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Go to SiteYour Exclusive Captain’s Club Newsletter Is Here
We’re giving you the keys to the cities and bringing you closer than ever to the breathtaking views, local flavors, and stories that stay with you long after you leave. But it’s not just about the places you visit—it’s the people you visit them with, those you meet along the way, and those who host you and become part of the story. Our new discovery series will take you on once-in-a-lifetime journeys in every town, village, and city you visit. Explore with locals who welcome you into their lives and make you part of the story.
“On a Celebrity River Cruises vacation, no two days are the same because no two places are. We’ve built a destination program that connects guests to Europe more personally than anything the river cruise industry has offered before,” said Celebrity President Laura Hodges Bethge. “With our groundbreaking destination discovery options, paired with thoughtfully crafted spaces on board that inspire relaxation and connection, our guests will return home with stories no one else can tell.”
Our discovery experiences are designed to bring you closer to the culture, the craft, and the people of the destinations you visit. Through four unique ways to explore, every day reveals Europe in a way that feels personal, immersive, and unforgettable.
See a place through the eyes of someone who calls it home. Real locals lead you beyond the landmarks to reveal the memories, rituals, and routines that shape everyday life. You’re not just learning the history of each destination, you’re living it.
Become part of the culture. Don’t just observe it. Master the family strudel recipe that grandma hasn’t shared with anyone—until now. Turn back time with each Viennese waltz step you take. This is your chance to cook, craft, dance, and more, guided by experts who’ve mastered their art over a lifetime.
Navigate on your own while unlocking hidden history, insider knowledge, and the small shops that give a city its character. Explore independently but never without insight. We paved the way for you with curated experiences and exclusive access to the places you don’t want to miss.
Become a part of history in Europe in ways few ever will. With one-of-a-kind events. Historic settings. And moments so elevated, you won’t believe they’re happening. These experiences are so exclusive, they’re not on anyone’s bucket list, because they never existed until we created them.
These thoughtfully curated moments connect you to each destination’s culture in deeply personal and unforgettable ways throughout your Celebrity River vacation. And they’re available across all 2027 and 2028 itineraries.
If you want more time to really get to know a place, our pre‑ and post‑cruise stays make it effortless. Spend a few extra days in cities like Budapest and Prague with curated activities and local hosts who know their hometowns inside and out. And with a dedicated Celebrity Concierge bringing every moment together, each added day feels seamless. Come early, linger later, and let your journey open and close in a way that’s unforgettable. Stay tuned: More details coming this summer.
Explore 2027-2028 Celebrity River sailings now and get ready to discover Europe like never before.
The 2026 President’s Cruise on September 13 introduces an inspiring collection of intimate experiences designed to immerse you in the heart of the Mediterranean. From a special morning at Royal Beach Club in Santorini to hands-on culinary moments in Rhodes, each tour is thoughtfully curated to bring you closer to the culture, flavors, and stories that define the region. Many experiences are hosted by Celebrity President Laura Hodges Bethge and members of our executive team, offering you rare access you won’t find anywhere else.
Explore all the incredible President’s Cruise tours we have planned, and reserve your spot today.
There’s only one way to kick off the sailing of the year—and it begins the night before. Join us beneath one of the world’s great historic landmarks for an unforgettable evening in the shadow of the Acropolis at Dionysos Restaurant. Enjoy live music, fine dining, and mingling with Celebrity President Laura Hodges Bethge and our executive team. Don’t miss what’s sure to be the talk of the sailing.
Seating is very limited—reserve your spot today.
The President’s Cruise on September 13 aboard Celebrity Xcel is changing the game again. You’ll sail from Athens to Barcelona, visit some of the Mediterranean’s top destinations, and enjoy exclusive onboard events you won’t find on any other sailing.
If you haven’t booked a stateroom yet—what are you waiting for? We hope to see you there.
Our new season of sailings to the Galapagos Islands invites you to have it all on an all-inclusive journey unlike any other. Discover a place unchanged by time in a way that will change you forever on board Celebrity Flora®, the first all-suites mega yacht built exclusively for these islands.
