Celebrity Cruises Expands River Cruise Plans with New Discovery Programme

Guests Will Be Able to Cook, Create and Discover Alongside Local Experts

Celebrity Cruises has revealed new details about its upcoming Celebrity River Cruises experience, introducing an extensive destination discovery programme designed to give guests a more immersive way to explore Europe.

Available across all 2027 and 2028 Celebrity River Cruises itineraries, the new programme will feature four curated experience categories aimed at connecting travellers more closely with local culture, history, food and traditions.

According to Celebrity Cruises, the new experiences will be available both during sailings and on pre- and post-cruise stays in Prague, Budapest and Amsterdam.

Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, said the cruise line wants guests to return home with experiences and stories unlike anything currently offered in the river cruise market.

The first category, the Storyteller Series, will feature included experiences led by local residents, artists and cultural insiders. Rather than traditional guided tours, guests will explore destinations through personal stories and local perspectives.

In Amsterdam, for example, guests can join a canal captain to learn about the city’s long relationship with its waterways, while in Prague, a local brewer will guide guests through the city’s beer culture, historic breweries and traditional taverns.

Celebrity River Cruises experience, introducing an extensive destination discovery programme

Celebrity Cruises is also introducing the Skillmaster Series, which focuses on hands-on cultural experiences. Guests will be able to cook, craft and create alongside local experts during included excursions.

One example includes learning traditional Hungarian recipes from a local grandmother in Budapest after shopping for ingredients at the city’s Central Market Hall. In Amsterdam, guests can take part in a painting workshop inspired by Vincent van Gogh after visiting the famous Van Gogh Museum.

For travellers who prefer to explore independently, the Keys to the City Series will provide digital discovery tools, interactive maps, audio guides and curated walking routes tailored to guests’ interests, including food, architecture, history and art.

The cruise line says stationed local hosts will also provide behind-the-scenes access and exclusive experiences throughout each city. Because sometimes the best holiday moments happen when you wander slightly off the tourist trail and accidentally discover a bakery you’ll think about for the next five years.

Another standout addition is the Celebrity Takeover Series, which will offer exclusive private events once per sailing. Celebrity Cruises says these bespoke experiences are designed to become the defining memory of each holiday, with access to attractions and venues reserved exclusively for guests.

The river cruise experience will also extend beyond embarkation day. Multi-day pre- and post-cruise stays in Prague and Budapest will launch in 2027, with Amsterdam joining in 2028. Packages will include small-group tours, premium hotel stays, concierge service, breakfast and airport transfers.

Celebrity Cruises says the overall goal is to create a seamless end-to-end river holiday experience, combining onboard relaxation with deeper cultural exploration ashore.