Embark on an extraordinary journey along the legendary Nile River with Movenpick Nile Cruises. Combining Swiss hospitality excellence with Egyptian cultural immersion, these elegant floating hotels offer a remarkable way to explore ancient wonders while enjoying premium comfort. From the magnificent temples of Luxor to the tranquil landscapes of Aswan, Movenpick vessels provide the perfect balance of archaeological discovery and refined relaxation as you sail the timeless waters that have nurtured one of history’s greatest civilizations.
The Mövenpick Nile Cruise fleet represents the finest in Swiss-managed river cruising in Egypt. Each vessel combines elegant design, superior amenities, and attentive service to create a floating sanctuary from which to explore Egypt’s treasures. With typically 50-70 cabins per vessel, these ships offer an intimate atmosphere while providing generous public spaces for relaxation and socializing. Each has its own distinctive character and special features, allowing us to match you with your ideal floating home for your Nile adventure.
Sail in luxury on the Movenpick Royal Lotus: a Nile cruise offering elegance and historical grandeur.
3 Nights Every Friday from Aswan
4 Nights Every Monday from Luxor
Private or Share Group Tours
Sail in elegance aboard the Movenpick Royal Lily: a Nile cruise offering luxury and timeless beauty.
3 Nights Every Friday from Aswan
4 Nights Every Monday from Luxor
Private or Share Group Tours
Experience the “Elegance of the Nile” aboard the Movenpick MS Hamees: luxurious comfort, ancient wonders.
3 Nights Every Friday from Aswan
4 Nights Every Monday from Luxor
Private or Share Group Tours
Explore Egypt in style on the Movenpick MS Sun Ray: a Nile cruise combining luxury with ancient splendor.
3 Nights Every Monday from Aswan
4 Nights Every Thursday from Luxor
Private or Share Group Tours
Embark on the Movenpick Darakum Nile Cruise for a sophisticated journey, blending luxury with Egypt’s majestic river views.
3 Nights Every Friday from Aswan
4 Nights Every Monday from Luxor
Private or Share Group Tours
Movenpick Nile Cruises exemplify the perfect fusion of Swiss hospitality traditions and authentic Egyptian experiences. These meticulously maintained vessels offer an intimate setting with typically 50-70 cabins, creating an atmosphere that’s both exclusive and welcoming. Every aspect of your journey receives careful attention – from the sophisticated cabin design to the expertly planned excursions led by certified Egyptologists. This dedication to excellence ensures a seamless blend of luxury and cultural discovery that has established Movenpick as a premier choice for discerning Nile travelers.
Movenpick Nile Cruises feature beautifully appointed cabins and suites designed with your comfort as the priority. Each room, ranging from 18 to 40 square meters, offers large windows or private balconies that frame the ever-changing Nile panorama. The interiors blend contemporary Swiss elegance with tasteful Egyptian accents, featuring premium bedding, individual climate control, and marble-finished bathrooms with signature amenities. Daily housekeeping ensures impeccable standards, while thoughtful touches like evening turndown service with local sweet treats enhance your experience aboard these floating boutique hotels.
Culinary excellence is a hallmark of Movenpick Nile Cruises, where talented chefs blend international expertise with local traditions. Mornings begin with lavish breakfast buffets featuring freshly baked pastries, made-to-order omelets, and Egyptian specialties like foul medames. Lunch presents a diverse selection of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, while dinners alternate between sophisticated buffets and elegant à la carte service. Special dietary requirements are handled with creativity and care. Beyond the main restaurant, enjoy afternoon tea on the sun deck as ancient monuments drift by, or savor a cocktail at the lounge bar while watching the sun set over the timeless Nile Valley.
What makes a Movenpick Nile Cruise truly exceptional is the access it provides to Egypt’s most spectacular monuments. Our carefully planned excursions ensure you experience these ancient wonders in comfort and with expert guidance. Each site visit is led by professional Egyptologists who bring scholarly insight and engaging narratives to these remarkable places, transforming stone monuments into vivid chapters of human history. Movenpick’s premium coaches feature comfortable seating and air conditioning, making even summer visits pleasant and ensuring you arrive at each site refreshed and ready to explore.
Experience the awe-inspiring scale of Karnak Temple, ancient Egypt’s most significant religious complex. Your Movenpick Egyptologist will guide you through this 200-acre sacred site, explaining how it evolved over more than 1,500 years as successive pharaohs added their monuments. Marvel at the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 massive columns, many still bearing their original vibrant colors. Your Movenpick excursion includes visits to less-frequented areas like the Sacred Lake and the impressive statues of Ramses II, with perfectly timed visits to avoid crowds and harsh midday sun. The expert pacing and insider knowledge provided by your guide ensures a deeper appreciation of this architectural marvel.
