Steigenberger Minerva
Aswan ⇄ Luxor · Luxor round trip 3, 4 & 7-night sailings
- Cabins
- 77
- Decks
- 4
- Length
- 72 m
About Steigenberger Minerva
Steigenberger Minerva is a five-star Nile cruise ship operated under the Steigenberger brand. It sails the classic stretch of river between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. Guests can take a four-night southbound sailing from Luxor, a three-night northbound sailing from Aswan, or the full seven-night round trip, with guided visits to Karnak, the West Bank, the Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Aswan High Dam.
The ship has 77 cabins on four decks: 73 doubles of about 19 m², two singles and two suites of about 39 m². Cabins have individually controlled air-conditioning, a minibar, a safe, a shower and satellite TV with in-house video channels. Those on the main and upper decks have sliding glass doors that open onto the river.
Meals are served in the ship's restaurant, which offers Arabic and international dishes, and the lounge and bar host evenings on board. A full-length sun deck with a swimming pool and pool bar is the place to watch the riverbanks go by. A fitness room, a beauty salon, a souvenir shop, a conference area and a doctor on call complete the facilities.
Sailings
Steigenberger Minerva runs 3 routes. Ask for the price of any of them.
Luxor to Aswan
5 days · 4 nights
- LuxorBoard
- AswanLeave the ship
Luxor → Aswan (4 nights)
Day by day · 5 days
-
Day1 Board in Luxor, then Karnak and Luxor temples Night aboard, Luxor LunchDinner
Board the ship in Luxor before lunch and settle into your cabin.
In the afternoon your Egyptologist takes you to the Temples of Karnak, the largest temple complex ever built, through the Avenue of Rams and the 134 columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall. Then to Luxor Temple as the lights come on along its colonnade.
Welcome dinner on board.
-
Day2 The West Bank, then sail to Edfu Night aboard BreakfastLunchDinner
An early start for the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried in tombs cut deep into the hills, the terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon on the way back.
Back on board for lunch as the ship sails south through the lock at Esna towards Edfu.
-
Day3 Edfu and Kom Ombo Night aboard BreakfastLunchDinner
Morning visit by horse carriage to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt.
Sail on to Kom Ombo for the double temple of Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, and the small crocodile museum beside it. The ship continues overnight to Aswan.
-
Day4 Aswan: the High Dam, Philae and a felucca Night aboard, Aswan BreakfastLunchDinner
The Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk still lying in its granite quarry, and Philae Temple, reached by motorboat on its island in Lake Nasser.
In the afternoon a traditional felucca sails around Kitchener's Island and the Aga Khan Mausoleum.
Optional: an early-morning trip to the temples of Abu Simbel.
-
Day5 Disembark in Aswan Breakfast
Breakfast on board, then disembark. Transfer to Aswan airport or on to the next part of your trip.
Aswan to Luxor
4 days · 3 nights
- AswanBoard
- LuxorLeave the ship
Aswan → Luxor (3 nights)
Day by day · 4 days
-
Day1 Board in Aswan, then the High Dam, Philae and a felucca Night aboard, Aswan LunchDinner
Board the ship in Aswan before lunch.
In the afternoon: the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple by motorboat, then a felucca sail around Kitchener's Island at sunset.
-
Day2 Kom Ombo, then sail to Edfu Night aboard BreakfastLunchDinner
Optional: an early-morning trip to the temples of Abu Simbel before the ship sails.
Sail north to Kom Ombo and visit the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris in the late afternoon light. The ship continues to Edfu.
-
Day3 Edfu, the Esna lock and Luxor Night aboard, Luxor BreakfastLunchDinner
Early visit by horse carriage to the Temple of Horus at Edfu.
Sail through the lock at Esna to Luxor. In the afternoon, the Temples of Karnak and Luxor Temple.
-
Day4 The West Bank and disembark Breakfast
The Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then back to the ship to disembark.
Luxor to Luxor
8 days · 7 nights
- LuxorBoard
- LuxorLeave the ship
Luxor → Aswan → Luxor (7 nights)
The round trip, sold as one 7-night programme.
Day by day · 8 days
-
Day1 Board in Luxor, then Karnak and Luxor temples Night aboard, Luxor LunchDinner
Board before lunch. In the afternoon, the Temples of Karnak and Luxor Temple with your Egyptologist.
-
Day2 The West Bank, then sail to Edfu Night aboard BreakfastLunchDinner
The Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Sail south through the Esna lock in the afternoon.
