Celebrity Cruises has officially announced its bold entry into the European river cruise market with Celebrity River Cruises, a premium river vacation brand that promises to bring the same elevated design and sophistication of its award-winning Edge Series ocean ships to Europe’s most iconic rivers.
The announcement, made on January 28, 2025, revealed that Celebrity has signed an initial order for 10 transformative river ships that will begin sailing in 2027. This marks the first time a major ocean cruise line of Celebrity’s caliber has launched a dedicated river cruise division, signaling a major shift in the luxury river cruise landscape.
What We Know So Far
Celebrity River Cruises will launch on the Rhine and Danube rivers, two of Europe’s most popular river cruise waterways. The ships will carry approximately 172 passengers each, offering an intimate and personalized experience that Celebrity is known for on its ocean vessels.
According to Celebrity, the new river ships will feature an innovative hull design that delivers a lightweight, versatile platform improving navigation on Europe’s rivers. The brand promises the most usable outdoor space of any river ship, including features never before seen on river vessels.
Why This Matters for River Cruising
Celebrity’s entry into river cruising represents a significant vote of confidence in the European river cruise market. As part of the Royal Caribbean Group, Celebrity brings enormous resources, brand recognition, and a loyal customer base that has never had a river cruise option within the family of brands.
For travelers who have enjoyed Celebrity’s ocean cruises aboard ships like Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Ascent, this new river product offers a natural extension of the Celebrity experience into the heart of Europe’s most historic cities and cultural destinations.
Booking Information
Celebrity has indicated that bookings will open later in 2025, with sailings beginning in 2027. Travelers interested in being among the first to sail Celebrity’s new river ships should contact a travel advisor at Pixie Vacations to get on the priority notification list.
Stay tuned to Celebrity River Cruise Blog for the latest updates as more details are revealed about ship names, itineraries, stateroom categories, and onboard experiences.