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The ultimate guide to Celebrity Cruises ships and itineraries

Celebrity Cruises is the cool kid among the seven big cruise lines that account for the majority of cruises taken by North Americans.

Operating relatively big but not giant vessels, the Miami-based brand is known for some of the most stylish and cutting-edge ships in the cruise business. It's a line that is all about high-end design, innovative features (just wait until you read about the "magic carpet") and on-trend restaurants that are aimed at sophisticates, not a party crowd.

Celebrity ships also are significantly more all-inclusive — and even a tad more upscale — than the ships operated by the other big cruise lines. Since late 2020, the line has included unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi and daily gratuities in its base fare as part of a new Always Included fare structure .

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's new cruise newsletter .

Still, for now at least, Celebrity ships are firmly anchored in the mass-market category. The line in recent years has often used the term "luxury" to describe its offerings. However, the size of its ships, their service levels and — perhaps most importantly — their price points are all a lot closer to what you'll find at such mass-market lines as Princess Cruises and Holland America than at true luxury brands such as Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

In our book, that's not a bad place to be.

With relatively inclusive fares for some sailings at Celebrity starting under $100 per person, per day, there's a good argument to be made that the line is one of cruising's great values. It may not be a luxury line. However, it's the line you take if you want a taste of the all-inclusive and upscale experience of a luxury line without paying $1,000 per person, per day.

3 things TPG loves about Celebrity Cruises

• The stylish design of its ships.
• Its industry-leading shipboard spas.
• Its inclusion of drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities in base fares.

What we could do without

• Confusing company marketing calling it a "luxury" brand.

The Celebrity Cruises fleet

Of the seven big cruise lines that account for the majority of cruises taken by North Americans, Celebrity has one of the simplest fleets.

At the core of the brand are 12 relatively big ships that can be bunched into just three groups, or "classes," as they are known in cruise industry lingo.

The newest group of ships in the line is the Edge Class, consisting of just three vessels that have been unveiled since 2018 — each holding around 3,000 passengers. If you're in the "newer is better" camp when it comes to cruise ships, this is the Celebrity ship class for you.

Celebrity currently has plans for five Edge Class vessels in all. Two more of the vessels are expected to be constructed by 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Eventually, the abovementioned rollouts will make the Edge Class the new core of the Celebrity fleet. For now, though, that title falls to the line's five-ship Solstice Class series. If you take a Celebrity cruise now, the odds are you'll be on one of these ships.

Just a tad smaller than the Edge Class ships, the Solstice Class vessels were unveiled between 2008 and 2012.

The last grouping of relatively big ships in the Celebrity fleet is the Millennium Class, made up of four significantly smaller vessels that debuted between 2000 and 2002.

In addition, Celebrity operates three very small vessels in the Galápagos that, together, make up a fourth grouping of vessels. As we'll explain below, these three vessels are far different than the line's 12 main ships and constitute what is, in effect, a separate business for the brand.

The 12 main vessels in the Celebrity fleet are not nearly as big as the vessels operated by Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises — the three lines best known for giant ships. The biggest Celebrity ship, Celebrity Beyond, measures around 141,000 tons. That's nearly 40% smaller than the biggest ships operated by Royal Caribbean.

Related: The 4 types of Celebrity Cruises ships, explained

Celebrity's Solstice Class and Millennium Class ships are even smaller at around 122,000 tons and 91,000 tons, respectively.

All of Celebrity's 12 main ships carry around 2,000 to 3,000 passengers apiece, based on double occupancy. That's several thousand passengers fewer than the biggest ships at Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and MSC Cruises.

The line's three Galápagos-based vessels are downright tiny, as they must be to operate in the Galápagos. The government of Ecuador, which controls the archipelago, does not allow vessels that carry more than 100 passengers to sail in the destination.

Celebrity's three Galápagos-based vessels carry just 16 to 100 passengers each.

In all, Celebrity's 15 vessels have 26,733 berths, when counting just the two main berths in every cabin (excluding extra pull-down bunks and pull-out sofas). That puts Celebrity among the smaller of the big lines catering to North Americans. One of its main rivals, Princess, has nearly twice as many berths (45,816), based on double occupancy. The world's biggest cruise line, Royal Caribbean, has more than three times as many berths (88,307).

Destinations and itineraries

Celebrity sails almost everywhere in the world, but its heaviest presence is in the Caribbean, Europe and Alaska. In a typical summer, the line will deploy seven of its 12 main vessels to Europe while sending another three to Alaska. That leaves just two vessels that Celebrity typically will assign to Bermuda and Caribbean sailings.

During the winter, the line will move most of its ships to the Caribbean, but also send a few to Asia, Australia and South America.

For the coming winter, 10 of the line's 12 main ships are scheduled to sail in the Caribbean. There will be one ship apiece in Australia and South America. The line has canceled its normal deployment of one ship to Asia due to continuing COVID-19-related travel restrictions in the region.

The line's three small Galápagos-based vessels never leave the region, in keeping with rules governing cruise vessels in The Galápagos.

In all, Celebrity ships sail to nearly 80 countries in a typical year, hitting all seven continents. They visit more than 300 different ports and destinations. Those are all large numbers, but they're not quite as large as what you'll find at some of Celebrity's biggest competitors. Celebrity doesn't offer quite as big a range of itineraries as Princess and Holland America , for instance.

Among the line's itineraries, you'll find everything from two-night sampler cruises to the Bahamas to 18-night voyages to Hawaii and the South Pacific. Celebrity isn't known for the sort of longer, multi-month voyages and around-the-world sailings that are a hallmark of the Princess and Holland America schedules. Most of the line's itineraries are in the one- to two-week range.

In North America, Celebrity ships generally sail out of Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa in Florida; Boston; Cape Liberty, New Jersey (one of the ports for New York City); San Juan, Puerto Rico; Los Angeles and San Diego; Vancouver, British Columbia; Seattle; and Seward, Alaska.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Celebrity cruise

In Europe, Celebrity ships mostly sail out of Southampton in the U.K.; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Barcelona; Piraeus, Greece (the port for Athens); Venice and Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) in Italy; and Lisbon, Portugal.

Who sails Celebrity Cruises?

Celebrity appeals to a somewhat older demographic than some of its best-known rivals in the world of relatively big ships (think: Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line , MSC Cruises and Norwegian). This is, in part, because its onboard offerings are not aimed at families nearly as much as the onboard offerings of the latter brands.

Unlike Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC Cruises and Norwegian, Celebrity doesn't load up the top of its ships with sprawling waterparks, go-kart tracks, laser tag courses and other flashy, family-focused diversions.

Instead of bustling attractions, the top decks of Celebrity ships offer lots of quiet and relaxing pool and lounge areas where you can enjoy the experience of being at sea without a lot of hustle and bustle. Inside, the experience revolves around dining, classic showroom entertainment and a classy bar and music scene — just as it has on Celebrity ships for years.

It's the sort of experience that draws a lot of couples in their 40s, 50s and 60s, but not necessarily a lot of families. The average age of a Celebrity passenger is a tad north of 50.

Still, while families with younger children usually gravitate to one of the above-mentioned lines with more family-friendly activities, that doesn't mean you can't bring your kids on a Celebrity cruise. The line does offer a relatively robust children's program (more on that below).

While not huge with families with young children, Celebrity does draw a fair number of multigenerational family groups. It's one of the lines you take if you want an affordable ship that will appeal to your 70-year-old parents as much as your 12-year-old kid.

