Celebrity River Cruises Plans to Expand Fleet to 20 Ships
Celebrity Wanderer is one of the new ships coming to the Celebrity River Cruises’ fleet in 2028. (Rendering courtesy of Celebrity River Cruises)
Celebrity River Cruises has announced a commitment for 10 new ships that would expand its new European river cruise fleet to 20 vessels by 2031. Construction has begun on the line’s first river ship Celebrity Compass, with the first steel having been cut.
With the additional 10-ship commitment, Celebrity River Cruises would become one of the largest European river cruise operators.
The 2028 season is now open for booking — with more than 160 sailings to 50-plus destinations across Europe. Travelers can sail the Rhine River to the vineyards of Alsace, follow the Danube River to Budapest's centuries-old market halls, or wake up in Prague and end the day at a café in the heart of Vienna.
Celebrity River Cruises is scheduled to launch in 2027 with the 172-passenger Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, followed by Celebrity Wanderer, Celebrity Roamer and Celebrity Boundless joining the fleet in 2028.
“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,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, parent company of Celebrity Cruises. “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.
Proof that Celebrity cruisers are craving this new river experience was evident once sales opened for the new river line’s first season.
“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,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “To meet this extraordinary demand, we're thrilled to open 2028 sailings … .”
Celebrity River Cruises’ European Sailings in 2028
The program offers Itineraries to take cruisers to 24 new ports, including new journeys into the wild beauty of the Lower Danube with a Celebrity-first overnight land stay in Bucharest, sailings to enjoy tulip season in full bloom and a new way to experience Europe’s magical Christmas Market cruises.
Top Celebrity River Cruises Itineraries
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.