Celebrity Cruises is looking ahead to 2028–2029 with a program that expands the company’s presence in Europe while strengthening its offering in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations.
The new schedule broadens Celebrity Cruises’ presence across key regions, introducing new ports of call, extending seasons in selected destinations, and enhancing its offering across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Australia, and South America.
One of the key highlights of the European program is the debut of four Edge Class ships in the region: Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Apex. Their presence significantly increases Celebrity Cruises’ capacity in Europe while providing a more diverse range of itineraries and experiences. The season places a particular emphasis on Northern Europe, with the most extensive program the company has ever offered in the region, while also expanding across the Mediterranean and the British Isles. The program combines itineraries of varying lengths with new opportunities for exploration. Celebrity Beyond will return to Europe for the first time since 2023, introducing new onboard spaces and concepts, including the Mediterranean restaurant Bora and the Celebrity Pool Club, enhanced by the new Orange Peel Bar & Grille and Tacos del Sol venues. Itineraries ranging from seven to 14 nights will take guests to Norway, Iceland, and Scandinavia, with longer voyages dedicated to exploring the Norwegian fjords and Iceland. Meanwhile, aboard Celebrity Apex, the Northern European program will include 12-night itineraries visiting major Scandinavian cities, as well as new British Isles itineraries featuring Celebrity Cruises’ first-ever call in Galway, Ireland.
In the Mediterranean, Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Eclipse will offer seven- to 11-night itineraries visiting Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Greece, and Türkiye, while Celebrity Constellation will expand its Italy and Croatia program, returning to Bari for the first time since 2014. The European program also stands out for its greater seasonal continuity. Celebrity Infinity will operate year-round in the region, bringing back itineraries to Egypt with overnight stays in Alexandria, alongside shoulder-season cruises from Athens and winter sailings from Barcelona to the Canary Islands, Portugal, and Morocco. Together, the combination of new ports of call, longer stays, and a broader range of itineraries further strengthens Europe’s role within Celebrity Cruises’ 2028–2029 program.
The schedule will also include Celebrity Equinox’s first season in Alaska, where the ship will join Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Millennium in 2028. The new program will feature seven-night itineraries between Vancouver and Seward, designed to bring guests closer to Alaska’s landscapes and wildlife, from glaciers and snow-capped mountains to coastal communities and local cultures. The experience can be extended through land-based Cruisetours, accompanied by guides with first-hand knowledge of the region. These programs include lodge stays and journeys along remote roads and railways, with stops in Anchorage, Talkeetna, and Denali. Celebrity Equinox’s debut in Alaska therefore expands the company’s presence in the region while introducing an approach that combines cruising with a more immersive land experience.
The same ship will also offer new round-trip itineraries to Hawaii from Los Angeles, providing an alternative to the North American season through a journey encompassing rainforests, tropical vegetation, and beaches. The 2028 program will also see the return of Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Solstice to Australia and New Zealand, with 23 departures from Sydney and Auckland and itineraries ranging from four to 14 nights. From Australia’s wine regions to New Zealand’s fjords and South Pacific destinations such as Tauranga, Lifou, and Mystery Island, the program combines natural landscapes, cities, and local cultures, further expanding the company’s international footprint.
The program will also include Celebrity Solstice’s first full season in Japan, with the ship dedicated entirely to exploring the Japanese archipelago from April through October 2028. The revitalized ship will offer an extensive itinerary covering some of the country’s most iconic destinations, from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, with overnight stays in Kyoto and Aomori and opportunities to experience major cultural events, including Golden Week and the Gion Matsuri. Dedicating an entire season to Japan will allow Celebrity Cruises to broaden the range of experiences available to guests, combining major cities, cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and local traditions.
The Asian offering will be further enhanced by Celebrity Millennium’s spring and fall itineraries, allowing guests to experience Japan during both cherry blossom season and koyo, the country’s spectacular autumn foliage season. Together, the two ships will also offer 17 opportunities to visit Okinawa, expanding access to a destination known for its tropical landscapes and distinctive culture, which differs in many respects from that of mainland Japan. During the winter, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium will shift their focus to Southeast Asia, with itineraries visiting Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and China. Overnight stays in destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Benoa, Hanoi, Hong Kong, and Penang will give guests more time to explore each destination — from the atmosphere of Thailand’s night markets and the landscapes of Hanoi to New Year’s Eve celebrations in Hong Kong, where guests aboard Celebrity Millennium will be able to watch the fireworks welcoming the arrival of 2029.
Finally, the 2028–2029 program will feature new Hawaii cruises and an extended South American season, which will also mark Celebrity Cruises’ return to Antarctica aboard Celebrity Equinox. The 12- to 16-night itineraries will span five countries and combine dramatic natural landscapes, wildlife encounters, and opportunities for exploration ashore. The journey will extend from the Chilean fjords to the Iguazú Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and onward to the remote landscapes of Antarctica, with Patagonia taking center stage through experiences focused on penguin and whale watching, as well as nature-based excursions.
The program will also place a strong emphasis on immersion in local culture, with overnight stays in Valparaíso and Buenos Aires and opportunities to discover South American cuisine, from Patagonian barbecue and Chilean seafood to ceviche and Uruguayan dulce de leche. Among the most memorable highlights will be sailing around Cape Horn, at the southernmost tip of the continent, and navigating the waters of Tierra del Fuego, surrounded by glaciers and wildlife. The program will conclude with a special 16-night holiday itinerary in Antarctica, designed to welcome the New Year in one of the most remote environments on Earth.
Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, emphasized that the 2028–2029 program was designed to give guests new opportunities to explore some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. From the coastlines and fjords of Northern Europe to the pristine landscapes of Antarctica, the new season focuses on itineraries that combine a greater variety of destinations with deeper exploration experiences, while maintaining the high standards of hospitality and service that define the Celebrity Cruises brand.
George White