Cabins and suites

Celebrity ships offer a wide range of cabin categories at a variety of price points. You'll find everything from relatively low-cost, windowless "inside" cabins measuring just 181 square feet (perfect for vacationers on a tight budget) to massive, multi-room suites that are 10 times that size (and priced to match).

At the high end, some of the accommodations are truly stunning. They include two so-called Iconic Suites on each of the line's new Edge Class ships that measure more than 2,500 square feet, including outdoor balcony space. That's roughly the size of the average American home.

Located at the very top front of the Edge Class vessels, above the bridge (meaning you'll have a better view than the captain in these rooms), the Iconic Suites offer breathtaking views through floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass windows. Each has two bedrooms, a dining room and a living room. Master bathrooms are true stunners with massive whirlpool tubs, marble-lined showers and two sink areas.

The Iconic Suites aren't the only over-the-top suites on the Edge Class ships. Each of the vessels also has two multi-room Penthouse Suites that measure more than 1,575 square feet, as well as the line's first two-deck-high suites. Dubbed Edge Villas, the latter accommodations (there are six on each ship) only measure 950 square feet, including balcony space, but may be the most alluring cabins on the ship, with stunning sea views from both a downstairs living room area and an upstairs bedroom area.

Related: Everything to know about Celebrity cabins and suites

The Edge Class ships are, by far, the line's most suite-heavy ships, with a whopping 190 suites of different types on each vessel. The Edge Class ships also offer hundreds of special spa-themed AquaClass cabins and Concierge Class cabins that come with special amenities. However, you'll find plenty of suites and special AquaClass and Concierge Class cabins on Celebrity's other ships, too.

In general, Celebrity offers a lot more high-end accommodations on its ships than some of its rival lines — particularly Princess. It's one of many differentiators between the brands.

Celebrity is also known for one of the most innovative new cabin types in the cruise industry, the "infinite veranda" cabin. Found only on Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex, these are standard size balcony cabins with outward-facing walls that are almost entirely made of glass.

Billed as an industry first, the new glass-walled cabins were made possible by a rethinking of the way the load-bearing walls of cruise ships are constructed.

Notably, the top of the glass walls in the infinite veranda cabins slide down at the flick of a switch to create a balcony-like area — an innovation that, until recently, had only been seen with cabins on river cruise ships. The balcony-like area can be closed off from the rest of the cabin by closing bifold doors.

Celebrity's Solstice Class and Millennium Class ships have more traditional balcony cabins.

Both the Edge Class and Solstice Class are known for ships with an inordinately large percentage of cabins that feature balconies. About 81% of cabins on Edge Class ships include balconies. On the Solstice Class ships, the percentage is even higher, at 85%.

About 57% of cabins on Millennium Class ships have balconies.

Restaurants and dining

Every Celebrity vessel has one and sometimes up to four main restaurants where meals are included in the fare, and these dining rooms are at the heart of the dining experience on Celebrity ships. Many passengers have all or most of their dinners in one of these main restaurants.

For dinners in these main restaurants, you must sign up for either Select Dining, which is where you can show up whenever you want, or Traditional Dining, where you have a fixed table and time for dinner.

Note that only a certain number of passengers can choose Select Dining per sailing. If this is what you want, it pays to book your cruise early, as Select Dining is typically available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Also, note that the Select Dining process works a little differently on the three Edge Class ships, which have four different main restaurants with varying themes.

Every Celebrity vessel also has a casual buffet eatery where meals are included in the fare. Near the main pool area on ships, these are called Oceanview Cafe, and they typically offer a wide range of dishes.

Another included-in-the-fare option found on Celebrity ships is the deck-top Mast Grill, which serves burgers, hot dogs and the like.

Every Celebrity ship also has at least a few extra-charge eateries. On many ships, you'll find the line's signature Italian restaurant, Tuscan Grille. It serves up handmade pasta, artisanal meats, flatbread pizzas, seafood and other Italian specialties in an elegant setting and comes with a flat fee of $30 per person.

Some Celebrity ships also have a classic French restaurant called Murano, which comes with a flat fee of $40 per person. The menu here features everything from veal tenderloin to herb-crusted lamb. There's also a six-course tasting menu that comes with wine pairings for each course at an additional cost.

Other extra-charge venues found on at least some Celebrity ships include Raw on Five, which serves sushi and sashimi, and The Porch, which offers a raw bar with oysters and lobster rolls. Some ships feature a Parisian patisserie-like venue called Le Grand Bistro that offers light fare such as ham-and-cheese baguettes during the day and gourmet charcuterie and cheese boards with carafes of wine in the evening.

In addition, passengers staying in spa-focused AquaClass cabins on Celebrity ships have access to an exclusive restaurant with a spa-inspired menu called Blu (there's no per-visit charge; the cost is folded into your AquaClass fare). There's also an exclusive restaurant on Edge Class ships for passengers staying in The Retreat suites called Luminae. It features dishes created by star New York chef Daniel Boulud.

Celebrity's newest ship, Celebrity Beyond, has its very own Daniel Boulud restaurant called Le Voyage.

Entertainment and activities

Celebrity ships are loaded with entertainment and activities that range from Broadway-style theater shows and live music to glassmaking classes. Top decks of Celebrity ships have lots of pools, lounge areas and — on some ships — park-like retreats with real grass. Just don't expect a floating amusement park. Unlike some big-ship lines, Celebrity isn't topping its vessels with waterslides, go-kart tracks, ropes courses and other family-focused attractions.

Theaters and shows

There's no shortage of theater and lounge entertainment on Celebrity ships. On a typical night, you might find a flashy, fast-paced production show playing in the main theater, a comedian performing in a secondary lounge and live music on offer in several more venues.

In many cases, the main theaters on Celebrity ships are quite elaborate, with Broadway-level lighting and special effects, and the productions housed within the theaters are elaborate, too.

Typical productions include "Elyria," an adults-only, fashion-forward fairytale with a sultry late-night vibe, and "A Hot Summer Night's Dream," where you'll be immersed in a light-hearted journey that fuses music with extraordinary acrobatics and, yes — a little bit of Shakespeare.

Celebrity also is known for a partnership with American Ballet Theatre that brings exclusive performances from American Ballet Theatre performers on select ships, dance classes with the performers and "meet and greet" events with the performers.

Other interior attractions and activities

In addition to entertainment spaces, the interiors of Celebrity ships are filled with other venues where passengers can kick back and let loose day and night, including some that are quite unusual.

Celebrity's three newest ships (Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex), for instance, have fanciful, tropical garden-inspired lounge, dining and entertainment areas at their backs called Eden that are like nothing else you will find at sea.

Soaring three decks high and lined with glass walls, the Eden venue on each of the ships comes alive at night with a bar that serves up unusual concoctions. It also offers a place to relax or grab a quick bite during the day in a garden-like setting with stunning views of the ocean. The famed Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola helped create Eden's look.

Such multi-use venues are a big thing for Celebrity. On Celebrity's Solstice Class ships, you'll find 200-seat venues called Celebrity Central. The space can be configured for everything from late-night comedy shows and movie showings to cooking demonstrations and trivia contests. The venues are also used for lectures by guest speakers.

