Nile cruise shipLuxury flagshipsLuxor → Aswan

H/S Solaris II

A 74-cabin sister ship on the Aswan–Luxor route

H/S Solaris II is a Nile cruise ship operated by Solaris Nile Cruises. It has 74 cabins and 4 suites for up to 143 guests and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

A 74-cabin sister ship on the Aswan–Luxor route. A five-star ship of 74 cabins over four decks, sister to the Solaris I, suited to travellers wanting a lively, family-friendly Nile sailing.

Class Luxury flagshipsCabins 74 · up to 143 guestsRoute Luxor → Aswan

Operator: Solaris Nile Cruises
Accommodation: 74 cabins · 4 suites
Guests: Up to 143
Decks: 4
Dimensions: 72 × 14.4 m
Built: — · refit 2020
Route: Aswan, High Dam, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor
Trip length: 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Departures: Friday ex-Aswan (3 nights); Monday ex-Luxor (4 and 7 nights)
Season: Year-round

About H/S Solaris II

Sister ship to the Solaris I, the Solaris II is a five-star vessel of 74 cabins and 4 suites across four decks. Accommodation runs from twin and double cabins to single cabins and suites, with 8 cabins able to take a third bed.

The main restaurant on the lower deck seats 150, and a sun-deck bar handles barbecues in the open air. A lounge bar with a discotheque, bazaar and jewellery shops, meeting spaces and a swimming pool with a shallow children's area fill out the ship, and the evening programme includes games, a Galabia party and a folkloric dance show.

Sailings run year-round along the temple corridor between Aswan and Luxor, taking in the High Dam, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna: three nights from Aswan on Fridays, or four and seven nights from Luxor on Mondays.

Highlights

74 cabins over four decks
Main restaurant seating 150
Swimming pool with shallow children's area
Evening folkloric show and Galabia party
Sun-deck bar with barbecue

At sail

Day by day

H/S Solaris II sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Aswan, High Dam, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor Departures friday ex-aswan (3 nights); monday ex-luxor (4 and 7 nights). The order of the temples is fixed by the river, so what changes between programmes is the direction and how much is fitted into each day.

Luxor to Aswan, 4 nightsusually departs Monday

Day 1
Luxor, embark and the east bank
Board before lunch. The two east-bank temples in the afternoon, when the light is best at Karnak.
Visits Karnak · Luxor Temple
Day 2
The west bank, then sail through the Esna lock
An early start for the tombs, then the boat sails south and passes the Esna lock, often in the evening. Moor at Edfu.
Visits Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon
Optional hot-air balloon at dawn
Day 3
Edfu and Kom Ombo
Edfu at first light, usually reached by horse-drawn carriage from the mooring. Sail to Kom Ombo, whose double temple sits directly above the water.
Visits Edfu · Kom Ombo
Day 4
Aswan
The Aswan cluster, usually in one morning, with a felucca sail among the islands in the afternoon.
Visits High Dam · Philae · Unfinished Obelisk · felucca
Day 5
Disembark
Breakfast on board and disembarkation, typically by 08:00. Abu Simbel is a pre-dawn add-on, not part of the sailing.
Optional Abu Simbel by road or air

Aswan to Luxor, 3 nightsusually departs Friday

Day 1
Aswan, embark
Board before lunch, then the Aswan cluster in the afternoon.
Visits High Dam · Philae · Unfinished Obelisk
Optional felucca among the islands
Day 2
Kom Ombo and Edfu
Sail north. Kom Ombo sits at the mooring; Edfu is a short carriage ride inland.
Visits Kom Ombo · Edfu
Optional Abu Simbel, pre-dawn by road or air
Day 3
Through Esna to Luxor, east bank
The Esna lock can hold the fleet for a while; the east-bank temples follow on arrival.
Visits Esna lock · Karnak · Luxor Temple
Day 4
West bank and disembark
Check out after breakfast, then the west bank before departure.
Visits Valley of the Kings · Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon
Optional hot-air balloon at dawn

Day structure aggregated from the published itineraries for this class of boat and direction. Operators shift a call by half a day and the Esna lock queue moves everything; confirm the running order for your departure.

The fine print

What's included and what isn't

Many ship fares bundle guided shore excursions with an Egyptologist; it varies by package, and your quote states exactly what applies.

Included

Accommodation aboard H/S Solaris II in the cabin booked
Meals aboard per the boat's published programme
Sun deck, pool, spa, gym and lounge throughout

Not included

Drinks beyond water, tea and coffee served with meals
Gratuities for the crew
Temple entrance fees and Egyptologist guiding, unless your package states them
Transfers and extensions such as Abu Simbel, unless quoted

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Twin cabin (50)
Double cabin (15)
Single cabin (5)
Suite (4)
8 cabins can take triple occupancy
Dining: Main restaurant - 150 seats, lower deck
Sun deck bar with BBQ
Facilities: Lounge bar with discotheque
Sun deck bar with BBQ
Bazaar and jewellery shops
Laundry
Meeting spaces
Safe deposit boxes
Sun loungers
Spa · pool · gym: Swimming pool with shallow children's area (no spa or gym listed)
Itineraries: 3 nights ex-Aswan
4 nights ex-Luxor
7 nights ex-Luxor

Keep planning

Plan your Nile cruise

Nile River Cruise: the complete guide Luxury Nile cruises Nile cruise vs land tour The cheapest time to cruise the Nile

Good to know

H/S Solaris II questions, answered

How much does H/S Solaris II cost?

Advertised rates start from US$700 per person; prices vary by season and cabin.

How many cabins does H/S Solaris II have?

74 cabins and 4 suites, for up to 143 guests.

What route does H/S Solaris II sail?

Aswan, High Dam, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Luxor, departing Friday ex-Aswan (3 nights); Monday ex-Luxor (4 and 7 nights).

What is included in the fare on H/S Solaris II?

A cruise ship fare of this kind normally covers your cabin on full board, entrance to the temples named in the itinerary, an Egyptologist guide, the listed shore excursions and transfers at each end. Tips, drinks, optional excursions such as Abu Simbel, and personal expenses are normally extra. Whether soft drinks, Wi-Fi and service charges sit inside the fare genuinely differs between operators, so confirm those for H/S Solaris II before booking.