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Travel InformationNile cruises
Glide along one of the world’s most iconic waterways on our Legends of the Nile, and Ancient Gods and famous Pharaohs itineraries.
Navigating the Nile
We sailed into new waters in winter 2024, when TUI Al Horeya became the freshest member of our fleet along the famous River Nile. She’ll be joined by a second ship this winter, when TUI Bahareya sets sail on Africa’s longest river, too. And with 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?
Direct flights
We 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 has at least one dedicated Egyptologist onboard, who’s on hand to answer all your questions and fill you in on the story behind the sights.
5* ship
Both our Nile ships – TUI Al Horeya and TUI Bahareya – have been fully refurbed before setting sail. And with one crew member for every four guests, you’ll have the personalised service you’ve come to...
What to expect on a TUI River Nile Cruise
Ship
TUI Al Horeya had a full makeover for winter 2024, and TUI Bahareya’s getting one in time for her launch in winter 2025, so everything’s in tip-top condition. On the top decks, you can take in the views from the swimming pool, and there’s a bar and an al fresco dining area up there, too. TUI Al Horeya comes with a couple of whirlpools, as well. Back inside, both ships have a main restaurant and a lounge bar, where nightly entertainment takes place, while TUI Al Horeya has a wellness area and a small boutique, so you can stock up on souvenirs.
Food and drink
All sailings are on an All Inclusive basis, so all your meals and drinks are thrown in. You can head to the main restaurant indoors where you can walk in and grab a table whenever you like, plus there’s an al fresco dining area on the top deck, which you’ll need to book in advance. There’s also 24/7 access to the self-service tea and coffee stations, while tea, coffee and cakes are served on the top deck.
Cabins
All our cabins are on the outside of the ship, so views are a certainty. On TUI Al Horeya, there’s a mix of single cabins, standard cabins with French balconies, and suites, while TUI Bahareya has a choice of superior French balcony cabins and French balcony suite cabins. All of the cabins on both ships come with essentials like air-conditioning, a mini-fridge, a hairdryer and a safe as standard.
Entertainment
Our onboard entertainment team lays on a variety of activities throughout the day, while the nightly entertainment in the main lounge includes the likes of live music and quizzes. There are local acts, too, including Egyptian Whirling Dervishes and Nubian shows.
Itinerary
Our seven-night sailings, Legends of the Nile, and Ancient Gods and famous Pharaohs, both set off in Luxor, with stops in Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, before finishing up where they started in Luxor.
Excursions
There are loads of excursions you can go on, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak and Luxor Temples, and Aswan High Dam. You also have trips to Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo Temple included as part of your package on both itineraries. Plus, some of our more bespoke experiences 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 hotel stay before or after your cruise. Choose between an extra week in Luxor or a few nights in the beach resort of Hurghada. Both options are available to book via our dedicated river cruise team on 0203 451 2688, or you can find out more on our River Cruise & Stay page.
Shore experiences on the Nile
You 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’s 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.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to travel to Egypt?
Yes, a tourist visa is required for visitors to Luxor. You can apply for an e-visa online through our visa partner, Sherpa. You can also purchase a visa on arrival in resort if you hold a full British Passport. Currently, the visa cost on arrival is $33 USD per person if purchased from the local authorities or £25 GBP if purchased from our destination management company. Please note, visas purchased on the spot are cash only. Cards are not accepted.
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.