Celebrity Opens 2027 River Cruise Sales After Record-Breaking Demand

Celebrity River Cruises opened its remaining 2027 inventory to the public on Thursday after an unprecedented demand surge that saw Priority Booking Access sell out in just six minutes earlier this month.

Massive Demand for Debut River Season

A modern river cruise ship sails on a calm river at sunset, passing historic European buildings, including a large, ornate parliament structure—an idyllic scene for the 2027 river cruise season and upcoming cruise sales.
(Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)

The overwhelming response to Celebrity’s first-ever river cruises demonstrates just how eager travelers are to experience the cruise line’s signature service on Europe’s waterways.

Celebrity will operate 33 seven-night sailings on the Rhine and Danube rivers in 2027 aboard two new ships, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker.

“We are thrilled to open remaining inventory on 2027 Celebrity River Cruises sailings, following Priority Booking Access selling out earlier this month in just six minutes,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises.

Revolutionary Ship Design for Rivers

A modern cruise ship sails at dusk. The deck features a pool, curved stairs, tables with chairs, and landscaped seating areas. Celebrity Cruises’ new ships display "Celebrity X Cruises" and "Compass" on their exteriors.
(Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)

Celebrity’s river ships promise to stand out with industry-leading design features that bring the sophistication of the line’s Edge Series ocean ships to Europe’s rivers. The ships feature revolutionary open decks offering the most usable outdoor space of any river vessel, with 360-degree uninterrupted views.

Perhaps most striking are the Magic Edge cantilevered dining pods that literally float above the river, allowing guests to dine while suspended over the water. An infinity-edge plunge pool and transformative shade structures maximize outdoor time.

Premium Amenities and Dining

The ships will offer five boutique stateroom categories, featuring king-sized beds, residential-style interiors, and, according to Celebrity, the most in-room amenities of any river ship.

Eight restaurants and bars provide more dining variety than typical river ships, including Celebrity favorites like Martini Bar, Sunset Bar, and Café Al Bacio.

Rhine and Danube Itineraries

A modern Celebrity River Cruise ship sails on calm water at sunset, featuring multiple open-air decks with seating, large sun umbrellas, and illuminated railings—showcasing the next wave of river cruise expansion.
(Photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)

The seven-night sailings will journey from Budapest’s grandeur to Bavaria’s charm, featuring multiple ports of call per day and overnight stays.

Strong Market Response

The six-minute sellout of Priority Booking Access shows the pent-up demand for premium river cruising experiences. Celebrity’s entry into the river cruise market brings its elevated service standards and innovative ship design to a segment traditionally dominated by smaller, more basic vessels.

With general sales now open, interested cruisers can book their spot on what promises to be one of the most anticipated river cruise debuts in years.