Amada, Temple of Derr, Tomb of Pennut, Kasr Ibrim Citadel, Abu Simbel; crosses the Tropic of Cancer, departing Monday from Aswan (4 nights); Friday from Abu Simbel (3 nights).

What's included on MS Nubian Sea?

Meet and assist service, all transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, full-board accommodation, all excursions and entrance fees, Egyptologist guide, service charges and taxes, complimentary airport pickup/drop-off (East Bank only). Excludes extra meals and beverages, personal expenses, tips and option