Celebrity River Cruises priority access sells out in six minutes amid 'significant demand'

Priority access for Celebrity River Cruises sold out in just six minutes after launching yesterday, its international sales chief has revealed.

Speaking on a Travel Weekly webcast, the line’s international vice-president Giles Hawke said: “We opened priority access today at 2pm and at six minutes past, we had filled it because of the amazing demand from all over the world, in every market. The demand is clearly significant.”

He clarified priority access made available “a certain amount of capacity” on a range of seven-night Danube and Rhine sailings with more to be launched in the general sale later this month.

Priority access customers were able to pay a refundable £400 deposit and will need to complete bookings within 45 days from September 10.

Hawke said the upcoming general sale will provide “an opportunity” for UK agents, as will future launches of eight additional ships.

“The great thing is we’ve got an order for 10 ships at the moment, so if there are customers who are disappointed at this stage then we go to the next stage,” he said.

“We anticipated demand was going to be significant and this has shown it is, but we will have more ships coming on sale for the future.”

Celebrity River Cruises has now unveiled a first look at the first two river cruise ships, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, which Hawke said were designed to “stand out” for customers not only in terms of design but onboard amenities.

Voyages will be all-inclusive with food, drinks packages, one excursion per day, onboard activities and a Wi-Fi package in the price, which he said was to match “what our customers are asking for”.

He added: “It will have a different price point to ocean cruise and will reflect the quality of what we’re offering.”

Hawke highlighted the “transformative” design of the top deck, which will be open for guests 24/7 unlike other river ships, retractable Magic Edge dining pods, an infinity plunge pool at the aft of the ship and eight bars and restaurants on board, including favourites Café Arbacho and Martini Bar.

He promised “more to come” on announcements around venues and other innovations on the river ships.

When asked about how the ships worked within restrictions for width and height, Hawke said: “It is through clever design and our ships have got to fit through the same locks and same bridges.

“It is good technology and innovation that is helping us get there.”

The ships will hold roughly 170 passengers and the cabins have been designed to have “way more” storage space and in-room amenities, with Hawke promising “the most on the river”.

He said: “All the amenities will be destination-inspired, so they will reflect where we’re sailing, and then we’ll have amazing comfort of linens and bedding, bathrobe and slippers, so whatever people are used to get on the Celebrity Edge series ships, they’ll get that look, feel and style on Celebrity River Cruises.”

Compass and Seeker will sail a combined 33 seven-night cruises on the Rhine and the Danube, most of which will depart from Vilshofen in Germany or Budapest in Hungary.

Hawke confirmed there will be Christmas market sailings from Budapest and Nuremberg, as well New Year cruises from Amsterdam and Basel.