The Chandris Group, owners of budget Fantasy Cruises, founded Celebrity in 1989. Initially utilizing an unlovely, refurbished former ocean liner from the Fantasy fleet, Celebrity gained a reputation for fine food and professional service despite the shabby-chic vessel where it was elegantly served. The cruise line eventually built premium, sophisticated cruiseships. Signature amenities followed, including a martini bar, large standard staterooms with generous storage, fully equipped spas, and butler service for top suites. Valuable art collections grace the fleet, which merged with Royal Caribbean International in 1997.

Entertainment has never been a primary focus; a lineup of lavish, although somewhat uninspired, revues is presented in the main show lounges by production companies of singers and dancers. In addition to shows featuring comedians, magicians, and jugglers, bands play a wide range of musical styles for dancing and listening in smaller lounges. Cirque du Soleil performers add an interactive element to the custom-built Bar at the Edge of the Earth on Constellation.

Two to five guest lecturers participate in the Enrichment Series program 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, although you'll have to read the daily program of events to find out about them. 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.

While spacious accommodations in every category are a Celebrity standard, the addition of ConciergeClass, an upscale element on all ships, makes certain premium ocean-view and balcony staterooms almost the equivalent of suites in terms of service. A ConciergeClass 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 ConciergeClass 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.

Food

Aside from the sophisticated ambience, the cuisine designed by master chef Michel Roux is reason enough to cruise on a Celebrity ship. Roux creates the menus personally and oversees all aspects of dining operations. His hands-on approach also includes revising menus every six months and assisting with training the executive restaurant staff. He also cruises on Celebrity ships approximately six times a year to evaluate the consistency of the quality and performance of culinary operations.

Alternative restaurants on the Millennium and Constellation offer fine dining in classic ocean liner splendor. Century also gets an upscale specialty restaurant in 2006. If you don't feel like dressing up for dinner in the formal dining room, an evening alternative is offered fleetwide in the Casual Dining Boulevard, where you'll find a sushi bar, pizza and baked pasta, healthy spa items, and an area where you can order from the dining room menu. Reservations are required, but there are no long waits, and reserving a table is usually not a problem. Cova Café serves specialty coffees and pastries in surroundings inspired by the original in Milan; some offerings carry an additional charge. Gourmet Bites, the 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, in 2004 Celebrity introduced a proprietary Cellarmaster Selection of wines, which initially included a Russian River Valley chardonnay and a Sonoma County cabernet sauvignon.

Fitness & Recreation

Celebrity's AquaSpa by Elemis and fitness centers are some of the most tranquil and nicely equipped at sea with thalassotherapy pools on all but Zenith (complimentary on Millennium-class ships; a fee is assessed on Century-class). Spa services are operated by Steiner Leisure, and treatments include a variety of massages, body wraps, and facials. Trendy and traditional hair and nail services are offered in the salons.

State-of-the-art exercise equipment, a jogging track, and basic fitness class 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 (except on Zenith).

Your Shipmates

Celebrity caters to American cruise passengers, primarily couples from their mid-30s to mid-50s. 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-60 age group.

Dress Code

Two formal nights are standard on seven-night cruises. Men are encouraged to wear tuxedos, but dark suits or sport coats and ties are more prevalent. Two evenings are designated informal, and other evenings are casual, although jeans are discouraged in restaurants. 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 aged 3 to 6, 7 to 9, 10 to 12, and 13 to 17. Younger children must be toilet-trained to participate in the programs and use the facilities; however, families are welcome to borrow toys for their untoilet-trained kids. A nominal 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 in-cabin babysitting can be arranged for a fee. Millennium-class and Century-class ships have teen centers, where teenagers can hang out and attend coke-tail and pizza parties.

Service

Service on Celebrity ships is unobtrusive and polished. ConciergeClass 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 (in cash) are personally distributed by passengers on the last night of the cruise. Suggested guidelines are per person, per day: waiter $3.50; assistant waiter $2; maître d' 75¢; cabin steward $3.50; cabin attendant in ConciergeClass $4; assistant chief housekeeper 75¢; and, for suite occupants only, butler $3.50. Passengers may adjust the amount based on the level of service experienced. For children under 12 who accompany adults as third or fourth occupants of a stateroom, half the suggested amount is recommended. An automatic gratuity of 15% is added to all beverage tabs.

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, including free upgrades, the chance to make dining reservations before sailing, discounts on shipboard purchases, and other benefits. Classic members have been on at least one Celebrity cruise. Select members have sailed at least six cruises and get more perks, including priority embarkation and debarkation. After 10 cruises, you become an Elite member, and can take advantage of a private departure lounge. Royal Caribbean International, the parent company of Celebrity Cruises, also extends the corresponding levels of their Crown & Anchor program to Celebrity Captain's Club members.

Celebrity Cruises.
Phone: 305/539-6000 or 800/437-3111
www.celebrity.com