Allie Hubers Celebrity Cruises is preparing to enter the river cruise market, expanding its luxury offerings beyond the open sea.
Although a recent announcement was made by the cruise line confirming Celebrity’s expansion into the river cruise market in 2027, details about itineraries have yet to be shared. Celebrity Cruises plans to bring the brand’s signature style and service to some of Europe’s most iconic waterways.
Celebrity aims to redefine the premium river cruising experience by blending the intimacy of river travel with its signature luxury and innovation.
The cruise line mentioned bringing signature experiences from its award-winning Edge class ships to the river vessels. Because of size restrictions, river cruise ships feature fewer amenities and entertainment offerings. It will be interesting to see how Celebrity incorporates these elements into a much smaller vessel.
Booking expected to open in July 2025
While the cruise line has yet to make an official announcement, information shared by crew members onboard suggests that bookings will be available as early as July 2025.
This aligns with Celebrity’s original announcement, which hinted the would release itineraries during the summer. Celebrity encourages those eager to be among the first to experience it’s river cruises to stay updated via Celebrity’s website and social media channels.
A new era of river cruising for Celebrity Cruises
If these reports hold true, Celebrity will be taking a bold step into a competitive market dominated by brands like Viking, AmaWaterways, and Avalon Waterways. This would be the first time the premium cruise line, known for its innovative Edge Series cruise ships, will introduce an entirely new fleet designed specifically for river cruising.
Celebrity Cruises stated the river cruise experience will maintain Celebrity’s signature modern luxury, featuring sophisticated design, locally inspired culinary experiences, and immersive shore excursions.
They plan to build a fleet of smaller vessels designed to navigate Europe’s winding rivers while providing comfort comparable to its ocean liners. They have plans to launch 10 river vessels initially.
Which rivers will Celebrity Cruises explore?
While Celebrity has not revealed official itineraries, sources suggest the initial routes will feature some of Europe’s most popular rivers, including:
- The Danube River: Offering sailings through cultural hotspots like Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava.
- The Rhine River: Exploring charming German towns, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
- The Seine River: A Paris-to-Normandy route that highlights France’s rich history and landscapes.
Celebrity Cruises has yet to confirm whether it will focus solely on European rivers or expand into Asia or South America, where river cruising is also popular.
What this news means for cruise enthusiasts
Celebrity Cruises is disrupting the river cruise market with its bold entry. This could signal a shift in the cruising industry as a whole, appealing to ocean cruisers who have yet to try river cruising.
Given that nearly half of Celebrity’s past guests have expressed interest in river cruising, this expansion seems like a natural progression. Celebrity’s demographic is geared toward an older audience, which also aligns with the typical demographic of river cruising.
Additionally, it is rumored that Celebrity Cruises will integrate its loyalty program with Royal Caribbean Group’s existing offerings, allowing guests to earn and redeem points across ocean and river sailings. This would create an enticing opportunity for repeat travelers looking to explore the world through a mix of ocean and river itineraries.
