Nile cruise shipLuxury flagshipsLuxor → Aswan
Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise
A boutique hotel afloat, in 1920s spirit
Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise is a Nile cruise ship operated by AD Nile Cruises, built 2021. It has 44 cabins and 12 suites for up to 88 guests and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.
Good to know
Historia is a boutique Nile cruise ship launched in 2021 and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, with 44 cabins and suites for up to 88 guests. It sails Luxor to Aswan on four nights (Mondays), Aswan to Luxor on three nights (Fridays), and seven-night round trips. Agency fares start from about USD 1,900 per person for three nights between May and August.
- Operator
- AD Nile Cruises
- Accommodation
- 44 cabins · 12 suites
- Guests
- Up to 88
- Decks
- 5
- Dimensions
- 72 × 14.2 m
- Built
- 2021
- Route
- Luxor - Esna - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan. Sites: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple.
- Trip length
- 3 · 4 · 7 nights
- Departures
- Mondays from Luxor (4-night Luxor-Aswan and 7-night Luxor-Luxor) and Fridays from Aswan (3-night Aswan-Luxor and 7-night Aswan-Aswan).
- Wi-Fi
- Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the vessel.
About Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise
Historia was launched in 2021 by AD Nile Cruises with a clear idea: a boutique hotel on the water, styled after the golden age of Nile travel in the 1920s. Rattan screens, handcrafted furniture and earthy colours set the tone, and the suites are named after Egyptian icons, among them Naguib Mahfouz, Umm Kulthum, Princess Fawzia and King Farouk.
The ship is 72 metres long with five decks, 32 cabins and 12 suites for a maximum of 88 guests, looked after by around 40 crew. It is one of very few Nile ships accepted into Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the collection better known for independent hotels on land.
Historia is also one of the more accessible ships on the river: it has a lift, wheelchairs on board and a dedicated wheelchair-accessible Historia Suite, as well as a 24-hour doctor on call and a free airport shuttle.
Highlights
- Small Luxury Hotels of the World member
- Seneb Spa and Nile-view Historia Gym
- Heated pool on the Solaria sun deck
- Themed Presidential and Royal Suites
- Accessible suite, elevator and free Wi-Fi throughout
At sail
Day by day
Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Luxor - Esna - Edfu - Kom Ombo - Aswan Departures mondays from luxor (4-night luxor-aswan and 7-night luxor-luxor) and fridays from aswan (3-night aswan-luxor and 7-night aswan-aswan).. 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 in Luxor in time for lunch, then cross to the east bank for Karnak and Luxor Temple in the afternoon. The boat stays moored at Luxor overnight, and the evening on board opens with an Egyptian folklore performance in the lounge bar.
Visits Karnak Temple · Luxor Temple
Day 2
The west bank, then the Esna lock
An early start for the west bank before the heat, back on board by early afternoon to cast off for Esna. The afternoon is the one most guests remember: tea on the sun deck, and then the boat drops through the Esna lock, a slow squeeze between stone walls that is announced over the tannoy so nobody misses it. The captain opens the wheelhouse to anyone who asks, and dinner is served on deck after a cocktail with him.
Visits Valley of the Kings
Optional a visit to the wheelhouse
Day 3
Edfu, Gebel el-Silsila and Kom Ombo after dark
Sailing starts before breakfast for Edfu and the temple of Horus, the most completely preserved in Egypt. Back aboard by noon for the run to Kom Ombo, passing the sandstone cliffs at Gebel el-Silsila in the middle of the afternoon. Kom Ombo is visited in the evening rather than the morning, which is the better time to see the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris lit and largely empty. The boat then sails overnight to Aswan.
Visits Edfu Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo Temple
Optional a cooking demonstration on board
Day 4
Aswan
The Aswan sights in the morning, the High Dam and Philae among them, then an afternoon under sail in a felucca, which is the only way to see the granite islands properly. A Nubian dance show on board in the evening, and a second night moored at Aswan.
Visits Aswan High Dam · Philae Temple · felucca ride
Day 5
Disembark at Aswan
Breakfast on board, then disembarkation at eight. Luggage is collected from outside the cabin.
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 Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise in the cabin booked
- Full board across all sailing days
- Sun deck, pool, spa, gym and lounge throughout
- Wi-Fi on board
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
On board
Cabins and suites
Historia has 32 cabins and 12 suites across six categories. The operator does not publish sizes for each category, so we confirm dimensions when we quote.
Luxury Cabin (king or twin)
32 in total · King or twin
The standard cabin, finished in the ship's 1920s style with river views.
Historia Suite
King
A step up in space with a separate seating area.
Accessible Historia Suite
King
Wheelchair-accessible suite, served by the ship's lift. Rare on the Nile, so book early.
Presidential Suites (Naguib Mahfouz, Umm Kulthum)
2 · King
Two themed suites dedicated to Egypt's Nobel-winning novelist and its most celebrated singer.