Explore a volcanic island chain that rose from the ocean and evolved into a living gallery of species found nowhere else on Earth. Follow in the footsteps of Darwin with a perspective all your own. Spot ancient tortoises and blue-footed boobies in their natural habitat. Hike otherworldly volcanic landscapes. And get closer to nature than you ever thought possible.
Choose from 7-night sailings or 10‑ to 16‑night in-depth journeys that visit Quito, Lima, and Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca citadel that ranks among the world’s most awe-inspiring archaeological sites. We handle every detail so you can soak up every moment. From hotel stays in Quito to transfers, private flights, and twice-daily expeditions led by Galapagos National Park certified naturalists, it’s all included. We’ve even got you covered with tips, unlimited Wi-Fi, snorkeling gear, wetsuits, and binoculars. And with Celebrity Flora’s eco-friendly innovations and ongoing sustainability efforts like our Scalesia tree reforestation project, you can relax knowing we’re leaving the Galapagos even better than we found it.
Experience the Galapagos Islands the way they were meant to be seen and discover your next amazing vacation now.
Soon after, a colleague returned from a Caribbean sailing on Celebrity and couldn’t stop raving. The more they researched, the more it matched their travel style: good food, great shows, and thoughtful service. Wanting a longer escape from Norway, they booked a 14-night Ultimate Caribbean sailing on Celebrity Eclipse in 2014. The moment they stepped aboard, they knew they’d found something special.
Both bring engineering minds and generous spirits to everything they do. Jarle works in electrical engineering specializing in security solutions, while Alexandra—an engineer focused on land tenure—also dedicates time to ADHD Norge, supporting individuals and families through funding applications, accounting, and peer conversations. Together, they’ve built a life centered on travel, service, and meaningful connection.
Their story begins in Norway—Jarle from Honningsvåg, Alexandra from Oslo—though they didn’t meet until a work event years later. Two years after that first encounter, a chance meeting led to dinner, then to a lifelong partnership. They married in 2010, honeymooned in China, and returned home via a Hurtigruten sailing. Today, from their home overlooking the Oslofjord, they watch ships pass with their two British Shorthair cats. Friends affectionately call them “an old couple in young bodies.”
When their 15-year anniversary approached, they wanted something memorable—especially after spending their 10-year anniversary at home during Norway’s COVID restrictions. Galapagos quickly rose to the top of the list. Instead of planning every detail themselves, they chose a 10 night Cruise + Quito package on Celebrity Flora.
They arrived in Quito on October 9, 2025, and were welcomed with roses, cake, and an anniversary note. A private tour to the Mindo Cloud Forest set the tone, followed by a seamless day exploring Quito with their group. By the time they flew to the Galapagos on the 12th, the journey already felt effortless.
Aboard Flora, everything exceeded expectations. The modern, intimate design enhanced days filled with snorkeling, kayaking, wildlife encounters, and new friendships—including couples from Colorado and the UK. Their October 16 anniversary became unforgettable: beach walks, bird watching, snorkeling, stargazing, and a heart shaped chocolate cake at dinner. Back in their suite, matching blue footed booby socks awaited them—a small but meaningful touch.
After seven remarkable days, their return to Quito and trip home were just as smooth. If they could have extended the trip, they would have. Snorkeling with penguins and sharks, seeing wildlife up close, and experiencing the islands’ raw beauty left an impression they’ll carry for decades.
Their Celebrity journey continues. Having sailed every class—though still missing a few ships—they’re already planning ahead. This spring, they’ll escape Norwegian winter with a back to back Caribbean sailing on Celebrity Xcel. Later in 2026, they’ll return to Norway’s fjords on Celebrity Apex, a homecoming that lets them revisit familiar ports and see their homeland from a new perspective: a true cruise ship, just as Alexandra once hoped.
For Alexandra and Jarle, Celebrity isn’t just a way to see the world. It’s where many of their most meaningful memories have been made—and where their shared story continues.
Do you have a story from a Celebrity sailing you’d like to share? Tell us about your special sailings, celebrations, excursions, and moments, and what made them unforgettable, and if selected, you’ll be featured in a future Captain’s Club newsletter. Just fill out the survey linked below and tell us what made your cruise the best. We can’t wait to read your responses.
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