Dahabiya Nile Cruises
A dahabiya carries eight to twenty-four guests under sail. A Nile cruise ship carries seventy. That is the whole difference.
What A Dahabiya Is.
A dahabiya is a traditional Nile sailing boat with real cabins. Two lateen sails, one forward and one aft. Small, slow, quiet.
It is not a felucca — a felucca is an open boat for a sunset hour. It is not a cruise ship either. It sits between the two, and there is nothing else in that space.
Two lateen sails do the work. The engine is the backup, not the plan.
Our dahabiyas hold 16 to 24 guests. Our big ships hold 140.
It moors at islands and villages where a cruise ship cannot reach the bank.
Heated pools, spas, jacuzzi suites, marble bathrooms. On a traditional hull.
Dahabiya Or Cruise Ship.
A big ship is not a worse choice. It is a different one. We represent both, so here is the honest comparison.
Three Dahabiyas.
Eight cabins, ten, or twelve. Each one is a different boat for a different traveller.
All three are independently owned and operated. Boreas represents them — you book and travel through Boreas, and the vessel’s own crew runs the cruise.
Nawara — 12 Cabins, 24 Guests.
Built 2024. 60 m long, 9 m wide, three decks, 18 crew. Ten Deluxe Cabins and two Jacuzzi Suites, every one looking onto the river. Full vessel page →
Lateen sails power most of the journey, with engine power in reserve for when the wind drops.
The Cabins And The Suites.
A quick look inside a cabin.
A look at a Nawara bathroom.
On Board.
A heated pool overlooking the Nile, sunbeds, and space for outdoor dining.
Indoors, à la carte or family-style. Outdoor dining on deck as an alternative.
An indoor lounge with river views, for a drink or a game of chess.
A mini gym and an open-air yoga deck, both with Nile views.
Evenings And Excursions.
Who Nawara Is For.
Sunday to Thursday, or Thursday to Sunday.
From $1,200 per person per night.
Sixteen to twenty-four guests. Not seventy.
Tell us your group size and dates — we reply within 24 hours.
Nile Divine — 8 Cabins, 16 Guests.
60 m by 9. Sixteen guests across eight cabins, all on the Nile Deck, each with a French balcony and its own Pharaonic symbol. Full vessel page →
Every room holds original artwork by Alaa Abu El Hamd, a Luxor artist. Sculptures by local artists sit throughout. The owner designed the boat herself and hand-drew the furniture, using alabaster and travertine sourced in Egypt. It reads as a gallery as much as a ship — which is why people call it The Floating Gallery.
Nile Majestic — 10 Cabins, 20 Guests.
Ten guest cabins across two decks, four of them suites. Every cabin looks onto the river through a panoramic window or a French balcony. Full vessel page →
Like the Nile Divine, she sails under two sails and is towed by a tugboat that carries the engine well away from the cabins. You hear the river, not the machinery.
A Day On Board.
No two days run identically — the wind decides some of it. But the shape is consistent.
The Route & The Temples.
All three vessels sail between Luxor and Aswan, in either direction. The great temples sit on the route. The smaller stops are where a dahabiya earns its keep.
How To Choose.
Not sure? Tell us your group size and dates and we will say which of the three actually suits you — including when the answer is none of them.
Rates & Booking.
Two ways to sail: bring your own group, or join a shared departure. Eight to twelve cabins means both fill quickly.
Travel with your own people. Tell us how many guests and when, and we quote the cabins or the whole vessel.
Request Group BookingTake a cabin on a departure with other guests. Ask us for the next available dates.
Join Shared SailingNawara from $1,200 per person per night. Nile Divine and Nile Majestic are quoted on request. Send your group size and dates and we reply within 24 hours.
Getting There & Good To Know.
All three dahabiyas are independently owned and operated. Boreas represents them — you book and travel through Boreas, with each vessel’s own crew running the cruise.
Questions
What is a dahabiya?
A traditional Nile sailing boat with real cabins. Two lateen sails, a shallow hull, and somewhere between eight and twelve cabins. It is bigger and far more comfortable than a felucca, and much smaller and quieter than a cruise ship.
How many dahabiyas does Boreas represent?
Three. Nawara with 12 cabins and up to 24 guests, Nile Divine with 8 cabins and 16 guests, and Nile Majestic with 10 cabins and 20 guests. We also represent two 70-cabin ships, Lady Carol and Lady Mary, for travellers who want the bigger, livelier trip.
Do these boats really sail?
Yes. Nawara sails under her own two lateen sails with engine power held in reserve for windless days. Nile Divine and Nile Majestic each carry two sails and are towed by a tugboat that holds the engine room well away from the cabins, so the noise stays off the vessel.
Which dahabiya should I pick?
Nawara if you want the fullest boat — heated pool, gym, yoga deck and two Jacuzzi Suites. Nile Divine if you want the fewest guests, a spa with a Himalayan salt massage room, and original Luxor artwork throughout. Nile Majestic if you want a suite with a private balcony over the river. Tell us your group and we will recommend one.
How much does a dahabiya cruise cost?
Nawara starts from $1,200 per person per night. Nile Divine and Nile Majestic are quoted on request, as rates depend on the season, the cabin type and whether you take the whole vessel. Send us your dates and group size and we reply within 24 hours.
Can I book a single cabin, or do I need the whole boat?
Either. You can join a shared sailing and take one cabin alongside other guests, or book as a group and take several cabins or the entire vessel. With eight to twelve cabins, a full charter is realistic for a family or a group of friends.
What days does Nawara sail?
Sunday to Thursday, or Thursday to Sunday. Ask us for the next available dates, and for the sailing days on Nile Divine and Nile Majestic.
Where do these cruises go?
Between Luxor and Aswan, in either direction. The route takes in Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae — plus island moorings and village walks that larger ships cannot reach.
Is a dahabiya better than a big cruise ship?
It is different, not better. A dahabiya is quiet, slow and small, with a high crew-to-guest ratio and access to moorings a ship cannot use. A big ship gives you more space, more venues, a fixed schedule and usually a lower price. We represent both and will tell you honestly which suits your trip.
Can I add the Red Sea or Cairo to the trip?
Yes. Many guests pair a Nile cruise with a Red Sea voyage aboard our own superyacht, or add a privately guided land programme in Cairo and Luxor. Ask us and we will build the combined itinerary.
Sail It, Don’t Cruise It.
Three dahabiyas between Luxor and Aswan. Tell us your group and dates — we reply within 24 hours.