New River Cruise Ships (2026 & 2027) — A Building Boom Fueled by New Brands & New Routes

New River Cruise Ships for 2026 & 2027

By Anne Kalosh

River cruises are booming, and for good reason. They offer everything we at QuirkyCruise love about small-ship travel.

They take you to the heart of destinations — European capitals or major wine regions, tiny Mekong villages, a national park in India that's home to endangered rhinos or steps from cultural draws like Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

River cruises immerse you in local arts and culture and provide nonstop scenery.

Small-ship river vessels typically carry fewer than 200 passengers so they're easy to navigate, with no lines, personalized service and a view from every room.

A selection of daily excursions is often included in the fare so sightseeing is a breeze, or you can choose to step off and explore easily on your own.

The food is fresh and regional, many lines include beer and wine with meals so the atmosphere is convivial, and local entertainers may come aboard to add destination flavor.

New Brands & New Routes

During 2026, 2027 and beyond, a bevy of new vessels will join the world’s existing river-cruise fleet. New brands are sailing in, too, such as Celebrity River Cruises, and tour operator Trafalgar is branching into this sector.

Further, new routes are mushrooming, from the classic Rhine and Danube to the Mississippi, Mekong, Nile, India's Brahmaputra and Australia's Murray.

Here's a round-up of dozens of the new river vessels planned to debut this year and next to give you a taste of what's in store. I’ve organized the new builds by line, alphabetically; and note, while an extensive listing, it’s by no means comprehensive.

A&K Sanctuary

Tour operator Abercrombie & Kent's NIle history dates back to 1977 when founder Geoffrey Kent was inspired by a chance encounter with actor David Niven on the set of “Death on the Nile” to lease the old steamship SS Memnon and launch A&K's first Nile cruise.

New Digs on the Nile

In 2026 A&K will add to its luxurious Sanctuary Retreats line with the 64-passenger Nile Seray. Its fifth Egyptian riverboat is its most spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows, modern suites with private balconies and high-end amenities.

Handcrafted furniture and mashrabiya-inspired details (screens of intricate, geometric wooden latticework) showcase Egyptian artistry, while interiors will be finished in local marble and quartzite.

The suites start at a very spacious 355 square feet, and each has a seating area beside floor-to-ceiling windows, a Juliet balcony and large bathroom. The two top suites come with outdoor spa pools.

Amadeus River Cruises

Austria's Lüftner family, which has a 40-year legacy in river cruising, is set to introduce two new vessels: the 158-passenger Amadeus Aurea in May 2026 on the Rhine and Danube, and a sister vessel, Amadeus Mira, in 2027 on the Rhine, Main and Danube.

They'll have a stylish, contemporary look, a sun deck with heated pool and Lido Bar, massage/fitness facilities and a Café Vienna for sweet treats.

Each vessel will offer 12 balcony suites of 284 square feet and 67 cabins of 172 square feet to 188 square feet with panoramic windows. All cabins but those on the lowest deck have drop-down windows.

AmaWaterways

New vessels are in store for Europe and Asia in 2026 and 2027.

What’s New in Europe for Ama

Coming this year is the 152-passenger AmaSofia, continuing a series featuring the line's trademark twin-balcony accommodations that pair a step-out balcony with a French balcony. AmaSofia is scheduled to debut on the Rhine in the spring, then sail the Danube from summer.

And in 2027 the 120-passenger AmaMaya will be joining sister AmaDara on the Mekong.

During 2025 AmaWaterways announced an additional eight newbuilds scheduled for delivery by 2030. With these additions, its global fleet will grow to more than 40, doubling Ama's vessel count since 2020.

The line has always had a slightly younger, more active vibe than many, as the first to provide complimentary bicycles for passengers' use and a wellness program with wellness hosts.

Themed sailings, particularly wine, with noted wine hosts, and partnerships with Backroads (for biking), Smithsonian Journeys (history and culture) and Adventures by Disney (guided family trips) are other distinctions.

RELATED: Check out Heidi's river cruise packing tips.

American Cruise Lines

With the largest U.S.-flag fleet of overnight passenger vessels, American Cruise Lines covers the country with river and coastal ships. Its river ships — not to be confused with the line's four Coastal Cats and growing fleet of Patriot-class small ships — all of which focus on coastal cruising on a variety of routes from Maine to as far south as Florida — include paddlewheelers but since 2018 the company has focused on modern-style riverboats. On these, there are no paddlewheels or nostalgic decor but a patented opening bow and retractable gangway, five decks, multi-story glass atriums and large accommodations, all with private balconies.

