Egypt is highly desired as a travel destination for luxury travelers in 2025 and beyond. This month, Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) announced an agreement with Egyptian shipbuilder The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.) for construction of a second new-build luxury riverboat.
“Launching in 2028, it’s a sister to the 64-passenger Nile Seray, which is scheduled for a late 2026 delivery,” says Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel.
Other top river lines have also recently launched new Nile riverboats. For instance, The Meandering Traveler sailed on the new Viking Sobek in 2024, and this blog also covered the launch of that ship and sister Viking Hathor.
(Shown above is a rendering of the new A&K river vessel, its second of the new class. Photo by A&K.)
Nile River Expansion
A&K tells The Meandering Traveler that its two new Nile riverboat orders represent the most significant Egypt fleet expansion in its nearly five-decade Nile history.
So, what’s the ship’s name? Well, we’ll have to wait just a bit. That’s expected to be revealed in the coming months.
But guests can expect the new vessel to mirror Nile Seray‘s sophisticated design and spacious accommodations. Look for 32 elegant suites for just 64 guests.
Suites and Public Venues
Each suite will offer a minimum of 355 square feet of space. Plus, guests will enjoy scenic views through floor-to-ceiling windows and waterside Juliet balconies.
Two magnificent suites will elevate the river cruising experience even further. These will offer full private balconies with outdoor spa pools. So, guest can kick back and enjoy the scenery from their secluded perch over the storied river.
Two onboard restaurants will be helmed by world-class chefs. Guests will also discover a spa with two treatment rooms and a well-equipped gym.
Atop the ship, travelers can relax on canopied daybeds and enjoy a swimming pool. The outdoor bar also will offer stunning views of the Nile Valley. In addition, Egyptologists will accompany every excursion and provide expert commentary.
Confidence in Egypt’s Appeal
“This second vessel represents our absolute confidence in Egypt’s enduring appeal and our commitment to setting new standards in Nile cruising,” says Cristina Levis, CEO of AKTG.
She adds: “Having two sister ships of this caliber allows us to offer even more travelers the exceptional experiences that have defined A&K’s presence in Egypt since 1977.”
New Nile Riverboat: A Legacy Reinvented
Many travelers enjoy diving into the history of a luxury travel brand. Certainly, A&K’s relationship with the Nile started in a unique, high-profile way.
Founder Geoffrey Kent’s pioneering vision was inspired by a 1977 chance encounter with actor David Niven. That came on the set of the movie, “Death on the Nile.”
Kent subsequently leased the Memnon, launching A&K’s first Nile cruise. Now with the recently announced expansion, A&K’s Egyptian fleet will grow to six luxury vessels.
In addition to the two new builds, the existing fleet includes the intimate Zein Nile Chateau dahabiya and the elegant Sun Boat III and Sun Boat IV riverboats.
“Egypt is experiencing a remarkable renaissance in luxury tourism, and we’re proud to be at the forefront,” says Amr Badr. She’s A&K’s senior vice president for Egypt and the Middle East.
But Badr stresses that the new build orders represent more than just an expansion of A&K’s fleet. The moves show a deepening of the company’s commitment to Egypt and its people. Simply put, A&K is helping foster more economic development and tourism spending.
New Grand Egyptian Museum
A&K’s announcement comes at a pivotal moment for Egyptian tourism. Most notably, the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza has opened. Located within eyeshot of the Pyramids, it displays 100,000 artifacts.
The top highlight is the display of King Tutankhamun’s complete treasure collection, according to Pavlus‘ Steudle. “It’s the first time that’s happened since the treasures were discovered in 1922,” she says.
A&K reports that bookings for Egypt have increased significantly year-on-year. Currently, it’s seeing heavy demand for its Tailormade holidays and private experiences.
A&K Sanctuary Portfolio
The new Nile riverboat orders also form part of AKTG’s broader investment in its A&K Sanctuary portfolio, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025.
What’s that all about? The company has announced significant hospitality developments across multiple continents. Those include the recently launched Pure Amazon riverboat in Peru; the reimagined Gorilla Forest Lodge in Uganda; and Baines’ Lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Future openings include Kitirua Plains Lodge in Kenya’s Amboseli region (opening in mid-2026) and a luxury retreat in Moab, Utah.
“Egypt has always held a special place in A&K’s story,” emphasizes Levis. “These vessels embody our understanding that luxury today is defined not by excess, but by space, authenticity, and the quality of experience.”
Summarizing, Levis says this: “They reflect how we see travel: deeply personal, beautifully crafted and rooted in genuine connection to place.”
