A First Look at Celebrity’s River Ships
In 2027, Celebrity Cruises will debut two new ships, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, on Europe’s Rhine and Danube rivers. With only 180 guests per ship, these vessels promise a very different experience from Celebrity’s large ocean liners while carrying over some familiar touches like the Martini Bar, Café al Bacio, and Sunset Bar.
Bringing the Edge to the River
If you have sailed Celebrity’s Edge Series ships, you will recognize some familiar elements. The new river ships incorporate the Infinite Veranda concept, where instead of a traditional balcony, you have a floor-to-ceiling window that can open for a balcony-like experience. The big benefit is that infinity verandas give staterooms more usable space and a direct connection to the river scenery.
Celebrity is also debuting a new stateroom type, the Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite, which adds a ceiling window for extra light and a loft-like feel.
Traditional balcony cabins will also be available, though they appear to use more of a cut-out design with a curved area in the corner serving as the balcony.
Every stateroom will feature king-size beds, spa-style bathrooms, plenty of storage, and residential-style finishes. Guests also get complimentary Wi-Fi, a stocked mini bar, and destination-inspired amenities.
Suites come with a higher level of perks, including butler service available through “Butler Chat,” priority excursion booking, complimentary laundry once per sailing, and exclusive dining and happy hour options.
More Bar and Restaurant Choices Than Any River Ship
Food and drink are a major part of Celebrity’s pitch. The two ships will feature six restaurants, including one 24-hour dining option. Menus will rotate with the itinerary, highlighting regional flavors. Guests will receive the Classic Drink Package, which includes complimentary beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks, with the option to upgrade to the Premium Drink Package for a wider selection.
These river ships will also feature a variety of bars on board. Celebrity’s signature venues, the Martini Bar, Café al Bacio, and Sunset Bar, will all make an appearance, along with a new rooftop bar designed for enjoying the views as you sail down the rivers.
Expansive Outdoor Spaces
One of the standout features is the top deck. Celebrity is calling it “revolutionary,” with the most usable outdoor space of any river ship. Highlights include:
- Cantilevered Magic Edge dining pods
- Infinity-edge plunge pool
- Year-round shade and comfort structures
- Top-deck bar and grille
These spaces are designed to keep guests outside, whether relaxing with a drink, cooling off in the pool, or enjoying unobstructed 360-degree river views.
Excursions Designed for Every Day
Celebrity says each of the 33 planned itineraries will feature one included excursion every day, ranging from wine tastings in Austria to cycling along the Danube. Some itineraries will also include overnight stays in cities like Budapest, giving guests more time ashore.
Because the ships must remain relatively compact, they will not have onboard spa or fitness facilities. Instead, Celebrity has stated guests will have access to select gyms and spas along the rivers.
Itineraries: A Tale of Two Rivers
Celebrity plans 33 seven‑night sailings across the Danube and Rhine for its 2027 debut season. While the full brochure offers a complete breakdown, here are highlighted journey themes:
- The Danube: Vienna & Budapest
- Sail from fairy‑tale Bavaria into the imperial heart of Budapest. Expect vineyard vistas, cultural immersion in riverside villages, and curated access to music and art in cities like Vienna.
- The Danube: Budapest to Nuremberg: Christmas Markets
- A festive holiday voyage from Budapest to Nuremberg, with stops in Vienna at iconic markets brimming with handcrafted treats and timeless traditions.
- The Rhine: Nuremberg to Amsterdam: New Year’s
- Ring in the year on board while sailing past castles and festive towns, then spend New Year’s Day exploring Amsterdam’s canals, museums, and vibrant café culture.
Captain’s Club Loyalty Program Works on Celebrity River
Loyal Celebrity cruisers will be happy to know their Captain’s Club status works on Celebrity River sailings. In addition, guests will earn Captain’s Club Points for each night on their sailing.
| Stateroom Category | Points Per Night |
|---|---|
| Vista Balcony Suite | 18 |
| Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite | 18 |
| Balcony | 12 |
| Infinite Balcony | 8 |
| River View | 8 |
Our Take: An Interesting Opportunity for Cruisers
River cruising is a hot market, and Celebrity is the first mainstream ocean brand to make a serious push into the space with its own hardware. By blending familiar ocean-ship venues with features not seen on the rivers before, like an infinity pool, open cantilevered dining, and 24-hour food, the line is clearly aiming to differentiate itself from established players like Viking and AmaWaterways. Will that be enough to lure their loyal guests to try these new destination-focused experiences? Cruisers who might not have have looked into Viking River Cruisers might be more likely to look into river cruises on a trusted brand.
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