Overview

 

Program Highlights 
  • 4-nights hotel stay in Cairo plus 7-night cruise from Luxor aboard Uniworld’s S.S. Sphinx
  • Cruisetour program personally hosted by Hearst Ranch Winery Proprietors, Jim & Debi Saunders
  • Flights between Cairo & Luxor included
  • Exclusive Hearst Ranch onboard receptions and group dinners
  • Optional Food & Wine Trails optional 2-night pre-Cairo and 6-night post-cruise Jordan land program
  • Complimentary house wine, local beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee during lunch and dinner
  • Complimentary Uniworld shore tours in every port
  • Shipboard gratuities included
  • Visits to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • River Heritage $300 per person savings (past Uniworld guests)
  • Early Booking Bonus: 150€ per person shipboard credit if booked by March 31, 2026

After a dazzling 2026 Mediterranean ocean voyage, Hearst Ranch has set their sights on an amazing Nile River cruise for 2027.

Winery Proprietors, Jim & Debi Sauders, have turned their dream destination into reality, and would love you to join them aboard Uniworld’s stunning floating hotel – SS Sphinx.  Travel between major archaeological sites, visiting temples, tombs and a total of 12 UNESCO Heritage sites – all under the expert guidance of an experienced Egyptologist.

The 7-night cruise is anchored with a 2-night pre- and post-cruise stay in Cairo, allowing time to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, The Alabaster Mosque, Citadel of Salah al-Din, Pyramids at Giza, the Great Sphinx and more, all included in your cruise/tour fare.  Plus you have the opportunity of extending your post-cruise stay in Jordan for more dramatic landscapes, well-preserved ruins, deserts, and the star attraction of Petra.

Don’t miss this opportunity to add another check to your bucket list!

 

Register Now
  • Cruise Line

    Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

  • Ports of Call

    Roundtrip Cairo

Experts

Jim & Debi Saunders

Proprietors, Hearst Ranch Winery

Itinerary

Hearst Ranch Winery 2027

Destination: Egypt & Nile River
To & From: Roundtrip Cairo
Dates: March 13 – 24, 2027
Length: 12 Days
Ship: S.S. Sphinx

Important Note: Dates and times of onboard events are subject to change without notice

March 11-13
2027
Cairo

SAVE THE DATES! F&WT Optional 2-night pre-stay in Cairo.  Estimated release date: July 2026

March 13
2027
Cairo, Egypt
Hotel Overnight

Arrive at Cairo International Airport.  Transfer to the opulent Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza or to the stunning Nile Ritz-Carlton (or similar)

March 14
2027
Cairo, Egypt
Hotel Overnight

Uniworld guided tour of 12th-century Citadel of Salah al-Din, Alabaster Mosque and Grand Egyptian Museum

March 15
2027
Cairo - Luxor - Cruising the Nile River - Dendera
Embarkation

Fly from Cairo to Luxor. Tour Temple of Karnak. Embark S.S. Sphinx

Note: This program includes some early morning activities.  Flights between Cairo and Luxor may require wake-up calls at 5:00am or earlier.  Guided tours typically begin in the morning and may include a motor coach drive.

 

March 16
2027
Dendera, Cruising the Nile River, Luxor

Uniworld Included Shore Tour: Temple of Hathor & Temple of Luxor

 

 

March 17
2027
Luxor, Cruising the Nile River, Kom Ombo

Uniworld Included Shore Tour: Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple and Valley of the Kings

 

 

March 18
2027
Kom Ombo, Cruising the Nile River, Aswan

Uniworld Included Shore Tours: Kom Ombo Temple & bird-watching boat ride

March 19
2027
Aswan

Uniworld Included Shore Tours: Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Temple of Isis & boat ride in traditional Nile River felucca and afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan

 

March 20
2027
Aswan, Cruising the Nile River, Edfu

Spend the day at leisure or join Uniworld for an optional excursion to see the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel

 

