Celebrity Cruises: The Complete Insider Guide

01The Fleet

Newest · 3,260 guests

Edge Class

Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel Magic Carpet cantilevered platform — bar/restaurant that moves between decks. Infinite Veranda cabins transform to open air with a button. Eden multi-level venue: chill by day, party by night. Most innovative premium ships at sea.

Elegant · 2,850 guests

Solstice Class

Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, Reflection Real grass lawn on top deck (The Lawn Club — bocce, picnics, movies). AquaSpa. Martini Bar with ice-topped bar. The ships that put Celebrity on the map.

Classic · 2,150 guests

Millennium Class

Millennium, Infinity, Summit, Constellation Smaller ships ideal for exotic itineraries (Alaska, Bermuda, transatlantic). Recently modernized. Intimate, refined feel.

Galápagos · 48–100 guests

Celebrity Xpedition & Flora

Purpose-built expedition ships for the Galápagos Islands. Naturalist-guided. Once-in-a-lifetime experience. Book 12+ months ahead.

02What’s Included vs. What Costs Extra

Included (Always Included Pricing)

Standard on most bookings

🍷 Classic beverage package — beer, wine, cocktails, specialty coffee

📶 Basic WiFi

💰 Gratuities/tips prepaid

🍴 Main Dining Room

🍩 Oceanview Café buffet

🍔 Mast Grill

🛏 Room service — continental free

🏊 Pools, fitness center, entertainment/shows

Costs Extra

Budget for these add-ons

🏆 Premium beverage upgrade — $12/day more for top-shelf

📶 Stream WiFi upgrade

🍴 Specialty dining — Le Petit Chef (projected animation dinner, must-do), Fine Cut Steakhouse, Raw on 5 sushi, Luminae (Retreat suites only)

💆 Spa & salon

🏝 Shore excursions

🎰 Casino

⭐ The Retreat — suite-class ship-within-a-ship: private sundeck, lounge, restaurant

03Preparing for Your Cruise: The Timeline

1

At Booking

Pay deposit. Confirm Always Included pricing is applied (drinks, WiFi, tips). Create MyCelebrity account. Download the Celebrity Cruises app.

2

90 Days Before

Book specialty dining (Le Petit Chef sells out — book immediately). Reserve spa treatments. Book shore excursions.

3

60 Days Before

Upgrade beverage package to Premium if desired ($12/day more for top-shelf). Book any remaining restaurants or experiences.

4

21 Days Before

Complete online check-in via the app. Upload passport/travel docs. Select arrival time. Set up onboard account.

5

Embarkation Day

Arrive at assigned time. Suite guests (The Retreat) get priority boarding. Drop luggage at port. Muster drill is digital via app. Head to Oceanview Café for lunch while staterooms are prepared.

04Dining & Entertainment

Included Dining

Main Dining Room Multi-course, rotating menu — Celebrity's food quality is a cut above

Oceanview Café Buffet — one of the best at sea

Mast Grill Poolside burgers & dogs

Spa Café Light & healthy options

Eden Café Edge class ships

⭐

Celebrity is consistently rated best mainstream dining at sea — even the included restaurants feel like specialty dining on other lines.

Specialty Dining & Shows

Le Petit Chef ($$$) Animated projection dining — the most unique dinner at sea. Book early.

Fine Cut Steakhouse Premium steaks & seafood

Raw on 5 Sushi & seafood

Tuscan Grille Italian

Luminae Retreat suite guests only — included with suite

Entertainment

Production shows & live bands

The Club Lounge & nightclub

Eden (Edge class) Immersive performance + lounge

🎶

Celebrity is more sophisticated evening entertainment vs. Broadway spectacle — elegant, not loud.

05Insider Tips

1 Celebrity is the sweet spot between mainstream (Royal Caribbean) and luxury (Silversea) — premium without pretention.

2 Always Included pricing means drinks, WiFi, and tips are built in — the price you see is much closer to what you actually pay vs. other lines.

3 Le Petit Chef is a MUST — tiny animated chefs projected onto your plate “prepare” each course. Book the second your window opens.

4 The Retreat (suite class) is one of the best ship-within-a-ship concepts — private sundeck, exclusive restaurant Luminae, Retreat Lounge, butler service.

5 Edge class Infinite Verandas are genius — press a button and your cabin extends to an open-air balcony. Every ocean-view cabin has one.

6 The Lawn Club (Solstice class) has real grass on the top deck — bocce ball, outdoor movies, picnics. Unique to Celebrity.

7 Celebrity skews adult but is NOT adults-only — kids clubs exist but this is best for couples, adult friend groups, or families with older teens.

8 Captain Kate McCue commands Celebrity Beyond — she's the first American female cruise ship captain and a social media star. Fans book her ship specifically.