The Celebrity Central venues on Solstice Class ships are in "entertainment courts" that are also home to nightclubs called Quasar. The retro-chic hot spots draw a late-night crowd that comes to dance to tunes spun by resident DJs. On some nights, the venue morphs into a "silent disco" where passengers wear headphones to sway to piped-in music.

Celebrity ships are also known for their martini bars, each called — simply enough — the Martini Bar. Another standout feature of Celebrity ship interiors is a wine-focused venue called Cellar Masters that stocks more than 400 wines for tastings. A particularly cool feature of the Cellar Masters venues is that they have self-serve Enomatic wine dispensers. Just swipe your card and you can get a sampler of wine in varying sizes.

Every Celebrity ship also has a casino and spas are big on Celebrity ships. Very big.

The spas on Celebrity's new Edge Class vessels offer nearly two dozen treatment rooms, an extensive beauty salon and a thermal suite with heated stone beds, a Turkish-style steam bath, an infrared sauna and a meditation aromatherapy room.

The spas on the Edge Class ships are also known for some of the most wide-ranging treatments found on any cruise ship. Celebrity Edge was the first cruise vessel in the world to offer a collection of advanced treatment tables that included the MLX Quartz, the Spa Wave MLW Amphibia and the WellMassage4D (if you're a spa aficionado, you'll know what these are). The WellMassage4D, notably, allows for a "zero gravity" immersion massage.

In all, the Edge Class spas offer more than 120 different treatments, including acupuncture and salt stone therapy.

Deck-top attractions

The top decks of Celebrity ships are notable for what they don't have: There are no pedal-powered sky rides or ropes courses like you'll find on Carnival ships or the go-kart tracks that top some Norwegian vessels. There are no surfing simulators, sky diving simulators, rock climbing walls or zip lines of the sort found on Royal Caribbean vessels.

While Celebrity operates relatively big ships, it has eschewed the "amusement park arms race" that has been taking place between many of the lines operating big, resort-like ships.

Instead, Celebrity has gone for a much more serene feel with its top decks. For starters, they're covered with a lot of relaxing (and usually very stylish) pool and lounge zones. They also feature some of the most unusual relaxation zones you'll find anywhere at sea.

Each of the Solstice Class vessels, for instance, is home to what just may be the most innovative deck-top feature ever conceived: a half-acre "Lawn Club" area with real grass.

Marvels of cruise ship engineering, Lawn Clubs are maintained by full-time greenskeepers who oversee a complex filter and irrigation system to keep the grass looking shipshape. With Adirondack chairs, hammocks and lawn games such as bocce and croquet, these Lawn Club areas offer a quiet, park-like respite from the activity in other parts of the ships.

If you want, you can walk across the Lawn Clubs barefoot.

Among other unusual deck-top features, some of the Solstice Class ships also have a glass-making pavilion next to the Lawn Clubs that is home to glass-making classes.

Another innovative feature found atop Celebrity ships is the giant orange platforms the size of tennis courts that hang over the side of the three Edge Class vessels.

We should say that these platforms, called Magic Carpets, are at the top of the Edge Class ships "at times." That's because they're designed to move up and down the side of the ship to serve multiple functions ranging from a bar and 90-seat restaurant to a tender boat boarding area. Sometimes they're at the top deck of the vessels. Sometimes they're halfway down the side of the ship or near the waterline. You just never know where you'll find them.

The top decks of each of the Edge Class ships also have a plant-filled "playscape" called the Rooftop Garden with an outdoor eatery called the Rooftop Garden Grill. Inspired by childhood playgrounds, they're designed to "awaken the inner child in everyone," the line has said.

Children's programs

While it doesn't draw as many families with young children as Royal Caribbean or Carnival, Celebrity offers an extensive children's program on ships that gets high marks from parents.

Dubbed Camp at Sea, the program brings free, supervised activities daily for children ages 3-12 in dedicated spaces on board Celebrity vessels.

Celebrity splits children in the program into three age groups: Shipmates (ages 3-5 years), Cadets (ages 6-9 years) and Captains (ages 10-12 years). Each group has its own age-appropriate activities, ranging from art time and song singing for Shipmates to scavenger hunts and pizza making for Captains. The activities can vary from day today and cruise to cruise. Celebrity likes to say it has no set agenda for camp activities and changes things up regularly based on the interests of the particular kids in the program on each cruise.

Camp at Sea counselors welcome parents with toddlers to visit for playtime during special Toddler Time hours. However, parents of toddlers can't leave them at the program unattended. Toddler Time activities include playtime with toys and mingling with other children.

Celebrity ships also offer activities for teens (ages 13-17) at dedicated Teen Clubs. Teens can hang out at the clubs with other children their own age and also take part in organized teen sports competitions, silent disco parties, culinary classes and Xbox tournaments.

While the free programming for children ages 3-12 ends at 10 p.m., you can pay extra to leave your kids at shipboard Camp at Sea centers past 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. for a supervised "slumber party." This is essentially a group kid-sitting service. It currently costs $6 per hour per child.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

A passport is required for all international itineraries. If you're a U.S. citizen, you don't need a passport for many sailings out of U.S. ports (including sailings to Alaska, Bermuda, Canada, Hawaii and Mexico, and most sailings to the Caribbean). Instead, you can travel with an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification. A few other forms of identification, such as a passport card, also are acceptable.

Passports must be valid for at least six months. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Gratuities for room stewards and restaurant servers are now included in the line's new Always Included fare structure, as are most gratuities for bar bills. A 20% gratuity will be added when a passenger orders a drink that's not included in the line's Always Included fare structure, as well as for minibar purchases, and spa and salon services.

Celebrity has been rolling out faster Wi-Fi systems with land-like speeds across its fleet in recent years, such that you now can stream video on most ships. The line's new Always Included fare structure has access to a basic internet plan called Surf for no extra charge. It will let you surf the web, send messages and use social media apps (but not stream video). A much faster option called Xcelerate that allows for video streaming and video chats is available for an extra charge. The current rate is $35 per day.

Carry-on drinks policy

Celebrity allows you to bring two bottles of wine per cabin onto ships at boarding at no charge (for consuming in your room; you'll be charged a $15 corkage fee if you want to bring it to an onboard restaurant or bar to drink).

Smoking policy

On all ships, smoking (including the use of electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas. It's forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. Passengers caught smoking in their cabins will be charged a $250 fine per occurrence.

Unlike some lines , Celebrity does not build self-service launderettes onto its ships. Vessels offer extra-charge laundry and dry cleaning services.

Electrical outlets

All vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets in rooms, as well as European-style, 220-volt outlets. A growing number of vessels also have USB ports in cabins.

The currency used on all Celebrity ships is U.S. dollars, no matter where they are in the world. All vessels operate on a "cashless system," with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a SeaPass card that you can use to make charges.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on Celebrity sailings from North American ports. The drinking age on sailings from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is 18.

During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, that means looking like you're going to the beach — T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are just fine.

During the evenings, most nights are designated as "smart casual" nights, which means that — in restaurants and the theater, at least — a T-shirt and shorts won't do. But to Celebrity, smart casual doesn't mean anything fancier than pants or jeans with a short-sleeve sport shirt for men, and a skirt, pants or jeans with a casual top for women.

Two nights a week on seven-night sailings, Celebrity upgrades the dress code to "evening chic," which is a new take on the old cruise ship formal night that is a lot less formal. The line says women should feel comfortable wearing a cocktail dress, or a skirt, pants or designer jeans with an elegant top. For men, evening chic nights could mean pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt or sweater. A sport coat or blazer is optional.

