Royal Caribbean’s Celebrity Cruises to add intimate new fleet
Royal Caribbean Group had a remarkable 2024 and the company reports that demand for its brands’ cruise vacation experiences continues to pick up speed in 2025.
The company is determined to keep that momentum and continue winning an even greater share of the $2 trillion global vacation market. With an expanding private destinations portfolio and a robust pipeline of innovative new ships in the works, Royal Caribbean Group is always pursuing the next big thing in its quest to deliver passengers the ultimate vacation experience.
Related: Royal Caribbean Group, Celebrity Cruises make surprise ship move
As the company continues on that mission, Royal Caribbean Group just announced a new plan to expand its cruise vacation offerings in a somewhat unexpected way. While this new line of business is a natural extension into an adjacent market, it’s transformative for a company known for developing the world’s largest cruise ships.
After elevating the cruise experience with its largest and most innovative ship class yet, Royal Caribbean’s premium Celebrity Cruises brand is ready to bring the advanced design and sophistication of its Edge Series to a small, intimate fleet of ships.
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Celebrity Cruises will enter the river cruise market
Celebrity Cruises has signed an initial order for 10 river cruise ships that will take passengers to historic cities on the world’s most iconic rivers. Launching in Europe in 2027, Celebrity River Cruises will begin taking bookings this year.
The cruise line will bring the quality and sophistication of its Edge Series ocean ships to the river with ships designed to offer 360-degree views and immerse passengers in the beauty of the journey. The premium river cruise vacation will combine destination-rich itineraries, locally-inspired cuisine and unique shore experiences with Celebrity’s signature style and hospitality.
Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty is confident that loyal passengers will seize the opportunity to experience river cruising in Celebrity Cruises style.
Related: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity will add ships, new destination in 2025
“Our guests and travel partners should expect us to do what we do best – innovate and elevate the river cruise experience as we meet the growing demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences,” said Liberty. “With about half of our guests having experienced or intending to vacation on a river cruise, we know they will enjoy Celebrity’s elevated offering on the river. By leveraging our valuable loyalty programs across our three brands, we will deepen customer engagement and further our ability to keep guests within our ecosystem of vacation offerings.”
Details on the timing of Celebrity River Cruises ship deliveries, itineraries and pricing are yet to be announced. The cruise line notes on its website that ship size is contingent on the rivers sailed due to infrastructure constraints, so its ship size and capacity will vary and be finalized with deployment.
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Celebrity Cruises is developing more ocean ships too
As the cruise line sets out on a new adventure in river cruising, it isn’t slowing down on building new ocean ships.
Celebrity Cruises’ fifth Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcel, will launch in November 2025 as the next evolution of the popular ship class that’s inspiring its new river fleet. But before Celebrity Xcel sets sail, passengers are getting an opportunity to make their mark on the new ship.
Related: Celebrity Cruises wants your help with its new ship
Through a recently-announced Xcel Dream Makers program, Celebrity Cruises passengers can help make decisions on key elements of the vacation experience, including the ship’s culinary offerings, entertainment and interior design. The Xcel Dream Makers program is open to all who wish to join and offers passengers the opportunity to test, try and vote on new experiences through online polls and unique, in-person events.
The elevated new ship will sail its inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
Celebrity Cruises also has a sixth Edge Series ship in development – a sister-ship to Celebrity Xcel that’s expected to be delivered in 2028.
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