Cruise line comparison
Virgin Voyages vs Celebrity: which should you choose?
Virgin Voyages is the pick for adults who want a hip, kid-free cruise with every restaurant included, no buffet, tips and basic Wi-Fi in the fare and a nightlife-meets-wellness vibe. Celebrity Cruises is the pick for travelers who want a polished premium cruise with a far wider choice of itineraries, from Alaska to the Galápagos, upscale Retreat suites and the option to bring children. Virgin is playful and irreverent; Celebrity is refined and quietly modern.
- Virgin Voyages
- Celebrity
Our verdict
Virgin Voyages has carved out a distinct niche: an adults-only, food-focused cruise with a sense of fun and few hidden costs beyond alcohol. Celebrity is the more versatile choice, with many more destinations, a broader range of cabins and suites, and a calm, polished atmosphere that suits couples of all ages and multigenerational families. If you want to party and eat your way around the Caribbean without kids, go Virgin. If you want sophistication and a wider map, go Celebrity.
Virgin Voyages and Celebrity both court travelers who want something more stylish than a mega-ship, and both are known for design and food. They differ in attitude. Virgin is adults-only (18 and over), calls its passengers Sailors and runs its four Lady ships like a boutique hotel with a party streak: drag brunches, a tattoo studio and a pirate-themed Scarlet Night. Celebrity is grown-up in a more conventional way, with Evening Chic dress nights, a quieter pool deck and a well-oiled premium routine.
The fares are built differently. Virgin includes every restaurant, gratuities, basic Wi-Fi, soft drinks and group fitness classes, but alcohol is extra. Celebrity’s All Included fare covers drinks and basic Wi-Fi, while specialty restaurants are paid separately. Compare a full week on each with your real drinking and dining habits before judging value.
Virgin Voyages vs Celebrity: head to head
| Feature | Virgin Voyages | Celebrity |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Adults-only, cheeky and social; a design hotel with a nightclub, a spa and a sense of humor. | Sophisticated and serene, with art-filled spaces and an elegant cocktail hour. |
| Typical passenger | Adults roughly 30 to 60, couples, friend groups and people who swore they’d never take a cruise. | Couples, professionals and empty nesters, with some families in summer and holidays. |
| Signature ships | Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady, each carrying about 2,700 guests. | Edge series (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel) at roughly 3,000 guests, plus the Solstice class. |
| Dining | 20-plus eateries, all included: The Wake, Pink Agave, Gunbae Korean barbecue, Extra Virgin, Test Kitchen and The Galley food hall. No buffet, no main dining room. | Four main restaurants on Edge-series ships and the Oceanview Café buffet; Fine Cut Steakhouse, Raw on 5 and Le Petit Chef cost extra. |
| Entertainment | Immersive productions like Duel Reality, The Manor nightclub, drag brunch and the Scarlet Night party. | Theater shows, late-night performances in Eden, live bands and a lively Martini Bar. |
| Kids | None at all; everyone aboard is 18 or older. | Camp at Sea youth clubs, though children are a minority on most sailings. |
| Drinks and inclusions | Soft drinks, coffee, gratuities, basic Wi-Fi and group fitness classes included; alcohol charged via a prepaid Bar Tab or onboard. | The All Included fare covers Classic-tier drinks and basic internet; upgrade for top-shelf pours and streaming. |
| Cabins | Sea Terrace cabins with balcony hammocks, and RockStar Quarters suites with access to Richard’s Rooftop. | Edge-series Infinite Verandas, spa-focused AquaClass and Retreat suites served by the Luminae restaurant. |
| Itineraries | Caribbean from Miami and San Juan, plus Mediterranean sailings in summer. | Caribbean, Alaska, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Australia and Galápagos. |
| Price positioning | Premium fares, but the long list of inclusions keeps the final bill predictable. | Premium fares; suites and specialty dining push totals higher. |
| Private beach | The Beach Club at Bimini, with pools, cabanas and included food; drinks are extra. | No island of its own; selected Caribbean sailings visit Perfect Day at CocoCay. |
| Loyalty | The Sailing Club, a tiered program for returning Sailors. | Captain’s Club, with matching tier perks at sister line Royal Caribbean. |
Which should you choose?
Choose Virgin Voyages if…
- You want a guaranteed kid-free ship with a younger, social crowd.
- You hate surprise charges and like having every restaurant and the tips already paid.
- Your ideal evening mixes Korean barbecue, an immersive show and a late DJ set.
- You want a balcony hammock and a cruise that feels nothing like your parents’ cruise.
Choose Celebrity if…
- You’re traveling with children or grandchildren.
- You want Alaska, Northern Europe, Asia or the Galápagos rather than the Caribbean.
- You prefer a refined, conventional premium cruise with Evening Chic nights.
- You want a Retreat suite with a private lounge, sundeck and restaurant.
The fleets by the numbers
| Measure | Virgin Voyages | Celebrity |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean ships in our guide | 4 | 15 |
| Average ship age | 4.7 years | 13.9 years |
| Average ship size | 109,000 GT | 111,000 GT |
| Newest ship | Resilient Lady | Celebrity Xcel |
| Largest ship | Brilliant Lady | Celebrity Xcel |
Calculated from the ocean ships in our guide, with build years and tonnage from Wikidata.
Virgin Voyages vs Celebrity: FAQs
Is Virgin Voyages better than Celebrity?
For adults who want a fun, kid-free cruise, it often is. Virgin includes every restaurant, tips and basic Wi-Fi and has livelier nightlife. Celebrity offers far more itineraries, more suite options and a more traditional premium experience.
Is Virgin Voyages all-inclusive?
Partly. Every restaurant, soft drinks, coffee, basic Wi-Fi, gratuities and group fitness classes are included in the fare. Alcohol, spa treatments, shore excursions and premium Wi-Fi cost extra.
Is Celebrity Cruises adults-only?
No. Celebrity welcomes children and runs the Camp at Sea youth program. Its atmosphere leans adult, and outside school holidays you’ll see relatively few kids, but if you need a guaranteed child-free ship, Virgin Voyages is the one.
Which has better food, Virgin Voyages or Celebrity?
Both are among the best on big ships. Virgin’s strength is variety at no extra cost, with more than 20 eateries and no buffet. Celebrity’s main dining rooms are excellent and its extra-charge restaurants, such as Fine Cut Steakhouse, are a step above most mainstream lines.
Read the full reviews
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Virgin Voyages official site, Celebrity official site.