Breaking Waves: Celebrity River Cruises Sold Out in just six Minutes

Celebrity River Cruises launch has taken Europe’s rivers by storm. On 3 September 2025, at exactly 9:00 AM EDT, Celebrity Cruises opened “Priority Booking Access” for their highly anticipated river cruises, set to debut on the Rhine and Danube in 2027. Guests could secure their spot with a fully refundable $500 deposit, unlocking early access ahead of the general public 

The result? In what one source called an “avalanche of demand,” the site was quickly overwhelmed, and bookings shut down due to extraordinary interest.

Celebrity itself confirmed the frenzy, noting that “priority booking access was closed down shortly after launching,” underscoring the unprecedented level of excitement around these inaugural river voyages.

To add a dash of drama: while the majority fell short, the lucky few whose deposits got through are now awaiting their official voyage selection day, on 10 September 2025.

Why the Frenzy?

• Celebrity’s Brand Power: It’s the first time this mainstream line is entering the river cruise market, bringing its modern, Edge-class design, and loyal customer base into a typically niche, luxury arena  .
• All-inclusive Appeal: The new river ships boast inclusive fares covering meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and onboard experiences, enticing features for modern travellers.
• High Traveller Demand: Royal Caribbean’s CEO pointed out that about half of their guests have already experienced or want to experience river cruising, signalling strong cross-market interest.

This launch underscores both Celebrity’s confident expansion strategy and the rising allure of river cruising for a broader, younger demographic.