Celebrity River Cruises has launched Before and After Stays, the line's version of guided, multi-day pre- and post-cruise experiences, with bookings now open for programs across four European cities.
The end-to-end programs are available before a river cruise journey begins or after it ends. The 2027 lineup covers Prague and Budapest, while 2028 programs add Amsterdam and Lausanne. Each two- or three-night stay offers locally led destination discovery built around the 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 Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. "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."
The stays are led by local experts and include one Discovery Collection tour each day. Celebrity River Cruises' take on shore excursions, Discovery Collection tours are built around each city's most rare and authentic stories. Guests choose from at least three themed tour options daily, exploring through their own interests in history, food, art, or simply wandering. The programs distinguish between Local Storytellers, who lead small groups on one included tour per day and go beyond landmarks to the moments that define local life, and Destination Insiders, who act as trusted local friends and help guests find each city's most authentic experiences.
The experiences vary by city. In Amsterdam, a contemporary artist leads guests through the city's street art scene, ending with guests picking up a spray can to co-create a piece on a wall themselves. In Prague, guests can follow the trail of alchemists and ancient scholars through Gothic spires, descend into medieval walls and Cold War shelters, or trace the city's beer heritage through historic taverns.
Celebrity handles every detail in advance, so guests do not coordinate or confirm anything themselves. Each stay includes premium or ultra-premium hotel accommodations, daily breakfasts, and ship transfers, with centrally located lodging and optional premium experiences available for deeper immersion.
The programs build on the line's broader European expansion. Celebrity River Cruises will operate 33 sailings in 2027 and 160 sailings in 2028, reaching more than 50 destinations along the Rhine and Danube. The launch follows the brand's January announcement of 10 new ships that will expand its European river fleet to 20 vessels by 2031, a buildout that will make Celebrity one of the largest European river cruise operators. The 2028 season, now open for booking, features an 80 percent increase in European destinations compared to the brand's inaugural 2027 deployment.
Advisors can book through celebritycruises.com/river, by contacting a Celebrity River Cruises expert at 1-833-474-8803, or through Future Cruise on board.
Related Stories
The Royal Sonesta Boston Unveils Comprehensive Transformation
United Adds Nonstop Cartagena Flights from Houston, Washington
CFAR Travel Insurance Searches Surge as Geopolitical Fears Rise