When most people think of cruises, they picture massive vessels sailing through the warm Caribbean. However, two lines are expanding their fleets to tap into the growing popularity of river cruises.
River cruises are smaller ships that navigate iconic rivers like the Danube, Rhine, and Seine, offering guests a more immersive way to explore historic cities and villages.
For example, cruise ships can't dock in Paris. The closest they can get is Le Havre, a major port city in the Normandy region of France, which is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive away.
In comparison, river cruises can sail into the heart of Paris. This lets guests disembark and quickly begin exploring the city's famous landmarks, architecture, and delicious French cuisine.
Similarly, some countries, such as Switzerland, are so landlocked that visiting via cruise ship is impossible. On a river ship, however, you can easily check cities like Basel and Zurich off your bucket list by sailing down the Rhine.
Two lines are expanding their fleets to include new river ships to transport guests to more destinations within Europe than possible with larger ocean vessels.
Read more: River cruises versus ocean cruises
Celebrity Cruises announced its entry into the river cruise market
In January, Celebrity Cruises announced that it had signed an order for 10 river ships, which will enable guests to explore inland destinations without compromising the best aspects of a Celebrity vacation. The first two ships will launch in 2027, followed by four in 2028, and four more in 2029.
Although Celebrity sails to worldly destinations like Asia, the South Pacific, and Europe, there are only so many ports of call that can accommodate cruise ships — even the line's smallest Millennium Class vessels.
To put that into perspective, many river ships measure around 3,000 to 5,000 gross registered tons (GRT). However, Celebrity's smallest ocean ship comes in at 91,000 GRT.
"Celebrity River Cruises will bring the quality and sophistication of our Edge Series ocean ships to the most iconic rivers, starting with Europe, said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises.
While onboard the cruise line's recent President's Cruise, Hodges Bethge added that Celebrity's first river itineraries will take place on the Rhine and Danube rivers in 2027.
"They are the two biggest rivers, and it's where we hear you all want to go," she said, "We've also announced that we will be on all of the big European rivers, so over time we will get to all of them."
The brand-new sustainable vessels will open for booking later this year. Details about destinations, fleet specifications, and excursions will be announced soon.
However, Celebrity's river product will likely be all-inclusive with drinks, Wi-Fi, and one shore excursion in each port covered in the base fare.
Read more: Celebrity is going to disrupt river cruises with a bold entry into the market
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is also launching European river cruises
Two brand-new itineraries along the Rhine River will be offered, a first for the nearly 60-year-old company. The itineraries will visit destinations like Cologne, Germany; Strasbourg, France; and Amsterdam.
Each itinerary will have a specific focus. The first transports guests through Belgium and the Netherlands, calling at Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, and Brussels, among other cities.
In addition to walking tours and cooking demonstrations, National Geographic-Lindblad guests will have access to specific museums after hours to immerse themselves in the local culture and history without the usual crowds.
The second option sails between Cologne, Germany, and Basel, Switzerland, through the Rhine Gorge, a section of the Rhine River that's known for its dramatic scenery, castles, and vineyards.
"Our guests want a European river-cruise experience, but they want to do it in our National Geographic, more in-depth, more authentic way," C.E.O. Natalya Leahy told Travel + Leisure, "We don’t just take people to destinations, we show them how to see it with our team of experts, historians, and photographers."
Passengers on these river voyages will be sailing on the newly built, 60-cabin Connect. With a capacity of just 120 guests, the Connect — in partnership with Transcend Cruises — offers an intimate and personalized travel experience.
The ship will feature 210-square-foot cabins and 420-square-foot suites, a main restaurant, a top-deck grill, several lounges, an outdoor cinema, a spa and fitness center, and a yoga studio.
The 8-day voyages aren't cheap, though. These river cruises start at $6,450 per person.
Read more: 8 reasons why I prefer expedition cruising over traditional cruising
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
