Hurghada Excursions – Sightseeing Tours & Day Trips
MS Nile Empress Nile Cruise: Cabins, Route & Offers
MS Nile Empress Nile Cruise: Cabins, Route & Offers
Explore a four-night Luxor–Aswan Nile cruise, ship facilities, excursions and pricing details.
Exclusive Deal — 5-Star · 29 Cabins · Full Board · Egyptologist Guide
Exclusive Deal — The MS Nile Empress is one of the most intimate 5-star Nile cruise ships on the Luxor–Aswan route. With just 29 cabins, availability is strictly limited. Book directly through Hurghada To Go today to secure our exclusive deal price — this allocation fills fast during peak season.
The MS Nile Empress Nile Cruise is one of Egypt’s most sought-after 5-star river cruise experiences — and for good reason. With just 29 cabins, this is one of the most intimate luxury vessels operating the classic Luxor-to-Aswan route, offering a level of personalised service, attentive crew-to-guest ratios, and exclusive atmosphere that larger ships simply cannot replicate. Booked exclusively through Hurghada To Go, the MS Nile Empress deal for 2026 represents exceptional value for UK travellers seeking a premium Nile cruise without compromise.
This guide covers everything you need to book with complete confidence: the ship’s facilities and cabin specifications, the full day-by-day itinerary covering every major temple between Luxor and Aswan, honest pricing with our exclusive deal breakdown, a comparison with other 5-star vessels on the route, real UK traveller reviews, and insider tips that experienced Nile cruise guests wish they had read first. Easy booking, exclusive price — your MS Nile Empress Nile cruise starts here.
01.MS Nile Empress — Ship Overview, Cabin Specifications & On-Board Facilities
| Feature | MS Nile Empress Specification |
|---|---|
| Official rating | 5 Stars |
| Total cabins | 29 cabins only — one of the most intimate on the route |
| Cabin breakdown | 25 Large Double cabins · 2 Single cabins · 2 Suites |
| Average cabin size | 18 m² (above average for the Nile cruise fleet) |
| Ship dimensions | 61.2 m length · 10.60 m width · 1.16 m draft |
| Deck layout | Nile Deck (15 double cabins) · Main Deck (8 doubles + 2 suites) · Sun Deck (2 double + 2 single cabins + lounge) |
| Sun deck | Twin-level sun deck — unique feature with swimming pool + pool bar |
| Meals | All-inclusive full board — breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea with cakes, dinner |
| Lower deck cabins | Yes — some cabins on lower deck with Nile-view windows |
| Balcony | No balconies — large panoramic Nile-view windows in all cabins |
MS Nile Empress Cabin Features — What Every Cabin Includes
Every one of the 29 cabins and suites aboard the MS Nile Empress comes fully equipped with the following standard features:
Large Panoramic Nile Windows Every cabin overlooks the Nile through a large panoramic window — your private Nile view day and night, even from the lower deck. Private Bathroom En-suite with WC, shower, bidet, and hair dryer. Towels and toiletries provided daily. Laundry service available on request. Individual Air Conditioning Individually controlled A/C in every cabin — set your own temperature regardless of outside conditions. Essential in Luxor and Aswan’s heat. Satellite TV & Music System Satellite TV (available when docked) and in-cabin music system. Safe for storing valuables and mini bar/fridge in every cabin.
MS Nile Empress Twin-Level Sun Deck — A Unique Feature on the Nile
One of the most distinctive features of the MS Nile Empress is its twin-level sun deck — a rare configuration among Nile cruise ships that gives guests two levels of open-air space for sunbathing, Nile-watching, and socialising. The upper sun deck houses the swimming pool and pool bar, where you can sip a cool drink while watching the Egyptian landscape glide past. The lower level offers sun loungers, fitness equipment, and the best vantage point for photographing the Nile at golden hour. Both levels run the full length of the ship, making this one of the most generous outdoor spaces available on an intimate Nile cruise vessel.
