After sailing on more than 50 cruises across every major cruise line, I can confidently say that Celebrity Cruises is one of my top choices.
The premium cruise line offers an upscale, luxurious experience that’s still approachable. For the value, you can’t beat Celebrity’s competitive pricing.
If you’re wondering whether Celebrity Cruises is worth booking, here’s my honest take.
Luxury without feeling stuffy
Celebrity Cruises is the older sister to Royal Caribbean, as they’re both owned by the same parent company.
The cruise line calls its brand “modern luxury,” and I’ve found this to be pretty accurate. It’s not over-the-top opulence or black-tie-every-night kind of luxury. Instead, you’ll find a stylish design, excellent food, thoughtful service, and an overall elevated vibe.
Celebrity Cruises is an ideal choice for adults who want to unwind and enjoy refined experiences, though families with kids are still welcome. Compared to Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises offers a quieter, more intimate, and more destination-focused experience.
Smaller cruise ships with better service
While Celebrity’s ships are still large by any standard, they don’t feel overwhelming. You won’t find waterslides or zip lines onboard, as the cruise line doesn’t offer the same onboard thrills and attractions that you’ll find with Royal Caribbean.
Instead, you’ll find top-of-the-line spas, stunning public spaces like the Rooftop Garden and Magic Carpet, and a pool deck that rivals a high-end resort.
Think of Celebrity Cruises like a boutique hotel at sea, with service onboard being attentive without feeling intrusive. There’s a noticeable emphasis on hospitality and relaxation when cruising with Celebrity Cruises.
Award-winning Edge class ships
Celebrity Cruises revitalized the cruise industry with its Edge class, which are some of the best cruise ships at sea. If you’re sailing on an Edge-class ship (like Celebrity Edge, Apex, Ascent, Beyond, or Xcel), expect ultra-modern design and some of the most innovative features at sea.
For instance, the brightly-colored Magic Carpet is a standout feature for Edge-class ships. This innovative platform is a cantilevered deck that moves up and down the side of the ship to serve as a rooftop bar or a luxury tender launch. It’s equally functional as it is elegant. The ship itself feels like a work of art with thoughtfully-designed spaces unlike anything you’ve seen at sea.
Even the older ships in Celebrity’s fleet are well maintained and offer great service, though they may lack some of the flashier spaces found on newer vessels.
The best buffet and dining experience at sea
I’ve eaten at more cruise ship buffets than I’d like to admit. However, Celebrity Cruises easily has the best buffet I’ve experienced at sea. The Oceanview Cafe is expansive and stylish while still offering fresh, varied cuisine.
The buffet is fresh, well-organized, and actually feels high-end. You’ll find everything from made-to-order pasta and custom salads to beautifully presented international dishes and plenty of healthy options. It never feels chaotic or cafeteria-like, which makes a huge difference for the guest experience.
The main dining room is also a step above typical cruise fare. Menus change nightly and feature high-end entrees that you won’t find on sister-brand Royal Caribbean. You’ll find more customized and attentive service. For instance, each table has access to a sommelier for curated wine advice. Service is refined without being stuffy.
If you want to splurge, the specialty restaurants deliver across the board. Fine Cut Steakhouse, Le Petit Chef (with its animated dinner show), and Eden Restaurant on Edge-class ships all offer standout meals. I’ve had better food on Celebrity than at many land-based resorts.
Iconic bars with upscale vibes
Celebrity’s bar scene is classy and relaxed, but not rowdy. The cruise line is perfect if you prefer craft cocktails and live music over party games and loud crowds. For example, the Martini Bar is an iconic venue on Celebrity’s cruise ships with its frosted bar top and showy bartenders shaking up creative drinks.
The Sunset Bar is my personal favorite, as it’s located at the back of the ship with unbeatable ocean views. There is often live acoustic music playing too, making it the ideal spot for sailaway or a quiet evening drink.
Other highlights include Craft Social for beers and elevated cocktails, and Café al Bacio for espresso drinks and spiked coffees in a cozy lounge setting.
Across the board, bar service is polished and consistent, and I appreciate that it never feels like a wild party scene.
Stylish spaces and thoughtful designs
Whether it’s the chic pool deck with plush loungers or the Eden venue with its multi-sensory atmosphere, the spaces onboard Celebrity ships are genuinely impressive.
The cruise line focuses on upscale designs that cater to an adult demographic, featuring curated experiences, such as wine tasting and glass blowing classes. The cruise line has done a great job making the ships feel open, bright, and connected to the sea.
Port-intensive itineraries
Celebrity Cruises stands out with its focus on destination-rich itineraries. While many mainstream cruise lines stick to popular, repetitive routes, Celebrity offers sailings to places like India, Sri Lanka, South America, Greenland, and the Galápagos. You’ll also find longer port days, overnights in major cities, and fewer sea days overall.
Even on more traditional routes like the Mediterranean or Caribbean, Celebrity tends to include smaller, unique ports to places that feel a little less crowded and more culturally immersive.
For travelers who want to go beyond the usual tourist hubs, Celebrity’s itineraries are a major selling point and a big reason why it’s one of my favorite cruise lines to sail with.
Spacious and modern staterooms
Celebrity Cruises places a strong emphasis on modern, functional designs for guest staterooms. Even the entry-level cabins on Celebrity feel more spacious than average cruise lines. Bathrooms are thoughtfully designed with plenty of storage, which makes a big difference for your stateroom experience.
On Edge-class ships, the Infinite Veranda rooms blend indoor and outdoor space, although some cruisers (myself included) prefer the feel of a traditional balcony. Still, you can’t deny the functionality and sleek look of the newer rooms.
Is Celebrity Cruises adults only?
No, Celebrity Cruises is not adults only. The cruise line welcomes families onboard with age-appropriate entertainment and activities.
However, Celebrity Cruises does prioritize an adult-oriented atmosphere, offering quiet, refined spaces reserved for grown-ups. Kids won’t find the same thrills and attractions that Royal Caribbean offers.
Because there are fewer attractions geared towards families, Celebrity Cruises attracts couples, adults, and families with older kids. During spring break and holidays, you might find more kids onboard. Although you might be cruising alongside kids with this modern-luxury cruise line, the vibe remains adult-focused.
What are the downsides of Celebrity Cruises?
No cruise line is perfect. Here are a few things to consider before booking with Celebrity Cruises:
- Entertainment – Celebrity’s entertainment lacks some of the wow factor that you’ll find on Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships, with aqua diving shows, Broadway musicals, and ice skating spectacles. Expect classy productions, talented vocalists, and lots of live music throughout the ship.
- Less kid-friendly – There are programs for children and teens, but this is clearly an adult-focused cruise line. For some, this might be considered a plus, but kids might get bored with fewer activities.
- Higher price point – Celebrity can be more expensive up front, although the inclusion of drinks, Wi-Fi, and tips in some fares helps offset that.
- Excursions can also be pricey – Their shore excursions are well-run but often cost more than what you’d pay booking independently. I’ve found Celebrity’s excursions to be at a higher price point than Royal Caribbean.
- Older ships lack some newer amenities – While well-maintained, older Celebrity ships don’t always offer the same modern features as Edge-class vessels.
The verdict? Yes, Celebrity Cruises is a great cruise line
If you’re looking for a more refined cruise experience that still delivers great value and varied itineraries, Celebrity Cruises is absolutely worth it.
The mid-size ships are beautiful, the food is excellent, and the service is both attentive and personalized. Celebrity Cruises is my preferred cruise line when I want a relaxing, adult-friendly vacation with unique itineraries, and I’ve never been disappointed.
Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, Celebrity Cruises is a great choice for many.
