After watching its inaugural river cruises sell out in minutes, Celebrity River Cruises is officially opening the doors wider.
The cruise line has now opened bookings for its 2028 European river season, rolling out more than 160 sailings across five ships—and adding an eye-opening number of new destinations, ports and seasonal experiences along the way. For travelers who want the intimacy of river cruising without giving up the design, food and service Celebrity is known for, this is where it really comes together.
“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. "There are now more ways than ever to experience Europe's rivers The Celebrity Way.”
Related: Celebrity's Viral European River Cruise is About to Get a Whole Lot Easier to Book
European Sailings—With the Celebrity Edge
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Celebrity’s 2028 itineraries stretch across Europe’s most iconic waterways, but the details are what make them stand out.
On the Lower Danube, new sailings include an overnight land stay in Bucharest—a rare addition for river cruises—before guests embark on a journey through the Iron Gates gorge, one of Europe’s most dramatic river passages, flanked by towering cliffs and medieval fortresses.
Spring brings Dutch Tulip Season cruises, timed to peak bloom. These sailings glide between Brussels and Amsterdam with stops at Keukenhof Gardens, the 18th-century windmills of Kinderdijk and smaller canal towns that feel pulled from a postcard.
Then there’s the expanded Christmas Markets program, sailing between Basel and Amsterdam. Think candlelit town squares in Strasbourg, festive stalls in Mainz and snow-dusted vineyards lining the Rhine—all without unpacking more than once.
Upper Danube itineraries connect cities like Regensburg, Nuremberg and Budapest, with select departures coinciding with Germany’s Gäuboden Festival, a lively regional celebration filled with traditional music, food and beer halls.
Related: Celebrity Just Revealed More About Its River Cruises—Here’s What to Expect
Familiar Celebrity Touches—Just on a Smaller Scale
Celebrity Cruises' is bringing Martini Bar to its River CruisesCelebrity
While the destinations drive the story, the ships themselves are designed to feel unmistakably Celebrity.
The river vessels borrow heavily from the brand’s Edge-class aesthetic, with clean lines, light-filled lounges and social hubs that that make you want to hang out. Guests will find scaled-down versions of favorites like Martini Bar and Café al Bacio, along with destination-inspired menus and wine programs tailored to each region.
Because river ships don’t rely on big theaters or production shows, Celebrity is shifting the “wow factor” ashore.
Speaking at an industry event, Bethge has said, “We’re taking the variety and excitement of a bigger ship and putting it on land.” With only 172 guests per sailing, the line can develop highly curated pre- and post-cruise programs and land-based events, details of which the brand plans to unveil in the spring.
Related: A First-Look at Celebrity’s New Xcel—The Line’s Most Inspired Cruise Ship Yet
Why Celebrity Is Going Bigger—Fast
Celebrity River CruisesCelebrity River Cruises
Behind the scenes, the expansion is just as significant. Celebrity has committed to 10 additional river ships, doubling its fleet to 20 by 2031.
Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, emphasized that demand has already exceeded expectations—and that the expansion reflects a long-term investment in river cruising, not a limited experiment.
"What has taken some operators several decades, Celebrity is planning to achieve in just four years," says Stewart Chiron, also known as The Cruise Guy. "This is an extremely ambitious move for Celebrity Cruises considering the constantly evolving intricacies of sailing on rivers."
“Why only 10? Let’s make it 20,” Chiron added. “That’s just 1,720 passengers—not even the capacity of a single ocean cruise ship. Twenty riverboats by 2031 would immediately make Celebrity one of the world’s largest river cruise operators.”
For travelers, that means more chances to snag what was once nearly impossible to book—and a river cruise that feels less like a departure from Celebrity and more like a natural next step.
Related: Celebrity’s Viral ‘Cruise That Sold Out in 6 Minutes’ May Soon Be Coming to a River Near You
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