Celebrity Cruises' loyalty program

Celebrity has a point-based frequent cruiser program, the Captain's Club, that has six tiers, ranging from Preview (at 0 points) to Zenith (3,000 points or more).

The number of Captain's Club points you earn for cruises will vary depending on both the length of the sailings and the type of cabin you book.

When staying in the most basic cabins, such as windowless "inside" cabins, you'll earn 2 points for each day you sail. When staying in a top suite, you can earn as many as 18 to 24 points per day.

Staying in balcony cabins, which the line calls Veranda cabins, will get you 3 points a day.

There's also one more way to earn Captain's Club points. In 2020, Celebrity launched a new program called Power Up Points that let Captain's Club members get bonus points by filling out online surveys, participating on social media or booking specific promotions.

Taking part in such activities will get you Power Up Points, which then can be converted into Captain's Club points at a ratio of 10 to 1. That is, for every 10 Power Up Points you get, you'll get 1 additional Captain's Club point.

As is typical with cruise line loyalty programs, lower tiers don't bring all that much in terms of truly valuable benefits. You'll get things like access to a loyalty desk (at the Preview tier) or an invite to a private party (at the Classic tier). But higher levels of the program start to be enticing.

The third-to-highest tier, Elite, brings such perks as access to the Captain's Club Coffee Lounge, where you can enjoy a coffeehouse-style breakfast each morning, and a complimentary bag of laundry on every sailing.

Elite Plus kicks things up by offering additional discounts for onboard services (including a 15% discount on specialty dining cover charges); and free cappuccinos, lattes, espresso and tea throughout your sailing.

But the ultimate perk for Captain's Club members comes when you reach the top Zenith tier. You'll get a free seven-night Bermuda or Caribbean cruise in a balcony cabin. Yep, that's right: a free cruise.

Related: The ultimate guide to Celebrity's Captain's Club loyalty program

Note that, in contrast to airline frequent flyer programs, cruise line loyalty programs do not require you to requalify for status every year. So, yes, the perks with lower tiers aren't great. But it's not as difficult as it might at first seem to hit the more rewarding higher level tiers in just a few years if you're cruising a lot.

Indeed, a Celebrity passenger staying in suites on relatively long sailings could hit the Elite level in just a few cruises.

How much does a Celebrity cruise cost?

Celebrity ships are very reasonably priced. They're not the least expensive vessels out there, but they're not pricey by any means. It's possible to find a week-long Celebrity voyage to the Caribbean or even Europe starting under $1,000 per person, not including taxes and fees — at least in the offseason. For 2022, some week-long Alaska sailings were selling for under $500 per person.

As of the date of this story's posting, for instance, seven-night sailings from Fort Lauderdale to the Western Caribbean in August were starting at just $899 per person, not including taxes and fees of $192.78. That works out to just $156 per night, per person with taxes and fees for a package that includes your lodging, transportation and meals.

For such a rate, you'll get a windowless "inside" cabin on a ship. Cabins with ocean views on the same sailings start at $999 per person, and cabins with balconies on the same sailings will set you back at least $1,249 per person. But that's still not all that much for a cruise.

As you might expect, pricing for ships generally will be lower during offseason periods such as September, October, November (not including Thanksgiving week) and parts of December. You can end up paying considerably more for a cabin during peak summer months or over the winter holidays.

The timing of when you book also can matter. Cruises book up much further in advance than airplanes or hotels, and many cruisers will tell you that the best pricing for any given sailing often is available when cruises first go on sale (which can be a good two years before a departure). Booking far in advance also will give you the best chance of getting your preferred cabin type and location on a ship.

Once on board a Celebrity ship, you'll pay extra for some things — but not as many things as you might think. As part of Celebrity's new Always Included fare structure , you'll get unlimited drinks (cocktails, wines by the glass, beer and sodas), unlimited Wi-Fi and daily gratuities included as part of the base fare. You'll pay extra for some premium drinks, extra-charge restaurants, spa services, shore excursions and a few other things — unless you've bought a package for some of these items in advance. Most onboard activities such as theater shows are included in the fare.

How to book

If you're sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to CelebrityCruises.com to make a booking directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises.

A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. They also can help you if something goes wrong just before, during or after your voyage.

If you're sure that Celebrity is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all of the many cabin categories on its ships and, preferably, has done ship inspections to see them firsthand.

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card points when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve® , which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , which brings 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and 3 points per dollar on dining.

Bottom line

Operating relatively big but not giant vessels, Celebrity offers an elegant, stylish product at a not-too-crazy-high price. While it often markets itself as a "luxury" product, that's not really the case. It's a mass-market line with aspirations of being something more. However, it stands out among the mass-market lines for many of its upscale touches, from the many spacious suites on its ships and its impressive shipboard spas to its new, more all-inclusive fare structure.

If you're looking for a relatively big ship with lots of amenities that will offer a taste of the all-inclusive and upscale experience of a luxury line (without paying the sky-high fares of a luxury line), it's a fine choice. Just don't expect the sort of service levels that are found on true luxury lines such as Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn .

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Table of Contents

About Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity cruises prices, what is the best celebrity cruises ship, celebrity cruises loyalty program: captain’s club.

With sailings that run the gamut from the Caribbean to Alaska to Europe, Celebrity Cruises offers a ton of options throughout the world. The cruise line has 300 itineraries to all seven continents, many from the line’s home base in Miami.

Before you book a cruise with Celebrity, a line that’s part of the Royal Caribbean family, here’s everything you need to know.

Here are a few key features of Celebrity Cruises to help you decide if the line is right for you.

Cabin types: Depending on the cruise and ship, different cabins may be available — ranging from interior staterooms to suites with private balconies. The most premium option available, The Retreat, includes exclusive and expansive suites, dining, drinks, lounges and more.

Main U.S. routes : If you're planning to depart from the U.S., there are a number of destinations, including Alaska, the Caribbean, New England, Mexico and more. Many begin from ports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Seattle, Boston and New York.

Points currency and loyalty program: The rewards program is called Captain’s Club and you can earn Club Points with every sailing after signing up.

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

Celebrity Cruises destinations

Celebrity Cruises can take you all over the world, from Alaska to Asia, the Mediterranean to Mexico, and other places in between. And for every destination, there are just as many options for trip length. Sail to the Bahamas for three nights, around Australia for nine or enjoy a transpacific cruise to Tahiti for 18.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for cruises

Just like with most other cruise lines, price depends on the destination and duration of the trip. A 12-night cruise in New Zealand, for example, might be $943 per person, while a four-night cruise to the Bahamas could be $259. The final cost depends on the cabin you choose, of course. On that Bahamas cruise, an interior room may be as low as $259, but a room with a veranda costs $399 and if you opt to book The Retreat, the price tag is a whopping $2,096.

Learn more : How much does a Caribbean cruise cost?

What’s included in the price?

Most Celebrity Cruises offer two booking options: Cruise Only or All Included. With Cruise Only, you can expect the following for no extra cost:

Accommodations.

Entertainment, including theater and live music.

Room service (anytime for Retreat bookings, breakfast only for all other rooms).

If you opt for the All Included package, you also get:

Basic Wi-Fi.

Classic Drinks Package. 

