“Celebrity River Cruises will bring our Edge Series’ sophistication to iconic rivers, starting in Europe,” said President Laura Hodges Bethge.
Royal Caribbean Group unveiled plans for Celebrity River Cruises, a new luxury river cruise division under its premium travel brand, Celebrity Cruises.
The new river cruise division will feature 10 Edge-class river ships, designed with the ocean-going Edge Class ships in mind. These vessels are scheduled to start sailing in Europe in 2027 and will hold about 180 passengers.
“Celebrity River Cruises will bring the quality and sophistication of our Edge Series ocean ships to the most iconic rivers, starting with Europe,” stated Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, according to Focus Online. The Edge-class river ships will offer a luxury cruise experience, echoing the design and sophistication of Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series, with modern elegance, sleek architecture, luxurious accommodations, and world-class amenities, as reported by Travel News.
Celebrity River Cruises promises “personalized service, world-class amenities, and unique itineraries” while featuring locally inspired cuisine and exclusive shore excursions that highlight cultural and historical landmarks, delivering unforgettable experiences ‘The Celebrity Way’ by combining elevated design with Celebrity Cruises’ signature hospitality, according to Forbes.
During the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call with Wall Street investors, executives shared additional insights about the venture.
“We see river cruising as an exciting growth opportunity that aligns with our strategy of turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations, expanding our ecosystem of vacation offerings, and broadening our reach into adjacent lines of businesses,” said Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, according to Forbes.
“Nearly half of our guests have either experienced or expressed interest in river cruising,” said Liberty.
