Celebrity Cruises is great for:
- If you want an intimate and romantic vacation
- If you want some peace and quiet
- If you love art and shopping
- Guests that are 40yo+
Celebrity Cruises might not be good for:
- Children
- Young adults who love to party
- If you want the mega-resort experience
Celebrity Cruises is a unique company catering to a specific audience. They don’t focus on large ships with features like go-kart tracks, bumper cars, ice rinks or a full airport on the main deck. They leave that to their sister brand, Royal Caribbean. Instead, they emphasize stylish, modern designs with beautiful gardens, lounges, and spaces that connect you with nature. In fact, their recent ships feature real gardens and expansive interior areas that are three stories tall, resembling a luxurious hotel traveling across the Atlantic.
If you need help with Celebrity Cruises or just want to plan your next trip, hit that Request a Quote button and let’s talk. It’s always free to contact us, and we’ll go over the best restaurants, itineraries, and onboard activities to make sure you have the time of your life.
Despite their modern and luxurious appeal, Celebrity Cruises is not considered an expensive cruise line. They are more costly than Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises, and slightly more expensive than Royal Caribbean, but they are not as pricey as lines like Regent Seven Seas or Seabourn Cruise Line.
Celebrity Cruises primarily caters to guests seeking peace and quiet and a connection with nature and the ocean. Celebrity Cruises is ideal for older guests, particularly those in their 50s and 60s who want to enjoy their time together or celebrate a special occasion. While Celebrity does offer a kids' club, it lacks the extensive amenities for children found on Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival, so kids might have a better experience on those lines.
Reviews of Celebrity Cruise Line
The Good Stuff
All-Included option: Celebrity Cruises offers an all-inclusive experience with some of their packages, including basic Wi-Fi (without streaming capabilities), select drinks (such as soda and certain alcoholic beers and cocktails), and most gratuities, all included in your base fare for a special price. This is a great option for those who planned to purchase Wi-Fi and Drink Packages anyway, and it's one of the most popular choices for passengers booking Celebrity Cruises. Celebrity promises savings of $200-$800 when you choose the All-Included option at the time of booking.
Peaceful: These are very chill, peaceful cruises, since most guests are 40yo+. These cruises focus less on nightclubs and high-energy entertainment, providing ample opportunities to enjoy bars, good music, and connect with nature. If you’re seeking a romantic and serene getaway, Celebrity Cruises is an excellent choice. You know what else is good? Pools are rarely chaotic and super crowded!
Unique amenities: Celebrity Cruises offers a range of unique features for those looking to unwind. Enjoy indoor gardens like Eden and art galleries, but don’t miss the Magic Carpet, a floating platform on the side of the ship that transforms throughout your journey, allowing you to take in the views with a cocktail in hand. They even have a real garden on some of their ships called the Lawn Club, complete with real grass that you can walk on barefoot!
Stylish: Celebrity Cruises boasts some of the most beautiful ships on the seas. Their latest vessels resemble floating mansions, with top-notch decor and stunning photo opportunities as you walk across real art galleries. The ships feature some of the most impressive indoor spaces I’ve ever seen, and even the main deck and pool area are absolutely gorgeous.
The buffet: I’m pleased to share that the food onboard Celebrity Cruises is generally excellent, and the buffet, in particular, receives high praise. The quality of the food is a step above that of many other cruise lines, with a wide range of options available, especially on the newest ships. You can typically enjoy a salad bar, pizza, meat, and even sushi, all of which are well-regarded for their taste. In fact, many guests find the buffet so satisfying that they choose to dine there rather than paying extra for the specialty restaurants.
The Bad Stuff
Not for Kids: While Celebrity Cruises does offer a Kids Club, their ships aren’t designed with children or large families in mind. There are no elaborate entertainment venues for kids, and you won’t find waterslides or waterparks onboard. For a more kid-friendly experience, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line are better suited.
Limited entertainment options: While Celebrity Cruises offers a range of shows, pools, and beautiful gardens, they don't focus on filling your schedule with high-energy activities. You won’t find amenities typical of a mega-resort, such as mini-golf courses, sports courts, arcade rooms, waterparks, or bumper cars. Instead, you’ll enjoy numerous gardens and lounges that are perfect for a romantic getaway.
Celebrity Cruise Line Fleet
Celebrity Cruises operates a fleet of just over ten ships, offering a mix of small, medium, and large vessels. However, their largest ships are not as massive as Royal Caribbean’s Icon class, being about 40% smaller in total. Given that Celebrity Cruises caters to couples and an older audience, it makes sense that their ships are more compact, providing a more intimate and personalized experience.
