sanctuary cruises egypt Review

Here is a review of Sanctuary Cruises Egypt (Sanctuary Retreats’ Nile cruises), covering what they do well, what to watch out for, and whether it’s a good choice for different types of travellers. If you like, I can also pull together some guest reviews or comparisons.

Table of Contents

What is Sanctuary Cruises Egypt?

Sanctuary Retreats operates luxury Nile cruises in Egypt. Their fleet includes ships such as:

Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau (a Dahabiya-style vessel) Abercrombie & Kent
Sanctuary Sun Boat IV Abercrombie & Kent+2Abercrombie & Kent+2
Sanctuary Nile Adventurer Steppes Travel+3Abercrombie & Kent+3Luxor and Aswan+3
Sanctuary Sun Boat III Abercrombie & Kent+1

They offer several itineraries (3-, 4-, up to 8-night cruises), with stops at major ancient Egyptian sites between Luxor and Aswan, often including Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings etc. Steppes Travel+3Luxor and Aswan+3Abercrombie & Kent+3

What they do very well

Here are strengths based on different sources:

Luxury & Comfort
Cabins and common areas are elegantly designed. Many ships have suites with private balconies, panoramic windows, and high-quality fittings. Abercrombie & Kent+3Abercrombie & Kent+3Abercrombie & Kent+3

Facilities include things like heated pools, massage rooms, sun decks, shaded lounge bars etc. Abercrombie & Kent+2Luxor and Aswan+2
Scenic, Historical Experience with Good Guides
The itineraries give you access to many of Egypt’s top archaeological and cultural sites. The ship’s staff includes experienced Egyptologists and local guides. Abercrombie & Kent+2Abercrombie & Kent+2
Intimacy & Personalised Service
Some of their smaller vessels (e.g. Zein Nile Chateau) have very few guests (only 12) which allows more personalised service. Abercrombie & Kent

Even on larger Sanctuary ships, guest feedback tends to highlight attentive staff, nice deck experiences (sunset, river views) and attention to detail. The Times+2Steppes Travel+2
High Standard of Dining
Diverse menus combining Egyptian regional dishes and international cuisine. Multiple meals a day, often including special evenings and local flavour. Abercrombie & Kent+2nilerivercruiseships.com+2
Responsible & High-Quality Amenities
Safety, hygiene, environmental responsibility seem to feature. For example, the Sun Boat IV fact-sheet mentions recycling, hygiene programmes. Luxor and Aswan+1

What to watch out for / Weaknesses

Cost
As with most luxury services, Sanctuary Cruises are not cheap. You’re paying for high standards, comfort, guides, food, etc. If budget is tight, this may be above what you want.
Weather / Seasonal Issues
Nile water levels, heat, etc., can affect comfort, schedules, or what you see. If travelling during hot seasons, things like daytime sun, crowded sites, etc., may reduce enjoyment.
Food / Expectations
While generally good, some travellers report that food is good but not exceptional in every meal (i.e. high-end “wow”). If your expectations are very high (e.g. Michelin-level), there may be minor let-downs. From forums: someone said the food “wasn’t great, but it wasn’t bad either.” Reddit
Pace & Itinerary
Because there are many ancient sites, the itinerary can sometimes feel full, with early starts, lots of excursions. That’s great for history lovers, but possibly tiring.
Small-Print / Extras
Things like whether drinks are included, whether excursions cost extra, tipping, laundry etc. can add up. Also docking points, how “private” certain stops are, or whether group size reduces intimacy.

Who is Sanctuary Cruises Egypt best for?

Traveller Type	Likely to Enjoy?	Comments
History & culture lovers	High	The itinerary is rich and immersive.
Luxury seekers	High	For those wanting comfort, views, refined service.
Photographers / nature lovers	High	The river scenes, temples, villages make for great visuals.
Families / small groups	Good	On smaller boats especially; the Zein is ideal for families.
Budget travellers or backpackers	Lower	Pricing is much higher than basic Nile cruises; may be too much.
Travellers who like flexibility / independent pace	Mixed	The cruise offers structure; less flexibility than self-guided tours.

Overall impression

Overall, Sanctuary Cruises rank among the top choices for luxury Nile cruising. For people who want a comfortable, immersive, relatively stress-free way to see Egypt’s ancient monuments, this is an excellent option. The combination of well-designed boats, knowledgeable guides, strong service, and beautiful surroundings makes it worth the price for many travellers.

If there’s one thing, it’s to make sure you are very clear on what is included in your package (meals, drinks, excursions, tipping etc.), pick the ship that best fits your style (smaller for intimacy, larger for more social features), and be prepared for a somewhat packed itinerary if you want to see many sites.

Sample: Guest-Perspective Highlights

From some published reviews (e.g. The Times on the Sun Boat IV):

“The ship is delightfully intimate and supremely comfortable. There’s an elegant dining room and bar and a plunge pool and sunloungers … Each day small kindnesses are showered upon us … meticulous attention to detail …” The Times

So many guests report that the trip is beautiful, relaxing, surprisingly enriching; that the service staff often go above and beyond.

Should you choose it?

If you are planning an Egypt trip and want:

To combine luxury + culture (not just hotels, but meaningful historical visits),
A more relaxed pace than constantly changing hotels,
Good service, good food, comfort,

then yes — Sanctuary Cruises is one of the better options.

If instead you’re mostly exploring Egypt on a tight budget, want more freedom, or don’t need luxury, there may be cheaper alternatives that deliver “just the basics” very well.

If you like, I can write you a comparison between Sanctuary Cruises and some other Nile cruise providers (pros, cons) so you can decide. Do you want that?