There’s never been a better time to cruise the Nile. New ships from global cruise lines and high-end hotel groups are joining luxury vessels and traditional dahabiyas, offering river-cruise clients more choice than ever before.
Travellers have been drawn to Egypt’s awe-inspiring temples and pyramids for centuries, and a cruise on the Nile is still the best way to see these ancient treasures.
Today, there’s an incredible choice of vessels exploring the Nile Valley between Luxor and Aswan, on itineraries that range from three or four nights to round-trips of up to 12 nights that also include stays in Cairo. Here’s a selection of the newest, most desirable ships on the world’s longest river.
A&K Sanctuary
In 1977, A&K founder Geoffrey Kent met actor David Niven on the set of the classic movie Death of the Nile and went on to launch A&K’s first Nile cruise on the old steamship SS Memnon.
Next year, A&K will launch Nile Seray, its fifth luxury river ship on the Nile, joining Sun Boat III, Sun Boat IV, Zein Nile Chateau and Nile Adventurer. This elegant new vessel will accommodate 64 guests in 32 spacious waterfront suites. Public spaces include two restaurants, a spa, gym, pool, and an outdoor bar and lounge.
Nile Seray will sail four-night itineraries between Aswan and Luxor. Visits to Egypt’s most coveted archaeological sites are included as standard and cover some of the most magnificent tombs that are not on the usual sightseeing route: Nefertari, Seti I, Ramses VI, and King Tutankhamun.
Expert Egyptologists accompany all excursions. Cruises also feature cultural experiences such as sailing a felucca around Elephantine Island, Egyptian cooking classes and Dervish performances.
Travelmarvel
APT’s sister brand Travelmarvel is set to return to the Nile with its new river ship Travelmarvel Sirius in September 2026. Accommodating up to 124 guests in 62 staterooms across five different categories, Travelmarvel Sirius’ interior design will blend contemporary style with Egyptian influences.
The sun deck features a large swimming pool, shaded sun loungers and the Tutankhamun Terrace Café; stylish public spaces also include the Nefertari Restaurant and Ramses Lounge and Bar.
Sailing from Luxor, Travelmarvel Sirius will call at Egypt’s most legendary sites, including Dendera, Karnak, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. The 11-day round-trip itinerary from Cairo comprises three days in Cairo and seven days sailing the Nile and guests will also visit the awe-inspiring Abu Simbel by private charter flight.
“Travelmarvel Sirius embodies our understanding that premium travel is defined by thoughtful design, attentive service and carefully crafted experiences that allow guests to connect with the Nile in a way that feels effortless and rewarding,” says Travelmarvel’s CEO David Cox.
Viking
This year Viking has launched two more ships on the Nile – Viking Amun and Viking Thoth – which are identical to Viking Osiris, Viking Aton, Viking Sobek and Viking Hathor.
Two more sister ships are due to join the fleet in 2026 – Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet – and the company plans to have 12 ships on the river by 2027. Viking Ra and MS Antares are older and smaller, accommodating 52 and 62 guests, whereas the newer ships each accommodate 82 guests.
The sister ships share the same Scandinavian design sensibility that features throughout Viking’s river and ocean fleets – clean lines, subtle colour palettes, the signature indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace & Lounge and light and airy public spaces.
There are four categories of staterooms and suites; the two Explorer Suites are the largest and have separate sleeping and living rooms and a full-size veranda.
Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary starts with three days in Cairo, followed by a seven-day sailing from Luxor to Aswan and return to Cairo. Free airfares for 2026, 2027 and 2028 sailings are on offer until 1 December 2025.
Oberoi & Waldorf Astoria
Next year, luxury hotel brand Oberoi – which has five-star properties in India, Indonesia, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt – is launching two ultra-luxe dahabiyas, Oberoi Melouk and Oberoi Malekat, to sail alongside its award-winning 54-guest Oberoi Zahra and 44-guest Oberoi Philae.
Traditionally, dahabiyas are small wooden sailing boats that in the 20th century were transformed into exclusive vessels for Egyptian royalty and aristocratic European travellers to explore the Nile Valley. Oberoi Melouk and Oberoi Malekat will take this style of Nile cruising into the 21st century – each will have seven staterooms and suites, offering a private yacht experience for a maximum of 14 guests.
Itineraries are slated to include four- and six-night sailings between Luxor and Aswan, with guided tours of local villages, sunrise hikes and fishing experiences on offer along with visits to the essential cultural and historical sites.
Also coming in 2026 is the Hilton Hotel group’s “Waldorf Astoria Nile River Experience”, the luxury Waldorf Astoria operation’s first venture into the world of cruising. The ship will accommodate up to 58 guests in 29 suites and sail four- and six-night cruises from Luxor to Aswan and vice versa, embarking and disembarking at private docks in both cities.
Waldorf Astoria’s signature Peacock Alley, a brasserie serving Egyptian, Mediterranean and international cuisine, is one of the new river ship’s distinguishing features; guests can also expect a state-of-the-art fitness centre and spa, and a stylish sundeck that will have a pool.
Whether the ship will actually be called Waldorf Astoria Nile River Experience – it’s a bit of a mouthful – is still to be confirmed, but one thing’s for sure: there’s more choice for luxury river cruisers on the Nile than ever before.
For more information, visit A&K, Travelmarvel, Oberoi, Viking, Waldorf Astoria.