Delve into the Valley of the Kings, where for nearly 500 years Egypt’s pharaohs constructed elaborate underground tombs filled with treasures and decorated with intricate scenes to guide them to the afterlife. Your Movenpick Nile Cruise package includes entry to three tombs (rotating according to conservation schedules), with your Egyptologist helping you select the most impressive examples based on your interests. Marvel at the remarkably preserved colors in tombs like Seti I and Ramses VI, where scenes of the pharaoh’s journey through the underworld remain vibrant after three millennia. Movenpick’s early morning scheduling ensures you explore these treasures before the larger crowds arrive.
Enhance your Movenpick Nile Cruise with an optional hot air balloon experience over Luxor’s West Bank. Rising before dawn, you’ll witness the sunrise illuminating the monuments and landscape from a breathtaking perspective. As you float silently above the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon, your pilot provides geographical context while allowing the majesty of the scene to speak for itself. This peaceful one-hour journey offers unparalleled photographic opportunities and a profound appreciation for how the ancient Egyptians integrated their monuments with the natural landscape. Movenpick’s concierge handles all arrangements, ensuring a seamless experience.
While not included in standard itineraries due to its remote location, Movenpick Nile Cruises offer expertly organized optional excursions to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel. Travel in comfort aboard a premium air-conditioned coach or opt for a convenient flight from Aswan. Upon arrival, marvel at the four colossal statues of Ramses II guarding his temple, carved directly into the mountainside as a display of pharaonic power. Your Movenpick guide will explain both the original construction and the remarkable 1960s UNESCO project that saved these temples from Lake Nasser’s rising waters by relocating them piece by piece to higher ground.
Life aboard Movenpick Nile Cruises balances enriching cultural activities with ample opportunities for relaxation and indulgence. Between fascinating shore excursions, you’ll enjoy thoughtfully curated experiences designed to enhance your connection to Egypt while providing the comfort and service expected of the Mövenpick brand. From educational presentations to wellness offerings, each aspect of onboard life contributes to a journey that satisfies both mind and body while maintaining the Swiss standards of quality that define the Mövenpick experience.
Movenpick Nile Cruises feature engaging educational programs that deepen your appreciation of Egypt’s extraordinary heritage. Professional Egyptologists offer fascinating presentations on topics ranging from hieroglyphics and mythology to daily life in ancient Egypt, using visual aids and replica artifacts to bring history vividly to life. Interactive workshops might include basic hieroglyphic writing or traditional Egyptian cooking demonstrations. Evening entertainment often features authentic performances of Nubian music, graceful tanoura whirling dances, or elegant classical music, creating memorable cultural experiences in comfortable surroundings that reflect Movenpick’s commitment to authentic yet refined experiences.
Dining aboard Movenpick Nile Cruises is a delightful exploration of both international excellence and authentic Egyptian flavors. Breakfast and lunch typically feature lavish buffets with live cooking stations, while dinners alternate between sophisticated buffets and elegant à la carte service. Special themed evenings might include a traditional Egyptian feast with local specialties like aromatic koshari, flavorful molokhia, and delicate konafa desserts. Movenpick’s professional chefs use fresh, high-quality ingredients, accommodating dietary requirements with creative alternatives. Complimentary beverages typically include mineral water, tea, and coffee, with premium wine and spirit packages available for those wishing to enhance their dining experience.
The sun deck of Movenpick Nile Cruises serves as an open-air living room where you can relax while watching the timeless Nile landscape unfold. Premium loungers with fresh towels invite leisurely afternoons, while swimming pools offer refreshing relief from the Egyptian sun. Attentive staff circulate with cool beverages and light refreshments throughout the day. For indoor relaxation, find a quiet corner in the elegantly appointed lounge with a book from the ship’s library, or enjoy a massage treatment using aromatic oils inspired by ancient Egyptian wellness traditions. These peaceful moments between excursions create a perfect balance to the active exploration of monuments, embodying Movenpick’s philosophy of balanced travel experiences.
As the sun sets over the Nile, Movenpick vessels transform into elegant evening retreats. Begin with pre-dinner cocktails in the panoramic lounge, perhaps enjoying a signature Egyptian hibiscus karkadeh or classic international options prepared by skilled bartenders. After dinner, entertainment varies nightly and might include mesmerizing tanoura performances where dancers spin in colorful illuminated costumes, talented musicians playing both traditional and contemporary pieces, or perhaps a Galabiya party where guests enjoy wearing traditional Egyptian attire. For those preferring quieter evenings, the starlit sun deck offers a peaceful setting for contemplating the Nile’s timeless beauty under the same stars that guided ancient Egyptians.
