Sanctuary Retreats / A&K
Sanctuary Sun Boat III
A 1920s-styled sailing between Aswan and Luxor
- Operator
- A&K Sanctuary (Sanctuary Retreats) / Abercrombie & Kent
- Accommodation
- 16 cabins · 4 suites
- Guests
- Up to 32
- Decks
- 4
- Built
- 1993 · refit 2009 per CruiseMapper; luxorandaswan.com says 'fully renovated 2005' - CONTRADICTION
- Route
- Luxor (Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut), Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan (High Dam, Philae, Unfinished Obelisk), Abu Simbel day excursion
- Length
- 4 · 7 nights
- Departures
- Fridays from Aswan (5 days); Tuesdays from Luxor (5 and 9 days) - per https://www.egypttoursportal.com/en-us/egypt-nile-cruises/luxury-nile-cruises/sanctuary-sun-boat-iii-nile-cruise/ . luxorandaswan.com says 'selected departures' only.
- Wi-Fi
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship per https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Sanctuary-Sun-Boat-III-1697 ; the operator fact sheet PDF describes internet access only in the games room - CONTRADICTION.
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
The boat in detail
- Cabin categories
- {'name': 'Standard Cabin', 'count': 14, 'sqm': 17, 'decks': '1-Nile, 2-Promenade', 'source': 'https://www.cruisemapper.com/cabins/Sanctuary-Sun-Boat-III-1697'} | {'name': 'Presidential Suite', 'count': 2, 'sqm': 29, 'decks': 'forward on deck 2-Promenade', 'source': 'https://www.cruisemapper.com/cabins/Sanctuary-Sun-Boat-III-1697'} | {'name': 'Royal Suite (balcony)', 'count': 2, 'sqm': 36, 'decks': 'forward on deck 3-Tower', 'source': 'https://www.cruisemapper.com/cabins/Sanctuary-Sun-Boat-III-1697'} | {'name': 'Royal Suite - conflicting size', 'count': 2, 'sqm': 23, 'decks': None, 'source': 'https://www.egypttoursportal.com/en-us/egypt-nile-cruises/luxury-nile-cruises/sanctuary-sun-boat-iii-nile-cruise/ (lists Royal Suites at 23 sqm, smaller than Presidential 29 sqm - contradicts CruiseMapper)'}
- 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. Note: the operator fact sheet PDF does not mention a spa or gym, while CruiseMapper and Egypt Tours Portal both do - CONTRADICTION.
- Itineraries
- {'length': '4 nights / 5 days', 'route': 'Aswan to Luxor', 'source': 'https://www.luxorandaswan.com/Egypt/cruise/Sanctuary-Sun-Boat-III-Nile-Cruise'} | {'length': '4 nights / 5 days', 'route': 'Luxor to Aswan', 'source': 'https://www.luxorandaswan.com/Egypt/cruise/Sanctuary-Sun-Boat-III-Nile-Cruise'} | {'length': '5 days from Aswan / 5 days from Luxor / 9 days from Luxor', 'route': 'Luxor <-> Aswan incl. Abu Simbel', 'source': 'https://www.egypttoursportal.com/en-us/egypt-nile-cruises/luxury-nile-cruises/sanctuary-sun-boat-iii-nile-cruise/'} | {'length': '7 nights', 'route': 'Nile cruise (operator fact sheet)', 'source': 'https://www.luxorandaswan.com/fact-sheet/sanctuary-sun-boat-iii-luxury-nile-cruise.pdf'} | {'length': '13 days', 'route': 'Nile River Treasures of Egypt', 'source': 'https://www.adventure-life.com/cruises/337/sanctuary-sun-boat-iii'} | {'length': '15 days', 'route': 'Egypt in Depth', 'source': 'https://www.adventure-life.com/cruises/337/sanctuary-sun-boat-iii'} | {'length': '21 days', 'route': 'Essence of Egypt & Jordan', 'source': 'https://www.adventure-life.com/cruises/337/sanctuary-sun-boat-iii'}
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