Celebrity River Cruises Takes New Approach to Shore Excursions

Celebrity River Cruises has unveiled a new destination discovery program that features four experience categories, each designed for guests to take home compelling stories. 

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

Whether in a port of call or on a pre- or post-cruise stay, these curated experiences will connect travellers to each destination’s culture in personal and immersive ways throughout their Celebrity River Cruises vacation. The shore excursions will be available across all 2027 and 2028 Celebrity River Cruises itineraries. 

“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 president Laura Hodges Bethge. 

“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

Celebrity River Cruises’ Storyteller Series offers experiences guided by residents, artists, and cultural insiders who call each destination home. Guests can choose from multiple included experiences per port,  balancing iconic landmarks with hosts’ personal favourites 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.   

Skillmaster Series

Celebrity River Cruises’ Skillmaster Series features 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.  

Keys to the City Series

Celebrity River Cruises’ 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 an innovative 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.

Celebrity Takeover Series

The Celebrity Takeover Series offers exclusive 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 indulgent bucket-list experience is designed to be the defining memory of a guest’s Celebrity River Cruises vacation.  

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 open for 2027 and 2028 pre- and post-cruise stays this summer, and all other destination experiences will open for booking in 2027.