» Learn more : The best cruise lines

As of fall 2023, there will be 16 Celebrity Cruises ships in the line’s fleet, including three smaller expedition ships that sail only to the Galapagos Islands. But one of the best according to some Celebrity Cruises reviews may be the Celebrity Apex, which offers itineraries from Portugal to Egypt to Scandinavia. Between the spa, 29 restaurants, two-story villa-style cabins and a photo-ready pool deck, it’s certainly a contender.

What is the newest Celebrity Cruises ship?

The newest ship, the Celebrity Ascent, sets sail out of South Florida in November and may be the poshest ship in the fleet. An Edge Series ship that’s already won numerous awards, it will start by sailing to the Caribbean before cruising to Europe and will feature more expansive views, at least 30 dining options, live entertainment, a full spa and even a rooftop garden.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of cruises

The six tiers of status in the Captain’s Club rewards program are, in order from lowest level to highest level:

» Learn more : How much luggage can you take on a cruise?

How to earn Captain’s Club points

Points are earned based on the category of your cabin (larger more expensive cabins earn more points) and the length of your cruise. So the more you spend, the more you earn. For example, you could earn anywhere from two to 24 points per night just based on the suite you book.

Power Up Points

In addition to sailing, you can earn more points through Power Up Points. You will have to sign-up for the program, then Celebrity will email you with opportunities to participate via sharing social media posts or taking surveys. You’ll get one Club Point for every 10 Power Up Points you earn, which will automatically be added to your Captain’s Club account.

Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature Card

The Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature Card also offers a way to earn MyCruise points that can be redeemed for Celebrity cruises, upgrades, and onboard credits. Sign up and score 25,000 bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

How to redeem Captain's Club points

How you redeem your Captain’s Club points will depend on what you’re redeeming them for. For discounts on drinks packages, you’ll have to pre-pay before your cruise starts by calling 800-760-0654, while dining discounts will be taken onboard. But many benefits can be viewed and managed from your Captain’s Club account.

Note that because Celebrity Cruises is part of the Royal Caribbean family, status reciprocity exists across the two brands, meaning your status and benefits will be acknowledged on either line you’re currently cruising with whether you earned status with Captain’s Club or Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society.

» Learn more: Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival

Wi-Fi is available on all ships except for the Galapagos Expedition cruises, but you’ll pay for it: Basic and Premium Wi-Fi packages are available, though cost varies.

Various drinks packages are available on Celebrity Cruises, from a Zero-Proof nonalcoholic package that includes tea, coffee and smoothies for $30 per day, a Classic Drinks Package that starts at $89 per day and includes alcoholic drinks up to $10, to a Premium Package that includes drinks that cost up to $17 and costs $109+ per day.

For most Celebrity sailings, proof of vaccination against COVID or a negative test aren’t required. There are a few exceptions when traveling to destinations with strict regulations, so check with Celebrity before booking to find out.

How to maximize your rewards

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No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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Celebrity Cruise Line Review — Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

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Basic Information

Departure ports, private ports and islands, evening chic, special occasion cruises, autism-friendly cruising, complimentary dining, specialty dining, bars and beverages, accommodations, captain’s club, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Celebrity might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of ocean cruising, but it is still a major player.

Celebrity Cruises has been around since 1988. It was founded by a Greek company for the sole purpose of offering luxury sailings to the island of Bermuda. In 1997, Celebrity was acquired by Royal Caribbean.

Since then, it has added many more ports and ships and now sails to over 300 destinations on all 7 continents. Celebrity’s 15 ships feature attractions and activities that will appeal to the modern, luxury traveler.

Name: Celebrity Cruises Parent Company: Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (also owns Royal Caribbean , Azamara, and Silversea Cruises) Number of Ships: 15 (1 more coming in 2023) Destinations: 300+ Loyalty Program: Captain’s Club Credit Card: Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature ® Card

Celebrity Cruises operates a fleet of 15 ships:

• Celebrity Apex
• Celebrity Beyond
• Celebrity Constellation
• Celebrity Eclipse
• Celebrity Edge
• Celebrity Equinox
• Celebrity Flora
• Celebrity Infinity
• Celebrity Millennium
• Celebrity Reflection
• Celebrity Silhouette
• Celebrity Solstice
• Celebrity Summit
• Celebrity Xpedition
• Celebrity Xploration

Celebrity Ascent will debut in the fall of 2023.

Hot Tip: Celebrity Beyond, which debuted in October 2022, is the newest Celebrity ship.

Celebrity Cruises travels to over 300 destinations from 30 departure ports. You’ll find ports of call in 79 countries on all 7 continents.

Owning a private island or beach resort is common among large cruise lines and is something many passengers have come to expect. CocoCay in the Bahamas (once called “Little Stirrup Cay”) is a private island owned by Celebrity’s parent company, Royal Caribbean.

Celebrity used to stop at this private island, but is not currently offering any itineraries that include CocoCay .

Hot Tip: Be prepared! Check out our printable cruise packing list and tips for your next cruise vacation.

Onboard Activities

When sailing on a Celebrity cruise ship, you’ll find the traditional cruise staples like pools, a casino, art auctions, and shopping . But you’ll also find some unique activities on Celebrity ships that you won’t find on other cruises:

• A Hot Summer Night’s Dream show
• Camp at Sea kids’ club
• Caravan at The Club (circus variety show)
• Deal or No Deal
• Dueling DJs Silent Disco
• Elyria (adults-only show)
• F45 fitness classes
• Groove interactive party
• HIIT classes
• Hot glass class
• Outdoor movies
• Peloton classes
• Pulse Barre
• Sizzle (Latin-inspired party)
• SPA Thermal Suite
• STEM at Sea 
• The Persian Garden
• Undercover at The Club
• Wonder at Eden
• Women in Wellness program

Not all activities are available on every ship and some come with additional fees.

You may be familiar with formal nights on other cruise lines, where passengers are expected to dress up for the evening. On Celebrity, formal nights have been replaced with Evening Chic nights . These nights are somewhere in between smart casual and formal.

On Evening Chic nights, women will want to choose a cocktail dress or a skirt, pants, or designer jeans with an elegant top. Men will want to choose pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt, or sweater. Blazers or sports jackets are optional.

Hot Tip: There are 1 to 2 Evening Chic nights on every Celebrity cruise except for Celebrity Xpedition, which sails exclusively in the Galapagos Islands and features casual attire only.

Celebrity offers lots of specialty cruises for those times you want to get away for a holiday or connect with like-minded people.

Holiday Cruises

Fun, themed cruises are available during favorite holidays including Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day.

Culinary Cruises

If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to check out a Celebrity Culinary Cruise. With these sailings, Celebrity has partnered with Chef Daniel Boulud to deliver a truly exceptional experience featuring culinary events and globally-inspired menus.

Celebrity celebrates all passengers and strives to make everyone feel included. You’ll find LGBTQ+ events, the largest Pride Party at Sea, and same-sex marriages onboard. In fact, the first same-sex marriage ceremony at sea that was legally recognized happened on the Celebrity Equinox in January 2018.

Music and Themed Cruises

Try out one of Celebrity’s music and themed cruises for the ultimate good time:

• ’70s Rock and Romance Cruise: Features over 50 live performances and 25 celebrity interactive events
• Blue Note at Sea: Celebrates Blue Note Jazz Clubs, Blue Note Records, and Entertainment Cruise Productions
• Botti at Sea: Featuring jazz trumpeter Chris Botti
• Flower Power Cruise: Featuring peace, love, and 60s music
• Smooth Jazz Cruise: Has been called “The Greatest Party at Sea”
• The Jazz Cruise: Known as “The Greatest Jazz Festival at Sea”
• Ultimate Disco Cruise: Includes over 40 live performances

Celebrity is proud to offer an autism-friendly cruising experience for both kids and adults. The Camp at Sea staff receives autism awareness training that covers considerations including the characteristics of autism and other developmental disabilities and communication skills like person-first language.

