Introduction: Understanding the Luxury Nile Cruise Experience
Want to explore Egypt at a slow pace without disruption? Choosing a Nile Cruise will be a great option for those looking for a peaceful experience as well as an educational vacation. Rather than having a boring vacation, you could enjoy each day on the cruise, where the itinerary will be fixed, and you will just let your tour operator guide you toward the next move. When selecting a Nile cruise package, you will have a great opportunity to explore what itinerary will be covered, what activities you can perform on the cruise, what you are not allowed to do, and so much more. That’s why it’s always recommended that individuals wisely choose the package, so you can ensure that you are choosing the right package that will definitely make your vacation memorable.
Another important thing that you need to consider is choosing the right tour operator. If you want someone with enough credibility and reliability, look no further than Nile Cruisen. At Nile Cruisen, you will be provided with the opportunity to choose any cruise from standard and deluxe to luxury cruises. It completely depends on your budget and travel style which cruise will match your travel needs.
When you start exploring different types of cruises on our website, you might get confused about which is the best, right? In this guide, we’ll compare the Historia Nile cruise and the Sonesta Nile Cruise. We know that there’s a huge list of Sonesta Nile cruises, so we’ll break down the list of these cruises and explain every feature of the cruise so you can better decide which cruise should be booked.
Overview of Historia Nile Cruise
Many of the elements of the Historia Nile cruise are inspired by Egyptian culture and heritage, making it one of the best and most chosen cruises at Nile Cruisen. The Historia Nile River Cruise is a boutique-style cruise, making it one of the most beautiful cruises. When you see the interior design of the cruise, you will come to know that it reflects Art Deco touches, making it so close to Egypt’s cultural identity. If you are someone who is interested in living in luxury style on a cruise, you should give Historia Nile Cruise a try. A Historia Nile Cruise comes with a selection of accommodation categories, and you’ll have a wide range of onboard facilities.
Accommodation on Historia
We have talked about the look or appearance of the Historia Nile Cruise. Now, you might want to know about the accommodation. On Historia Nile Cruise, you will have a range of cabins and suites; you can choose as per your living style and budget requirements. Historia Nile Cruise features 52 accommodation units that include:
- 40 luxury cabins, measuring 22 square metres
- 8 Historia suites, measuring 33 square metres
- 2 presidential suites, measuring 40 square metres
- 2 royal suites, measuring 46 square metres.
There’s an accessible Historia Suite that is available on request. With this information, it will become easy for you to make an informed decision when booking a Historia Egypt river cruise.
Onboard Facilities
After going through accommodation, it’s time to look at onboard facilities offered by Historia Nile Cruise. Its facilities include:
- Restaurant
- Lounge bar
- Sundeck lounge and bar
- Swimming pool on the sundeck
- Spa
- Gym
- Library
- Boutique
- Elevator
- Room service
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- 24-hour front desk service
- Clinic and doctor on call
Historia’s Sailing Experience
When choosing a Historia cruise, you will come across two main itinerary options, such as:
- Four days and three nights: Departing from Aswan every Friday.
- Five days and four nights: Departing from Luxor every Monday.
These itineraries allow you to visit amazing attractions between Luxor and Aswan, including Philae Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut Temple.
A felucca ride around Elephantine Island is also included in the published Aswan itinerary. The Abu Simbel excursion and hot-air balloon ride are listed as optional activities.
Overview of Sonesta Nile Cruise Collection
Sonesta Nile Cruise has a huge collection, allowing you to choose any of the following:
- Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise
- Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise
- Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise
- Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise
- Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise
- Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya
When you come across each of the above-mentioned cruises, you will come to know that each cruise has a wide range of features and facilities. Some cruises specialise in offering spacious suites, while others offer a combination of deluxe cabins and suites.
Understanding the Different Sonesta Ships
1. Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise
The benefit of choosing Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise is that it features suites. The Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise available at Nile Cruisen has 5 decks and 30 suites, divided into the following categories:
- 26 Presidential Suites measuring 40 square metres.
- 2 Family Suites measuring 60 square metres each.
- 1 Executive Suite measuring 60 square metres.
- 1 Royal Suite measuring 60 square metres and featuring a Jacuzzi.
2. Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise
If you are looking for a 5-star Nile cruise with the availability of balcony accommodation, you can choose Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise. It has:
- 49 luxurious cabins that feature sliding glass doors that open onto private balconies.
- There are 4 presidential suites that have private lounges.
All cabins have air-conditioning, TVs, bathrooms, minibars, hairdryers, and individual climate control.
3. Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise
Another cruise that falls under the Sonesta Nile Cruise category and is in high demand is Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise. This cruise has 33 suites and they are named after famous composers:
- 27 Beethoven Suites measuring 40 square metres.
- 4 Mozart Suites measuring 35 square metres.
- 2 Chopin Suites measuring 52 square metres.