MS Nile Empress Dining — Full Board with Daily Afternoon Tea
The MS Nile Empress all-inclusive dining goes beyond standard full board with one distinctive touch: a daily afternoon tea service including freshly baked cakes and savoury snacks — a feature rarely found on Nile cruise vessels and particularly appreciated by British guests. The main restaurant accommodates all guests in a single elegant sitting, with generous buffet spreads of Egyptian and international cuisine at every meal. Breakfast sets the tone — a full spread of fruits, pastries, eggs, cheeses, and fresh bread served as the Nile scenery drifts past your window. Dinner is the social highlight of each evening, often followed by folkloric entertainment in the lounge.
02.4-Night MS Nile Empress Itinerary — Luxor to Aswan Day by Day
The MS Nile Empress Nile cruise operates the classic 4-night / 5-day Luxor–Aswan route — the most temple-dense corridor in the world. Every shore excursion is led by your dedicated licensed Egyptologist guide, who accompanies your group exclusively throughout all 5 days.
Embarkation in Luxor · Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple by Night
Private Transfer from Hurghada & Embarkation
Private air-conditioned vehicle from your Hurghada hotel to the MS Nile Empress dock in Luxor — approximately 3 hours via the Red Sea Mountains highway. Welcome aboard with a cold drink and cabin briefing from the ship’s crew. Welcome lunch served onboard.
Karnak Temple Complex
The world’s largest religious structure — 247 acres, 4,000 years in the making. Your dedicated Egyptologist guide leads you through the Great Hypostyle Hall (134 columns, each 23 metres tall), the Sacred Lake, Hatshepsut’s obelisks, and the Avenue of Ram-headed Sphinxes. 2 dedicated hours with your private guide.
Luxor Temple Illuminated at Night
Luxor Temple magnificently lit after dark — warm amber light transforming the 3,400-year-old columns and statues. This experience is exclusively available to overnight cruise guests . Dinner aboard the MS Nile Empress. Optional: Sound and Light Show at Karnak (~€20 extra). Overnight moored in Luxor.
West Bank Luxor — Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple & Colossi of Memnon
Hot Air Balloon Sunrise
45-minute sunrise balloon flight over the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple . Must be pre-booked. Extra charge (~€80 pp). One of the greatest experiences in Egypt.
Colossi of Memnon — West Bank Gateway
Photo stop at the two 18-metre quartzite statues of Amenhotep III . Morning light here produces exceptional photographs. Free entrance.
Valley of the Kings — 3 Royal Tombs with Your Egyptologist
The royal necropolis of the New Kingdom pharaohs — 63 tombs cut into the Theban limestone hills . Standard ticket includes 3 tombs selected by your guide . Optional: Tutankhamun’s tomb (~€15 extra — strongly recommended) . Early arrival means you beat the day-trippers entirely.
Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari)
The three-terraced mortuary temple of Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh rising dramatically against the Theban cliffs. Morning light on the painted reliefs is at its finest at this hour.
Sail South · Twin-Level Sun Deck · Dinner Onboard
Return to the MS Nile Empress. Lunch served as the ship begins her southward sail toward Edfu . Afternoon on the twin-level sun deck — pool, pool bar, sun loungers, and the Nile scenery unfolding in both directions. Dinner and overnight sailing.
Edfu — Temple of Horus by Horse Carriage · Kom Ombo — Double Temple & Crocodile Museum
Breakfast · Dock at Edfu · Traditional Horse Carriage Transfer
The MS Nile Empress docks at Edfu. Transfer to the Temple of Horus by horse-drawn carriage — the traditional and atmospheric transfer through the town streets.
Temple of Horus, Edfu — The Best-Preserved Temple in Egypt
The most complete ancient temple in Egypt — a Ptolemaic-era sanctuary (237–57 BCE) with towering 36-metre pylons , a fully intact inner sanctuary, and walls of hieroglyphic texts in extraordinary preservation. Your Egyptologist explains the annual Festival of Horus and the temple’s precise astronomical alignment.
