Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity was founded in 1988 by the Greek Chandris family and quickly built a reputation for refined food and service on mid-size ships. Royal Caribbean bought the line in 1997, and Celebrity has since grown into Royal Caribbean Group’s premium brand, positioned between Royal Caribbean’s family-focused fun and Silversea’s luxury.

The fleet of around 15 ships spans three main classes. The Edge class (Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent and Xcel) is the flagship series, with Infinite Veranda cabins, the multi-level Eden venue, a Rooftop Garden and the Magic Carpet, a platform cantilevered off the side of the ship that serves as a bar, restaurant and tender embarkation point. The Solstice class (Celebrity Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette and Reflection) introduced the real-grass Lawn Club. The smaller Millennium class (Millennium, Summit, Infinity and Constellation) handles more port-intensive and shoulder-season routes. Celebrity Flora, a small expedition ship, sails the Galápagos year-round.

Itineraries run from Caribbean and Alaska cruises to Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and Panama Canal transits, typically seven to fourteen nights.

Celebrity is modern, polished and adult-leaning. Typical guests are couples from their 40s to 60s, professionals and multigenerational families, with fewer children than on mainstream lines outside of summer and holidays. Interiors favor contemporary art, clean lines and bright, open spaces. Dress is smart casual, with an Evening Chic night or two where guests dress up in their own stylish way, from cocktail dresses to blazers. Ships carry about 2,100 guests on the Millennium class to around 3,000 or more on the Edge and Solstice classes, so they feel spacious without mega-ship crowds. The Retreat, Celebrity’s suite class, adds a private lounge, sundeck and restaurant.

Dining is a highlight. Edge-class ships have four included main restaurants (Cosmopolitan, Cyprus, Normandie and Tuscan), each with its own menu, while other ships have a grand main dining room. The Oceanview Café buffet is varied and good. Specialty restaurants carry a charge: Fine Cut Steakhouse, Le Petit Chef (with animated table projections), the theatrical Eden Restaurant, Raw on 5, Rooftop Garden Grill, Murano and Tuscan Grille on Solstice-class ships, and Sushi on Five. AquaClass guests dine at Blu, and Retreat guests at Luminae, both included in those fares.

Expect polished production shows, live music and a lively bar scene rather than Broadway musicals or thrill rides. The Edge class’s theater uses projection and staging around the audience, and Eden hosts performers and DJs. The Martini Bar, with its frosted bar top and flair bartenders, is a fleet favorite. Lawn Club games on Solstice-class ships, enrichment talks, a casino and a modern spa round things out.

Camp at Sea offers supervised activities for children 3 to 12 in age groups, with teen spaces and activities for older kids. Programs are good but smaller in scale than on Royal Caribbean or Disney, and kids are most common in summer and on holiday sailings.

Cabins are stylish and well designed. Edge-class Infinite Verandas use a glass wall that lowers to turn the cabin into an open-air space. Concierge Class adds perks, AquaClass cabins include access to the SEA Thermal Suite and Blu restaurant, and The Retreat suites (from Sky Suites up to Iconic Suites and Edge Villas) come with butlers, the Retreat Lounge, sundeck and Luminae. Some suites and cabins have extra-large terraces.

Celebrity offers an All Included fare option that bundles the Classic Drinks Package and basic Wi-Fi, with upgrades to premium drinks and faster Wi-Fi. Exactly what is bundled, including gratuities, has changed over the years, so check your fare terms. Standard cruise-only fares exclude drinks.

Unless your fare includes them, Celebrity adds a daily gratuity per guest to your onboard account, at a higher rate for Concierge, AquaClass and suites. A service charge is added to bar purchases and many services. You can prepay or adjust onboard.

Captain’s Club awards credits per night sailed, with bonuses for suites. Tiers run Preview, Classic, Select, Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith, with perks such as drink vouchers, lounge access and laundry. Status can be matched with Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society.