Experience the Ultimate Luxury Cruise on the Nile River — Featuring Exceptional Cuisine, Excursions to Iconic Pyramids, and Just 84 Guests

We journeyed to Egypt to explore the temples. To visit Dendera, Karnak, and Kom Ombo, where ancient columns and obelisks, thousands of years old, still show hints of their original paint. To delve into the stories of pharaohs and their deities, and understand how ancient civilizations thrived along the Nile River.

Our exploration unfolded over a week aboard the 84-passenger Sphinx, one of the newest and most opulent ships on the river. Managed by Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, recognized as a top river-cruise line, this vessel served as our family’s gateway to adventure. My husband, Rob, and I were captivated by Luxor Temple, which we nearly had to ourselves during a moonlit after-hours visit. For our eight-year-old son, Bobby, a highlight was getting a close look at King Tut’s ancient and delicate mummy in the Valley of the Kings. Equally stunning were the vibrant stars painted on the electric blue ceiling in Ramses III's tomb.

Yet, there was so much more — an abundance beyond the landmarks that made this journey truly captivating.

One morning, the Sphinx docked in the southern city of Aswan, famous for its Philae temple complex, dating back to the 7th century BCE, and the Old Cataract Hotel, once a favorite of Agatha Christie. With temperatures around 100 degrees, our family embarked on a small motorboat with just four fellow guests — the rest seemingly content in their luxurious, air-conditioned cabins.

After several days sailing the Nile, the riverbanks viewed from the Sphinx’s serene top deck began to blend into a rhythmic panorama: mountains, brick houses, children playing along the shore. More mountains, a few fields, and perhaps a high-speed train, all like brushstrokes on a canvas. This eye-level journey felt more vibrant: colossal boulders scattered among swaying bamboo, inviting me to reach out. The sky was pleasantly overcast, a welcome relief from the oppressive heat.

After navigating through winding channels, we finally reached a towering sand dune, its sharp edges resembling a blade, with a small seating area at the bottom. "We get to climb that?" Bobby exclaimed, excitement bubbling over. "Awesome!" Just as we stepped off, the sky transformed into an unsettling shade of Fanta orange; we sought refuge from the ensuing sandstorm in a nearby home, where the owner proudly displayed his pet crocodile. (Definitely not part of the usual itinerary.)

Twenty minutes later, the storm subsided. Rob began his slow, steady ascent up the sand with Bobby in tow. I stood at the base, ready to capture the moment with my iPhone. The not-so-graceful duo slid down their boards, letting out joyful shrieks as they tumbled onto the sun-baked ground. Sweaty, exhausted, and dusted with a fine layer of grime, we were all relieved to head back to the ship, where refreshing juice awaited us, a thoughtful gesture from the attentive crew after each excursion.

One might say that you choose the Sphinx, one of two Uniworld vessels sailing in Egypt, primarily for its impeccable, intuitive staff. With 58 crew members, all male due to local customs, they tended to us with exceptional care. (Thanks to our off-peak sailing, we were fortunate to enjoy nearly a 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio.)

Alongside the regular crew, our sailing included three Egyptologists, all esteemed historians, who guided us through the vast monuments, museums, and temples. We first met our designated Egyptologist, Akram Abdelmonein, in Cairo before boarding the ship. He led us through the magnificent halls of the original Egyptian Museum, a 1902 landmark housing approximately 170,000 artifacts. Abdelmonein remained with our group of 15 throughout, even flying with us to the magnificent rock-carved temples of Abu Simbel near the Sudanese border. He answered every query candidly and reassured Bobby that no question was insignificant — a true mark of an exceptional guide in my view.

Here’s a glimpse of what you can anticipate — both onboard and off — when traveling to Egypt aboard the Sphinx.

The Staterooms

Inaugurated in 2021, the Sphinx is distinguished by its exquisite Egyptian craftsmanship and vibrant hues. The hallways and bedrooms are adorned with framed black and white photographs and illustrations of ancient ruins; Arabic coffee pots rest on intricately inlaid stools; brass lamps grace the bedside tables; and the guest room decor features royal blues and bright golds, complemented by carved blonde-wood ceilings that enhance the sense of spaciousness.

The ship boasts 42 cabins spread over three decks, varying from a French Balcony measuring 233 square feet to a Royal Suite at 495 square feet. All cabin types include French balconies, or windows that open to let in fresh air, but I never dared to open mine due to concerns about the heat and insects.

My family and I stayed in a 430-square-foot Grand Suite on the sixth, or 'Karnak,' deck, featuring a small vanity, ample closet space, and a well-furnished seating area with a sofa, coffee table, and two chairs. Like our dining table at home, it became our storage spot for leftover items — in this case, tickets, souvenirs, and whisper devices — after each outing. The spacious bathroom, tiled in tan and blue, offered a well-pressurized shower and a deep soaking tub: a luxurious treat for tired feet. With 20 Grand Suites available, this category is quite popular; we found it perfectly accommodating for our trio. (Note that children must be at least four years old to sail in Egypt.) The fantastic housekeeping team visited twice daily to refresh our room.

