Celebrity Xcel NEWS
New river ships sailing in 2026-27
Amadeus River Cruises:
Amadeus River Cruises: Amadeus Mira will launch in 2027, sailing on the Rhine, Main and Danube. It will
accommodate 158 passengers in 12 suites and 67 cabins, and feature hybrid propulsion, solar panels and a heat recovery system.
Travelmarvel:
Travelmarvel: Travelmarvel Sirius will make its debut on the Nile in September 2026. The 62-suite ship
will homeport in Luxor and marks Travelmarvel’s return to the Nile after an absence since 2013.
Tui River Cruises:
Tui River Cruises: Summer 2027 will see the launch of Tui Luzia, Tui’s first purpose-built vessel for the
Douro. It will accommodate 111 passengers across four room categories, including one cabin type aimed at solo travellers. Public areas include the Retreat, a juice bar and an area that’s a yoga studio by day and lounge bar by night.
Trafalgar:
Trafalgar: This new entrant to the river cruise market will debut in spring 2026 with Trafalgar Reverie and Trafalgar Verity, sailing on the Rhine and Danube respectively. Each will carry 128 passengers. The brand plans to launch a third ship in 2027.
Tauck:
Tauck: US cruise line Tauck will operate two new river ships in 2027 – Saudade on the Douro and Reverie on the Seine. The line released its 2027 cruise schedule earlier than usual and has also introduced a six-day river cruise on the Seine, with departures during the shoulder seasons.
Celebrity Cruises
expands Edge Class Celebrity Cruises’ latest Edge Class ship, Celebrity Xcel, made its first sailing, from Fort Lauderdale, in November. The ship features seven public spaces that are new to the line, including entertainment venue Bazaar, premium area Celebrity Pool Club, a new hydrotherapy room in the spa and an outdoor Mediterranean restaurant. Celebrity Xcel also features five new shows,
including three theatre productions enacted by up to 75 performers – the line’s largest cast to date – ranging from singers to parkour artists. Also in November, Celebrity Apex began its
first season based in Port Canaveral, sailing seven-night itineraries in the Caribbean until April 2026. The line also announced the name of the sixth ship in the class, Celebrity Xcite, which will launch in 2028.
HAL unveils Asia sailings in 2027-28
Holland America Line has boosted its long-haul product for the 2027-28 season, including 15 itineraries in Asia. The Asia programme will run from September 2027 to April 2028, with sailings on board Noordam. Most departures are from Tokyo, and there are three new ports for clients to explore: Hitachinaka, Nagoya and Maizuru. Some sailings feature “scenic cruising” – short periods without stops – in Maizuru Bay, a fjord-like inlet framed by lighthouses and fishing villages.
6 December 2025
travelweekly.co.uk/cruise
PICTURE: Michel Verdure
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