Celebrity Cruises has revealed details of its first two river ships, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, which will debut in 2027 as part of the cruise line’s entry into the river segment.
The vessels will operate seven-night itineraries on the Rhine and Danube, and will feature an expanded design compared with existing river vessels, taking inspiration from the cruise line’s Edge class ships.
The river vessels will offer open decks accessible throughout the sailing, larger stateroom layouts, and new dining and leisure concepts.
“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,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises.
“With about half of our guests having 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,” she added.
Both ships will carry a range of accommodation categories, including balcony staterooms and suites. Every stateroom will include a king-sized bed, while balcony cabins will introduce the Infinite Veranda concept from Celebrity’s Edge-class ocean ships.
Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites will add ceiling windows to increase natural light, and suites will include added services such as a dedicated digital butler system, exclusive dining, and priority access to excursions.
Public areas will feature open decks with shaded seating, an infinity-edge plunge pool and cantilevered dining pods known as the Magic Edge, suspended over the river.
Dining options will span eight restaurants and bars, including familiar Celebrity venues such as Martini Bar and Café al Bacio, alongside new regional dining concepts. Menus will shift according to itinerary, incorporating local produce and dishes.
Celebrity has scheduled 33 seven-night sailings on the Rhine and Danube during the inaugural season, offering multiple port calls per day and overnight stays in cities including Budapest.
Experiences ashore will include regional wine tastings, cycling routes, and guided visits to cultural landmarks. Pre- and post-cruise stays in major cities such as Prague and Budapest will also be offered from 2026.
The ships will employ a hybrid propulsion system, with energy efficiency and waste management measures aimed at reducing environmental impact. Their hulls have been designed to improve navigation and reduce vibration for smoother sailings and quieter operations.
Categories: Cruise News
