Nile cruise shipLuxury flagshipsLuxor → Aswan

Soleil Nile Cruise

A 2024 all-modern ship on the temple route

Soleil Nile Cruise is a Nile cruise ship operated by Soleil Nile Cruise, built 2024. It has 53 cabins and 12 suites and sails itineraries of 3, 4 or 7 nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.

Good to know

Soleil is a five-star Nile cruise ship launched in 2024, with 53 cabins and suites and one of the largest spas on the river, sailing between Luxor and Aswan. It departs Mondays from Luxor (4 or 7 nights) and Fridays from Aswan (3 or 7 nights). Standard cabins are 21 m² with floor-to-ceiling windows, and agency fares start from about USD 1,800 per person for three nights in summer.

Class Luxury flagshipsCabins 53Route Luxor → Aswan

Operator: Soleil Nile Cruise
Accommodation: 53 cabins · 12 suites
Decks: 5
Dimensions: 72 × 13.5 m
Built: 2024
Route: Philae Temple, Aswan Natural Reserve, Nubian House, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak, Luxor Temple; Abu Simbel and hot-air balloon optional
Trip length: 3 · 4 · 7 nights
Departures: Friday departures from Aswan (3 or 7 nights); Monday departures from Luxor (4 or 7 nights).
Season: Summer 27 April to 26 September; winter 27 September to 26 April.
Wi-Fi: Free high-speed WiFi throughout the ship; Royal Suites have a dedicated WiFi router.

About Soleil Nile Cruise

Soleil is one of the newest ships on the Nile, launched in 2024 by an independent Egyptian owner rather than a hotel chain. It was built from scratch for the Luxor to Aswan route, which shows in the things older ships struggle to add: a lift between decks, floor-to-ceiling windows in every cabin, a two-floor marble reception and a spa that runs over two storeys.

With 53 cabins and suites, it sits in the middle of the market for size: larger and livelier than the Oberoi boats, but far smaller than the 70 to 80-cabin ships that dominate the route. Public spaces are generous, with a 280 m² restaurant seating 110 and a 260 m² lounge bar, so it rarely feels crowded even when full.

The look is contemporary Egyptian: clean lines, warm colours and locally made furniture, rather than the gilded pharaonic décor of older Nile ships. It is aimed at travellers who want a modern ship at a five-star rather than an ultra-luxury price.

Highlights

Luxury Rooms from 21 m² with floor-to-ceiling windows
Two-storey spa with heated marble jacuzzi
Restaurant seating 110, buffet or à la carte
Sundeck pool and open-air jacuzzi
Free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout

At sail

Day by day

Soleil Nile Cruise sails 2 published programmes. Its own route: Philae Temple, Aswan Natural Reserve, Nubian House, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Esna, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak, Luxor Temple; Abu Simbel and hot-air balloon optional Departures friday departures from aswan (3 or 7 nights); monday departures from luxor (4 or 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 Soleil Nile Cruise in the cabin booked
Meals aboard per the boat's published programme
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

Four categories: 41 Luxury Rooms, 8 Junior Suites, 2 Royal Suites and 2 Soleil Suites. All have floor-to-ceiling windows.

Luxury Room

21 m² · 41 · Double or twin

Floor-to-ceiling windows, smart TV, espresso machine, minibar, safe and 24-hour room service. Standard size for the route, but lighter and more modern than most.

Junior Suite

39 m² (38 m² per one agent) · 8 · King

Almost double the floor area of a Luxury Room, with a separate seating area. The best value upgrade on the ship.

Royal Suite

44 m² · 2 · King

Panoramic windows, an oversized spa-style bathroom and a dedicated Wi-Fi router.

Soleil Suite

58 m² · 2 · King

The largest accommodation on board, with generous living space for a longer sailing.

The days

Life on board

The main restaurant serves buffet or à la carte depending on how full the ship is, with Egyptian dishes alongside international cooking and vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The lounge bar has entertainment each evening, and drinks and snacks are served on the sun deck.

The spa is the headline: two storeys with an indoor heated marble jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam room and two private massage rooms. Audley Travel describes it as one of the largest on any Nile cruise ship. There is also a gym with cardio and weights, and the sun deck has a pool, an open-air jacuzzi and loungers. Wi-Fi is free throughout, and a doctor is available 24 hours.

