MS Opera Nile cruise: the ship now sold as MS Ciela

If you are looking for the MS Opera Nile cruise, the ship you will find on sale today is MS Ciela. Cyplon, a UK tour operator, sells it as "MS Ciela (ex MS Opera)": a large 5-star deluxe ship with a guitar-shaped pool, sailing week-long round trips from Luxor. Our verdict: a big, well-equipped ship that is difficult to judge, because no seller shows a price and neither the owner nor the date of the rename is published. Unless you specifically want a 7-night trip on a large ship, a comparable cruise you can price and book today is the easier choice.

Which ship is MS Opera?

The name "MS Opera" now appears mainly on older agency pages. Cyplon lists the ship as MS Ciela, adding "ex MS Opera" in its description. Neither the date of the rename nor the owner is published. In practice, treat "Opera" and "Ciela" as the same booking, but ask any agency selling "MS Opera" which ship you will actually board and get the name on your confirmation.

The name also turns up in a news story. According to press reports, on 21 December 2025 the Royal Beau Rivage, sailing from Luxor to Aswan, struck a ship named as the "Opera", sailing from Aswan to Luxor, about 2 km south of the Esna lock. One Italian passenger died, and the river transport authority suspended the Royal Beau Rivage captain's licence for failing to give way to the ship travelling with the current (Egypt Independent). The reports do not say whether that "Opera" is the hull now sold as Ciela, and we can't confirm it. Our Royal ships page covers the Royal Beau Rivage.

The Esna lock takes two large ships at a time and is busiest in winter. The UK government's travel advice notes that overcrowding and poor safety standards have caused accidents on Nile cruises. It is worth asking any operator about its safety briefing and life jackets.

If you were looking for the Cairo Opera House, this page is about a ship of the same name.

The ship: MS Ciela

Ciela is one of the larger ships we review. Cyplon lists:

• 86 cabins of 22 m²
• 11 Presidential Suites of 44 m²
• 4 Imperial Suites of 65 m²
• up to 199 guests
• a guitar-shaped pool and jacuzzi, a spa, a cigar room and a piano bar

The standard cabins are on the large side for the Nile (many ships offer 19–22 m²), and the suites are genuinely big. The other side of the size is the number of people: with nearly 200 guests, expect busy embarkations and large groups at the temples. Many 5-star ships take 100–150. If you want a quieter ship at a similar level, see the alternatives below.

MS Ciela itinerary: 7 nights from Luxor

Cyplon sells Ciela as an 8-day / 7-night round trip from Luxor every Monday: Luxor to Aswan and back, full board, with an optional all-inclusive upgrade. Cyplon lists only the week-long trip.

A 7-night round trip visits the same temples as the 4-night Luxor to Aswan cruise; on the way back, ships such as Sonesta fill the repeat days with free time rather than visiting the temples again. The extra nights buy you river time and a slower pace, not more sights. Our 7-night Nile cruise guide explains what you get for the extra money, and the Luxor to Aswan guide has the day-by-day for the first half.

Ask the seller for Ciela's exact day plan. In particular, check whether Dendera or Abydos is included, since only some 7-night programmes add them.

MS Opera Nile cruise prices and how to book

Cyplon shows no live price or availability for Ciela. To get a price, ask Cyplon or an Egyptian agency for a quote, and check:

• whether entry fees are included (if not, budget EGP 4,060 per adult for the eight sites of a standard cruise, on the official ticket shop);
• whether the price is full board or all-inclusive, and what the upgrade costs;
• the cabin deck and the suite category;
• the New Year's Eve gala supplement, if you travel at Christmas (many ships charge one; agencies quote roughly US$50–180 per person).

Tips are extra on most ships. There is no official rule; agencies suggest roughly US$5–10 per person per night for the crew and US$10–15 per day for the guide.

If you would rather book something with a price today, the closest platform option is a standard 3-night cruise on an unnamed 5-star ship. The best-reviewed is the 3-night cruise from Aswan with Abu Simbel and a Luxor balloon flight, from $580 with 555 reviews (4.5). It is sold as "a 5-star ship or similar", so ask for the ship's name after booking.

GetYourGuide is the cheapest of the three today and the only one with a real review history. Ship, cabin, inclusions and dates may differ. Most GetYourGuide bookings can be cancelled free up to 24 hours ahead, but multi-day cruises may differ, so check the listing.

⛵ Aswan

GetYourGuide3 nightsFrom Aswan

From Aswan: 4-Day Nile Cruise to Luxor with Abu Simbel and Balloon Flight

4.5 (555)

from $580Check dates

⛵ Aswan

GetYourGuide3 nightsFrom Aswan

From Aswan: 4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Guide

4.3 (654)

from $450Check dates

⛵ Aswan

GetYourGuide3 nightsFrom Aswan

Aswan: 4-Day Private Nile Cruise to Luxor with Balloon Ride

4.2 (261)

from $643Check dates

⛵ Aswan

GetYourGuide3 nightsFrom Aswan

From Aswan: 4-Day, 3-Night Nile Cruise with Hot Air Balloon

4.5 (168)

from $550Check dates

⛵ Cairo

GetYourGuide3 nightsFrom Cairo

From Cairo: 4-Day Nile Cruise to Luxor with Balloon Flight

4.5 (157)

from $1,300Check dates

⛵ Luxor

GetYourGuide3 nightsFrom Luxor

Luxor: 4 Days Nile Cruise with Guided Tours & Abu Simbel

4.6 (132)

from $690Check dates

Prices checked on 19 October 2026

MS Opera Nile cruise reviews: what to check

We have not collected enough reviews of Ciela to report common themes, and reviews filed under "MS Opera" may describe the ship before the rename. Before booking, ask for:

• the ship's current name on your confirmation, and the year of its last refurbishment;
• your cabin's deck and whether its window faces the river or the neighbouring ship at moorings;
• the full 7-night day plan, including the free days;
• the price with and without the all-inclusive upgrade.

Alternatives to MS Opera / Ciela

• 7 nights with UK flights: TUI's own Nile ships, winter-only round trips from Luxor with flights from Gatwick and Manchester.
• 7 nights on an operator-published ship: the Sonesta St George runs 7-night round trips from Luxor on Monday.
• A quieter ship: the all-suite Salacia, at most 59 guests.
• Not sure about 7 nights? Our Nile cruise length guide compares 3, 4 and 7 nights.

MS Opera Nile cruise: questions