MS Miriam Nile Cruise
Overview
Cruise Luxor to Aswan aboard the rebuilt 5-star MS Miriam. 4 & 5-day temple itineraries, pool, spa & private guide. From $971 per person. Book with Travel Joy.
The MS Miriam Nile Cruise is a freshly rebuilt five-star ship sailing between Luxor and Aswan, blending royal-blue Egyptian style with calm, modern comfort.
Of the newer ships working the southern Nile, the MS Miriam is one I happily recommend. Completely rebuilt in 2023, she wears a palette of ancient royal blue and warm temple browns, and her 58 cabins and suites feel current without trying too hard. At 72 meters over four decks plus a generous sun deck, she is large enough for a real pool and wellness area yet small enough that the crew learns your name by the second morning.
You sail the timeless route — Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan — threading together the densest run of temples in the country.
Two programs cover most travel plans. The five-day cruise leaves Luxor every Thursday; the four-day cruise leaves Aswan every Monday, with an eight-day option for those who want to linger. Accommodation runs from twin and double superior cabins of around 20 square meters to two balconied Royal Suites and a Presidential Suite.
Every cabin has an en-suite shower, individually controlled air conditioning, a flat-screen satellite TV, mini-bar, safe and coffee tray, so you return from the heat of the tombs to genuine comfort.
Public spaces include a spacious Nile-view restaurant with expert chefs, a fitness room, a massage room, a sun-deck swimming pool with sunbeds, a top-deck bar, and souvenir and jewelry shops. A doctor is on call around the clock and WiFi reaches the cabins. Our private Egyptologist guides keep each group to eight people or fewer.
The Miriam suits couples and families who want a contemporary, eco-conscious ship and unhurried mornings at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Philae rather than crowded decks. Book through Travel Joy Egypt for private transfers, vetted guides and transparent pricing — and compare the fleet on our Nile cruises page.
Duration
4 or 5 Days (also 8 Days)
Availability
Thursdays (Luxor) & Mondays (Aswan)
Tour Type
Luxury Nile Cruise
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Itinerary
Karnak TempleDay 1 (5-Day) — Luxor: Karnak & Luxor Temples
Board the MS Miriam before lunch and settle in with a traditional welcome. Your afternoon begins at the immense Karnak Temple Complex, where you walk the Avenue of Ram-Headed Sphinxes and stand beneath the 134 columns of the Hypostyle Hall. You then visit Luxor Temple in the heart of the city, its statues of Ramses II and surviving Sphinx Avenue glowing in the late sun. Return aboard for tea on the sun deck, dinner and your first night moored in Luxor.
Valley of the KingsDay 2 (5-Day) — Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings, then sail to Esna
Cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, descending into three painted royal tombs, with optional entry to Tutankhamun or Seti I. You continue to Hatshepsut's multi-terraced temple at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. Back aboard for lunch, the Miriam sails south past villages and through the Esna Lock. An optional sunrise balloon over Thebes is offered. Dinner and overnight while cruising toward Edfu.
Day 3 (5-Day) — Edfu & Kom Ombo: Temples of Horus and Sobek
After breakfast, a horse-drawn carriage carries you to the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple of antiquity, its pylon and reliefs recounting the battle of Horus and Seth. Return aboard for lunch as the ship sails to Kom Ombo. In the afternoon you explore the mirrored twin temple of Sobek and Horus the Elder, study its carved surgical tools, and visit the Crocodile Mummification Museum. Dinner and overnight sailing to Aswan.
Philae TempleDay 4 (5-Day) — Aswan: Philae Temple, High Dam & Unfinished Obelisk
This morning you tour the High Dam with its views over Lake Nasser, then take a short boat to the island Temple of Philae devoted to Isis, relocated stone by stone in the UNESCO rescue. You also see the Unfinished Obelisk in its ancient granite quarry. Return aboard for lunch, with the afternoon free for a felucca sail or an optional Nubian village visit. Dinner and overnight moored in Aswan.
Abu Simbel TemplesDay 5 (5-Day) — Aswan: Disembarkation & optional Abu Simbel
After a final breakfast you disembark in Aswan. Those with time can add an early excursion to Abu Simbel, where the colossal temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari face the sunrise above Lake Nasser. Our team arranges your onward transfer to the airport, train station or East-Bank hotel, ending the journey smoothly wherever your next plans lead.
Philae TempleDay 1 (4-Day) — Aswan: Philae Temple, High Dam & Unfinished Obelisk
Board the MS Miriam in Aswan before lunch and get comfortable in your cabin. Your afternoon tour takes in the High Dam and its panoramas over Lake Nasser, then the island Temple of Philae reached by motorboat and dedicated to the goddess Isis. You finish at the Unfinished Obelisk, lying where it cracked in its granite quarry. Return aboard for dinner and your first night moored at Aswan.
