TUI Bahareya

The 2003-built (as "MS Iberotel Crown Emperor") cruise ship TUI Bahareya is operated under charter by TUI AG's subsidiary TUI River Cruises (fleet) managed by "TUI UK & Ireland". Bahareya is a classic Nile cruiser (Nilkreuzfahrtschiff/hotel ship) owned by Iberotel Hotels & Resorts (subsidiary and brand of Iberostar Group).

On September 18, 2024, TUI officially announced its second Nile cruiser (Bahareya) slated to join the fleetmate TUI Al Horeya in November 2025. TUI's Egypt fleet expansion was due to strong demand for TUI Al Horeya's Nile cruises based on over 50% booked season 2024-2025.

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

Like all TUI riverboats, Bahareya is an adults-only ship operated with all-inclusive package deals including transportation (land and air travel).

The fully refurbished TUI Bahareya ship starts revenue operations for TUI in November 2025.

In Arabic, Bahareya means "belongs to the river". The Bahariya Oasis (Egypt's Western Desert area) is an oval valley (~370 km/230 mi southwest of Cairo) with total area ~2000 km2 part of the Giza Governorate. Surrounded by mountains, the region is popular for its numerous springs and industries like agriculture (guavas, mangos, dates, olives), iron ore mining, and tourism.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Signature onboard facilities include a spacious Top Deck (Sundeck with a sunbathing area, a large swimming pool, a massage tent, an entertainment area, Alfresco Dining Lounge & Bar), Observatory/Bar Lounge, Sofra Restaurant/Dining Room (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner/buffet-style, cooking show, traditional Egyptian dishes), Felucca/Alfresco Dining Lounge & Bar (including grab-and-go lunches), Boutique Shop/Bazaar, 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 Bahareya'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 Bahareya staterooms (68 total) are all outside (with river views) and as types Suites and Superior cabins. All passenger accommodations are with a French Balcony/Juliette (aka balconette/false balcony).

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

All passenger cabins 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 (decks 2, 3, and 4) are sized 19 m2 (200 ft2).

French Balcony Suites (Deck 3) are sized 24 m2 (260 ft2) and have a double bed (non-convertible to twins). Bonus perks for the Suites include Continental Breakfast in bed (twice per voyage/weekly) and upgraded/luxury brand toiletries.

The ship has no Adjoining (with interconnecting doors) or Single cabins (bookable without a single supplement).

TUI Nile River cruise itineraries

TUI's Nile cruise schedule starts with Bahareya's Maiden Voyage scheduled for November 4, 2025. Between the inaugural cruise date and April 21, 2026, the ship operates two itineraries (both 7-day) leaving roundtrip from Luxor.

The 7-day "Ancient Gods and Famous Pharaohs" itinerary starts and ends with an overnight stay in Luxor (DAY 1-2 and DAY 7-8) and visits Aswan/Kom Ombo (DAY 3), Aswan (DAY 4-5), and Edfu (DAY 6).

The 7-day "Legends of the Nile" itinerary starts and ends with an overnight stay in Luxor (DAY 1-2-3 and DAY 7-8) and visits Edfu and Kom Ombo (DAY 4) and Aswan (DAY 5-6).

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.