MS Salacia Nile Cruise from Aswan or Luxor
Overview
Cruise the Nile on the all-suite MS Salacia: 59 guests, full board, 4 days from Aswan or 5 days from Luxor. Check availability for your dates.
Last updated: 26 October 2026
The MS Salacia Nile cruise carries just 59 guests, all in suites, between Luxor and Aswan: 4 days / 3 nights from Aswan on Fridays, or 5 days / 4 nights from Luxor on Mondays. With Travel Joy Egypt, both cruises are full board and come with a licensed Egyptologist guide. See every option in our full Nile cruise collection.
Key Takeaways
The main points at a glance:
- In the price: full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner), a licensed English-speaking Egyptologist, entrance fees and pickup from the airport, station or any East Bank hotel.
- Not in the price: optional excursions such as Abu Simbel and the hot-air balloon, plus extra meals and drinks beyond the menu.
- Choosing: both cruises visit the same temples, so pick by direction and pace.
Which MS Salacia Nile Cruise Suits You: 4 Days or 5 Days?
Take the 4 days / 3 nights cruise for a shorter trip, or the 5 days / 4 nights cruise for a slower pace. The first sails from Aswan to Luxor and the second from Luxor to Aswan. The table compares both departures.
| Cruise | Departs | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4 days / 3 nights | Fridays from Aswan | Travellers short on time |
| 5 days / 4 nights | Mondays from Luxor | Travellers wanting a slower pace |
Both cruises offer an optional Abu Simbel dawn excursion, on Day 2 of the 4 days cruise and Day 5 of the 5 days cruise. Only the 5 days cruise leaves an afternoon free in Aswan for an optional felucca sail or Nubian village visit. For more choice, see Nile cruises from Luxor to Aswan with full itineraries.
The cruises start in Aswan or Luxor, not Cairo. If you want Cairo before or after, ask about a tailor-made Egypt trip that includes Cairo.
Suites, Spa and Pool on the MS Salacia
The MS Salacia is an all-suite ship with 59 guests on 5 decks, fewer than the 60 to 150 passengers a standard Nile cruise ship carries. The 3 suite types differ mainly in floor area:
| Suite | Size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Stateroom suite | About 21 m² | Travellers wanting a compact suite |
| Royal suite | About 28 m² | Travellers wanting more room |
| Master suite | 65 m² | Travellers wanting a private lounge |
The Royal suite has 2 full-size windows onto the riverbanks, and the Master suite adds its own lounge and dining area. The Temple Spa offers a sauna, jacuzzi and massage, and the Lido Terrace pool sits on the sundeck. Dining is in the Palm Court Restaurant, with evening shows in the Oasis Lounge.
Price and What Costs Extra
The price starts from $988 per person, and the price table under the itinerary lists each season. That price covers the itinerary's excursions, shared with a group, but not these extras:
- Abu Simbel: an optional excursion that costs extra; the Abu Simbel temples and visitor guide covers the temples in depth.
- Hot-air balloon: an optional dawn balloon flight over Luxor's West Bank on Day 2 of the 5 days cruise.
- Felucca and Nubian village: optional afternoon activities on the 5 days cruise.
- Meals, drinks and tips: extra meals and drinks beyond the full-board menu, plus tips for the guide, driver and crew.
Check Availability for Your Dates
Travel Joy Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator with over 13 years of experience, and we can check availability for the MS Salacia Nile cruise on your dates. Message us on WhatsApp +20 106 023 3393 with the departure day you want and your group size.
Trip at a Glance
Duration
4 or 5 Days
Price
From $988
Availability
Fridays from Aswan (4 days) & Mondays from Luxor (5 days)
Tour Type
Luxury Nile Cruise
Route
Luxor → Esna → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan → Abu Simbel …
Pickup
Aswan or Luxor
Tailor-Make Your Dream Egypt Holiday
Your dates, your pace, your must-see wonders — handcrafted into one private itinerary by our expert Egyptologists.
Want to read it later?
Download this tour's PDF brochure, start tour planning offline, and share it easily with family or friends.
Itinerary
Karnak TempleThe cruise begins in Luxor. In the afternoon your Egyptologist leads you through Karnak, where the Great Hypostyle Hall holds 134 inscribed columns, and Luxor Temple follows in the late light.
Cross to the West Bank to enter 3 decorated tombs in the Valley of the Kings, then see the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Entry to the tomb of Tutankhamun or Seti I is optional, as is a dawn hot-air balloon over the West Bank. The ship then sails towards Esna.
You ride in a horse-drawn carriage to Edfu and the Temple of Horus. At Kom Ombo, the temple honours both Horus the Elder and the crocodile god Sobek, and the site includes a Crocodile Mummification Museum.
Unfinished ObeliskIn Aswan you see the High Dam, then cross by motorboat to Philae Temple, sacred to Isis and moved stone by stone by UNESCO. The granite quarries hold the Unfinished Obelisk. The afternoon is free for an optional felucca sail or a Nubian village visit.
Abu Simbel TemplesAbu Simbel is an optional dawn excursion by road or short flight, at extra cost. Disembarkation in Aswan ends the cruise, with complimentary drop-off at the airport or train station.
Unfinished ObeliskThe first day starts at the High Dam in Aswan. A motorboat then crosses to Philae, the island temple of Isis that UNESCO moved stone by stone, and the granite quarries show the Unfinished Obelisk, still attached to the bedrock.
Abu Simbel TemplesAbu Simbel is an optional dawn excursion by road or short flight, booked at extra cost. Later the cruise reaches Kom Ombo, where Sobek and Horus the Elder share one temple, and the site also has a Crocodile Mummification Museum.
