Century Cruises and UNITED WATERWAYS confirm the successful delivery of the newbuild river cruise vessel Century Star from Dutch shipbuilder Concordia Damen. The delivery marks the formal handover of Century Cruises’ first dedicated European river cruise vessel, representing a key milestone in the company’s expansion into the European market.
The delivery of Century Star marks Century Cruises’ entry into Europe, following decades of operations on the Yangtze River and a long-term strategy to expand internationally. The project has been developed in partnership with UNITED WATERWAYS, which has supported the vessel’s development and European market entry by managing key operational aspects including compliance, crewing, safety and hospitality standards. Thomas Rooch, Managing Director of Century ONE in Basel comments: “The delivery of the Century Star is a milestone not only for Century Cruises, but for river cruising in Europe. This vessel represents the successful combination of Chinese innovation, European expertise, and a shared commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences. We are proud to see this vision become reality and look forward to welcoming our first guests aboard.“
Michaela Julian, EVP Operations of River Advice adds: “With the Century Star, two of the world’s great river traditions become entwined. We see this vessel as a bridge, carrying the richness of Asian culture and hospitality onto Europe’s rivers aboard a ship built around modern design and state-of-the-art technology. Our role is to ensure that everything beneath that guest experience runs flawlessly, and we are proud to bring this combination of heritage and innovation to the European waterways.” Built at Concordia Damen in the Netherlands, the vessel reflects a collaboration between Asian and European expertise and is designed specifically for European waterways. The Century Star is a next-generation river cruise vessel that accommodates 174 guests in 78 cabins. The vessel meets the highest compliance levels of sustainability and emissions standards featuring hybrid propulsion, a hull constructed using recycled steel, and interiors inspired by both European river destinations and Century Cruises’ Asian heritage. The vessel is part of a broader strategy to combine Eastern hospitality with European cruising standards. Following delivery, the Century Star will undergo final preparations before entering service on the Danube in September 2026, with additional itineraries planned on the Rhine. The inaugural Danube sailing is scheduled for September 2026, with further deployments on the Rhine later in the year. The delivery of Century Star establishes the operational platform for Century Cruises in Europe and underlines the strategic partnership with UNITED WATERWAYS combining Century Cruises’ customer base and brand recognition with UNITED WATERWAYS’ European operating platform and infrastructure. The vessel is expected to serve as the first in a series of potential deployments supporting Century Cruises’ long-term growth in the European river cruise sector. UNITED WATERWAYS is Europe’s largest provider of modular white label ship management services on all waters. Its brand portfolio includes KD Floating Venues, Oceandiva, WEIßE FLOTTE SACHSEN, Thames Luxury Charters, Basler Personenschifffahrtsgesellschaft, the STARLING FLEET shipping company, Feenstra Riviercruises and the River Advice Group’s service brands on European waterways, including the training platform River Academy. Ocean Advice is the counterpart for the management of passenger ships on the world’s oceans. Its roots date back to 2004, when the company started under the River Advice label. In 2019, the group was consolidated under the umbrella of UNITED WATERWAYS. The headquarter is in Basel, Switzerland. Century Cruises is a globally recognized luxury cruise line and destination management company (DMC) with offices in China, the EU, Egypt, the U.S., and Japan. Operating a fleet of 12 award-winning, eco-friendly vessels on iconic rivers such as the Yangtze, Danube, Rhine, and Nile, the company provides immersive journeys that celebrate the world’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Backed by over 32 years of expertise, Century Cruises delivers integrated DMC services – including land logistics, customized shore excursions, and MICE solutions – ensuring a seamless and premium experience from ship to shore. www.centurycruise.com
A Strategic Entry into the European River Cruise Market
A Newbuild Designed for Modern River Cruising
Operational Deployment from September 2026
A Platform for Future Growth
Global market leader in white label ship management from Switzerland
About Century Cruises
Century Star Delivered: Newbuild Marks Milestone for Century Cruises’ European Expansion
Picture: The ship Century Star
Picture: Thomas Rooch signs the handover of the Century Star with Chris Kornet, CEO of Concordia Damen Shipbuilding