Celebrity Cruises is Royal Caribbean’s sister brand that provides a slightly more upscale, refined experience onboard. The premium cruise line’s fleet of 16 ships sail around the world, from the Galapagos to the Caribbean.
Originally formed in 1988 by the Chandris Group in Greece, Celebrity Cruises was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 1997. The cruise line remains part of the company today, and even provides a coveted status match with Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society.
Unlike Royal Caribbean, which focuses heavily on family-friendly experiences, Celebrity cruises provide an adult-focused environment, although kids are still allowed onboard. With elegant dining options, unique hangout spaces, and diverse cabin categories, cruising on Celebrity makes an excellent vacation for any cruiser.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about cruising with Celebrity, from picking a ship to knowing what’s included and which destinations you can visit around the world.
Let’s jump in!
Celebrity Cruises Fleet
Celebrity Cruises has a fleet of 16 ships, with 13 traditional cruise ships and 3 expedition vessels. These ships belong to four separate ship classes.
Edge Class
Celebrity’s Edge Class cruise ships are what the cruise line is most famous for today. These massive ships are the biggest in Celebrity’s fleet at 130-140,000 gross tons and with a capacity of 3,000-3,200 passengers.
Edge Class ships are known for their sleek, modern designs. The Magic Carpet—a multipurpose deck raised and lowered off the side of the ship—is just one of the record-breaking features found in the Edge Class.
Passengers also love Eden, a lounge spanning three decks that doubles as a restaurant and entertainment venue.
There are four ships in the Edge Class:
- Celebrity Edge (2018)
- Celebrity Apex (2021)
- Celebrity Beyond (2022)
- Celebrity Ascent (2023)
An additional Edge Class ship is planned for Celebrity. The fifth Edge Class ship, Celebrity Xcel, is set to launch in 2025.
Solstice Class
With a capacity of 2,850 passengers and gross tonnage of 122,000, Celebrity’s Solstice Class was a game changer for the cruise line when the first ship launched in 2008.
The ships are most known for The Lawn Club, a half acre grass lawn at sea. On this green outdoor patio, guests can enjoy live music, lawn games like bocce and croquet, and outdoor restaurant and lounge spaces.
Other features on Solstice Class ships include a glassblowing workshop, indoor pool, and larger staterooms (with more balconies) compared to Celebrity’s Millennium Class.
There are five ships in the Solstice Class:
- Celebrity Solstice (2008)
- Celebrity Equinox (2009)
- Celebrity Eclipse (2010)
- Celebrity Silhouette (2011)
- Celebrity Reflection (2012)
Millennium Class
Millennium Class ships are the smallest of Celebrity’s traditional cruise ships, at around 90,000 gross tons and with a capacity of around 2,170 passengers.
Although Millennium Class ships are over 20 years old, they have received refurbishments in recent years, adding new venues and updates to the ships. Celebrity Millennium, for example, received an upgrade in 2019 to revitalize staterooms, update decor and furnishings, and add new lounges.
Millennium Class ships sail around the world, from the Caribbean to Alaska, Europe, Antarctica, and beyond.
There are four ships in the Millennium Class:
- Celebrity Millennium (2000)
- Celebrity Infinity (2001)
- Celebrity Summit (2001)
- Celebrity Constellation (2002)
Expedition Vessels
Celebrity Cruises also has expedition vessels which sail throughout the Galapagos Islands. These ships all serve a similar purpose, but they are not technically a “class” of ships as the amenities, layout, and passenger capacity varies from ship to ship.
Expedition ships are small, with space for only 16-100 guests on each vessel. Given their exotic itineraries and intimate size, cruises on Celebrity’s expedition ships are vastly different from the ships fitting 3,000 passengers.
Celebrity has three expedition vessels:
- Celebrity Xpedition (2001)
- Celebrity Xploration (2017)
- Celebrity Flora (2019)
What’s included on a Celebrity cruise?
There are two ways to book a Celebrity cruise: with the All Included program or with a Cruise-Only rate.
