Celebrity’s river cruises early access sells out in six minutes – here’s what’s onboard

• Early access to Celebrity’s 2027 river cruise sailings has sold out in a record six minutes.
• Celebrity Cruises will offer their first ever river cruises in the 2027 European season.
• Celebrity has revealed more details of their very first river ships and prices.

It was expected that Celebrity Cruises venture into river cruising would make a splash, but initial sales have exceeded expectations, with early access to Celebrity’s 2027 river sailings selling out in just six minutes.

Australians are among those who rushed to the booking site last night to put down a USD$500 deposit and try to be among the first to sail on the river revolution Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity’s parent, has started in Europe.

The much anticipated ships, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, are certainly revolutionary. They will sail on the Rhine and Danube with more restaurants, guests can dine floating above the river on the Magic Edge – the first-ever cantilevered dining pods.

Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises said: “Celebrity River Cruises ships will be the most innovative on the river, with a patent-pending industry-leading design that offers more space to vacation while bringing guests even closer to destinations.

“With about half of our guests having experienced or intending to take a river cruise, we know guests are going to love sailing Europe’s Rhine and Danube rivers The Celebrity Way on our fleet of elevated, cutting-edge ships.”

Importantly, prices are on par with or even better than many in the all inclusive luxury sector, witha. seven day itinerary Vienna to Budapest at $10,540 for a top of the range Vista Balcony and $4,582 for a River View.

There are five boutique stateroom categories, each designed not just for staying but for living with residential interior design, king-sized beds, and the most in-room amenities on the river.

All guests receive complimentary stocked mini bars and destination-inspired amenities, luxury linens, bedding, bathrobes and slippers. Suite guests also enjoy a dedicated, on-demand butler through ‘Butler Chat,’ complimentary exclusive dining, room service and happy hour experiences, complimentary laundry once each sailing, and priority booking for shore excursions.

What will Celebrity’s river ships look like

While there is still plenty of information to come, Celebrity shared some of the first major insights into what their new river ships will look and feel like.

On deck

• Celebrity boasts that revolutionary open decks will offer the most usable outdoor space of any river ship, offering 360-degree views throughout the entire journey.
• Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker will also offer ‘floating’ dining, with cantilevered dining pods offering a dining experience that feels like you’re floating above the river.
• Elsewhere on the top deck you can expect an infinity pool, a top deck bar and grill, shade structures to relax and more dining options.

Staterooms

• Every stateroom will be home to a king-sized bed, natural light and ‘the most in-room amenities on the river’. Each room will have complimentary stocked mini bars and amenities unique to the destination.
• Suite guests will also have a ‘butler chat’ complimentary services, room services, complimentary laundry and happy hour experiences, included in their fare.
• Celebrity’s ‘infinite verandah’ concept will come to the river as well, with balcony suites offering extra outdoor space.

What flavour to expect

• Some Celebrity venues that are known from their ocean ships will be present on Compass and Seeker, such as the Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and Cafe Al Bacio.
• Not much more is known about dining, but menus will be destination-focused, and will offer the only 24/7 meal options available on the Rhine and Danube.

Destinations

• The ships will sail on the Rhine and Danube, offering 33 initial sailings, each of seven-nights.
• Expect shore excursions such as wine tastings in Austria and thermal bath soaks in Budapest.
• From 2026 onwards, guests will be able to book specially curated pre and post-cruise stays as well.

Visit here for more information.

Separate from its ocean business, Celebrity is preparing to launch Celebrity River, with itineraries and pricing due to be unveiled in early September. The line has already opened priority registration for travellers.

Giles Hawke, Vice President International, told Cruise Passenger interest has been particularly strong from Australia.

“The number of people who have registered already is significant – way more than we have space for,” he said. “Our expectation is that when bookings open, there will be an avalanche of demand.”

He added: “We know Australians are enthusiastic river cruisers. Many are already sailing with other brands, but they also told us they want to do it with a brand they know and trust. We expect many of our existing guests to move easily between ocean and river.”

Hawke acknowledged that while river vessels are constrained by size regulations, Celebrity aims to differentiate on style and onboard experience.

“Our guests have said they don’t want the same cookie-cutter river ship. They expect something distinctive, and that’s what we’re working on.”

The river program will also allow Celebrity to keep more guests within the wider Royal Caribbean Group, which also includes Silversea and Royal Caribbean International.

“It’s about offering a lifetime of vacation choices across the group,” Hawke said. “Some of our guests already sail on Silversea, others on Royal, and now river will be another option. It broadens what we can offer and keeps them within the family of brands.”

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