Sail to Kom Ombo · Lunch Onboard the MS Nile Empress
Scenic 2-hour sail south through dramatic Nile landscape. Lunch served onboard as the river narrows and desert cliffs rise on both banks.
Kom Ombo Double Temple, Medical Reliefs & Crocodile Museum
The unique dual temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus — sitting dramatically on a Nile bend. The outer walls display the earliest known surgical instruments depicted in stone . The adjacent Crocodile Museum houses 22 mummified sacred crocodiles. Dinner and overnight sailing toward Aswan.
Aswan — High Dam · Unfinished Obelisk · Philae Temple Island · Nubian Village Felucca
Breakfast · Arrive Aswan
The MS Nile Empress docks in Aswan — Egypt’s southernmost major city, where the Nile flows between massive granite boulders and the desert meets the river in dramatic fashion. Full breakfast as you arrive.
The Unfinished Obelisk — Ancient Engineering Exposed
A 42-metre granite obelisk abandoned in its quarry 3,500 years ago when a crack appeared. The finest available insight into how ancient Egyptians actually worked stone. Still lying exactly where the workers left it.
Aswan High Dam — The Nile Tamed
The 3.6 km dam that ended the Nile’s annual flood cycle and created Lake Nasser — 550 km long, the world’s largest reservoir. Your guide explains the human cost: 22 temples relocated, including Abu Simbel, by a UNESCO operation that became one of the greatest feats of modern preservation.
Philae Temple — Island Sanctuary of Isis by Motorboat
A short motorboat crossing to Philae Island — the Temple of Isis moved stone by stone in the 1970s UNESCO rescue operation. Turquoise water, palm trees, and a perfectly preserved Ptolemaic temple: the most romantically positioned ancient site in Egypt.
Nubian Village Felucca (Optional ~€15) · Onboard Evening Entertainment
Optional felucca ride to a traditional Nubian village — the most reviewed highlight of any Aswan stop. Colourful painted homes, local crafts, and genuine Nubian hospitality. Evening onboard: folkloric music and dance performance in the MS Nile Empress lounge .
Disembarkation · Optional Abu Simbel · Private Return Transfer to Hurghada
Abu Simbel Day Trip from Aswan
The two colossal rock temples of Ramesses II , 280 km south of Aswan. The road convoy departs at 04:00 AM and returns by 11:00 AM before disembarkation. Domestic flight option also available (1 hour each way). Must be pre-booked — extra charge applies. The single most recommended optional on the entire cruise.
Final Breakfast & Disembarkation
Full breakfast onboard. Settle bar and optional extras accounts. Collect luggage and disembark at the Aswan dock. Your private vehicle is waiting for the return journey.
Private Return Transfer to Hurghada
Direct private air-conditioned vehicle from the Aswan dock to your Hurghada hotel — approximately 3.5 hours. Arrive back by midday with a full afternoon ahead. Bottled water provided for the return journey.
Exclusive Deal — Only 29 Cabins · Limited Availability
MS Nile Empress — From €460 per person
Settle aboard before the temple visits.
Follow the route through Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Complete the final visits and disembarkation.
