Celebrity Cruises’ first river cruise ship, Celebrity Compass, has been floated and moved to the fitting-out yard, with the ship set to launch the ocean cruise line into river cruising in August 2027.
Celebrity announced plans to expand into European river cruising in January 2025, committing to build 10 ships, and parent Royal Caribbean Group reported that contracts for the first four ships in the initial order of 10 for Celebrity River Cruises have been executed.
Celebrity River Cruises announced in January 2026 a further commitment for 10 additional ships, expanding its river cruise fleet to 20 vessels by 2031.
Celebrity Compass hits the water, charting bold rivers. – Image – Celebrity Cruises
Construction of the first hull began in January 2026 at the Zwijnenburg shipyard in Rotterdam, and the float-out started on September 9. The first hull, to be named Celebrity Compass, travelled about 50 miles to the TeamCo yard on September 12, and Zwijnenburg said the second hull will follow within 12 weeks.
Each vessel is approximately 135 meters (443 feet) long and can accommodate up to 170 passengers, with a modern exterior profile and lightweight hulls designed to provide smoother sailing, even in low-water conditions.
Celebrity says it expects the design will permit “fewer itinerary interruptions along the way”, with European river cruising and commercial river shipping heavily affected by low water levels on some rivers, including the Danube and the Rhine.
Rendering Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity expects to attract many of its loyal ocean-cruising passengers to river cruising; therefore, mimicking the style of its ocean ships, the river cruise ships will feature six dining options and include a top-deck bar and lounge.
The river ships include well-known spaces from the ocean ships, including the Martini Bar, Café al Bacio, and the Sunset Bar.
Each ship will have 86 passenger staterooms, including 12 suites, 27 balcony staterooms, 31 with an “infinite balcony” (French balconies with lowering windows), and 16 river view staterooms.
Celebrity Compass will sail on the Danube between Budapest, Hungary, and Vilshofen, Germany, and will be joined by the Celebrity Seeker in October 2027; in December, it will expand to the Rhine before the season ends at the New Year.
Celebrity plans to expand the offering with a more complete program in 2028, including the introduction of Celebrity Wanderer in April, Celebrity Roamer in July, and Celebrity Boundless in September.
By: John Alwyn-Jones – © 2026.
Read Time: 3 minutes.
Author Bio:
John Alwyn-Jones is one of those rare figures who can make the business of travel sound positively adventurous.
A lifelong communicator with the polish of a broadcaster and the curiosity of a journalist, he’s spent decades shaping stories and strategies across tourism, aviation, and the cruise world. He’s led from the front as CEO, director, mentor, and advisor, and still brings warmth and wit to every boardroom and microphone.
Known for his sharp insight into global cruise lines and destinations, John has an old-school belief in professionalism, tempered with the sparkle of someone who’s genuinely seen the world. He’s not just in the travel business; he’s made it an art form.
