Nile cruise shipDeluxe fleet shipsLuxor → Aswan

Royal Elite

Modern 64-cabin Nile cruiser, built 2022

Royal Elite is a Nile cruise ship operated by Royal French, built 2022. It has 64 cabins and 8 suites for up to 130 guests and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Modern 64-cabin Nile cruiser, built 2022. A 64-cabin Nile cruise ship built in 2022, with eight suites, sailing the Aswan-Luxor route on 3, 4 and 7-night itineraries.

Class Deluxe fleet shipsCabins 64 · up to 130 guestsRoute Luxor → Aswan

Operator: Royal French
Accommodation: 64 cabins · 8 suites
Guests: Up to 130
Decks: 5
Dimensions: 76 × 14.8 m
Built: 2022
Route: Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor; Elephantine Island, Philae
Trip length: 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Departures: Every Saturday ex Luxor (4 nights to Aswan); every Wednesday ex Aswan (3 nights to Luxor)
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi provided in designated areas

About Royal Elite

Launched in 2022, the Royal Elite is a modern five-deck ship with 64 cabins, including eight suites. Cabins feature smart controls for lighting, air conditioning and TV, soundproof sliding panoramic windows, satellite TV, a mini-bar and safe.

Itineraries sail between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna, with Elephantine Island and Philae along the way. Departures run every Friday from Aswan and every Monday from Luxor, on 3, 4 and 7-night trips.

The main restaurant seats 150 and offers buffets and set-menu dinners drawing on dishes from around the world, alongside a main lounge bar with entertainment. On deck there is a swimming pool with cabanas and an outdoor Jacuzzi, plus a gym, spa, dry-heat sauna and massage room, a boutique, clinic and 24-hour reception.

Highlights

Built 2022, 64 cabins with eight suites
Smart cabins with panoramic windows
Pool with cabanas and outdoor Jacuzzi
Gym, spa, sauna and massage room
Aswan-Luxor route via Kom Ombo and Edfu

At sail

Day by day

Royal Elite sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor; Elephantine Island, Philae Departures every saturday ex luxor (4 nights to aswan); every wednesday ex aswan (3 nights to 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

Unlike most Nile cruises, this fare is cruise-only: the sightseeing and the transfers at each end are arranged and quoted separately. Ask us for the all-in price before comparing it with another boat.

Included

Your cabin on board on a full-board basis: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
Service charges and government taxes

Not included

All sightseeing: the shore excursions and the entrance fees to the temples
Transfers between the boat and your hotel, airport or station
Tips for the crew and the guide
Drinks, including alcohol, unless stated otherwise

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Suite
Triple
Twin
Double
Single
Dining: Main restaurant seating 150 - buffet and gourmet set-menu dinners, dishes from around the world
Main lounge bar with entertainment
Facilities: Restaurant
Sun deck with pool and cabanas
Outdoor Jacuzzi
Swimming pool
Gym / fitness centre
Spa
Dry-heat sauna
Massage / aromatherapy cabin
Boutique / gift shop
Laundry
Clinic
24-hour reception
Mini bar in cabins
Spa · pool · gym: Swimming pool with cabanas, outdoor Jacuzzi, gym, dry sauna and massage/aromatherapy room
Itineraries: 03 nights ex Aswan
04 nights ex Luxor
07 nights ex Aswan and 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

Royal Elite questions, answered

How much does Royal Elite cost?

From US$138 per person per night in a double or triple cabin on standard dates, and up to US$156 depending on sailing. Peak dates cost more: from US$165 at Christmas and Easter, US$231 over the New Year. The fare is cruise only - the sightseeing and the transfers at each end are quoted separately, so ask us for the all-in price.

How many cabins does Royal Elite have?

64 cabins and 8 suites.

What route does Royal Elite sail?

Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor; Elephantine Island, Philae, departing Every Saturday ex Luxor and every Wednesday ex Aswan.

What's included on Royal Elite?

Full board with sightseeing; 4-night $800-$1,200; winter 3-night $750-$1,125; peak (20-26 Dec, Easter) 3-night $900-$1,350. 20% deposit, balance 30 days before arrival