While standard Movenpick Nile Cruises offer exceptional experiences, we also provide opportunities to further elevate your journey with carefully curated optional enhancements. These premium additions allow you to personalize your Egyptian adventure according to your specific interests and preferences. From private excursions to special celebrations, these thoughtfully designed experiences add extra dimensions of discovery, comfort, and memorability to your Nile voyage while maintaining the Movenpick standard of excellence throughout.
Enhance your Movenpick Nile Cruise with private guided tours, offering flexibility and personalized attention. Explore Egypt with a dedicated Egyptologist, tailoring the pace and focus to your interests like photography or ancient architecture. Visit off-the-beaten-path sites, such as Luxor’s tombs of nobles or the Nubian village near Aswan.
Experience Egypt from above with optional aerial activities. Take a dawn hot air balloon ride over Luxor to see ancient temples along the Nile, or opt for a helicopter tour from Luxor or Aswan, offering stunning views of landmarks like the Temple of Hatshepsut and Lake Nasser. Movenpick’s concierge ensures seamless arrangements.
Celebrate special moments on board with Movenpick’s personalized arrangements. Enjoy a private candlelit dinner on the sun deck, custom birthday cakes, or even private cocktail receptions with Egyptian-inspired appetizers. The attentive staff ensures every detail is perfect, making your occasion unforgettable.
Enhance your Movenpick Nile Cruise with a traditional felucca ride, a timeless experience on ancient wooden vessels with triangular sails. Enjoy sunset cruises around Aswan’s islands or sail to Banana Island in Luxor for a glimpse of agricultural life. These peaceful, wind-powered trips connect you to Egypt’s rich history, while Movenpick ensures comfort and quality service.
Enhance your cultural journey with Movenpick Nile Cruises’ culinary offerings. Enjoy interactive cooking demos where the chef showcases classic Egyptian dishes like koshari and stuffed vine leaves. Savor regional specialties, from Alexandria’s seafood to Aswan’s Nubian flavors, with informative commentary. For wine enthusiasts, enjoy tastings from emerging Egyptian vineyards.
Indulge in the ultimate relaxation with a variety of wellness options aboard, including luxurious spa treatments that use ancient aromatic oils like jasmine, lotus, and frankincense, known for their calming and therapeutic properties. Experience tranquility with private yoga or meditation sessions on the sun deck at sunrise or sunset, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the Nile.
The prime season for Movenpick Nile Cruises runs from October through April, when temperatures are most comfortable for exploring ancient monuments.
December through February offers ideal weather (18-25°C/65-77°F) but represents peak demand; booking 6-9 months in advance is recommended for these dates.
October-November and March-April provide excellent conditions with fewer visitors at major sites. Summer cruises (May-September) offer considerable value, with enhanced air conditioning throughout Movenpick ships and excursions timed for early morning and late afternoon to avoid midday heat.
Most visitors to Egypt require a tourist visa, which can be obtained upon arrival at Egyptian airports for many nationalities (currently $25 USD) or in advance through Egyptian consulates.
Movenpick Nile Cruise packages include meet-and-assist service at airports to facilitate the visa process and expedite immigration procedures.
For the smoothest arrival experience, we recommend having passport-sized photos available and paying for visas in USD. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date to comply with Egyptian regulations.
For your comfort and to respect local customs, we suggest:
While gratuities for the cruise staff are at your discretion, we provide the following guidelines to assist you:
Many guests prefer to pay tips at the end of their cruise. The Mövenpick reception can provide envelopes for this purpose. Some cruise packages include prepaid tips.
The best month for a Nile cruise is generally between October and April when the weather is pleasantly mild, making it perfect for sightseeing. During these months, you can comfortably explore the treasures of Egypt without the scorching summer heat. This period offers ideal conditions for River Nile Cruises all inclusive, allowing you to enjoy both the onboard amenities and the breathtaking historical sites with Egypt Cruise Planners.
A Nile River cruise can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000 per person, depending on the duration, type of cruise, and level of luxury you choose. For a premium experience, such as a River Nile Cruises all inclusive package, expect to pay more for added perks like gourmet meals, guided excursions, and luxury accommodations. Egypt Cruise Planners offers a range of packages that cater to different budgets and preferences.
To truly immerse yourself in the wonders of the Nile, a 4 to 7-day cruise is ideal. This duration allows enough time to visit key sites in Luxor, Aswan, and everything in between, including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Philae Temple. Opting for a River Nile Cruises all inclusive package ensures that you make the most of your journey, with everything from guided tours to exquisite dining covered by Egypt Cruise Planners.
A Nile cruise in Egypt is a must for anyone interested in history, culture, and unique travel experiences. It combines the adventure of exploring ancient ruins with the luxury of cruising down one of the world’s most iconic rivers. With River Nile Cruises all inclusive packages, you get the best of both worlds—seamless travel, expert-guided tours, and exceptional amenities.
