MS Zeina Nile Cruise: Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor
Overview
The MS Zeina Nile cruise: 5 days from Luxor on Saturdays, 4 days from Aswan on Wednesdays, full board and private guided visits. Check availability.
Last updated: 26 October 2026
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 every Wednesday. Travel Joy Egypt arranges both with private Egyptologist-guided visits for groups of 1 to 8. Compare Nile cruises on other routes.
Key Takeaways
The essentials before you compare prices:
- Included: full board, entrance fees to every site between Luxor and Aswan, and a licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide.
- Price: starts from $775 per person; the price table below the itinerary lists each season.
- Route: between Luxor and Aswan, with stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo and no days in Cairo.
4 Days or 5 Days: Which MS Zeina Cruise Fits?
The 2 cruises run in opposite directions and finish in different cities, so choose by where you want to end up. The table compares them.
| Cruise | Route | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days / 4 nights | Luxor to Aswan | Longer stay, ending in Aswan |
| 4 days / 3 nights | Aswan to Luxor | Shorter stay, ending in Luxor |
The 5 days cruise gives you more time in Aswan, including a free afternoon. The 4 days cruise saves the Luxor West Bank and the Valley of the Kings for its final morning.
Which Sites Does the MS Zeina Nile Cruise Visit?
Both cruises visit the same stops in opposite order: Karnak Temple and its Great Hypostyle Hall, Luxor Temple, the Theban West Bank with the Valley of the Kings, Edfu by horse-drawn carriage and Kom Ombo. In Aswan you see the High Dam, Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk.
What Is on Board and Which Extras Are Optional
Besides full board, you get:
- Cabins: private bath, satellite TV, mini-bar and air conditioning.
- Deck: a sun-deck swimming pool with a bar.
- Water and transfers: 1 bottle of water per person each day, and all transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle.
Optional extras are paid separately:
- Balloon ride: a dawn hot-air balloon flight over the Theban West Bank.
- Abu Simbel: the Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan, by car or flight.
- Aswan add-ons: felucca sailing and a Nubian village visit.
Is the MS Zeina Nile Cruise Right for You?
The MS Zeina suits travellers who want temple visits led by a private Egyptologist guide in a group of up to 8, and who value a sun-deck pool, a spa and a 24-hour doctor on board.
Cairo and the pyramids are not part of the cruise itself. Ask us about a tailor-made trip built around your cruise dates.
Check Availability for Your MS Zeina Dates
Tell Travel Joy Egypt which departure you want, Saturday from Luxor or Wednesday from Aswan, and how many of you are travelling. We will check availability on the MS Zeina Nile cruise for those dates. The quickest way is to message us on WhatsApp +20 106 023 3393.
Trip at a Glance
Duration
4 or 5 Days
Price
From $775
Availability
Saturdays from Luxor (5 days) & Wednesdays from Aswan (4 days)
Tour Type
Nile Cruise
Route
Luxor → Esna → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan → Abu Simbel …
Pickup
Luxor or Aswan
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Itinerary
Karnak TempleYou step aboard the MS Zeina in Luxor before lunch and unpack in your cabin. Your Egyptologist then leads you through Karnak, a complex of more than 100 hectares whose Great Hypostyle Hall holds 134 inscribed columns, and on to Luxor Temple. The ship stays moored in Luxor overnight.
Your morning is on the Theban West Bank. Anyone who adds the optional hot-air balloon ride starts at dawn. You visit 3 painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings and can add Tutankhamun's tomb or Seti I's tomb as an option. The Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon follow. After lunch the ship passes through the Esna Lock and sails on toward Edfu for dinner and the night.
At Edfu, a horse-drawn carriage brings you to the Temple of Horus. Lunch is served while the ship cruises on to Kom Ombo, where a single temple honours both Sobek and Horus the Elder. The MS Zeina then sails on to Aswan overnight.
Unfinished ObeliskYour Aswan day starts at the High Dam, followed by a motorboat across to the island Temple of Philae and a stop at the Unfinished Obelisk. The afternoon is free, with a felucca sail or a Nubian village visit as optional extras.
Abu Simbel TemplesOn the last morning you disembark in Aswan after breakfast. If you choose the optional early excursion to Abu Simbel, we arrange the road or short-flight transfer, and can help with your onward travel from Aswan.
Unfinished ObeliskYou board in Aswan before lunch. In the afternoon your Egyptologist takes you to the High Dam, Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk. The ship stays moored in Aswan overnight.
Abu Simbel TemplesAn optional dawn excursion takes you to Abu Simbel by car or flight. The MS Zeina then sails north to Kom Ombo and its temple of Sobek and Horus the Elder.
Luxor TempleThe day starts at Edfu, where a horse-drawn carriage takes you to the Temple of Horus. In the afternoon and evening you reach Luxor for Karnak and Luxor Temple.
After breakfast and check-out, you cross the river to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. The cruise ends in Luxor after these last visits.
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
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 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 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.
1How much does the MS Zeina Nile cruise cost per person?
2Which days does the MS Zeina Nile cruise leave Luxor and Aswan?
3What are the MS Zeina Nile cruise reviews like?
4Is Abu Simbel included in the MS Zeina Nile cruise?
5Are tips included on the MS Zeina Nile cruise?
6Is there Wi-Fi, a spa or a doctor on board the MS Zeina?
7How do I get to the MS Zeina from the airport or train station?
8How far ahead should I book the MS Zeina Nile cruise?
9When is the best time for a Nile cruise on the MS Zeina?
10Do I need a visa for a Nile cruise in Egypt?
Egyptologist Insights: Making the Most of Your Journey
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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.