MS Zeina Nile Cruise
Overview
Sail Luxor to Aswan on the MS Zeina. 4 or 5-day programs, sun-deck pool, spa and private guided temple tours, full-board dining. From $635 per person.
Drift between Luxor and Aswan aboard the MS Zeina, a comfortable Nile cruiser blending refined dining, a sun-deck pool and private guided tours of Egypt's greatest temples.
The MS Zeina Nile Cruise invites you to experience ancient Egypt without surrendering an ounce of comfort. Spend lazy hours on a spacious sun deck watching feluccas glide past green riverbanks, then settle into a menu that celebrates the flavors of the region. Sailing the timeless corridor of Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, the ship pairs easy onboard living with a procession of the Nile’s most famous monuments.
Two programs suit different schedules. The 4-day / 3-night voyage departs Aswan every Wednesday; the 5-day / 4-night voyage leaves Luxor every Saturday, giving you extra time on the Theban West Bank and in Nubian Aswan. Both keep guide groups small (1–8 travelers) so you can linger at Karnak’s Great Hypostyle Hall, the falcon temple of Horus at Edfu, the twin sanctuary of Sobek and Horus at Kom Ombo, and the island temple of Philae.
Cabins come with private bath, satellite TV, mini-bar and individually controlled air conditioning, while the ship adds a swimming pool with bar, a spa and massage room, a library lounge, boutique, internet corner, laundry service and a 24-hour onboard doctor. Meals are full-board, and a bottle of water each day is on the house.
Our veteran Egyptologist guides turn carved stone into living history, and optional extras — a dawn hot-air balloon over Thebes, the rock temples of Abu Simbel, a felucca sail or a Nubian village visit — let you personalize the journey. Explore the rest of our Nile cruises, then book with Travel Joy Egypt for smooth transfers and prices below the competition’s.
Duration
4 or 5 Days
Availability
Saturdays from Luxor (5-day) & Wednesdays from Aswan (4-day)
Tour Type
Nile Cruise
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Itinerary
Karnak TempleDay 1 (5-Day) — Luxor: Karnak & Luxor Temples
Embark the MS Zeina before lunch and settle into your cabin. The afternoon opens at Karnak, a complex of more than 100 hectares, where the Avenue of Ram-Headed Sphinxes leads to the First Pylon and the Great Hypostyle Hall raises 134 inscribed columns. Continue to Luxor Temple in the late light to admire the statues of Ramses II, the Abu Haggag Mosque built into its walls and the Sphinx Avenue. Dinner and overnight are moored in Luxor.
Day 2 (5-Day) — Luxor West Bank & Sail to Esna
Cross to the Theban West Bank for three painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings, with optional entry to Tutankhamun or Seti I. Visit the multi-terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the seated Colossi of Memnon, the 'singing statues' of legend. An optional dawn hot-air balloon offers a panorama of Thebes. After lunch the ship sails through the Esna Lock, with dinner and overnight underway toward Edfu.
Day 3 (5-Day) — Edfu Temple of Horus & Kom Ombo
Ride a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the most completely preserved temple of the ancient world, dedicated to the falcon-headed god of kingship. Trace the carved battle of Horus and Seth to the Holy of Holies, then lunch as you cruise to Kom Ombo. There the mirror-image temple honors Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder, with carved surgical instruments and a Crocodile Mummification Museum. Dinner and overnight follow while sailing to Aswan.
Unfinished ObeliskDay 4 (5-Day) — Aswan: High Dam, Philae & Unfinished Obelisk
Visit the High Dam, the engineering marvel that powers and irrigates the valley, with panoramas over Lake Nasser. A motorboat carries you to the island Temple of Philae, sacred to Isis and relocated stone by stone by UNESCO. At the granite quarries, study the colossal Unfinished Obelisk lying in situ. The afternoon is free for an optional felucca sail or a colorful Nubian village visit, with dinner and overnight moored in Aswan.
