What is the Sanctuary Sun Boat III like?

The Sanctuary Sun Boat III is an ultra luxury vessel on the Luxor to Aswan route, carrying fewer passengers than standard ships with a correspondingly more personal level of service.

How many passengers does it carry?

Ultra luxury vessels carry significantly fewer passengers than standard 5 star ships. Contact us for the exact capacity and cabin options on your chosen dates.

What is included in the fare?

Full board dining onboard, guided excursions with an Egyptologist, and entrance fees to the listed sites. Drinks and optional activities are generally extra.

What is the itinerary?

The classic Luxor to Aswan route covering Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae.

When is the best time to sail?

October through April offers the most comfortable temperatures. Summer sailings are hotter but quieter, with excursions scheduled early in the morning.

How do I book the Sanctuary Sun Boat III?

Send us an enquiry with your preferred dates and party size and we will confirm availability, cabin options and current rates for the Sanctuary Sun Boat III.

Sanctuary Sun Boat III Nile Cruise - Egypt Nile Cruise Hub

Sanctuary Sun Boat III Nile Cruise – Golden-Age Luxury for Just 18 Cabins
The Sanctuary Sun Boat III is a small, 18-stateroom Nile cruiser from the Sanctuary Retreats fleet (part of Abercrombie & Kent), positioned as a “golden age” luxury vessel between Luxor and Aswan – a sister ship to the larger Sun Boat IV.

Cabins & Suites

14 standard cabins (around 180 sq ft)
2 Balcony Royal Suites (390 sq ft) with private balconies
2 Presidential Suites (310 sq ft)
18 outside staterooms in total across the Nile, Promenade, and Tower Decks

Cabins feature convertible twin beds, en-suite bathrooms with L’Occitane bath products, flat-screen LCD TVs, and individually controlled air-conditioning.

Onboard Style & Atmosphere

With only 18 staterooms, the Sun Boat III is one of the smallest luxury vessels sailing the Nile, matching its sister ship Sun Boat IV’s art-deco heritage while carrying a fraction of the guests – a genuinely intimate, golden-age atmosphere rather than a large-ship experience.

Nile Cruise Itinerary

The Sun Boat III sails the classic route between Luxor and Aswan, calling at:

Karnak Temple & Luxor Temple
Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut Temple
Kom Ombo Temple & Edfu Temple
Philae Temple

Why Choose the Sun Boat III?

Only 18 staterooms – one of the smallest luxury ships on the Nile
2 Balcony Royal Suites, a rarity on Nile cruisers
L’Occitane bath amenities
Golden-age styling from Sanctuary Retreats / Abercrombie & Kent

Book Your Sun Boat III Nile Cruise

Sail aboard the intimate Sanctuary Sun Boat III for a small-ship, golden-age Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan.

📞 Contact us now to book your Sun Boat III cruise!

Sanctuary Sun Boat III – Frequently Asked Questions

How many cabins does the Sanctuary Sun Boat III have?

The Sun Boat III has just 18 outside staterooms: 14 standard cabins, 2 Balcony Royal Suites, and 2 Presidential Suites, making it one of the smallest luxury ships on the Nile.

Is the Sun Boat III related to the Sun Boat IV?

Yes, both are part of the Sanctuary Retreats fleet (operated by Abercrombie & Kent) and share an art-deco, golden-age design heritage, though the Sun Boat III is considerably smaller.

What route does the Sun Boat III sail?

The Sun Boat III sails the classic route between Luxor and Aswan, visiting Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Philae Temple.

Sanctuary Sun Boat III Overview

The Sanctuary Sun Boat III is an 18-stateroom, golden-age-styled Nile cruiser from the Sanctuary Retreats fleet, one of the smallest luxury ships sailing between Luxor and Aswan.

