Nile cruise shipLuxury flagshipsLuxor → Aswan

Sanctuary Sun Boat IV

Art-deco-influenced sailing, Aswan to Luxor

Sanctuary Sun Boat IV is a Nile cruise ship operated by A&K Sanctuary (Sanctuary Retreats) / Abercrombie & Kent, built 1996 and refurbished 2006. It has 40 cabins and 4 suites for up to 80 guests and sails itineraries of 4 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Art-deco-influenced sailing, Aswan to Luxor. The larger A&K Sanctuary flagship for up to 80 guests, suited to those wanting more space and facilities, sailing Luxor–Aswan on three-, four- and longer itineraries.

Class Luxury flagshipsCabins 40 · up to 80 guestsRoute Luxor → Aswan

Sanctuary Sun Boat IV, a Nile cruise ship

Operator: A&K Sanctuary (Sanctuary Retreats) / Abercrombie & Kent
Accommodation: 40 cabins · 4 suites
Guests: Up to 80
Decks: 4
Dimensions: 72 × 13 m
Built: 1996 · refit 2006
Route: Aswan, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor (Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings); Abu Simbel on longer itineraries
Trip length: 4 nights
Departures: 5-day itinerary departs Mondays (from Luxor); 4-day itinerary departs Fridays (from Aswan); 8-day itinerary departs Mondays.
Wi-Fi: Complimentary Wi-Fi in cabins and public areas, with computer and internet access in the games room.

About Sanctuary Sun Boat IV

The Sanctuary Sun Boat IV is the larger of the fleet's Sun Boats, carrying forty cabins and suites over four decks in an art-deco-influenced style of natural materials and etched metalwork. Standard cabins run 15–18 m², rising to 38 m² Presidential Suites and 55 m² Royal Suites with private balconies forward. The main restaurant seats eighty-five for international and Egyptian menus, buffets and deck barbecues, with afternoon tea and dietary requirements accommodated.

The upper sun deck holds a swimming pool, heated in winter, above shaded seating and outdoor and terrace bars. A lounge bar, library, games room, gymnasium and massage room complete the interior, with a clinic and doctor on board and private docking arranged at Luxor and Aswan.

Itineraries connect Aswan and Luxor through Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna, taking in Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, with Abu Simbel added on the longer sailings.

Highlights

Upper-deck pool, heated in winter
Royal Suites of 55 m² with private balconies
85-seat restaurant with deck barbecues
Gymnasium, massage room and library
Private docking at Luxor and Aswan

At sail

Day by day

Sanctuary Sun Boat IV sails one published programme. Its own route: Aswan, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor (Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings); Abu Simbel on longer itineraries Departures 5-day itinerary departs mondays (from luxor); 4-day itinerary departs fridays (from aswan); 8-day itinerary departs mondays.. 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 IV 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 - 36 units, 15-18 sqm, decks 1-Nile, 2-Main, 3-Bridge, 4-Promenade
Presidential Suite - 2 units, 38 sqm, forward on Deck 2 (Main), shared balcony
Royal Suite (balcony) - 2 units, 55 sqm, forward on Deck 4 (Promenade), private balconies
Dining: Main restaurant, 85 seats - international and Egyptian menus
Buffets, a la carte dinners and deck barbecues
Regional specialities such as Kushari
Extensive local and international wine lists (extra cost)
Afternoon tea; dietary requirements accommodated
Facilities: Upper sun deck with heated swimming pool (heated in winter)
Shaded deck, outdoor bar and terrace bar
Lounge bar
Restaurant seating 85
Library
Games room with computer and internet access
Gymnasium / exercise machines
Massage room
Gift shop
Laundry and room service
24-hour reception; clinic with doctor on board
2 lifeboats, 2 life jackets per cabin
Private docking areas in Luxor and Aswan (not moored alongside other vessels)
Spa · pool · gym: Heated swimming pool on upper sun deck; gymnasium; massage room / spa treatments.
Itineraries: 4 nights / 5 days: Aswan to Luxor
4 nights / 5 days: Luxor to Aswan
3 and 4 nights: Nile cruise incl. Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo, Karnak
4-night and 8-night options
5 days: Luxor - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Abu Simbel - Aswan
8 days: Luxor - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan
7-day round trip (back-to-back): Aswan-Luxor

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 IV, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.

5 out of 5via Tripadvisor (18)

★★★★★
“The staff were always attentive and friendly. The food was of a consistently high quality with a varied menu.”
— Traveller-00t, London, United Kingdom · via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Sanctuary Sun Boat IV questions, answered

How much does Sanctuary Sun Boat IV cost?

Advertised rates start from US$1,654 per person; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does Sanctuary Sun Boat IV have?

40 cabins and 4 suites, for up to 80 guests.

What route does Sanctuary Sun Boat IV sail?

Aswan, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor (Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings); Abu Simbel on longer itineraries, departing 5-day itinerary departs Mondays (from Luxor); 4-day itinerary departs Fridays (from Aswan); 8-day itinerary departs Mondays..

What's included on Sanctuary Sun Boat IV?

Accommodation, dining (gourmet menus and buffets), cultural performances, site visits