Abu Simbel TemplesDay 2 (4-Day) — Abu Simbel (optional) & Kom Ombo Temple
An optional pre-dawn excursion reaches Abu Simbel, where the twin rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Nefertari were lifted to safety from the rising lake. The Miriam then sails north, and in the afternoon you visit the double temple of Kom Ombo, honoring Sobek and Horus the Elder, with its fascinating medical reliefs and mummified crocodiles. Dinner and overnight cruising toward Edfu.
Karnak TempleDay 3 (4-Day) — Edfu & Luxor East Bank: Karnak & Luxor Temples
After breakfast, ride a horse carriage to the well-preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, reading the story of Horus and Seth across its carved walls. Return aboard and sail to Luxor over lunch. In the late afternoon you tour the colossal Karnak Temple Complex dedicated to Amun-Re, then Luxor Temple as evening light gilds its statues and obelisks. Dinner and overnight moored in Luxor.
Valley of the KingsDay 4 (4-Day) — Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings, disembarkation
After breakfast and check-out you cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, exploring three royal tombs hidden in the desert hills. You continue to Hatshepsut's temple beneath its limestone cliffs and the seated Colossi of Memnon. With the tour complete, our team arranges a smooth transfer to the airport, train station or your East-Bank hotel, closing a compact southern Nile journey.
Highlights
Ship & Onboard Experience
- Five-star vessel fully rebuilt in 2023 with royal-blue Egyptian styling over four decks
- Spacious Nile-view restaurant, top-deck bar and sun-deck swimming pool with sunbeds
- Wellness area with fitness room and dedicated massage room
- 58 cabins and suites, including balconied Royal Suites, with satellite TV, mini-bar and safe
Temples & Sites Along the Nile
- Karnak Temple Complex and golden-hour Luxor Temple on the East Bank
- Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon
- Edfu's Temple of Horus reached by horse-drawn carriage
- Kom Ombo's twin temple of Sobek and Horus with the Crocodile Mummification Museum
- Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk at Aswan
Service & Optional Add-Ons
- Private Egyptologist guides with groups capped at eight
- Complimentary East-Bank transfers from airport, station or hotel
- Optional sunrise hot-air balloon over the Valley of the Kings
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion, Nubian village visit and felucca sail
Gallery
Included
- Three or four nights' full-board accommodation aboard the MS Miriam
- Meet-and-assist service on arrival and departure
- Assistance of our representatives throughout your stay and excursions
- All transfers in a modern private air-conditioned vehicle
- All cruise shore excursions as listed in the itinerary, privately guided
- Entrance fees to every site between Luxor and Aswan
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide (group size 1 to 8 maximum)
- One complimentary bottle of water per person, per day
- All service charges and taxes
- Complimentary East-Bank pickup and drop-off at the airport, train station or any East-Bank hotel in Luxor or Aswan
Excluded
- Extra meals and beverages beyond the full-board program
- Personal expenses such as laundry
- Gratuities for your guide, driver and cruise crew
- Any optional tours (Abu Simbel, hot-air balloon, Nubian village, felucca)
- West-Bank pickup or drop-off in Luxor or Aswan, including Gharb Sohail and Elephantine Island
Pricing & Packages
Choose your preferred accommodation level and season. Prices are quoted in US Dollars per person.
4 Days / 3 Nights (Aswan → Luxor) Accommodations
Pricing Information
Rates are quoted in US Dollars (USD) per person. Holiday surcharges apply during peak seasons, including Christmas, New Year, and Easter.
Children's Policy
- Under 6 YearsComplimentary
- Ages 6 to 11 Years50% of the Adult Rate
- 12+ YearsFull Adult Rate
What to Pack
- Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring historical sites.
- Lightweight, breathable clothing (cotton, linen) for daytime in all seasons, especially summer.
- A light jacket or shawl for cooler evenings, especially during winter months and on the Nile.
- Swimsuit and beachwear for Hurghada.
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, high SPF sunscreen.
- Insect repellent, particularly for evenings by the Nile.
- Modest attire (shoulders and knees covered) for visiting religious sites.
- Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
- Camera and extra memory cards to capture unforgettable moments.
- Small backpack for day trips.
- Any personal medications, plus basic first-aid items.
- Universal travel adapter for electronics.
Onboard Facilities
- Sun-deck swimming pool with sunbeds
- Spacious Nile-view restaurant with expert chefs
- Top-deck bar
- Wellness area with fitness room
- Massage room
- 24-hour reception service
- On-board souvenir and jewelry shops
- On-call doctor 24 hours
- Individually controlled air conditioning in every cabin
- Flat-screen marine satellite televisions
- En-suite bathrooms with shower and hair dryer
- Mini-bar and coffee tray
- In-room safe deposit box
- Internal telephone
- WiFi internet access
- Water purification system
- Fire and sound-proof walls and ceilings
Why Choose Us
Expert Local Guides
Professional, English-speaking Egyptologists.
Licensed Experts
Fully bonded and licensed Egyptian tour operator.
No Hidden Fees
Transparent pricing and clear inclusions.
24/7 Support
Always available via WhatsApp throughout your trip.
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Plan Your Journey
Everything you need to know about this experience in Egypt.
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Expert Tip: Navigating the Archeological Wonders
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