Onboard you’ll find sensory-friendly films and toys, dietary menu options such as gluten-free or dairy-free , priority check-in, boarding, and departure, and other special accommodations to make your cruise as comfortable as possible.

Hot Tip: Don’t forget to use the right credit card to book your cruise so you can earn lots of points for your next vacation.

Dining and Beverages

The following options are all included in your cruise fare. Please note that not all locations are available on every ship:

• Cosmopolitan
• Main Restaurant
• Oceanview Cafe

Celebrity Cruises’ specialty dining locations come with an extra charge that will either be a flat per-person cover charge or à la carte pricing.

• Eden Restaurant
• Fine Cut Steakhouse
• Lawn Club Grill
• Le Grand Bistro
• Le Petit Chef
• Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud
• Magic Carpet
• The Porch Seafood Restaurant
• Rooftop Garden Grill
• Sushi on Five
• Tuscan Grille

You won’t go thirsty on a Celebrity cruise. Here are some of the bars and lounges you may find onboard.

• Cafe Al Bacio & Gelateria
• Cellar Masters
• Craft Social
• Ensemble Lounge
• The Martini Bar
• Martini Bar & Crush
• Passport Bar
• Pool & Mast Bar
• Rendezvous Lounge
• The Retreat Lounge
• Rooftop Terrace
• Sky Observation Lounge
• World Class Bar

Not all locations are available on every ship.

Most drinks, even non-alcoholic ones, cost extra on a Celebrity cruise . If you would prefer to pay upfront for your drinks, you can purchase a beverage package ahead of time. You’ll find packages to suit all tastes, even kids!

All beverage packages are priced per person, per day .

Classic Package: $69+

• Beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, and frozen drinks
• Wines by the glass (up to $9 each)
• 15% discount on wines by the bottle

Premium Package: $84+

• All Classic Package benefits
• Specialty coffees and teas
• Craft and artisan beers
• Spirits, cocktails, and frozen drinks
• Coca-Cola products
• Premium bottled water
• Wines by the glass up to $15 each
• 20% discount on wines by the bottle

Classic Non-Alcoholic Package: $18+

• Premium coffee and teas
• Bottled water

Premium Non-Alcoholic Package: $25+

• All benefits from the Classic Non-Alcoholic Package
• Specialty coffee and organic teas
• Red Bull Energy Drink
• Coconut water
• Vitamin Water products

Kids’ Drink Package: $15+

• Smoothies and juices
• Fountain sodas
• Mocktail mixology class

Premium Bottled Water Package: $16+

• Unlimited bottles of still or sparkling premium water

Soda Package: $9+

• Fountain and canned soda

Wines By The Bottle Package: Prices Vary

• Available in 3-, 5-, or 7-bottle packages
• Premium or classic packages are available

Bottom Line: Beverage packages are priced per person, per day, and must be purchased for every day of your cruise. They can’t be shared and they don’t apply to beverages sold in gift shops, the mini-bar, or room service. A 20% service charge will be added to some packages . Not all beverage packages will be available on every ship.

Staterooms on a Celebrity cruise ship evoke a sense of modern luxury. In every stateroom, you’ll find amenities such as a flat-screen TV, exclusive Celebrity eXhale bedding, a cashmere mattress, custom-blended bath products, plush towels, and more.

Here are some of the highlights:

Single Inside Staterooms are perfect for the solo traveler. These rooms offer all the amenities of a double stateroom but are designed for just 1 person.

If you’re trying to stick to a budget, but still want an awesome view, go for a Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom . These rooms are larger than the Standard Ocean View Staterooms and they come with floor-to-ceiling windows.

If you’re traveling with family (up to 5 people), check out the Family Veranda Stateroom . These are the largest veranda staterooms with plenty of space both inside and outside.

If total relaxation is what you’re after, try out an Aqua Class Stateroom. These rooms are spa-inspired and come with extra perks like premium bath products, complimentary dining at Blu restaurant, access to the SEA Thermal Suite and Persian garden, and a personal spa concierge.

For the ultimate in luxury, book a suite on Celebrity Cruise Line. Every suite comes with a personal butler, a private restaurant, a private sundeck, and an exclusive lounge.

Penthouse Suites come with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living and dining area, a private terrace, and a private hot tub!

Iconic Suites are the largest available at over 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space. These luxury suites are situated over the bridge so you’ll get gorgeous panoramic views.

Hot Tip: Wondering if you can use miles and points to book a cruise? We’ve got all the answers in our detailed guide to using miles and points to book cruises .

Captain’s Club is Celebrity Cruise Line’s loyalty program. When you join Captain’s Club, you’ll receive benefits and perks on every Celebrity cruise you take. Plus, each time you cruise, you’ll earn even more points that will help you reach the next tier of the Captain’s Club.

You’ll earn Captain’s Club points based on your stateroom level and the number of nights you sail.

• Inside and Oceanview Staterooms: 2 Club Points per night
• Veranda and Infinite Veranda Staterooms: 3 Club Points per night
• Concierge Class and Aqua Class Staterooms: 5 Club Points per night
• Sky Suite and Aqua Sky Suite: 8 Club Points per night
• Celebrity, Signature, Sunset, and Royal Suite: 12 Club Points per night
• Reflection, Penthouse, and Edge Villa: 18 Club Points per night

* Each tier includes all of the previous tier’s benefits.

Bottom Line: Celebrity’s loyalty club, Captain’s Club, offers perks based on your stateroom level and the number of nights you sail. You can expect some nice onboard benefits like complimentary internet, laundry, and beverage packages, but you won’t find free or discounted cruises as a benefit. 

Celebrity is a luxury cruise line that sails to over 300 destinations on 15 ships.

Onboard, you’ll find unique activities, like Dueling DJs Silent Disco or a hot glass class.

Staterooms on Celebrity cruise ships evoke a sense of modern luxury. Accommodations are available for single travelers as well as larger groups, including suites with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Traditional formal nights are replaced by Evening Chic nights, which should appeal to the modern-day cruiser who doesn’t want to travel with formal wear.

Celebrity also offers many different themed cruises that will appeal to all different types of travelers. Plus, Celebrity strives to be inclusive of everyone, offering special accommodations and activities geared towards autistic passengers and the LGTBQ+ community.

If you’re looking for more information on cruises, explore our guides to Carnival , Princess , Norwegian , and Royal Caribbean .

The information regarding the Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best celebrity cruise ship.

Celebrity Beyond, which debuted in 2022, is the newest and one of the best Celebrity cruise ships. In addition, Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Edge are often cited as the cruise line’s best ships.

Do I have to dress up on a Celebrity cruise?

Not necessarily. Celebrity cruises have replaced traditional formal nights with Evening Chic nights. On these nights, guests are expected to dress up, but just a bit. Designer jeans and an elegant top will do for ladies, and men can get away with pants and a button-down shirt. However, if you want to go more formal, that’s acceptable, too.

Are Celebrity cruises all-inclusive?

