Celebrity Cruises to Enter the River Cruise Market with Premium Fleet Launching in 2027

Celebrity Cruises has announced its highly anticipated entry into the river cruise market with Celebrity River Cruises, set to launch in 2027.

Expanding its signature luxury offerings, the brand will introduce a fleet of 10 transformative river cruise ships, initially focusing on Europe’s most iconic waterways.

Building on the sleek design and sophistication of Celebrity’s Edge Series ocean ships, the new river vessels will redefine the river cruising experience with an emphasis on elevated hospitality, immersive itineraries, and innovative ship design.

“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.”

Jason Liberty, President and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group

Celebrity Cruises’ move into river cruising is driven by market trends, with Liberty noting that half of Celebrity’s guests have either experienced or intend to take a river cruise holiday.

Leveraging its loyalty programs across the Royal Caribbean Group brands, Celebrity aims to strengthen customer engagement and offer seamless vacation options across its portfolio.

The new river cruise line will focus on providing an immersive, premium travel experience that mirrors the luxury of Celebrity’s ocean voyages. Guests will enjoy:

Intimate and cultural itineraries: Sail through the heart of historic cities and picturesque landscapes.
Locally-inspired cuisine: World-class dining that reflects the regions visited.
360-degree views: Innovative ship designs will prioritise panoramic views for guests to take in the beauty of each journey.

“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.”

Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises

While exact itineraries and ship details have yet to be revealed, the initial fleet will target Europe’s iconic rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Seine, and Douro.

Each ship will cater to luxury travellers seeking intimate yet enriching cultural journeys.

With an emphasis on authentic local experiences and culturally immersive excursions, Celebrity River Cruises is expected to appeal to seasoned cruisers as well as new guests seeking a premium river cruise offering.

Celebrity River Cruises is poised to make waves in the river cruise market by combining its award-winning ocean cruise expertise with innovative designs tailored for river travel.

From the sleek and modern aesthetic of its ships to its signature personalised service, the brand aims to set a new standard for river cruising.

What do you think? Will you be interested?

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.