Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) today announced it has signed 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 the highly anticipated Nile Seray, An A&K Sanctuary. 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 elegant suites for just 64 guests. Each suite will offer a minimum of 33 square metres, with floor-to-ceiling windows and waterside Juliet balconies as standard. Two magnificent 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,” said Cristina Levis, CEO of AKTG. “Having two sister ships of this calibre allows us to offer even more travellers the exceptional experiences that have defined A&K’s presence in Egypt since 1977.”

A Legacy Reinvented

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 of innovation 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 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 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.

Strategic Expansion
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.

“Egypt has always held a special place in A&K’s story,” added Levis. “These vessels embody our understanding that luxury today is defined not by excess, but by space, authenticity, and the quality of experience. They reflect how we see travel: deeply personal, beautifully crafted, and rooted in genuine connection to place.”

Notes To Editors

Renders of Nile Seray are being used to illustrate this announcement; final colours and materials may vary for the new vessel.

Renders are available for use here, please credit A&K.

Photos of the contract signing are here, please credit A&K

All media enquiries, please contact:

AKTG / A&K EMEA

James Treacy, Global Communications Director |[email protected]

India Roche, Communications Manager | [email protected]

A&K USA

Janice Yu, PR Director | [email protected]

Jean Fawcett, Senior Manager, Media Relations | [email protected]

AKTG Australasia

Michelle Mickan, VP Marketing | [email protected]

About AKTG (A&K Travel Group)

A&K Travel Group is a global lifestyle and travel company that sets the standard for refined and personalized travel experiences. These include Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal, Cox & Kings and Ecoventura as well as investments in other travel companies.

About Abercrombie & Kent

Abercrombie & Kent pioneered luxury adventure travel with its first African safaris in 1962, founded on an ethos of adventure by day, luxury by night. Today, A&K’s award-winning travel services extend around the globe to more than one hundred countries on all seven continents. A&K’s bespoke itineraries and escorted small-group tours offer one-of-a-kind inspiring experiences, from expedition cruises and tailormade trips to exclusive villas, safari camps and private jet journeys, unlocking a world of possibilities for a Life Well-Travelled. Behind every journey is an international network of more than 3,000 staff, in over 70 offices and 83 countries, ensuring invitation-only access to the people and places that make every destination unique www.abercrombiekent.com. Join the world of A&K by following us on Instagram: @abercrombiekent, Facebook and X: @AKTravel

About A&K Sanctuary

A&K Sanctuary, part of the A&K Travel Group family, owns and operates luxury safari camps and lodges across Eastern and Southern Africa, riverboats in Egypt and Peru, with an expanding portfolio of exceptional properties planned across key destinations. Each property is designed to provide guests with an authentic and immersive travel experience, showcasing the natural beauty and cultural heritage of its destination. A&K Sanctuary is committed to sustainable tourism practices and actively supports local communities through conservation and development initiatives. www.abercrombiekent.com/sanctuary

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