PHOTOS: Celebrity shares first look at upcoming river ships

Celebrity Cruises has shared a first look at its upcoming river ships on the Rhine and Danube rivers.

Priority Booking Access is now open for 2027 sailings on the “Celebrity Compass” and “Celebrity Seeker" ships, the cruise line said Wednesday (Sept. 3). 

Starting Sept. 3, guests can place a fully refundable $500 deposit to claim a stateroom on one of these two new ships, which combine the design of Celebrity’s Edge Series ocean ships with European charm, and feature a “patent-pending, industry-leading design” that offers more space to vacation.

“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,” stated Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, in a press release. “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.”

Open decks expand guests’ horizons

Celebrity River Cruises features open decks that offer the most usable outdoor space, remaining accessible throughout the entire journey, with 360-degree views.

Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker offer guests the chance to dine floating above the river on the “Magic Edge” – the first-ever cantilevered dining pods – while enjoying regional, destination-driven culinary offerings.

Transformative shade structures, furniture and a top-deck bar and grill maximize guests’ time on deck while offering zones for every mood, whether it be socializing or disconnecting, in a space designed for year-round comfort.

An infinity-edge plunge pool invites guests to cool off while taking in the sights, the cruise line explained. 

“These flexible public spaces ensure guests enjoy more of their time outside at destinations, and on the journey in between,” the company said.

More room

New stateroom design delivers intuitive storage, enhanced configuration, king sized beds in every stateroom and spacious balconies to make guests feel at home on the river.

Five boutique stateroom categories are designed not just for staying but for living with residential interior design, king-sized beds, and many amenities.

All guests will enjoy complimentary stocked mini bars and destination-inspired amenities, including luxury linens, bedding, bathrobes and slippers.

Suite guests also enjoy a dedicated, on-demand butler through ‘Butler Chat,’ complimentary exclusive dining, room service and happy hour experiences, complimentary laundry once each sailing, and priority booking for shore excursions.

Every detail is designed to bring guests closer to destinations, as Celebrity’s Infinite Veranda concept, made famous on Edge Series ocean ships, connect guests to the landscapes around them at the touch of a button.

The first-ever “Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites” feature a separate living area and a ceiling window for unbeatable natural light.

Vista Balcony Suites and Balcony staterooms offer private escapes with an enhanced design for more usable outdoor space to enjoy a coffee or unwind after a day on shore.

Guests can discover new views without ever leaving their room from an Infinite Balcony stateroom that brings the outside in, while River View staterooms offer generous natural light for the perfect space to relax.

Flavours to savour

Guests will enjoy flavourful dining at eight restaurants and bars – including Celebrity-favourite venues Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and Café Al Bacio.

Destination-driven menus that evolve throughout each itinerary immerse guests in local delicacies – from locally baked morning pastries to regionally inspired dinners.

The voyage includes complimentary breakfast room service and flexible, all-day dining access with 24/7 meal options.

World-class destinations

33 seven-night sailings on the Rhine and Danube rooted in place, culture and connection will take guests through the heart of Europe, inviting guests to taste regional wines and walk cobbled village streets.

Multiple ports per day – combined with overnight experiences – will be offered, the line says. From private wine tastings in Austria to thermal baths in Budapest, or cycling the riverbanks of the Danube, every experience is designed to “bring out what is rare, real, and remarkable.”

Guests will see Budapest lit by night, sail the Wachau Valley, and "discover hidden gems that feel like their own," the company said. 

Plus, elevated pre- and post-cruise stays – available to book in early 2026 – extend guests' time in iconic cities like Prague and Budapest.

Celebrity River Cruises will also set sail with an innovative hull, delivering a lightweight versatile design that improves river navigation.

The ships promise the best-in-class hybrid propulsion system, as well as waste management systems, alongside advanced technology to reduce noise and vibration.

The Celebrity Way

Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club members’ loyalty tiers extend to river vacations, giving guests access to new and different rewards, recognition, and elevated experiences from ship to shore.

Members can earn 8 to 18 points per night on river vacations, with more details on tier benefits to be shared in 2026.

As PAX has previously reported, Celebrity’s river ships are newbuilds that are being constructed in Holland. 

“It’s a bold step that positions us to lead in an exciting, fast-growing segment of the travel market and win a greater share in the $2 trillion vacation market,” Jason Liberty, president and CEO at Royal Caribbean Group, said in January when the product was first announced.

The plan is to launch two 180-passenger Celebrity river vessels in 2027 and then expand to four new ships annually thereafter. Currently, 10 river ships are on order.

Liberty said Celebrity River Cruises could become the second-largest river operator behind Viking for “significantly less money than we paid for [Celebrity] Xcel 2."

“This is not about chasing Viking customers," Liberty said at the time. "This is about leveraging our customers and keeping them in our eco-system. We then get more repeat guests that are happy and support us because they trust us.”

In an interview with PAX earlier this year, Allan Brooks, national director, sales for Canada at Celebrity, said there has always been in interest in river because of Celebrity’s success in Europe with its ocean voyages.

“This takes it to the next level with more immersion. It also opens up more destinations to us that weren't available with our larger ships," he said. 

The new river ships may also attract new audiences. While Brooks believes Celebrity’s river cruises will appeal to travellers that have already done river cruises, it may also work the other way around.

“It may also direct people to our ocean ships as well,” he said.

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