The ultimate guide to Celebrity Cruises ships and itineraries

Table Of Content

• Thong Swimsuits on Cruises: Unrestricted and Embraced
• WaterColor Fantasy: Immersive Poolside Entertainment
• Golfing Opportunities on Costa Cruises: Explore the Mediterranean
• Choose Millennium Class if you like smaller ships.
• Ranking Celebrity Cruises Three Class Options
• AquaClass vs. The Retreat vs. Concierge: Cost
• Why Cruise From California With Celebrity Cruises
• Choose Solstice Class if you want to see Hawaii or Australia and New Zealand.

As I explore the ship, I can’t resist the temptation of indulging in the decadent treats and demonstrations of the Chocolate Journeys experience on board. Nestled within the ship, a hidden corridor is filled with an array of freshly baked pastries and delectable treats. This hidden gem is a pastry shop extravaganza, offering a haven for those with a sweet tooth. As the sun sets, the poolside area comes alive with vibrant colors and enchanting music. The interactive fountain experience mesmerizes the audience, with water jets dancing in sync to the rhythm. Imagine watching a movie or concert while being surrounded by a mesmerizing water and light display.

Thong Swimsuits on Cruises: Unrestricted and Embraced

This means that the Edge Class ships can accommodate more passengers and offer more space for amenities and activities. However, the larger size of the Edge Class ships can also lead to more crowded areas, especially during peak times. Launching at the start of the new millennium in 2000, Celebrity's Millennium Class features the oldest ships sailing for Celebrity. When they debuted, they were a more modern take on cruise ship design from Celebrity. However, thanks to major upgrades in recent years, these 20+-year-old ships now have some of Celebrity’s most popular amenities and features from its Solstice Class ships, which debuted a few years later. Additionally, Celebrity Cruises debuted the very first hot glass class at sea onboard Solstice ships in partnership with Hollywood Hot Glass.

WaterColor Fantasy: Immersive Poolside Entertainment

If you're sure that Celebrity is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all of the many cabin categories on its ships and, preferably, has done ship inspections to see them firsthand. That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises.

Golfing Opportunities on Costa Cruises: Explore the Mediterranean

And solo travelers can rejoice – a large number of these Edge Staterooms with Infinite Verandahs are designed for one (16 on Celebrity Edge, 24 on Celebrity Apex, and 32 on Celebrity Beyond and Ascent). The layout of Edge class is also slightly different - there are no observation lounges, and the entire pool deck has been reimagined to maximize exposure to the sun and sea. With three ships in the Edge class (so far), the destination offerings aren’t as diverse as Solstice class. It’s also worth noting that these suite guests also enjoy access to the SEA Thermal Suite and a dedicated spa concierge.

The Solstice Class ships provide an impressive glass lawn at sea, allowing guests to enjoy a unique experience of real grass onboard. They also offer a wide range of dining options, with choices including specialty restaurants. On the other hand, the Edge Class ships boast an exclusive Eden venue, a multi-level garden space that provides a tranquil and immersive environment. Additionally, the Edge Class ships feature luxurious Iconic Suites, offering guests a lavish and indulgent experience. Both classes offer a variety of amenities, such as spas, casinos, stage productions, and entertainment options. The choice between the two classes ultimately depends on individual travel preferences and desired experiences.

It also features one of the most luxurious suites at sea, the 2-story Reflection Suite, which measures 1,600 square feet. In essence, cruise ship classes are basically a designation of ships that were designed to be nearly identical and constructed around the same time. Although cruise lines will switch up a few design aspects here and there, typically ships within the same class are built within a few years of each other and are virtually the same. Every Celebrity vessel has one and sometimes up to four main restaurants where meals are included in the fare, and these dining rooms are at the heart of the dining experience on Celebrity ships. Many passengers have all or most of their dinners in one of these main restaurants. They include two so-called Iconic Suites on each of the line's new Edge Class ships that measure more than 2,500 square feet, including outdoor balcony space.

AquaClass vs. The Retreat vs. Concierge: Cost

Celebrity Cruises are known for its stylish cruise ships and fantastic service. A more premium version of parent company Royal Caribbean’s offerings some would say, Celebrity aim to make cruising trendy for those who would never consider cruising. Celebrity Flora is the newest of the Xpedition-class and offers just forty suites – all of which have a private balcony. Expect stylish spaces galore, including the Sunset and Martini bars, plus a sleek Rooftop Terrace where cruisers can catch outdoor flicks while basking in the ocean views. This 22-year-old Celebrity ship offers a more refined, subdued atmosphere compared to the line’s newer ships, which boast flashier features like the Magic Carpet. The Rooftop Terrace area serves as a restaurant, bar, and outdoor movie theater, complete with cozy furnishings coupled with mouthwatering bites and sips.

Why Cruise From California With Celebrity Cruises

At night, the main theater comes alive with a variety of entertainment offerings to keep guests entertained between the exciting ports of call. Celebrity Infinity is a favorite among laid-back cruisers — primarily couples and adult friend groups. Popular onboard hangout spots include the adults-only Solarium, the buzzy Rooftop Terrace, and, for suite guests, The Retreat. The ship also has a handful of specialty dining restaurants (in addition to complimentary ones, of course).

Relatedly, Summit is the only ship in the fleet sailing Canada/New England itineraries, in the fall when the Bermuda season has ended. When Celebrity Millennium isn't plying the waters of Alaska, it is cruising interesting itineraries throughout Asia (a mix of Chinese and Thai ports, with Japan-only itineraries as well). Constellation switches itineraries between Middle East cruises (Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Dubai, Aqaba), the Med and also Asia (China, Thailand and Singapore). During the day, cruisers can enjoy the pool deck, the Solarium, or the spa.

Sometimes Sailing is a cruise-focused website by Dan and Mikkel Woodruff, a couple passionate about cruising. If you’re not that into wellness or fitness, but you love the idea of a dedicated restaurant and some extra special attention, spring for The Retreat instead. You can also ask a dedicated concierge team that’s there any questions you may have about the ship or excursions.

Cruise week report: First-look at Icon of the Seas, saving money on a Celebrity cruise, Diamond Crown & Anchor info ... - Cruise Blog

Cruise week report: First-look at Icon of the Seas, saving money on a Celebrity cruise, Diamond Crown & Anchor info ....

Posted: Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Although the ships differ in size, they each offer similar experiences sailing around the virtually untouched Galapagos Islands. Because these ships are much smaller than anything else offered by Celebrity Cruises, you can expect to find fewer amenities onboard with limited options for dining, activities, and entertainment. Celebrity Reflection, the newest ship in the class, holds the most passengers with a capacity of 3,480 guests.

You do not have to dine at these restaurants if you're in AquaClass or The Retreat; it's simply only an option if you are a part of these Celebrity Cruises suite classes. In other words, guests who are not a part of either class cannot dine in these restaurants. There is a special top-deck lounge and pool area for guests of The Retreat, called The Retreat Sundeck. While the environment of the Sundeck has an adults-only vibe, The Retreat pool and Sundeck areas are not adults-only. Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card points when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases. This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit).

Six Celebrity Cruises ships receive Forbes Travel Guide stars - Crew Center

Six Celebrity Cruises ships receive Forbes Travel Guide stars.

Posted: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

“My stateroom, 9164, was a Sky Suite, with a king bed facing a private terrace and a clever roll-open mirror that let natural light into the spacious bathroom. There are three main classes of vessels — the Edge, Solstice and Millennium classes. There's also a fourth grouping of three small vessels that operate exclusively in the Galápagos. You'll find a lot of consistency from ship to ship in the Celebrity fleet in the type of venues that you find on board. The top rooms on board are two penthouse suites that measure 1,300 square feet each and span the entire width of the ship.

Celebrity's three newest vessels each have several Infinite Veranda solo cabins for cruisers traveling by themselves. Celebrity Edge has 16, and Celebrity Apex offers 24, while Celebrity Beyond boasts 32. They offer 131 to 184 square feet of space with 42- to 45-square-foot interior balcony areas. Across the fleet, all ships offer connecting rooms, with some of the largest suites joining to sleep up to 10 people. The line also features special accommodations for solo cruisers on a small number of its vessels (specifics are noted below under applicable cabin categories).

At the core of the brand are 12 relatively big ships that can be bunched into just three groups.