Celebrity Cruises
Modern luxury ocean cruising, redefined. The Edge-class fleet — Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, and Xcel — represents the most architecturally innovative ships in the premium segment, with outward-facing design, Infinite Veranda staterooms, and the private Retreat suite experience. Caribbean and Mediterranean excellence.
- Celebrity Cruises sits in the "modern luxury" segment — a meaningful step above mainstream lines (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian) in design, dining, and service, but priced below ultra-luxury (Silversea, Regent). It is the aspirational entry point into serious luxury cruising.
- The Edge-class ships (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel) represent a landmark shift in cruise ship design — outward-facing architecture, Infinite Veranda staterooms that dissolve the boundary between cabin and sea, and the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered moveable platform that serves as restaurant, bar, and embarkation deck depending on position.
- The Retreat is Celebrity's suite-within-a-ship concept — a private enclave with exclusive restaurant (Luminae), dedicated sundeck, lounge, and butler service available in Penthouse, Reflection, Sky, Edge Villa, and Iconic Suite categories.
- Celebrity's inclusion model (Always Included or All Included fares) covers premium beverages, gratuities, and Wi-Fi — the base fare is competitive on a true all-in basis vs. lines that charge for drinks and tips separately.
- Celebrity is owned by Royal Caribbean Group and operates as the group's premium brand — distinct from Royal Caribbean (mainstream) and sister brand Silversea (ultra-luxury).
What makes Celebrity different
The defining feature of the current Celebrity product is Edge-class architecture. The Infinite Veranda staterooms — the cabin's exterior wall opens to dissolve the boundary between cabin and sea — and the cantilevered Magic Carpet platform on the side of the ship are genuinely innovative, not marketing terms. No other premium line has anything like them, and the outward-facing layout of the entire Edge-class hull is a meaningful break from cruise ship convention.
The Retreat is Celebrity's suite-within-a-ship concept. For Penthouse, Reflection, Sky, Edge Villa, and Iconic Suite guests, the experience is functionally a different cruise: private dining at Luminae, a dedicated sundeck, The Retreat Lounge, butler service, and concierge access. It closes the gap with Silversea and Regent more than most travelers expect, at a meaningfully lower price point.
Edge-class ships carry 29 dining venues — more variety than almost any ship at this price point. Eden Restaurant, Le Petit Chef (an immersive animated dinner experience), Fine Cut Steakhouse, Cosmopolitan as the main dining room, plus a wide range of casual venues. Kelly Hoppen's interiors on Celebrity Edge set the design tone: warm neutrals, precise detailing, a hotel-quality feel that differs sharply from the glitter of mainstream cruise ships.
Positioning matters. Celebrity is modern luxury — more social and entertainment-forward than Viking Ocean, but more refined and intimate than Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. Always Included fares — premium beverages, gratuities, and Wi-Fi in the base price — simplify the value comparison against lines that bill these separately.
The Celebrity fleet
The current generation is Edge-class — Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, and Xcel. The previous generation Solstice-class ships continue to sail strong itineraries, particularly in Alaska, where the Edge-class fleet does not deploy.
Celebrity Xcel
The newest Edge-class ship and the most refined iteration of the design — the latest Magic Carpet, the latest Infinite Veranda layout, the most current Retreat suite product. Best for travelers who want the absolute latest Celebrity hardware on their first Celebrity sailing.
Celebrity Ascent
The immediate predecessor to Xcel — strong Mediterranean deployment, the full Edge-class feature set, and the most current Retreat experience before Xcel's debut. A close second choice for travelers cross-shopping the newest hulls.
Celebrity Beyond
Known for strong Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries. Adds the elongated hull and additional Magic Carpet refinements over the original Edge design. The right choice for travelers anchored to specific Caribbean or Med itineraries that Beyond sails.
Celebrity Apex
The second Edge-class ship. Mediterranean and Caribbean deployment. Functionally identical guest experience to Edge with the same Infinite Verandas, Magic Carpet, and 29 dining venues. A polished, well-running ship.
Celebrity Edge
The original — the ship that established Celebrity's current design language. Caribbean in winter, Mediterranean in summer. Refurbished in 2023 to keep pace with the newer ships. Best for travelers who want Edge-class itineraries that the original hull sails.
