Celebrity river cruises open public bookings September 25

Published on Sep 24, 2025, 4:06 pm CDT

6 min read

Celebrity Cruises will open public bookings on September 25 for its inaugural river program, releasing remaining inventory across 33 seven-night Rhine and Danube sailings in 2027. Priority Booking Access earlier this month sold out in six minutes, underscoring demand for the first two ships, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker.

Key Points

Why it matters: Celebrity brings its premium brand into Europe's rivers with 2027 launches.
Travel impact: 33 seven-night Rhine and Danube options open to the public September 25.
What's next: Detailed itineraries and add-on stays expand through 2026 ahead of 2027 sailings.
Suite guests get Butler Chat, exclusive dining, and priority shore-excursion booking.
Magic Edge cantilever dining pods and open decks headline the onboard design.

Snapshot

Public sales begin September 25 following a six-minute sellout during priority access in early September. The first season features 33 seven-night voyages on Europe's Rhine and Danube, with multiple ports per day and selected overnights. Ships introduce open decks with top-deck bar and grille, an infinity-edge plunge pool, and Magic Edge dining pods that appear to float above the river. Onboard, eight restaurants and bars include Martini Bar, Sunset Bar, and Café Al Bacio, and flexible, all-day dining includes complimentary breakfast room service. Suites add Butler Chat, exclusive dining, and one complimentary laundry per sailing. Five stateroom categories range from River View to Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites, all with king beds and stocked mini bars.

Background

Celebrity announced its river entry on September 3 and began taking refundable deposits via Priority Booking Access. The brand positions the product as an extension of its ocean lineup, promising familiar venues, strong culinary programs, and elevated service at smaller scale. Design emphasizes outdoor space, uninterrupted 360-degree views, and quiet operation. Hull form and a lightweight structure aim to enhance river navigation, while a hybrid propulsion package, advanced waste management, and noise-reduction technologies support sustainability and comfort. Captain's Club recognition will carry over to river vacations, with fuller tier details due in 2026. Celebrity says itineraries will connect iconic capitals and wine regions, plus optional pre and post-stays in cities such as Budapest and Prague. Bookings for the remaining 2027 inventory shift from priority access to general sale on September 25.

Latest Developments

Public on-sale opens tomorrow for remaining 2027 inventory

Celebrity confirmed that public bookings open on September 25, releasing remaining space on 33 seven-night sailings across the Rhine and Danube. The company said Priority Booking Access sold out in six minutes, and it expects sustained demand as river itineraries enter the brand's portfolio. Travelers can expect multiple ports per day and selected overnights that extend time ashore. The line is marketing a seamless experience that marries European river convenience with signature ocean-ship amenities, supported by a dedicated river page and brochure. If you are tracking earlier milestones, see our coverage of the reveal and deposit phase for context and timing. For past updates, read Celebrity river cruises reveal ships, deposits, routes and Celebrity River Cruises sets $500 priority access for 2027.

Onboard concept, Magic Edge dining and open-air living

Compass and Seeker introduce open decks that remain accessible throughout the journey, with an infinity-edge plunge pool, a top-deck bar and grille, and transformative shade structures. The headline feature, Magic Edge, brings first-ever cantilever dining pods to a river ship, creating a floating-above-the-river sensation as menus shift to match each port. Indoors, five stateroom categories, all with king beds and destination-inspired amenities, span River View to Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites, plus Balcony and Infinite Balcony options. Eight restaurants and bars include the brand's Martini Bar, Sunset Bar, and Café Al Bacio, while complimentary breakfast room service and flexible, all-day dining widen choices.

Sustainability, ride quality, and quiet operations

The company highlights an innovative hull and lightweight design for improved maneuverability, paired with hybrid propulsion, advanced waste management, and technologies that reduce noise and vibration. The target is a quieter, smoother river experience that respects riverside environments while preserving comfort onboard. These details align with Royal Caribbean Group's broader sustainability commitments, now extending from ocean to river.

Analysis

Celebrity's move into European rivers adds a premium, design-forward competitor to a crowded field led by Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, and Uniworld. Two levers stand out. First, the hardware, namely open-air spaces and Magic Edge dining pods, differentiates the ships visually and functionally, a notable shift from the homogenous silhouettes common on the Rhine cruise and Danube cruise markets. Second, brand carryover matters. Familiar venues, a service model refined at sea, and Captain's Club recognition reduce friction for ocean loyalists testing the rivers for the first time. The six-minute Priority Booking sellout suggests pent-up demand, although allocations by cabin type will shape how quickly popular categories disappear at public sale.

From a traveler-value perspective, seven-night pacing with multiple ports per day maximizes touring time, and the flexible dining model answers a frequent river-cruise complaint about rigid meal hours. Sustainability claims will draw scrutiny, yet hybrid propulsion and noise-reduction measures align with community expectations along sensitive corridors. Expect pricing to track the upper-premium tier, offset by inclusions such as breakfast room service and suite-level perks. For advisors, the near-term question is air and rail packaging around turn days, especially for Saturday-to-Saturday patterns and holiday Rhine departures. Watch for extended-stay inventory in Budapest and Prague to book up quickly once packaged.

Final Thoughts

Public bookings for Celebrity's inaugural river season arrive on September 25, a pivotal test of demand beyond early adopters. The combination of open-air decks, Magic Edge dining pods, and familiar brand touchpoints should resonate with ocean loyalists and newcomers seeking a fresh take on Europe's inland waterways. If you are targeting a Danube cruise during peak festival weeks or a Rhine cruise over the holidays, move early, since category availability will compress fast. With 33 seven-night choices and a design built for time outdoors, the value story rests on how well these ships deliver the promised comfort and connection to place. The outlook favors strong uptake for celebrity river cruises.