CELEBRITY RIVER CRUISES ANNOUNCES 10 MORE SHIPS, AND OPENS 2028 EUROPEAN DEPLOYMENT WITH 80% MORE DESTINATIONS

Rhea-AI Summary

Celebrity River Cruises (RCL) committed to 10 new river ships, expanding its European fleet to 20 vessels by 2031. The company began construction with the first steel cut for Celebrity Compass. 2028 European sailings are open with an 80% increase in destinations, offering over 160 sailings to 50+ destinations.

Launch schedule: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker in 2027; Celebrity Wanderer, Celebrity Roamer, and Celebrity Boundless in 2028. New itineraries include 24 ports and a Celebrity-first overnight land stay in Bucharest.

Positive

• Committed to 10 new ships, expanding fleet to 20 vessels by 2031
• 80% increase in European destinations for the 2028 season
• Offering more than 160 sailings to 50+ destinations
• 24 new ports added, including a Celebrity-first overnight stay in Bucharest

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

New ships committed: 10 ships Future fleet size: 20 ships Destination increase: 80% more destinations +5 more

8 metrics

New ships committed 10 ships Expansion of Celebrity River Cruises European river fleet

Future fleet size 20 ships Celebrity River Cruises fleet target by 2031

Destination increase 80% more destinations 2028 European deployment vs inaugural 2027

2028 sailings More than 160 sailings Celebrity River Cruises 2028 European itineraries

European destinations Over 50 destinations Celebrity River Cruises 2028 season coverage

New ports in 2028 24 new ports Added to Celebrity River Cruises itineraries in 2028

Lower Danube cruises 6 sailings 2028 Lower Danube program with Bucharest overnight stay

Rhine cruises 2028 More than 60 sailings Basel–Amsterdam Rhine itineraries in 2028

Market Reality Check

Price: $291.60 Vol: Volume 3,735,074 is 1.71x...

high vol

$291.60 Last Close

Volume Volume 3,735,074 is 1.71x the 20-day average, signaling elevated interest ahead of this expansion news. high

Technical Shares at 291.6 are trading above the 200-day MA of 289.38, indicating a firmly uptrending backdrop pre-announcement.

Peers on Argus

RCL is up 0.35% while key travel peers like ABNB, CCL, BKNG, CUK, and TCOM show ...

RCL is up 0.35% while key travel peers like ABNB, CCL, BKNG, CUK, and TCOM show negative moves today, pointing to a stock-specific response rather than a sector-wide move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 22 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 22	Local accelerator launch	Positive	+2.8%	Launched Port Partners accelerator supporting 15 Seward entrepreneurs with training and funding.
Jan 21	Reputation recognition	Positive	+2.9%	Named to Fortune World's Most Admired Companies 2026, highlighting portfolio growth and loyalty.
Jan 16	Earnings call notice	Neutral	-0.8%	Scheduled Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings call and webcast for late January.
Jan 15	Loyalty program update	Positive	-0.4%	Introduced Points Choice cross-brand loyalty feature effective for late January sailings.
Jan 8	PortMiami terminal build	Positive	+2.4%	Broke ground on $345M Cruise Terminal G to expand capacity and efficiency at PortMiami.

Pattern Detected

Recent brand and infrastructure announcements have often coincided with positive next-day moves, though not uniformly.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, Royal Caribbean Group has highlighted brand prestige, infrastructure growth, and community initiatives. On Jan 8, a $345 million PortMiami terminal groundbreaking preceded a 2.36% gain. Recognition on the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies 2026 list on Jan 21 and a Seward, Alaska accelerator announcement on Jan 22 were followed by gains of 2.87% and 2.8%, respectively. Loyalty and earnings-call updates saw modest negative reactions, showing that not all strategic news is rewarded immediately.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details a major expansion of Celebrity River Cruises, targeting a 20-ship fleet by...

Analysis

This announcement details a major expansion of Celebrity River Cruises, targeting a 20-ship fleet by 2031 and more than 160 European sailings in 2028. It builds on Royal Caribbean Group’s recent momentum in infrastructure, loyalty, and brand recognition. Investors may focus on how added capacity, new 24 ports, and diversified itineraries contribute to long-term demand, pricing power, and integration with the broader vacation ecosystem.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Celebrity River Cruises bolsters its fleet capacity to 20 ships by 2031, with 2028 European sailings now open for booking.

MIAMI, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrity River Cruises today announced a commitment for 10 new ships that will expand its European river cruise fleet to 20 vessels by 2031. The announcement marks the start of construction, with the first steel cut for Celebrity Compass – the line's debut river ship. The expansion will make Celebrity River Cruises one of the largest European river cruise operators, offering more itineraries and destinations than ever before. The 2028 season is now open for booking, featuring an 80% increase in European destinations compared to the brand's inaugural 2027 deployment.

To celebrate these milestones, Celebrity River Cruises opened its highly anticipated 2028 season for booking – offering more than 160 sailings to over 50 destinations across Europe. Guests can sail the Rhine to the vineyards of Alsace, follow the Danube to Budapest's centuries-old market halls, or wake up in Prague and end the day at a café in the heart of Vienna. Celebrity River Cruises launches in 2027 with Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, followed by Celebrity Wanderer, Celebrity Roamer, and Celebrity Boundless joining the fleet in 2028.

