Celebrity River Releases 2028 Itineraries for 5 Ships

January 29, 2026 Randy Young

Celebrity River Cruises has been a hot topic since it was first announced just one year ago. Even though a single ship has not sailed under the brand yet, excitement around the new venture has been significant. Demand has been especially strong, with all sailings on the first two announced ships selling out in less than 6 minutes. Now, the cruise line has released its 2028 program, confirming three additional ships will enter service and that another 10 ships have been ordered, bringing the total to 20 vessels.

5 Celebrity River Ships Sailing in 2028

In 2027, Celebrity River Cruises will debut its first two ships, Compass and Seeker, with the first steel for Compass being cut today. These initial vessels will mark the brand’s official entry into the European river cruise market.

In 2028, Celebrity River Cruises will expand to five ships sailing European river itineraries. The initial vessels will be joined by Wanderer, Roamer, and Boundless. Celebrity describes these ships as the “most advanced river cruise ships in Europe.”

The ships will be nearly identical in design and are intended to bring the signature Celebrity experience to river cruising. Guests can expect generous outdoor spaces, fewer passengers than traditional ocean ships, and expansive views designed to showcase the rivers and destinations along each itinerary.

See what’s on board Celebrity River ships

New Destinations and Routes for 2028

For 2028, Celebrity River Cruises is offering more than 160 sailings to over 50 destinations across Europe. The lineup includes visits to 24 new ports, with select itineraries featuring overnight stays that allow for deeper exploration of key cities.

2028 Celebrity River Cruises itineraries include:

Lower Danube Cruises (six sailings): Journey from Bucharest through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge, one of Europe’s most breathtaking river passages, to destinations where history, culture, and natural beauty converge. Each sailing includes an overnight land stay in Romania’s vibrant capital, connecting guests with Bucharest’s rich heritage before or after their river voyage.
Rhine River Cruises (more than 60 sailings): Sail between Basel and Amsterdam through Europe’s legendary castle country, passing vine covered hillsides and storybook villages including Strasbourg, Breisach, and Rüdesheim. The romantic Rhine delivers sweeping views and historic scenery at every turn.
Upper Danube Cruises: Travel between historic Regensburg or Nuremberg and Budapest, discovering grand castles and cultural landmarks along the Danube through Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Select sailings coincide with the Gäuboden Festival in Straubing, one of Germany’s largest and most celebrated heritage festivals.
Dutch Tulip Season Cruises: Glide between Brussels and Amsterdam during peak spring bloom, with visits to the world famous Keukenhof Gardens, the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk, and the historic city of Maastricht. These seasonal sailings highlight the Netherlands at its most colorful.
Christmas Markets Cruises: Experience a classic European holiday tradition on sailings between Basel and Amsterdam, with stops at festive Rhine Valley cities including Mainz, Strasbourg, and Heidelberg. Snow dusted vineyards and traditional markets create a quintessential winter atmosphere.

See all the intineraries

Fleet of 20 Ships by 2031

Originally, Celebrity ordered 10 ships for its river cruise initiative. Today, the company confirmed an additional order for 10 more vessels. This expansion will bring the total Celebrity River Cruises fleet to 20 ships by 2031.

“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. “Whether guests already love the Celebrity experience or are discovering it for the first time, they now have new ways to enjoy it along some of Europe’s most iconic rivers. With Celebrity’s expansion into river cruising, we’re strengthening our connected vacation ecosystem, offering more choice, more access, and more reasons for guests to stay with us, turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.”

What’s Included in Celebrity River?

Celebrity River Cruises offers a more inclusive experience than a typical Celebrity ocean cruise.

Guests will receive one shore excursion each day, a basic drink package covering wine, beer, cocktails, and soft drinks, with the opportunity to upgrade, along with complimentary Wi Fi. While onboard gyms will not include full spa facilities, guests will have access to select gyms and spas ashore in certain destinations.