A new river cruise line will set sail on Europe’s Rhine and Danube rivers in 2027. But it’s not an unknown entity. Veteran ocean line Celebrity Cruises plans to launch its own new river cruise brand — Celebrity River Cruises!
And while most folks know Celebrity as a well-established premium ocean cruise product with 14 large ships, it also operates the intimate Celebrity Flora, sailing within the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador.
But now, the premium line is becoming a bigger player in the small-ship arena with its entry into European river cruising. That decision was announced in early 2025.
Ten new ships are on order. Two of those — the 172-passenger Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker will launch in 2027. And now the cruise line has provided some additional details about accommodations and some of the ships’ features.
(Shown above is a rendering of the Celebrity river vessel design. Photo by Celebrity River Cruises.)
River Cruising a Bit Different Way
Celebrity says its guests will enjoy a river cruising vacation in a bit different way. It cites open decks, spacious staterooms, an enhanced dining focus and unique experiences.
Even its itineraries will be a bit different at times with multiple ports a day and overnight stays.
“Celebrity’s new river cruise product is definitely beckoning loyal Celebrity past guests as well as other travelers,” says Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel. “A good barometer of demand is that a Celebrity Priority Booking Access offer requiring a $500 deposit ‘sold out’ in just six minutes, the line has reported.”
Bookings are expected to open for public sale in a few months. “Given the robust consumer demand, we’ve added an Interest Page to our website so travelers can express their interest in learning more,” says Steudle. “As the line releases more details, we’ll keep you posted about the latest developments and help plan your Celebrity river cruise vacation.”
Ocean to River
Readers may wonder: “Why is an ocean line getting into the river side of the business?”
Well, the answer is, not surprisingly, rooted in research. Celebrity says that half of its ocean guests have already experienced a river cruise or intend to take one in the future.
So, it’s clear that demand for river cruising as a vacation is strong. And that’s the case even among ocean travelers who typically have sailed on larger ships.
From the line’s perspective, “Celebrity River Cruises ships will be the most innovative on the river,” says Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. She points to the river ships’ patent-pending design.
She adds: “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 River Cruises’ Open Deck Areas
Celebrity says that its new European river vessels will offer open decks with “the most usable outdoor space of any river ship and remain accessible throughout the entire journey, immersing vacationers in uninterrupted, 360-degree views.”
One razzle-dazzle option is that guests can choose to dine floating above the river on the Magic Edge. What’s that all about? It’s essentially akin in many ways to the Magic Carpet, which is a viewing/seating/dining platform cantilevered off the side of Celebrity’s Edge-class ocean ships.
So, if you sail on one of the Celebrity river vessels, you’ll discover the first-ever cantilevered dining pods on a river ship.
Separately, atop the river vessel, travelers will find shade structures, furniture and a bar and grill. The goal is to maximize guests’ time on deck. And guests can take in the sights while cooling off in an infinity-edge plunge pool.
Elegant Staterooms on Celebrity River Cruises
Celebrity says stateroom design will focus not simply on “staying” but on “living” with enhanced configuration, intuitive storage, king-sized beds in every stateroom and spacious balconies. Look for five stateroom categories and what the line describes as “the most in-room amenities on the river.”
All guests will enjoy complimentary stocked mini bars and destination-inspired amenities. They’ll also feel pampered with luxury linens, bedding, bathrobes and slippers.
Suite guests also enjoy a dedicated, on-demand butler through “Butler Chat.” Those suite guests will also receive complimentary exclusive dining, room service and happy hour experiences, complimentary laundry once each sailing, and priority shore excursion bookings.
Do you enjoy Celebrity’s Infinite Veranda concept, made famous on its Edge-class ocean ships? Well, the good news is that the new Celebrity River Cruises’ vessels will offer something similar — but in a bit different way.
In a design first, Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites will feature a separate living area plus a large ceiling window (see photo above) for unbeatable natural light.
In addition, the design of both Vista Balcony Suites and Balcony staterooms will offer more usable outdoor space. Plus, River View staterooms will provide natural light.
Celebrity River Cruises: 8 Restaurants and Bars
Guests will discover eight restaurants and bars including Celebrity-favorite venues Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and Cafe Al Bacio. The onboard menus will be destination-driven and evolve throughout each itinerary.
For travelers desiring to taste local flavors, Celebrity’s river vessels will offer locally baked morning pastries and regionally inspired dinners. Guests can savor the day on their own time with complimentary breakfast room service.
One “wow” feature we can’t wait to experience is the all-day dining access. Celebrity plans to introduce the only 24/7 meal options on the rivers.
Destination Experiences
Itinerary-wise, Celebrity’s new river line will offer 33 seven-night sailings on the Rhine and Danube in 2027. Of most interest is that, in many cases, the itineraries will offer multiple ports per day, plus overnight experiences.
From private wine tastings in Austria to thermal baths in Budapest, or cycling along the Danube’s riverbanks, every experience is being designed to bring out what is rare, real, and remarkable.
In addition, pre- and post-cruise stays – available to book in early 2026 – will extend guests’ time in such iconic cities as Prague, the Czech Republic, and Budapest, Hungary.
Celebrity River Cruises: Innovative Hardware
Celebrity’s ships are likely to be head-turners, given their unique exterior profile. An innovative hull will improve river navigation. In addition, each river vessel will have a best-in-class hybrid propulsion system.
Advanced technology will help reduce propulsion noise and vibration. And each vessel will also operate with the latest waste management system.
Captain’s Club Perks on Celebrity River Cruises
Good news for Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club members! “Their loyalty tiers now extend to river vacations,” emphasizes Pavlus‘ Steudle.
So, guests will have 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.
Celebrity plans to share more details on the specific tier benefits in 2026. So, get ready for a 2027 river cruise vacation with a new — yet highly familiar — player.
Building on its success on the world’s oceans, Celebrity River Cruises is headed for European rivers! Talk to your personal travel planner today about a 2027 vacation on the Rhine or Danube. We can’t wait to sail on this new river cruise product!
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