03.10 Unmissable Sites on the MS Nile Empress Cruise Route
1. Karnak Temple World’s largest religious structure. 134 columns in the Hypostyle Hall. 4,000 years in the making. The Sacred Lake at sunset is breathtaking. 2. Luxor Temple by Night Illuminated after dark in warm amber — one of Egypt’s finest sights. Exclusively available to MS Nile Empress overnight guests. 3. Valley of the Kings 63 royal tombs in the Theban limestone hills. 3 tombs included. Tutankhamun’s mummy still rests here (extra ticket recommended). 4. Hatshepsut Temple Three terraces carved into the Theban cliff — Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh’s mortuary temple. 5. Edfu Temple of Horus Most complete ancient temple in Egypt. 36-metre pylons. Reached by traditional horse carriage from the MS Nile Empress dock. 6. Kom Ombo Double Temple Dedicated to both Sobek and Horus on the Nile bank. 22 mummified crocodiles. Earliest surgical instruments carved in stone. 7. Philae Temple (Isis) Motorboat crossing to an island sanctuary — moved stone by stone by UNESCO. The most romantic ancient site in Egypt. 8. Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan 42-metre granite obelisk abandoned 3,500 years ago. The finest glimpse into ancient Egyptian quarrying and construction methods. 9. Twin-Level Sun Deck Sailing The MS Nile Empress unique twin-level sun deck — pool, pool bar, sun loungers, and the Nile scenery passing in panorama. 10. Abu Simbel (Optional Day 5) Four 20-metre statues of Ramesses II — the most photographed monument outside Giza. Road convoy or flight from Aswan. Pre-book.
MS Nile Empress Nile Cruise Deals – Exclusive Offers & Easy Booking
04.Exclusive MS Nile Empress Deals — Pricing, Easy Booking & What Is Included
| Experience | Tour price | Pricing unit |
|---|---|---|
| Exclusive MS Nile Empress Deals | €460 | per person, double cabin |
Exclusive Deal — Book Direct with Hurghada To Go
From (double cabin, per person)
~£393 per person · Children (0–12): 50% · 4 Nights Full Board
+What’s Included
- 4 Nights Full Board
- All Entrance Fees
- Egyptologist Guide
- Private Transfers
- Afternoon Tea Daily
Claim Exclusive Deal — Easy Booking
What Is Included in the MS Nile Empress Exclusive Deal
+What’s Included
- Private round-trip transfers Hurghada ↔ Luxor/Aswan in air-conditioned vehicle
- 4 nights aboard MS Nile Empress — double cabin with Nile-view panoramic window (full board: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner)
- Licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide — dedicated to your group for all 5 days
- All entrance fees: Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings (3 tombs), Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk
- Motorboat crossing to Philae Temple · Horse carriage to Edfu Temple · all road tolls and fuel
- Daily afternoon tea service with cakes and snacks · Access to twin-level sun deck, pool, and pool bar · 24-hour reception service
Not Included
−What’s Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages (purchased at the ship’s pool bar and lounge bar)
- Abu Simbel (road convoy ~€65 pp · domestic flight ~€120 pp — must be pre-booked)
- Tutankhamun’s tomb (~€15 extra at Valley of the Kings — strongly recommended)
- Tips for guide, driver, and ship crew (~€20–€30 total over 5 days)
Easy Booking — UK Traveller Note
05.MS Nile Empress vs Other 5-Star Nile Cruise Ships — How Does It Compare?
With over 200 registered Nile cruise ships operating the Luxor–Aswan route, choosing the right vessel requires understanding the key differences. The MS Nile Empress stands apart in one defining way: its 29 cabins only make it one of the most intimate 5-star vessels on the entire route. Here is how it compares across the criteria that matter most to UK travellers:
| Feature | MS Nile Empress | Standard 5-Star Ships | Large Nile Ships (120+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cabins | 29 only | 60–80 | 120–150+ |
| Atmosphere | Boutique / intimate | Hotel-style | Resort / crowded |
| Twin-level sun deck | ✓ Unique feature | Single deck only | Single deck |
| Afternoon tea service | ✓ Daily included | Rarely included | Not included |
| Crew-to-guest ratio | High — personalised | Standard | Low |
| Full board | ✓ All meals | ✓ All meals | ✓ All meals |
| Exclusive deal price | From €460 | €480–€580 | €350–€430 |
| Best for | Intimate luxury at value price | Couples & families | Budget travellers |
Nile Cruise Ships List — The Key Insight: The MS Nile Empress occupies a unique position in the Nile cruise ships list — it is one of the very few genuine boutique 5-star vessels (under 35 cabins) on the market. This combination of intimate scale, twin-level sun deck, daily afternoon tea service, and the exclusive Hurghada To Go deal price makes it the strongest value proposition in the 5-star Nile cruise category for UK travellers.