"Guest demand for Celebrity River Cruises has exceeded our expectations, and expanding the fleet allows us to bring this highly anticipated experience to even more travelers," said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, parent company of Celebrity Cruises. "Whether guests already love the Celebrity experience or are discovering it for the first time, they now have new ways to enjoy it along some of Europe's most iconic rivers. With Celebrity's expansion into river, we're strengthening our connected vacation ecosystem, offering more choice, more access, and more reasons for guests to stay with us — turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations."

"Our inaugural 2027 Celebrity River Cruises season sold out in under six minutes – a testament to how much guests value the unmatched hospitality and service Celebrity delivers," said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. "To meet this extraordinary demand, we're thrilled to open 2028 sailings featuring 80% more European destinations, five ships, and more than 160 itineraries. There are now more ways than ever to experience Europe's rivers The Celebrity Way."

More than 160 European River Cruise Sailings in 2028: From Dutch Tulips to the Lower Danube
In 2028, Celebrity River Cruises is bringing Celebrity's elevated experience to even more of Europe's iconic rivers, from the Rhine's legendary castle country to the storied capitals of the Danube. Itineraries will take guests to 24 new ports, including new journeys into the wild beauty of the Lower Danube with a Celebrity-first overnight land stay in Bucharest, sailings to enjoy tulip season in full bloom and a new way to experience Europe's magical Christmas Market cruises. 

2028 Celebrity River Cruises itineraries include:

• Lower Danube Cruises (six sailings): Journey from Bucharest through the dramatic Iron Gates gorge – one of Europe's most breathtaking river passages – to destinations where history, culture, and natural beauty converge. Each sailing includes an overnight land stay in Romania's vibrant capital, connecting guests to Bucharest's rich heritage before or after their river voyage.

• Rhine River Cruises (more than 60 sailings): Sail between Basel and Amsterdam through Europe's legendary castle country, passing vine-covered hillsides and storybook villages including Strasbourg, Breisach, and Rüdesheim. The romantic Rhine comes alive with spellbinding views at every turn.

• Upper Danube Cruises: Travel between historic Regensburg or Nuremberg and Budapest, discovering grand castles and cultural treasures along the Danube through Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Select sailings coincide with the Gäuboden Festival in Straubing, one of Germany's largest heritage celebrations.

• Dutch Tulip Season Cruises: Glide between Brussels and Amsterdam during peak spring bloom, visiting the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens, the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk, and charming Maastricht. These seasonal sailings showcase the Netherlands at its most vibrant.

• Christmas Markets Cruises: Experience a European holiday tradition on sailings between Basel and Amsterdam, with stops at candlelit Rhine Valley villages including Mainz, Strasbourg, and Heidelberg. Snow-dusted vineyards and festive markets make these winter sailings unforgettable.

2028 Celebrity River Cruises sailings are now open for booking. Guests can explore more than 160 European river cruise itineraries and reserve their voyage at www.celebritycruises.com/river, by calling 1-833-474-8803, through the Future Cruise desk on any Celebrity ship, or via a trusted travel advisor.

About Celebrity Cruises 
Celebrity Cruises delivers an elevated premium vacation experience across their fleet of ocean and river ships traveling to over 300 destinations across more than 70 countries spanning all seven continents. Uniquely offering the intimate feel and thoughtful service of small ships, with the variety and excitement of bigger ones – guests can explore the world or get away from it for a little while. With every detail elevated beyond expectations, guests will never want to vacation any other way. An industry pioneer for more than 35 years, each Celebrity vacation offers experiences you won't find anywhere else.

Celebrity Cruises is headquartered in Miami and is part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). Visit www.celebritycruises.com for more information, and connect with us on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

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SOURCE Celebrity Cruises

FAQ

What did Celebrity River Cruises (RCL) announce about fleet expansion on January 29, 2026?

They committed to 10 new river ships, growing the European fleet to 20 vessels by 2031. According to the company, construction began with the first steel cut for Celebrity Compass, the brand's debut river ship.

How many 2028 European destinations will Celebrity River Cruises (RCL) offer compared to 2027?

The 2028 deployment offers an 80% increase in destinations versus the inaugural 2027 season. According to the company, that expands itineraries to more than 50 destinations across Europe.

When can passengers book Celebrity River Cruises (RCL) 2028 sailings and how many itineraries are available?

2028 sailings are now open for booking with more than 160 itineraries available. According to the company, guests can reserve voyages online, by phone, on ships, or through travel advisors.

Which Celebrity River Cruises (RCL) ships will operate in 2027 and 2028?

Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker will launch in 2027; Celebrity Wanderer, Celebrity Roamer, and Celebrity Boundless join in 2028. According to the company, this phased rollout supports expanded itineraries.

What new itinerary features did Celebrity River Cruises (RCL) introduce for 2028, including Romania?

New 2028 itineraries add 24 new ports and a Celebrity-first overnight land stay in Bucharest on Lower Danube sailings. According to the company, this connects river voyages with Romania's capital cultural experiences.