The cruise line launched their All Included pricing program in 2020, which aims to provide a more all-inclusive cruise experience on their ships. This program applies to bookings on all cruises with the exception of Galapagos itineraries.
The All Included program includes the Classic Drink Package, and basic wi-fi in the base cruise fare. The Classic Drink Package provides cocktails, wines by the glass, liqueurs, beers, spirits, frozen drinks, sodas, specialty coffees, juice, and bottled water at no extra cost.
The All Included rate used to include tips; however, Celebrity Cruises announced that effective October 4, 2023, they will eliminate prepaid gratuities from its All Included pricing packages.
If you aren’t interested in the All Included program, you can choose to book a Cruise-Only rate. This rate includes accommodation, dining, entertainment, and onboard activities, but does not include drinks or wi-fi.
What food is included on a Celebrity cruise?
The majority of food on a Celebrity cruise is included in your cruise fare with the exception of specialty restaurants. Like a Royal Caribbean cruise, you can choose to dine only at complimentary venues, spending nothing extra on food once onboard.
Dining venues vary by ship, but each ship has an Oceanview Cafe buffet, poolside dining venue, and main dining room.
Edge Class ships have four separate main dining rooms, each with their own unique style and offerings. Normandie offers French cuisine, Cyprus for Mediterranean, and Cosmopolitan features American cuisine.
The fourth restaurant, the Main Restaurant, creates dishes made from a combination of flavors from around the world.
Outside of food, drinks, and wifi, there’s a lot more included in a Celebrity cruise fare:
- Theater shows and entertainment
- Continental breakfast room service
- Casino entry
- Fitness center
- Sundeck and pools
- Live music, bars, and lounges
- Kids programming and clubs
- Daytime activities
Celebrity Cruises cabins
Like all cruise ships, Celebrity cruise ships feature a variety of cabin categories, from budget-friendly inside cabins to extravagant suites. The cruise line’s expedition vessels offer more limited cabin categories due to their small size, so we will first focus on Edge, Solstice, and Millennium Class ships.
Nearly all cabins will include the following features and amenities:
- Two twin beds that can be connected into a king bed
- Desk and vanity area
- Private bathroom
- Dressers and/or closets
- Nightstands
- Television and phone
- Mini fridge
The majority of cabins are designed for double capacity, and solo travelers will incur a single supplement fee. Connecting cabins, accessible rooms, and staterooms with occupancy for up to four people are found across the fleet as well.
Here are the different types of cabins on Celebrity cruise ships:
Inside cabins do not feature a window, balcony, or view of the outdoors, and are the cheapest cabin option available on Celebrity. They make a great option for budget travelers or those who would prefer to save money for other purchases like shore excursions, drink packages, and spa treatments.
Ocean view cabins have a porthole to the outdoors, which provides natural light to the stateroom. They do not provide a private balcony, but are a nice middle ground between an inside and balcony cabin.
Veranda is Celebrity’s name for balcony cabins. As the name implies, veranda cabins feature a private, outdoor balcony, and are among the most popular cabins on Celebrity cruise ships. There are several types of balcony cabins available, from smaller basic balcony cabins to Sunset Verandas, which feature views of the ship’s aft.
Infinite veranda cabins are also available. Unlike a traditional balcony cabin, infinite verandas feature a window that can be raised and lowered, converting indoor space into an outdoor balcony. These cabins are only available on Edge Class cruise ships.
Suites on Celebrity cruise ships offer the most luxurious accommodations the cruise line has to offer. There are 10 distinct types of suites available to book, from a 1-bedroom Sky Suite to the panoramic Iconic Suite, the largest in Celebrity’s fleet.
Beyond a bigger, more opulent stateroom, the suite experience on Celebrity—known as The Retreat— provides unparalleled benefits.
Retreat guests have access to Luminae, a suites-only restaurant included in the cruise fare. In addition, guests staying in suites on most ships can access The Retreat Sundeck and The Retreat Lounge, two exclusive spaces only for Retreat guests.
