Century Cruises recently announced that it will launch Century Star as its first European riverboat. The 174-guest vessel will debut internationally on the Danube River on Sept. 18, 2026, from the Chinese line known for its fleet of Yangtze riverboats.
“Century Star, the first of many vessels planned for the Danube and Rhine, is a testament to the vision set by chairman Mr. Peng 30 years ago on the banks of the Yangtze River,” said David Fredericks, president and general manager of The Americas. “Through dedication and hard work, we have reached the heart of Europe — and we are incredibly proud. This is where Eastern elegance and hospitality meet Western style, on the Danube River.”
Design Specifications
Star will be constructed using recycled steel to be an environmentally conscious, hybrid-propelled vessel that will fully comply with European Union sustainability standards towards net-zero carbon goals. Measuring about 443 feet long, it will sport a dramatic exterior hull designed by Concordia Damen Shipbuilding and interiors from MDesigns.
“Walking through Century Star feels like journeying through the spirit of each country along the Danube — a cultural tapestry woven into the ship itself,” according to the line.
The ship will offer 78 cabins and many shared venues.
Credit: 2025 Century CruisesAccommodations and Amenities
Across its length, Star will feature 78 private luxury cabins and several public venues. Standard staterooms will “offer the welcoming charm of a Serbian home, enhanced with touches of local folklore,” per Century. Meanwhile, the central lobby will pay “homage to Bulgaria’s Rose Valley.”
Elsewhere, the main restaurant will take inspiration from The Black Forest and has already been recognized as a CSI Awards 2025 Finalist for Concept of the Year. And the bar and lounge take cues from Baroque architecture and the musical pedigree of Beethoven and Strauss, conveying the atmosphere of Vienna’s traditional coffee houses.
Onboard, guests can expect European cuisine paired with classics from Century’s own culinary team, enrichment programming such as lectures and wellness experiences such as tai chi and taoga.
The line promises a blend of Eastern elegance and hospitality combined with Western service and style for a fresh and sophisticated European cruise experience.
Itineraries
Star’s first “Blue Danube Cruise” itinerary will stretch from Budapest to Esztergom, Bratislava, Vienna, Linz and Passau, complete with Century Cruises motorcoaches. A second itinerary will set sail on the Rhine River beginning on Nov. 6, 2026, heading from Amsterdam to Basel.
Star is the first of three planned Century ships for Europe and another five for Egypt along the Nile beginning in 2027. To commit to its global growth and brand excellence, the company has based a sales and marketing center in Sunrise, Florida.