Solstice-class ships
The previous generation fleet. Excellent ships — polished, well-run, strong service — but pre-Edge design. No Magic Carpet, no Infinite Verandas, no Eden Restaurant. Best chosen for specific itineraries (notably Alaska) where Edge-class doesn't deploy.
Where Celebrity sails in 2026-27
Caribbean
Celebrity's largest winter deployment. Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean itineraries primarily on Edge-class ships — Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent. Strong port mix including private destination Perfect Day at CocoCay on select sailings. Best for first-time Celebrity travelers.
Mediterranean
The Edge-class fleet repositions to the Mediterranean for summer — Italy, Greece, Spain, French Riviera, and the Adriatic. Beyond, Ascent, and Apex carry the heaviest Med deployment. The combination of Edge-class design with classic Med ports is one of the strongest itinerary fits in the fleet.
Alaska
Alaska is the strongest case for the Solstice-class ships. Excellent for wildlife and glacier-viewing itineraries from Seattle and Vancouver. Smaller than Edge-class but well-suited to Alaska's ports. Best for travelers prioritizing the itinerary over the latest hardware.
Europe — Northern Europe & British Isles
Baltic, Norwegian fjords, British Isles, and Iceland itineraries. Strong summer deployment with a mix of Edge-class and Solstice-class ships depending on the year. Best for travelers cross-shopping Celebrity against Viking Ocean or Regent Northern Europe sailings.
South America, Australia & Pacific
Seasonal deployment to South America, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific — generally on Solstice-class ships during the brand's repositioning windows. Best for experienced cruisers ready for a longer voyage or a specific exotic itinerary.
What's included — the Always Included breakdown
Celebrity's Always Included (and All Included) fares cover the three line items that most often surprise mainstream cruisers at final billing: drinks, tips, and Wi-Fi. Here's the practical breakdown.
- Premium beverages — spirits, wine, beer, specialty coffees, and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the ship
- All gratuities — dining, bar, and cabin staff
- High-speed Wi-Fi for one device
- Main dining room meals and select casual dining venues
- All onboard entertainment, fitness classes, and enrichment programming
- Shore excursions — booked à la carte
- Specialty restaurant cover charges (variable — some included on certain fares, most are à la carte)
- Spa treatments
- Air to and from the embarkation port
- Casino
Who Celebrity is — and isn't — for
- Travelers stepping up from mainstream cruise lines who want noticeably better design, dining, and service.
- Suite travelers who want The Retreat experience at a lower price than Silversea or Regent.
- Couples and adults who want a social, modern atmosphere with excellent food and design — but who don't require an adults-only environment.
- Travelers who care deeply about ship architecture and interior design — Edge-class is legitimately beautiful.
- Groups — Celebrity has one of the strongest group programs in premium cruising.
- You want a strictly adults-only environment — children are welcome on Celebrity.
- You're an ultra-luxury traveler expecting butler service on standard balcony cabins (it's only in The Retreat).
- You want shore excursions included as standard — Celebrity's model is à la carte.
- You're seeking a quiet, expedition-style experience — Celebrity is a modern luxury ocean line, not an expedition brand.
Our honest take on Celebrity Cruises
Edge-class ships are genuinely special. If a traveler is going to try Celebrity for the first time, put them on Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, or Xcel. The Solstice-class ships are fine — well-run, polished, strong service — but they don't deliver the brand's current best. Save Solstice for Alaska, where Edge-class doesn't deploy.
The Retreat for suite guests closes the gap with ultra-luxury lines more than most travelers expect. Luminae dining, the dedicated sundeck, and butler service are meaningful — for a traveler torn between booking a top Celebrity suite or a mid-tier Silversea or Regent suite, the all-in math frequently favors The Retreat.
Celebrity is the right answer for travelers who want to feel like they're on something beautiful and modern without going all the way to Silversea pricing. The design-led identity is the brand's most underrated asset. It's also the most natural step up for a couple coming off a mainstream Royal Caribbean or Norwegian sailing who want more than mainstream but less than ultra-luxury.
"Always Included" fares require careful reading. The base sticker looks higher than mainstream lines but includes drinks and tips, which changes the value equation materially. We model the true all-in cost side-by-side for clients to keep that comparison honest.
Groups sailing Celebrity get additional exclusive benefits through Travel Squad Vacations — see current Celebrity group rates and amenities. An advisor is most useful here for Edge-class vs. Solstice-class ship selection, fare-class choice, Retreat suite category if upgrading into the suite enclave, Captain's Club loyalty layering, and group amenities for parties of 8 or more. For broader context across travel styles, our comparison guide walks through how modern luxury ocean cruising stacks up against premium, ultra-luxury, expedition, and river.