Encore, Encore

New in 2026 is the seventh of those, American Encore, which will sail the Pacific Northwest's Columbia and Snake rivers. With capacity for 180 passengers, it will introduce a new forward-facing Signature suite that spans from starboard to port and sprawls across 1,000 square feet. Single cabins are available with no supplement.

Another new modern riverboat, American Anthem, is arriving in 2027, and three more river vessels, including American Grace and two not yet named, in 2028. Anthem and Grace are also planned to ply the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Celebrity River Cruises

Royal Caribbean Group is making a big splash with its plans to introduce river cruising starting in 2027 aboard the Celebrity brand.

20 River Ships on Order

Each carrying about 180 passengers, 20 vessels are on order with the first two, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, to arrive in 2027 and four to follow in both 2028 and 2029.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman/CEO Jason Liberty described an “avalanche of demand” for Celebrity River Cruises and said 10 newbuilds are “just a start.”

In fact, a week after we published this story, Celebrity River Cruises announced an order for 10 additional ships — doubling its river fleet to 20 by 2031. The news came as steel was cut for the first river ship, Celebrity Compass, with its inaugural 2027 season already sold out.

Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker promise the elevated design and sophistication of Celebrity's Edge-class ocean ships plus some river innovations. For example, travelers can dine on regional cuisine while floating on cantilevered dining pods dubbed the Magic Edge. Plus, there's an infinity-edge plunge pool located aft.

Each vessel will offer eight restaurants and bars, including Celebrity favorites the Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and Café Al Bacio.

Staterooms and suites are in five categories such as Skylight infinite balcony with a window whose top part opens, and a separate living area and a ceiling window for natural light.

Century Cruises

China's Century Cruises underwent big changes during the pandemic, and instead of selling just through tour operators as it did before is now marketing directly to North Americans via its own Florida office. Moreover, the company is expanding from its longtime Yangtze River product into Europe and Egypt itineraries with newbuilds.

A Star is Born

Renderings of 2026 Europe vessel Century Star show lush interiors that inspired by the cultures and landscapes of the Danube. The 174-passenger vessel is intended to blend Eastern elegance and hospitality with Western service and style.

The Black Forest inspired the main restaurant's decor, while the bar and lounge were influenced by baroque architecture and the musical heritage of Beethoven and Strauss, evoking traditional Viennese coffee houses. The lobby pays homage to Bulgaria’s Rose Valley.

Century Star is planned to begin sailing the Danube in September with a second itinerary, on the Rhine, starting in November.

In Egypt, Century Cruises currently charters vessels from a local tour operator but having acquired a majority stake in that company along with a shipyard, newbuilds for the Nile are envisioned starting in 2027.

CroisiEurope

This Strasbourg-based company is Europe's largest river-cruise operator with almost 50 vessels including some hotel barges and paddlewheelers, global itineraries and a strong value message. Most CroisiEurope passengers are European but the company sells globally, and the North American market is growing.

Cruising on the Wild Side

In 2027 CroisiEurope plans to introduce a newbuild for the Amazon.The 32-passenger Brasilian Dream is designed for minimal environmental impact with a catamaran hull, low-carbon engines, solar panels and sustainable materials.

It will offer all-balcony cabins and suites, a restaurant, spa, gym and a sun deck with a pool and bar/lounge. Brasilian Dream will sail three 11-day itineraries with a focus on nature, wildlife and interactions with local communities.

Emerald Cruises

Part of Australia's Scenic Group, which also operates tours and luxury expedition vessels and yachts, Emerald Cruises is a more affordable alternative to its posh Scenic sister brand with slightly less inclusive pricing.

The 180-passenger Star-Ship Emerald Astra is set to enter service in May 2026 on the Rhine, Main and Danube, with Emerald Lumi to join on the Seine in 2027.

One Star-Ship distinction is a combination pool-cinema. The heated, glass-enclosed top deck pool, housed under a retractable roof, can be covered by decking and topped by lounge chairs, converting into a cinema on select evenings.

Murray River Paddlesteamers

This Australian company aims to replicate the charm of 19th-century paddlesteamers that plied the Murray River. The 38-passenger Australian Star is close to debuting in early 2026, fusing heritage and contemporary elegance.

