by Donald Wood
Last updated: 7:50 AM ET, Thu January 29, 2026
Celebrity River Cruises unveiled plans to add 10 new ships to
its European river cruise fleet over the coming years, with plans to bring the
company’s total to 20 vessels by 2031.
The announcement was made as Celebrity River Cruises was cutting
the first steel for its debut river ship, Celebrity Compass. The addition of
the new ships will make the company one of the largest European river cruise
operators.
“Guest demand for Celebrity River Cruises has exceeded our
expectations, and expanding the fleet allows us to bring this highly
anticipated experience to even more travelers,” Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason
Liberty said.
“Whether guests already love the Celebrity experience or are
discovering it for the first time, they now have new ways to enjoy it along
some of Europe’s most iconic rivers,” Liberty continued.
To celebrate the ship-building plans, Celebrity River
Cruises opened bookings for its 2028 season, offering more than 160 sailings to
over 50 destinations across Europe. The 2028 season marks an 80 percent
increase in European destinations compared to the brand's inaugural 2027
deployment.
Celebrity River Cruises launches in 2027 with Celebrity
Compass and Celebrity Seeker, followed by Celebrity Wanderer, Celebrity Roamer,
and Celebrity Boundless joining the fleet in 2028.
“Our inaugural 2027 Celebrity River Cruises season sold out
in under six minutes – a testament to how much guests value the unmatched
hospitality and service Celebrity delivers,” Celebrity Cruises President Laura
Hodges Bethge said.
Celebrity unveiled several river cruise itineraries for 2028,
listed below:
Lower Danube Cruises (six sailings):
Journey from Bucharest through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge – one of Europe's
most breathtaking river passages – to destinations where history, culture, and
natural beauty converge. Each sailing includes an overnight land stay in
Romania's vibrant capital, connecting guests to Bucharest's rich heritage
before or after their river voyage.
Rhine River Cruises (more than 60 sailings):
Sail between Basel and Amsterdam through Europe's legendary castle country,
passing vine-covered hillsides and storybook villages including Strasbourg,
Breisach, and Rüdesheim. The romantic Rhine comes alive with spellbinding views
at every turn.
Upper Danube Cruises: Travel between
historic Regensburg or Nuremberg and Budapest, discovering grand castles and
cultural treasures along the Danube through Germany, Austria, and Hungary.
Select sailings coincide with the Gäuboden Festival in Straubing, one of
Germany's largest heritage celebrations.
Dutch Tulip Season Cruises: Glide between
Brussels and Amsterdam during peak spring bloom, visiting the world-famous
Keukenhof Gardens, the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk, and charming Maastricht.
These seasonal sailings showcase the Netherlands at its most vibrant.
Christmas Markets Cruises: Experience a
European holiday tradition on sailings between Basel and Amsterdam, with stops
at candlelit Rhine Valley villages including Mainz, Strasbourg, and Heidelberg.
Snow-dusted vineyards and festive markets make these winter sailings
unforgettable.
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