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Soleil Nile Cruise — Rates, Facts, Photos & Booking Help
Book Soleil Nile Cruise. Ultra Luxury vessel sailing Aswan ↔ Luxor over 3 or 4 nights. Departs Friday/Monday. $420 - $780 according to seasonality.
Soleil Nile Cruise Description
Soleil Nile Cruise carries an official 5 Stars rating from the Egyptian Tourism Authority, is rated as a Ultra Luxury cruise in our editorial standards, has 53 cabins, with a size of 21 m². Each cabin features a large panoramic window facing the Nile. That count puts the vessel in the larger category — a useful middle ground where dining rooms stay relaxed and shore excursions don't bottleneck on the gangway.
Gliding gracefully between the timeless ports of Luxor and Aswan, the Soleil represents the pinnacle of contemporary riverboat design. Launched toward the end of 2024, this stunning vessel shatters the mold of traditional, dated cruise ships. Designed by Egyptian architect Vanessa Victor, the ship’s aesthetic masterfully weaves sleek modern elegance with subtle nods to ancient Egyptian motifs. Accommodating guests across just fifty-three luxurious rooms and suites, it fosters an uncrowded, highly exclusive atmosphere. Rather than catering to chaotic, mass-market group tours, the environment is deliberately sophisticated and serene. It operates as a polished, floating boutique hotel, providing discerning travelers with an exceptionally stylish and deeply comfortable basecamp from which to explore the profound historical majesty of Upper Egypt's iconic temples and tombs.
Imagine waking to soft light over the water, the only sound the gentle wash of the Nile against the hull. On Soleil, days unfold at the pace of the river: unhurried breakfasts on a sunlit deck, the cool hush of your suite in the afternoon, and evenings spent watching five-thousand-year-old temples glide past as the sky turns amber. This is Egypt at its most serene and most refined — every detail considered, nothing left to chance.
🛏️ Accommodation
Thoughtful design and generous personal space define the accommodation experience onboard. Guests can choose from forty-one luxury cabins, eight junior suites, or elevate their stay in the top-tier Royal and signature Soleil Suites. While standard rooms eschew step-out balconies for expansive panoramic river views, the climate-controlled interiors prioritize absolute comfort. Each room is appointed with premium bedding, a smart television, a minibar, and a personal Nespresso machine for quiet morning coffees. En-suite bathrooms are modern and functional, featuring spacious walk-in showers. For those seeking ultimate indulgence, the suites offer significantly more square footage and boast expansive bathrooms equipped with separate soaking bathtubs. The meticulous daily housekeeping—frequently praised for its creative towel art—ensures that every passenger returns to a pristine, welcoming sanctuary after a dusty morning of archaeological exploration.
- Private en-suite bathroom with shower, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries
- Individually controlled air conditioning
- Satellite TV, in-house video channels, mini-bar
- In-cabin electronic safety deposit box
🍽️ Dining & Cuisine
Culinary execution during the voyage centers around a sophisticated fine dining restaurant that gracefully balances variety with high-end service. Operating on a full-board schedule, the culinary team presents beautifully curated buffets for breakfast and lunch, seamlessly blending international staples with authentic regional Egyptian flavors like spiced ful medames and koshari. As evening approaches, the culinary tone shifts dramatically, moving away from repetitive buffets to offer a refined, à la carte dinner service. For daytime lounging or sunset cocktails, the stylish Lounge Bar—adorned with beautiful marble and ancient temple-themed art—serves as the ship's social anchor. Additionally, the sun deck provides a picturesque setting for afternoon tea or occasional starlit barbecue dinners, ensuring that meal times remain consistent, atmospheric highlights of the daily itinerary rather than rushed necessities.
🌊 Leisure & Entertainment
Downtime between rigorous temple visits is easily absorbed by the vessel’s exceptionally robust recreational spaces. The topmost level features a sweeping sun deck equipped with shaded loungers, an outdoor swimming pool, and an open-air Jacuzzi, providing a perfect vantage point to watch the agrarian shoreline drift past. Down below, wellness enthusiasts will discover a state-of-the-art spa that easily rivals high-end land resorts. This sanctuary includes a traditional sauna, a steam room, and professional massage therapies. Active passengers can utilize the surprisingly comprehensive onboard gymnasium, outfitted with cardio machines, free weights, and a multi-gym station. A grand, double-height reception area sets a luxurious tone from the moment guests board, while a dedicated passenger elevator ensures seamless connectivity between the decks, making the entire ship highly accessible.
