MS Mayflower

MS Mayflower cruise ship is a 2019-built Nile River cruiser and floating hotel, featuring luxurious staterooms, elegant interiors, and superior hospitality services. The vessel is owned and operated by Mayfair Cruises Egypt, a Luxor City-based company specializing in regular Nile River passenger cruise operations between Luxor and Aswan. The line offers 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries visiting Egypt’s ancient temples, pharaohs’ tombs, and historic ruins on professionally guided excursions led by certified Egyptologists.

In addition to the Mayflower, Mayfair Cruises’ fleet also includes her sisterships Mayfair (2010) and Esplanade (2012).

Cabins

MS Mayflower offers 54 staterooms, including 18 Suites and 8 Executive cabins. Standard complimentary cabin amenities include an en-suite bathroom (bathtub, shower, toilet, single-sink vanity, hairdryer), flat-screen TV (satellite reception), international direct-dial phone, electronic safe (in the closet), mini-fridge, coffee maker, Internet access, and individually controlled air-conditioning. Standard occupancy is two guests per cabin. Royal, Presidential, and Executive cabins additionally feature free minibar soft drinks (replenished daily) and unlimited soft and alcoholic beverages (served in the Bar Lounge). Executive and Deluxe cabins with queen beds also include a veranda.

• Royal Suite – 430 ft² (40 m²), with queen-size double bed (convertible to twins), step-out balcony, and two bathrooms.
• Presidential Suite (category PS) – 410 ft² (38 m²), with queen-size bed and step-out balcony.
• Executive Cabins – 215 ft² (20 m²), featuring large panoramic windows (tilting vertically).
• Standard/Deluxe Cabins – 215 ft² (20 m²), available with either one queen (non-convertible) or two twin beds.

Shipboard facilities

Built with a modern design and large panoramic windows, MS Mayflower provides exceptional Nile views. Her interiors are stylish and spacious, offering a blend of contemporary comfort and relaxed luxury. The Main Deck’s “Sultan Lounge” Bar provides a comfortable setting to unwind and socialize after a day of sightseeing. All meals are served on the Nile Deck in the “Pasha Restaurant,” which offers local specialties and international cuisine presented as an open buffet, prepared by skilled chefs. The restaurant accommodates 6-, 8-, and 10-seat tables. In the evenings, dinner is served à la carte. The Sun Deck features a small swimming pool, two Jacuzzis, and plenty of loungers, sofas, and daybeds for sunbathing and enjoying the scenery.

• Sun Deck (5) – Observation lounge (covered bar area with cabanas), swimming pool with pool bar, and two Jacuzzis.
• Royal Deck (4) – Royal Suites (12), Executive Cabins (4 with queen beds and veranda, 4 with twin beds).
• Vizier Deck (3) – “Vizier Salon” (library/mezzanine), Royal Suites (4), Presidential Suites (2), Deluxe Cabins (20 with twin beds).
• Main Deck (2) – Reception and lobby, “Sultan Lounge” Bar, Deluxe Cabins (6 with queen beds and veranda, 4 with twin beds).
• Nile Deck (1) – “Pasha” Restaurant, galley/kitchen, spa (steam room, sauna, aromatherapy, massages), hair salon, doctor’s office, guides’ cabins (215 ft² / 20 m²), and engine room.
• Dress code is casual; however, T-shirts and shorts are not permitted during meals.
• Launched in 2019, MS Mayflower is among the newest and most luxurious Nile River cruise ships in Egypt, designed to exceed guests’ expectations for a memorable journey through the land of ancient wonders.
• Signature amenities include spacious decks, elegant furnishings, beautifully decorated public areas, modern facilities (spa, pool), fine dining with both Western and authentic Egyptian cuisine, à la carte dinners, buffet breakfasts and lunches, onboard receptions, excellent service, a tour director, full air-conditioning, 24-hour room service, complimentary bottled water and coffee, English-speaking staff, Galabeya parties, cultural lectures, and guided excursions with headsets and professional Egyptologists.
• Other major Nile and Lake Nasser riverboats include Kasr Ibrim, River Tosca, Steigenberger Omar El Khayam, and Sonesta St. George.

MS Mayflower Nile River cruise fares are based on double occupancy. Prices may vary depending on travel agency promotions, special offers, group bookings, or last-minute discounts. European cruise lines often offer Nile River packages including round-trip flights from the USA and complimentary airport transfers.

Mayflower Nile Cruise Itineraries

MS Mayflower operates 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries year-round, sailing between Aswan and Luxor, and in the reverse direction.

• 9-Day “Highlights of Egypt” Tour: Starts in Cairo with a UK–Egypt flight. Includes a 2-day/1-night stay in Cairo, followed by a flight to Luxor for embarkation. Disembarkation is in Aswan on day 7, followed by a return flight to Cairo.
• 12-Day “Pyramids, Lake Nasser, and Nile” Tour: Round-trip from Cairo. Begins with a 4-day/3-night stay in Cairo, then a flight to Abu Simbel for embarkation (day 4). The cruise continues from Abu Simbel to Luxor (via Lake Nasser and the Nile), ending with a Luxor–Cairo flight and farewell dinner.
• 16-Day “Egypt and Nile River – Lake Nasser Cruise” Tour: Round-trip from Cairo. Includes 3 days/2 nights in Cairo, then overland transfers to Alexandria (1-night stay) and back to Cairo for the charter flight to Aswan. The itinerary includes a round-trip Aswan Nile cruise and a Lake Nasser voyage from Aswan to Abu Simbel, concluding with a return flight to Cairo.
• MS Mayflower itineraries may vary due to Nile River conditions or river traffic. Occasionally, itineraries are modified due to archaeological site closures by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities for restoration or research.
• Cruises must be booked at least 45 days before departure.

Mayflower Nile Cruise Package Inclusions

• Door-to-door pick-up (up to 75 miles / 120 km from the airport), flight from Heathrow (London), all local transfers, port charges, and airport taxes. Regional flights available at a supplement.
• Hotel stays: Cairo (Oberoi Mena House), Alexandria (Helnan Palestine), final night in Cairo (Fairmont Heliopolis). For details on hotel partners, see the top-page Viking link.
• Prices include all onboard meals, soft drinks at lunch, and soft drinks with a glass of wine or beer at dinner. The onboard program features live entertainment by local performers and artisans. All guided tours and excursions are included, led by certified Egyptologists.

Mayflower Nile Cruise Tours and Excursions

• Cairo: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, Saqqara “Stairway to the Sky,” Egyptian Museum, Saladin’s Citadel, and the Alabaster Mosque.
• Alexandria: National Museum, Catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, Library, and Lighthouse.
• Kom Ombo: Temple of Horus and Sobek, ancient calendar site. Edfu: Temple of Horus.
• Luxor–Edfu–Kom Ombo: Valley of the Kings and Queens, Museums, Temples of Karnak and Amun-Ra, Deir el-Bahri, and the Colossi of Memnon.
• Dendera and Aswan: High Dam, Temples of Isis, Hathor, and Kalabsha, ancient quarries (Unfinished Obelisk), Kitchener Island, Botanical Gardens, and Aga Khan’s Mausoleum.
• Abu Simbel–Kasr Ibrim–Amada–Wadi el-Seboua: Temples of Dakka, Meharakka, Amada, Derr, the Tomb of Penout, and rock temples.

Note: You can explore CruiseMapper’s complete list of river cruise ships and itineraries in the River Cruises hub, where all river cruise companies and their fleets are detailed.