MIAMI, Florida – June 30, 2026: Celebrity River Cruises has opened bookings for guided pre- and post-cruise stays in four European cities, extending selected Rhine and Danube journeys with two- or three-night land programmes.
According to the official press release, the new Before and After Stays will be available in Prague and Budapest during 2027, with Amsterdam and Lausanne added to the programme in 2028.
The stays can be booked before a river cruise begins or after it ends. Each programme combines locally led activities, centrally located hotel accommodation, daily breakfast and transfers to or from the ship.
Celebrity Cruises said the experiences are intended to carry its onboard service approach into the destination while allowing guests to combine guided touring with time for independent exploration.
Daily tours shaped around guest interests
Each Before and After Stay includes one Discovery Collection tour per day, led by a local expert.
Guests can choose from at least three themed options each day, with experiences built around subjects such as history, food and art. The tours are designed for small groups and focus on the stories, people and traditions associated with each destination.
Celebrity River Cruises refers to the tour leaders as Local Storytellers. Rather than concentrating only on major landmarks, they introduce guests to aspects of everyday life and local culture.
Destination Insiders will also be available to offer local guidance and help guests identify experiences suited to their interests.
“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.”
Amsterdam programme explores street art
One of the Amsterdam experiences will introduce guests to the city’s contemporary street art through a tour led by a local artist.
The programme will visit creative districts featuring large murals and walls that continue to change as new work is added. It will also examine the role of public spaces in Amsterdam’s creative culture.
At the end of the experience, participants will use spray paint to contribute to a collaborative artwork, allowing them to take part in the creative process rather than only viewing completed pieces.
Amsterdam joins the programme in 2028, together with Lausanne. Details released for the launch focus primarily on the Amsterdam street-art experience, while the broader programme will use the same locally led format across all four cities.
Prague tours cover history, mystery and beer
The Prague programme will offer several ways to explore the Czech capital.
One tour will follow stories linked to alchemists and scholars, taking guests through areas marked by Gothic architecture and historical symbols.
Another option will examine Prague’s defensive history, including medieval walls, concealed bunkers and Cold War shelters.
Guests interested in food and drink can choose an experience centred on Czech beer culture. The tour will explore the city’s brewing heritage, historic taverns and the stories associated with beer’s place in local life.
Prague and Budapest will be the first cities to offer Before and After Stays when Celebrity River Cruises begins operating the programme in 2027.
Hotels, breakfasts and transfers included
Every stay will include accommodation in a centrally located premium or ultra-premium hotel, daily breakfasts and transfers connecting guests with their river cruise.
The arrangements will be made in advance, removing the need for travellers to organise or reconfirm the included elements separately.
Daily destination programming will be combined with periods of personal exploration. Optional premium activities will also be available for guests seeking additional experiences during their stay.
Both the 2027 and 2028 programmes are now open for booking.
Programme accompanies expanding river schedule
Celebrity River Cruises is scheduled to operate 33 sailings in 2027, followed by 160 sailings in 2028.
The programme will cover more than 50 destinations along the Rhine and Danube, with activities extending from regional wine experiences to visits through European villages and cities.
The cruise line is also working with regional organisations and small businesses along Europe’s rivers. These collaborations are intended to support local artisans, farmers and cultural institutions while incorporating regional crafts, music and storytelling into destination experiences.
Royal Caribbean Group also supports initiatives involving education, social inclusion and infrastructure in European towns and villages through volunteering and charitable contributions.
The Before and After Stays add a land-based element to Celebrity River Cruises’ wider destination programme, connecting the river journeys with guided experiences in Prague, Budapest, Amsterdam and Lausanne.
Source: Official Royal Caribbean Group Press Center release, 30 June 2026, Miami.
