Inside TUI River Cruises’ new Egypt ship for the Nile: TUI Bahareya

TUI River Cruises has launched its second refurbished five-star Nile ship, TUI Bahareya, blessed in Luxor. From winter 202 it offers seven-night all-inclusive round trips from Luxor, following strong demand for sister ship TUI Al Horeya.

The new ship, TUI Bahareya, is the sixth addition to the TUI River Cruises fleet, joining five other adult-only vessels. Its name, meaning “belongs to the river” in Arabic, reflects the ship’s connection to the Nile.

It offers seven-night, all-inclusive round-trip sailings from Luxor with two itineraries. Onboard, guests can expect modern Arabic-inspired décor and venues, offering a cultural immersion experience that complements the cruising experience.

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What’s onboard TUI Bahareya?

The TUI Bahareya is equipped with 74 cabins accommodating 146 guests per sailing. New venues onboard aim to bring together cultural immersion and modern Arabic-inspired décor.

Newly revealed spaces include Hetep, which means ‘peace’ in Arabic, which have the first sauna in TUI’s Egyptian fleet and two massage rooms, including one room for couples’ massages 

The top deck is a hybrid multi-functional space for relaxation for all, similar to the existing TUI Al Horeya, with a swimming pool and sun loungers. Here, there is also an Arabic-inspired area, or ‘Sofra’, meaning ‘a table spread’ in Arabic.  Al fresco lighter snacks at lunchtimes to enjoy in the sun are available here, as well as afternoon teas. 

By night, Sofra transforms into an exclusive reservation-only restaurant, serving a la carte, locally-inspired cuisine, to give guests a taste of Egypt while onboard.

The main restaurant, Belhana (which means ‘Bon Appétit’ in Arabic), sits 146 for breakfast, lunch and dinner – buffet for breakfast and lunch, waiter service for evening meals. A gala dinner on each sailing takes place in Belhana, where guests will be treated to a glamorous evening complemented by a culinary journey through Egypt.  

The Observatory is the heartbeat of the ship, hosting nightly traditional entertainment from Egyptian Whirling Dervishes to local Nubian acts.

Licensed Egyptologists give regular talks in The Observatory and are on hand throughout the trip to guide and illuminate each sailing, while a range of vocal productions as well as live quizzes, music and film showings are also on offer. 

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TUI Bahareya shore excursions

TUI is offering a wide-ranging programme of shore excursions designed to immerse guests sailing on TUI Bahareya in Egypt’s history, culture and everyday life. As with other ships in the TUI River Cruises fleet, every sailing includes two guided excursions – visits to the Temple of Horus in Edfu and the Kom Ombo temple – with the option to add more experiences curated by local experts.

For winter 2025, the line has expanded its River Cruise Collection with six new excursions available across both TUI Bahareya and TUI Al Horeya. These experiences give guests greater flexibility to explore along and beyond the Nile.

Highlights include afternoon tea at Aswan’s iconic Old Cataract Hotel, once frequented by Agatha Christie and Winston Churchill, a full-day Cairo trip to see the Giza Pyramids and the new Grand Egyptian Museum, opening in November 2025, and a local food tasting in Luxor with a host family certified by the World Fair Trade Organisation.

Three additional optional excursions will also be available to purchase across the Egyptian fleet during the winter 2025 season, giving travellers even more opportunities to tailor their Nile cruise adventure.

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Will flights be included on TUI Bahareya cruises?

Yes, two flights per week operate from London Gatwick and Manchester to Luxor, a city renowned for its rich history, architecture and culture. The direct, non-stop flights will run weekly on Tuesdays from November 4, 2025, to April 21, 2026.

Katy Berzins, Head of TUI River Cruises, commented: “This ship signifies our continued growth as a relatively new river cruise brand, and we are confident that given sales for our first Nile cruise, the launch of TUI Bahareya will go down really well with current and prospective customers.

“TUI Bahareya will offer a different culturally immersive experience onboard and will allow customers to get a taste of Egypt through its modern Arabic-inspired décor, cuisine, activities and entertainment onboard.”

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Where does TUI Bahareya sail?

The new “Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs” itinerary debuted on November 4, 2025, featuring more daytime sailing, while the “Legends of the Nile” itinerary will start on December 2, 2025. TUI Bahareya will alternate between the two itineraries each month.

Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs Itinerary:
– Day 1: Luxor
– Day 2: Luxor
– Day 3: Kom Ombo / Aswan
– Day 4: Aswan
– Day 5: Aswan
– Day 6: Edfu
– Day 7: Luxor
– Day 8: Luxor

Legends of the Nile Itinerary:
– Day 1: Luxor
– Day 2: Luxor
– Day 3: Luxor
– Day 4: Edfu & Kom Ombo
– Day 5: Aswan
– Day 6: Aswan
– Day 7: Luxor
– Day 8: Luxor

How much do TUI Egypt river cruises cost?

TUI Bahareya prices start from £1,239 per person on an all-inclusive basis including flights, transfers, tips and two guided excursions, based on two adults sharing a Superior French Balcony cabin.

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