06.MS Nile Empress Reviews — Guest Experiences
The MS Nile Empress consistently earns exceptional ratings from UK guests — particularly for the intimacy of the onboard experience, the quality of the food, and the calibre of the Egyptologist guides provided by Hurghada To Go.
“The MS Nile Empress felt like a private yacht compared to what we’d seen on larger ships in port. Only 29 cabins makes an enormous difference — the staff knew our names from day one. The afternoon tea with freshly baked cakes was a daily highlight. Booking through Hurghada To Go was completely effortless.”
“We had researched several 5-star Nile cruise ship options. The Nile Empress stood out for its intimate size and the twin-level sun deck — genuinely brilliant in the afternoon heat. Watching the sunset over the Nile from the pool deck between Edfu and Kom Ombo was unforgettable.”
“Booking was genuinely easy through Hurghada To Go — everything arranged in one WhatsApp conversation. The MS Nile Empress deal price was far better than anything we’d found elsewhere. The Egyptologist guide at Edfu was the most knowledgeable we’ve encountered in 20 years of visiting Egypt.”
07.10 Insider Tips for Your MS Nile Empress Cruise
Request a Sun Deck cabin when booking.
The MS Nile Empress Sun Deck cabins are located on the top level — closest to the pool, best ventilated, and with the widest views. There are only 4 Sun Deck cabins (2 double + 2 single) — request them early through Hurghada To Go .
Pre-book Abu Simbel before you board.
The Abu Simbel road convoy departs Aswan at 04:00 AM sharp and has limited places. Book it when you make your MS Nile Empress Nile cruise booking — not on Day 4 from the ship.
Use the pool deck between 14:00 and 17:00.
Morning hours are spent ashore at temples. The MS Nile Empress twin-level sun deck is best enjoyed in the afternoon heat — a dip in the pool followed by the pool bar while the Nile landscape drifts past is one of the defining pleasures of this cruise.
Add Tutankhamun’s tomb at the Valley of the Kings.
At ~€15 extra, it is the most recommended optional on the entire cruise. Tell your guide when you board — they will arrange the ticket at the Luxor Antiquities Office on Day 2 morning.
The daily afternoon tea is a genuine highlight.
The MS Nile Empress afternoon tea service — with freshly baked cakes and savoury snacks — takes place daily while the ship is sailing. This is one of the most British-friendly moments of the entire cruise and a lovely transition between lunch and the evening’s shore excursion or entertainment.
Visit the ship’s onboard bazaar.
The MS Nile Empress gift shop and bazaar stocks good-quality Egyptian souvenirs — cotton goods, papyrus art, essential oils, and small antiquity replicas. Prices are fair and the quality is curated. Better value than most shore-side shops in Luxor.
Kom Ombo at late afternoon is golden.
The timing of your Day 3 itinerary often brings you to Kom Ombo Temple in the late afternoon — when the orange sun lights the Nile-side pylons dramatically. This is the most photographic moment of the entire cruise route.
Don’t skip the Nubian Village in Aswan.
At ~€15 extra, the felucca ride to the Nubian village is the most frequently cited highlight in Nile cruise reviews across all ship categories. The warmth of the welcome and the vibrant painted houses are completely authentic.
Best season October–February.
Nile cruise temperatures between Luxor and Aswan in peak season (Oct–Feb) are ideal for outdoor sightseeing — 15–26°C. June–September brings 35–45°C heat along the upper Nile. Both seasons work, but October–February is the clear preference for UK travellers.
Easy booking through Hurghada To Go.
Book the MS Nile Empress exclusive deal directly via hurghadatogo.com or WhatsApp. Our team handles cabin allocation, optional pre-bookings (Abu Simbel, balloon, Tutankhamun), and all transfer coordination in a single conversation. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. ============================================================
08.Frequently Asked Questions — MS Nile Empress Nile Cruise Deals
| Experience | Tour price | Pricing unit |
|---|---|---|
| Frequently Asked Questions | €460 | per person, double cabin |
How many cabins does the MS Nile Empress have and what makes it unique?
