Century Cruises Enters Europe: Century Star, Century Diamond and What Comes Next
Century Cruises has officially expanded beyond China's Yangtze River and into Europe, beginning a new chapter with Century Star on the Danube and plans that already extend to the Rhine, Century Diamond and additional European ships.
For years, most North American travelers who knew Century Cruises knew the company for one place: China. Century has operated on the Yangtze since 1992 and has spent more than three decades developing river ships and cruise-tour programs there.
Beyond the Castle Travel is also offering a 2027 Legend of China group journey that combines Beijing, Xi'an, the Yangtze River aboard Century Voyage and Shanghai, giving travelers an opportunity to experience Century in the part of the world where the company's river-cruise story began.
Europe is now becoming an important part of that story. Century Star began its inaugural Danube voyage on September 18, 2026, and Century has a Rhine program scheduled to begin in November. Century Diamond is already scheduled to follow in 2027.
For travelers researching European river cruises, Century is a name that is likely to become much more familiar over the next several years.
Last updated: October 6, 2026
Is Century Cruises now sailing in Europe?
Yes. Century Star began Century Cruises' first European river program on the Danube in September 2026. A Rhine itinerary is scheduled to begin in November 2026, Century Diamond is expected to debut on the Rhine in August 2027, and additional European vessels are planned.
Century Star brings the company from the Yangtze to the Danube
Century Star began its inaugural European voyage on September 18, 2026, sailing from Budapest toward Passau on the Danube.
The move is significant for Century because the company did not simply reposition one of its existing Yangtze ships. Century Star was built for European waterways, giving the company a vessel designed around the dimensions and operating environment of the rivers where it will sail.
The ship measures 134.99 meters and accommodates 174 guests in 78 cabins. Century has equipped the vessel with hybrid propulsion and a hull constructed with recycled steel as part of the company's newer approach to ship design.
Century Star has four passenger decks. Standard Cabins are located on the lower deck, while French Balcony cabins occupy the main and upper decks. Executive Suites are also available on the upper deck.
Public spaces include the main restaurant, bar and lounge, aft lounge, bow lounge, fitness area and sun deck. The layout is recognizable as a contemporary European river ship, but Century is bringing elements of its own background into the experience rather than trying to erase its Asian roots.
Century is bringing its own river-cruise history to Europe
Century may be a new name on European rivers for many American travelers, but it is not a new river cruise company.
The company has operated on China's Yangtze River since 1992. That history influences the way Century is describing its European product, with an emphasis on combining Eastern hospitality with a cruise experience designed around European destinations.
On Century Star, that can include Tai Chi and yoga alongside destination programming, European cuisine and familiar river-cruise sightseeing. Century has described the ship as a meeting point between its Asian heritage and the regions through which it sails.
That gives Century an opportunity to develop its own identity in Europe instead of simply copying what already exists on the Danube and Rhine.
From one major river region to another
Century's European expansion makes more sense when viewed as the growth of a river-cruise company with decades of operating experience rather than a company entering river cruising for the first time.
The Danube comes first, with the Rhine close behind
Century chose two of Europe's best-known waterways for its first European programs.
Century Star's inaugural Blue Danube voyage began September 18, 2026, traveling between Budapest and Passau. The itinerary brings together cities including Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna with smaller communities and scenic stretches of the Danube.
Century has also announced a Romantic Rhine program between Amsterdam and Basel. Century said Century Star's first Rhine itinerary is scheduled for November 6, 2026, expanding its European program beyond the Danube only weeks after the ship's debut.
If you're still deciding which European waterway fits the kind of trip you want, our European river cruise guide covers the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine, Rhône, Moselle and other major river regions.
Danube River
Century Star's first European season began on the Danube, connecting major Central European cities with the slower pace and close-to-town docking that make the river popular with first-time river cruisers.
Rhine River
Century's Rhine program connects Amsterdam and Basel through a region known for historic cities, vineyards, castles and some of Europe's most recognizable river scenery.
Century Diamond is scheduled to join the Rhine in 2027
Century Star will not be alone in Europe for long.
Century announced Century Diamond in September 2026, with the new vessel scheduled to begin sailing in August 2027.
Century Diamond will measure approximately 135 meters and accommodate up to 174 guests in 76 cabins and suites across four decks. The ship will also use hybrid propulsion and is expected to be constructed with approximately 60% recycled steel.
