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A Sara Nile Cruise — Rates, Facts, Photos & Booking Help
Book A Sara Nile Cruise. French Balcony Luxury vessel sailing Aswan ↔ Luxor over 3 or 4 nights. $345 - $690 according to seasonality.
A Sara Nile Cruise Description
A Sara Nile Cruise carries an official 5 Stars rating from the Egyptian Tourism Authority, is rated as a Luxury cruise in our editorial standards, has 68 cabins, with a size of 22 m². Each cabin features a French balcony with floor-to-ceiling glass. That count puts the vessel in the larger category — a useful middle ground where dining rooms stay relaxed and shore excursions don't bottleneck on the gangway.
Navigating the timeless waters between Luxor and Aswan, the M/S A Sara—originally built in 2001 as the River Anuket—offers a robust, value-driven approach to the five-star riverboat experience. Following a comprehensive, top-to-bottom renovation in July 2024, the five-deck vessel has been refreshed for a new era of travelers. With a capacity of sixty-eight staterooms, it strikes a comfortable middle ground: large enough to offer diverse amenities but small enough to maintain a welcoming, manageable atmosphere. It caters primarily to budget-conscious yet comfort-seeking international tourists who want reliable service without paying premium boutique prices. The ship provides a lively, bustling basecamp for exploring Upper Egypt, blending modern hospitality with a structured, traditional cruise itinerary that maximizes time spent at monumental archaeological sites.
Picture it: the desert breeze on the sun deck, a glass of karkadé in hand as palm-fringed banks drift by, and the timeless silhouette of a temple emerging at dusk. Aboard A Sara, the journey itself becomes the destination — comfortable, elegant, and paced so you can simply take it all in. The great monuments of Upper Egypt await by day; calm, well-appointed comfort welcomes you back each evening.
🛏️ Accommodation
Accommodation onboard is straightforward, comfortable, and designed to maximize natural light. The layout features sixty-six standard double staterooms, each measuring roughly twenty-two square meters, alongside two upgraded Junior Suites. Rather than small portholes, every room is equipped with expansive French Style Balcony, allowing fresh river breezes to circulate while passengers watch rural village life glide past. The interiors are functional and warmly furnished, prioritizing restful sleep after exhausting excursions. Climate control is individually adjustable, while standard amenities include minibars, internal telephones, and satellite televisions. En-suite bathrooms are efficiently designed with standing showers and provided toiletries, offering a clean, private space to wash off the desert dust before heading to dinner.
- Private en-suite bathroom with shower, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Satellite TV, in-house video channels, mini-bar
- In-cabin electronic safety deposit box
🍽️ Dining & Cuisine
Meals aboard the vessel follow a dependable, schedule-driven format centered around the main dining room. Operating on a full-board basis, the culinary team executes expansive daily buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring a wide variety of choices to suit diverse palates. The cuisine leans heavily into a mix of international staples and regional Egyptian specialties, allowing guests to sample local flavors safely. For afternoon relaxation, traditional tea and coffee are served on the upper sun deck as the landscape rolls by. In the evenings, the atmosphere often shifts during specialized dinner events, such as an oriental-themed night featuring authentic local dishes. A dedicated Salon bar, featuring a semi-circular counter and a spacious dance floor, serves as the primary social hub for post-dinner cocktails.
🌊 Leisure & Entertainment
Recreational spaces are concentrated on the uppermost level, where a sprawling sun deck offers both full exposure and deeply shaded lounging areas. The centerpiece of this outdoor deck is a refreshing swimming pool, a highly popular spot during the intense afternoon heat of Upper Egypt. Below deck, wellness enthusiasts can take advantage of a compact but functional gymnasium to maintain their routines, supplemented by a sauna and dedicated massage treatment rooms for post-excursion recovery. The interior public areas include the aforementioned Salon bar, which hosts nightly entertainment, and a convenient gift shop for securing last-minute souvenirs or forgotten travel essentials. Wireless internet is generally available in the communal lounge areas, keeping passengers connected during their downtime.
