Priority Booking Coming for Celebrity’s River Cruises Without Itineraries, Prices, or Ship Info

August 19, 2025 Randy Young

Celebrity Cruises is stepping into the world of European river cruising, with 10 new ships on order, but if you want to be one of the first onboard, you’ll need to put down money before knowing what you’re actually buying.

Starting at 9 a.m. EDT on September 3, 2025, guests can place a fully refundable $500 deposit to secure Priority Booking Access for the inaugural 2027 season of Celebrity River Cruises. The program gives participants an early booking window ahead of the general public.

What We Know About Celebrity River Cruises

Celebrity says its new river fleet will sail the Danube and Rhine rivers beginning in 2027. According to President Laura Hodges Bethge, the aim is to bring the “elevated design and sophistication of the Edge Series ocean ships” to the rivers.

We also learned from the press release that Celebrity River will have an all-inclusive fare, covering all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, onboard activities, and one shore excursion per day. It feels more in line with Celebrity’s offering in the Galapagos.

Guests will also have the option of adding pre- or post-cruise stays in Prague and Budapest when those packages open for booking in 2026.

What We Don’t Know About Celebrity River Cruises

That’s where the problems start. Celebrity has not announced itineraries, ship designs, fleet size, stateroom categories, or even pricing. Guests who join Priority Booking Access are essentially paying $500 for the right to book first once those details finally arrive.

We don’t even know what the ships will look like. They promise to bring the “elevated design and sophistication of Edge Series” to river cruising, but we don’t know the size, types of cabins, or amenities on board.

While the deposit is refundable, it does not guarantee a stateroom type, a sailing date, or even which ship you’ll be on. For now, the “inaugural season” is little more than a vague promise.

Our Take: A Leap Of Faith We’re Not Ready to Take

For Celebrity loyalists eager to be part of the brand’s next big move, the $500 refundable deposit may feel like a safe bet. But for most travelers, the lack of transparency makes this offer a leap of faith. Until Celebrity releases the basics, itineraries, ship renderings, and prices, guests are being asked to pay first and trust that the details will follow.