Nile cruise shipStandard & independentLuxor → Aswan

Royal Ruby II

Modern 70-cabin cruiser, Luxor to Aswan

Royal Ruby II is a Nile cruise ship, built 2023. It has 70 cabins and 2 suites and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Modern 70-cabin cruiser, Luxor to Aswan. A 70-cabin, five-deck Nile cruiser launched in 2023, sailing the classic Luxor-Esna-Edfu-Kom Ombo-Aswan route on 3-, 4- and 7-night trips.

Class Standard & independentCabins 70Route Luxor → Aswan

Accommodation: 70 cabins · 2 suites
Decks: 5
Dimensions: 72.5 × 14.5 m
Built: 2023
Route: Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan; Abu Simbel optional
Trip length: 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Departures: Every Friday ex Aswan (3 nights); every Monday ex Luxor (4 and 7 nights).
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi

About Royal Ruby II

Launched in 2023, Royal Ruby II is a five-deck ship with 70 cabins and two suites, including standard and twin cabins of 21 m2 and a 24 m2 Presidential Suite. Cabins come in double, triple and single layouts to suit couples, families and solo travellers.

Onboard there is a 144-seat restaurant with full table service, a coffee shop and three bars, one of them a piano bar. A swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa centre and sun terrace sit up top, with a gift shop, hairdresser, laundry, 24-hour room service and medical assistance on hand.

Itineraries run 3 nights from Aswan (Fridays), 4 nights from Luxor (Mondays) and a full 7 nights between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo, with Abu Simbel available as an optional add-on. Free Wi-Fi is provided.

Highlights

70 cabins and two suites over five decks
144-seat restaurant with full service
Pool, jacuzzi and spa centre
Three bars including a piano bar
3-, 4- and 7-night Luxor-Aswan sailings

At sail

Day by day

Royal Ruby II sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan; Abu Simbel optional Departures every friday ex aswan (3 nights); every monday ex luxor (4 and 7 nights).. 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 Royal Ruby II 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: Standard cabin (21 m2)
Presidential Suite (24 m2, max 2 guests + 1 child)
Twin (21 m2)
Double
Triple (max 3 guests)
Single
Dining: Restaurant, 144 seats - full service
Coffee shop
Three bars incl. piano bar
Facilities: Restaurant with 144 seats
Coffee shop
3 bars including a piano bar
Swimming pool
Jacuzzi
Spa centre
Sundeck and sun terrace
Gift shop
Hairdresser
Laundry
24-hour room service
Medical service
Spa · pool · gym: Swimming pool, Jacuzzi and a spa centre; no gym explicitly stated
Itineraries: 3 nights ex Aswan
4 nights ex Luxor
7 nights Luxor-Aswan