Celebrity Cruises is set to revolutionize the river cruise industry with its new venture, Celebrity River Cruises. The company has announced an initial order of 10 innovative ships that will begin operations in Europe, bringing the sophisticated design and premium experience of their Edge Series ocean vessels to river cruising.
Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, highlighted that this strategic move responds to growing customer demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences. The company’s research indicates that approximately half of their current guests have either experienced or shown interest in river cruising.
The new river cruise division will focus on delivering Celebrity’s signature service-first approach, offering guests immersive experiences in historically significant cities along Europe’s iconic rivers. Passengers can expect locally inspired cuisine, unique shore excursions, and vessels designed to provide panoramic views throughout their journey.
Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, emphasized that Celebrity River Cruises will maintain the brand’s renowned standards of hospitality, award-winning dining experiences, and elevated design that guests have come to expect from their ocean cruises.
Bookings for Celebrity River Cruises will open this year, marking an important expansion of the Celebrity Cruises brand into the river cruise market.