March 21
2027
Esna, Cruising the Nile River, Luxor

Uniworld Include Shore Tour: Temple of Khnum

 

March 22
2027
Luxor, Disembark Ship, Fly to Cairo
Hotel Overnight

Disembark in Luxor and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo.  Then, check in to your luxury hotel where you’ll have time to relax before dinner

March 23
2027
Cairo
Hotel Overnight

Uniworld Included Shore Tours: Ancient Memphis sites, including the Pyramids of Giza with small pyramid entry, the Great Sphinx and Sakkara visit

 

March 24
2027
Cairo

Check out of your hotel and transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight home

OR extend your stay with F&WT’s optional post extension in Jordan.  Estimated release date: July 2026

Food & Wine Trial's Optional Land Program

Per Person Pricing

Category TypeDouble Occupancy
French Balcony B$8,124
French Balcony A$8,824
Deluxe French Balcony $10,624
Grand Suite B$13,824
Grand Suite A$14,424
Royal Suite $18,624

REQUEST PRICES FOR SINGLE/TRIPLE OR CATEGORY NOT LISTED.

PRICES ARE PER PERSON, CRUISETOUR ONLY, BASED ON DOUBLE  OCCUPANCY, AND INCLUDE UNIWORLD PRE & POST-CRUISE HOTEL STAYS AS INDICATED IN ITINERARY, FLIGHTS BETWEEN CAIRO AND LUXOR, SHIPBOARD ACCOMMODATIONS, PORT TAXES, AIRPORT TRANSFERS ON TOUR BEGIN AND END DATES ONLY, ONBOARD MEALS, GRATUITIES, COMPLIMENTARY HOUSE WINES, BEERS,  SOFT DRINKS, TEA COFFEE DURING LUNCH AND DINNER, COMPLIMENTARY UNIWORLD SHORE EXCURSIONS, AND LIMITED TRAVEL MANAGEMENT SERVICES. PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE ROUNDTRIP AIR BETWEEN THE US AND CAIRO,  VISA’s FOR EGYPT OR JORDAN, PREMIUM WINE AND SPIRITS, F&WT’s OPTIONAL  JORDAN PROGRAM, TRAVEL INSURANCE, OR ALL ITEMS OF A PERSONAL NATURE. F&WT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CORRECT PRICING ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. PRICES WILL NOT INCREASE AFTER DEPOSIT RECEIVED, EXCEPT FOR FUEL SURCHARGES AND ANY TAXES, CHARGES OR LEVIES IMPOSED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

About the Ship

S.S. Sphinx view ship’s deck plan here

The S.S. Sphinx offers two gourmet dining venues, a swimming pool, massage room and 42 gorgeously appointed accommodations. This Super Ship offers an authentically immersive onboard experience, with bespoke decor by local artisans and materials sourced regionally—such as fine Egyptian cottons, marble and hand-carved blonde wood—to highlight Egyptian craftsmanship while minimizing our carbon footprint.

NOTE: All staterooms and suites onboard have French balconies. While the S.S. Sphinx is a beautiful and luxurious ship, its amenities may differ from those of a Uniworld-company-owned ship.

Deluxe French Balcony Stateroom

French Balcony Stateroom

Ship's Lobby

Sun deck

Lounge/Bar

Resturant

Bistro

Gym

Terms & Conditions

  • Click Here to download Uniworld’s Cruise Companion, containing answers to what to expect and all the frequently asked questions for travel in Egypt.  Everything from required visas, to local currency and electrical outlets, to suggested packing, is covered in this comprehensive guide.

    Click Here to view Food & Wine Trails full terms & conditions

     

    Please note: Cruise escorts, experts scheduled to appear and onboard programming are subject to change with or without notice. For a complete listing of all tour conditions, please refer to the registration form.

    Flights between Cairo and Luxor may require wake-up calls at 5:00am or earlier. Guided tours typically begin in the morning and may include a motor coach drive.