Celebrity Cruises to Launch 10 European Riverboats, Starting in 2027

Celebrity Cruises has just revealed that it will enter the European river cruise market with a fleet of 10 vessels, beginning in 2027. The first two will be named Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker.

The line’s new brand, called Celebrity River Cruises, promises to bring the same level of “elevated design and sophistication of the Edge Series ocean ships to the river,” according to a press release from the line. 

“Celebrity River Cruises ships will be the most innovative on the river, with a patent-pending industry-leading 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.”

Booking deposits are now open, and pricing will be all-inclusive, extending to beverages and daily shore excursions.

Editor’s note: This story was last updated on September 3, 2025.

“We’re thrilled to announce our entry into the river cruise market through our Celebrity Cruises premium travel brand,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of parent Royal Caribbean Group. “Our guests and travel partners should expect us to do what we do best — innovate and elevate the river cruise experience as we meet the growing demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences.”

Liberty explained that about half of the company’s guests have experienced, or intend to experience, a river cruise,  prompting the line to introduce its own elevated option.

“By leveraging our valuable loyalty programs across our three brands, we will deepen customer engagement and further our ability to keep guests within our ecosystem of vacation offerings,” he added. “We are the best in the world at delivering the vacation of a lifetime, and this is the latest example of how we are building the capabilities to deliver a lifetime of vacations.”

We are the best in the world at delivering the vacation of a lifetime, and this is the latest example of how we are building the capabilities to deliver a lifetime of vacations.

Celebrity says its riverboats will visit historic cities on iconic rivers while navigating unique itineraries.

Hardware

As for hardware, renderings display an exterior delineated by light, with a central signature “X” marking the spot, so to speak. Onboard, the line will deliver its “service-first approach to the river,” according to Celebrity, with 360-degree views of the surroundings.

The line says it will “offer the most usable outdoor space of any river ship,” including an exterior infinity pool at the stern. Cantilevered dining pods at the Magic Edge promise to allow guests the enjoyment of meals while “floating” above the river.

The top deck will be rounded out by shade structures and furnishings, as well as a bar and grill. And an all-weather indoor lounge will also be available on a lower level.

Dining

Additional dining will extend to a total of eight restaurants and bars ranging from Celebrity guest favorites Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and Cafe Al Bacio to complimentary breakfast room service and other all-day meal offerings.

Private Accommodations

Clients will be able to choose from five stateroom categories, all featuring king-sized beds and complimentary mini bars. Carrying over from the Edge class of ocean ships will be the Infinite Veranda concept courtesy of Infinite Balcony staterooms and Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites with ceiling windows and delineated living areas.

Suites will include services of a dedicated butler, plus exclusive dining, room service, happy hour experiences, once-per-sailing laundry and priority reservations of shore excursions.

Other available cabins will be Vista Balcony Suites and Balcony and River View staterooms.

Itineraries

Altogether, Celebrity will highlight 33 seven-night itineraries along the Rhine and Danube rivers including the likes of Budapest, the Wachau Valley and Prague via pre- and post-cruise extensions.

The riverboats will sport a lightweight hull design for improved navigation and hybrid propulsion, waste management systems and noise and vibration technologies to remain committed to sustainability in the regions they sail.

“Celebrity River Cruises will bring the quality and sophistication of our Edge Series ocean ships to the most iconic rivers, starting with Europe,” added Bethge. “We’ve redefined travel on the ocean with our best-in-class hospitality, award-winning food and beverage experiences, and elevated design and style. We are thrilled to bring these experiences to the river and combine them with authentic, destination-rich itineraries that will give our guests an experience unlike any other.”