Celebrity River Cruises: What We Know So Far About These Revolutionary European Ships

Celebrity Cruises is making waves in the river cruise industry with an ambitious new venture launching in 2027. This premium cruise line is bringing its signature elevated experience to Europe’s most iconic waterways with a brand-new river cruise line. As huge fans of the brand’s ocean ships, we’re incredibly excited about what Celebrity is bringing to European rivers – in fact, we took advantage of the Priority Booking Access so we can be among the first guests to experience it.

With several new details about Celebrity River Cruises just revealed, we’ve put together this complete guide to everything we know so far, from the revolutionary ship design to the names of the first two river vessels: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker.

Revolutionary Ship Design and Features

Showcasing “The Celebrity Way”, Celebrity Cruises attempts to reimagine the river cruise experience. Seamlessly merging the design of Celebrity’s Edge class ocean ships with European charm, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker will have a sophistated and sleek design, more outdoor spaces, destination-driven dining, and the most amenities available on any river vessel.

Expansive Outdoor Spaces

Unlike traditional river ships, Celebrity’s river vessels will offer significantly more open deck space with 360-degree views. The highlights include a top-deck restaurant and bar, an infinity-edge pool (most river ships don’t have a pool at all), and transformative shade structures. This area will offer plenty of space for guests to enjoy their time outdoors with year-round comfort in mind.

Elevated Dining and Beverage Options

Celebrity Cruises is bringing its culinary expertise to the rivers with eight total restaurants and bars – the most options available on any European river cruise. The dining program will emphasize locally-inspired cuisine that reflects each destination’s culture. A dining highlight, the Magic Edge cantilevered dining pods will float above the river and serve menus that evolve with each port. Celebrity’s river ships will also feature the only 24/7 meal options on the rivers, which is definitely solving one of our major river cruise cons.

Beverage offerings include favorites from Celebrity’s ocean ships like Martini Bar, Café al Bacio, and Sunset Bar. Now we’re officially sold!

Innovative Hull and Engineering

Additionally, these new ships will feature a sleek, modern profile with a lightweight hull designed for enhanced efficiency and navigation capabilities. This engineering will offer smoother sailing, even in low water, resulting in fewer itinerary interruptions – another common challenge in river cruising.

Game-Changing Accommodations

Celebrity River Cruises will debut five spacious stateroom categories including the first-ever Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites.

All staterooms will feature:

• a king-sized bed with optional twin bed configuration
• daily housekeeping and turndown service
• complimentary mini bar
• luxury linens and bedding
• premium bath amenities
• bathrobes & slippers
• a premium hair dryer
• in-room filtered water

Suites will feature everything listed above in addition to the following:

• butler service
• complimentary laundry service (once per voyage)
• priority booking for shore excursions and specialty dining
• exclusive suite guest happy hour
• in-room espresso machine
• exclusive specialty dining experience (once per voyage).

Unlike many river cruise lines, Celebrity River Cruises will offer room service as well. This upgrade is included for suite guests, while other staterooms receive complimentary continental breakfast or can pay for additional room service items.

Drink packages will work slightly differently on Celebrity River Cruises too. Suite guests will receive a premium beverage package, and other guests will receive a classic beverage package with the ability to upgrade.

Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites

The most innovative stateroom category on Celebrity River Cruises is the Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite (233 sq ft), which includes a ceiling window. This unique design brings guests closer to the sky and river than ever before.

All Stateroom Categories & Amenities

• Vista Balcony Suite (258 sq ft) – The most spacious option with separate living and sleeping areas
• Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite (233 sq ft) – The innovative ceiling window suite
• Balcony (211-225 sq ft) – Traditional balcony room with private veranda
• Infinite Balcony (173-179 sq ft) – Wall-to-wall windows that lower at the touch of a button
• River View (157 sq ft) – Clean-lined rooms with generous natural light

Celebrity River Cruises Inclusions

Setting a new standard for river cruises, Celebrity’s inclusions are as follows:

• Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the journey
• Select wine, beer, cocktails, coffee and soft drinks all day
• One shore excursion per day
• Multiple dining venues with 24-hour options available
• Various onboard experiences and spaces

Celebrity River Cruises Deck Plans

The cruise line has released deck plans for Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker. Like most river ships, these vessels will feature four decks.