These are their most recent ships and their debut year:
- Celebrity Edge (2018)
- Celebrity Apex (2020)
- Celebrity Beyond (2022)
- Celebrity Ascent (2023)
- Celebrity Xcel (planned for 2025)
The ships listed above are all part of the Edge class, which is the most popular class in the Celebrity Cruises fleet. Plans are in place to build additional ships beyond the Celebrity Xcel by 2030.
Setting Sail with Celebrity Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruise Line Destinations
Celebrity Cruises has a global presence, much like Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. While they have a strong presence in Europe, they also offer several exciting ports of departure and destinations in North America.
These are the main destinations when it comes to Celebrity Cruises:
- Europe (popular)
- Caribbean (popular)
- Alaska (popular)
- South America
- Galápagos
- Asia
- South America
- Mexico
- Australia & New Zealand
Celebrity Cruise Line Departure Ports
Celebrity Cruises offers several departure ports in North America, although they do not sail from popular ports like Galveston, Texas, or Port Canaveral, Florida. However, there are multiple ports on the East and West Coasts that may be conveniently located for you.
Here are the main ports of departure in North America:
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Cape Liberty, New Jersey
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Miami, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
- Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
- Los Angeles, California
- San Diego, California
- Seattle, Washington
- Seward, Alaska
- Vancouver, British Columbia
Europe also features several ports of departure, including:
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Athens (Piraeus), Greece
- Barcelona, Spain
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Southampton, England
- Ravenna (Venice), Italy
- Reykjavik, Iceland
Is Celebrity Cruise Line for you?
Being what I like to call a niche cruise line, it's easy to determine whether Celebrity Cruises is right for you. Let’s first consider the types of guests who might not have the best experience aboard Celebrity Cruises.
If you’re drawn to mega-resort cruises with waterparks, a variety of entertainment options, and lively shows and parties every night, Celebrity Cruises might not be your best fit. Similarly, if you have a large family or kids who enjoy waterparks, arcade rooms, and VR simulators, you might find other cruise lines more suited to your needs.
Celebrity Cruises caters primarily to an older audience, usually around 40 and older, who seek peace and quiet and want to relax during their cruise. Passengers who prefer tranquil environments over massive swimming pools the size of a football field and those looking for a romantic getaway will find Celebrity Cruises ideal. The cozy, stylish atmosphere is perfect for couples looking to enjoy a romantic experience.
Celebrity River Cruising
Celebrity Cruises announced at the end of 2024 that they are getting ready to enter the world of river cruising. Celebrity River Cruises will begin in 2027, with bookings opening sometime in 2025. Two ships will be ready to sail through Europe in 2027, with four more launching in 2028 and another four in 2029. You can expect these ships to feature the same elegant and modern design elements found on the Edge class, which means they are going to be absolutely amazing.
Celebrity Cruise Line Info & Packing List
The key requirement is your ID. Don’t forget to bring it! For U.S. citizens embarking on a cruise that departs and returns to a U.S. port, you must have a valid passport or an official copy of your birth certificate along with a driver's license or another government-issued photo ID.
Passports should have at least six months of validity remaining. For cruises departing from international ports, a passport is mandatory. It's essential that the name on your reservation matches exactly with what appears on your passport or other official proof of nationality. My recommendation is to always bring your passport to avoid any kind of headaches, and it doesn’t matter the destination.
Gratuities
Gratuities for room stewards, restaurants, and most bar bills are included in your base fare if you go with the All-Included option. However, some drinks may incur a 20% gratuity, which is clearly indicated on the menus for each restaurant and bar. This 20% gratuity also applies to minibar purchases, as well as spa and salon services.
Wi-Fi
Basic Wi-Fi is included for free in Celebrity Cruises' All-Included program. This allows you to send messages and browse the web, but doesn’t support video calls or streaming services like Netflix. For $9.99 per day, you can upgrade to Premium Wi-Fi, which enables video streaming and access to your favorite streaming apps for movies, music, and more. If you choose not to opt for the All-Inclusive program, expect to pay around $35 per day, per device, for basic Wi-Fi.
Carry-on Drinks Policy
Celebrity allows you to bring two bottles of wine per cabin onto the ship at no charge (for consumption in your room), and they do not specify the bottle size. However, if you wish to bring the wine to an onboard restaurant or bar, a $15 corkage fee will apply.
