The line last month told agents they would be able to start placing fully refundable £400 deposits on behalf of their clients from 2pm on Wednesday. Priority booking access was also open to direct customers.
However, by 2.30pm, a message on the Celebrity River Cruises website read: "Due to unprecedented demand, our priority booking access is now closed." A spokesperson for the line confirmed to TTG that such was the demand, it closed access after six minutes.
Those who were able to place deposits, or had deposits placed on their behalf, will be able to start choosing their voyages in a week's time on Wednesday 10 September. Public booking access, including for agents, will open "at a later date", the spokesperson added.
Celebrity opted to release the first details of its upcoming river fleet shortly before the priority window opened, promising to bring several features from its ocean ships – including its "infinite veranda" concept – to its river ships.
It has also revealed the names of its first two river ships; Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker will debut on the Rhine and Danube rivers in 2027 – the first in what will become a fleet of 10 sailing Europe's "most iconic rivers".
An initial 33 seven-night sailings will be available visiting multiple ports by day with overnight experiences included.
Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises' president, claimed the ships would be "the most innovative" in the market, featuring "a patent-pending industry-leading design" offering more space.
"With about half of our guests having [already] experienced or intending to take a river cruise, we know guests are going to love sailing Europe’s Rhine and Danube rivers The Celebrity Way on our fleet of elevated, cutting-edge ships.”
Agents have welcomed Celebrity's decision to launch a river operation, praising its potential to shake up the river sector, provide competition for existing operators and attract new customers to the brand and the sector.
The new river ships will feature skylight infinite balcony suites (Credit: Celebrity River Cruises)
Celebrity Cruises first river ships will feature "open decks, spacious staterooms, unmatched dining and signature elevated hospitality", the line claims, bringing further design cues and features from its Edge series ocean ships.
Additional features include:
- the Magic Edge – cantilevered dining pods overhanging the river, which Celebrity claims is another first
- regional, destination-driven culinary options and menus, as well as a top-deck bar and grille
- eight restaurants and bars, including Celebrity favourites such as the Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and Cafe Al Bacio
- complimentary breakfast room service and flexible all-day dining offering 24/7 meal options
- an infinity-edge plunge pool
- king-sized beds in every stateroom, which come complete with balconies and Celebrity's "infinite veranda" concept
- five categories of stateroom promising plenty of light with complimentary mini bars and destination-inspired amenities, plus on-demand butler service though "Butler Chat"
- stateroom categories include the first "skylight infinite balcony suites" which come with a separate living area and ceiling window
