The Al Jamila Nile Cruise is a luxury cruise ship that navigates the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. With its 4 suites and 66 cabins, it offers a prestige experience to explore the great sites of Upper Égypte from the comfort of an air-conditioned cabin with river views.

Why choose the Al Jamila

This river vessel measures 72 x 14.40 metres and was built to American standards. It is equipped with radar, sonar, a fire suppression system, a water purification device and UV protection. These technical features place it in the luxury segment of vessels operating on the Nile.

The ship is owned by Sabena Group, headquartered at 140 El Marghany Street, Heliopolis, Cairo. Credit card payments are accepted onboard, making it easy to manage extras during the cruise.

Atmosphere onboard

The Al Jamila caters to travellers who want to explore archaeological sites without sacrificing comfort. Common areas are designed for relaxation between visits: you can move from the pool on the upper deck, which offers clear views of the Nile's banks, to the massage room or library to prepare for the next port of call. Evenings unfold in the onboard bars and restaurant. It's a classic ship atmosphere, rather subdued, without loud entertainment.

Cabins and suites

The ship has 4 suites and 66 cabins. All are air-conditioned and have a private bathroom. Standard amenities include satellite television, telephone, refrigerator and individual safe. Cabins are soundproofed, which keeps nights peaceful despite the proximity of engines and other passengers. Most cabins overlook the Nile through a porthole or panoramic window.

Services and amenities

• Onboard restaurant (full board as standard for this type of cruise)
• Pool with views over the Nile
• Bars on the decks
• Library and shops (jewellery, boutique)
• Massage room
• Reception and meeting room, available during mooring
• Housekeeping, room service and laundry

Location and embarkation

Like most Nile cruise ships, the Al Jamila operates on the Luxor–Aswan route, with embarkation at one or other of these two ports depending on the direction of travel. Access is usually by plane from Cairo (domestic flight of approximately one hour) or overnight train. The operating company is based in Cairo.

When to go

The cruise season on the Nile runs mainly from October to April, when temperatures in Luxor and Aswan remain manageable during the day. November, December, February and March offer the best balance between pleasant climate and moderate visitor numbers at sites. Summer (June to August) is very hot, with peaks above 40°C in Upper Égypte, making temple visits exhausting.

Sites visited from the ship

The Al Jamila's classic itinerary serves the main monumental complexes of Upper Égypte:

• Karnak Temple and Amun Temple (Luxor)
• Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens
• Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon (west bank of Luxor)
• Edfu Temple
• Kom Ombo Temple
• Philae Temple and Unfinished Obelisk (Aswan)

To compare with other Nile ships in the same category, see also Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise. To extend your stay on the Red Sea side, options such as the Cook's Club El Gouna or Amwaj Living Stone allow you to combine culture and beach.

Organising your cruise

A Nile cruise typically fits into a wider itinerary including Cairo, the pyramids and sometimes the Red Sea. To build a bespoke itinerary incorporating the Al Jamila or an equivalent ship, consult our Égypte trips.