Soleil Nile cruise review: the new luxury ship with an indoor pool

The Soleil Nile cruise is one of the newest ships on the Luxor–Aswan run: launched towards the end of 2024, designed inside by Egyptian architect Vanessa Victor, and sold in the UK by Audley Travel. The verdict in one sentence: a rare spa-and-two-pools set-up on the standard Luxor–Aswan route, worth booking if you shop around, because sellers quote the same trip at very different prices.

The ship: rooms, spa and pools

The Cairo website Cairoscene described the Soleil as a hull planned for about 80 rooms and built with about 50, including 10–15 suites. Sellers put the total at 53 rooms, from luxury cabins up to "Soleil Suites". Interiors are by Vanessa Victor of VV Design House in Cairo, with a double-height reception and a central bar.

The feature you won't find on most Nile ships is the double-height spa with an indoor pool, plus a sauna, a couples' massage room and a gym. On the sun deck there is a second, open-air pool and a hot tub. In summer, when Luxor and Aswan reach 41 °C in the afternoon, an indoor pool is not a small thing.

One seller, Pure Nile Tours, says every luxury room has a private balcony. No second source confirms the cabin layout, so ask which room category you are booking and whether it has a balcony you can sit on or a "French" window. At busy moorings ships often tie up side by side, so no ship can promise a Nile view from every room.

Soleil Nile cruise itinerary

The Soleil runs the classic loop: Monday from Luxor for 4 nights to Aswan, Friday from Aswan for 3 nights to Luxor, according to the agency Get Egypt Tour. The route passes the Esna lock and stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo. The ship's own timetable is not published; this is the usual shape of the Monday departure:

On the 3-night trip from Aswan, Kom Ombo and Edfu share one day and the Luxor temples may come on the last morning after check-out. The 4-night version from Luxor is the better use of a luxury ship: more time on board, Kom Ombo at dusk and a free afternoon in Aswan. More in Luxor to Aswan cruise.

Soleil Nile cruise price

Published prices, per person in US dollars, for the whole cruise:

That is roughly $415–760 per person per night, against about $150–210 for unnamed 5-star cruises on the platforms (3 nights from $450, 4 nights with Abu Simbel from $840). Check what each seller includes (entry fees, guide, transfers): the EGP 4,060 per adult for the eight core sites at official prices explains part of any gap, but not a doubling. Audley Travel sells the Soleil inside tailor-made trips; ask for a quote.

No platform listing names the Soleil. The nearest bookable trip is a 4-night cruise from Luxor with Abu Simbel on "a 5-star ship or similar":

Headout is cheaper today, but its listing has no reviews yet; GetYourGuide's has 69 reviews at 4.4. Ship, cabin, inclusions and dates may differ.

⛵ Aswan

GetYourGuide3 nightsFrom Aswan

From Aswan: 4-Day Nile Cruise to Luxor with Abu Simbel and Balloon Flight

4.5 (555)

from $580Check dates

⛵ Aswan

GetYourGuide3 nightsFrom Aswan

From Aswan: 4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Guide

4.3 (654)

from $450Check dates

⛵ Aswan

GetYourGuide3 nightsFrom Aswan

Aswan: 4-Day Private Nile Cruise to Luxor with Balloon Ride

4.2 (261)

from $643Check dates

⛵ Aswan

GetYourGuide3 nightsFrom Aswan

From Aswan: 4-Day, 3-Night Nile Cruise with Hot Air Balloon

4.5 (168)

from $550Check dates

Prices checked on 19 October 2026

Soleil Nile cruise reviews: what to check

We have no reliable review themes for the Soleil yet; it is a new ship, and no platform sells it by name. Before booking, ask the seller:

• the room category, its size and whether it has a balcony;
• whether entry fees, the guide and transfers are included;
• what the sellers' price difference buys, if you are quoted by two;
• the exact weekday and the ship's timetable for your direction;
• the supplement for Christmas, New Year's Eve and Easter departures.

How to book the Soleil

In the UK and US, Audley Travel sells the Soleil as part of tailor-made Egypt trips. Egyptian agencies such as Pure Nile Tours and Get Egypt Tour sell cabins directly, with the price gap shown above. We found no official website and the owner is not published, so get the ship's name, room category and inclusions in writing before paying a deposit.

Alternatives to the Soleil

• Same weekdays, bookable like a hotel: Historia, agency fares from $1,339 (3 nights).
• Same weekdays, Sonesta's flagship: Sonesta St George.
• Saturday from Luxor, with solo cabins: Nebu.
• Monday/Friday at a lower price: MS Nile Premium, with two balcony suites.
• Every luxury ship compared: luxury Nile cruises and the best luxury Nile cruises.

Soleil Nile cruise: questions