First Celebrity River Cruises Ship Completes Major Construction Milestone
Celebrity Cruises is one step closer to launching its first river cruise ship! Last week, the line celebrated the successful float out of Celebrity Compass, the first river vessel in its fleet.
The milestone marks the completion of the ship’s exterior construction and the first time it has touched water. The multi-day float out process began at Zwijnenburg shipyard in Rotterdam on Wednesday, September 9. Following the successful float out, Celebrity Compass then traveled her first 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) on the river, arriving at TeamCo Shipyard in Heusden this past Saturday.
“The float out of Celebrity Compass is a defining milestone as we bring our vision for Celebrity River Cruises to life,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “With Celebrity Compass, we’re reimagining river cruising The Celebrity Way, combining elevated design, exceptional hospitality, and destination-rich experiences to create a journey unlike any other on the river. As our inaugural ship enters the next phase of construction, we’re one step closer to welcoming guests aboard in 2027 and showing them a new way to discover the world’s iconic waterways.”
About Celebrity’s River Ships
Celebrity River Cruises ships will feel familiar to fans of the ocean vessels. Featuring the design the brand is already known for, the river vessels will feature open decks with 360-degree views, cantilevered dining pods called Magic Edge (bringing the Magic Carpet idea to the rivers!), and an infinity-edge plunge pool. Staterooms feature king-sized beds, spacious balconies, and intuitive storage, with five categories to choose from — all bathed in natural light.
River vessels will feature eight restaurants and bars, including familiar favorites like the Martini Bar, Sunset Bar, and Café al Bacio. Complimentary breakfast room service and flexible, all-day dining access means that Celebrity River Cruises will offer the only 24-7 meal options on the river.
