Celebrity River Cruises Launches Pre & Post Stays in Four European Cities
by Bruce Parkinson
Before and After stays give Celebrity Cruises guests a real taste of Europe.
Celebrity River Cruises guests can discover more of Europe with guided, multi-day ‘Before and After Stays’ — which the line describes as “thoughtfully curated, end-to-end destination experiences.”
2027 programs in Prague and Budapest and 2028 programs adding Amsterdam and Lausanne are now open for booking.
An extension of the Celebrity River Cruises’ onboard experience, each two- or three-night stay offers locally led destination discovery opportunities. Before and After Stays feature the elevated feel and signature hospitality Celebrity Cruises is known for.
“Every element of a Celebrity River Cruises sailing is designed to bring guests closer to Europe’s culture, history and people, onboard and ashore,” said president Laura Hodges Bethge.
“Our Before and After Stays are more than an extension of a Celebrity River Cruises vacation, these stays are designed to deepen connection — to the cities, to the people who bring them to life, and to each other — leaving guests with the kind of stories and feelings that only come from truly getting close to a place.”

Authentic Experiences, Led by Locals
Every Before and After Stay includes one Discovery Collection tour each day. The line says these tours are built around each city’s most rare, remarkable, and authentic stories.
Guests can choose one of at least three themed tour options each day, allowing them to explore each city through their own interests — whether it’s history, food, art, or just the feeling of wandering somewhere that feels entirely new — at their own pace.
- Local Storytellers are local experts, not tour guides. They lead small groups on one included tour per day. The tours go beyond landmarks to the moments that define local life.
- Destination Insiders act as trusted local friends. They know each city better than any guidebook and help guests find its most authentic experiences.
In Amsterdam, a contemporary artist who calls the city home leads guests through Amsterdam’s street art scene, revealing a city where creativity lives in public. This Local Storyteller takes guests to Amsterdam’s most vibrant creative districts, where monumental murals and evolving walls show how the city has protected creative freedom.
The day ends with guests picking up a spray can and co-creating a piece on the wall themselves, transforming them from observers into active participants.

Here’s an example of a daily choice in Prague:
- If guests are drawn to history and mystery, they follow the mystical trail of alchemists and ancient scholars through Gothic spires and hidden symbols.
- For the history buffs who want an even richer experience, they can descend into Prague’s shadowed defenses — medieval walls, secret bunkers, and Cold War shelters that witnessed centuries of survival.
- For guests who best discover a destination through food and drink culture, they can trace the city’s soul through centuries of Czech beer heritage, historic taverns, and the stories poured into every glass.
Before and After Stays are an extension of Celebrity River Cruises’ premium onboard experience, bringing Celebrity’s service-first approach to each city. Every Before and After Stay also includes centrally located premium or ultra-premium hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts, and ship transfers.