✨ What Makes It Unique
What sets this ship apart within the crowded five-star market is its exceptional balance of recently updated infrastructure and accessible pricing. The July 2024 renovation means guests benefit from fresh carpets, updated linens, and modernized public spaces without the inflated rates typical of brand-new luxury builds. Furthermore, its original architectural heritage gives it a classic, sturdy riverboat profile that appeals to traditional cruisers. Reviewers consistently point to the energetic, highly accommodating crew as a major asset, noting that the staff often goes out of their way to ensure a pleasant voyage. The onboard entertainment is also a strong draw, featuring lively Egyptian folkloric shows and costume parties that encourage passengers to socialize and immerse themselves in the local culture.
🛎️ Onboard Facilities
- 24-hour reception
- Laundry service
- Onboard gift shop
- Internet access in designated areas
- Major credit cards accepted (VISA, Mastercard)
Specs verified · cabin counts, cabin sizes, deck features, and facility list confirmed against the operator’s published sheet.
A Sara Nile Cruise Photos
Browse the gallery to see A Sara's cabins, dining, sundeck and exterior. Click any image to enlarge.
A Sara Nile Cruise Rates in USD
Calculate Your Total Cruise Cost
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- All rates are per person in USD, full-board with all sightseeing included.
- Holiday seasons (Christmas, Easter, New Year) carry a supplement reflecting peak demand.
- Single supplement 50% of Adult in Double cabin rate.
- Triple reduction 3% of Adult in Double rate.
- Junior Suite Rate is equal to two Single Cabins.
- Royal & Presidential Suites Rate is equal to two Double Cabins.
- For cruise-only without sightseeing, deduct $120 from the 3-night price and $160 from the 4-night price.
A Sara Nile Cruise Children Policy
| Age category / arrangement | Rate |
|---|---|
| Infant (under 3 years) | Free of charge — Maximum 1 free Infant per Cabin; second Infant in cabin will be charged Child Rate |
| Child (3 – 12 years) | 50% of the adult rate |
| Child (12 years or older) | Full adult rate |
| Maximum children per cabin | 1 child sharing 2 adults, or 2 children sharing 1 adult |
| 1 child + 1 adult sharing one cabin | No discount — same rate as 2 adults in double cabin |
| 2 children in a separate cabin | Same rate as 1 adult in single cabin |
What's Included & What's Not
✅ The Rate Includes
- Accommodation for 3 or 4 nights in your chosen cabin category
- Transfer from airport, train station or hotel on arrival
- Full-board dining: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- All guided sightseeing tours per the standard 3 / 4-night itinerary
- Services of a licensed, professional Egyptologist guide
- All entrance fees to historical sites named in the itinerary (Except Optional Tours)
- Departure transfer to airport / train station
❌ The Rate Excludes
- Tours not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional excursions (e.g. Abu Simbel, hot-air balloon)
- Beverages: water, soft drinks, alcohol
- Tipping for cruise crew and guide (gratuities)
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
Before you book: Review the full payment, amendment, and refund terms in our Cancellation Policy.
A Sara is your best fit if
- You want a French-balcony cabin — floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that let you watch the Nile from inside, with fresh river breeze when opened.
- You want the amenity range of a larger Nile vessel — A Sara has 68 cabins, among the larger ships sailing the Aswan–Luxor route.
- You want a luxury-class Nile cruise — A Sara offers refined service, spacious accommodation, and elevated dining.
- You want a pool for cooling off during Upper Egypt's afternoon heat — A Sara has an outdoor pool on the sun deck.
- You want spa facilities after excursion days — A Sara has a sauna and dedicated massage treatment rooms onboard.
- You want to maintain a fitness routine while cruising — A Sara has an onboard gym.
A Sara isn't your best fit if
- You're booking for three adults sharing a cabin — consider booking 1 Double + 1 Single instead of a Triple Cabin, or book another cruise with a larger cabin size.
- If you need an elevator between decks, consider Astra, Nile Quest, and Chateau Lafayette.
- If you specifically want suite-only accommodation, try to use our search bar and find an All-Suites cruise.
- If you want a restored heritage vessel, consider Karim, Sudan, and Memnon.
- If you want a walk-out balcony instead of a French balcony, try to use our search bar and find an Outside Balcony cruise.
Itineraries
A Sara sails the classic Aswan↔Luxor route. Choose between a 3-night cruise (Aswan → Luxor) or a 4-night cruise (Luxor → Aswan). 3-night departures from Aswan are typically on Wednesday. 4-night departures from Luxor are typically on Saturday.
