Celebrity unveils shore excursion program for river cruises

Celebrity River Cruises released its shore excursion program on Friday (March 13), revealing four different categories.

Local insiders lead the Storyteller Series and Skillmaster Series, while the Keys to the City Series gives guests the “tech-driven power” to explore on their own with insights curated to their unique interests and passions, according to a press release.

Available once per sailing, the Celebrity Takeover Series will deliver one-of-a-kind, bespoke experiences.

Whether in a port of call or on a pre- or post-cruise stay, the experiences aim to connect travellers to each destination’s culture in “deeply personal, richly immersive, and unforgettable ways.”

The experiences are available across all 2027 and 2028 Celebrity River Cruises itineraries, and pre- and post-cruise stays in Prague, Budapest and Amsterdam.

“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, in a press release.

“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.”

Storyteller Series: included, locally led 

Celebrity’s Storyteller Series offers experiences guided by residents, artists, and cultural insiders who call each destination home, the company said.

Guests can choose from multiple included experiences per port, each balancing iconic landmarks with hosts’ personal favorites and hidden stories that only locals know.

PHOTOS: Celebrity shares first look at upcoming river ships

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.

The brewer will show guests how centuries-old recipes shaped the city’s culture of connection and celebration.

Skillmaster Series: Included, hands-on experiences 

The Skillmaster Series promises 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: Included independent digital discovery

The Keys to the City Series provides guests with an included, tech-driven way to explore ports of call on their own, according to their personal interests.

Through a digital platform, guests access curated route maps tailored to specific interests such as art, history, food, and architecture.

Interactive maps, audio guides and video content 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.

Celebrity Takeover Series: Included, one-of-a-kind

The Celebrity Takeover Series offers exclusive, bespoke experiences once per sailing, transforming must-see European attractions and unassuming plazas into elevated private events available only to Celebrity River Cruises guests.

Each Celebrity Takeover Series is designed to be “the defining memory” of a guest's river cruise, the company said.  

Pre- and post-Cruise stays

Celebrity River Cruises guests can 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 includes daily small-group tours with local hosts, premium hotel accommodations, dedicated concierge service for dining reservations and private experiences, daily breakfast, and airport transfers.

Bookings are 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 also on sale now.

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