Best new river cruise ships about to set sail in Europe

River cruising is booming - and these game-changing soon to launch luxury river ships will only bring more buzz to Europe's rivers.

It’s no secret that European river cruising is popular – it’s the ultimate relaxing journey, offering ever-changing views and towns and cities to discover by foot or bicycle.

And in response to greater demand, rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Seine will soon be home to a fleet of new vessels, with cruise brands upping their style and comfort.

Celebrity Cruises will usher in a new era in river cruising with Celebrity River Cruises.

A major new player is also joining the ranks, with Royal Caribbean’s premium brand Celebrity Cruises set to make a splash on rivers for the first time from 2027.

“Celebrity River Cruises will bring the quality and sophistication of our Edge Series ocean ships to the most iconic rivers, starting with Europe,” Celebrity’s president Laura Hodges Bethge announced. They’re not giving away any secrets yet but like Edge ships, we can expect a “transformative upper deck”. Let’s hope they also bring the fabulous Martini glass-shaped hot tubs to their river ships.

New Uniworld river ship SS Elisabeth.

Meanwhile, this month marks the debut of Uniworld’s latest vessel, the SS Elisabeth, sailing from Amsterdam on the eight-day Castles Along the Rhine itinerary. What can cruisers expect? The 110-guest Super Ship has some of the largest suites on the rivers of Europe, plus a pool, gym, massage room and sundeck bar. Looking ahead, Uniworld will launch the SS Emilie in 2026 and another three new European-based ships in 2027.

“Our focus has never been on simply adding more ships, but on continually raising the bar on the luxury river cruise experience,” Uniworld’s Ellen Bettridge says.

New Tauck riverboat MS Serene will sail on the River Seine in France.

Next year, Tauck will debut two new riverboats including the MS Serene, sailing on the River Seine in France, and the MS Lumière, which will also operate in France and on Tauck’s cruises along the Rhône. Both vessels will feature a sun deck with a pool, a bar and shaded day beds. A wellness area called The Retreat will have a fitness centre, massage room and lounge area with expansive views through floor-to-ceiling windows.

The MS Serene will also sail on a new itinerary. The 11-day Bordeaux, Paris & The Seine includes a Tauck-exclusive early morning visit to the Giverny home, studio and gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet, a reception and dinner at the 16th-century Château du Taillis, and a visit to a family farm in Tilly to sample regional specialties including cider, Calvados and pâté.

An artist's impression of The Gruner Bar on APT's new Ostara and Solara river cruise ships.

Hydraulics will enable well-loved Australian brand APT to raise the bar on new vessels APT Solara and APT Ostara, both launching this year. The system will be used to lift The Grüner Bar & Dining from Deck 3 to the upper Sun Deck, allowing guests to take in 360-degree views.

Designed by the award-winning Hecker Guthrie team, both river ships have six dining venues, wellness spaces and three different suite categories. Top of the range is the Owner’s Suite, with a spacious outdoor balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows and a sitting area. Among other European itineraries, both will sail the popular 15-day Magnificent Europe voyage.

Aquavit Terrace on Viking Longship.

Leading in sheer volume is Viking. In Europe alone, Viking will add 17 Viking Longships to its sleekly designed river fleet in coming years.

New vessels to be delivered this year include Viking Annar, Viking Dagur, Viking Honir, Viking Eldir on the Rhine, Main and Danube, and Viking Nerthus sailing the Seine.

The cruise brand has also seen strong demand on the Douro River and will introduce Viking Gyda this year, bringing the fleet total to five ships in Portugal.

Originally published as Best new river cruise ships about to set sail in Europe