Nile cruise shipLuxury flagshipsLuxor → Aswan
Steigenberger Minerva
French-balcony cabins, all outside, Luxor–Aswan
Steigenberger Minerva is a Nile cruise ship operated by Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts; operated by JAZ Hotel Group., built 2010 and refurbished 2016. It has 77 cabins and 2 suites for up to 152 guests and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.
Good to know
French-balcony cabins, all outside, Luxor–Aswan. A five-star, 152-guest ship of all-outside French-balcony cabins on the Luxor–Aswan route, suited to travellers who want a light, river-facing cabin.
- Operator
- Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts; operated by JAZ Hotel Group.
- Accommodation
- 77 cabins · 2 suites
- Guests
- Up to 152
- Decks
- 4
- Dimensions
- 74 × 15 m
- Built
- 2010 · refit 2016
- Route
- Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan (Nile, Upper Egypt)
- Trip length
- 3 · 4 · 7 nights
- Departures
- Every Thursday from Luxor (4 and 7 nights); every Monday from Aswan (3 nights).
- Season
- Year-round; rates split into a summer season (May-Aug/Sep) and a winter season (Sep/Oct-Apr)
- Wi-Fi
- Complimentary WiFi in all rooms and public areas
About Steigenberger Minerva
The Steigenberger Minerva is a five-star ship of 77 cabins and two suites, carrying up to 152 guests over four decks. Every cabin is an outside cabin with a French balcony: the doubles run to 19 m² on the main, middle and upper decks, singles to 16 m², and the suites to 39 m². The main restaurant serves international and Egyptian cuisine, with a lounge bar and pool bar alongside.
A spacious sun terrace carries a swimming pool and pool bar, and the ship keeps a fitness room, beauty salon and gift shop, with a doctor and clinic on board around the clock. Complimentary WiFi reaches the cabins and public areas.
Itineraries follow the Luxor–Aswan corridor through Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo on three-, four- and seven-night sailings, calling at Karnak and Luxor temples, Edfu, the Aswan High Dam and Philae.
Highlights
- All outside cabins with French balconies
- Double cabins from 19 m²
- Sun-deck pool with pool bar
- Fitness room and beauty salon
- Complimentary WiFi throughout
At sail
Day by day
Steigenberger Minerva sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan (Nile, Upper Egypt) Departures every thursday from luxor (4 and 7 nights); every monday from aswan (3 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.
Cabin pricing
Rates by season
Our own per-person USD rates for winter 2026–27, in a main-deck cabin on full board; guided sightseeing is quoted separately. Each cell is a range because the fare moves with your sailing week and cabin. We confirm the exact fare on your quote, with no booking fee to ask.
4 days / 3 nights · Luxor–Aswan corridor
| Cabin | Winter 2026–27 · Feb–early Apr & festive weeks | Winter 2026–27 · Nov–Jan & late Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Double cabin (per person) | $810–$990 | $480–$630 |
| Single cabin (sole use) | $1,380–$1,680 | $820–$1,080 |
| Triple cabin (per person) | $770–$940 | $460–$600 |
5 days / 4 nights · Luxor–Aswan corridor
| Cabin | Winter 2026–27 · Feb–early Apr & festive weeks | Winter 2026–27 · Nov–Jan & late Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Double cabin (per person) | $1,080–$1,320 | $640–$850 |
| Single cabin (sole use) | $1,840–$2,250 | $1,090–$1,440 |
| Triple cabin (per person) | $1,030–$1,250 | $610–$800 |
- Cabins are allocated by the operator at confirmation; tell us your preferred deck and we will ask.
- Longer itineraries are priced as the sailings combined, confirmed on your quote.
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 Steigenberger Minerva 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
- Double cabin, main/middle deck (French balcony) - 19 m2
- Double cabin, upper deck (French balcony) - 19 m2
- Deluxe balcony cabin, upper deck (nicko cruises cat. D4) - 19 m2
- Single cabin - 16 m2
- Suite - 39 m2
- Dining
- Main Restaurant (international and Egyptian cuisine)
- Luxurious Lounge Bar
- Pool Bar
- Facilities
- 24-hour reception
- Restaurant, lounge and bar
- Spacious sun terrace / sun deck
- Swimming pool with pool bar
- Fitness room / gym equipment on deck
- Beauty salon
- Souvenir/gift shop
- Conference / meeting area
- Laundry service
- Doctor on board and clinic (24 hours)
- Marine satellite TV, in-house video and music channels in cabins
- Air conditioning, minibar/fridge, safe, shower and hairdryer in cabins
- All outside cabins; French balconies on decks 2, 3 and 4
- 220 V; USD and EUR accepted (VISA, Mastercard, Amex)
- Spa · pool · gym
- Pool on the sun deck with pool bar; fitness room / fitness equipment; beauty salon; massage service at extra charge
- Itineraries
- 3 nights / 4 days: Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Esna - Luxor (departs Monday from Aswan)
- 4 nights / 5 days: Luxor - Esna - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan (departs Thursday from Luxor)
- 7 nights / 8 days Luxor - Aswan - Luxor round trip (Karnak and Luxor temples, Edfu Horus temple, Kom Ombo, Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae, optional Abu Simbel, Botanical Garden by felucca, West Bank)
Keep planning
Plan your Nile cruise
What guests say
Independent traveller reviews of Steigenberger Minerva, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.
4.5 out of 5via Tripadvisor (8)
Good to know
Steigenberger Minerva questions, answered
How much does Steigenberger Minerva cost?
Our winter 2026–27 rates start from US$480 per person for 3 nights in a double cabin, rising to about US$990 in the festive weeks; the exact fare depends on your sailing week and cabin.
How many cabins does Steigenberger Minerva have?
77 cabins and 2 suites, for up to 152 guests.
What route does Steigenberger Minerva sail?
Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan (Nile, Upper Egypt), departing Every Thursday from Luxor (4 and 7 nights); every Monday from Aswan (3 nights)..
What's included on Steigenberger Minerva?
Full board on board plus sightseeing programme as listed
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