TUI Al Horeya

The 2005-built (as "Jaz Al Horeya") cruise ship TUI Al Horeya is operated under charter by TUI AG's subsidiary TUI River Cruises (fleet) managed by "TUI UK & Ireland". Al Horeya is a classic Nile cruiser (Nilkreuzfahrtschiff/hotel ship) owned by Jaz Hotel Group (subsidiary and brand of Travco Group).

In September 2024, TUI River Cruises announced a second Nile cruiser - TUI Bahareya (fully refurbished chartered boat), slated to start revenue operations in 2025 November.

"TUI River Cruises" (tui.co.uk/river-cruises) is a new travel brand (2019-established/2021-inaugurated) and targets predominantly the UK's passenger sourcing.

Travco Group (1979-founded) is an Egypt-based company specializing in travel and tourism services, ranging from transportation (domestic flights, bus/train, cruises) to hotel and hospitality. In 2020, Travco owned/managed 50+ assets (hotels and ships) in Egypt. Air Arabia Egypt is a joint venture between Travco Group (50%) and Air Arabia (40% steak, 2003-founded, UAE-based low-cost airline). The remaining 10% are owned by private investors.

TUI Al Horeya is a 5-star luxury hotel ship specifically designed to operate voyages on Nile River leaving out of homeport Luxor.

TUI's Al Horeya charter was announced in December 2023. The announcement also introduced TUI's first newbuild riverboat - TUI Alma (2025). Like the fleetmates, TUI Al Horeya is an adults-only ship operated with all-inclusive package deals including transportation (land and air travel).

The fully refurbished Al Horeya ship started operations for TUI in November 2024. The boat was officially christened on November 15th, in a dockside ceremony in Luxor. The naming event was attended by Katy Berzins (Head of TUI River Cruises).

In Arabic, Horeya means "freedom".

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Signature onboard facilities include a spacious Top Deck (Sundeck with a sunbathing area, a large swimming pool and two Jacuzzies/whirlpools, Restaurant & Lounge), Observatory/Bar Lounge, Lazeeza Restaurant/Dining Room, Felucca/Alfresco Dining Lounge & Bar, Boutique Shop/Bazaar, Wellness Complex (massage room, gym studio), Clinic/Infirmary (medical facility served by a resident doctor/physician).

The Lobby Hall (Atrium's base level) houses both ship entrances (portside and starboard), the Reception Desk, Cruise Manager and Shore Excursions desks, self-service machines for beverages (tea and coffee).

The Bar Lounge also serves TUI's daily enrichment program (lectures, media presentations, port talks, trivia games, quizzes, watching movies) and entertainment (daily scheduled activities and nightly shows, including traditional dance performances).

All land tours part of each TUI Nile cruise are led by a certified Egyptologist.

TUI Al Horeya's deals are all-inclusive. The cruisetour package includes all shipboard food and beverages (at both bars, in the restaurant and the alfresco dining), live entertainment, 2x land tours/excursions and transfers, and services by professional tour guides (licensed Egyptologists).

Decks and Cabins

TUI Al Horeya staterooms (74 total) are all outside (with river views) and as types vary from Suites to Standard and Single cabins. Most are with a French Balcony/Juliette (aka balconette/false balcony).

The boat has 5 decks, of which 4 are with cabins.

All passenger accommodations are fully air-conditioned and offer as standard amenities a double Queen-size bed (convertible to twins, bedside cabinets and wall-mounted reading lamps), premium bedding sets (luxury mattress, Egyptian cotton linens, 5 pillows), mirrored wardrobe, mirrored vanity table/writing desk, a coffee table with two chairs, minibar/fridge, digital safe box (in the closet), wall-mounted TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, en-suite bathroom (WC, single-sink vanity, LED mirror, glass shower, hairdryer, bathrobes and slippers).

Superior French Balcony cabins (Deck 2 and Deck 3) are sized 15 m2 (160 ft2)

French Balcony Suites (Deck 2) are sized 25 m2 (270 ft2) and have a double bed (non-convertible to twins). Balcony Suites (Deck 3) are sized 28 m2 (300 ft2) and have a small step-out Juliette balcony. Bonus perks for all Suites include Continental Breakfast in bed (twice per voyage/weekly) and a 30-minute massage.

Single cabins (Deck 3) are sized 11 m2 (120 ft2). These staterooms are specifically designed for solo travelers and can be booked without single supplement. Each cabin is fitted with a single bed and an opening window.

TUI Nile River cruise itineraries

TUI's Nile cruise schedule starts with Al Horeya's Maiden Voyage scheduled for November 7, 2024. Between the inaugural cruise date and April 24, 2025, the ship operates only one (7-day) itinerary leaving roundtrip from Luxor.

TUI's Egypt cruisetours are inclusive of air travel (international flights from England/London Gatwick and Manchester airports), dining (three meals a day), complimentary beverages at mealtimes (tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine/beer by the glass), and the ship's two bars. All gratuities (onboard and ashore tips) and service charges are also included in the vacation fares.

TUI is the only tour operator in Egypt offering non-stop flights from Gatwick and Manchester directly to Luxor. The airport-ship transfer takes ~25 minutes.

Optional land vacation packages offered by TUI offer extended stays at Luxor's premium properties Hilton Resort Luxor, Iberotel Luxor, Jolie Ville Kings Island Resort, Steigenberger Nile Palace, and Achti Resort.

TUI's "Legends of the Nile" cruise itinerary

TUI's 7-night/8-day "Legends of the Nile" itinerary (inaugural season Nov 2024 - Apr 2025) starts in Luxor (with a 3-day stay/overnight), visits Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan (2-day stay/overnight) and ends in Luxor (with a 2-day stay/overnight).

(DAY 1-3) Bus transfer from Luxor Airport, boarding the ship, staying overnight.

On DAY 4 are visited Edfu (morning docking at the river's west bank) and Kom Ombo. A guided excursion in Edfu visits the Temple of Horus. During the short stop in Kom Ombo is offered an excursion to the double temple (dedicated to two sets of gods - Sobek and Haroeris). In the late evening, the ship departs for Aswan.

(DAY 5-6) Aswan overnight stay, optional excursions include a full-day bus tour to Abu Simbel (Day 5) and to the Aswan High Dam (DAY 6), the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple. In the late afternoon, the ship leaves for Luxor.

(DAY 7-8) Morning arrival in Luxor, optional excursions visit the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple and a felucca boat cruise.

TUI Nile cruise prices start from GBP 1480/EUR 1720/USD 1890 per person (TUI All-Inclusive package). All gratuities (onboard and ashore tips) and service charges are included in TUI's standard river cruise fares.