- Celebrity Cruises launched their new river fleet – and sold their first journeys in six minutes.
- The launch presented a new product into the premium market.
- Here, our expert writer Lucy Jones compares Celebrity with the many existing premium lines.
With Celebrity Cruises launching its first river ships in 2027, a new player has entered the highly competitive premium river cruise market. Priority Booking Access opened on September 3 and sold out in six minutes – the rest of us will have to wait for more cruises to be released.
Though Celebrity sits firmly in the premium category for its ocean ships, the line has taken a big leap towards luxury on the rivers. Five-star features like king sized beds, complimentary mini bars and spa-style bathrooms take the staterooms and suites to the next level. Selected beer, wine and spirits will be included all day, instead of just at mealtimes as is the standard on most premium river cruise lines. And with six restaurants on board – including one with Celebrity’s signature cantilevered design – that’s double the dining options of most river ships.
The only thing that doesn’t have aspirations towards luxury is the price. Riverview staterooms start from just $2999 for an eight-day cruise, up to $1000 cheaper than competitors like Viking, AmaWaterways, Emerald Cruises, APT and Travelmarvel. Suite prices are also well below the average, just under $7000 compared to $10,000 on other lines. Could Celebrity River Cruises be the best value, most inclusive line in the market? And could this be the catalyst for a shakeup in river cruise pricing across the board?
Read on for our river cruise expert’s review of the new ships and see how they compare to other premium lines in Europe. We have not compared them to luxury lines like Scenic, Uniworld and Riverside.
The Ships
Celebrity River Cruises
Just two ships have been announced by Celebrity – Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker. Their revolutionary open decks promise more outside space than any other vessels and will have an infinity edge swimming pool at the aft. Choose from six dining options – including the only 24/7 restaurants on these rivers – and marvel at the view from the unique cantilevered dining pods that stick out over the side of the ship.
Viking
Viking has the largest river fleet in Europe by far, with more than 60 of their signature longships – each named after a god or mythical figure from Norse legends – sailing on the Rhine and Danube rivers alone. The ships are largely identical, each carrying 190 passengers with 53 crew. Facilities include the indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace, Sun Deck with an herb garden and putting green, and a library. There are no swimming pools or hot tubs, fitness centres or spas.
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways was the first to introduce many of the features that are now common on European river ships, like the Chef’s Table restaurants and a fleet of on board bicycles. Carrying just 156 guests, you’ll also enjoy more space than most other ships. Relax in heated pools, take a spin class on the deck or soothe your muscles in the spa. The queen of the fleet is AmaMagna – at 72 feet she’s twice as wide as any other ship on the Danube, has four dining venues and carries 196 guests.
Emerald Cruises
Six of Emerald Cruises’ award-winning Star-Ships sail on the Rhine and Danube. Each carries a maximum of 180 passengers with 51 crew members. There’s a games area and putting green on the Sky Deck, as well as an outdoor barbecue. The heated swimming pool sits beneath a retractable roof at the aft of the ship and turns into a cinema at night. There’s also a fitness and wellness area on a lower deck, and complimentary bicycles to use in port.
APT
This Australian owned line has two ships on the rivers of Central Europe – APT Ostara and APT Solara. They are some of the newest on the river, with both launching in 2025. Carrying just 154 guests served by 60 crew, they have an abundance of space and six dining venues, which is currently the most on any river ship in the region. The one-of-a-kind Gruner Bar is raised by a hydraulic system from the Upper Deck to the Sun Deck, making for a meal with spectacular views. There’s also a fitness centre and e-bikes for exploring on shore.
Travelmarvel
Travelmarvel has a fleet of three identical ships sailing the Rhine and Danube, with a fourth to be launched in 2026. Named after stars – Polaris, Vega, Capella and Rigel – they carry 182 passengers and 44 crew. Guests can relax in the whirlpool and practice their swing on the putting green on the Sun Deck, work out in the fitness centre or hop on one of the ship’s bicycles while in port. Travelmarvel is another Australian owned company and local travellers will feel at home in the pub-style McGeary’s Bar and appreciate the Vegemite on the breakfast buffet.
The Suites
Celebrity River Cruises
All staterooms and suites on Celebrity’s ships have king-sized beds. The 250-square-foot Vista Balcony Suites have spectacular views and outdoor space, while the Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites have a unique skylight above the bed. Suites come with butler service, accessed on-demand through a Butler Chat app.
