By
Laura Hyde |
Century Cruises has ordered a second ship for its fleet of European river cruise vessels; Century Diamond will be purpose-built for the rivers of Europe and is scheduled to sail its inaugural voyage in August 2027.
Century Diamond will accommodate 174 guests in 76 cabins and suites across four decks. The 135-metre-long ship will feature advanced hybrid propulsion technology and will be constructed using approximately 60 per cent recycled steel. The cruise line is using recycled materials and advanced propulsion technology to reflect its commitment to creating a new generation of luxury river cruise vessels that “consider not only how guests experience the world’s great rivers, but also how those rivers are protected for generations to come”.
The ship’s design will bring together Century Cruises’ roots on the Yangtze and the history of Europe’s rivers onboard. The main restaurant will reflect Germany’s Black Forest, with design details incorporating Century Cruises’ Chinese heritage, while in the lounge a traditional Viennese coffee house will feature artwork inspired by the company’s Asian roots.
Once operational, Century Diamond will sail eight-day itineraries along the Rhine, between Basel in Switzerland and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The voyages will give guests the opportunity to discover medieval towns, vineyards, castles, cultural capitals and centuries of European history.
“The team at Century One in Basel have brought our vision for ‘Rivers Intertwined’ to life,” said David Fredericks, president and general manager for The Americas at Century Cruises. “It is a philosophy that makes Century Cruises distinctly different on the rivers of Europe. We are bringing our heritage from the East and allowing it to intertwine with the extraordinary cultures, traditions and destinations of the West, creating something truly special.
“Our European ships are designed specifically with North American and European travellers in mind. Guests will see strong European influences throughout the public spaces and staterooms, while discovering thoughtful reminders of our Asian heritage and where the Century Cruises story began. It puts Century Cruises in a very unique position on the rivers of Europe. We are not trying to recreate what already exists; we are bringing two worlds together – East and West, the Yangtze and the great rivers of Europe – as Century Cruises continues its expansion around the world.”