Also included in the suite experience is concierge service, premium drinks and complimentary wi-fi.
Concierge Class and AquaClass
Celebrity also offers Concierge Class and AquaClass, which provide added benefits and amenities to veranda cabins.
Concierge Class includes a dedicated concierge, priority embarkation and disembarkation, exclusive lunch, priority dining times, and sparkling wine and snacks upon request.
AquaClass offers a wellness experience, with access to the health-focused Blu restaurant, a spa concierge, thermal suite access, fitness pass, preferential rates on spa packages, and bottled water included in the cruise fare. You do not have to book an All Included package, either. Instead, AquaClass staterooms can be booked with a cruise-only fare.
Are Celebrity Cruises family-friendly?
Celebrity’s brand may not be as family-focused as Royal Caribbean, but that doesn’t mean the ships aren’t kid-friendly. Sure, you won’t find waterslides, bumper cars, and surfing simulators onboard, but kids are welcomed on every Celebrity cruise ship.
Camp at Sea is Celebrity’s complimentary kids programming for ages 3-12. It focuses on age-appropriate, fun activities for kids, including arts and crafts, sports, and treasure hunts.
Camp at Sea is broken into the following age groups:
- Shipmates: ages 3-5
- Cadets: ages 6-9
- Captains: ages 10-12
Teens aged 13-17 can participate in Celebrity’s Teen Club, where they can enjoy teen-only parties, sports competitions, silent discos, video game tournaments, and much more. The teen space follows a “come as you wish” structure, where teens are welcome to enter and exit the Teen Club as they wish with their new friends.
How much does a Celebrity cruise cost?
Despite offering a more adult-oriented atmosphere compared to Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Celebrity cruises are still reasonably priced. It’s common to find a weeklong Caribbean cruise for around $700-1,000 per person before taxes and fees.
A 7-night cruise on one of Celebrity’s new Edge Class ships may cost between $1,250 and $2,500 per person in a balcony room. The cost can vary greatly depending on the time of year you sail, destination, cabin choice, and whether or not you select Celebrity’s All Included option.
Cruise prices are lower during the off-season, which varies by destination. Hurricane season in the Caribbean and shoulder season in Alaska and Europe, for example, will see lower prices than the peak summer months or during the holiday season.
Of course, booking early is an easy way to ensure you find a great cruise fare, but don’t forget to check for last-minute deals if your travel schedule is flexible.
Captain’s Club
Captain’s Club is Celebrity’s loyalty program, and it offers excellent benefits to loyal cruisers. The program is free to join and consists of 6 tiers, each of which offer increasingly better benefits, including:
Preview (0 points): complimentary access to the Captain’s Club loyalty desk and a Captain’s Club newsletter
Classic (2-149 points): complimentary access to welcome event, exclusive onboard premium offers, 10% off wifi packages, 10% off drink packages, and one category upgrade through AquaClass
Select (150-299 points): discounted laundry services, 10% off drink packages 10% spa discount, and 25% off wifi packages
Elite (300-749 points): access to daily breakfast and evening cocktail hour, 30% off wifi packages, 15% off drink packages, complimentary access to Persian Garden on 1 port day, 1 complimentary bag of laundry
Elite Plus (750-2999 points): access to daily breakfast and evening cocktail hour, 15% off specialty dining, 15% spa discount, 35% off wifi packages, 20% off drink packages, and 2 complimentary bags of laundry
Zenith (3000+ points): complimentary 7-night cruise in veranda stateroom upon reaching Zenith, 25% off specialty dining, complimentary laundry, complimentary Premium Drink Package, complimentary premium wifi
You can earn Captain’s Club points in a variety of ways. Most points are earned on a daily basis onboard based on the type of stateroom you booked:
- Inside and ocean view cabins: 2 points per night
- Veranda cabin: 3 points per night
- Concierge Class and Aqua Class: 5 points per night
- Sky Suites and Aqua Sky Suite: 12 points per night
- Penthouse, Reflection, and Edge Villa: 18 points per night
- Iconic Suite: 24 points per night
Aside from earning points during a cruise, Captain’s Club members can earn points through Celebrity’s Power Up Points program. This program allows members to earn points when not on a cruise ship by participating in online surveys and social media contests.
