National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions and Celebrity Cruises Launch European River Cruises
Celebrity River Cruises will debut with two new ships in Europe in August 2027. (Rendering courtesy of Celebrity River Cruises)
Small-ship cruising is the best, and river cruises offer a fantastic way to enjoy intimate travel experiences in some of the most fascinating and historic parts of Europe.
Two companies well known for ocean cruising also have realized the allure of these river journeys — as well as the potential that they hold for their businesses — so they’re joining the party with their own takes on European river cruising.
Celebrity Cruises is building two innovative new river ships, and travelers are so excited that all the itineraries for the first season sold out almost immediately.
Also, longtime expedition cruise leader National Geographic-Lindblad has partnered with Transcend Cruises to offer river cruise voyages.
I’m excited for these new ships and itineraries.
Celebrity River Cruises Offers Voyages on the Danube and Rhine Rivers
The new Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker river ships from Celebrity River Cruises will carry 172 passengers (Rendering courtesy of Celebrity River Cruises)
Celebrity is building two ships. Celebrity Seeker and Celebrity Compass each carry up to 172 cruisers in 86 cabins and are scheduled to begin sailing in August 2027.
Celebrity River Cruises will offer some innovative concepts not seen on the rivers yet. Yes, they will have spacious indoor spaces and an elegant design that Celebrity is well known for, but they also will feature the first “Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites,” the Magic Edge cantilevered dining pods and an infinity-edge plunge pool.
Celebrity also says that the ships will offer the most outdoor space and dining options of any river cruises.
Cruisers can pick from itineraries on the Rhine and Danube rivers, with embarkation cities such as in Budapest, Hungary, Vilshofen or Nuremberg, Germany, and Vienna, Austria, or Basel, Swfitzerland.
Celebrity also has designed a series of holiday cruises to visit the wonderful European Christmas markets.
Here’s what cruisers can expect from the new Celebrity river ships and the river cruise program.
Celebrity is building river ships that blend the elevated design and sophistication of the line’s popular Edge Class ocean ships with the age-old wonder of European river cruising.
Celebrity River Cruises will set sail with an innovative hull, delivering a lightweight versatile design that improves river navigation.
Celebrity says the open decks will offer the most usable outdoor space of any river ship, allowing for uninterrupted, 360-degree views. The sun deck also features shade structures, comfy furniture and a bar and grille.
Magic Edge – the first-ever cantilevered dining pods – offer cruisers the chance to dine while floating above the river and enjoying regional, destination-driven cuisine. Plus, an infinity-edge plunge pool will be the spot to cool off while taking in the sights.
Five innovative, boutique stateroom categories, each bathed in natural light and deeply connected to surroundings, are designed not just for staying but for living with residential interior design, king-sized beds, and the most in-room amenities on the river.
Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker will each have a total of eight restaurants and bars, giving travelers a huge variety for food, drinks and places to hang out. The venues will include familar names such as the Martini Bar, Sunset Bar and Café Al Bacio.
The new river cruise line’s 33 seven-night sailings on the Rhine and Danube in 2027 will take travelers through the heart of Europe’s culture, history and charming towns and cities.
Let’s have a look at the staterooms.
The ships offer five cabin categories, all with king-size beds. Suites have included laundry service, butlers and exclusive happy hour. Cruisers who book a suite get a premium drink package, exclusive dining experience once per sailing and room service.
Standard stateroom amenities include concierge and turndown service, classic drinks package and in-room breakfast.
The vista balcony suite, which is 258 square feet, has a separate living and sleeping area and a bathroom with dual sinks. The suite includes a private butler.
The “Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite” is a 233-square-foot space with floor-to-ceiling windows, butler service and a minibar.
National Geographic-Lindblad Creates Its First European River Expeditions
Transcend Cruises new ship Transcend Connect will be used by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions for the line's first European river expeditions. (Rendering courtesy of Transcend Cruises)
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, the modern expedition cruise pioneers, and river cruise charter company Transcend Cruise have announced a multi-year charter agreement that brings Nat Geo into the European river cruising market. This is good news for adventurous travelers looking to experience the continent's iconic waterways in a new way.
The initial agreement with Transcend Cruises runs through at least 2028, allowing National Geographic to operate immersive voyages on Transcend's luxury newbuild ships.
Cruisers can expect a series of customized itineraries expertly crafted to give you the opportunity to venture closer, deeper and farther into a variety of exciting destinations along the rivers.
Each voyage will be staffed by veteran expedition Leaders, several knowledgeable field staff and at least one National Geographic expert. Cruisers will go on private tours, exclusive tastings and other expertly curated shore excursions.
For more than 50 years, Lindblad Expeditions has explored some of the most iconic waterways—including the Peruvian Amazon, the Egypt’s Nile River and the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the U.S. Pacific Northwest -- however, this partnership is a historic first for the co-brand, which has never offered river expeditions in Europe before.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions will offer two itineraries aboard the brand-new river ship Connect.
Holland and Belgium: Medieval History and Scenic Waterways and Rhine River: Castles, Culture and Culinary Delights are eight-day voyages feature private tours, exclusive cultural experiences and exceptional cuisine.
Traditionally, expedition cruises on the oceans and other waterways focus more on wildlife and active exploration via hiking, kayaking and Zodiac rides. However, these European river expeditions offer an emphasis on Europe’s rich history, culture and food.
The 120-passenger Transcend Connect will sail for the first time in 2026, giving National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions travelers the opportunity to experience a range of luxurious amenities onboard. The ship features a large wellness area and several dining venues, including an al fresco bar and grill. Plus, there is the two-story amphitheater-style Forum available for expedition staff to give daily recaps.
The ship features 60 210-square-foot staterooms. The cabins connect so that they are convertible to become a 420-square-foot suite. Each stateroom offers two large wardrobe closets, a smart glass spa shower and full-width floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the incredible river views.
The ship also is ideal for wellness and fitness enthusiasts, with a sauna and fleet of bikes, as well as a gym.