Drink Packages
Celebrity Cruises offers three different Drink Packages: the Classic Drink Package (which covers drinks up to $10 and is included in the All-Inclusive program), the Premium Drink Package (for drinks up to $17), and the Non-Alcoholic Package. The Classic Drink Package typically costs $90 per day, per guest; the Premium Drink Package is $110; and the Non-Alcoholic Package is $30.
Dress Code
Celebrity Cruises follows a standard dress code. During the day, there is no dress code, so you can wear casual attire like shorts and t-shirts. In the evening, men can opt for pants or jeans with a short-sleeve sport shirt, while women can choose a skirt or jeans with a casual top.
Laundry
Celebrity Cruises does not have self-service launderettes on its ships. However, they do offer laundry and dry cleaning services for an additional charge. Prices range from $3 for items like socks or swimsuits to $19 for suits.
Celebrity Cruise Line Loyalty Program
The Celebrity Cruises Loyalty Program is called the Captain’s Club, and is divided into six different tiers:
- Preview (0 points)
- Classic (2-149 points)
- Select (150-299 points)
- Elite (300-749 points)
- Elite Plus (750-2999 points)
- Zenith (3000+ points)
You earn points based on your room category and the number of sailing nights. An indoor cabin earns you 2 points per night, while a Penthouse Villa Suite awards 18 points per night, and the Iconic Suite gives you 24 points per night. Keep in mind that your points do not expire, and you retain your membership level even if you go several years without cruising with Celebrity.
There is a Loyalty Status Match program that offers a one-for-one tier match across all three Royal Caribbean Group brands: Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Silversea. This means that if you’re a frequent Royal Caribbean traveler with a high status, you could instantly achieve top-tier status in the Captain’s Club.
The initial tiers don’t offer much. Expect a 10-25% discount on Wi-Fi, a few drinks and a free coffee at some of their specialty restaurants. Elite status gives you one complimentary bag of laundry per cruise and the chance for continental breakfast at an exclusive restaurant for Captain’s Club Elite members.
The Elite Plus tier includes complimentary cappuccino, coffee, and espresso.
The Zenith tier offers a free 7-night cruise to the Caribbean or Bahamas, which is a fantastic perk. Additionally, it provides priority embarkation, complimentary Premium Wi-Fi, and many more benefits. It’s definitely one of the most impressive top-tier memberships available, especially with the status match program in place.
For a complete list of perks and details for each tier, be sure to visit this link.
Packing list for Celebrity Cruise Line
Packing for a cruise isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. While you’ll need several swimsuits, don’t forget to pack at least a few nice outfits for romantic evenings, formal events, or special dinners that require you to dress sharp in the evening.
Also, bring essentials like sunscreen from home, as these items are usually much more expensive once you're on board. It’s always wise to come prepared and pack all the essentials instead of buying them at the last minute. Your wallet will thank you later.
Let’s see some of the things that you should bring to your cruise vacation:
Passport: You will need some form of ID to enter the ship. Most companies ask for a birth certificate and any form of ID (like a driver’s license) OR your Passport. It’s easier to just bring your passport, to be honest.
At least 3-4 swimsuits: Since you're going to a cruise (and probably to a private island), swimsuits are essential. Think of it like going to Alaska without a warm coat. For a week-long trip, bring at least three swimsuits so you can change styles daily and have an extra in case one gets lost. They also will not dry hung up overnight, so make sure to bring more than two.
3-4 swim cover-ups: For the ladies, swim cover-ups are incredibly useful inside a cruise ship. They are great for transitioning from the pool to a nearby restaurant and provide warmth against the chilly wind after a swim.
Rash guard: It protects from the sun. It doesn’t let you burn. You do the simple math and quickly realize it’s a very good item to bring to a sunny vacation.
Shorts & t-shirts/skirts & casual dresses: Especially for the guys, shorts and t-shirts are essential. You'll wear them frequently, even pairing khaki shorts with a cozy shirt for lunch. This combo ensures comfort and relaxation during your beach stay.
Flip flops/comfortable sandals: you want to dress casual, especially when near the swimming pools on the top decks.
Nice outfits and jeans: Guys should pack jeans and polo shirts, and girls should bring dresses for the evening. Some restaurants will not allow entry if you're dressed as if you're heading to the beach. Additionally, bring at least two to three elegant outfits, such as trousers paired with a dress shirt and dress shoes, or an elegant dress. This will also give you a great reason to dress up and enjoy the night parties.
