Celebrity Cruises has floated out Celebrity Compass, the first ship in its Celebrity River Cruises fleet, completing the vessel’s exterior construction ahead of a scheduled debut in August 2027.
The multi day float out began at the Zwijnenburg shipyard in Rotterdam on Wednesday 9 September and marked the first time the ship had touched water. Celebrity Compass then travelled 80 kilometres on the river, arriving at TeamCo Shipyard in Heusden on Saturday 12 September, where it now moves into the next phase of construction.
The ship is the inaugural vessel in the line’s river fleet and carries design cues from its ocean ships. Open decks run the length of the vessel to give 360 degree views, and a cantilevered dining space called Magic Edge extends out over the water. An infinity edge plunge pool sits on the open deck.
Staterooms are grouped into five categories, each with king size beds and balconies. Celebrity says the layouts have been configured for storage and natural light, with residential style interiors.
Dining runs across eight restaurants and bars, among them three venues carried across from the ocean fleet: the Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and Café Al Bacio. The line says breakfast room service is complimentary and that meals will be available at any hour of the day or night, which it describes as the only round the clock dining option on the river.
The hull has been built to a lightweight profile that Celebrity says improves navigation on river routes, and the ship uses a hybrid propulsion system the line says reduces noise and vibration on board. Celebrity Compass now enters the fit out stage at Heusden before delivery and sea trials ahead of its first season.