10 Power Up Points are equal to one Captain’s Club point. Once registered for the Power Up Points program, Celebrity will send emails whenever new questionnaires or programs are available.
Crown & Anchor Society status match with Captain’s Club
One benefit to take advantage of before planning a Celebrity cruise is to match your status in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society with the Captain’s Club. The Loyalty Match program allows you to match your Royal Caribbean status to Celebrity at no extra cost.
By matching your status, you can begin receiving coveted benefits of the Captain’s Club on your first Celebrity sailing!
Here is the status match you can expect when linking your Crown & Anchor Society account with Celebrity Cruises:
- Gold: no status match
- Platinum: Select
- Emerald: Select
- Diamond: Elite
- Diamond Plus: Elite
- Pinnacle: Elite
Gratuities
No matter what fare you book for your Celebrity cruise (i.e., cruise-only or "All Included) or cabin category (standard stateroom, Concierge or AquaClass, or The Retreat), you will have to pay for gratuities.
Below are the gratuity rates for all classes of staterooms as of August 2023:
$18.00 USD per person, per day for Inside, Ocean View, and Veranda staterooms$18.50 USD per person, per day for Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms $23.00 USD per person, per day for guests of The Retreat
If you don't prepay for your gratuities ahead of time, they will be added to your onboard account to be settled at the end of your cruise vacation.
Where can I visit on a Celebrity cruise?
Celebrity Cruises offers itineraries around the world and to a far wider range of destinations compared to Royal Caribbean. In fact, you can embark on a Celebrity cruise ship from over 25 ports around the world, from Valparaíso to Mumbai and everywhere in between.
Here is an overview of the destinations you can visit on a Celebrity cruise:
Caribbean
Caribbean cruises are, of course, a primary focus of Celebrity, and they offer year-round sailings to the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean.
While Celebrity does not have its own private island in the Caribbean, itineraries may include a port stop to Royal Caribbean’s private destination of Labadee, Haiti.
Alaska
Interested in visiting Alaska? Celebrity offers Alaska cruises each summer season visiting the state’s most scenic destinations including Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, and Skagway.
Related: Alaska cruise guide
Cruises to Seattle depart from either Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia. Cruise Tours are available to Alaska’s interior, too, visiting destinations such as Denali National Park & Reserve and Talkeetna.
Canada & New England
Each fall, cruises from the northeast are offered to New England and Canada. These itineraries visit both big cities and small towns, including Boston, Quebec City, and Charlottetown, and if you book an itinerary in October, the sailing will align perfectly with peak fall foliage.
Europe
Celebrity offers European itineraries year-round, although the vast majority of cruises in Europe occur from April to October. In the winter months, 11 and 12-night itineraries from Barcelona visit Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, and Morocco. Itineraries to Egypt and Israel are also offered throughout the year.
South America and Antarctica
South America is a popular destination for Celebrity cruises, with itineraries visiting countries throughout the continent, including Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru, and Chile. Antarctica cruises are available, too, which include scenic cruising days off the continent’s coast and port stops in Patagonia.
Expedition cruises are offered to the Galapagos on Celebrity’s expedition ships: the Celebrity Flora (100 passengers), Celebrity Xpedition (48 passengers), and Celebrity Xploration (16 passengers).
Asia
In Asia, you’ll find cruises to Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia, among other countries. Cruises are offered year-round with itineraries between 11 and 14 nights.
Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific
Celebrity’s Australia cruise season runs from November to April each year, and itineraries are offered to Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific islands.
Australia itineraries include visits to Tasmania, the Great Barrier Reef, and southern Australia.
New Zealand cruises include scenic cruising days of Milford, Doubtful, and Dusky Sounds along with port stops in towns such as Dunedin, Picton, and Christchurch.
South Pacific itineraries visit the breathtaking islands of French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.
