Century Cruises to enter Nile river cruise market with 2 Egypt itineraries in 2027

Century Cruises will enter Egypt’s growing river cruise market in 2027 with two Nile itineraries aboard Sunrise Terramar.

The deployment will mark Century Cruises’ expansion beyond its established operations in Asia and comes amid rising investment in new vessels and capacity on the Nile.

Century Cruises said the decision followed several years of planning and repeated requests from past guests seeking to experience another major river destination with the company.

“Our guests have been asking us for years if we’d ever bring the Century experience to the Nile. We took that feedback seriously,” said David Fredericks, President and General Manager, Century Cruises.

“Egypt is one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations, and we wanted to create an experience that reflects everything Century Cruises stands for – beautiful ships, exceptional service, authentic cultural experiences, and outstanding value,” he added. “This is just the beginning, and we look forward to growing our presence on the Nile with additional departures and new vessels in the years ahead.”

The company will initially offer two packages combining a seven-night Nile sailing with land stays in Cairo and, on the longer itinerary, Hurghada.

The 11-day Treasures of the Nile itinerary will operate between Cairo and Luxor, with a programme focused on Egypt’s ancient history, archaeological sites, and cultural heritage.

A 15-day Legends of Egypt package will include the same Nile cruise programme followed by a four-day extension in Hurghada on the Red Sea coast.

Cruise packages will include return flights from the United States, private transfers, three nights in Cairo, seven nights aboard Sunrise Terramar, guided sightseeing and selected shore excursions.

Dining, complimentary beer and wine during lunch and dinner, and onboard lectures examining Egyptian history and the Nile’s role in the development of the country will also be included.

The longer itinerary will add transfers to Hurghada, a three-night resort stay, daily excursions, meals, and onward transportation back to Cairo.

Century Cruises said it expects to expand the programme with further departures and additional vessels as demand develops.

The announcement comes amid a broad expansion of the Nile river cruise sector, with several international operators entering the market or adding modern vessels.

Viking introduced Viking Ptah and Viking Sekhmet in 2026, joining a growing fleet of purpose-built Nile ships operating its Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

A&K Sanctuary Retreats launched the 64-guest Nile Seray in October 2026, while Travelmarvel debuted Travelmarvel Sirius in September of the same year.

TUI River Cruises expanded its Nile operation in late 2025 with the introduction of TUI Bahareya, its second vessel in Egypt following TUI Al Horeya.

The new capacity reflects growing demand for itineraries combining river cruising with guided access to Egypt’s archaeological and cultural attractions.

For Century Cruises, the 2027 programme provides an entry point into one of the world’s most established river cruise destinations, while giving the company scope to build a larger regional operation if its initial sailings prove successful.

Century Cruises’ 2027 Egypt itineraries

• Treasures of the Nile: 11 days from Cairo to Luxor, including three nights in Cairo and seven nights aboard Sunrise Terramar
• Legends of Egypt: 15 days, combining the Nile programme with a three-night Hurghada resort stay
• Includes: Return flights from the United States, private transfers and guided sightseeing, shore excursions, onboard lectures and cultural programming, and meals and complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner