celebrity cruise reviews

Celebrity Cruises

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Celebrity Cruises earns high marks from cruisers and experts alike, thanks to its upscale design and innovative cuisine. Celebrity's fleet departs from U.S. cities like Honolulu , Miami , Boston and Seattle . While you can sail on a smaller vessel like Celebrity Xpedition, which transports only 48 passengers, you can also cruise on a larger ship like Celebrity Beyond , which can host up to 3,260 guests.

Regardless of the ship you select, you can expect a high level of customer service, with each ship carrying approximately one crew member for every two passengers. Celebrity's ships ply waters all around the globe, with sailings making stops in Asia, Europe and the Caribbean, among other popular destinations. Voyages span anywhere from three to 18 nights, and excursions vary by cruise duration and itinerary. 

No matter which itinerary you choose, you'll find a full docket of onboard activities, including wine workshops and glassblowing classes, as well as relaxing pursuits like spa treatments. When you work up an appetite, check out the fleet's variety of dining options, ranging from the Main Restaurant to several specialty venues.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Download the Celebrity Cruises app a few weeks before your cruise to take full advantage of features like scanning your passport and choosing an arrival time. On the ship, you can use the app to start your guest safety briefing, chat with loved ones onboard, reserve dining and excursions, track your onboard spending and organize your calendar of day-to-day activities. On Edge Series ships, you can even use the app to control the TV, lighting, temperature and window shades in your stateroom. – Skye Sherman, Contributor

Pros & Cons

Access to exclusive events and promotions through Captain's Club rewards program

Cost-saving packages available for specialty restaurants

Wide roster of kids and teens activities

Must purchase beverage package (or stay in select suites) for unlimited soft drinks and alcoholic beverages

Shore excursions not covered by cruise fares

More limited onboard offerings for adults compared to some other cruise lines

• Expert Rating » 4.3
• Traveler Rating » 4.2
• Health Rating » 4.8

Celebrity Cruises has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

• # 2 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money
• # 2 in Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
• # 3 in Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean
• # 5 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples

Explore Photos

Celebrity Cruises Ships

Celebrity Beyond

Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Apex

Celebrity Silhouette

Celebrity Eclipse

Celebrity Equinox

Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Millennium

Celebrity Summit

Celebrity Infinity

Celebrity Constellation

Celebrity Reflection

Celebrity Ascent

Before You Book

• Full payment must be made 75 days prior to departure for most voyages. Special sailings require final payment 105 days in advance of your scheduled sail date.
• Celebrity Cruises' cancellation policy varies by itinerary, duration and whether you choose to purchase a CruiseCare benefits package. Cancellation policies for your voyage can be found on the cruise line's  FAQ page .
• Children younger than 1 are not allowed to sail on Celebrity Cruises' trans-Atlantic, trans-Pacific or select South American sailings, or voyages that require three or more consecutive days at sea. For all other cruise itineraries, Celebrity requires passengers to be at least 6 months old.
• You must be 21 years old to sail unaccompanied on voyages originating in North America and 18 years old for cruises departing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand (with some exceptions).
• Passengers in need of special medical equipment or extra assistance should call Celebrity's Access Department at 954-628-9708 or email [email protected] before their scheduled departure date.

Before You Board

• Travelers must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after the completion of their cruise (or three months for cruises with ports in the European Union). If you are on a voyage that begins and ends at the same port in the U.S., you will only need a government-issued photo ID or a birth certificate. Consult Celebrity's  FAQ page  to determine if (based on your nationality and travel plans) you need to acquire a visa before sailing.  
• Along with your passport, remember to bring necessary health documentation, like an inoculation certificate. Vaccination requirements vary by destination. Celebrity advises passengers to consult the  website .
• To expedite the process, you can check-in online up to three days prior to departure. In-person check-in is required at least two hours before your scheduled sail time. You must board the ship at least one hour before your cruise departs. 
• Celebrity recommends booking port excursions and dinner reservations through your Celebrity account before your cruise begins. Travelers can also book dinner reservations and shore excursions once they board the ship. To book dinner reservations during your cruise, call or visit the restaurant's maitre d'. Additionally, Specialty Dining Packages must be purchased at least two days before your departure date.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Celebrity Cruise Line Review — Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

341 Published Articles 44 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 28 U.S. States Visited: 29

Jessica Merritt

Editor & Content Contributor

81 Published Articles 460 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 4 U.S. States Visited: 23

Compliance Editor & Content Contributor

79 Published Articles 639 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 40 U.S. States Visited: 27

Basic Information

Departure ports, private ports and islands, evening chic, special occasion cruises, autism-friendly cruising, complimentary dining, specialty dining, bars and beverages, accommodations, captain’s club, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Celebrity might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of ocean cruising, but it is still a major player.

Celebrity Cruises has been around since 1988. It was founded by a Greek company for the sole purpose of offering luxury sailings to the island of Bermuda. In 1997, Celebrity was acquired by Royal Caribbean.

Since then, it has added many more ports and ships and now sails to over 300 destinations on all 7 continents. Celebrity’s 15 ships feature attractions and activities that will appeal to the modern, luxury traveler.

Name: Celebrity Cruises Parent Company: Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (also owns Royal Caribbean , Azamara, and Silversea Cruises) Number of Ships: 15 (1 more coming in 2023) Destinations: 300+ Loyalty Program: Captain’s Club Credit Card: Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature ® Card

Celebrity Cruises operates a fleet of 15 ships:

• Celebrity Apex
• Celebrity Beyond
• Celebrity Constellation
• Celebrity Eclipse
• Celebrity Edge
• Celebrity Equinox
• Celebrity Flora
• Celebrity Infinity
• Celebrity Millennium
• Celebrity Reflection
• Celebrity Silhouette
• Celebrity Solstice
• Celebrity Summit
• Celebrity Xpedition
• Celebrity Xploration

Celebrity Ascent will debut in the fall of 2023.

Hot Tip: Celebrity Beyond, which debuted in October 2022, is the newest Celebrity ship.

Celebrity Cruises travels to over 300 destinations from 30 departure ports. You’ll find ports of call in 79 countries on all 7 continents.

Owning a private island or beach resort is common among large cruise lines and is something many passengers have come to expect. CocoCay in the Bahamas (once called “Little Stirrup Cay”) is a private island owned by Celebrity’s parent company, Royal Caribbean.

Celebrity used to stop at this private island, but is not currently offering any itineraries that include CocoCay .

Hot Tip: Be prepared! Check out our printable cruise packing list and tips for your next cruise vacation.

Onboard Activities

When sailing on a Celebrity cruise ship, you’ll find the traditional cruise staples like pools, a casino, art auctions, and shopping . But you’ll also find some unique activities on Celebrity ships that you won’t find on other cruises:

• A Hot Summer Night’s Dream show
• Camp at Sea kids’ club
• Caravan at The Club (circus variety show)
• Deal or No Deal
• Dueling DJs Silent Disco
• Elyria (adults-only show)
• F45 fitness classes
• Groove interactive party
• HIIT classes
• Hot glass class
• Outdoor movies
• Peloton classes
• Pulse Barre
• Sizzle (Latin-inspired party)
• SPA Thermal Suite
• STEM at Sea 
• The Persian Garden
• Undercover at The Club
• Wonder at Eden
• Women in Wellness program

Not all activities are available on every ship and some come with additional fees.

You may be familiar with formal nights on other cruise lines, where passengers are expected to dress up for the evening. On Celebrity, formal nights have been replaced with Evening Chic nights . These nights are somewhere in between smart casual and formal.

On Evening Chic nights, women will want to choose a cocktail dress or a skirt, pants, or designer jeans with an elegant top. Men will want to choose pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt, or sweater. Blazers or sports jackets are optional.

Hot Tip: There are 1 to 2 Evening Chic nights on every Celebrity cruise except for Celebrity Xpedition, which sails exclusively in the Galapagos Islands and features casual attire only.

Celebrity offers lots of specialty cruises for those times you want to get away for a holiday or connect with like-minded people.

Holiday Cruises

Fun, themed cruises are available during favorite holidays including Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day.

Culinary Cruises

If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to check out a Celebrity Culinary Cruise. With these sailings, Celebrity has partnered with Chef Daniel Boulud to deliver a truly exceptional experience featuring culinary events and globally-inspired menus.

Celebrity celebrates all passengers and strives to make everyone feel included. You’ll find LGBTQ+ events, the largest Pride Party at Sea, and same-sex marriages onboard. In fact, the first same-sex marriage ceremony at sea that was legally recognized happened on the Celebrity Equinox in January 2018.

Music and Themed Cruises

Try out one of Celebrity’s music and themed cruises for the ultimate good time:

• ’70s Rock and Romance Cruise: Features over 50 live performances and 25 celebrity interactive events
• Blue Note at Sea: Celebrates Blue Note Jazz Clubs, Blue Note Records, and Entertainment Cruise Productions
• Botti at Sea: Featuring jazz trumpeter Chris Botti
• Flower Power Cruise: Featuring peace, love, and 60s music
• Smooth Jazz Cruise: Has been called “The Greatest Party at Sea”
• The Jazz Cruise: Known as “The Greatest Jazz Festival at Sea”
• Ultimate Disco Cruise: Includes over 40 live performances

Celebrity is proud to offer an autism-friendly cruising experience for both kids and adults. The Camp at Sea staff receives autism awareness training that covers considerations including the characteristics of autism and other developmental disabilities and communication skills like person-first language.

Onboard you’ll find sensory-friendly films and toys, dietary menu options such as gluten-free or dairy-free , priority check-in, boarding, and departure, and other special accommodations to make your cruise as comfortable as possible.

Hot Tip: Don’t forget to use the right credit card to book your cruise so you can earn lots of points for your next vacation.

Dining and Beverages

The following options are all included in your cruise fare. Please note that not all locations are available on every ship:

• Cosmopolitan
• Main Restaurant
• Oceanview Cafe

Celebrity Cruises’ specialty dining locations come with an extra charge that will either be a flat per-person cover charge or à la carte pricing.

• Eden Restaurant
• Fine Cut Steakhouse
• Lawn Club Grill
• Le Grand Bistro
• Le Petit Chef
• Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud
• Magic Carpet
• The Porch Seafood Restaurant
• Rooftop Garden Grill
• Sushi on Five
• Tuscan Grille

You won’t go thirsty on a Celebrity cruise. Here are some of the bars and lounges you may find onboard.

• Cafe Al Bacio & Gelateria
• Cellar Masters
• Craft Social
• Ensemble Lounge
• The Martini Bar
• Martini Bar & Crush
• Passport Bar
• Pool & Mast Bar
• Rendezvous Lounge
• The Retreat Lounge
• Rooftop Terrace
• Sky Observation Lounge
• World Class Bar

Not all locations are available on every ship.

Most drinks, even non-alcoholic ones, cost extra on a Celebrity cruise . If you would prefer to pay upfront for your drinks, you can purchase a beverage package ahead of time. You’ll find packages to suit all tastes, even kids!

All beverage packages are priced per person, per day .

Classic Package: $69+

• Beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, and frozen drinks
• Wines by the glass (up to $9 each)
• 15% discount on wines by the bottle

Premium Package: $84+

• All Classic Package benefits
• Specialty coffees and teas
• Craft and artisan beers
• Spirits, cocktails, and frozen drinks
• Coca-Cola products
• Premium bottled water
• Wines by the glass up to $15 each
• 20% discount on wines by the bottle

Classic Non-Alcoholic Package: $18+

• Premium coffee and teas
• Bottled water

Premium Non-Alcoholic Package: $25+

• All benefits from the Classic Non-Alcoholic Package
• Specialty coffee and organic teas
• Red Bull Energy Drink
• Coconut water
• Vitamin Water products

Kids’ Drink Package: $15+

• Smoothies and juices
• Fountain sodas
• Mocktail mixology class

Premium Bottled Water Package: $16+

• Unlimited bottles of still or sparkling premium water

Soda Package: $9+

• Fountain and canned soda

Wines By The Bottle Package: Prices Vary

• Available in 3-, 5-, or 7-bottle packages
• Premium or classic packages are available

Bottom Line: Beverage packages are priced per person, per day, and must be purchased for every day of your cruise. They can’t be shared and they don’t apply to beverages sold in gift shops, the mini-bar, or room service. A 20% service charge will be added to some packages . Not all beverage packages will be available on every ship.

Staterooms on a Celebrity cruise ship evoke a sense of modern luxury. In every stateroom, you’ll find amenities such as a flat-screen TV, exclusive Celebrity eXhale bedding, a cashmere mattress, custom-blended bath products, plush towels, and more.

