Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) has announced the signing of an agreement with Egyptian shipbuilder The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.) for the construction of a second newbuild luxury riverboat, a sister vessel to Nile Seray, an A&K Sanctuary ship. Nile Seray is scheduled for delivery in late 2026, with its sister ship to follow in 2028, marking the most significant expansion of A&K’s Egyptian fleet in the company’s nearly five-decade history on the Nile.
The new vessel, with a name to be revealed in the coming months, will mirror the sophisticated design and spacious accommodations of Nile Seray, featuring 32 suites for just 64 guests. Each suite will offer a minimum of 355 square feet, with floor-to-ceiling windows and waterside Juliet balconies as standard. Two suites will boast full private balconies with outdoor spa pools overlooking the ancient river.
“This second vessel represents our absolute confidence in Egypt’s enduring appeal and our commitment to setting new standards in Nile cruising,” Cristina Levis, CEO of AKTG, said in a statement. “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.”
A&K’s relationship with the Nile dates back to founder Geoffrey Kent’s pioneering vision, inspired by a chance encounter with David Niven on the set of “Death on the Nile” in 1977. Kent subsequently leased the SS Memnon, launching A&K’s first Nile cruise and establishing a legacy that continues today. With this expansion, A&K’s Egyptian fleet will grow to six luxury vessels, including the intimate Zein Nile Chateau dahabiya and the 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 of this transformation,” said Amr Badr, senior vice president for Egypt and the Middle East at A&K. “These new vessels represent not just an expansion of our fleet, but a deepening of our commitment to Egypt and its people. Working with The Arab Contractors shipyard and in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism demonstrates our confidence in Egyptian craftsmanship and our dedication to supporting the local economy.”
The vessel will feature two restaurants helmed by world-class chefs, a spa with two treatment rooms, a well-equipped gymnasium, and a stunning top deck with canopied daybeds, swimming pool, and outdoor bar with wraparound views of the Nile valley. Expert Egyptologists will accompany every excursion, bringing thousands of years of history to life through expert storytelling.
This announcement comes at a pivotal moment for Egyptian tourism, with the recent opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum displaying 100,000 artefacts, including King Tutankhamun’s complete treasure collection for the first time since their discovery in 1922. A&K reports that bookings for Egypt have increased significantly year-on-year, with particular demand for its Tailormade holidays and private experiences.
The expansion forms part of AKTG’s broader investment in its A&K Sanctuary portfolio, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025. The company has announced significant developments across multiple continents, including the recently opened 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 (mid-2026) and a luxury retreat in Moab, Utah.
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