Celebrity Cruises Set to Launch European River Voyages on the Rhine and Danube in 2027

Celebrity Cruises is set to make its debut in the European river cruise market in 2027, launching operations on the iconic Rhine and Danube rivers. This marks a significant shift for the cruise line, moving from its traditional ocean cruising focus to include inland waterways.

Earlier this year, Celebrity indicated plans to create a dedicated river cruise division, initially featuring a fleet of ten boats inspired by the design of its EDGE-class ocean liners. The river cruises will operate on an all-inclusive model, with fares covering alcoholic beverages, WiFi, and a shore excursion at each port of call. Full itinerary details and booking opportunities are expected to be announced during the upcoming summer season.

The Rhine and Danube rivers are important routes in European river cruising, with the Rhine accounting for about 25% of annual traffic, closely followed by the Danube. Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, emphasized during a Q4 earnings call that the river cruise expansion is a committed venture rather than a trial run, aiming to create premier vacation experiences while maintaining responsible practices. Notably, nearly half of Royal Caribbean’s customer base has previously participated in or shown interest in river cruising.

Industry analysts note that Celebrity’s established brand and loyal customers could potentially attract a younger audience to river cruising, a market typically dominated by older travelers. As Celebrity enters this competitive landscape, other travel brands like Lindblad Expeditions and Trafalgar have also announced plans for upcoming Rhine and Danube voyages, highlighting the increasing interest in this market segment.

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