Celebrity Cruises
Fodor’s Expert Review
Since it was founded in 1989, Celebrity Cruises has grown from a single refurbished ocean liner into a fleet of premium, sophisticated cruise ships that have a reputation for professional service, fine food, and some of the best design in the industry. Signature amenities have grown with the fleet, including gourmet specialty restaurants that carry an additional fee, large staterooms with generous storage, fully equipped spas, and butler service for guests in the top accommodations categories. Valuable art collections grace the stylish modern luxury ship interiors.Read More
Although spacious accommodations in every category are a Celebrity standard, Concierge-class, an upscale element on all ships, makes certain premium ocean-view and balcony staterooms almost the equivalent of suites in terms of service. A Concierge-class stateroom includes numerous extras, such as chilled champagne, fresh fruit, and flowers upon arrival; exclusive room-service menus; evening canapés; luxury bedding, pillows, and linens; upgraded balcony furnishings; priority boarding and luggage service; and other VIP perks. At the touch of a single telephone button, a Concierge-class desk representative is at hand to offer assistance. Suites are still the ultimate, though, and include the services of a butler to assist with unpacking, booking spa services and dining reservations, shining shoes, and even replacing a popped button.
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What to Expect on Board
Aside from the sophisticated ambience of its restaurants, the cuisine has always been a highlight of a Celebrity cruise.
Happily, every ship in the fleet has a highly experienced team headed by executive chefs and food and beverage managers who have developed their skills in some of the world’s finest restaurants and hotels.
Alternative restaurants throughout the fleet offer fine dining and a variety of international cuisines in splendid surroundings. A less formal evening alternative is offered in Lido restaurants, where you’ll find made-to-order sushi, stir-fry, pasta, pizza, and curry stations, as well as a carving station, an array of vegetables, “loaded” baked potatoes, and desserts. The spa cafés serve light and healthy cuisine from breakfast until evening. Cafés serve a variety of coffees, teas, and pastries that carry an additional charge. Late-night treats served by white-gloved waiters in public rooms throughout the ships can include mini–beef Wellingtons and crispy tempura.
To further complement the food, Celebrity’s extensive wine collection features more than 500 choices, including vintages from every major wine-producing region.
Entertainment has never been a primary focus of Celebrity Cruises, although every ship offers a lineup of lavish production shows.
In addition, ships have guest entertainers and music for dancing and listening, and you’ll find lectures on every Celebrity cruise. Presentations may range from financial strategies, astronomy, wine appreciation, photography tips, and politics to the food, history, and culture of ports of call. Culinary demonstrations, bingo, and art auctions are additional diversions throughout the fleet. There are plenty of activities outlined in the daily program of events. There are no public-address announcements for bingo or hawking of gold-by-the-inch sales. You can still play and buy, but you won’t be reminded repeatedly.
Celebrity’s Canyon Ranch SpaClub and fitness centers are some of the most tranquil and nicely equipped at sea, with complimentary access to thalassotherapy pools on Millennium-class ships.
Spa services are operated by Canyon Ranch, one of the world’s leading spa and wellness brands, and treatments include a variety of massages, body wraps, and facials and a menu of options just for teens. Trendy and traditional hair and nail services are offered in the salons.
State-of-the-art exercise equipment, a jogging track, and basic fitness classes are available at no charge. There’s a fee for personal training, body composition analysis, and specialized classes such as yoga and Pilates. Golf pros offer hands-on instruction, and game simulators allow passengers to play world-famous courses. Each ship also has an Acupuncture at Sea treatment area staffed by licensed practitioners of Oriental medicine.
Key cruising tips
Your Shipmates
Celebrity caters to American cruise passengers, primarily couples from their mid-thirties to mid-fifties. Many families enjoy cruising on Celebrity’s fleet during summer months and holiday periods, particularly in the Caribbean. Lengthier cruises and exotic itineraries attract passengers in the over-sixty age group.
Dress Code
Two dressy “evening chic” nights are standard on seven-night cruises. Men are encouraged to wear tuxedos, but dark suits or sport coats and ties are more prevalent. Other evenings are designated “smart casual and above.” Although jeans are discouraged in formal restaurants, they are appropriate for casual dining venues after 6 pm. The line requests that no shorts be worn in public areas after 6 pm, and most people observe the dress code of the evening, unlike on some other cruise lines.
Junior Cruisers
Each Celebrity vessel has a dedicated playroom and offers a four-tier program of age-appropriate games and activities designed for children ages 3 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 11. Younger children must be toilet-trained to participate in the programs and use the facilities; however, families are welcome to borrow toys for their non-toilet-trained kids. A fee may be assessed for participation in children’s dinner parties, the Late-Night Slumber Party, and Afternoon Get-Togethers while parents are ashore in ports of call. Evening group babysitting is available for a fee. All ships have teen centers, where tweens and teenagers (ages 12 to 17) can hang out and attend mocktail and pizza parties.
Service
Service on Celebrity ships is unobtrusive and polished. Concierge-class adds an unexpected level of service and amenities that are usually reserved for luxury ships or passengers in top-category suites on other premium cruise lines.
Tipping
Gratuities are automatically added daily to onboard accounts in the following amounts (which may be adjusted at your discretion): $14.50 per person per day for passengers in stateroom categories; $15 per person per day for Concierge-class and Aqua-class staterooms; and $18 per person per day for suites. An automatic gratuity of 15% is added to all beverage tabs, minibar purchases, and salon and spa services.
Past Passengers
Once you’ve sailed with Celebrity, you become a member of the Captain’s Club and receive benefits commensurate with the number of cruises you’ve taken, with more benefits added at each level. Classic members have been on at least one Celebrity cruise and receive exclusive onboard premium offers. Select members have sailed at least six cruises and get perks such as discounted Internet and laundry service specials. After 10 cruises you become an Elite member and are also invited to a complimentary cocktail hour. Elite Plus members are also recognized with beverage and specialty dining discounts, complimentary specialty coffees, and 240 free Internet minutes. Zenith members are additionally offered access to Michael’s Club Concierge Lounge, receive a complimentary beverage package, free laundry, and unlimited Internet minutes.