Nile cruise shipLuxury flagshipsLuxor → Aswan

Sanctuary Sun Boat III

A 1920s-styled sailing between Aswan and Luxor

Sanctuary Sun Boat III is a Nile cruise ship operated by A&K Sanctuary (Sanctuary Retreats) / Abercrombie & Kent, built 1993 and refurbished 2009. It has 16 cabins and 4 suites for up to 32 guests and sails itineraries of 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

A 1920s-styled sailing between Aswan and Luxor. An intimate, period-styled A&K Sanctuary river yacht for travellers wanting a small-ship feel, sailing Luxor–Aswan with an Abu Simbel excursion on four-night and longer itineraries.

Class Luxury flagshipsCabins 16 · up to 32 guestsRoute Luxor → Aswan

Sanctuary Sun Boat III, a Nile cruise ship

Operator: A&K Sanctuary (Sanctuary Retreats) / Abercrombie & Kent
Accommodation: 16 cabins · 4 suites
Guests: Up to 32
Decks: 4
Dimensions: 61 × 14 m
Built: 1993 · refit 2009
Route: Luxor (Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut), Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan (High Dam, Philae, Unfinished Obelisk), Abu Simbel day excursion
Trip length: 4 · 7 nights
Departures: Fridays from Aswan (5 days); Tuesdays from Luxor (5 and 9 days)
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi available; internet access in the games room

About Sanctuary Sun Boat III

Modelled on the 1920s and 1930s, the Sanctuary Sun Boat III is a small river yacht of just a handful of cabins and suites over four decks, from 17 m² standard cabins to the 36 m² balconied Royal Suites forward. The Copper Tray restaurant seats the whole ship for buffets, à la carte dinners and deck barbecues, with afternoon tea in the lounge and Egyptian cooking classes among the on-board diversions.

The upper sun deck, named Cleopatra's Oasis, carries a heated swimming pool, and there is a Sahara lounge, the H. Carter lounge bar, a library, a games room, a small gym and a spa with massage treatments. A clinic and on-board doctor are provided.

Sailings connect Luxor and Aswan by way of Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo, taking in Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, the High Dam and Philae, with Abu Simbel offered as a day excursion. The vessel is also available for private charter with tailor-made Egyptologist-led touring.

Highlights

Period 1920s–30s styling throughout
Cleopatra's Oasis sun deck with heated pool
Royal Suites of 36 m² with balconies
Copper Tray restaurant and Egyptian cooking classes
Spa, small gym and on-board clinic

At sail

Day by day

Sanctuary Sun Boat III sails one published programme. Its own route: Luxor (Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut), Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan (High Dam, Philae, Unfinished Obelisk), Abu Simbel day excursion Departures fridays from aswan (5 days); tuesdays from luxor (5 and 9 days). 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.

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

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 Sanctuary Sun Boat III 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

Deck plan

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Standard Cabin - 14 cabins, 17 sqm, on the Nile and Promenade decks
Presidential Suite - 2 suites, 29 sqm, forward on the Promenade deck
Royal Suite (balcony) - 2 suites, 36 sqm, forward on the Tower deck
Dining: The Copper Tray restaurant (seats 36)
Buffets, a la carte dinners, deck barbecues
International and local Egyptian cuisine
Afternoon tea in the lounge
Egyptian cooking classes and themed dining experiences
Facilities: Upper sun deck 'Cleopatra's Oasis' with heated swimming pool
Sahara lounge
H. Carter lounge bar
Library
Gift shop
Games room with computer and internet access
Small gym with exercise equipment
Spa / massage treatments
Clinic with on-board doctor
Laundry service
220-volt outlets, 2 lifeboats, 2 life jackets per cabin
Spa · pool · gym: Heated swimming pool on upper sun deck; spa with massage treatments; small gym.
Itineraries: 4 nights / 5 days, Aswan to Luxor
4 nights / 5 days, Luxor to Aswan
5 days from Aswan / 5 days from Luxor / 9 days from Luxor, Luxor to Aswan incl. Abu Simbel
7 nights, Nile cruise
13 days, Nile River Treasures of Egypt
15 days, Egypt in Depth
21 days, Essence of Egypt & Jordan

Keep planning

Plan your Nile cruise

Nile River Cruise: the complete guide Luxury Nile cruises Nile cruise vs land tour The cheapest time to cruise the Nile

What guests say

Independent traveller reviews of Sanctuary Sun Boat III, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.

“Sanctuary Sun Boat III is a little bit of heaven”
— ktblax, Pasadena, California · via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Sanctuary Sun Boat III questions, answered

How much does Sanctuary Sun Boat III cost?

Advertised rates start from US$1,125 per person; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does Sanctuary Sun Boat III have?

16 cabins and 4 suites, for up to 32 guests.

What route does Sanctuary Sun Boat III sail?

Luxor (Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut), Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan (High Dam, Philae, Unfinished Obelisk), Abu Simbel day excursion, departing Fridays from Aswan (5 days); Tuesdays from Luxor (5 and 9 days).

What's included on Sanctuary Sun Boat III?

All shipboard meals plus 6 lunches and 3 dinners ashore; beverages with meals