Celebrity Cruises has reached a major construction milestone in the development of its new river cruise brand, with Celebrity Compass – the first ship in the Celebrity River Cruises fleet – successfully completing its float out in Rotterdam.
The multi-day process began at the Zwijnenburg shipyard on 9 September, marking the completion of the vessel’s exterior construction and the first time the ship has touched water. Celebrity Compass then travelled her first 80 kilometres on the river, arriving at TeamCo Shipyard in Heusden on 12 September.
The milestone brings the brand, part of Royal Caribbean Group, a step closer to its debut, with Celebrity Compass set to sail in August 2027.
As the inaugural ship in the fleet, Celebrity Compass will introduce the line’s signature approach to elevated travel on the world’s rivers, pairing contemporary design with destination-focused itineraries. Onboard features will include 360-degree open decks, an infinity-edge plunge pool and the Magic Edge – billed as the first cantilevered dining pods on a river.
Staterooms will come in five boutique categories, each with king-sized beds and a private balcony. Dining and drinking options span eight venues, including Celebrity mainstays Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and Café Al Bacio, alongside complimentary breakfast room service and round-the-clock dining access.
“The float out of Celebrity Compass is a defining milestone as we bring our vision for Celebrity River Cruises to life,” said Celebrity Cruises president Laura Hodges Bethge.
“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.”