Royal Suites (Princess Fawzia, King Farouk)
2 · King
The ship's top suites, themed on the last era of Egypt's monarchy.
The days
Life on board
Meals are full board in the Noria Restaurant. The Aura Bar & Lounge serves cocktails and hosts evening entertainment, the Lobby Lounge is the quiet option, and the Solaria sun deck runs a bar and barbecue buffet with views over the river. In-room dining is available at extra charge.
The Solaria deck has a heated outdoor pool. The Seneb Spa offers massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, facials and scrubs, and the Historia Gym looks out over the Nile. There is also a library and a boutique, Wi-Fi is complimentary throughout, and laundry service is available.
Fit
Who it's for
Pick Historia if you want character and a boutique-hotel feel at a lower price than the Oberoi boats, or if anyone in your group needs step-free access. It suits couples and culturally curious travellers who will enjoy the themed design. Children under seven are not accepted, according to one agent, so it is not for families with small children. For a sleeker, more modern new-build compare Soleil; for the top of the market compare the Oberoi Zahra.
Compare with Soleil Nile Cruise, The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser, Sanctuary Sun Boat IV.
Practical
How to book Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise
Historia departs Mondays from Luxor (four nights to Aswan, or seven nights round trip) and Fridays from Aswan (three nights to Luxor, or seven nights round trip). Both Small Luxury Hotels and luxorandaswan.com publish the same pattern. Winter, from September or October to April, is priced well above summer.
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates; we confirm the cabin with AD Nile Cruises and send a full quote including transfers and entrance fees.
The boat in detail
- Cabin categories
- Luxury Cabin (King)
- Luxury Cabin Twin
- Historia Suite
- Accessible Historia Suite (wheelchair accessible)
- Presidential Suite - two themed suites: Naguib Mahfouz and Umm Kulthum
- Royal Suite - two themed suites: Princess Fawzia and King Farouk
- Dining
- Noria Restaurant - breakfast, lunch and dinner, full-board
- Aura Bar & Lounge - cocktails, refreshments and evening entertainment
- Solaria Sun Deck Bar & BBQ Buffet - lunch and dinner with panoramic views
- Lobby Lounge
- In-room dining / room service (extra charge)
- Facilities
- Solaria sun deck with heated outdoor swimming pool
- Seneb Spa - deep tissue massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, facials, rejuvenating scrubs
- Historia Gym with panoramic Nile views
- Aura Bar & Lounge
- Lobby Lounge
- Library
- Boutique
- Elevator and wheelchairs available
- 24-hour front desk and security
- 24-hour clinic / doctor on call
- Room service
- Free airport shuttle
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry service
- 2 lifeboats
- Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH)
- Spa · pool · gym
- Seneb Spa (massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, facials, scrubs); Historia Gym with panoramic Nile views; heated outdoor swimming pool on the Solaria sun deck.
- Itineraries
- 3 nights: Aswan to Luxor
- 4 nights: Luxor to Aswan
- 7 nights: Luxor to Luxor round trip (Mondays) or Aswan to Aswan round trip (Fridays)
Keep planning
Plan your Nile cruise
Tripadvisor 5/5 from 585 reviews, checked 2026-09-21 · read them
- “The rooms were new and comfortable. The service was excellent and very personal.” — Macarena H, Jun 2026
- “The boat is very nice and the staff is very friendly. The food is excellent.” — Begoña P, May 2026
What guests say
Independent traveller reviews of Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.
5 out of 5via Tripadvisor (597)
- ★★★★★
“Excellent service by happy people. The reception and restaurant/bars staff were beyond amazing.”
— RJRoberta, United Arab Emirates · via Tripadvisor
Good to know
Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise questions, answered
How much does the Historia Nile cruise cost?
Agency fares for 2026/27 start from about USD 1,390 to 1,900 per person for three nights in a double cabin in summer, depending on the agent, and about USD 2,199 to 3,100 in winter. Four nights in winter is about USD 3,090 to 3,800 per person. Fares include full board, guided excursions and entrance fees.
Is Historia a luxury Nile cruise?
Yes. It is a five-star ship launched in 2021 and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, with themed suites, a spa, a heated pool and full board. It is also one of the best-reviewed ships on the Nile, rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor from 585 reviews (September 2026).
When does Historia sail?
Mondays from Luxor (four nights to Aswan or seven nights round trip) and Fridays from Aswan (three nights to Luxor or seven nights round trip).
Is Historia wheelchair accessible?
It is one of the more accessible Nile ships, with a lift, wheelchairs on board and a dedicated Accessible Historia Suite. Temple visits ashore still involve uneven ground, so let us know your needs and we will plan the excursions around them.
Can children sail on Historia?
One agent states that children under seven are not accepted and that children aged seven to twelve receive a 50% discount in suites only. We confirm the current policy for your sailing.
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