The MS Nile Empress has just 29 cabins — making it one of the most intimate 5-star Nile cruise ships on the Luxor–Aswan route. The cabin breakdown is: 25 large double cabins, 2 single cabins, and 2 suites. Average cabin size is 18 square metres — above average for Nile cruise vessels. The ship is also unique for its twin-level sun deck with swimming pool and pool bar, and its daily afternoon tea service including freshly baked cakes. Dimensions: 61.2 m length, 10.60 m width.
What does the MS Nile Empress exclusive deal include — is it truly all-inclusive?
The MS Nile Empress exclusive deal through Hurghada To Go includes: private round-trip transfers from Hurghada, 4 nights full board aboard the ship (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner), a dedicated licensed Egyptologist guide for all 5 days, all entrance fees to every site on the itinerary (Karnak through Philae), motorboat crossing to Philae, horse carriage to Edfu, and all road tolls. Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages are purchased separately at the ship’s bar. Abu Simbel, Tutankhamun’s tomb, and the hot air balloon are available as pre-booked extras.
How do I book the MS Nile Empress Nile Cruise deal easily?
Easy booking is available directly through Hurghada To Go — click the booking button on this page, visit hurghadatogo.com, email info@hurghadatogo.com, or WhatsApp +201009255585. Our team confirms your cabin allocation, pre-books your chosen optional extras (Abu Simbel, Tutankhamun’s tomb, hot air balloon, Nubian village), and arranges all private transfers. The entire booking process typically takes one WhatsApp conversation. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Does the MS Nile Empress have lower deck cabins and do they have Nile views?
Yes — the MS Nile Empress has lower deck cabins (Nile Deck: 15 double cabins). All cabins across all three decks feature large panoramic Nile-view windows — there are no balconies on the Nile Empress, but the windows are genuinely panoramic in scale. The Sun Deck (top level) has the widest views and best ventilation. The Nile Deck (lowest) has the same window orientation but a slightly different perspective. All cabins are individually air-conditioned with private bathrooms, safe, mini bar, and satellite TV.
Can I visit Abu Simbel on the MS Nile Empress Nile Cruise?
Yes — Abu Simbel is available as an optional add-on from Aswan on Day 5. The road convoy departs at 04:00 AM and returns by 11:00 AM before disembarkation (~€65 pp). A domestic flight is also available (1 hour each way, ~€120 pp). Abu Simbel must be pre-booked when you make your MS Nile Empress reservation through Hurghada To Go — not on the day from the ship. It is the single most recommended optional on the entire cruise.
Is the MS Nile Empress suitable for families with children?
Yes. Children aged 0–12 travel at 50% of the adult price . The MS Nile Empress is particularly well-suited for families because of its intimate size (no risk of children getting lost on a large ship), the swimming pool on the sun deck (a natural draw for children between temple visits), and the Egyptologist guide’s ability to adapt explanations for younger visitors. The full-board dining means no need to find restaurants at every meal. Request connecting cabins at booking if needed.
Exclusive Deal —
09.Book MS Nile Empress Nile Cruise — Easy Booking Today
29 cabins only · 4 nights full board · All entrance fees · Daily afternoon tea · Twin-level sun deck & pool · Private Egyptologist guide · Private transfers Hurghada ↔ Luxor/Aswan. Free cancellation 24 hours before. Book directly with Hurghada To Go for the exclusive deal price.
Book Exclusive Deal — From €460
hurghadatogo.com info@hurghadatogo.com WhatsApp: +201009255585
Related tours: 2-Day Private Luxor Tour from Hurghada · All Nile Cruise & Luxor Tours · Full Day Cairo & Giza Private Tour · Best Things to Do in Hurghada
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