Bars and Restaurants

The Sphinx features a single main dining room on the fourth, or 'Luxor,' deck, which is the lowest level accessible to guests. The dining area boasts intricate pebble-tiled floors, wooden columns, beautifully carved chairs, and tables illuminated by lamps, creating a grand and formal atmosphere. However, it maintains a relaxed vibe that allows passengers to dress casually, mingle at large tables, and forge new friendships. Each meal was abundant, fresh, and outstanding; I will always remember my first taste of roasted Nile perch, expertly filleted right before my eyes by a member of the attentive culinary team. Another memorable experience was sampling okra soup and hawawshi, a pita stuffed with minced meat, during our “Egyptian street food day.”

Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style every day. At breakfast, Bobby raced to the fresh watermelon, while I indulged in the homemade pastries, ranging from chocolate croissants to delicate, sugar-dusted bars. Our dining room servers, Mosan and Omar, quickly learned our drink preferences — Turkish coffee for Rob and me, and milk for Bobby — so they had our orders ready within moments of our arrival.

At lunch, the cold salad and bread station was a standout, featuring fattoush, tabouleh, a selection of cheeses, various olives, and house-made dressings; the hot section included a grill with lamb, chicken, and fish options, as well as several main dishes, from biryani to fresh pasta. Mosan often delighted us with a local Egyptian dish to share at the table — one particular favorite was ful medames, or stewed fava beans — even before we had the chance to fill our plates.

Dinner was always served à la carte, with options for a starter, soup, main course, and dessert. Some of my favorite dishes included chicken shawarma and saffron-marinated sole; we frequently paired our meals with house-selected Egyptian wines, which complemented every dining experience beautifully.

The bright and inviting main bar and lounge, located on the fifth, or 'Dendera,' deck, served as the perfect spot for evening cocktails. It also hosted 'port talks' and lectures about upcoming attractions. Additionally, the ship’s sun deck offers drink service along with occasional light snacks, such as a champagne breakfast or afternoon tea.

Where the Ship Sails

The Sphinx, along with its sister ship, the River Tosca, offers eight-day round trips from Luxor. Guests must first fly to Cairo, where they have the option for a one- or two-night stay in the Egyptian capital, including visits to attractions like the Egyptian Museum, the Alabaster Mosque, the Citadel of Salah al-Din, and the Pyramids of Giza. (Regrettably, the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum was closed during our visit, though it appears on many Uniworld itineraries.)

During my trip, all passengers aboard the Sphinx were accommodated at the luxurious Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza, a centrally located hotel featuring a lovely shaded pool deck, an excellent Lebanese restaurant, and recently renovated rooms filled with natural light and stocked with books on Egyptian history.

After a brief flight of one hour and forty minutes south to Luxor, we were transported to the Sphinx, our home for the week. The ports of call on all Uniworld cruises include Dendera, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, and Aswan. Most temples and monuments are conveniently accessible by foot or a short bus ride; however, visiting the temples at Abu Simbel requires a one-hour flight from Aswan International Airport to Abu Simbel Airport. This fantastic excursion is available for an additional fee, but I highly recommend it.

Shore Excursions

Uniworld includes one or two shore excursions in the cruise fare, depending on the day. Many of these excursions start early to avoid the heat; during my trip, we were on the move as early as 7 a.m.

However, there was no avoiding the heat on our first major excursion. Shortly after arriving in Luxor, we were transported to the nearby Karnak Temple, an astonishing open-air complex considered one of the largest religious sites globally, dating back to around 2,000 BCE. Renowned for its breathtaking ram-headed sphinxes and the impressive columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall, it was bustling with tourists from around the world. Despite the heat and the throngs of people, our attentive Egyptologist, Abdelmonnein, regaled us with tales of pharaohs and provided context for the various Egyptian dynasties we would encounter throughout our journey.

The following morning, our arrival at the Dendera Temple Complex revealed a striking contrast. Our Uniworld group was the first to enter, greeted by the magnificent Temple of Hathor, which dates back to 54 BCE. "Picture hundreds of Egyptians flocking to this site," Abdelmonein remarked as we explored the halls dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of love and fertility. There were no other tourists taking selfies; it was just us, the birds, and a few wandering cats. With no crowds to contend with, we leisurely examined the thousands of hieroglyphics adorning the walls and ceilings. Abdelmonein even highlighted a rare depiction of Cleopatra and her son Caesarion, a child of Julius Caesar.

Later in our cruise, we visited the temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. This site features a small museum filled with mummified crocodiles — both eerie and fascinating. We also made a trip to Abu Simbel via a round-trip flight arranged by Uniworld for an additional fee. The journey was worthwhile to see the monumental statues of Ramses II and to appreciate the incredible feat of preservation that saved this 3,000-year-old site during the 1960s when it was relocated for the construction of the Aswan Dam.

Amenities and Entertainment

Avoid the Sphinx — or any cruise in Egypt, for that matter — if your idea of a vacation involves numerous bars, water slides, and nightclubs. Like other vessels on the Nile, this ship is lovely but compact, offering a few essential amenities, including a small pool on the top deck with sun loungers. To our surprise, my family and I often found ourselves as the only guests enjoying the pool, whether after a morning excursion or a leisurely lunch.

The spa resembles more of a massage room, yet the treatments I received were both excellent and reasonably priced.

In the evenings, local musicians and dancers occasionally entertained us, alongside performances from the Uniworld crew — a highlight of my trip was watching one of my favorite bartenders, Ashraf, dancing on the floor. However, most nights were fairly tranquil, with activities winding down by around 10 p.m. in anticipation of the adventures that awaited us the next day.