Tourexpi
Celebrity River Cruises announces 10 additional ships and opens 2028 Europe season
By 2031, the brand’s river fleet will grow to 20
ships, positioning it among the largest operators in the European river cruise
market.
The announcement was made on 29 January 2026 in Miami
and coincides with the start of construction for Celebrity Compass, the brand’s
first river ship, marked by the initial steel cutting. At the same time,
Celebrity River Cruises has opened its 2028 deployment for booking, featuring
an 80% increase in European destinations compared with its inaugural 2027
season.
Fleet growth and phased market entry
Celebrity River Cruises will enter the river cruise
market in 2027 with Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker. In 2028, three
additional ships – Celebrity Wanderer, Celebrity Roamer and Celebrity Boundless
– will join the fleet. The commitment to ten further newbuilds will bring the
total fleet to 20 ships by 2031, enabling a broader range of itineraries and
increased capacity across Europe.
Strong demand drives expansion
“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 of Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Celebrity Cruises. He
highlighted the strategic role of river cruising within the group’s broader
vacation ecosystem, offering guests more choice and connectivity across
different travel styles.
Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises,
pointed to the rapid sell-out of the inaugural season. “Our 2027 Celebrity
River Cruises season sold out in under six minutes,” she said. “To meet this
extraordinary demand, we’re thrilled to open 2028 sailings with 80% more
European destinations, five ships and more than 160 itineraries.”
More than 160 sailings to over 50 destinations
For the 2028 season, Celebrity River Cruises is
offering more than 160 sailings to over 50 destinations across Europe,
including 24 new ports. The programme spans some of Europe’s most iconic
waterways, from the Rhine’s castle-lined valleys to the historic capitals along
the Danube.
New highlights include journeys on the Lower Danube
featuring a Celebrity-first overnight land stay in Bucharest, cruises timed to
the Dutch tulip season, and an expanded portfolio of Christmas market
itineraries. Classic routes on the Rhine between Basel and Amsterdam, as well
as Upper Danube voyages connecting cities such as Regensburg, Nuremberg and
Budapest, remain core elements of the programme.
Bookings now open
All 2028 Celebrity River Cruises sailings are now open
for booking. Guests can choose from a significantly expanded range of European
river itineraries, reflecting Celebrity’s ambition to translate its premium
ocean cruise experience to Europe’s rivers on a larger scale.
Image Credit: © Celebrity Cruises
The most interesting news
Read the News
WTTC expects global travel industry to grow 1.5 times faster than the wider economy
The sector is forecast to contribute 12 trillion US dollars to the global economy in 2026 and support almost 89 million new jobs by 2036
Read the News
Lufthansa shareholders approve all agenda items at annual general meeting
More than half of the company’s share capital was represented as shareholders confirmed dividend plans and elected new Supervisory Board members
Read the News
EXPLORA III unveils Northern Europe voyages and solar eclipse experience for Summer 2026
The new LNG-powered luxury ship will sail across Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America with no repeated itineraries during its inaugural season
Read the News
Spain strengthens position as Europe’s leading high-value tourism market
Spain generated €115.1 billion in international visitor spending in 2025, outperforming the European average for spending per traveller as global tourism expenditure surpassed US$2 trillion
Read the News
Colombia tops Global Big Day bird count once again
Colombia recorded more than 1,560 bird species during the 2026 Global Big Day, reinforcing its position as the world’s most bird-diverse country
Read the News
Yas Island to become home of Sphere Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi will invest USD 1.7 billion in the construction of Sphere Abu Dhabi, a new immersive entertainment venue planned for Yas Island with completion targeted for 2029
Read the News
Hilton study highlights growing trend of multi-generational holidays
New research shows grandparents are becoming an increasingly important part of family travel, giving parents more downtime and children more playtime
Read the News
Taiwan ranks among top Golden Week destinations for Japanese travellers, says Agoda
Search data shows rising interest not only in Taipei, but also in Taiwan’s coastal and nature destinations
Read the News
Delta expands fast, free Delta Sync Wi-Fi across global fleet
More than 1,200 Delta aircraft now offer free Delta Sync Wi-Fi for SkyMiles Members, combining high-speed connectivity with personalized entertainment and digital travel experiences
Read the News
Spain launches €15 million support package for sustainable tourism businesses
Hotels, restaurants, campsites and other tourism businesses in Spain will benefit from a new €15 million funding programme aimed at improving energy efficiency and circular economy measures
Read the News
Delta highlights employee focus and sustainability in 2025 ‘Delta Difference’ Report
The airline points to record employee engagement, profit sharing, operational efficiency and innovation as key drivers of long-term growth
Read the News
Eurowings introduces sneakers as standard crew footwear
Eurowings cabin crews can now wear branded white sneakers as part of their uniform every day, expanding the airline’s popular “Sneaker Flydays” concept across all operations
Read the News
Emirates taps GE Aerospace for repair capabilities
The agreement will support the expansion of the Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre (EEMC)
Read the News
Six Senses Joins the UNEP and UN Tourism Recipe of Change
A living expression of the brand’s sustainable ethos and Eat With Six Senses philosophy
Read the News
In a Sea of Sameness, Kempinski Group is choosing control
Kempinski Group has announced the acquisition of the Augustine Hotel, Prague — the groups wholly owned hotel in over five decades, says Barbara Muckermann
Read the News
Raffles Hotels & Resorts to debut its first Alpine resort
Located in Courchevel 1850, the most iconic address in the French Alps
Read the News
ASTA Travel Advisor Conference 2026
May 27, 2026 - May 29, 2026, San Diego, California
Read the News
Closing the gender gap requires tackling structural barriers, improving access to opportunities, and sustained commitment
Women do most of the work in tourism, yet they remain underrepresented in leadership
Read the News
Marriott International expands portfolio in Peru through landmark conversions
The two properties in Lima are set to officially join The Ritz‑Carlton and JW Marriott brand portfolios in 2028, reflecting the city’s rise as a leading global luxury destination.
Read the News
SWISS expands India network with new nonstop Bengaluru–Zurich service
Swiss International Air Lines is pleased to announce the launch of new nonstop flights between Bengaluru and Zurich, further enhancing connectivity between Switzerland and India’s leading technology and innovation hub.
