Celebrity Cruises unveils river cruise shore excursion programme

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celebrity river cruises shore excursion immersive programme

Celebrity Cruises has revealed its newly designed shore excursion programme ahead of the 2027 debut of Celebrity River Cruises. Launching with 33 departures across two purpose-built ships, the new line promises itineraries that will set a “new standard for river travel,” immersing guests “in ports like never before.”

The line, which expects to grow its fleet to 20 ships by 2031, has crafted four distinct land programme categories: Storyteller, Skillmaster, Keys to the City and Celebrity Takeover. Each is designed to bring travellers “closer to the destination and the culture” through authentic, immersive encounters that showcase the best of each port of call.

Every stop will offer both included and premium experiences, allowing guests to tailor their journey to their personal interests.

Celebrity River Cruises

Led by local experts, the Storyteller and Skillmaster excursions focus on community-led discovery and hands-on creativity. The Storyteller series features residents and artists sharing their perspectives, from a canal captain revealing hidden waterways in Amsterdam to a Prague brewer guiding guests through the city’s historic beer scene.

The Skillmaster experiences take a more participatory approach, inviting guests to cook Hungarian family recipes alongside a Budapest ’Mamika’ (grandmother) or join a painting lesson with a local artist in Amsterdam.

celebrity cruises shore excursion river skillmasters

Skillmaster experiences include cooking classes

The Keys to the City series introduces a tech-enhanced way to explore at one’s own pace. Through a digital platform, guests can select interests such as architecture, food or art, and receive a curated route complete with audio narration and video content. In Bratislava, architecture enthusiasts can follow a trail to St. Martin’s Cathedral, hearing from a local historian who brings its coronation past to life, while food lovers uncover authentic Slovak flavours across the city.

Available once per itinerary, the Celebrity Takeover offers what the brand describes as an “indulgent, bucket-list experience designed to be the defining moment" of a guest’s Celebrity River Cruises vacation.

Connections Cruise Arabia returns to Dubai in 2026

First look at Celebrity Cruises’s new luxury river ships

To extend the journey beyond the river, Celebrity River Cruises will also offer multi-day pre- and post-cruise stays. Starting in 2027, these will be available in Prague and Budapest, followed by Amsterdam in 2028. Each package includes small-group tours hosted by locals, curated dining reservations, daily breakfast, airport transfers and hotel stays with concierge service.

Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises, said: “We’ve built a destination programme that connects guests to Europe more personally than anything the river cruise industry has offered before. 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.”

To book Celebrity Cruises sailings, call UAE +971 4 331 4299, KSA 800 897 1419, email book@rccl.ae or visit www.celebritycruises.ae

Discover More About Cruise

Supporting the growth of the cruise industry, Connections Cruise Arabia will return to Dubai in the UAE in 2026, following the success of the inaugural edition in 2025. The two-day event, taking place from 28 to 29 September, will welcome more than 500 travel trade professionals from across the global cruise ecosystem. To register your interest in attending, contact Connections.