Key Aspects:
- Celebrity River Cruises unveiled design details of its first two ships, along with their names: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker.
- In a concept borrowed from Celebrity Cruises’ Magic Carpet venue, the new river ships will feature Magic Edge, a cantilevered dining platform.
- The river brand will offer 33 7-night voyages along the Rhine and Danube rivers starting in 2027.
Celebrity River Cruises, an offshoot of premium line Celebrity Cruises, has revealed several pioneering aspects of ship design and onboard amenities that promise to enhance the river cruise vacation experience.
The new river brand, which Celebrity Cruises announced in January 2025, also disclosed the names of the first two ships in a planned 10-ship fleet: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, both set to debut in 2027
Slated to sail the Rhine and Danube rivers, the ships will break new ground by providing all-day dining, a service not found on other river lines, and eight restaurants and bars — a novel concept since other river lines typically have one main dining room and lounge, and perhaps a special Chef’s Table venue.
And in what is likely to emerge as a particularly impressive venue, the river brand disclosed that its ships will feature Magic Edge, a cantilevered dining space that floats above the water. It is a nod to the popular Magic Carpet multi-function venue found onboard Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class ocean-going ships.
In fact, when Celebrity Cruises announced the creation of its river cruise unit, officials promised that some of the river ship designs would expand on Edge-class elements.
“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.Â
Let’s take a closer look at the concepts that will be introduced onboard Celebrity’s river ships.
First, the ships’ designs feature open decks, which will offer much more open space and open water views than other river vessels, since virtually all river ships have just one open deck — the top deck.
Dining choices will include the Magic Edge venue, where culinary choices will reflect the destinations where the ships are sailing. Bars and lounges borrowed from the ocean-going fleet will include Martini Bar, Sunset Bar, and Café Al Bacio.
Also, a top-deck bar and grille eatery will enable guests to dine al fresco while enjoying scenic river views. The top decks also will have a recreational element, in the form of an infinity-edge plunge pool.
Several unique design aspects of the ships’ staterooms were revealed. All cabins will feature king-size beds in five categories.
Guests booking suites will have use of an on-demand butler, called Butler Chat, along with priority booking for shore excursions, and free laundry service once per cruise, among other perks.
Top Suite to Offer Separate Living Space, Skylight
Accommodation choices include the spacious Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites, with separate living and bedrooms, and a ceiling window that provides natural light. Vista Balcony Suites and Balcony cabins offer private outdoor spaces, while River View staterooms provide natural light but without balconies.
Read Also: River Cruise vs. Ocean Cruise: What’s the Difference?
Guests in all categories will enjoy stocked mini bars included in the cruise fare.
Celebrity River Cruises will offer 33 7-night voyages on the Rhine and Danube rivers, and shore excursions will tempt guests to sign up for experiences such as private wine tastings in Austria and visits to thermal baths in Budapest, for instance.
Pre- and post-cruise land stays will also be offered. While specific itineraries have not yet been disclosed or opened for sale, the river cruise brand is currently accepting $500 deposits, starting on September 3, 2025, which provide guests with Priority Booking Access once the 2027 itineraries open for sale.
The refundable deposits, announced by the river line on August 19, 2025, will be converted into bookings by guests once cruises open for sale in 2026. Anyone who makes a deposit will get the first look at the ships’ itineraries and be able to book before sales open to the general public.
