Nile cruise shipStandard & independentLuxor → Aswan

Nile Carnival

Seventy cabins, renovated for the Aswan–Luxor Nile

Nile Carnival is a Nile cruise ship, built 1999 and refurbished 2025. It has 70 cabins and 4 suites and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Seventy cabins, renovated for the Aswan–Luxor Nile. A five-deck, 70-cabin Nile cruiser renovated in 2025, sailing the Aswan–Luxor route via Philae, with a swimming pool and two Jacuzzis.

Class Standard & independentCabins 70Route Luxor → Aswan

Operator: Independent
Accommodation: 70 cabins · 4 suites
Decks: 5
Built: 1999 · refit 2025
Route: Aswan, Philae, Elephantine Island, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor
Trip length: 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Departures: Mondays ex Aswan; Thursdays ex Luxor
Wi-Fi: Internet cafe on board; connection method for cabins not stated.

About Nile Carnival

The Nile Carnival has 70 cabins over five decks, ranging from single and double rooms to twins, triples and suites, and was fully renovated in March 2025. It sails between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Philae, Elephantine Island, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna, in three-, four- and seven-night itineraries.

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a panoramic-view lounge bar and nightly entertainment. A sun deck with its own bar, an internet cafe, a boutique and a jeweller's shop are on board, along with a swimming pool and two Jacuzzis.

Evenings feature belly-dancer shows and Nubian parties. Departures leave Aswan on Mondays and Luxor on Thursdays.

Highlights

70 cabins, fully renovated in 2025
Swimming pool and two Jacuzzis
Panoramic lounge bar with nightly entertainment
Belly-dancer shows and Nubian parties
Route via Philae and Elephantine Island

At sail

Day by day

Nile Carnival sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan, Philae, Elephantine Island, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor Departures mondays ex aswan; thursdays ex 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.

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 Nile Carnival in the cabin booked
Meals aboard per the boat's published programme
Sun deck, pool, spa, gym 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: Single cabin
Double cabin
Twin cabin
Triple cabin
Suite
Dining: restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
lounge bar with nightly entertainment
Facilities: restaurant
panoramic view bar lounge
sun deck with bar
internet cafe
boutique and jeweller shop
laundry and dry cleaning
Spa · pool · gym: Swimming pool and two Jacuzzis; no spa or gym mentioned.
Itineraries: 4 days / 3 nights ex Aswan
5 days / 4 nights ex Luxor
8 days / 7 nights ex Aswan
8 days / 7 nights ex Luxor

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

Nile Carnival questions, answered

How much does Nile Carnival cost?

Advertised rates start from US$280 per person; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does Nile Carnival have?

70 cabins and 4 suites.

What route does Nile Carnival sail?

Aswan, Philae, Elephantine Island, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor, departing Mondays ex Aswan; Thursdays ex Luxor.

What's included on Nile Carnival?

full-board accommodation including sightseeing, private coach transfers, multilingual guide and entrance fees; 10% surcharge 22 Dec - 4 Jan and at Easter