3-Night Itinerary: Aswan → Luxor
Full detailed 3-Night Aswan → Luxor itinerary →
4-Night Itinerary: Luxor → Aswan
Frequently Asked Questions
Specifics about A Sara — class and rating, cabin layout, itineraries, departure days, and the practicalities of sailing on this particular vessel.
What is the official Egyptian Tourism Authority rating of A Sara?
What is your editorial rating of A Sara?
How many cabins does A Sara have?
What is the average cabin size on A Sara?
Does A Sara offer lower-deck cabins?
Do the cabins onboard A Sara have a balcony?
Does A Sara have an elevator on board?
Are all cabins on A Sara configured as suites?
Is A Sara a modern build or a restored heritage vessel?
Is A Sara currently in active service?
What cruise lengths does A Sara offer?
What route does A Sara sail, and what does each itinerary cover?
Which days of the week does A Sara depart?
What are the check-in and check-out times on A Sara?
What languages are spoken on board A Sara?
What currencies are accepted on A Sara?
What payment methods does A Sara accept?
How much deposit do I need to book the A Sara Nile cruise?
Can I pay for the A Sara cruise in monthly instalments?
Can I change my A Sara cruise date or swap cruises for free?
Is the A Sara cruise price protected against future increases?
What happens if my A Sara cruise is cancelled or disrupted?
What is the cancellation and refund policy for the A Sara Nile cruise?
Looking for general Nile-cruise information? For visa requirements, packing checklists, tipping etiquette, dress codes, optional excursions, and the daily rhythm of cruise life, see our Comprehensive Nile Cruise Guide for First-Timers — the answers in that guide apply to every Nile cruise on the route, including A Sara.
Why Book With Nile-Cruise-Egypt.com?
We’ve spent 25+ years booking Nile cruises and treat every reservation as the start of a long-term relationship, not a one-off transaction. Here’s what that means in practice:
- Honest cruise matching, not the highest commission — we recommend the boat that fits your budget, dates, and travel style, even when it isn’t the one paying us the most.
- One named consultant from enquiry to disembarkation — you won’t be passed between agents or talk to a different person each time you email.
- No bait pricing — the rate you see is the rate you pay; cabin upgrades, optional excursions, and seasonal supplements are quoted up-front, never sprung at checkout.
- Operator-direct rates — we work directly with Nile cruise operators, so what you pay is comparable to booking the boat yourself, with the added safety net of our support throughout.
- Egypt-based, on-the-ground support — our office is in Cairo, not a call centre in another country; if something needs fixing during your trip, we can act on it locally and immediately.
- Most travellers return or refer us — repeat bookings and word-of-mouth referrals make up the majority of our work, which is the only customer-satisfaction metric we trust.
From your first enquiry through to disembarkation, our priority is honest guidance, peace of mind, and a Nile cruise you’ll remember as a personal experience — not just a trip.
Family Travel, Made Effortless
A Nile cruise is one of the easiest ways to travel Egypt with family. Unpack once — your floating hotel moves with you, so there are no early-morning hotel checkouts, no repacking, and no long road transfers between cities. You wake up already at the next temple.
We take the logistics off your plate so you can focus on the experience:
- Transfers handled — airport pickups and all moves between the boat and the sites are arranged for you.
- Meals included — full-board dining on board, so there’s no hunting for restaurants with tired, hungry children.
- Expert Egyptologist guides — licensed guides bring the temples to life at a pace that keeps all ages engaged.
- Everything in one place — pool, dining, sun deck and cabins together, so families stay close and relaxed between excursions.
The result: less stress, fewer logistics, and more time making memories together.
A Shared Ship, Your Own Experience
You travel alongside other guests, but your experience stays very much your own. The ship is the setting — how you enjoy it is up to you.
- Your private cabin — every cabin has its own en-suite bathroom and individual climate control, so your space is entirely yours, set to your comfort.
- Dine your way — share a table and meet fellow travellers, or keep to yourselves; the choice is yours at every meal.
- Private excursions on request — prefer to explore the temples with your own guide and vehicle rather than the group? We can arrange private touring for you.
- Your own pace — join every activity or simply relax on the sun deck and watch the Nile drift by. Nothing is compulsory.
It’s the ease of a guided cruise with the privacy and flexibility of independent travel.
