Lake Nasser cruiseLuxury flagshipsAswan → Abu Simbel
Steigenberger Omar El Khayam
A Lake Nasser ship to Abu Simbel
Steigenberger Omar El Khayam is a Nile cruise ship operated by Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts (H World International / Deutsche Hospitality); operated and sold by JAZ Hotel Group / JAZ Voyages; chartered to nicko cruises for the German market, built 2008 and refurbished 2011. It has 80 cabins and 12 suites for up to 160 guests and sails itineraries of 3 or 4 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.
Good to know
A Lake Nasser ship to Abu Simbel. A five-star, 160-guest ship sailing the Lake Nasser route between Aswan and Abu Simbel, suited to travellers seeking the Nubian temples beyond the classic Nile corridor.
- Operator
- Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts (H World International / Deutsche Hospitality); operated and sold by JAZ Hotel Group / JAZ Voyages; chartered to nicko cruises for the German market
- Accommodation
- 80 cabins · 12 suites
- Guests
- Up to 160
- Decks
- 6
- Dimensions
- 113 × 17 m
- Built
- 2008 · refit 2011
- Route
- LAKE NASSER ROUTE (not the classic Nile Luxor-Aswan corridor): Aswan (High Dam), Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, Derr, Kasr Ibrim, Abu Simbel
- Trip length
- 3 · 4 nights
- Departures
- Every Monday from Aswan for 7 and 4 nights; every Friday from Abu Simbel for 3 nights
- Season
- Year-round; lead-in pricing quoted for the October-April season
- Wi-Fi
- Complimentary WiFi available only in certain locations (Aswan and Abu Simbel); in-cabin internet listed.
About Steigenberger Omar El Khayam
The Steigenberger Omar El Khayam is a five-star ship of 80 cabins and 12 suites across six decks, carrying up to 160 guests. Doubles measure 24 m² with a panoramic window opening onto a private balcony area, above which sit eight Grand Suites of 35 m² and four Royal Suites of 70 m². Dining is at the Abu Nawas restaurant, serving Egyptian and international cuisine, with lounge bars and a pool bar.
Built in 2008 and refurbished in 2011, the ship carries the Cleopatra Spa with massage rooms, a sauna and a steam bath, plus a whirlpool, a health club and gym, a pool with pool bar on the sun deck, a billiard room and a library.
Unlike the classic Luxor–Aswan cruisers, it sails Lake Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel on three- and four-night itineraries, calling at Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada and Kasr Ibrim.
Highlights
- Lake Nasser route to Abu Simbel
- Cleopatra Spa with sauna and steam bath
- Balconied cabins from 24 m²
- Two sun decks, pool and whirlpool
- Billiard room and library
At sail
Day by day
Steigenberger Omar El Khayam sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: LAKE NASSER ROUTE (not the classic Nile Luxor-Aswan corridor): Aswan (High Dam), Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, Derr, Kasr Ibrim, Abu Simbel Departures every monday from aswan for 7 and 4 nights; every friday from abu simbel for 3 nights. The temples on this route were moved above the water when the lake filled, and they are called at in a fixed order, so what changes between programmes is the direction and how much is fitted into each day.
Aswan to Abu Simbel, 4 nights
Day 1
Aswan, embark, and the temples beside the dam
Board at the High Dam quay. Kalabsha and its two smaller neighbours were moved to one site above the dam when the lake filled, so all three stand together a short ride from the mooring.
Visits High Dam · Kalabsha · Beit El Wali · Kertassi
Day 2
Wadi El Seboua
Sail south. Three relocated temples share this mooring and are seen on one walk.
Visits Wadi El Seboua · Dakka · Meharraqa
Day 3
Amada, then Kasr Ibrim from the water
Amada, Derr and the Tomb of Pennut were regrouped at a single landing. Kasr Ibrim stands where it was built, on its clifftop, and is seen from the boat rather than visited.
Visits Amada · Temple of Derr · Tomb of Pennut · Kasr Ibrim
Day 4
Abu Simbel
The boat moors within sight of the two facades. Most programmes allow both an afternoon and an early-morning visit before disembarkation.
Visits Great Temple of Ramesses II · Temple of Nefertari
Optional Sound and Light show at the temples
Day 5
Disembark at Abu Simbel
Check out after breakfast. Onward travel to Aswan is by road or the short flight.
Abu Simbel to Aswan, 3 nights
Day 1
Abu Simbel, embark
Join the boat at Abu Simbel. The two temples are the afternoon, with the lake ahead to the north.