Fit

Who it's for

Pick Soleil if you want a brand-new ship with modern cabins, a real spa and a lift, without paying Oberoi prices. It suits couples, friends travelling together and older travellers who appreciate step-free access between decks. It is less intimate than the smallest luxury boats and, at 53 cabins, busier at the gangway. If you want a similar modern ship with a boutique-hotel feel, compare Historia; for the top end, compare the Oberoi Zahra.

Compare with Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise, The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser, MS Nile Capital.

Practical

How to book Soleil Nile Cruise

Soleil departs every Monday from Luxor on four or seven nights and every Friday from Aswan on three or seven nights. Winter runs from late September to late April and is priced higher than summer. Three-night Aswan starts are the shortest option and the easiest to combine with an Abu Simbel day trip.

Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and preferred cabin; we confirm the sailing with the ship and quote the full package, including transfers and entrance fees.

The boat in detail

Cabin categories: Luxury Room / Luxury Cabin - 41 units, 21 sqm, floor-to-ceiling windows, smart TV, espresso machine, mini bar, safe, 24-hr room service
Junior Suite - 8 units, 39 sqm
Royal Suite - 2 units, 44 sqm, king bed, panoramic windows, oversized spa-like bathroom, dedicated WiFi router
Soleil Suite - 2 units, 58 sqm
Dining: Main restaurant - 280 sqm, 110 seats; buffet or à la carte depending on occupancy; Egyptian focus with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options
Lounge Bar with daily entertainment
Sundeck drinks and snacks
Facilities: Reception spanning two floors with marble, art pieces and floor-to-ceiling windows
Lounge Bar - 260 sqm, with entertainment and corkage service
Sundeck with swimming pool and open-air jacuzzi, chaise lounges and dining tables
Elevator (rare on Nile cruise boats)
Bazaar / gift shop
24-hour reception
24-hour doctor
Laundry and room service
Spa · pool · gym: Two-storey spa with indoor heated marble jacuzzi, two private massage rooms, sauna and steam room - described by Audley Travel as one of the largest on Nile cruise boats. Gym with cardio and weight equipment plus yoga mats. Swimming pool and open-air jacuzzi on the sun deck.
Itineraries: 3 nights - from Aswan
4 nights - from Luxor
7 nights - from Aswan or from 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

Tripadvisor 4.5/5 from 53 reviews, checked 2026-09-21 · read them

“Every single detail felt thoughtful, luxurious and incredibly personal.” — Kennedy A, May 2026
“A 10 out of 10 across hospitality, food, comfort, and overall experience.” — Ali V, Jan 2026

What guests say

Independent traveller reviews of Soleil Nile Cruise, quoted with attribution — we don’t collect these ourselves.

4.5 out of 5via Tripadvisor (53)

★★★★★
“I did a lot of research on the Nile Cruises and this one is absolutely the best! The experience was phenomenal. The service was five star, thoughtful and caring.”
— Tamina S · via the operator

Good to know

Soleil Nile Cruise questions, answered

How much does a Soleil Nile cruise cost?

Agency fares for 2026/27 start from about USD 1,800 per person for three nights in a double cabin in summer, and about USD 2,400 for four nights. Winter fares are higher and vary between agents, from about USD 2,205 to 3,000 for three nights. Fares include full board and sightseeing. We quote every sailing live.

Is Soleil a good Nile cruise?

It is one of the newest ships on the river (2024), with a two-storey spa, a lift and floor-to-ceiling windows in every cabin, features older ships lack. On Tripadvisor it holds a 4.5 rating from 53 reviews (September 2026).

When does Soleil sail?

Every Monday from Luxor (four or seven nights) and every Friday from Aswan (three or seven nights), according to the operator.

Which cabin is best on Soleil?

The Junior Suite, at about 39 m², is the best value: nearly twice the size of a Luxury Room for a moderate supplement. The two Soleil Suites (58 m²) are the largest on board.

How many cabins does Soleil have?

53: 41 Luxury Rooms, 8 Junior Suites, 2 Royal Suites and 2 Soleil Suites.