✨ What Makes It Unique
What unequivocally distinguishes this cruiser from the saturated five-star market is its architectural grandeur and extraordinary wellness infrastructure. The spa is widely considered one of the largest on the Nile, featuring a stunning indoor heated hot tub framed by double-height windows stretching across two decks. This allows guests to soak in climate-controlled comfort while observing passing feluccas. Furthermore, the passenger elevator provides a massive advantage for travelers with mobility concerns, a feature notoriously absent from older riverboats. Aesthetically, the late 2024 launch guarantees pristine, cutting-edge interior design. Reviewers consistently praise the exceptional, highly personalized service—particularly the warm housekeeping and attentive bar staff—which effectively elevates the voyage from a simple transit experience to a deeply memorable, ultra-luxury holiday.
🛎️ Onboard Facilities
- 24-hour reception
- Laundry service
- Onboard gift shop
- Internet access in designated areas
- Major credit cards accepted (VISA, Mastercard)
Specs verified · cabin counts, cabin sizes, deck features, and facility list confirmed against the operator’s published sheet.
Soleil Nile Cruise Photos
Browse the gallery to see Soleil's cabins, dining, sundeck and exterior. Click any image to enlarge.
Soleil Nile Cruise Rates in USD
Calculate Your Total Cruise Cost
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- All rates are per person in USD, full-board with all sightseeing included.
- Holiday seasons (Christmas, Easter, New Year) carry a supplement reflecting peak demand.
- Single supplement 50% of Adult in Double cabin rate.
- Triple reduction 3% of Adult in Double rate.
- Junior Suite Rate is equal to two Single Cabins.
- Royal & Presidential Suites Rate is equal to two Double Cabins.
- For cruise-only without sightseeing, deduct $120 from the 3-night price and $160 from the 4-night price.
Soleil Nile Cruise Children Policy
| Age category / arrangement | Rate |
|---|---|
| Infant (under 3 years) | Free of charge — Maximum 1 free Infant per Cabin; second Infant in cabin will be charged Child Rate |
| Child (3 – 12 years) | 50% of the adult rate |
| Child (12 years or older) | Full adult rate |
| Maximum children per cabin | 1 child sharing 2 adults, or 2 children sharing 1 adult |
| 1 child + 1 adult sharing one cabin | No discount — same rate as 2 adults in double cabin |
| 2 children in a separate cabin | Same rate as 1 adult in single cabin |
What's Included & What's Not
✅ The Rate Includes
- Accommodation for 3 or 4 nights in your chosen cabin category
- Transfer from airport, train station or hotel on arrival
- Full-board dining: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- All guided sightseeing tours per the standard 3 / 4-night itinerary
- Services of a licensed, professional Egyptologist guide
- All entrance fees to historical sites named in the itinerary (Except Optional Tours)
- Departure transfer to airport / train station
❌ The Rate Excludes
- Tours not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional excursions (e.g. Abu Simbel, hot-air balloon)
- Beverages: water, soft drinks, alcohol
- Tipping for cruise crew and guide (gratuities)
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
Before you book: Review the full payment, amendment, and refund terms in our Cancellation Policy.
Soleil is your best fit if
- You need or prefer an elevator between decks — Soleil has one.
- You prefer a traditional window cabin over a balcony — Soleil's cabins have river-facing windows.
- You want the amenity range of a larger Nile vessel — Soleil has 53 cabins, among the larger ships sailing the Aswan–Luxor route.
- You want the highest tier of Nile cruise experience — Soleil sits in the ultra-luxury class with the segment's most refined service and accommodation.
Soleil isn't your best fit if
- You're booking for three adults sharing a cabin — consider booking 1 Double + 1 Single instead of a Triple Cabin, or book another cruise with a larger cabin size.
- If you specifically want suite-only accommodation, try to use our search bar and find an All-Suites cruise.
- If you want a restored heritage vessel, consider Karim, Sudan, and Memnon.
- If you want a walk-out balcony instead of a French balcony, try to use our search bar and find an Outside Balcony cruise.
Itineraries
Soleil sails the classic Aswan↔Luxor route. Choose between a 3-night cruise (Aswan → Luxor) or a 4-night cruise (Luxor → Aswan). 3-night departures from Aswan are typically on Friday. 4-night departures from Luxor are typically on Monday.
