Sonesta Star Goddess Luxury Nile Cruise

The Sonesta Star Goddess is a modern luxury Nile cruise ship operating between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel features 33 non-smoking suites—each with a private balcony and named for celebrated composers—and offers onboard amenities such as a pool, spa and fitness facilities, sun deck dining and evening entertainment. The ship runs scheduled sailings covering the classic Nile route and provides guided shore excursions throughout the itinerary.

Highlights

• Sails the classic Luxor–Edfu–Kom Ombo–Aswan route
• Spacious private-balcony suites named after famous composers
• Guided visits to Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
• Excursions to Edfu’s Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo twin temple
• Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam on the Aswan program
• Optional Abu Simbel excursion (by road or flight) and other optional activities
• Onboard spa, pool, fitness facilities and nightly entertainment
• In-suite dining and panoramic public spaces

Itinerary

Day 4 Days — Day 1 — Welcome to Aswan — Embarkation and Afternoon Sights

Board the vessel before lunch and settle into your suite. In the afternoon visit the Aswan High Dam for panoramic views over Lake Nasser, then take a motorboat to Agilkia Island to explore Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Finish the day with a visit to the unfinished obelisk in the ancient granite quarries. Return to the ship for dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Days — Day 2 — Optional Abu Simbel — Sail to Kom Ombo

Early in the morning there is an optional excursion to Abu Simbel by road or by flight (additional cost). Later return to the ship and begin cruising north. In the afternoon visit the twin temple of Kom Ombo, shared by Sobek and Horus, with its unusual reliefs and small crocodile museum. Overnight on board as the ship continues toward Edfu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Days — Day 3 — Edfu by Horse-Drawn Carriage — Luxor East Bank

Visit Edfu’s Temple of Horus by horse-drawn carriage — one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples — then return to the ship for lunch while sailing to Luxor. In the afternoon explore the vast Karnak Temple complex and later visit Luxor Temple as it glows at dusk. Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Days — Day 4 — Luxor West Bank — Disembarkation

After breakfast, disembark and cross to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, where access to three tombs is included (entry to certain tombs such as Tutankhamun’s is optional and payable locally). Continue to the temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon before the program concludes.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Days — Day 1 — Welcome to Luxor — Karnak and Luxor Temples

Embark before lunch and make yourself at home in your suite. In the afternoon explore the vast Karnak Temple complex and then visit Luxor Temple. Return to the ship for tea, dinner and an overnight stay in Luxor.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Days — Day 2 — West Bank: Valley of the Kings and Mortuary Temples

Cross to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, visiting three royal tombs included in the program (additional tomb entrances such as Tutankhamun’s may be optional and incur a supplement). Visit the terraced mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari followed by the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the cruise for lunch and then begin sailing toward Esna, passing local villages and farmland; experience transit through the Esna lock. Dinner and overnight as the ship continues toward Edfu.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Days — Day 3 — Edfu and Kom Ombo

In the morning visit Edfu’s Temple of Horus by traditional horse carriage, then rejoin the ship and sail on. In the afternoon stop at Kom Ombo to see the twin temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus and its captivating reliefs and small museum. Continue cruising toward Aswan with dinner and overnight on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Days — Day 4 — Aswan: High Dam, Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk

Explore Aswan’s major sights: the High Dam with views of Lake Nasser, Philae Temple accessed by motorboat on Agilkia Island, and the Unfinished Obelisk at the ancient granite quarries. There are optional visits available, such as a Nubian village excursion. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Days — Day 5 — Disembarkation and Optional Excursions

After breakfast complete check-out procedures. Guests may opt for an early morning excursion to Abu Simbel (extra cost) or other optional activities before onward travel arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast

Included

• Accommodation on board for 3 or 4 nights on a full board basis as per the selected program
• Meet and assist service on arrival and departure
• Assistance from onboard personnel during the cruise and excursions
• All transfers by private, air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
• All cruise excursions listed in the itinerary (private)
• Entrance fees to the sights visited between Luxor and Aswan as per the itinerary
• English-speaking tour guide during cruise excursions (group size 1–8 maximum)
• One complimentary bottle of water per person per day
• All service charges and applicable taxes

Not included

• Optional Abu Simbel excursion (road or flight) — extra cost
• Optional hot air balloon flight — extra cost
• Optional entrance fees specifically noted as optional (for example, Tutankhamun’s tomb) — extra cost
• Any other optional activities or personal expenses not listed in the itinerary