Tag Archives: #Celebrity Cruise Line

River cruising just got even more exciting. Celebrity Cruises has unveiled a brand-new shore experience program designed to take travelers beyond the typical excursion and deeper into each destination. Known for elevating the cruise experience, Celebrity is now bringing that same level of innovation to river cruising—offering curated, immersive experiences that focus on culture, connection, and unforgettable moments ashore. Whether you’re exploring charming European towns or iconic cities along the river, this new program promises to transform how you experience every stop along the way. “On a Celebrity River Cruises vacation, no two days are the same because no two places are. We’ve built a destination program that connects guests to Europe more personally than anything the river cruise industry has offered before,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “With our groundbreaking destination discovery options, paired with thoughtfully crafted spaces onboard that inspire relaxation and connection, Celebrity River Cruises guests will return home with stories no one else can tell.” Whether in a port of call or on a pre- or post-cruise stay, these thoughtfully curated experiences will connect travelers to each destination’s culture in deeply personal, richly immersive, and unforgettable ways throughout their Celebrity River Cruises vacation. Available across all 2027 and 2028 Celebrity River Cruises itineraries, and pre- and post-cruise stays in Prague, Budapest and Amsterdam. Storyteller Series Included, hands-on experiences invite guests to actively participate in local culture. These experiences will be guided by residents, artists, and cultural insiders who call each destination home. Guests will be able to choose from multiple included experiences per port, each balancing iconic landmarks with hosts’ personal favorites and hidden stories that only locals know. For example, in Amsterdam a canal captain will share Amsterdam’s centuries-long relationship with water, showing guests an unseen side of the city’s iconic waterways. Guests will cruise hidden passages, through the eyes of someone with deep family ties to the region, as they admire the city’s oldest building, Oude Kerk, board a legendary Dutch trading ship, and learn about modern canal engineering.  In Prague, guests who enjoy discovering a city through food and drink will be led through the city’s rich brewing traditions by a local brewer. From the brewer’s unique perspective, guests will explore historic breweries like the bustling U Vejvodu Tavern to beer-infused artisanal shops. Taking a journey that blends history and hospitality into every pour, the brewer will show guests how centuries-old recipes shaped the city’s culture of connection and celebration. Skillmaster Series Included, hands-on experiences invite guests to actively participate in local culture  These excursions will feature included, locally led experiences that go beyond sightseeing. Guests craft, cook, and create alongside the artisans and makers who shape each destination’s cultural identity. For example, in Budapest a local Mamika (grandmother) will lead aspiring culinarians through generations-old Hungarian recipes from her own home kitchen. After selecting ingredients at the local Central Market Hall, guests will uncover the dishes that bring Budapest’s soul to the table through each of the Mamika’s treasured family recipes and cooking secrets.  In Amsterdam, a local artist leads a painting class that immerses guests in the imagination of Van Gogh. After exploring the famed painter’s works at the iconic Van Gogh Museum, guests will discover the settings that influenced some of his greatest pieces while learning some of the techniques he used to turn emotion into color and movement into meaning. Keys to the City Series Through an innovative digital platform, guests will have access to curated route maps tailored to specific interests such as art, history, food, and architecture. Interactive maps, audio guides and video content will lead guests off the beaten tourist path to interest-led locations where stationed local hosts provide behind-the-scenes access and exclusive experiences at working studios and craft sites to create moments of surprise and delight. For example, architecture enthusiasts in Bratislava will follow their curiosity to St. Martin’s Cathedral, hearing from a local historian who brings its coronation past to life, before hiking to Bratislava Castle to see how the fortress has watched centuries of change, then pausing beneath the modern span of the UFO Bridge with an architect who explains its bold vision. Or, uncover the city’s authentic Slovak flavors from raising a glass in a traditional Slovak pub while a generational brewer pours his stories into every craft drop, to tasting delicate sweets in a family-run pastry shop where the baker shares recipes passed down through decades. Guests will curate their adventure, shaping their own path to uncover the stories of cities exactly as they choose. Celebrity Takeover Series Offering exclusive, bespoke experiences once per sailing, this will be your chance to experience transforming must-see European attractions and unassuming plazas with elevated private events available only to Celebrity River Cruises guests. Each Celebrity Takeover Series indulgent bucket-list experience is designed to be the defining memory of a guest’s Celebrity River Cruises vacation. Pre- and Post-Cruise Stays Experience The Celebrity Way before and after every sailing. Celebrity River Cruises guests will be able to extend their journey with multi-day pre- and post-cruise stays that carry the same locally-led, small-group discovery philosophy as every sailing. Available in Prague and Budapest beginning in 2027, and also Amsterdam in 2028, each stay will include daily small-group tours with local hosts, premium hotel accommodations, dedicated concierge service for dining reservations and private experiences, daily breakfast, and airport transfers. The result will be a seamless, end-to-end journey from arrival to departure with no gap between the onboard Celebrity River Cruises experience and the destination discovery that defines it. Bookings will open for 2027 and 2028 pre- and post-cruise stays this summer, and all other destination experiences will open for booking in 2027. Celebrity River Cruises sailings are on sale now. To experience Europe’s rivers The Celebrity Way, visit Celebrity River Cruises, contact a Celebrity River Cruises expert at 1-833-474-8803, visit Future Cruise on board, or contact a trusted travel advisor. Do you have travel insurance for your next cruise? The best day to buy it is the day youContinueContinue reading “Celebrity River Cruises Unveils New Shore Experience Program”