You will have access to a private terrace and panoramic French windows in these suites. You will be surprised to know that there will be a 43-inch LED TV, Wi-Fi, individual climate control, a direct-dial telephone, a minibar, electronic door locks, and a hair dryer.
4. Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise
Another luxury Nile cruise that offers deluxe cabins and luxury cabins is Sonesta St. George Cruise. It has:
- 47 Deluxe Cabins.
- 9 Presidential Suites.
- 1 Royal Suite.
Other facilities of the cruise include a spa, fitness centre, bars, restaurant, and nightly entertainment.
5. Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise
Sonesta Nile Goddess falls under a deluxe river cruise that has standard cabins and larger suites.
Its accommodation includes:
- 47 Deluxe Cabins.
- 2 Senator Suites.
- 4 Presidential Suites with private terraces.
The vessel offers a main dining room, lounge, sundeck bar, minibar, individual climate control, and bathrooms with full-size bathtubs.
6. Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya
This cruise is different from other Sonesta vessels because it is a Dahabiya Nile Cruise rather than a conventional large cruise.
The published accommodation configuration of Amirat includes:
- 5 Deluxe Cabins.
- 2 Elegant Suites with private terraces.
Historia vs. Sonesta: Detailed Comparison
We hope that you have a clear idea of what Sonesta Nile Cruise and Historia Nile Cruise offer. It’s time to make a comparison between these two:
1. Ship Design and Architecture
The design of the Historia cruise is inspired by Egyptian Culture and heritage with Art Deco touches. On the other hand, Sonesta Nile Cruise comes with a wide variety because it has different types. Sun Goddess and Star Goddess cruises fall under the category of all-suite, while St. George, Nile Goddess, and Moon Goddess come with suites and cabins. Meanwhile, the Amirat cruise falls under the traditional-style Dahabiya cruise category.
2. Accommodation and Suite Categories
When it comes to accommodation, Historia Nile Cruise features 40 luxury cabins, 8 Historia Suites, 2 Presidential Suites, and 2 Royal Suites. The accommodation area ranges from 22-sq metre cabins to 46-sq metre Royal Suites. On the other hand, Sonesta Nile Cruise has different configurations, such as:
- Sun Goddess: 30 Suites
- Moon Goddess: 49 cabins and 4 Presidential Suites
- Star Goddess: 33 suites
- St. George: 47 cabins, 9 presidential suites, and 1 royal suite
- Nile Goddess: 47 cabins, 2 senator suites, and 4 presidential suites
- Amirat Dahabiya: 5 deluxe cabins and 2 suites.
3. Interior Design and Ambience
Egyptian cultural influences and Art Deco Touches make the Historia Nile Cruise stand out. The design approach can be clearly understood. On the other hand, Sonesta cruises come in different types, and each has a different interior design. For instance,
4. Dining and Culinary Experiences
Historia has a restaurant, a lounge bar and a sundeck lounge. This is a boutique cruise with amazing dining facilities to match the surroundings. However, the dining facilities offered by the Sonesta cruises may differ from one cruise type to another for example:
- Sun Goddess: Main dining room, lounge, discotheque, snack bar and sundeck bar.
- Moon Goddess: A dining hall with international and local food, with a lounge bar.
- Nile Goddess: Main dining room, lounge and sundeck bar.
- Amirat Dahabiya: Main dining room, lounge, and sundeck bar.
5. Onboard Facilities and Wellness
There are many facilities that you can enjoy on the Historia cruise, like a swimming pool, lounge areas, room service, and a gym. On the other hand, Sonesta’s facilities may vary depending on the type of cruise you are choosing. Sun Goddess has a beauty salon, pool with a Jacuzzi, massage room, and jogging track. Moon Goddess has a sundeck pool, while St. George has a fitness centre and spa facility.
Which Cruise Offers Better Value: Historia Nile Cruise vs Sonesta Nile Cruise?
Price is not the only thing that you need to consider. Apart from price, there are many things that should be considered when deciding to choose between Historia Nile Cruise and Sonesta Nile Cruise. You need to consider:
- The type of accommodation: standard, luxury, or suites
- Duration of your stay
- The type of meal
- Sightseeing inclusions
- And other Facilities
After considering these factors, you will be in a better position to choose the cruise that is suitable for your travel requirements.
Conclusion: Historia vs. Sonesta Nile Cruises
The blog has shed light on both the Historia and Sonesta Nile cruises along with the facilities, accommodation, entertainment and activities included. Now you can easily decide which cruise suits your travel needs. If you are not sure about how to book Nile cruise, you can read our previous page.
This article was created by the team at Nile Cruisen, one of the best tour operators in Egypt for Nile cruises and tailor-made Egypt tours.
With years of experience sailing between Luxor and Aswan, our team knows the Nile better than anyone.
We share trusted travel advice, from the best time to visit and what to pack to simple tips for avoiding crowds.
Our goal is to help you enjoy the timeless beauty of Egypt with comfort, confidence, and an unforgettable travel experience.