Why Book Now Rather Than Later
There’s no pressure here — but there are real, practical reasons not to leave A Sara sitting in a browser tab. Booking now removes risk rather than adding it:
- Cabins and dates are limited — each boat sails on a fixed schedule with a fixed number of cabins. Popular dates and the best cabin categories sell first; once a departure fills, no amount of budget brings it back.
- Today’s price can rise — Nile cruise rates move with fuel costs, temple entrance fees, and government taxes. When those go up, published prices follow. The figure you see today is not guaranteed to be there next month.
- Your deposit locks today’s price — place your 20% deposit and the rate you were quoted is held for your booking, even if prices rise afterwards. You are protected from increases the moment you confirm.
- There’s no downside to securing it — with a low 20% deposit, 0% interest instalments on the balance, and free date, cruise, and name changes, booking early costs you nothing in flexibility. You simply lock the cabin and the price, and keep your options open.
In short: waiting risks losing your cabin or paying more, while booking now secures both — with every guarantee below standing behind your reservation.
Booking Guarantees & Flexibility
Every A Sara booking with Nile-Cruise-Egypt.com comes with the guarantees below. These are the same terms set out in our booking contract and cancellation policy — summarised here so you know exactly where you stand before you pay.
Flexible, transparent payment
- 20% deposit to book. You secure your cabin with a 20% deposit at the time of booking — not the full amount up front.
- 0% interest instalments. Pay the balance in equal monthly instalments at no added cost. The final instalment is due 30 days before your travel date.
Cabin guarantees
- No lower-deck cabins, guaranteed. You will never be placed in a lower-deck cabin.
- Top-deck assurance. A guaranteed top-deck cabin is available for a 10% supplement — or free of charge as top check-in priority, subject to availability on the day.
Change & cancellation flexibility
- Free date change up to 30 days before your travel date (subject to any seasonal price difference).
- Free cruise swap up to 30 days before travel (subject to any price difference between the two cruises).
- Free name change up to 7 days before travel.
Price protection
- Locked-in price. Your price is protected against any future increase in cruise rates, fuel prices, government taxes, or entrance fees.
- Price-drop refund. If the price drops after you book, you receive the difference back (same booking conditions apply).
If an operational issue affects your cruise
Examples: urgent maintenance, administrative issues, or a cruise-specific force-majeure event.
- Reassignment to a similar or higher-category cruise.
- Conditions guaranteed — your original plan’s terms stay exactly as booked.
- No downgrade — you keep all rights, privileges, and cabin guarantees.
If there is a national or global shutdown
Examples: pandemic, airspace closure, navigation suspension, or any force-majeure event affecting all cruises.
- Postpone free of charge — move to a later date keeping the exact same booked plan, benefits, and conditions; or
- Full refund — receive a 100% refund.
Full terms, definitions, and any conditions are set out in our booking contract. If anything here is unclear, your dedicated consultant will walk you through it before you commit.
Available Nile Cruises with Same Sailing Days
3-Night Every Wednesday / 4-Night Every Saturday
Browse every Nile cruise in our fleet that shares A Sara's departure schedule. Each link opens the full cruise page with rates, photos, and itinerary.
- Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Al Hambra Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Al Kahila Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Blue Shadow Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Blue Shadow III Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Concerto I Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Concerto II Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Crown Jewel Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Liberty Nile Cruise Luxury
- Nile Serenity Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Nile Treasure Nile Cruise Moderate
- Princess Sarah Nile Cruise Luxury
- Regency Nile Cruise Deluxe
- Royal Beau Rivage Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Royal Signature Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Salima Nile Cruise Luxury
Ready to Sail on A Sara?
Ultimately, a voyage on this ship represents a highly practical, culturally engaging way to traverse the ancient trade routes of the Nile. By focusing on essential comforts, enthusiastic service, and a newly renovated environment, the operator delivers a thoroughly enjoyable journey that avoids unnecessary pretension. Passengers depart having experienced the grandeur of Karnak and Philae, supported by a comfortable floating hotel that anticipates their daily needs. The energetic onboard atmosphere, combined with the reliability of a seasoned crew, removes the logistical stress of independent travel through rural Egypt. It stands as a highly recommended option for travelers seeking a classic, well-rounded river cruising experience that maximizes both historical discovery and vacation value.


