A brand-new river line from a household ocean name does not appear every day, so the opening of Celebrity River Cruises Priority Booking Access is worth circling in your calendar. From 9 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, 3 September 2025, guests can place a fully refundable deposit and step to the front of the queue for 2027 sailings on the Danube and Rhine.
Celebrity Cruises’ Priority Booking Access deposit is US$500 (approx. A$735) per reservation and is fully refundable, which makes it a low-risk way to secure your place while details roll out. In practical terms, this deposit gives you first access to stateroom categories and dates as soon as they are released, rather than competing during the general sale. For our Sydney readers, 9 a.m. EDT is approximately 11 p.m. AEST on Wednesday, 3 September, so you can lock this in after dinner without staying up into the small hours.
Early access is not just a head start, it is control over the parts of the holiday that matter most. The first wave usually secures the most sought-after stateroom locations, the sweet-spot weeks for seasonal highlights, and the itineraries that include overnights or special events ashore. Because the deposit is refundable, you keep flexibility while holding a place in line for the 2027 details, which is especially useful if you are coordinating leave or travelling as a group.
You already know the rivers, Danube and Rhine, the promise of inclusive fares, and that one shore excursion per day is included. You also know that the ships will blend the elevated design of the brand’s Edge Series with European river sensibilities, so expect generous glass, clean lines, and spaces that feel contemporary without losing warmth. The specifics on exact itineraries and stateroom layouts will arrive with booking access, and Priority guests will receive those details first.
The Danube and the Rhine are Europe’s backbone, and a fresh entrant changes how you might experience them. With ships described as offering 360-degree views and a service-first approach, the proposition is to pair river intimacy with ocean polish.
Celebrity’s ocean pedigree shows up in light, sightlines and materials, which matter on rivers where scenery is always in motion. Expect lounges that face the view rather than fighting it, alfresco nooks that make a coffee or an evening spritz feel special, and thoughtful traffic flow for embarkation days when guests return from tours at the same time. When design gets these basics right, the day feels effortless from breakfast to bedtime.
River pricing can be confusing across brands, so it helps that fares here include all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, onboard experiences, and one guided shore excursion each day. That bundle simplifies daily decisions and lets you say yes to the included tour without second-guessing your budget. If you prefer independent discovery, you can still peel away after the guided portion and rejoin the ship on your own steam.
The Danube and Rhine reward curiosity, whether it is a winemaker explaining slope and soil, or a historian pointing out a detail you would have walked past. With a daily excursion included, you can choose a guided option that prioritises culture, food, or gentle walking, then layer a slower hour afterwards, a café stop, a riverside park, or a church with an organ recital. That rhythm is what makes river cruising feel unhurried even as you cover real ground.
A little structure now will make the eventual booking day calm and quick. Think about cabin type, seasonality, and how you like to spend your time between ports before details land in your inbox.
On rivers, deck height changes how you see towns and vineyard slopes as they drift by. Upper decks give a cinematic sweep, ideal if you like reading the landscape from your bed or sofa, while mid decks are steady favourites for balanced views and easy access. French balcony staterooms are popular on river ships because you can slide the door open for fresh air, and suites add space that matters on longer itineraries or when travelling with another couple.
Spring on the Rhine can feel crisp and floral, with castle country at its most photogenic under soft light. Summer promises long days and café culture in full swing, the Danube’s cities buzzing late into the evening, while early autumn leans to golden vines and mellow afternoons. If crowds are a concern, shoulder weeks often find the sweet spot between lively and calm, and Priority Access lets you target those specific windows before they disappear.
Celebrity has signalled optional pre and post stays in Prague and Budapest when packages open in 2026, a smart way to deepen the trip without juggling logistics. Prague frames a Danube or Rhine journey with gothic spires, art-nouveau cafés, and easy riverfront walks, while Budapest’s two halves offer thermal baths, ruin bars, and grand architecture along the Danube bend. Building a night or two on either end turns a cruise into a more complete story.
Although we are writing from Sydney, the tone here is inclusive because these rivers draw guests from across the world. The planning moves below suit Australians, Kiwis, and international travellers alike.
Because fares are inclusive, you can compare options apples-to-apples across lines once pricing lands. Factor in drinks, Wi-Fi, and that daily excursion, then consider any inclusions your travel party values, such as bikes, laundry, or room-service breakfast. A clear picture of total value means fewer surprises onboard and a holiday that flows without nickel-and-diming.
River ships are intimate, which is ideal for a group that wants time together without losing personal space. Priority Access helps you align stateroom locations, secure neighbouring cabins, or set aside the mix of suite and balcony categories that suits different budgets. On shore, the daily excursion model lets everyone pick a pace, then reconvene for an easy lunch back on board.
Europe’s rail web pairs beautifully with river itineraries, so consider a train connection to your embarkation city if flights into a smaller hub are limited or expensive. Your consultant can stitch together air to a major gateway, a comfortable rail segment into the river region, and a hotel buffer night to absorb delays. With Priority Access, you will be ready to match those logistics to the exact sailing as soon as dates are released.
A little preparation now will pay off on 3 September. Start a shortlist of preferred months and river direction, for example eastbound Danube for morning light into Vienna, or southbound Rhine for a leisurely roll into the Upper Rhine Valley. Share the list with your travel companions so preferences are clear before the email lands.
If you want to see how different rivers and seasons line up with your calendar, open our Cruise Finder. You can filter by region and month, save a handful of candidate weeks, and be ready to move when Priority Access opens for Celebrity River Cruises deposits.
When a new river brand launches, the first sailings often become the stories guests trade for years. If 2027 on the Danube or Rhine is calling, use the refundable deposit to hold your place, then refine the details with a calm head. For personalised guidance on dates, cabin selection, and pre or post stays that fit your travel style, talk with a cruise specialist and we will curate a clean shortlist that suits your budget, pace, and wish list.