Sun hat: you know those big hats that almost make you look like a Samurai? Yeah, you are probably going to need one of those. They look stylish and they really protect from the sun. Remember, at a beach resort, the sun will be like a new member of your party for the duration of your vacation.
Beach bag: remember to pack a beach bag for the swimming pools. They're simple, lightweight, and perfect for carrying everything you need without any hassle. Just pack your essentials inside, and you're good to go!
Sunglasses: they protect your eyes from the sun. You only have two eyes, and you should love them, so keep them safe since you will be under the sun for a long time.
Sunscreen: Don't forget to pack your sunscreen! Bring your favorite one, and consider bringing more than one since you'll be using it a lot. While sunscreen is available inside every cruise, it's much more expensive than what you're used to.
Lip balm: sunscreen and lip balm are a perfect pair. Unfortunately you can’t slather sunscreen on your mouth (or maybe you can, I don't know) so it’s a good idea to pack a Lip balm to protect against cracked lips. They’re not expensive, they are very small and won’t occupy a lot of space, so let’s put them into the essential list.
After-sun lotion: Since you'll be spending days under the sun, it's important to take care of your skin. These lotions are perfect for moisturizing your skin after sun exposure and soothing any redness or inflammation.
Some cash: Remember, you might need some cash now and then. Cash is particularly useful for exploring land activities and excursions, and it's also necessary for tipping staff members at the ports.
Portable charger: this one is optional, but we all know that some of us will spend 25 hours a day on our cellphones, snapping Instagram-worthy pictures in front of the world's most beautiful vistas. Packing a portable charger might be a good idea if you plan to use your cellphone extensively while walking around the ship or during land excursions.
Embarkation & Debarkation Process
Embarkation with Celebrity Cruise Line
Online check-in is available from 45 days before your cruise until 3 days before departure. The health questionnaire typically becomes available just one day prior to your cruise. Once you book your cruise, download the Celebrity Cruises app and wait until it's time for online check-in. You’ll be able to select a check-in time for the day of your departure.
A few weeks before your cruise, luggage tags will be available in your Celebrity Cruises account. Print these tags at home and attach them to your luggage.
The day before your cruise, make sure to complete the health questionnaire.
If you're flying in for your cruise, it’s wise to arrive a day early and stay in a hotel. This way, if your flight is delayed, you can avoid any stress on the day of your cruise.
Arrive at the port at least 30 minutes before your scheduled check-in time. Leave your non-carry-on bags with the porters and tip them approximately $5 per bag.
Have your documents and passport ready as you go through security. Afterward, proceed to the check-in counter. Since you've checked in online, the process is straightforward: they’ll scan your boarding pass (whether on your phone or printed) and your passport, then direct you to the boarding area.
Your room card isn't given to you during check-in. Instead, head to your stateroom where your Sea Pass/room key will be waiting for you.
Disembarkation with Celebrity Cruise Line
Disembarkation with Celebrity Cruises follows a standard procedure similar to most cruise lines, where you can choose between the standard disembarkation method or self-disembarkation.
With the standard method, you’ll receive a colored tag for your luggage, which you should place outside your stateroom by 10pm on the night before disembarkation. If you opt for self-disembarkation, you won’t leave your luggage outside your cabin. Instead, you'll carry it yourself and be among the first passengers to leave the ship.
If you choose self-disembarkation, you should wake up early and be ready to leave the ship by 7:30am. For standard disembarkation, there is usually a window between approximately 8am and 10am. Your colored tag will indicate your specific disembarkation time.
Whether you choose self-disembarkation or not, you will need to vacate your room by 8am. Staff needs time to clean and prepare the rooms for the next group of passengers, after all. You can still enjoy breakfast in one of the restaurants and wait for your group (tag) to be called. Once your group is called, it’s time to leave the ship. You should be outside with all your bags within 15-30 minutes.
Book your dream vacation with Celebrity Cruise Line!
Now that you know a lot about Celebrity Cruise Line… why not learn even more!? Yeah, our guides do not end here. We have guides about almost anything you can think of. How about the room options at Celebrity Cruise Line? Or the list of restaurants you can find there? We have those too. You want to know more about the activities offered? We got you covered. Wait, now you want to know about the specific pH levels of the swimming pools during June on a rainy night? We don't have that guide yet, but don't tempt us!
Feel free to message us anytime for the best deals, more information about room options, activities, or anything else you need. We'll make sure to treat you like a true celebrity.
Ever wanted to work with us? Send us a message on vacationlab.io/join and let's talk! Best of all, clicking the link is completely free - no dues or fees from us, ever!
