Celebrity River Cruises Expands Big: 10 New Ships and a Bold 2028 European Season
From tulips to Christmas markets, Celebrity River Cruises makes Europe easier to explore with the family
Celebrity River Cruises is turning up the excitement for European river cruising, and the latest announcement brings big news for travellers dreaming of slow sails and storybook cities.
Celebrity River Cruises has confirmed a commitment to 10 additional river ships, expanding its European fleet to 20 vessels by 2031. The announcement also marks the official start of construction, with the first steel cut for Celebrity Compass, the brand’s debut river ship. With this expansion, Celebrity River Cruises is on track to become one of the largest European river cruise operators, opening the door to more itineraries and more destinations across the continent.
To celebrate these milestones, the cruise line has opened bookings for its highly anticipated 2028 European season. The new deployment features more than 160 sailings to over 50 destinations, representing an impressive 80% increase in European destinations compared to the inaugural 2027 season. Guests will have more opportunities than ever to explore Europe’s rivers while enjoying Celebrity’s signature hospitality.
Demand for Celebrity River Cruises has exceeded expectations, according to Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. The expanded fleet allows even more guests to experience Europe’s most iconic rivers while staying connected to the broader Celebrity vacation ecosystem. Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge also pointed to the overwhelming response, noting that the entire 2027 season sold out in under six minutes, driving the decision to significantly grow the 2028 offering.
Vista Balcony Suite onboard the Celebrity Compass River Ship
Celebrity River Cruises will launch in 2027 with Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker. The fleet will continue to grow in 2028 with the addition of Celebrity Wanderer, Celebrity Roamer, and Celebrity Boundless, giving guests five ships sailing Europe during the expanded season.
The 2028 itineraries span some of Europe’s most celebrated rivers and regions. Sailings on the Lower Danube include journeys from Bucharest through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge, each featuring an overnight land stay in Romania’s capital. Rhine River cruises offer more than 60 sailings between Basel and Amsterdam, passing legendary castle country and charming towns such as Strasbourg, Breisach, and Rüdesheim. Upper Danube itineraries travel between Regensburg or Nuremberg and Budapest, with select departures timed to Germany’s Gäuboden Festival. Seasonal Dutch Tulip cruises sail between Brussels and Amsterdam during peak bloom, while Christmas Markets cruises bring festive charm to Rhine Valley cities including Mainz, Strasbourg, and Heidelberg.
With 10 new ships on order, an expanded European presence, and 2028 bookings now open, Celebrity River Cruises is clearly responding to extraordinary guest demand. More ships, more destinations, and more ways to experience Europe, river cruising The Celebrity Way is only just beginning.