Here are some of the highlights:

Single Inside Staterooms are perfect for the solo traveler. These rooms offer all the amenities of a double stateroom but are designed for just 1 person.

If you’re trying to stick to a budget, but still want an awesome view, go for a Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom . These rooms are larger than the Standard Ocean View Staterooms and they come with floor-to-ceiling windows.

If you’re traveling with family (up to 5 people), check out the Family Veranda Stateroom . These are the largest veranda staterooms with plenty of space both inside and outside.

If total relaxation is what you’re after, try out an Aqua Class Stateroom. These rooms are spa-inspired and come with extra perks like premium bath products, complimentary dining at Blu restaurant, access to the SEA Thermal Suite and Persian garden, and a personal spa concierge.

For the ultimate in luxury, book a suite on Celebrity Cruise Line. Every suite comes with a personal butler, a private restaurant, a private sundeck, and an exclusive lounge.

Penthouse Suites come with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living and dining area, a private terrace, and a private hot tub!

Iconic Suites are the largest available at over 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space. These luxury suites are situated over the bridge so you’ll get gorgeous panoramic views.

Hot Tip: Wondering if you can use miles and points to book a cruise? We’ve got all the answers in our detailed guide to using miles and points to book cruises .

Captain’s Club is Celebrity Cruise Line’s loyalty program. When you join Captain’s Club, you’ll receive benefits and perks on every Celebrity cruise you take. Plus, each time you cruise, you’ll earn even more points that will help you reach the next tier of the Captain’s Club.

You’ll earn Captain’s Club points based on your stateroom level and the number of nights you sail.

• Inside and Oceanview Staterooms: 2 Club Points per night
• Veranda and Infinite Veranda Staterooms: 3 Club Points per night
• Concierge Class and Aqua Class Staterooms: 5 Club Points per night
• Sky Suite and Aqua Sky Suite: 8 Club Points per night
• Celebrity, Signature, Sunset, and Royal Suite: 12 Club Points per night
• Reflection, Penthouse, and Edge Villa: 18 Club Points per night

* Each tier includes all of the previous tier’s benefits.

Bottom Line: Celebrity’s loyalty club, Captain’s Club, offers perks based on your stateroom level and the number of nights you sail. You can expect some nice onboard benefits like complimentary internet, laundry, and beverage packages, but you won’t find free or discounted cruises as a benefit. 

Celebrity is a luxury cruise line that sails to over 300 destinations on 15 ships.

Onboard, you’ll find unique activities, like Dueling DJs Silent Disco or a hot glass class.

Staterooms on Celebrity cruise ships evoke a sense of modern luxury. Accommodations are available for single travelers as well as larger groups, including suites with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Traditional formal nights are replaced by Evening Chic nights, which should appeal to the modern-day cruiser who doesn’t want to travel with formal wear.

Celebrity also offers many different themed cruises that will appeal to all different types of travelers. Plus, Celebrity strives to be inclusive of everyone, offering special accommodations and activities geared towards autistic passengers and the LGTBQ+ community.

If you’re looking for more information on cruises, explore our guides to Carnival , Princess , Norwegian , and Royal Caribbean .

The information regarding the Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best celebrity cruise ship.

Celebrity Beyond, which debuted in 2022, is the newest and one of the best Celebrity cruise ships. In addition, Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Edge are often cited as the cruise line’s best ships.

Do I have to dress up on a Celebrity cruise?

Not necessarily. Celebrity cruises have replaced traditional formal nights with Evening Chic nights. On these nights, guests are expected to dress up, but just a bit. Designer jeans and an elegant top will do for ladies, and men can get away with pants and a button-down shirt. However, if you want to go more formal, that’s acceptable, too.

Are Celebrity cruises all-inclusive?

Not completely. Just like most other cruise lines, not everything is included in your cruise fare. You’ll find specialty restaurants and activities onboard that come with additional charges. Many beverages, even non-alcoholic ones, also cost extra.

Is Celebrity a high-end cruise line?

Yes, Celebrity is considered a high-end cruise line. It offers luxurious accommodation options including spa-inspired Aqua Class rooms and Concierge Class rooms that come with a personal concierge.

Are drinks free on Celebrity Cruises?

Generally, no, drinks aren’t free on Celebrity Cruises. You can purchase drinks onboard individually or you can pre-purchase a drink package that includes unlimited beverages.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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