It is touted as the first five-star river vessel in Australia, the largest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere and the world's only wood-fired, five-star overnight paddlesteamer. Features include a lounge affording sweeping river vistas, a gourmet restaurant, expansive outdoor relaxation areas, an elevator to all decks and 19 staterooms, all opening to a deck.

The modern-day paddlesteamer will also sport a modern, energy-efficient, hybrid diesel/steam propulsion system with a 1907 wood-fired steam engine adding a touch of nostalgia and authenticity.

Three-, four- and seven-night cruises from Echuca in Victoria are scheduled to begin in February.

In late 2027, Australian Sky will debut as the sister of Australian Star with Murray River itineraries of three to 11 nights from Mildura, Victoria.

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

After operating river cruises for more than 50 years from the Amazon to the Nile, Lindblad is branching into Europe in 2026 and beyond by chartering 120-passenger newbuilds from the white-label company Transcend Cruises.

Lindblad Starts Europe River Cruising

In this first year Lindblad will offer eight departures of two Rhine itineraries on Transcend's Connect, adding more departures and varied Danube itineraries including three weeklong Christmas market cruises in 2027 with a second Transcend vessel, Evolve.

True to Lindblad's educational/explorer focus, the customized itineraries will carry noted historians and naturalists for in-depth destination enrichment and private-access experiences such as an orchestral performance in Bratislava and an after-hours Melk Abbey tour.

Riviera Travel

This U.K. tour operator, which fields a fleet of European riverboats, set up a U.S. headquarters in Florida in 2025 and is marketing to Americans with a strong value message.

More Radiance Class

In 2025, the company introduced Riviera Radiance, first of a 178-passenger Radiance class of vessels characterized by a two-story lounge and main restaurant, the largest suites in the fleet and a third dining concept, Mosaic, for tapas.  

Sister vessel Riviera Resplendence is scheduled to debut on the Rhine in early summer 2026, followed by Riviera Reflection on the Danube in September 2027.

Each has 89 accommodations spanning three decks, with standard cabins measuring 172 square feet with a French balcony (those on the lower deck have fixed windows). The grand suites provide 344 square feet of space with a separate living area, king-size bed and balcony with outdoor seating. The superior suites measure 258 square feet and have floor-to-ceiling French balconies and a living area with sofa, chair and table.

A Solo Focus

The company is known for designating special sailings for solo travelers, and starting in June 2027, it will dedicate a smaller vessel, George Eliot, exclusively for this. Carrying 68 passengers in all solo-occupancy rooms, George Eliot will cruise the Danube, Rhine and Moselle.

Riviera Travel will be expanding into Asia in 2027 with its own newbuild, the 50-passenger Riviera Alba, on the Mekong. Meanwhile, in 2026, Riviera is offering six departures of the chartered Victoria Mekong but these are not sold on the North American market. Only Riviera Alba will be available in 2027.

The 25-suite vessel will offer panoramic views throughout and an open-air sun deck with a pool and Jacuzzi. The main restaurant will serve international and Asian fare. Other facilities include a lounge bar, spa, library and coffee/tea lounge.

Tauck

This Connecticut-based, family-run global tour operator is expanding with four new river vessels, two in 2026 and two in 2027, for the greatest river capacity increase in its 100-year history. Two are for France, the 124-passenger Serene, to operate on the Seine, and the 130-passenger Lumière, on the Rhône, both entering service in 2026.

Tauck traditionally carries fewer passengers on vessels the same size as those of competitors, making for larger accommodations. And, with everything included in the pricing plus many lavish, special-access experiences shoreside, Tauck provides stellar service and its fares are typically higher than other lines.

RELATED: John & Sandra Nowlan review a Tauck Rhine River cruise, with a Milan hotel/land add-on.

RELATED: Here’s a look at the differences between Tauck and Viking river cruises.

Tauck Goes to Town With New Builds

Serene and Lumière will introduce new 300-square-foot top accommodations. In all, 80 percent of the new vessels' cabins will be 225 square feet or larger. As on Tauck’s other riverboats, the lowest category cabins will not carry a single occupancy supplement and, at 180 square feet, these solo rooms measure 20 percent larger than on the rest of the fleet.

Other new features include a wellness retreat with a fitness center, massage treatment rooms and relaxation area with juice bar, and a restyled top-deck pool with al fresco dining and a bar, serving (included) French wines, of course.

Tauck's new pair of river vessels in 2027 include Reverie, a sister of Serene, also for the Seine, and Saudade, an 84-passenger Douro vessel that's a sister of 2021's Andorinha.

