Century Cruises Wins Eight Magellan Awards

Century Cruises Celebrates Global Excellence with Eight 2026 Magellan Awards

Seven Gold Awards and One Silver Award Recognize Century Cruises Across China,  Europe, Sustainability, Luxury River Cruising, Destination Experiences, Social Media  and Travel Advisor Education

SUNRISE, Fla. — October 7, 2026 — Century Cruises today announced a landmark achievement in the company’s continued global expansion, earning eight 2026 Magellan Awards — seven Gold Awards and one Silver Award — recognizing excellence across its operations and experiences in both China and Europe. 

The honors represent one of the broadest collections of recognition for Century Cruises to date, celebrating the company’s river ships, destination experiences, sustainable innovation, international expansion, marketing, social media, itinerary development and travel industry education. 

The eight 2026 Magellan Awards presented to Century Cruises are: 

GOLD — #DiscoverChina2026: Inspiring Travel Through Social Media Cruise Lines — Marketing Campaign/Social Media Campaign 

GOLD — Century Star: Redefining Luxury and Eco-Conscious River Cruising in Europe Cruise Lines — Overall/River Cruise Ship 

GOLD — Century Star: A New Era of Sustainable River Cruising 

Cruise Lines — Overall/Eco-Friendly “Sustainable” Cruise Ship

GOLD — Above the Clouds, Along the River: A Journey Into China’s Surreal Landscapes Cruise Elements — Expeditions/Itinerary 

GOLD — Elevating Global Partnerships Through Immersive Travel Experiences Cruise Lines — Overall/Education Program 

GOLD — From the Yangtze to the Danube: Century Cruises’ European Expansion Tour Operators — Overall/Destination Expansions/Changes 

GOLD — Chongqing: Where the Future Meets 3,000 Years of History Asia — Overall Destinations/City 

SILVER — Century Star: A New Standard in Luxury River Cruising 

Cruise Lines — Overall/Luxury Ship 

Together, the awards illustrate the evolution of Century Cruises from its deep roots on China’s Yangtze River into an increasingly global river cruise and tour company. 

The recognition is particularly significant for Century Star, which earned honors for overall river cruising, sustainable cruising and luxury. The ship represents Century Cruises’ expansion onto the rivers of Europe and embodies the company’s “Rivers Entwined” philosophy — combining the destinations, cultures and experiences of Europe with subtle elements of Century Cruises’ Chinese heritage. 

The awards also recognize Century Cruises’ growing efforts to introduce travelers to China through immersive destination experiences and storytelling, including recognition for Chongqing and for an itinerary showcasing some of China’s most extraordinary landscapes. 

“This is a moment to be proud of,” said David Fredericks, President and CEO of Century Cruises – The Americas. “Eight amazing awards — seven Gold and one Silver — demonstrate the true dedication of our global team. These awards belong to the people throughout China, Europe and the Americas who work every day to create, communicate and ultimately deliver the Century Cruises experience.” 

Fredericks continued, “I am especially proud of the recognition for education. In a remarkably short amount of time, our teams have built an education and training program designed to engage the travel advisor community, meeting planners, incentive planners and our broader travel industry partners. We are not simply asking the travel community to sell Century Cruises; we are investing in giving them the knowledge, tools, experiences and confidence to understand our products and tell our story.”

“That success comes from collaboration,” Fredericks added. “Our marketing teams create awareness and tell the story. Our trade and inside sales teams educate and build relationships. Our teams attend trade shows, meet travel advisors and partners face-to-face, and develop those relationships every day. Then our people in China and Europe, our shipboard teams, tour guides, tour operators and destination partners bring that promise to life for our guests. That is what makes these eight awards so meaningful — they recognize the work of an entire global organization.” 

The awards also reflect the globalization vision established by Century Cruises Chairman Peng Jianhu, whose strategy has been to expand the company beyond its leadership position on China’s Yangtze River while maintaining the culture, hospitality and heritage that have defined the Century Cruises brand. 

“Chairman Peng had the vision to take Century Cruises to the world and, importantly, the confidence in our teams to go out, create and deliver,” Fredericks said. “Today, we are seeing that vision recognized across two continents. We are incredibly proud of what has been accomplished, but we also recognize that we are only getting started.”

The company’s marketing efforts have also received direct recognition through the Gold Magellan Award for #DiscoverChina2026: Inspiring Travel Through Social Media, highlighting Century Cruises’ expanding efforts to introduce China to new audiences through digital storytelling and social engagement. 

The eight awards arrive as Century Cruises prepares for another period of expansion. 

Following the introduction of Century Star in Europe, the company is preparing for the continued development of Century Diamond, while expanding its China product portfolio, including Century Vision, and exploring additional opportunities for its planned Egypt product line. 

For Century Cruises, the 2026 Magellan Awards represent both recognition of what has already been accomplished and a preview of the company’s broader ambitions. 

China. Europe. And, potentially, Egypt. Different rivers, different cultures and different experiences — one Century Cruises. 

“Everyone throughout Century Cruises should take a moment and be proud of this achievement,” Fredericks concluded. “Be proud of your colleagues, be proud of the experiences we are creating and be proud of where we are going together. Eight Magellan Awards is an extraordinary accomplishment. And we have only just begun.” 

About Century Cruises

Century Cruises is an international river cruise and tour company with deep roots on China’s Yangtze River and an expanding global presence. The company combines river cruising with immersive destination experiences designed to connect travelers with the history, culture, cuisine, landscapes and people of the destinations it serves. 

With its expansion into Europe aboard Century Star and continued development of its global river cruise portfolio, Century Cruises is bringing its heritage of hospitality and innovation to an increasingly international audience. 

Media Contact 

Century Cruises – The Americas 

Sunrise, Florida

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