3-Night Itinerary: Aswan → Luxor
Full detailed 3-Night Aswan → Luxor itinerary →
4-Night Itinerary: Luxor → Aswan
Frequently Asked Questions
Specifics about Soleil — class and rating, cabin layout, itineraries, departure days, and the practicalities of sailing on this particular vessel.
What is the official Egyptian Tourism Authority rating of Soleil?
What is your editorial rating of Soleil?
How many cabins does Soleil have?
What is the average cabin size on Soleil?
Does Soleil offer lower-deck cabins?
Do the cabins onboard Soleil have a balcony?
Does Soleil have an elevator on board?
Are all cabins on Soleil configured as suites?
Is Soleil a modern build or a restored heritage vessel?
Is Soleil currently in active service?
What cruise lengths does Soleil offer?
What route does Soleil sail, and what does each itinerary cover?
Which days of the week does Soleil depart?
What are the check-in and check-out times on Soleil?
What languages are spoken on board Soleil?
What currencies are accepted on Soleil?
What payment methods does Soleil accept?
How much deposit do I need to book the Soleil Nile cruise?
Can I pay for the Soleil cruise in monthly instalments?
Can I change my Soleil cruise date or swap cruises for free?
Is the Soleil cruise price protected against future increases?
What happens if my Soleil cruise is cancelled or disrupted?
What is the cancellation and refund policy for the Soleil Nile cruise?
Looking for general Nile-cruise information? For visa requirements, packing checklists, tipping etiquette, dress codes, optional excursions, and the daily rhythm of cruise life, see our Comprehensive Nile Cruise Guide for First-Timers — the answers in that guide apply to every Nile cruise on the route, including Soleil.
Why Book With Nile-Cruise-Egypt.com?
We’ve spent 25+ years booking Nile cruises and treat every reservation as the start of a long-term relationship, not a one-off transaction. Here’s what that means in practice:
- Honest cruise matching, not the highest commission — we recommend the boat that fits your budget, dates, and travel style, even when it isn’t the one paying us the most.
- One named consultant from enquiry to disembarkation — you won’t be passed between agents or talk to a different person each time you email.
- No bait pricing — the rate you see is the rate you pay; cabin upgrades, optional excursions, and seasonal supplements are quoted up-front, never sprung at checkout.
- Operator-direct rates — we work directly with Nile cruise operators, so what you pay is comparable to booking the boat yourself, with the added safety net of our support throughout.
- Egypt-based, on-the-ground support — our office is in Cairo, not a call centre in another country; if something needs fixing during your trip, we can act on it locally and immediately.
- Most travellers return or refer us — repeat bookings and word-of-mouth referrals make up the majority of our work, which is the only customer-satisfaction metric we trust.
From your first enquiry through to disembarkation, our priority is honest guidance, peace of mind, and a Nile cruise you’ll remember as a personal experience — not just a trip.
Family Travel, Made Effortless
A Nile cruise is one of the easiest ways to travel Egypt with family. Unpack once — your floating hotel moves with you, so there are no early-morning hotel checkouts, no repacking, and no long road transfers between cities. You wake up already at the next temple.
We take the logistics off your plate so you can focus on the experience:
- Transfers handled — airport pickups and all moves between the boat and the sites are arranged for you.
- Meals included — full-board dining on board, so there’s no hunting for restaurants with tired, hungry children.
- Expert Egyptologist guides — licensed guides bring the temples to life at a pace that keeps all ages engaged.
- Everything in one place — pool, dining, sun deck and cabins together, so families stay close and relaxed between excursions.
The result: less stress, fewer logistics, and more time making memories together.
A Shared Ship, Your Own Experience
You travel alongside other guests, but your experience stays very much your own. The ship is the setting — how you enjoy it is up to you.
- Your private cabin — every cabin has its own en-suite bathroom and individual climate control, so your space is entirely yours, set to your comfort.
- Dine your way — share a table and meet fellow travellers, or keep to yourselves; the choice is yours at every meal.
- Private excursions on request — prefer to explore the temples with your own guide and vehicle rather than the group? We can arrange private touring for you.
- Your own pace — join every activity or simply relax on the sun deck and watch the Nile drift by. Nothing is compulsory.
It’s the ease of a guided cruise with the privacy and flexibility of independent travel.
