Celebrity Cruises Enters River Cruising with Exciting New Ships

Celebrity Cruises, a top name in ocean trips, is now heading into river cruises. They plan to launch their first river ship in 2027. This move brings their famous style to Europe’s rivers. Fans of big sea ships can now enjoy similar fun on smaller waters. The news has travel experts buzzing about easy switches for old customers. Let’s explore what makes this launch special and why it could change river trips.

Why Celebrity is Jumping into River Cruises

1. Celebrity started ocean cruises in 1988. Now, they want to grow by adding river options.
2. Their first river ship, the Celebrity Compass, sails in August 2027. The second, the Celebrity Seeker, follows in October 2027.
3. Both ships will cruise the Rhine and Danube rivers. These spots offer pretty views and old towns in Europe.
4. The company ordered 10 river ships total. This shows big plans for the future.

River cruising is hot right now. Many people love the calm pace and close-up looks at places. Celebrity aims to pull in their loyal fans who sail on ocean ships.

Ship Design Brings Ocean Vibes to Rivers

Celebrity keeps what people love from their sea ships but makes it fit rivers.

1. The ships look like the Edge-class ocean boats. They hold 172 guests each, much smaller than ocean giants.
2. Key spots include the Martini Bar, Sunset Bar, and Cafe al Bacio. These favorites get a cute, smaller size.
3. A new hit is the Magic Edge. It’s a hanging dining spot, the first on a river ship. It comes from the Magic Carpet on Edge ships.
4. The top deck stays open for full views. No big walls block the sights.
5. The pool sits at the back, one level down from the deck. This skips issues with low bridges.
6. Front areas near the driver’s spot lower down. Guests get better peeks during the ride.

Celebrity calls these “the most innovative on the water.” They even seek patents for some ideas. This mix of new and old draws in folks who know the brand.

Food and Drink Take Center Stage

One big draw is the eating and drinking scene.

1. Eight spots for meals and drinks beat most river ships. That’s more choice than usual.
2. Try the bar and grill, outdoor eating, or a chef’s table for fancy bites.
3. Food comes 24 hours a day. Breakfast room service is free for all rooms.
4. Suite guests get free room service anytime. No extra cost for any meal.
5. Fresh local foods from Europe stops add taste. Think farm-fresh picks along the way.

President Laura Hodges Bethge said, “One of our guest passion points is food and drink. They expect really high quality — that also means variety.” This focus matches what ocean fans love.

Trips and Where They Go

The ships offer lots of ways to see Europe.

1. Celebrity Compass has five trips. The Seeker adds seven more.
2. All sail the Rhine and Danube. These rivers hit spots like Germany, Austria, and Hungary.
3. Trips mix city stops with quiet sails. Perfect for history buffs and relaxers.

More details on exact paths come soon. But early buzz says they hit top sights.

Who This is For and Early Buzz

Celebrity targets their current crowd.

1. Think fans of Aqua class or The Retreat. These are high-end ocean perks.
2. Travel pros say it’s an easy jump. One advisor called booking rush “like a Rolling Stones concert in the ’80s.”
3. A $500 refundable deposit got first dibs in early September. It sold out in six minutes.
4. Advisors like the trust in the name. One said it’s like Viking’s mix of river and sea trips.

Stephanie Goldberg-Glazer, a travel boss, noted, “I think they’re trying to capture their current clientele that is used to sailing in the Aqua class and the Retreat.” This pulls in upscale seekers.

How It Stacks Up to Others

River cruising has big players like Viking and Avalon.

1. Celebrity stands out with ocean-style fun. More bars and eats than most.
2. The Magic Edge sets it apart. No other river ship has that yet.
3. Pricing stays secret for now. But expect mid-to-high range to match quality.
4. Launch in 2027 gives time to build hype. Early sells show strong want.

Missy Skoog, a travel leader, said the brand switch feels smooth. “It was like a Rolling Stones concert in the ’80s.” Fans see it as a fresh twist on known comfort.

What Guests Can Expect on Board

Rooms and fun fit the Celebrity way.

1. All cabins get perks like free breakfast drops. Suites up the game with full meals.
2. Sundeck views stay wide open. No bridge blocks spoil the show.
3. Hodges Bethge added, “Our guests have told us that they love coming to Europe with us. So we wanted to get them as close to the destination as we could.”
4. The ships feel like mini ocean stars. Petite but packed with hits.

This setup woos sea sailors to try rivers. No big learning curve.

Booking and Next Steps

Get ready if you want in early.

1. Deposits flew fast. More spots open soon.
2. Advisors push it for loyal clients. Easy add to Europe plans.
3. Watch for full prices and dates. They drop closer to launch.
4. The goal? Keep the Celebrity magic alive. Hodges Bethge said, “It’s important for us that we are Celebrity Cruises. Whether that’s the ocean or the river, we truly are Celebrity Cruises.”

This river push grows the brand. It taps Europe’s pull with trusted style.

Why This Matters for Travelers

River cruises boom for good reason. Calm sails, port hops, and no sea sick. Celebrity adds polish.

1. Pulls in newbies via old fans. No scary unknowns.
2. Innovates without wild changes. Safe bet for trips.
3. Europe focus hits hot spots. Rhine and Danube draw crowds.

As 2027 nears, eyes stay on Celebrity. This could shake up river ranks.

Travelers win with more choice. From martinis to Danube views, it blends best of both worlds.

The launch promises thrills. Book early to snag a spot on these game-changers.