Celebrity Cruises is known for its chic ships, upscale ambience, and world-class dining. As such, it's a popular choice for travelers seeking a premium cruise experience.
While Celebrity is owned by the parent company of Royal Caribbean, the two lines couldn't be more different. Neither is inherently better than the other, though — the right choice for you depends on your travel style.
After taking over 10 Royal Caribbean cruises, I embarked on my first-ever Celebrity cruise aboard the line's newest Edge Class ship (at the time) in 2024. Within minutes, I was wowed by the multi-deck Grand Plaza, modern cabins, and expansive buffet.
Since then, I've continued to choose Celebrity over Royal Caribbean for its design-forward ships, destination-focused itineraries, and elevated service.
However, there are a few things I wish I had known before my first Celebrity cruise, especially as someone who isn't necessarily part of the cruise line's primary target audience.
Celebrity isn't much more expensive than Royal Caribbean
When you hear "premium cruise line," it's easy to automatically assume that means higher base fares. In reality, however, Celebrity isn't much more expensive than Royal Caribbean. In fact, you can sail on one of the line's newer Edge Class ships for less than Royal Caribbean's Icon and Star of the Seas.
Here's an example: In 2024, my partner and I booked a dreamy 7-night Greek Isles cruise on Celebrity Ascent, which was the line’s newest ship at the time. Our infinite veranda stateroom for two cost $4,990.32, including taxes, port fees, gratuities, a drink package, and Wi-Fi.
Comparatively, we sailed on Icon of the Seas in 2025. The base fare was lower at $3,802.46, but we ended up spending an extra $990.92 on the Deluxe Beverage Package and $219.90 for Wi-Fi. The kicker? The price didn’t even include an ocean-view stateroom!
For that reason, I wouldn’t dismiss Celebrity Cruises at first glance. You might be able to score a better deal than you would on a Royal Caribbean ship.
Flexible package options let you customize your experience
On a similar note, Celebrity makes it easy to tailor your vacation to your preferences and budget. When you book your sailing, you can book the line's "All Included" rate, which bundles a Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi into the price.
You can upgrade your packages through the Cruise Planner before your sailing, though it’s entirely optional. Alternatively, you don’t have to choose a bundled fare and can add the individual add-ons that you want.
This flexibility makes it easy to vacation in a way that feels personalized. For example, Royal Caribbean offers just one alcoholic beverage package. Celebrity, however, lets you choose from two drink package tiers, allowing guests to pick the option that best fits their personal drinking habits and budget.
Read more: Is Celebrity's drink package worth it? I tried both to see which was better
Similarly, Wi‑Fi on Celebrity is flexible and customizable. When my partner and I booked our cruise to Norway aboard Celebrity Eclipse, Basic Wi‑Fi was included in the "All Included" fare.
We didn’t think upgrading both of our internet packages was worth the cost. So, we upgraded my partner's Wi-Fi package for just $48.50 (thanks to our Elite discount), while I stuck with the basic option.
Since Royal Caribbean has just one internet package, if we both wanted to be connected at the same time, we would have to purchase two VOOM packages.
Don't miss the buffet on the last sea day
On the last sea day, the buffet transforms into a seafood extravaganza with everything from a massive shrimp cocktail tower to ceviche, mussels, strip steaks, and elaborate desserts. Even if you aren't a big seafood fan, you can't miss the chocolate fountain, intricately designed cakes, and other yummy treats.
Beyond the seafood feast, the buffet is a solid choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The made-to-order stations are my favorite. The stir-fry, in particular, has never disappointed me. You'll find other rotating global dishes, too, including seafood saganaki and chicken paella.
The specialty restaurants are worth the extra cost
Speaking of food, I've found Celebrity to have some of the best specialty restaurants at sea. From the tableside cooking at the French-inspired Murano to the upscale flavors at Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud and the casual bites at the Rooftop Garden Grill, there's something for every palate and budget.
While that's not to say the complimentary options aren't satisfying (they are!), Celebrity's specialty restaurants just offer a completely elevated culinary experience — think creative menus, premium ingredients, and attentive service.
If you aren't sold on the $125-per-person experience at Le Voyage, consider the Fine Cut Steakhouse for a more approachable yet memorable dining experience. Tuscan Grille on Solstice Class ships is another personal favorite, with tender steaks, delicious pasta, and incredible wake views.
Read more: I ate my way through a luxury cruise ship. These are the 6 dishes I'm still thinking about
You can enjoy complimentary drinks while actively gambling in the casino
All casino players can enjoy basic drinks while playing in the casino aboard Celebrity ships. It doesn't matter if it is your first-ever visit to the casino or if you're a serious gambler — you just have to be actively playing.
The options are limited, though. Expect a small selection of well liquors, beer, wine, and soda. Moreover, service can be slow. Still, having the option for complimentary drinks in the casino highlights why Celebrity is classified as a "premium" cruise line.
This benefit differs from Royal Caribbean's Club Royale program, where you have to earn enough points before you can receive complimentary beverages. Another bonus? The Celebrity's casinos are non-smoking.
It's important to arrive at activities ahead of time
Activities like game shows, Musical Murder Mystery, and trivia are wildly popular on Celebrity cruises, so you want to arrive early to snag a seat.
Many of the game shows are highly interactive. Some, like "True or False," encourage every audience member to participate. Other times, you can enter your name in a drawing and try to be one of the lucky contestants that gets to battle it out on stage. Even if you aren't selected, the high-energy activity hosts make the game shows entertaining to watch.
The Musical Murder Mystery should be on every adult's must-do list, too. It isn't offered on every sailing, so when it is, you can imagine that it fills up fast. The immersive performance, typically led by the Cruise Director and/or the activity staff, is hilarious and will have you laughing non-stop.
Celebrity isn't just for older travelers
Because I'm in my mid-20s, I always assumed that I would feel out of place on a Celebrity cruise. Royal Caribbean caters more to families, while Celebrity generally attracts a slightly older crowd. While that's definitely true, I found that I didn't mind the low-key atmosphere.
Non-stop thrills used to be my favorite way to vacation as a teenager (I still remember my initial obsession with Oasis Class vessels). However, Icon of the Seas was exhausting. My partner and I agreed that we felt like we needed a vacation after our vacation!
Rather than trying to cross off every amenity — from water slides to Broadway-caliber musicals, AquaTheater shows, comedy performances, rock climbing walls, and more — I prefer sea days spent lounging by the pool, destination-focused itineraries, upscale cocktail bars, and world-class cuisine.
Plus, Celebrity really isn't that tame. The daily schedule includes ABBA sing-a-longs, late-night deck parties, silent discos, and more. In short, if you're expecting a retirement community-like vibe, you'll be surprised!
The loyalty perks are pretty solid, but I missed the daily Diamond vouchers
As a Diamond Crown & Anchor Society member, I get Elite perks when sailing with Celebrity. These include a nightly happy hour from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., a complimentary bag of laundry, Wi-Fi discounts, and more.
Still, I prefer the Crown & Anchor benefits, especially the daily Diamond vouchers. While I enjoy Celebrity’s happy hour, the Diamond drinks offer far more flexibility — I can use them ashore at Perfect Day at CocoCay, sip a mimosa with breakfast, or enjoy a cocktail in the evening at the famous Schooner Bar.
Over the course of a weeklong cruise, the vouchers, which can be used on beverages valued up to $14, can save a lot of money.
Additionally, since I typically book Celebrity's "All Included" rate, the nightly happy hour isn't that valuable to me. Conversely, the flexibility of the Diamond drinks means I rarely feel the need to splurge on a pricey Royal Caribbean drink package.
