Royal Caribbean Group has just unveiled a game-changing expansion: Celebrity River Cruises. This premium river cruise line, operating under the Celebrity Cruises brand, will launch its first voyages in 2027. With an initial order of 10 state-of-the-art river ships, Celebrity River Cruises aims to redefine luxury travel along the world’s most iconic waterways.
Celebrity Cruises Enters the River Cruise Market
For years, Celebrity Cruises has been synonymous with luxury ocean travel, delivering unforgettable experiences aboard its cutting-edge ships. Now, the brand is bringing that same level of sophistication and innovation to the world of river cruising.
According to a recent press release, Celebrity River Cruises will begin accepting bookings later this year. The expansion reflects the increasing demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences, especially among Celebrity’s loyal customer base.
Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, emphasized the company’s vision for this new venture:
“We’re thrilled to announce our entry into the river cruise market through our Celebrity Cruises premium travel brand. Our guests and travel partners should expect us to do what we do best – innovate and elevate the river cruise experience as we meet the growing demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences.”
Why Celebrity River Cruises?
The decision to launch Celebrity River Cruises stems from market demand and guest interest. With nearly half of Celebrity’s guests having already taken or considered a river cruise, this move is a natural next step for the brand.
By offering premium river cruise experiences, Celebrity Cruises plans to leverage its existing loyalty programs across all three of its brands—Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. This cross-brand engagement ensures that loyal guests can seamlessly explore new vacation options without leaving the Royal Caribbean ecosystem.
Liberty further highlighted this strategic advantage:
“By leveraging our valuable loyalty programs across our three brands, we will deepen customer engagement and further our ability to keep guests within our ecosystem of vacation offerings. We are the best in the world at delivering the vacation of a lifetime, and this is the latest example of how we are building the capabilities to deliver a lifetime of vacations.”
Bringing Celebrity’s Signature Luxury to River Cruises
Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, shared her excitement about the brand’s expansion into river cruising:
“Celebrity River Cruises will bring the quality and sophistication of our Edge Series ocean ships to the most iconic rivers, starting with Europe. We’ve redefined travel on the ocean with our best-in-class hospitality, award-winning food and beverage experiences, and elevated design and style. We are thrilled to bring these experiences to the river and combine them with authentic, destination-rich itineraries that will give our guests an experience unlike any other.”
The Edge Series ocean ships have set a new standard in cruising, featuring stunning contemporary designs, innovative amenities, and world-class dining. Now, that same level of excellence will be translated into Celebrity’s new river cruise fleet.
What to Expect from Celebrity River Cruises
Although detailed ship designs and itineraries have yet to be released, Celebrity River Cruises is expected to introduce a premium river cruise experience that blends:
- Innovative ship design inspired by the award-winning Edge Series
- Exceptional dining featuring Michelin-level cuisine
- Authentic destination-focused itineraries
- Luxury accommodations with state-of-the-art suites and staterooms
- Enriching cultural experiences that go beyond traditional river cruises
With a strong focus on Europe’s most iconic rivers, guests can likely expect itineraries along the Danube, Rhine, Seine, and Douro Rivers, among others. These destinations offer unparalleled opportunities to explore historic cities, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural traditions.
How This Changes the River Cruise Industry
The river cruise market has traditionally been dominated by smaller luxury brands such as Viking, AmaWaterways, and Uniworld. However, Celebrity River Cruises brings a new level of competition to the industry with its larger-scale brand recognition, existing guest loyalty, and unmatched luxury experiences.
This expansion also underscores the growing popularity of river cruising, particularly among younger travelers who seek intimate, immersive travel experiences with high-end amenities.
Booking Celebrity River Cruises
While bookings are not yet open, Celebrity River Cruises is expected to begin accepting reservations later this year. Travelers interested in experiencing Celebrity’s signature style on the river should stay tuned for official announcements regarding:
- Ship details and onboard features
- Itinerary options and destinations
- Pricing and exclusive pre-sale offers
With its reputation for delivering unforgettable luxury vacations, Celebrity Cruises is poised to make an immediate impact on the river cruise industry.
Final Thoughts
The launch of Celebrity River Cruises is an exciting development for travelers who love luxury, culture, and immersive experiences. With 10 new ships launching in 2027, Celebrity Cruises is set to elevate river cruising to new heights.
What do you think about Celebrity Cruises entering the river cruise market? Would you book a river cruise with them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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