Why Book Now Rather Than Later
There’s no pressure here — but there are real, practical reasons not to leave Soleil sitting in a browser tab. Booking now removes risk rather than adding it:
- Cabins and dates are limited — each boat sails on a fixed schedule with a fixed number of cabins. Popular dates and the best cabin categories sell first; once a departure fills, no amount of budget brings it back.
- Today’s price can rise — Nile cruise rates move with fuel costs, temple entrance fees, and government taxes. When those go up, published prices follow. The figure you see today is not guaranteed to be there next month.
- Your deposit locks today’s price — place your 20% deposit and the rate you were quoted is held for your booking, even if prices rise afterwards. You are protected from increases the moment you confirm.
- There’s no downside to securing it — with a low 20% deposit, 0% interest instalments on the balance, and free date, cruise, and name changes, booking early costs you nothing in flexibility. You simply lock the cabin and the price, and keep your options open.
In short: waiting risks losing your cabin or paying more, while booking now secures both — with every guarantee below standing behind your reservation.
Booking Guarantees & Flexibility
Every Soleil booking with Nile-Cruise-Egypt.com comes with the guarantees below. These are the same terms set out in our booking contract and cancellation policy — summarised here so you know exactly where you stand before you pay.
Flexible, transparent payment
- 20% deposit to book. You secure your cabin with a 20% deposit at the time of booking — not the full amount up front.
- 0% interest instalments. Pay the balance in equal monthly instalments at no added cost. The final instalment is due 30 days before your travel date.
Cabin guarantees
- No lower-deck cabins, guaranteed. You will never be placed in a lower-deck cabin.
- Top-deck assurance. A guaranteed top-deck cabin is available for a 10% supplement — or free of charge as top check-in priority, subject to availability on the day.
Change & cancellation flexibility
- Free date change up to 30 days before your travel date (subject to any seasonal price difference).
- Free cruise swap up to 30 days before travel (subject to any price difference between the two cruises).
- Free name change up to 7 days before travel.
Price protection
- Locked-in price. Your price is protected against any future increase in cruise rates, fuel prices, government taxes, or entrance fees.
- Price-drop refund. If the price drops after you book, you receive the difference back (same booking conditions apply).
If an operational issue affects your cruise
Examples: urgent maintenance, administrative issues, or a cruise-specific force-majeure event.
- Reassignment to a similar or higher-category cruise.
- Conditions guaranteed — your original plan’s terms stay exactly as booked.
- No downgrade — you keep all rights, privileges, and cabin guarantees.
If there is a national or global shutdown
Examples: pandemic, airspace closure, navigation suspension, or any force-majeure event affecting all cruises.
- Postpone free of charge — move to a later date keeping the exact same booked plan, benefits, and conditions; or
- Full refund — receive a 100% refund.
Full terms, definitions, and any conditions are set out in our booking contract. If anything here is unclear, your dedicated consultant will walk you through it before you commit.
Available Nile Cruises with Same Sailing Days
3-Night Every Friday / 4-Night Every Monday
Browse every Nile cruise in our fleet that shares Soleil's departure schedule. Each link opens the full cruise page with rates, photos, and itinerary.
- Acamar Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Al Farida Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Al Jamila Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Alessandra Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Alexander The Great Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Alyssa Nile Cruise Luxury
- Blue Shadow II Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Blue Shadow IV Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Chateau Lafayette Nile Cruise Luxury
- Esmeralda Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Farah Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Movenpick Hamees Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Movenpick Royal Lily Nile Cruise Luxury
- Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise Luxury
- Nile Style Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Premium Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Royal Elite Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Sonesta St George Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise Ultra Luxury
- Tamr Henna Nile Cruise Deluxe
- Tulip Nile Cruise Deluxe
Ready to Sail on Soleil?
Ultimately, securing a reservation on this magnificent new vessel guarantees a highly contemporary, deeply comfortable method for traversing ancient trade routes. By combining sleek architectural upgrades with an intimately small passenger manifest, the operator effectively removes the logistical stress typically associated with rural Egyptian travel. Guests depart with vivid memories of watching sandstone cliffs drift past their expansive windows, supported by a professional crew that intuitively anticipates daily needs without hovering. The careful integration of authentic cultural engagement and polished, modern amenities makes this voyage consistently restorative. It stands as a premier choice for travelers who demand sophisticated, quiet comforts, exceptional wellness facilities, and generous personal space while diving headfirst into the profound history of the surrounding landscape.


