Celebrity River Cruises has expanded its European holiday programme with the introduction of Before and After Stays, a series of guided multi-day land experiences designed to complement its river cruise itineraries. Available before embarkation or following disembarkation, the new programmes are open for booking with departures in Prague and Budapest for 2027, while Amsterdam and Lausanne will join the portfolio for the 2028 season.
Developed as an extension of the onboard experience, each 2- or 3-night stay combines premium accommodation with locally guided exploration intended to provide guests with a deeper understanding of each destination. Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge stated that the programme has been created to strengthen guests' connection with Europe's culture, history and communities, allowing travellers to experience destinations beyond the traditional cruise itinerary.
Every programme includes one daily Discovery Collection excursion led by local specialists referred to as Local Storytellers, while Destination Insiders provide personalised recommendations throughout each stay. Guests may choose from at least three themed excursions each day, with options centred on subjects such as history, gastronomy, art and local culture, allowing itineraries to be tailored to individual interests.
In Amsterdam, one of the featured experiences follows the city's contemporary street art scene under the guidance of a local artist, concluding with participants contributing to a collaborative mural. Prague's programme offers several alternatives, including tours exploring the city's medieval and Cold War history, walks examining its links to alchemy and Gothic architecture, and experiences highlighting Czech brewing traditions through visits to historic taverns.
The Before and After Stays include premium or ultra-premium centrally located hotels, daily breakfast, transfers between the hotel and the ship, and a fully coordinated itinerary, enabling guests to extend their holidays without arranging additional logistics independently. Optional premium experiences are also available for travellers seeking further destination immersion.
The land programmes accompany Celebrity River Cruises' expanding European deployment, which comprises 33 sailings in 2027 and 160 sailings in 2028 across more than 50 destinations on the Rhine and Danube rivers. In addition to its cruise operations, Celebrity Cruises, through Royal Caribbean Group, continues to collaborate with regional organisations, local businesses and cultural institutions to support artisans, agricultural producers and heritage initiatives in the destinations visited while contributing to community development projects across Europe.