Like most mainstream cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises isn't all inclusive, but it is a premium brand that provides passengers with more for their money than most other popular lines.
If you're considering trying the Celebrity and you're on a budget, it's helpful to know what to expect in terms of overall cost. We've explained it all for you below.
Note: This article does not apply to Celebrity Cruises' expedition sailings.
What's Included
On most cruises, as is the case with Celebrity, fares include:
- Accommodations and twice-a-day tidying
- Meals in the main dining room, buffet and other select eateries
- Daily activities
- Nightly entertainment and live music
- Independent use of the fitness center
- Daytime programming for children and kids club access
- Transportation between ports
Read more: How is Celebrity Cruises different from Royal Caribbean?
More for your money
In 2020, Celebrity announced that it would also be including gratuities and basic beverage and Wi-Fi packages as part of its fares under the "Always Included" program.
Passengers can choose to upgrade, for a per-day fee, to one of two other programs if they find that the complimentary Always Included offerings don't meet their needs.
Here's what you'll get with each of the packages on a Celebrity Cruise. What's included changes based on the option you select.
Always Included
Celebrity's Always Included amenities are automatically tacked on to just about every fare on just about every sailing. You don't have to pay anything extra to receive the benefits.
With this program, you'll receive a free Classic Beverage Package. That means drinks -- soda, juice, coffee, tea, bottled water, beer, wine and mixed drinks -- will be included, but they're limited to a cost of $9, which excludes tipples made with top-shelf spirits.
The included Wi-Fi package is Xcelerate Surf, which allows passengers to check email, post on social and access websites from up to two devices. What it will not allow them to do is stream from services like Netflix and Hulu or to use FaceTime.
Tips are also covered, which saves passengers anywhere from $15 to $19 per person, per day, over what the line charged before gratuities were rolled in with its fares.
Read more: Could Royal Caribbean follow Celebrity Cruises move to all-inclusive pricing?
Elevate
For an extra $30 per person, per day, cruisers can choose to upgrade to the Elevate level of extras, which encompasses everything in the Always Included tier, but with an upgrade to Celebrity's Premium Beverage Package.
Under that, drinks up to $15 each are included, which expands the menu of choices significantly.
Elevate also comes with shore excursion credit up to $200 per person, depending on voyage length.
Indulge
For an extra $60 per person, per day, there's also an Indulge option, which includes everything listed under the Elevate package, but with an upgrade to faster Wi-Fi with the line's Xcelerate Stream connection for up to two devices.
Further, the amount of per-person onboard credit is doubled, meaning passengers are eligible for up to $400 per person, depending on cruise duration. The credit can also be used for any onboard purchase; it isn't limited to shore excursions.
All passengers booked in The Retreat cabins will automatically receive the Indulge package no additional charge.
What's not included
Just about everything not listed above will cost you extra. You'll see charges for:
- Taxes and fees, such as port fees
- Transportation to and from the ship
- Specialty dining, dinner theater and late-night room service
- Certain drinks, depending on the above package you choose
- Shore excursions
- Spa treatments
- Fitness classes
- Gambling and bingo
- Arcade play
- Private babysitting
- Behind-the-scenes tours
- Items from the art auction and onboard shops
- Laundry and dry-cleaning services
- Wine tastings
- Professional photos and photography services
- In-cabin mini-bar items
