Ship comparison
Historia vs Sonesta St George: which five-star ship?
Both ships leave Luxor on Mondays and Aswan on Fridays, so the choice comes down to style. Choose Historia for a newer boutique ship of 88 guests, launched in 2021, with calm evenings, small-group guiding and the better access for limited mobility. Choose Sonesta St George for a grand classic ship of 114 guests with an oversize pool, a spa with sauna and steam room, and nightly entertainment. Couples who want quiet lean to Historia; families and travellers who like a lively evening lean to St George.
The facts
Historia and Sonesta St George side by side
| Historia | Sonesta St George | |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 2021 | 2011 |
| Cabins | 44, including 12 suites | 57: 47 Deluxe Cabins and 10 suites, up to a Royal Suite |
| Guests | Up to 88 | Up to 114 |
| Size | 72 m, five decks | 75 m, five decks |
| Departures | Mon from Luxor (4 nights), Fri from Aswan (3 nights); 7-night round trips | Mon from Luxor (4 nights), Fri from Aswan (3 nights); 7-night round trip |
| Pool | Heated pool on the sun deck | Oversize pool with a shallow extension, and a jacuzzi |
| Spa and gym | Seneb Spa; gym with Nile views | Spa with massage, sauna and steam bath; gym and jogging track |
| Dining | Full board in the Noria Restaurant; sun-deck barbecue | Buffet breakfasts and lunches, table-served dinners |
| Evenings | Bar and lounge; calm after about 9 pm | Lounge with dance floor and nightly entertainment; piano bar |
| Wi-Fi | Free throughout | Free |
| Health | 24-hour clinic and doctor on call | Doctor on call |
| Stands out for | A boutique feel, themed suites, a wheelchair-accessible suite and a lift | Grand, ornate interiors and the liveliest evenings of the two |
The guest view
What guests say about each
Historia guests talk most about the food and the people, with the head chef and pastry kitchen named again and again, and many list a visit to the bridge during the Esna lock as a highlight. Worth knowing: evenings are calm, with little happening after about 9 pm, and imported wine is expensive.
Sonesta St George guests single out a crew that fixes problems quickly, comfortable beds and bathrooms, and table-served dinners with a new menu each night. Worth knowing: the decor is grand and ornate, which some love and others find a lot, and a few call the evening shows staged.
Our view
Which to choose
| If you want | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A quiet, boutique ship | Historia | Fewer guests, a 1920s-inspired design and calm evenings. |
| Evening entertainment | Sonesta St George | Nightly shows, a dance floor and a piano bar. |
| Limited mobility | Historia | A lift, wheelchairs on board and a wheelchair-accessible suite. |
| A family | Sonesta St George | A big pool with a shallow end and more going on after dinner. |
| Small-group guiding | Historia | Guests mention visits with a private guide in small groups. |
| Food | Both | Historia's chef and pastry kitchen are praised by name; St George serves a new table-served dinner menu each night. |
Nile cruise ships run about US$120 to US$1,500 per person per night, depending on the boat, cabin and season. See also Historia vs the Oberoi Zahra and Sonesta Star Goddess vs St George.
Asked often
Historia and Sonesta St George, answered
- Is Historia or Sonesta St George better?
- Both are five-star ships on the same weekly schedule. Historia is newer, smaller and quieter, with better access for limited mobility. Sonesta St George is larger and livelier, with a bigger pool, a sauna and steam room, and nightly entertainment.
- What day do Historia and Sonesta St George sail?
- Both leave Luxor on Mondays for four nights to Aswan and leave Aswan on Fridays for three nights to Luxor. Both also offer seven-night round trips.
- How many guests do they carry?
- Historia carries up to 88 guests in 44 cabins and suites. Sonesta St George carries up to 114 in 57 cabins and suites.
- Which is better for families?
- Sonesta St George, for its oversize pool with a shallow extension and its evening entertainment. Historia suits families who prefer quiet evenings.
- Which is better for wheelchair users?
- Historia, which has a lift, wheelchairs on board and a wheelchair-accessible suite. See our guide to accessible Nile cruises for other options.
