Experience the opulence of days gone by on refined luxury. cruises out of Luxor, where history, royalty, and. meet contemporary luxuries.
Few trips on the planet are more legendary—or indulged—as a luxury Nile River cruise. And at the center of the traditional experience stands Luxor, ancient pharaoh capital and entrance to Egypt’s most iconic attractions. But for today’s global traveller, Luxor is a generous or more of luxury—it’s the portal to a topsy-turvy floating oasis throughout the ages.
At the helm is Uniworld’s breath-taking S.S. Sphinx, a boutique riverboat that reads palace, not ship. With only 42 suites—complete with French balconies, Egyptian cotton linens, marble bathrooms, and thoughtfully edited art—it’s all about pampering the discerning one. Expect butler service, gourmet dining with local flair, and a spa where Nile-view treatments are daily grinds as you glide by date palms and ancient temples.
For the others who prefer something even more exotic, Oberoi Zahra and Sanctuary Nile Adventurer offer luxury tailor-made cruises featuring private guided excursions to ancient tombs, candlelit sun deck meals, and second-to-none service. These vessels are masters at elegant extravagance—hand-stirred cocktails, small-ship shore excursions, and staterooms so extravagant, Cleopatra herself would be impressed.
But the ultimate indulgence for Egypt’s luxury clique is to hire out the Steam Ship Sudan, the ship that inspired Agatha Christie to pen Death on the Nile so famously. With mahogany trim direct from the era, period-style chandeliers, and opulent antique luxury, this stunning paddle steamer redefining old-fashioned romance. The ship can be hired exclusively for small parties and is therefore the ultimate choice for luxury parties, honeymoons, or culture holidays with a splash of aristocracy.
Your own personal cruise glides past ancient landmarks and sacred temples—the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Karnak, and Abu Simbel’s giant statues—at full complement of experienced Egyptologists ready to provide you with VIP treatments and interpretations. Sunrise private excursions are available on some itineraries, and you can visit mythical landmarks in quiet seclusion.
Aboard, excess is unbridled. Gourmet chefs at international standard cook Egyptian-style dishes—like saffron-marinated lamb, pistachio-crusted baklava, and hibiscus-chilled cocktails on the sun deck. Plunge pools, chic lounge areas, and Jacuzzis by the pool ensure that all encounters aboard are cocooning comfort and sensuality.
And yet, in spite of the tradition that fills the experience, it’s also bathed in luxury today—frankincense oil spa massages, starlight cinema nights, and as-smooth-as-silk private transfers from the moment your international airport or private plane touches Luxor soil.
A Luxor private Nile cruise is not all about going to visit the ancient world—it’s living it, if only for those who crave timelessness in luxury.