Not completely. Just like most other cruise lines, not everything is included in your cruise fare. You’ll find specialty restaurants and activities onboard that come with additional charges. Many beverages, even non-alcoholic ones, also cost extra.

Is Celebrity a high-end cruise line?

Yes, Celebrity is considered a high-end cruise line. It offers luxurious accommodation options including spa-inspired Aqua Class rooms and Concierge Class rooms that come with a personal concierge.

Are drinks free on Celebrity Cruises?

Generally, no, drinks aren’t free on Celebrity Cruises. You can purchase drinks onboard individually or you can pre-purchase a drink package that includes unlimited beverages.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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Celebrity Cruises Trivia Quiz Questions with Answers

Trivia questions with answers about celebrity cruises.

What is “Celebrity Cruises”? A: Celebrity Cruises is a cruise line headquartered in Miami, Florida and a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group.

When was Celebrity Cruises founded? A: In April 1988 as a subsidiary of the Greece-based Chandris Group to operate upmarket cruise ships to Bermuda.

Chandris had been involved in cruise traffic since the 1960s, and during the late 1980s the company operated in the United States market under what brand name? A: Chandris Cruises.

Chandris Fantasy Cruises targeted what? A: The lower end of the cruise passenger market, with fleets consisting of second-hand ocean liners.

Celebrity Cruises came into existence when, in April 1988, Home Lines, at the time one of the world's leading premium cruise lines, was sold to whom? A: Holland America Line.

Home Lines' ships had held two of the five contracts offered by the Government of Bermuda to cruise lines, giving the ships what? A: Priority berthing arrangement and unlimited access of sail to the islands in exchange for the ships sailing to Bermuda between April and October each year.

Although these contracts were highly valued, Holland America Line decided to withdraw the former Home Lines ships from this service, leaving what? A: An opening for two new ships to gain access.

Chandris wanted to acquire the contracts, but the Government of Bermuda was only willing to award them to what? A: Upmarket cruise lines, which Chandris Fantasy Cruises was not.

In order to gain the Bermuda Government contracts, Chandris created Celebrity Cruises and immediately began what? A: Negotiating with the Bermuda Government in April 1988.

As a result of the negotiations, Celebrity Cruises was awarded the contract for what? A: For two ships for a five-year period beginning in 1990.

In order to fulfill the contract, Chandris Fantasy Cruises' Galileo was rebuilt at Lloyd Werft, Germany in 1989, re-entering service as what? A: Meridian for Celebrity Cruises in February 1990.

The second ship, Horizon, that had been ordered in 1988 as a replacement for Amerikanis in the Chandris Fantasy fleet, was transferred to whom? A: Celebrity Cruises fleet, entering service in May 1990.

In late 1990 Celebrity Cruises placed an order for a sister ship of the Horizon, delivered in 1992 as what? A: Zenith.

In 1997, the Chandris family sold its interests in Celebrity Cruises to whom? A: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

This led to the formation of what? A: Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (later Royal Caribbean Group) as a holding company to keep both brands separate, and the renaming of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to Royal Caribbean International.

During the same year Celebrity Cruises took delivery of what? A: The first Century-class vessel, Century, that was followed by Galaxy in 1996 and Mercury in 1997.

Following the delivery of the Mercury, the Meridian was sold to whom? A: Singapore-based Sun Cruises.

Between 2000 and 2002 Celebrity took delivery of a quartet of new ships, the gas turbine-powered and aptly named what? A: Millennium-class ships Millennium, Infinity, Summit and Constellation.

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Celebrity Cruises’ New Ship Celebrity Ascent Arrives in Europe

C elebrity Cruises’ flagship vessel, Celebrity Ascent , is setting sail for the first time in Europe when the ship arrives in Barcelona on Saturday, April 27.

Celebrity Ascent will start her European adventure with a nine-night Italian Riviera and France itinerary before serving the region throughout the summer. The ship will visit destinations in Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Turkey.

Onboard, Celebrity Ascent elevates vacations with spaces imagined by world-class designers including Nate Berkus and Kelly Hoppen CBE, culinary excellence from a Michelin-starred chef, and expansive onboard entertainment.

“We’re bringing our latest and greatest Edge Series ship to Europe, enabling guests to discover this diverse region with its stunning coastlines, while enjoying Celebrity Ascent’s premium facilities, elevated food and drink experiences, and wonderful entertainment,” Celebrity President Laura Hodges Bethge said.

The flagship vessel boasts 32 restaurants, bars, and lounges, as well as the cantilevered multi-purpose venue “The Magic Carpet,” which offers a bar, lounge area and al-fresco dining. Celebrity Ascent will also offer nightlife experiences, including three brand-new production shows in The Theatre and the Ascent After Dark: ‘Shine the Night’ parties on the Resort Deck.

The ship will sail a variety of seven- to 12-night escapes to the rocky coves and sandy beaches of the Mediterranean, ancient history in the Aegean, and the coast lining the Atlantic, all departing from key ports across Europe, like Barcelona, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Athens (Piraeus), Greece. 

Protect Your Trip »

The 9 best gay cruises for 2024 (+ planning tips).

Dance parties, drag queen performances and fun destinations await on these LGBTQ voyages.

The Best Gay Cruises

Courtesy of The Cruise with La Demence

Embark on an all-gay or LGBTQ-friendly cruise for excellent entertainment, food and excursions.

Whether you are looking to hop aboard a Pride Week cruise with a major line or sail away with a smaller company that specializes in LGBTQ voyages, the following cruise operators promise a fun, safe and memorable vacation.

(Note: While many of these cruise lines sail to LGBTQ-friendly ports of call, travelers should research destinations to learn more about cultures, customs and safety in each location and determine what's right for them.)

Virgin Voyages

Atlantis events, brand g vacations, celebrity cruises, royal caribbean international, the cruise with la demence, source journeys.

Gabriel Goldberg | Courtesy of VACAYA

Founded by avid travelers Randle Roper, Patrick Gunn and John Finen, VACAYA bills itself as the first all-LGBT travel company in the full-ship charter/resort buyout sector of the travel industry to launch in more than 25 years.

"[VACAYA] was sparked by our own vacations, where we all had encountered two very different experiences," says Gunn. "The all-gay cruises were liberating, empowering and fun, but limited to a small spectrum of people. And while everyone loves a good time, there's more to a memorable vacation than just parties. Mainstream vacations offered more activities and destinations, and were accessible to a diverse set of people, but didn't always feel like a friendly, judgment-free environment."

As such, VACAYA set out to bring LGBTQ travelers from across the spectrum together in a welcoming, inclusive setting, while offering varied onboard activities and immersive itinerary options. Cruisers will enjoy traveling to ports around the world, in the Caribbean , the Galápagos, Europe , Antarctica and more. You can participate in shipwide events ranging from themed deck parties to performances by LGBTQ entertainers to rejuvenating yoga classes. Note that VACAYA's cruises are for adults only.

Previous cruisers had abundant praise for VACAYA's voyages, highlighting the company's responsiveness when booking and the kindhearted staff, as well as the genuine connections they made with other passengers on board. Many were also impressed by the events and entertainment options throughout their sailings.

In 2024, VACAYA will offer a number of voyages worldwide. The seven-night Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Apex in February will sail round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, with several fun-filled days at sea in addition to stops in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Antigua. In August, VACAYA has a 12-night river cruise in Northern Europe on board Advance by Transcend Cruises; this sailing includes the Amsterdam Pride event. The 11-night Antarctica expedition on Atlas Ocean Voyages' World Navigator in December 2024 is sold out, but you can join the waitlist.

