Celebrity River Cruises Commits to 10 More Ships, Opens 2028 Europe Season With 80% More Destinations
Celebrity River Cruises is going all in on Europe.
The cruise line announced plans to add 10 new river ships, expanding its fleet to 20 vessels by 2031, while simultaneously opening bookings for its 2028 European river cruise season. The move positions Celebrity as one of the largest river cruise operators in Europe and significantly scales up its presence just one year after launch.
Construction has officially begun with the first steel cut for Celebrity Compass, the brand’s debut river ship. The 2028 season will feature 80% more European destinations than Celebrity’s inaugural 2027 deployment, signaling strong confidence in demand for the new product.
2028 Sailings Now Open With Major Expansion
To mark the announcement, Celebrity River Cruises has opened reservations for its 2028 season, offering:
- More than 160 sailings
- 50+ European destinations
- 24 new ports
- Five ships in service
Guests will be able to sail classic rivers like the Rhine and Danube, with itineraries ranging from vineyard-lined valleys to historic capital cities. Sailings include routes from Amsterdam to Basel, journeys into Eastern Europe along the Lower Danube, and seasonal cruises timed around tulip blooms and Christmas markets.
Celebrity River Cruises will launch in 2027 with Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, followed by Celebrity Wanderer, Celebrity Roamer, and Celebrity Boundless joining the fleet in 2028.
Executive Commentary
“Guest demand for Celebrity River Cruises has exceeded our expectations,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “Expanding the fleet allows us to bring this experience to even more travelers and strengthens our connected vacation ecosystem.”
Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge highlighted the rapid success of the program, noting that the 2027 inaugural season sold out in under six minutes.
“To meet this extraordinary demand, we’re thrilled to open 2028 sailings with five ships, more than 160 itineraries, and 80% more European destinations,” she said.
Highlights of 2028 Itineraries
Celebrity River Cruises’ 2028 lineup includes a wide range of classic and seasonal itineraries:
- Lower Danube Cruises (6 sailings): Routes from Bucharest through the Iron Gates gorge, featuring an overnight land stay in Romania’s capital.
- Rhine River Cruises (60+ sailings): Voyages between Basel and Amsterdam through castle country, with stops in Strasbourg, Breisach, and Rüdesheim.
- Upper Danube Cruises: Sailings between Regensburg or Nuremberg and Budapest, with select departures aligned with Germany’s Gäuboden Festival.
- Dutch Tulip Season Cruises: Springtime itineraries between Brussels and Amsterdam, including visits to Keukenhof Gardens and Kinderdijk.
- Christmas Markets Cruises: Winter sailings along the Rhine, stopping in festive cities such as Mainz, Strasbourg, and Heidelberg.
Booking Information
All 2028 Celebrity River Cruises sailings are now open for booking. Travelers can reserve directly through Celebrity Cruises, by phone, onboard a Celebrity ship, or through a travel advisor.