Other Luxury Nile Cruises

Sun Boat III facilities

Only 18 outside staterooms
2 Balcony Royal Suites with private balconies
2 Presidential Suites
L'Occitane bath amenities
Convertible twin beds
Golden-age art-deco styling
Individually controlled air-conditioning

3 Nights :

From Aswan to Luxor Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Aswan – Embarkation & Philae Temple

Morning: Arrive in Aswan and transfer to the Sanctuary Sun Boat III Nile Cruise. Check-in and embark on your luxury cruise.
Afternoon: Enjoy a delicious lunch on board. In the afternoon, take a guided tour to the majestic Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, and the Aswan High Dam, a marvel of modern engineering.
Evening: Return to the cruise for a gourmet dinner and spend the night docked in Aswan.

Day 2: Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples

Morning: Sail to Kom Ombo. After breakfast, visit the unique Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Horus. Learn about the temple’s fascinating dual design and explore its well-preserved reliefs.
Afternoon: Enjoy lunch as you continue sailing towards Edfu. Upon arrival, visit the Edfu Temple, one of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
Evening: Return to the ship for dinner and sail towards Luxor. Spend the night on board.

Day 3: Luxor West Bank – Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon

Morning: After breakfast, explore the West Bank of Luxor. Visit the Valley of the Kings, where the tombs of Egypt’s great pharaohs are located. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a stunning mortuary temple built into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
Afternoon: Visit the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues that once guarded the entrance to the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III. Return to the cruise for lunch.
Evening: Enjoy your final dinner on board, followed by a cultural performance. Spend the night docked in Luxor.

Day 4: Disembarkation – Luxor East Bank (Karnak & Luxor Temples)

Morning: After breakfast, check out from the Sanctuary Sun Boat III Nile Cruise. Visit the East Bank of Luxor, including the magnificent Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex in ancient Egypt, and the Luxor Temple, known for its grandeur and beauty.
Afternoon: After the tour, transfer to Luxor Airport or your next destination.

4 Nights :

From Luxor to Aswan Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Luxor – Embarkation & Karnak Temple

Morning: Arrive in Luxor and transfer to the Sanctuary Sun Boat III Nile Cruise. Check-in and embark on your luxurious journey.
Afternoon: Enjoy lunch on board. In the afternoon, explore the East Bank of Luxor, starting with the Karnak Temple, a vast open-air museum and the largest religious complex in ancient Egypt.
Evening: Visit the Luxor Temple, beautifully illuminated at night. Return to the cruise for dinner and spend the night docked in Luxor.

Day 2: Luxor West Bank – Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon

Morning: After breakfast, visit the West Bank of Luxor. Discover the Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of many pharaohs, including Tutankhamun. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, an architectural marvel dedicated to Egypt’s first female pharaoh.
Afternoon: Stop at the Colossi of Memnon before returning to the cruise for lunch. Sail towards Edfu in the afternoon.
Evening: Enjoy dinner on board and spend the night docked near Edfu.

Day 3: Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples

Morning: After breakfast, visit the Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, the falcon god. This well-preserved temple is one of Egypt’s most impressive sites.
Afternoon: Return to the ship and sail to Kom Ombo. After lunch, explore the Temple of Kom Ombo, unique in its dedication to two gods: Sobek and Horus.
Evening: Continue sailing to Aswan while enjoying dinner on board. Spend the night on the Nile.

Day 4: Aswan – Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk, and Aswan High Dam

Morning: After breakfast, visit the iconic Philae Temple, known for its beautiful location on an island in the Nile. Next, visit the Unfinished Obelisk, a massive granite obelisk that was abandoned in ancient times.
Afternoon: Visit the Aswan High Dam, an engineering marvel that transformed Egypt’s economy. Return to the cruise for lunch.
Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner on board with entertainment. Spend your last night docked in Aswan.

Day 5: Disembarkation – Optional Abu Simbel Tour

Morning: After breakfast, check out from the Sanctuary Sun Boat III Nile Cruise. For those who wish, an optional excursion to the Abu Simbel Temples can be arranged. These impressive temples, carved out of the mountainside, are among Egypt’s most famous landmarks.
Afternoon: Transfer to Aswan Airport or your next destination.