Abu Simbel TemplesDay 5 (5-Day) — Aswan: Optional Abu Simbel & Disembarkation
Enjoy a final breakfast and disembark in Aswan. Many travelers add an early excursion to Abu Simbel, where the rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari face the rising sun above Lake Nasser. Relocated in a remarkable UNESCO rescue, they make an unforgettable finale. We arrange transfer by road or short flight and coordinate your onward journey from Aswan.
Unfinished ObeliskDay 1 (4-Day) — Aswan: High Dam, Philae & Unfinished Obelisk
Board the MS Zeina before lunch and settle in. The afternoon tour begins at the High Dam, the modern marvel that tames the Nile and shapes Lake Nasser, then crosses by motorboat to the romantic island Temple of Philae on Agilkia Island, dedicated to the goddess Isis. At the ancient granite quarries, view the immense Unfinished Obelisk still locked in the bedrock. Dinner and overnight are spent moored in Aswan.
Abu Simbel TemplesDay 2 (4-Day) — Optional Abu Simbel & Kom Ombo Temple
An optional dawn excursion reaches Abu Simbel, where the colossal temples of Ramses II and Nefertari were carved into a sandstone cliff and relocated above the rising lake. Back aboard, the ship sails north to Kom Ombo for the twin temple shared by Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder, with its medical reliefs and museum. Dinner and overnight follow as you continue sailing toward Edfu.
Luxor TempleDay 3 (4-Day) — Edfu Temple & Luxor East Bank
A horse carriage carries you to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, among the best-preserved sanctuaries in Egypt, its walls vivid with the myth of Horus and Seth. Lunch is served as you cruise to Luxor. In the late afternoon, explore Karnak's colossal statues and 134-column Hypostyle Hall, then nearby Luxor Temple in the evening light. Dinner and overnight are moored in Luxor.
Day 4 (4-Day) — Luxor West Bank & Disembarkation
After breakfast and check-out, cross to the West Bank for the grand finale. Descend into three painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings, with optional entry to Tutankhamun's tomb. Visit the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut set against limestone cliffs, then pause at the Colossi of Memnon. We then coordinate your transfer and onward travel from Luxor.
Highlights
Ship & Onboard Experience
- Spacious sun deck with swimming pool and bar
- Cabins with private bath, satellite TV, mini-bar and air conditioning
- Regional fine dining on a full-board basis
- Spa with massage room, library lounge, boutique and 24-hour doctor
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
- Small private groups of 1-8 with a licensed Egyptologist guide
- 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
Gallery
Included
- 3 or 4 nights' full-board accommodation aboard the MS Zeina
- Meet-and-assist service on arrival and departure
- Assistance of our representatives throughout your stay and excursions
- All transfers by modern private air-conditioned vehicle
- All cruise excursions in the itinerary, conducted privately (group size 1-8)
- Entrance fees to every site between Luxor and Aswan
- Licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- One complimentary bottle of water per person per day
- Complimentary pickup and drop-off from the airport, train station or any East-Bank hotel in Luxor or Aswan
- All service charges and taxes
Excluded
- Extra meals and beverages beyond the full-board menu
- Personal expenses such as laundry
- 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 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
- Lightweight, breathable clothing (cotton or linen is ideal)
- Comfortable walking shoes for exploring ancient sites
- A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen
- Swimsuit and resort wear for Hurghada
- A light jacket or shawl for cooler evenings, especially on the Nile
- Insect repellent (especially for evenings near the Nile)
- Any personal medications
- A small daypack for excursions
- Camera and extra batteries
- Adapter for Egyptian electrical outlets (Type C or F)
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Onboard Facilities
- Sun-deck swimming pool with bar
- Spa center and massage room
- Reception area and main lounge bar with library
- Lower-deck restaurant
- Cabins with private bath and shower
- Satellite TV and mini-bar in every cabin
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Boutique and jeweler shop
- Internet corner and Wi-Fi
- Laundry and dry-cleaning service
- Soundproofing on all decks and ultraviolet water treatment
- 24-hour onboard doctor
- Major credit cards accepted
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.
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.
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