Luxor TempleA horse-drawn carriage takes you to Edfu's Temple of Horus. In Luxor you then visit Karnak and the 134 inscribed columns of its Great Hypostyle Hall, followed by Luxor Temple in the late light.
After breakfast and check-out, you cross to the West Bank for the final visits. You go into painted royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, then see the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. After these visits, the cruise ends in Luxor with a complimentary drop-off at the airport, train station or East Bank hotel.
Highlights
Ship & Onboard Experience
- Boutique all-suite vessel carrying only 59 guests across five decks
- Stateroom, Royal and 65 sq m Master suites with full-size windows
- Temple Spa with sauna, jacuzzi, steam bath and massage
- Lido Terrace pool, Palm Court Restaurant and Oasis Lounge shows
Temples & Sites Along the Nile
- Karnak Temple and the 134-column Great Hypostyle Hall in Luxor
- Valley of the Kings and the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut
- Best-preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, reached by horse carriage
- Twin temple of Sobek and Horus at Kom Ombo
- Island Temple of Philae and the High Dam at Aswan
Service & Optional Add-Ons
- Near 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio with free Wi-Fi and daily minibar
- Optional dawn hot-air balloon over the Theban West Bank
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion by car or flight
- Optional Nubian village visit and felucca sailing
Included
- 3 or 4 nights' full-board accommodation aboard the 5-star MS Salacia
- Meet-and-assist service on arrival and departure
- Assistance of our representatives throughout your stay and excursions
- All transfers by modern air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
- All cruise excursions in the itinerary with a sharing group
- Entrance fees to every site between Luxor and Aswan
- Licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Free Wi-Fi on board
- Daily minibar with mineral water and soft-drink refill
- Complimentary pickup and drop-off from the airport, train station or any East-Bank hotel
- All service charges and taxes
Excluded
- Extra meals and beverages beyond the full-board menu
- Personal expenses and incidental spending
- Gratuities for guide, driver and cruise crew
- Any optional tours (Abu Simbel, hot-air balloon, Nubian village, felucca)
Pricing & Packages
Choose your preferred accommodation level and season. Prices are quoted in USD 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
- Lightweight, breathable clothing (cotton or linen)
- Comfortable walking shoes/sandals for archaeological sites
- Swimsuit for Hurghada and cruise pool
- Hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen
- Scarf or light shawl for visiting religious sites (for women)
- Camera and extra batteries
- Small backpack for day trips
- Personal medications and basic first-aid items
- Adapter for Egyptian electrical outlets (Type C/F)
- Insect repellent, especially for evenings on the Nile
- Copy of your passport and visa
Onboard Facilities
- Lido Terrace swimming pool and shaded sundeck
- Temple Spa with gym, sauna, jacuzzi, steam bath and massage room
- Lido Health Club with sauna and jacuzzi
- Palm Court main restaurant and Sahara Terrace Café
- Oasis Lounge and bar with dance floor and local shows
- Atrium Lounge, plus Chart Lounge and Library
- All-suite cabins with individually controlled air conditioning
- LCD satellite TV, telephone and private bath with shower
- Daily restocked minibar
- Room service and laundry service
- Gift shop, ship photographer and galabeya kiosk
- Free Wi-Fi
- 24-hour onboard doctor
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.
Other Nile Cruises
Explore our hand-picked collection of floating hotels.
This four-day, three-night sailing aboard a private Dahabiya moves from Aswan to Luxor, a slower and more intimate alternative to a standard motor-cruise…
Travel Joy Egypt's 3-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Abu Simbel covers Upper Egypt's major temples in 4 days, with a private Egyptologist guide…
The MS Zeina Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan takes 5 days / 4 nights and leaves every Saturday. The Aswan to Luxor cruise takes 4 days / 3 nights and leaves…
Travel Joy Egypt's 4 days Nile cruise, Aswan to Luxor, sails north and ends in Luxor, with 3 nights on full board. A qualified Egyptologist guide leads every…
This 4-day, 3-night Nile cruise sails from Aswan to Luxor, covering the river's most-visited temples and tombs at an unhurried pace aboard a five-star ship…
Travel Joy Egypt offers the Radamis II Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan over 5 days and 4 nights, leaving every Monday. From Aswan to Luxor, the cruise takes 4…
This five-day, four-night Nile cruise aboard the MS Esplanade sails from Luxor to Aswan, moving through Upper Egypt's major temples at an unhurried pace.…
The H/S Kon Tiki Nile Cruise is an elegant five-star ship for up to 150 guests, sailing between Luxor and Aswan with a two-level spa and the great temples of…
Plan Your Journey
Everything you need to know about this experience in Egypt.
1How much does a Nile cruise on the MS Salacia cost per person?
2Do you have to tip on a Nile cruise?
3How many nights do you need for a Nile cruise?
4Is alcohol available on a Nile cruise ship?
5What should I wear and pack for a Nile cruise?
6Can you start a Nile cruise from Cairo?
7When is the best time of year for a Nile cruise?
8How far is Abu Simbel, and how do you get there from the cruise?
9How long is the hot-air balloon flight over Luxor?
10What comes with each suite on the MS Salacia?
Egyptologist Insights: Making the Most of Your Journey
Expert Tip: Navigating the Archeological Wonders
Every trip to Egypt is a journey through history. To get the most out of your holiday, check our comprehensive Egypt travel guide for packing lists, visa updates, and local customs. If you are looking for single-day activities, browse our list of recommended Egypt day tours or contact us to customize a private trip.