Traveling with a group?
Groups of 8 or more qualify for exclusive Celebrity Cruises group amenities through Travel Squad Vacations — onboard credit, beverage package upgrades, prepaid gratuities, or Wi-Fi credit depending on the sailing, plus dedicated group event support.
View Celebrity Cruises Group RatesCelebrity Cruises — frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Celebrity Edge-class and Solstice-class ships?
Edge-class (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel) is Celebrity's current generation and represents a landmark shift in cruise ship design — outward-facing architecture, Infinite Veranda staterooms, the cantilevered Magic Carpet platform, 29 dining venues, and Kelly Hoppen-designed interiors. Solstice-class (Solstice, Eclipse, Equinox, Silhouette, Reflection) is the previous generation: polished, well-run ships with strong service, but pre-Edge design. For travelers trying Celebrity for the first time, an Edge-class sailing delivers the brand's current best.
What is The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises?
The Retreat is Celebrity's suite-within-a-ship concept — a private enclave reserved for Penthouse, Reflection, Sky, Edge Villa, and Iconic Suite guests. It includes Luminae (a private restaurant for suite guests only), a dedicated sundeck, The Retreat Lounge, butler service, and exclusive concierge access. The Retreat experience closes the gap with ultra-luxury lines like Silversea and Regent more than most travelers expect, at a meaningfully lower price point.
What is the Magic Carpet?
The Magic Carpet is the cantilevered moveable platform suspended on the side of every Edge-class ship — a tennis-court-sized deck that travels vertically between deck levels to serve different purposes throughout the voyage. At sea level, it functions as the embarkation platform for shore tenders; mid-ship, it becomes a specialty restaurant venue; at the top, it's a sky bar and observation lounge. It is the most architecturally novel feature in modern cruise ship design.
What is included on Celebrity Cruises?
Celebrity's Always Included (and All Included) fares cover premium beverages (spirits, wine, beer, specialty coffees, and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the ship), all gratuities for dining, bar, and cabin staff, and high-speed Wi-Fi. Main dining room meals and select casual dining venues are included. Shore excursions, most specialty restaurant cover charges, spa treatments, casino, and airfare are not included. On a true all-in basis the fare is competitive against lines that charge for drinks and tips separately.
How does Celebrity compare to Viking Ocean?
They sit in different segments. Viking Ocean is premium, adults-only (no children under 18), no casino, identical 930-guest ships, destination-focused programming, and includes one shore excursion per port. Celebrity is modern luxury, family-friendly, social and entertainment-forward, with much larger Edge-class ships (around 3,000 guests), 29 dining venues, the Magic Carpet, and The Retreat suite enclave for an upper-tier experience. Pick Viking for a quiet adult-only destination focus; pick Celebrity for design-led modern luxury with the option to upgrade into The Retreat.
Is Celebrity good for families?
Yes — children are welcome and the line operates a strong youth program (Camp at Sea) for ages 3-17 across the fleet, with age-appropriate clubs, teen-only spaces, and supervised activities. Edge-class ships have meaningful family connecting cabin options. Celebrity is a stronger family fit than its sister brand Silversea (ultra-luxury, adults-skewing) and a more refined fit than mainstream sister Royal Caribbean, but families wanting the largest waterparks and slides will prefer Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships.
Is Celebrity good for groups?
Yes. Celebrity has one of the strongest group programs in premium cruising, and Travel Squad Vacations holds particularly deep agency group inventory on this brand. Groups of 8 or more qualify for exclusive amenities — onboard credit, beverage package upgrades, prepaid gratuities, or Wi-Fi credit, depending on the sailing — plus dedicated group event support. Full details and current group inventory are on our supporting page at /group-rates/celebrity.
Can I book Celebrity through Travel Squad Vacations?
Yes — and an advisor adds real value on Celebrity. The most useful planning decisions are Edge-class vs. Solstice-class ship selection, fare-class choice (Always Included vs. All Included), Retreat suite category if upgrading into the suite enclave, Captain's Club loyalty layering, group amenities for parties of 8+, and itinerary timing by region. Our team has personally sailed most of the Edge-class fleet and books Celebrity regularly.
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