Nile cruise shipStandard & independentLuxor → Aswan

Nile Dolphin

2007-built five-deck ship with gym and spa

Nile Dolphin is a Nile cruise ship, built 2007 and refurbished 2017. It has 65 cabins and 2 suites and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

2007-built five-deck ship with gym and spa. A 2007-built, 65-cabin five-deck ship sailing the Aswan-Luxor Nile route via Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna.

Class Standard & independentCabins 65Route Luxor → Aswan

Operator: Independent
Accommodation: 65 cabins · 2 suites
Decks: 5
Dimensions: 72 × 15 m
Built: 2007 · refit 2017
Route: Aswan, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor
Trip length: 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Departures: Every Friday ex Aswan; every Monday ex Luxor
Wi-Fi: Yes - business centre with Wi-Fi access

About Nile Dolphin

Built in 2007 and decorated in a French Empire style, Nile Dolphin is a five-deck ship with 65 cabins and two royal suites with private terraces. It sails the classic Nile between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna, on itineraries from 3 up to 7 nights.

The 150-seat restaurant and a 140-seat panorama lounge anchor the public spaces, alongside a sun deck bar. Facilities include a swimming pool with two Jacuzzis, an air-conditioned gym, a spa with infra sauna, a beauty salon, a library and a business centre with Wi-Fi access. Room service, laundry, a boutique and a doctor on call are also aboard.

Highlights

Built 2007, 65 cabins across five decks
Pool with two Jacuzzis, air-conditioned gym
Spa with infra sauna and beauty salon
150-seat restaurant, 140-seat panorama lounge
Business centre with Wi-Fi access

At sail

Day by day

Nile Dolphin sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor Departures every friday ex aswan; every monday 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 Dolphin 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: Single cabin (max 1 guest + 1 kid)
Double cabin (max 2 guests + 1 kid)
Twin cabin (max 2 guests + 1 kid)
Triple cabin (max 3 guests)
Royal suite with terrace (max 2 guests + 1 kid)
Dining: Restaurant (150 seats)
Panorama lounge (140 seats)
Sun deck bar
Bars
Facilities: Swimming pool
Two Jacuzzis
Sun deck with bar
Air-conditioned gym
Spa with infra sauna
Beauty salon
Business center with Wi-Fi access
Library
Room service
Laundry service
Doctor on call
Boutique and gift shop
Spa · pool · gym: Oversized swimming pool with two Jacuzzis, air-conditioned gym, spa with infra sauna and colour/aroma therapy, beauty salon.
Itineraries: 04 Days / 03 nights Ex Aswan
05 Days / 04 nights Ex Luxor
08 Days / 07 nights Ex Aswan
08 Days / 07 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 Dolphin questions, answered

How much does Nile Dolphin cost?

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

How many cabins does Nile Dolphin have?

65 cabins and 2 suites.

What route does Nile Dolphin sail?

Aswan, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor, departing Every Friday ex Aswan; every Monday ex Luxor.

What's included on Nile Dolphin?

Full board accommodation including sightseeing and all transfers by private coaches, private guide and entrance fees. +10% surcharge 22 Dec-04 Jan and Easter.