Nile cruise shipDeluxe fleet shipsLuxor → Aswan

Nile Excellence

Intimate 30-cabin Nile cruiser

Nile Excellence is a Nile cruise ship operated by Serenity Nile Cruises, built 2008 and refurbished 2022. It has 30 cabins and 21 suites for up to 60 guests and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Intimate 30-cabin Nile cruiser. A 30-cabin Nile cruise ship built in 2008 for up to 60 guests, sailing the Aswan-Luxor route on 3, 4 and 7-night itineraries.

Class Deluxe fleet shipsCabins 30 · up to 60 guestsRoute Luxor → Aswan

Operator: Serenity Nile Cruises
Accommodation: 30 cabins · 21 suites
Guests: Up to 60
Decks: 4
Dimensions: 62.8 m
Built: 2008 · refit 2022
Route: Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor
Trip length: 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Departures: Fridays ex Aswan; Mondays ex Luxor.
Wi-Fi: Yes - Wi-Fi; internet access in designated areas.

About Nile Excellence

Built in 2008, the Nile Excellence is a four-deck ship with just 30 cabins for a maximum of 60 guests, giving it an intimate feel. Accommodation ranges from a Royal Suite and suites with French balconies to junior suites, deluxe cabins and standard double, twin and triple rooms, with singles also available.

Sailings run between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna, on 3, 4 and 7-night itineraries departing Fridays from Aswan and Mondays from Luxor. The ship is non-smoking, with smoking on the sun deck only, and has an elevator between decks.

Dining includes a main restaurant with buffet and table-served dinners plus a barbecue restaurant on the sun deck, and evenings bring folklore shows and Egyptian Galabeya parties in the bar and lounge. On deck there is a swimming pool, a gym and a spa with sauna and massage treatments, alongside a Panorama Salon, reading corner and gift shop.

Highlights

Only 30 cabins for up to 60 guests
Swimming pool, gym and spa
Sun-deck barbecue restaurant
Evening folklore shows and Galabeya parties
Elevator and non-smoking throughout

At sail

Day by day

Nile Excellence sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor Departures fridays ex aswan; mondays 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 Excellence 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: Royal Suite (king size bed)
Suite (~28 sqm, 2 beds combinable, French balcony)
Junior Suite (20 sqm)
Deluxe cabin (5)
Single cabin (4)
Double / Twin / Triple
Dining: Main restaurant - breakfast and lunch buffet, dinner served at table
Barbecue restaurant on the sun deck
Bar and lounge with evening entertainment (folklore shows, Egyptian Galabeya parties)
Facilities: Swimming pool on sun deck
Panorama Salon with French balcony
Internet terminal
Reading corner
24-hour reception
Laundry service
Onboard gift shop
Elevator
Non-smoking vessel (smoking on sun deck only)
Spa · pool · gym: Sundeck swimming pool, gym, and a spa with sauna and massage treatments; fitness facility and hot tub also listed.
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 Excellence questions, answered

How much does Nile Excellence cost?

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

How many cabins does Nile Excellence have?

30 cabins and 21 suites, for up to 60 guests.

What route does Nile Excellence sail?

Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor, departing Fridays ex Aswan; Mondays ex Luxor..

What's included on Nile Excellence?

Full board with sightseeing, transfers, private guide and entrance fees. +10% surcharge 22 Dec-04 Jan and Easter. Euro or Egyptian Pound accepted on board; Visa/Mastercard/Amex for extras.