Celebrity branches into European river-ocean cruise combos

The 11 new river and ocean cruise packages pair four well-known rivers—the Danube, Rhine, Rhone and Seine—with Celebrity sailings in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Russia, Turkey and other destinations.

The packages range from 16 to 24 nights and include flights to Rome, London, Barcelona, Athens or Istanbul, hotel accommodations, a destination concierge, transfers, a Classic Beverage Package including wine and spirits, and more.

There are 11 different combinations of six river cruises and nine ocean sailings.

For example, 'Southern France Sonata with Greece & Turkey' is a 16-night package that begins with a seven-night river cruise aboard Amadeus Symphony through southern France stopping at Lyon, Viviers and Avignon. That's followed by two nights in Athens and seven nights cruising the Mediterranean aboard Celebrity Equinox.

The journey departs Chalon-sur-Saone, France, on July 2 and ends in Istanbul July 18. Packages start at $8,299 per person, including all cruise taxes and fees.

'Danube Waltz with Spain & the Canary Islands,' a 20-night vacation to seven countries, includes a river cruise aboard Amadeus Silver II visiting Budapest, Austria, the Wachau Valley and historic German cities. Travelers then fly to London for a two-night stay before meeting Celebrity Eclipse for an 11-night cruise to Vigo, Lisbon and the Canary Islands.

The program departs Budapest on Oct. 1 and ends Oct. 21 in Southampton. Packages start at $9,699.

'Classical Rhine with Caribbean Trans-Atlantic,' 23 nights, includes Amsterdam, Cologne and Strasbourg. The river cruise on Amadeus Silver is followed by an overnight stay in Rome then an Atlantic crossing on Celebrity’s newest ship, Celebrity Reflection, to St. Kitts, St. Maarten and other Caribbean islands.

The journey departs Amsterdam on Oct. 15 and ends Nov. 7 in Miami. Packages start at $7,499.

Details: celebritycruises.com/vacationpackages.