Nile cruise shipStandard & independentLuxor → Aswan

MS Royal Serenade

22-suite boutique Nile cruiser

MS Royal Serenade is a Nile cruise ship operated by Nile Exploration, built 1993. It has 22 cabins and 22 suites and sails itineraries of 4, 5, 6 or 8 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

22-suite boutique Nile cruiser. An all-suite boutique Nile cruiser with 22 suites sailing between Luxor and Aswan on 4, 5, 6 and 8-night itineraries.

Class Standard & independentCabins 22Route Luxor → Aswan

Operator: Nile Exploration
Accommodation: 22 cabins · 22 suites
Decks: 4
Built: 1993
Route: Luxor (East and West Bank), Karnak, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Philae; Dendera on selected 5-night sailings; optional Abu Simbel
Trip length: 4 · 5 · 6 · 8 nights
Departures: Sundays and Thursdays ex Luxor; Aswan departure days not stated
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi in suites and public areas (Egypt United Tours)

About MS Royal Serenade

The MS Royal Serenade is a small, all-suite ship with just 22 suites, making for an intimate cruise between Luxor and Aswan. Suites range from 33-square-metre Deluxe and Balcony rooms to larger 40-square-metre Royal suites, some with a private balcony or Jacuzzi, and an accessible suite is available near the elevator.

Itineraries run 4, 5, 6 and 8 nights, taking in Luxor's East and West Banks, Karnak, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan and Philae, with Dendera on selected 5-night sailings and an optional Abu Simbel add-on. Luxor departures are on Sundays and Thursdays.

Guests dine in an a-la-carte restaurant and can relax in a lounge bar with panoramic windows or on the sun deck. Facilities include a spa with massage room, sauna and steam room, a small plunge pool, a gym, an elevator, laundry and Wi-Fi throughout.

Highlights

All-suite ship, only 22 suites
Spa with sauna and steam room
Plunge pool and gym
Luxor to Aswan, some sailings via Dendera
Wi-Fi in suites and public areas

At sail

Day by day

MS Royal Serenade sails one published programme. Its own route: Luxor (East and West Bank), Karnak, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Philae; Dendera on selected 5-night sailings; optional Abu Simbel Departures sundays and thursdays ex luxor; aswan departure days not stated. 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.

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

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 Royal Serenade 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: Deluxe Suite - 33 sqm
Balcony Suite - 33 sqm
Royal Suite - 40 sqm
Royal Balcony Suite - 40 sqm
Accessible Suite - 33 sqm
Dining: a-la-carte restaurant (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Facilities: lounge/bar with panoramic windows
sun deck with loungers and shaded seating
elevator
laundry service
24/7 support
Wi-Fi
Spa · pool · gym: spa with massage room, sauna and steam room; small plunge pool; gym with modern equipment (Egypt United Tours)
Itineraries: 4 nights Luxor-Aswan
5 nights Luxor-Aswan (Dendera on selected sailings)
6 nights
8 nights

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

What guests say

Independent traveller reviews of MS Royal Serenade, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.

5 out of 5via Tripadvisor (1)

Good to know

MS Royal Serenade questions, answered

How much does MS Royal Serenade cost?

Advertised rates start from US$2,044 per person; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does MS Royal Serenade have?

22 cabins and 22 suites.

What route does MS Royal Serenade sail?

Luxor (East and West Bank), Karnak, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Philae; Dendera on selected 5-night sailings; optional Abu Simbel, departing Sundays and Thursdays ex Luxor; Aswan departure days not stated.

What's included on MS Royal Serenade?

cruise, guided sightseeing, transfers, 24/7 support (per operator page)