Celebrity Cruises has officially revealed details of its long-awaited entry into the river cruise market, announcing the launch of two state-of-the-art ships on Europe’s iconic waterways in 2027.
The first vessels in the line’s new Celebrity River Cruises collection will be named Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, with priority booking for early sailings now open. Both ships will debut on the Danube and Rhine, marking a significant expansion of the Celebrity brand into a new sector of luxury cruising.
“The Celebrity Way” on the Rivers of Europe
“Celebrity River Cruises ships will be the most innovative on the river, with a patent-pending industry-leading design that offers more space to vacation while bringing guests even closer to destinations,” explained Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge.
She added: “With around half of our ocean guests having already taken – or intending to take – a river cruise, we know they are going to love experiencing Europe’s Rhine and Danube rivers The Celebrity Way on our elevated, cutting-edge ships.”
Design & Innovation
The ships will showcase several first-to-market features for river cruising:
- Year-round open decks, delivering the most usable outdoor space on any river ship.
- Cantilevered dining pods within the Magic Edge concept, serving destination-inspired menus with panoramic views.
- Transformative shade structures and a rooftop bar and grill for relaxed al fresco dining.
- A striking infinity pool, rarely seen on river ships.
Cabins will also raise the bar for luxury. The brand is introducing Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites, with ceiling windows flooding cabins with natural light, separate living areas, and the signature Infinite Veranda concept already popular on Celebrity’s Edge-series ocean ships.
Across the five stateroom categories, all guests can expect:
- King-size beds
- Private balconies
- Complimentary stocked mini-bars
- Destination-inspired amenities
Elevated Suite Experience
Suite guests will enjoy a heightened level of personalised service, including:
- A dedicated on-demand butler via Butler Chat on WhatsApp
- Exclusive dining and happy hour experiences
- Complimentary laundry once per sailing
- Priority access for shore excursion bookings
Dining & Lifestyle
In total, there will be eight restaurants and bars onboard, including Celebrity favourites such as the Martini Bar, Sunset Bar, and Café al Bacio.
In a first for river cruising, Celebrity will also introduce 24/7 flexible dining and complimentary breakfast room service, offering an unprecedented level of choice for guests.
European Itineraries in 2027
During their inaugural year, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker will operate 33 seven-night itineraries along the Rhine and Danube, some featuring overnight stays for deeper immersion.
Excursions will highlight authentic local experiences, from:
- Private wine tastings in Austria
- Relaxing in Budapest’s thermal baths
- Cycling the scenic riverbanks of the Danube
Loyalty & Long-Term Growth
Celebrity is extending its Captain’s Club loyalty programme to river sailings, with members earning 8–18 points per night, depending on the stateroom category.
The brand has also confirmed its commitment to the sector, with 10 river ships on order for delivery from 2027 onwards – signalling long-term growth and ambition in luxury river cruising.