Trafalgar

Another company entering European river cruising is Trafalgar, a guided tour operator that's been in business since 1947. It's owned by The Travel Corporation, whose portfolio includes Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.

Trafalgar is starting out in 2026 by chartering two 128-passenger Uniworld ships, River Queen and River Princess, renamed Trafalgar Reverie and Trafalgar Verity. Newbuilds are planned starting in 2028.

During the 2026 inaugural season, Trafalgar Reverie is scheduled to cruise the Danube between Budapest and Passau and Trafalgar Verity the Rhine between Basel and Amsterdam, including Christmas markets. And sales are open for 2027 when new land extensions are offered in Lucerne, Prague and Budapest that benefit from Trafalgar's land tours expertise.

Uniworld

With its opulent vessels, gourmet dining, butler service and large suites, Uniworld is perhaps the most luxurious river cruise line.

(Note, along with Riverside Luxury Cruises, which fields the fleet that was built for Crystal River Cruises and currently charters two of them to Uniworld, while Scenic and Tauck are also up there, along with A&K and new entrant Waldorf Astoria.)

More Luxury Coming From Uniworld

In 2026, Uniworld will introduce the 154-passenger Super Ship Emilie on the Danube, with sisters SS Audrey and SS Marlene for the Rhine and Danube coming in 2027, along with the smaller São Rafael for the Douro.

SS Emilie is named for the muse of Viennese painter Gustav Klimt, and a large replica of one of his portraits of her will grace the lobby. The vessel will be decked out in dramatic hues with pops of gold and art nouveau touches. SS Audrey and SS Marlene will each showcase interiors inspired by the screen legends they're named for, Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich.

Accommodations start at 194 square feet and range up to 412 square feet.

The 94-passenger São Rafael, meanwhile, is the sister of 2021's 98-passenger São Gabriel, which also operates on the Douro. Accommodations range from 144 square feet to 307 square feet.

RELATED: Heidi reviews her Uniworld Douro River cruise aboard the São Gabriel.

READ MORE: Learn more about the Rhine River — its history, course and highlights.

Viking

This is the biggest river cruise name for Americans, with more than a 50 percent market share and a vast fleet of 80 vessels spanning Europe, Asia and Egypt, and, soon, India.

More Viking in Europe & Beyond

Viking's river orderbook consists of 21 vessels through 2028. Eight are planned for delivery in 2026, eight in 2027 and five in 2028.

These include nine full-sized (190 passengers) Viking Longships for Europe's major rivers, each with 95 staterooms and a patented layout that allows for two roomy Explorer suites, seven two-room veranda suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom, 39 veranda staterooms with full-size verandas and 22 French balcony staterooms. A large, forward-facing indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace is a standard design feature.

Plus, two smaller Longships are coming with capacity for 102 to 168 passengers, intended to fit waterways such as the Douro, Elbe and Seine, and six 80-passenger vessels for the Nile, Mekong and the Brahmaputra, with India joining as a new Viking destination in 2027.

Viking Brahamaputra will sail between Guwahati and Nimati Ghat in the northeastern state of Assam as part of a new 15-day itinerary that combines an eight-day river voyage with a guided land program with overnights at India's “Golden Triangle” destinations including Agra for the Taj Mahal, Old Delhi and Jaipur with its Palace of Winds.

Viva Cruises

Based in Düsseldorf, Germany, this brand was started in 2018 by Scylla, the Swiss, family-owned company founded in 1973. Scylla builds and manages vessels for a variety of brands, with 46 currently under operation.

Viva now has nine of its own vessels and is launching the upscale Viva Boutique line starting with the renovated 112-passenger Viva Beyond sailing the Seine from Paris in spring 2026. The 104-passenger Viva Unique will follow in spring 2027, sailing Italy's Po River from Venice and Cremona.

Waldorf-Astoria

And further upping the river-cruise offerings, Waldorf Astoria is joining the growing selection of Nile cruises as it branches into this sector with a new vessel debuting in late 2026. The five-deck riverboat will house travelers in the lap of luxury with 29 elegant suites with separate lounge and bedroom.

Curated and distinctive food and drink experiences will be offered including Waldorf Astoria’s signature Peacock Alley, a brasserie serving Egyptian, Mediterranean and international cuisine, and a rooftop deck. A fitness center and spa are among the amenities.

 

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