The ship is planned primarily for eight-day Rhine cruises between Basel and Amsterdam, although selected itineraries may extend beyond the traditional Rhine route.
Century calls the design philosophy behind Diamond Rivers Intertwined, an idea that connects the company's history on the Yangtze with its growing presence on European rivers.
Century's European plans go beyond Century Star and Century Diamond
Century's move into Europe is developing quickly. Cruise Industry News reported that Century Diamond is the second of four new ships planned for the company's European fleet.
Full details for the remaining vessels have not yet been announced, including their names, launch schedules and eventual routes.
Those next announcements should tell us much more about Century's long-term European strategy. Additional Rhine and Danube capacity is possible, but a larger fleet would also give Century room to introduce new rivers and longer combinations.
For now, Century Star and Century Diamond give us the clearest picture of the direction: purpose-built European ships, familiar river itineraries and an onboard identity that continues to acknowledge the company's Yangtze roots.
What does a Century Cruises European river trip include?
Century's European programs follow a format that will feel familiar to experienced river cruisers, with accommodations, meals, destination-focused touring and time spent in cities and towns along the river.
Current Century itineraries include complimentary shore excursions, generally one at each port, with additional upgraded experiences available through the company's Signature Collection. Beer and wine are included with lunch and dinner, and selected cabin categories or promotions may also include international airfare.
Inclusions can vary by itinerary, cabin category and promotion, so the complete sailing should be reviewed before booking rather than assuming every departure includes exactly the same components.
Travelers new to this style of vacation may also want to read Is a River Cruise Right for You? for a broader look at ship size, daily pace, excursions and what river cruising is like compared with an ocean cruise.
When should you take a Century river cruise in Europe?
The best timing depends on what you want from the river rather than Century alone.
Spring can offer greener scenery and comfortable sightseeing temperatures. Summer brings long daylight but can also bring heat and heavier crowds. September and early fall can be excellent for wine regions and cooler walking weather, while late November and December bring Christmas-market season to many Rhine and Danube cities.
River conditions can also affect European sailings. High or low water is weather-driven and cannot be predicted simply by choosing one particular month.
Our month-by-month guide to the best time for a European river cruise goes deeper into weather, crowds, Christmas markets, wine season and river conditions throughout the year.
Century Cruises remains deeply connected to China's Yangtze River
Century's expansion into Europe does not replace its longstanding presence in China. The Yangtze remains central to the company's fleet and cruise-tour programs.
That connection is one reason Century's European growth is interesting. Travelers seeing Century Star on the Danube today are looking at the international expansion of a company whose experience was built thousands of miles away on one of Asia's great rivers.
Beyond the Castle Travel's 14-Day Legend of China group journey in October 2027 combines Beijing, Xi'an, a Yangtze River cruise aboard Century Voyage and Shanghai.
For travelers who want to experience Century where the company developed its river-cruise identity, China remains a very different way to sail with the brand.
More from Beyond the Castle Travel
Frequently asked questions about Century Cruises in Europe
Yes. Century Star began its inaugural European Danube voyage on September 18, 2026. Century has also announced Rhine itineraries and additional European ships.
Century Star is Century Cruises' first purpose-built European river vessel. It accommodates 174 guests in 78 cabins and began European service on the Danube in September 2026.
Century has announced Rhine cruises between Amsterdam and Basel. Century Star's first Rhine itinerary is scheduled for November 2026, and Century Diamond is expected to join the Rhine program in August 2027.
Century Diamond is Century Cruises' second European river vessel. It is scheduled to debut in August 2027 and accommodate up to 174 guests in 76 cabins and suites.
Cruise-industry reporting says Century Diamond is the second of four new vessels planned for Century's European fleet. Details about the remaining ships have not yet been fully announced.
No. Century Cruises has operated river cruises in China since 1992. Its European operation is new, but the company has more than three decades of river-cruise experience.
Yes. Century continues to operate extensive Yangtze River programs in China. Beyond the Castle Travel also offers a 2027 Legend of China group journey that includes a Yangtze cruise aboard Century Voyage.
Current European programs include accommodations, meals, complimentary shore excursions and beer and wine with lunch and dinner. Some cabin categories or promotions may include additional benefits such as international airfare. Exact inclusions should be confirmed for the individual sailing.
Century's European story is just getting started.
Beyond the Castle Travel will continue updating this article as Century introduces additional European ships, routes and itineraries.
If you're researching Century, you can also explore our European river cruise guide or see our 2027 Century Cruises group journey through China.
