Plan Your Celebrity Cruises Vacation
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 professional service and fine food despite the shabby-chic vessel on which it was elegantly served. The cruise line eventually built premium sophisticated cruise ships. Signature amenities followed, including large standard staterooms with generous storage, fully equipped spas, and butler service. Valuable art collections grace the fleet.
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.
Key Celebrity Cruises Tips
Are you a first-time cruiser? View our helpful hints and tips on Your Shipmates, Dress Code, Junior Cruisers, and much more! See Tips
Top Reasons To Cruise
- AquaSpa The AquaSpa facilities on Celebrity ships are considered some of the finest at sea.
- Art Celebrity’s contemporary style is complemented by stunning modern art collections.
- Food Sophisticated cuisine and menu options make Celebrity’s dining experience outstanding at this level of cruising.
- Service With a high ratio of staff to guests, Celebrity offers personal and intuitive, yet unobtrusive service.
Is This Line Right For You?
Choose This Line If
- You want an upscale atmosphere at a really reasonable fare.
- You don’t mind paying extra for exceptional specialty dining experiences.
- You want to dine amid elegant surroundings in some of the best restaurants at sea.
Don't Choose This Line If
- You need to be reminded of when activities are scheduled. Announcements are kept to a minimum.
- You look forward to boisterous pool games and wacky contests. These cruises are fairly quiet and sophisticated.
- You think funky avant-garde art is weird. Abstract modernism abounds in the art collections.
What To Expect On Board
Food
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 AquaSpa 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
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.
Fitness and Recreation
Celebrity's AquaSpa by Elemis 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 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 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.