Visits Great Temple of Ramesses II · Temple of Nefertari
Optional Sound and Light show at the temples
Day 2
Kasr Ibrim and Amada
Kasr Ibrim is passed and seen from the deck; the Amada landing follows, where three monuments were regrouped.
Visits Kasr Ibrim · Amada · Temple of Derr · Tomb of Pennut
Day 3
Wadi El Seboua, then north to Kalabsha
Two moorings in a day as the boat runs north towards the dam.
Visits Wadi El Seboua · Dakka · Meharraqa · Kalabsha · Beit El Wali
Day 4
Aswan, disembark
Arrive above the High Dam and disembark after breakfast.
Visits High Dam
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 with guided sightseeing included. 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 · Abu Simbel - Kasr Ibrim - Amada - Derr - Wadi El Seboua - Kalabsha - Aswan
| Cabin | Winter 2026–27 · Feb–early Apr & festive weeks | Winter 2026–27 · Nov–Jan & late Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Double cabin (per person) | $830–$1,080 | $620–$820 |
| Single cabin (sole use) | $1,410–$1,840 | $1,040–$1,400 |
| Triple cabin (per person) | $790–$1,030 | $580–$780 |
5 days / 4 nights · Aswan - Kalabsha - Wadi El Seboua - Amada - Kasr Ibrim - Abu Simbel
| Cabin | Winter 2026–27 · Feb–early Apr & festive weeks | Winter 2026–27 · Nov–Jan & late Apr |
|---|---|---|
| Double cabin (per person) | $1,100–$1,450 | $820–$1,100 |
| Single cabin (sole use) | $1,870–$2,460 | $1,390–$1,870 |
| Triple cabin (per person) | $1,050–$1,370 | $780–$1,040 |
- 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 Omar El Khayam 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 with panoramic window / private balcony - 24 m2 (68 units)
- Grand Suite - 35 m2 (8 units)
- Royal Suite - 70 m2 (4 units)
- Dining
- Abu Nawas main restaurant (Egyptian and international cuisine)
- Two lounge bars
- Pool bar
- Facilities
- Two sun decks
- Swimming pool and pool bar
- Whirlpool / jacuzzi (two jacuzzis)
- Cleopatra Spa (wellness and massage), steam bath, sauna, massage rooms
- Health club and gym
- Beauty salon (fee-based)
- Billiard room
- Library
- Bashwat lounge and lounge bars
- Souvenir/gift shop
- Conference area
- Doctor / clinic on board
- Air conditioning, minibar, safe, satellite TV, music system, telephone/fax in cabins
- Panoramic windows opening onto a private balcony area; bathtubs in cabins
- Spa · pool · gym
- Cleopatra Spa with massage rooms, sauna and steam bath; whirlpool/jacuzzi; swimming pool with pool bar on the sun deck; health club and gym; beauty salon
- Itineraries
- Tour 1, Monday-Friday (4 nights / 5 days): Aswan - Kalabsha - Wadi El Seboua - Amada - Kasr Ibrim - Abu Simbel
- Tour 2, Friday-Monday (3 nights / 4 days): Abu Simbel - Kasr Ibrim - Amada - Derr - Wadi El Seboua - Kalabsha - Aswan
Keep planning
Plan your Nile cruise
What guests say
Independent traveller reviews of Steigenberger Omar El Khayam, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.
4 out of 5via Tripadvisor (6)
- ★★★★☆
“Great staff and food. The buffet has a huge variety to choose from. The rooms are comfortable and give you a great view of the shore.”
— Virginia H · via the operator
Good to know
Steigenberger Omar El Khayam questions, answered
How much does Steigenberger Omar El Khayam cost?
Our winter 2026–27 rates start from US$620 per person for 3 nights in a double cabin, rising to about US$1,080 in the festive weeks; the exact fare depends on your sailing week and cabin.
How many cabins does Steigenberger Omar El Khayam have?
80 cabins and 12 suites, for up to 160 guests.
What route does Steigenberger Omar El Khayam sail?
LAKE NASSER ROUTE (not the classic Nile Luxor-Aswan corridor): Aswan (High Dam), Kalabsha, Wadi El Seboua, Amada, Derr, Kasr Ibrim, Abu Simbel, departing Every Monday from Aswan for 7 and 4 nights; every Friday from Abu Simbel for 3 nights.
What's included on Steigenberger Omar El Khayam?
Children 0-5.99 free; 6-11.99 at 50%; 12+ full adult price
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