2027 Destinations, Itineraries, & Pricing

Celebrity’s first river ships will sail the Danube and Rhine rivers in 2027, focusing on immersive experiences in Europe’s most iconic cities and hidden villages. Destinations include Vienna, Budapest, Amsterdam, Prague, and numerous smaller towns that offer authentic local experiences.

Shore excursions will range from private wine tastings in Austria to the thermal baths in Budapest, or cycling the riverbanks of the Danube.

Celebrity has announced multiple 7-night itineraries for the inaugural year.

Danube Routes

• Vienna & Budapest – Starting from $2,999 (River View) to $6,899 (Vista Balcony Suite)
• Christmas Markets – Special holiday sailings from $3,299 to $8,999

Rhine Routes

• New Year’s Celebrations – Starting from $2,999 (River View) to $6,899 (Vista Balcony Suite)
• Holiday Routes – Nuremberg to Basel Christmas cruises

All itineraries feature strategic overnight stays in key cities like Vienna and Budapest to allow for deeper exploration.

NEW: Celebrity has just released the actual sailing dates for each of these itineraries.

Celebrity Compass 2027 sailings:

• The Danube Budapest & Vienna: 8/5, 8/19, 9/2, 9/16, 9/30, 10/14, 10/28, 11/11
• The Danube Vienna & Budapest: 8/12, 8/26, 9/9, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18
• The Danube Budapest to Nuremberg Christmas Markets: 11/25, 12/9, 12/23
• The Danube Nuremberg to Budapest Christmas Markets: 12/2, 12/16
• The Rhine Nuremberg to Amsterdam New Year’s Eve: 12/30

Celebrity Seeker 2027 sailings:

• The Danube Budapest & Vienna: 10/21, 11/4, 11/18
• The Danube Vienna & Budapest: 10/28, 11/11
• The Danube Vilshofen to Budapest Christmas Markets: 11/25
• The Danube Budapest to Nuremberg Christmas Markets: 12/2, 12/16
• The Danube Nuremberg to Budapest Christmas Markets: 12/9
• The Rhine Nuremberg to Basel Holiday: 12/23
• The Rhine Basel to Amsterdam New Year’s Eve: 12/30

Pre and Post-Cruise Extensions

Celebrity will also offer curated land experiences in cities like Prague and Budapest, allowing guests to extend their journey with the same level of service and attention to detail found onboard. These pre- and post-cruise extensions will be available to book in early 2026.

Loyalty Program Integration

Existing Captain’s Club loyalty program members will will happy to know that loyalty tiers will extend to the rivers all well. These tiers will give guests access to new and different rewards with more details on tier benefits coming in 2026.

On Celebrity River Cruises, guests will earn Captain’s Club points as follow:

• River View: 8 points per night
• Infinite Balcony: 8 points per night
• Balcony: 12 points per night
• Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite: 18 points per night
• Vista Balcony Suite: 18 points per night

Booking and Availability

The river cruise program will be available soon for public booking for 2027 departures. Priority Booking Access became available on September 3rd, where guests could place a $500 refundable deposit to be among the first guests to book an actual voyage. These guests can begin to make selections on September 10th. Of note, due to unprecedented demand, Priority Booking Access closed in just 6 minutes.

The Bottom Line

Celebrity Cruises is bringing its ocean cruise expertise to Europe’s rivers with innovations that could reshape the river cruise experience. From the revolutionary Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites and Magic Edge dining pods to the most comprehensive dining program on the river and industry-leading ship design, Celebrity is positioning itself to dominate the premium river cruise market.

Are you booking? We certainly are!

Comments

What do you think of Celebrity River Cruises? Are you intrigued with the design and offerings? Drop us an anchor below to share whether or not you are ready to sail the rivers of Europe with Celebrity Cruises.