-
Day3 Edfu and Kom Ombo Night aboard BreakfastLunchDinner
The Temple of Horus at Edfu in the morning, the double temple at Kom Ombo in the afternoon, and on to Aswan.
-
Day4 Aswan: the High Dam, Philae and a felucca Night aboard, Aswan BreakfastLunchDinner
The High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple, then a felucca around Kitchener's Island.
-
Day5 Abu Simbel or a Nubian village Night aboard, Aswan BreakfastLunchDinner
Optional: the temples of Abu Simbel at dawn.
In the afternoon, a boat to a Nubian village on the West Bank for tea in a family house.
-
Day6 Sailing north Night aboard BreakfastLunchDinner
A day on the river: the ship sails north past Kom Ombo and Edfu. Time for the pool, the spa and afternoon tea on deck.
-
Day7 Back in Luxor: Dendera or a free afternoon Night aboard, Luxor BreakfastLunchDinner
Through the Esna lock to Luxor. Optional: the Temple of Hathor at Dendera.
Farewell dinner on board.
-
Day8 Disembark in Luxor Breakfast
Breakfast on board, then disembark.
On board
Bathroom
- Private bathroom
- Shower
- Hairdryer
Business
- Meeting and banquet facilities
Cleaning
- Laundry
Dining
- Restaurant
- Bar
General
- Hairdresser/beauty salon
- Souvenir/gift shop
- 24-hour front desk
- Air conditioning
Kitchen
- Minibar
Media
- Satellite channels
- Telephone
Outdoors
- Sun terrace
Pools & beach
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Pool bar
- Sun loungers
Safety
- Doctor on call
- In-room safe
Wellness
- Fitness centre
Terms
Children policy
Infants up to 2 years old: free of charge.
Children from 2 to 5.99 years old: 25% of the adult price.
Children from 6 to 11.99 years old: 50% of the adult price.
Children from 12 years old: the adult price applies.
The children policy applies to children sharing their parents’ room (a maximum of one child per room). If the programme includes a flight, the child’s flight is charged.
Booking and payment
Only 25% of the total price is required on confirmation, to secure hotel rooms, cruise cabins, domestic flights and other travel services.
The rest can be paid up to two days before arrival, or in cash on arrival to your tour manager.
Tips during tours
Tipping for good service is customary in Egypt, though not mandatory. It is always appreciated and entirely at your discretion.
Cancellation policy
If you cancel, the following charges apply:
From the date of booking until 61 days before arrival: 15% of the total package price.
60 to 31 days before arrival: 35% of the total package price.
30 to 15 days before arrival: 50% of the total package price.
14 to 1 days before arrival: 100% of the total package price.
Airline charges follow the airlines’ own terms and conditions, and refunds carry a 5% bank fee. Cancellation terms may differ for group bookings, by the time of booking, or for customised itineraries.
Force majeure
Your safety comes first. If an official “Do Not Travel” advisory is issued by a government or an airline for your destination, you can choose a full refund of the tour package or, in some cases, a travel credit for any of our destinations, applied to a future booking.
Only airline cancellation or change fees, under the airline’s terms, and bank charges on the deposit apply.
Other 5 stars nile cruises
All Nile cruises →
From our travel blog
Guides and tips about Steigenberger Minerva and the Nile
Budget Egypt Tours: How to Cut Cost Without Cutting Sites
What actually drives the cost of an Egypt trip, and how to build a budget Egypt tour that keeps the guides and the sites but cuts the rest.
8 min read
Family Trip to Egypt: A Parent's Planning Guide
Honest, practical advice for a family trip to Egypt: when to go, how long children can really manage at a temple, and which hotels and itineraries work.
7 min read
Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise: What Each Day Looks Like
A Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise lasts four nights and stops at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Here is the route day by day, and how the 3, 4 and 7-night sailings differ.
3 min read
Egypt tours with a Nile cruise
Programmes with the cruise included, and hotels, guides and transfers arranged.
Sails on Steigenberger Minerva
From the Red Sea to the Nile
8 days · 7 nights4 nights on the Nile
Get the Price
Classic Egypt Tours
Pyramids and Nile Escape Program
8 days · 7 nights4 nights on the Nile
Get the Price
Nile & Red Sea
Egypt’s Living History by Train, Boat and Sea
8 days · 7 nights3 nights on the Nile
Get the Price
Budget Egypt
Pyramids and Nile Escape Budget Program
8 days · 7 nights3 nights on the Nile
Get the Price
Not sure which ship?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will suggest the cruises that fit, with prices.