Two forthcoming river ships from Celebrity Cruises will follow a stunning design template with plenty of open deck space, innovative staterooms, an infinity pool, and a huge variety of restaurants and bars, the line tells Travel + Leisure exclusively.
The new ships, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, are slated to arrive in 2027, as the first of a fleet of European river ships from the World’s Best Award–winning brand.
Among the most eye-catching features will be what Celebrity calls Magic Edge, a series of “cantilevered dining pods” that will extend from the ship to create cozy dining nooks unlike anything currently operating on rivers like the Danube and Rhine.
“I’m really excited about the transformative nature of these vessels,” Laura Hodges Bethge, the president of Celebrity Cruises, told T+L.
Each of the twin ships will accommodate 172 guests across five stateroom categories, all featuring balconies. Some cabins will also feature skylights and what Celebrity calls “infinite verandas,” or multi-purpose areas that can be open to the elements like a traditional balcony or closed off behind glass to be used as an indoor space bathed in natural light.
A standout element of this new class of river ship will be the open-air decks, according to Hodges Bethge. “I’m really excited about bringing Edge class architecture and design to the rivers,” she noted, referencing the highly regarded ocean-going ships that have made Celebrity a favorite of T+L readers. Among the features up top will be those innovative, swing-out dining pods, as well as retractable shade structures, a swimming pool, and a bar-and-grill dining concept for al fresco meals in stunning locales. “If you’re in this gorgeous, scenic place, you don’t want to be stuck inside a dining room where you can’t enjoy it,” Hodges Bethge added.
Dining is slated to be another key differentiator for these vessels, with eight different food and beverage venues, plus room service—an ammenity not commonly found on European river ships. Among the choices will be fan-favorite venues drawn from the ocean fleet, including Café Al Bacio, Martini Bar, and Sunset Bar. “We’re going to have an amazing ‘chef’s table’ on board as well,” Hodges Bethge told T+L, with menus geared toward destination specialties that put a spotlight on “local delicacies.”
The two new ships are expected to enter service in 2027, when Celebrity will launch a schedule of 33 week-long itineraries along both the Danube and Rhine rivers. Rates, which will start at $2,999 per person, will be fully inclusive with a choice of shore excursions at no additional cost.
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