New River Cruises for 2027–2028
New ships, first-ever itineraries and brand-new rivers — verified, in one place.
Be First Aboard — Get a Free QuoteLast updated October 2026. New-ship dates and deployments come from cruise line announcements and industry coverage and can change. Where a detail has not been announced, we say TBA.
River cruising is heading into one of its busiest growth periods. In October 2026, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) highlighted 21 new river ships due to enter service in 2027, sailing the Rhine, Danube, Douro, Seine, Mekong, Amazon and North American rivers. A household name in ocean cruising, Celebrity Cruises, is entering river cruising for the first time. Lines are launching first-ever itineraries on rivers they have never sailed, and several are adding ships in far-flung regions such as the Amazon and the Mekong.
New River Cruises tracks it all in one place: which ships are coming, where they will sail, when they debut and what is genuinely new about them. We only list what has been announced — when a detail is not confirmed, we say so. And when you are ready to be among the first aboard, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can quote and book any of them.
The 2027 Headlines
Celebrity’s river debut
Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker are Celebrity’s first river ships, sailing the Rhine and Danube from 2027. Celebrity has said it has ordered ten river ships. Read our explainer →
A Douro boom
Four new ships have been announced for Portugal’s Douro in 2027: Emerald Nova, Scenic Aria, Uniworld’s S.S. São Rafael and TUI Luzia.
First Seine ship for Emerald
Emerald Lumi brings Emerald Cruises to the Seine for the first time, with round trips from Paris.
AmaWaterways adds three
AmaRudi (a double-width Danube ship), AmaFiora on the Rhine and AmaMaya on the Mekong.
Uniworld’s biggest expansion
Three new river ships — S.S. Audrey, S.S. Marlene and S.S. São Rafael — plus new itineraries in Europe and Asia.
Beyond Europe
CroisiEurope’s RV Brasilian Dream on the Amazon, and new Mekong ships from AmaWaterways and Riviera Travel.
Looking Further Ahead: 2028
The pipeline does not stop in 2027. Scenic has announced Scenic Spirit II for the Mekong in early 2028. American Cruise Lines has listed American Grace and two more modern riverboats for 2028 in its fleet plan. Century Cruises has said two more ships of the Century Diamond design are due in 2028. And industry coverage of CLIA’s outlook noted that Viking — not included in the 21-ship count — plans to take delivery of 18 more river ships by 2028.
We will add names, rivers and dates here as lines confirm them.
Why Sail a New Ship?
- Latest design: new river ships push the limits of what fits through Europe’s locks and under its bridges — bigger windows, more balconies, more open deck.
- Greener technology: several 2027 ships, including Amadeus Mira and Celebrity’s pair, are described with hybrid propulsion and energy-saving systems.
- Inaugural-season atmosphere: crews and guests alike enjoy being part of a ship’s first season.
- New routes: new ships often come with brand-new itineraries, such as Emerald’s first Paris round trips.
The trade-off: inaugural dates can move, and early sailings occasionally have teething problems. Our cruise advisors can tell you how each line handles changes before you book.
Explore New River Cruises
New River Ships 2027
The full table: ship, line, river and debut, verified from announcements.
See the ships →
New Itineraries
First-ever routes for 2027, from Paris round trips to a 15-day Mississippi and Ohio journey.
See the itineraries →
New Rivers and Regions
The Amazon, Colombia’s Magdalena, the Mekong and Italy’s Po.
Explore new rivers →Quick Answers
How many new river ships launch in 2027?
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) highlighted 21 new river ships due to enter service in 2027, in an outlook shared in October 2026. Other counts are higher, partly because they include lines CLIA’s tally left out, such as Viking.
Can I book a 2027 new ship now?
Many are already on sale. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can check availability and current offers on any ship in our table.
Is it risky to book a brand-new ship?
Debut dates can slip, and lines usually offer alternatives or refunds if an inaugural sailing is affected. Ask about the line’s policy, and consider travel insurance.
Want to Be Among the First Aboard?
Tell us which new ship or itinerary caught your eye. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will check dates, cabins and launch offers for you — free.
Be First Aboard — Get a Free QuoteNew River Cruises is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Ask about any new ship and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise check the details personally and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →