First Century Voyages

04/30/2026

Your Invitation to Sail with First Century Voyages in 2027! - https://mailchi.mp/be1f2bdfa16f/greenegyptinvite-5869424

10/18/2025

July 2026 at Sea: The Apostle Paul's Missionary Journeys 📖⛵ -

We are thrilled to once again offer friends and FCV alumni the opportunity to experience the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul from Istanbul to Athens in July 2026. As the Christmas season approaches, perhaps you will consider sharing this trip of a lifetime with family and loved ones! What...

09/19/2025

Well, that's a wrap on our 2025 trips. We are bursting with gratitude for all who chose to voyage with us this year.

Here is a handful of our countless season highlights:

1. Keith & Kristyn Getty teaming up to lead us in worship (and a full, family-band-style sea shanty!) on board the Sea Cloud Spirit.

2. Singing the Doxology in the Ear of Dionysus in Siracusa, Sicily, and during a private evening visit to the Sistine Chapel.

3. Sharing worship on board the Sea Cloud II with a Senior Vice President of Young Life in Africa, Alexis Kwamy.

4. Celebrating communion at Lydia’s stream in ancient Philippi, where Lydia became the first documented convert in all of Europe.

5. Reading aloud Paul’s short sermon to Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (Acts 17) during one of our visits to Mars Hill.

6. Hearing Dr. Peter Williams walk through the details of Paul's miraculous shipwreck in Malta (Acts 27) on his way to Rome, while sailing close in the apostle's footsteps.

Thank you to our incredible partners that make these kinds of pilgrimages possible. Onward to 2026!

08/18/2025

Imagine this: it's May 2026, and you are just about to board the stately Sea Cloud II during the perfect spring travel season along the Amalfi Coast. You've just enjoyed a multi-day optional prelude getting to know Florence in all of her Renaissance glory and are looking forward to visiting Pompeii, Lipari, and several of Sicily's most stunning port cities before finally reaching the dramatic cliffs of Malta.

We are glad to invite our trip alumni to consider traversing the Tyrhennian Sea with us next spring, May 13-23, 2026. This trip is distinctly First Century Voyages, with opportunities to relish the company of fellow travelers and enjoy on-board teachings and devotionals meant to nourish those who seek to travel with eyes of faith. Only a handful of select staterooms remain available, so don't hesitate to call us today.

https://www.firstcenturyvoyages.com/eason-ruffner-sea-cloud-ii-2026/

10/11/2024

The Travels of the Apostle Paul. The Seven Churches of Revelation. Biblical and historical insights from special guest Os Guinness. Seven days of pristine sailing the Aegean Sea aboard the legendary Sea Cloud II. Who's in?
In August 2025, First Century Voyages is delighted to offer our most sought-after itinerary. Our August 9th embarkation in Istanbul is just 10 months away. Don't delay - you can reach our office today at 919-381-5722 to reserve your cabin on this timely journey for the 21st century believer, reflecting on the miraculous spread of the gospel among our first century brothers and sisters. Click here for full trip details: https://www.firstcenturyvoyages.com/aegean-sea-cloud-ii.../

04/12/2024

One of our February Egypt travelers, Aileen Gronewold, captured the journey from Cairo to Abu Simbel and back with such vivid detail and humorous grace in her recent blog post titled “Enchanting Egypt: Ancient Land of Wonder”.

Though Aileen admits that Egypt had come late and unexpectedly to her attention as an “international travel bucket list” destination, she ends the post with a simple appeal: “Please, go see Egypt!”

There is truly nothing like traveling with friends and like-minded adventurers. We still have several cabins available on the AmaDahlia for our Nile voyage this November 7-19. Call 919-381-5722 today to inquire!

Egypt enchants visitors with fabulous tombs, temples and pyramids spanning 5,000 years of history. Come see this ancient land of wonder.

04/03/2024

Two years ago, a group of First Century travelers embarked on a Danube River voyage from Budapest to Vilshofen, with our sights set on the humble but famed Bavarian village of Oberammergau. Yes, our pilgrimage culminated with the Passionsspiel, this small community's tradition of performing the events of Jesus' passion week set in motion by their miraculous preservation from the Black Plague nearly 400 years ago.

Philip Yancey joined us as a special guest on board the AmaLea, seasoning our trip with the gospel message through disarming lectures and warm table conversation. We are delighted to share his timely Eastertide reflections on the trip, considering "A World Without Easter".

Everything is different because Jesus rose again. But do we live as if we understand he is alive?

03/29/2024

One of the distinct delights of traveling with First Century Voyages is seeing what creative reflections come ~after~ the trip. Here is one that we commend to you from our recent voyage along the Nile River, hosted by Christianity Today President Tim Dalrymple and his dynamic wife Joyce.

Special guest Russell Moore weaves his impressions of the early Egyptian burial process with the temptation to idolatry among the people of God (from ancient Israel to the American church) for a sobering reminder that we serve a God who has a living, resurrected body!

An oft-forgotten mummy in Scripture teaches us how idolatry deadens, but Jesus awakens.

02/15/2024

Check out this excellent article connecting the dots between the Bible and the land of Egypt, just published in Christianity Today. It's especially enjoyable for us to be reading this as we are spending the entire month of February leading groups on cruises up and down the Nile. As the article's author puts it, the Bible's imagery was informed by what the Israelites already knew, which included the imagery and motifs they were familiar with following their many years in Egypt. "The biblical authors chose conventional means to communicate eternal truths about Yahweh. These visual concepts would have made sense to their audience—and now, having seen some of them with my own eyes, they make more sense to me too."

If you are ready to enroll in an Egypt / Nile adventure, call our office anytime for more info on available cabins for our next trip - November 2024!

Learning about the land of Pharaoh helps us understand the people of Israel in their context.

02/01/2024

Please join us in welcoming Adrienne Hein Nystrom to the FCV team!

Adrienne, a hospitality enthusiast hailing from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, is delighted to set sail with the FCV Team as Communications & Operations Coordinator. She has previously served as an Assistant Tour Director and will join us again in Egypt and Jordan later this month.

Adrienne is experienced in lodging, food and beverage, and pampering valued guests. She has worked primarily in boutique operations including the design-forward Washington School House Hotel in Park City, UT, the ornate Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé in the Loire Valley, France, and most recently the Inns of Aurora, a historic Finger Lakes darling that has been restored to luxury.

Adrienne recently moved just outside of Spokane, Washington, with her husband John. As they get to know the area, they have endeavored to find the best cinnamon roll in the Inland Northwest.