A long-held secret is out! With open decks and elevated spaces, Celebrity Cruises plans to transform the shape of cruising on the Rhine and Danube rivers.
Two new ships due to arrive in 2027 will combine the iconic designs of Celebrity’s Edge Series ocean ships with European charm, and feature industry-leading design that offers more space to vacation, all while ensuring a smoother, more relaxing sailing experience, the company revealed. And the inaugural voyages are already sold out.
“Celebrity River Cruises ships will be the most innovative on the river, with a patent-pending 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.”
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.
Open decks will offer the most usable outdoor space of any river ship and remain accessible throughout the entire journey, immersing vacationers in uninterrupted, 360-degree views.
Transformative shade structures, furniture and a top-deck bar and grille maximize guests’ time on deck while offering zones for every mood, from socializing to disconnecting, in a space designed for comfort year-round. An infinity-edge plunge pool will invite guests to cool off while taking in the sights.
Inside, Celebrity’s revolutionary Infinite Veranda concept, made famous on Edge Series ocean ships, connect guests to the breathtaking 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.
Innovative stateroom design delivers intuitive storage, enhanced configuration, king size beds in every stateroom and spacious balconies to make guests feel at home on the river. Five boutique stateroom categories, each bathed in natural light and deeply connected to surroundings, are designed not just for staying but for living with residential interior design, king-sized beds, and the most in-room amenities on the river. All guests can enjoy complimentary stocked mini bars and destination-inspired amenities, which elevate a serene stay wrapped in the comfort of luxury linens, bedding, bathrobes and slippers.
Suite guests will 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.
Dining will be a highlight day and night, with eight restaurants and bars – including Celebrity-favorite 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. Guests can savor the day on their own time with complimentary breakfast room service and flexible, all-day dining access that offers the only 24/7 meal options on the river.
Seven-night sailings on the Rhine and Danube will take guests through the heart of Europe’s culture, history and unforgettable cities, and invite guests to taste regional wines, walk cobbled village streets, and enjoy the new perspective each day offers. Guests will enjoy a tale of many cities as multiple ports per day – combined with overnight experiences – invite them to explore in a whole new way.
With a unique exterior profile, Celebrity River Cruises will turn heads while delivering a light, versatile design that improves river navigation. The ships are equipped with the best-in-class hybrid propulsion and waste management systems, alongside advanced technology to reduce noise and vibration.
Priority booking access is now open for 2027 sailings on the groundbreaking Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker. Guests can place a fully refundable $500 deposit to claim a stateroom on one of these two new ships. Celebrity says the inaugural cruises sold out within minutes after bookings opened.
Elevated pre- and post-cruise stays – available to book in early 2026 – can extend guests’ time in iconic cities like Prague and Budapest, arranged and elevated The Celebrity Way. A preview is available here.
Story by Wallace Immen–The Cruisington Times
