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Nile cruises
Glide along one of the world’s most iconic waterways on our brand-new Legends of the Nile itinerary.
We’re sailing into new waters from winter 2024, when the freshest member of our fleet, TUI Al Horeya, sets sail along the famous River Nile. And with exclusive, direct TUI flights from Gatwick and Manchester to the ship’s home port, Luxor, you’ll be soaking up some winter sun before you know it.
Introducing Luxor and the Nile
Standing tall on the Nile’s eastern bank, Luxor has been dubbed an ‘open-air museum’ thanks to its roll-call of sights. Millenia-old temples and tombs line up along the river, while the city’s museums pack in antiquities and artefacts like mummy masks, hieroglyphics and ancient statues.
Why book a TUI River Nile Cruise?
Exclusive, direct route
We’re the only tour operator to offer direct return flights from Gatwick and Manchester. And with a transfer to the ship taking from as little as 25 minutes, you’ll be stepping onboard in no time.
Egyptologists onboard
Every sailing will have at least one dedicated Egyptologist onboard, who’ll be on hand to answer all your questions and fill you in on the story behind the sights.
5* ship
The newest ship in our fleet, TUI Al Horeya, is getting a full refurb for her maiden voyage. And with one crew member for every four guests, you’ll have the personalised service you’ve come to expect.
What to expect on a TUI River Nile Cruise
Ship
TUI Al Horeya will be getting a full makeover ready for winter 2024, so everything will be in tip-top condition. On the top deck, you’ll be able to take in the views from the swimming pool and the two whirlpools, and there’ll be a bar and an al fresco dining area up there, too. Back inside, there’ll be the main restaurant and the Observatory lounge bar, where nightly entertainment will take place, plus a wellness area and a small boutique, so you can stock up on souvenirs.
Food and drink
All sailings will be on an All Inclusive basis, so your meals and drinks will be thrown in. You’ll have a main restaurant indoors where you can walk in and grab a table whenever you like, plus an al fresco dining area on the top deck, which you’ll need to book in advance. There’ll also be 24/7 access to the self-service tea and coffee station, and tea, coffee and cakes will be served on the top deck.
Cabins
All our cabins will be on the outside of the ship, so views are a certainty. There’ll be a mix of single cabins, standard cabins with French balconies, and suites, and they’ll all come with essentials like air-conditioning, a mini-fridge, a hairdryer and a safe as standard.
Entertainment
Our onboard entertainment team will lay on a variety of activities throughout the day, while the nightly entertainment in the Observatory lounge will include the likes of live music, quizzes and local acts.
Itinerary
Our seven-night sailing, Legends of the Nile, will set off in Luxor, with stops in Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, before finishing up where it all started in Luxor.
Excursions
There’ll be loads of excursions you can go on, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak and Luxor Temples, and Aswan High Dam. You’ll also have trips to Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo Temple included as part of your package. Plus, some of our more bespoke experiences will include the likes of a tour of the Abu Simbel temples, or a sound and light show at Karnak Temple. And English-speaking guides will be with you on every excursion.
Fancy booking a Nile cruise?
Nile Cruise Deals
Does the thought of cruising the River Nile float your boat? Then what are you waiting for? Check out our best River Nile Cruise deals.
Cruise and Stay
We have exciting news, you can now extend your holiday when you book a TUI River Nile Cruise by adding on a 7 day hotel stay after your cruise. Available to book via our dedicated river cruise team on 0203 451 2688. Or find out more on our River Cruise & Stay page.
Shore experiences on the Nile
You’ll have a couple of shore experiences included with your Nile river cruise – the Temple of Horus in Edfu and Kom Ombo’s double temple. There’ll be a whole load of other optional shore experiences on the cards, too, and transfers to and from the ship, entrance fees and expert guides are all part of the package. Here’s a taster of what to expect…
Visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu
This tour takes you into the heart of one of Egypt’s largest and most intact pharaonic temples. Step through the 36-metre-high gateway into the complex that’s dedicated to Horus – a god with the body of a man and the head of a falcon.
Visit Kom Ombo’s unique double temple
On this tour, you’ll head to Kom Ombo’s biggest sight, which has the unique hallmark of being a double temple, so it’s dedicated to two gods instead of one. One half’s dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile God, and the other’s dedicated to Haroeris, the falcon God.
Discover the Temples of Karnak and Luxor with the Sphinx Avenue
Take a stroll around Karnak’s complex of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks, then wander along the impressive Sphinx Avenue to the Luxor Temple – a striking piece of architecture on the Banks of the Nile.
Sound and light show at Karnak Temple from Luxor
This 90-minute sound and light show looks back at the history of Thebes and the lives of the pharaohs. It starts at the avenue of Sphinxes, passes through the first pylon to the Great Court, and on through the Great Hypostyle Hall, to the grandstand of the Sacred Lake for the big finale.
Discover the Nubian Village, plus a felucca tour in Aswan
You’ll start this trip with a motorboat ride to the colourful Nubian Village, where you’ll get a guided tour. Then, you’ll sail along the Nile on a traditional felucca – a canvas-sailed boat that’s particularly popular in these parts.
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FAQs
Do I need a visa to travel to Egypt?
Yes, you can pay for this at the airport when you arrive.
Do I have to take part in the planned shore experiences?
No, the shore excursions are entirely optional, and some come at an additional cost.
Can I select my cabin?
You can reserve a cabin when you book, or up to 15 days before you go, from just £55. If you want to request a cabin number after you’ve booked, just call 0203 451 2688* and we’ll do the rest.
How do I pay for things onboard?
When you board the ship, you can set up an account, which you can then charge any additional purchases to. This account is then settled via cash or card when you check-out.
How do I book and pay for additional excursions?
Once your shore excursions are available to book, we'll send you an email to let you know. You'll then be able to access our Experience Website and book experiences for your cruise. Alternatively, you can call our team on 0203 451 2688 or book when you’re onboard the ship. These will need to be paid by credit card and can't be charged to your onboard account.
How do I make a dining reservation?
This can be done when you’re onboard the ship.
What should I pack?
We suggest that you bring comfortable shoes for exploring the temples, as some of them have uneven ground and can be quite dusty. You might want to bring a cardigan or light jacket, too, as it can get quite cool in the evenings.
Is a Nile River Cruise suitable if I have reduced mobility or a disability?
Unfortunately, our river cruises are not wheelchair-friendly, and there are no lifts onboard. If you're unable to walk unaided up and down flights of stairs, then a TUI River Cruise may not be suitable for you, as the facilities are spread across different floors on the ship.
When visiting temples there are a lot of uneven paths and some of them, like the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut, have a number of steps.
Please give our River Cruise Team a call on 0203 451 2688 before you book your cruise – they'll be able to advise you on things like accessibility, medical care and onboard facilities. If you've already booked your cruise, you'll still need to call us so we can check this information for you.
*Phone lines are open from 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm Saturday and 10am to 5pm Sunday. Calls from UK landlines cost the standard rate, but calls from mobiles may be higher. Check with your network provider.