Viking
Viking also offers king-sized beds across all cabin categories and plush extras like heated bathroom floors. The Explorer Suites on Viking’s longships are some of the largest on the rivers at 445 square feet. They have a separate living area and bedroom plus a private wraparound balcony with 270-degree views of the water. The 275-square-foot Veranda Suites also have a separate living area and bedroom with a private balcony.
AmaWaterways
Most staterooms in the AmaWaterways fleet have unique twin balconies – both a Juliet balcony and an open-air balcony. The top suites have 350 square feet of space, have king-sized beds and separate living areas. AmaMagna has the largest and most luxurious staterooms in Europe. Entry level cabins start at 205 square feet and the opulent Violin Deck suites are an incredible 705 square feet. It also has triple and quadruple staterooms, and interconnecting rooms, a rarity on river ships.
Emerald Cruises
The stylish One-Bedroom Owner’s Suites offer 315 square feet of space, including Emerald’s unique all-weather balcony that brings the outside in. A separate living area and a walk in wardrobe makes for spacious sailing. Grand Balcony Suites are up to 210 square feet in size and have a single bedroom/living area with a private balcony.
APT
APT’s staterooms start at a spacious 161 square feet. There are one and a half decks of French Balcony Suites, where the floor to ceiling windows slide down. On the upper deck, the handful of Owner’s Suites feature a separate living area and bedroom, floor to ceiling windows and an outside balcony with seating at a size of 269 sq feet.
Travelmarvel
There are no true outdoor balconies on Travelmarvel ships. Instead, floor to ceiling windows drop down into French balconies to open up the room. The Owner’s Suite has a separate bedroom and living area, while the chic French-style Balcony Suites have one spacious area with bed and seating.
The Inclusions
Celebrity River Cruises
- All on board dining
- Selected beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks and coffee all day
- Wi-Fi
- One shore excursion per day
- On board experiences
Viking
- All on board dining
- Beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Specialty coffee, tea and bottled water all day
- Wi-Fi
- One shore excursion per port
- Gratuities, taxes and fees
AmaWaterways
- All on board dining
- Sparkling wine with breakfast
- Beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Drinks at the daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour
- Wi-Fi
- Choice of up to eight shore excursions per day
Emerald Cruises
- All on board dining
- Beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Wi-Fi
- Selected shore excursions
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities, taxes and fees
APT
- All on board dining
- Selected beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, soft drinks, juices, and tea and coffee all day
- Wi-Fi
- All shore excursions
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities, taxes and fees
Travelmarvel
- All on board dining
- Beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
- Wi-Fi
- Selected shore excursions
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities, taxes and fees
The Price
Celebrity River Cruises
8-day The Rhine Nuremburg to Basel – from $2999 per person
8-day The Danube Vilshofen to Budapest – from $2999 per person
Viking
8-day Rhine Getaway Basel to Amsterdam – from $4595 per person
8-day Romantic Danube Budapest to Regensburg – from $4295 per person
Emerald Cruises
8-day Jewels of the Rhine Amsterdam to Basel – from $3995 per person
8-day Danube Delights Budapest to Munich – from $4915 per person
APT
8-day Highlights of the Rhine and Main Amsterdam to Munich – from $3895 per person
9-day Danube Discovery Munich to Budapest – from $5795 per person
Travelmarvel
8-day The Rhine and Moselle Basel to Amsterdam – from $3695 per person
9-day Delightful Danube Budapest to Munich – from $4890 per person
The Verdict
In short, Celebrity River Cruises could be a gamechanger for the industry. The new line is offering innovative ships, plush staterooms and suites with king-sized beds and skylights, more dining options than most competitors, added inclusions like all-day drinks and complimentary mini bars – all at a price point that’s cheaper than its premium competitors.
Priority access to the first 33 itineraries in 2027 sold out in just six minutes, proving people are eager to get on board with Celebrity. Giles Hawke, Vice President International, told Cruise Passenger “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.”
On price, there is always the chance that these may rise once Celebrity sees that the demand is strong. We’ll have to wait and see on that.
Let us know your views in the comments below – what do you think of Celebrity River Cruises? And did you secure a spot on the Priority Access List?
Hi There, as a cruiser, in 23 with APT on a 15 day river adventure, with all included fare, we enjoyed a fair priced holiday with our options to extend to other destinations before and after the cruise. What we did find that a subsequent cruise was going to be far more expensive than our first. Now that there is more fine identifying brands, then perhaps the pricing and all fare included pricing may become more competitive. An enjoyable experience even after the long drawn out air flights to get there.
A big negative with Celebrity based on the info provided, is that gratuities, taxes and fees are not included. Sadly, these can add up to quite a lot.