- Sail Date: 2027
- Bookings: available 2025
- Number of Ships: 10
- Main Destination: Europe
River cruising is booming. With so many cruise lines exploring every corner of the world, from Alaska to Antarctica and Oceania, more ships are seeking unique destinations to sail and share the wonders of the world with their guests.
River cruising bookings for 2026 are pacing nearly 30% ahead of 2025, showing just how much demand is growing. Sure, the Caribbean and Mediterranean are still incredibly popular, but travelers are also eager to explore the Danube, Douro, Seine, Amazon River, and other breathtaking places that Mother Nature has to offer.
Celebrity Cruises recently announced that it's preparing to enter the exciting world of river cruising. Bookings will open in 2025, with more details expected in the coming months.
Want to learn more about river cruising with Celebrity Cruises and stay in the loop? Just click the Request a Quote button, and we'll save you a spot once sailings begin in 2027.
Yes, it’ll be a few more years before you can cruise the world’s most beautiful rivers with Celebrity Cruises, but bookings start this year.
What is River Cruising?
Have you cruised before with popular lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, or Celebrity Cruises, and visited amazing destinations like St. Thomas, Rome, and San Juan? Well, river cruising is a lot like that, but instead of oceans, you'll be sailing along some of the most iconic rivers in the world.
The ships are much smaller, offering a more intimate and relaxed experience. River cruise ships usually don’t have massive waterparks or big entertainment venues onboard, since they need to be compact enough to navigate narrow waterways and low bridges. They often have one or two swimming pools, two to four restaurants and that’s it. River Cruising is a lot about great food, amazing pictures and visiting numerous ports of call instead of crazy entertainment options.
What to expect from Celebrity Cruise Line and River Cruises?
Celebrity Cruises has grown significantly in recent years, and several of their ships are often ranked among the best in the world. It all started with Celebrity Edge, which introduced the Magic Carpet - a floating platform on the side of the ship - and beautiful rooftop gardens. Celebrity is also known for its excellent food and top-notch service. The experience is elegant and more upscale than traditional cruise lines, though still more affordable than ultra-luxury brands like Seabourn.
I have a feeling Celebrity will bring that same charm and elegance to rivers across the globe. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they include gardens onboard their river ships. I mean, can you imagine cruising down the Seine while relaxing on the top deck, surrounded by flowers and greenery?
The latest Celebrity ships also feature the Magic Carpet, though I doubt it will be part of their river cruise design - river ships are much smaller, after all. But who knows? Maybe they’ll introduce a new feature, like a stationary platform that brings guests closer to the passing scenery. Only time will tell.
Celebrity Cruises will begin offering river cruises in 2027, starting exclusively in Europe. So far, the line has ordered 10 ships to launch its river cruise program, and that number, as well as the list of destinations, is expected to grow in the coming decade. Celebrity has also stated that its river cruise ships will draw heavy inspiration from the Edge-class vessels, so you can expect a sophisticated and elegant design.
When will Celebrity Cruises start offering river cruises?
Celebrity Cruises will launch its river cruise program in 2027, with bookings available starting in 2025.
How many ships will be part of the Celebrity Cruises river fleet?
Celebrity Cruises will launch its river cruise program in 2027 with 10 ships. However, not all ships will be available immediately. Celebrity plans to introduce two ships in 2027, four in 2028 and four in 2029.
What will be the main destinations of Celebrity River Cruises?
Celebrity Cruises will begin offering river cruises exclusively in Europe, but the number of destinations is expected to grow over time. They have also announced plans to offer a variety of itineraries with different durations. If we had to bet, we’d say that the main destinations at first will be the Rhine, Danube, Rhone and Seine.
Is River Cruising more expensive than Ocean Cruising?
Yes, river cruising is often more expensive than ocean cruising. The ships are smaller, carry fewer guests, and operate within a country’s specific limits, which can lead to additional charges for the cruise line.
How much will a Celebrity river cruise cost?
Pricing hasn’t been officially announced yet, but Celebrity has hinted that river cruise fares will be comparable to the cost of an all-inclusive ocean cruise package.
Do River Cruises offer unique destinations and ports of call?
Yes, and that’s something Celebrity highlights on their official website. Expect brand-new shore excursions and ports of call that take you to iconic locations and historic cities. One of the main advantages of river cruising is the smaller ship size, which allows access to ports and cities you wouldn’t be able to visit on an ocean cruise.
Will Celebrity Cruises offer the option to combine river cruises with ocean cruises?
Nothing has been officially announced yet, but that’s the idea! The president of Celebrity Cruises had this to say: “When we’re in the heart of our European ocean season, wouldn’t it be amazing if you could be on a river cruise and then hop on an ocean cruise, or vice versa? We're certainly working on it.”
Will my Celebrity Cruises loyalty program work for Celebrity River Cruises?
Yes, the Captain’s Club loyalty program will apply to Celebrity River Cruises, offering members discounts and perks.
What will be included in a Celebrity river cruise?
Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but you can expect Celebrity river cruises to include some perks in the base fare. The company’s president said:
“Obviously, we want to be competitive in the river space, and all actual river cruise lines have some sort of inclusion; it's not a bare-bones product. And so it's safe to assume that we’re not going to be a bare-bones product either.”
So, should we expect sodas, beer, and even Wi-Fi included in your initial package? It’s definitely possible!
Will Celebrity River Cruises have a minimum age requirement?
No, there will be no minimum age requirement to sail with Celebrity River Cruises.
What are the main advantages of a Celebrity river cruise?
One big advantage will likely be the dining and cabins, which I expect to be a step above what you find on a traditional Celebrity ocean cruise. Most cabins are expected to be verandah staterooms, giving you a closer connection to the destinations along the river.
Celebrity has also emphasized its commitment to great dining, and that’s something they plan to carry over to their river cruise experience. I also expect some perks to be included in the base fare, like soda and alcoholic beverages, at least during certain times. Fingers crossed for complimentary Wi-Fi too!
How can I stay up to date with Celebrity River Cruises?
Want to be the first to know when Celebrity opens bookings for their river cruises? Stay in touch with us! Just click the Request a Quote button, let us know you're interested, and we’ll make sure to save you a spot, so you can be sailing through Europe with Celebrity in 2027.