Courtesy of Virgin Voyages

The Virgin brand has long been known for its celebration of the LGBTQ community, and cruise line Virgin Voyages is no different. The strictly adults-only cruise operator aims to provide a unique experience, with onboard tattoo parlors, impressive live entertainment, and dining options that include more than 20 eateries and menus created by Michelin star chefs. This line gets the stamp of approval from previous LGBTQ cruisers, who praise the ships' gender-neutral bathrooms, diverse staff and onboard shows with resident drag queens.

Virgin Voyages offers gay-specific sailings through travel companies like Atlantis Events, but its more mainstream itineraries still offer a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that attracts LGBTQ cruisers year-round. Virgin hosts a number of events during Pride Month each year, including deck parties and interactive social media campaigns.

"Each June here at Virgin Voyages, we like to go big for Pride Month with larger-than-life events … all monthlong," the cruise line says in a statement on its website. "It's an important time for us – both internally within our crew and for our sailors – to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ community; who for so long has had to continually fight for equality and the right to be seen, heard and included."

Virgin Voyages sails to a variety of LGBTQ-friendly countries, including New Zealand, Greece and Spain. In June 2024, consider a seven-night sailing aboard Scarlet Lady departing from Barcelona with stops in Marseille and Cannes in France as well as Spain's Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza.

Read: The Best Cruise Lines for the Money

The world's largest gay and lesbian travel brand, Atlantis Events was founded in 1991 and welcomes more than 20,000 travelers annually on LGBTQ vacations. For its all-gay cruises, Atlantis charters megaships from popular lines like Royal Caribbean International , Norwegian Cruise Line and Virgin Voyages in addition to smaller vessels with companies like Oceania Cruises so cruisers will have a fully immersive experience.

On board, travelers can enjoy all the perks these ships have to offer (think: pools, hot tubs, sports courts and plenty of dining choices), plus special events like drag performances, motivational speakers, LGBTQ movies on demand in each cabin and high-energy circuit parties across the ship.

"As an LGBTQ cruiser, you're looking for a ship with lots of entertainment, including dance parties and events," says Marcos Martinez, founder of Men Who Brunch, a Black gay lifestyle blog. "One of the best cruise [lines] for gay cruising is Atlantis, since you'll be able to meet hundreds of attractive men and party all day and night on the ship."

Atlantis hosts primarily gay men; women make up about 5% to 10% of bookings, according to the Atlantis website. Previous cruisers said the atmosphere on board was fun, friendly and welcoming, though some noted that the company's customer service could be better, especially when it comes to details about the cruise.

Due to the company's popularity, its three 2024 cruises are already sold out.

Read: The Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean

Courtesy of Brand G Vacations

Specializing in all-gay river cruises – and now luxury ocean liners – Brand g Vacations was founded in 2011 and explores destinations all over the world. Chartered river cruises typically welcome between 40 and 200 LGBTQ passengers (and their straight allies), which allows cruisers to get to know one another in a smaller setting. Guests tend to skew more mature (think: 40 and older), and the line attracts both men and women.

Onboard entertainment differs slightly from larger ocean voyages: Expect more cabaret-style entertainment than massive all-night dance parties. Cruisers will also enjoy performances by drag queens, gay Broadway stars and more, on top of typical river cruise perks like sightseeing and lavish meals. Past guests recommend choosing Brand g if you're looking for a well-planned, relaxed and luxurious experience over a busier, more party-heavy vacation.

Brand g aims to provide a nearly all-inclusive cruise experience , with Mercedes or small van airport transfers, upscale hotel stays prior to embarkation, and unlimited alcoholic beverages as well as meals included in the fare. As such, prices tend to be on the high end. Plus, cruisers can feel good about their trip knowing that Brand g donates to causes in the U.S. and around the world that assist LGBTQ refugees, AIDS organizations, LGBTQ centers and more.

In 2024, Brand g sails through unique waterways around the world, including the Amazon, the Loire, the Danube, the Mekong, and the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The line's small cruise ship charters also take guests to Iceland, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Croatia and other European destinations.

Read: The Top River Cruise Lines

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Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises sets the scene for an excellent vacation for gay travelers, from its extravagant annual Pride parties to its daily LGBTQ programming throughout the year. The mainstream line has received numerous awards for its inclusivity, receiving accolades from the Cruizie Awards, TTG Travel Awards and Travel Weekly's Magellan Awards for being one of the best cruise lines for LGBTQ passengers.

LGBTQ cruisers can start their vacations off on a high note with a special welcome party on the first night of their voyage to meet other travelers on board. After night one, there are other social events for gay cruisers to party and hang out together. Additionally, Celebrity Cruises was the first cruise line to legally marry a couple at sea in 2018, and it continues to perform same-sex marriages on its ships.

Past cruisers enjoyed their voyages with Celebrity, noting that the line was welcoming, the food was delicious, and there were plenty of areas to hang out as a group with fellow LGBTQ passengers or other companions throughout the ship.

Although all itineraries are gay-friendly, consider booking a sailing during Pride Month in June for an extra special experience. Onboard entertainment during this month includes guest entertainers, a flag raising ceremony, Celebrity's signature Pride Party at Sea and more. The Italian Riviera & France cruise will depart from Barcelona on June 8, 2024, on the new Celebrity Ascent; this 10-night Mediterranean sailing stops at ports in France, Italy and Malta. Private travel companies like VACAYA also charter Celebrity ships for all-gay voyages throughout the year.

Read: Cruise Packing List: The Top Essentials for Any Cruise

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Specifically marketed toward lesbians and LGBTQ women, Olivia has hosted more than 350,000 travelers by land and sea over five decades. Cruisers can choose between river voyages or ocean sailings to destinations around the world. On the lesbian cruises, expect a mix of nostalgic decade-themed dance parties, folk singers, writing workshops, karaoke and other activities. Cruisers can also relax poolside, spend some time in the onboard spa or take it easy in one of the ships' lounges.

Travelers who are looking to connect with others who share similar backgrounds can do so in one of Olivia's specialized programs. There are group and solo traveler meetups, as well as programs like Sisters, which is for LGBTQ women of color; Gen-O, for cruisers 40 and younger; Women in Uniform gatherings, for veterans and those currently in the armed forces; and events for OWLs (which stands for "older, wiser lesbians"). Past cruisers on Olivia's voyages report feeling a true sense of community and belonging on board, resulting in a fun, carefree trip.

In June 2024, set sail with Olivia from Edinburgh, Scotland, to Dublin on Windstar Cruises' Star Legend. Or, visit the islands of Tahiti on the line's Star Breeze in September. Other cruise itineraries include Alaska, the Greek Isles, Mexico and the Panama Canal.

Read: The Best Girls Trip Ideas

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International provides a welcoming and inclusive experience for LGBTQ travelers. The popular cruise line frequently partners with Atlantis Events to offer all-gay voyages throughout the year, but even the standard sailings earn praise.

Highlights of the sailings are the ships' entertainment options (including the Tony Award-winning musical "Mamma Mia!") and attentive staff, according to past cruisers. Itineraries typically include LGBTQ meetups at the beginning of each cruise for gay travelers to meet like-minded passengers. Outside of the sailing experience, Royal Caribbean has also publicly committed to supporting the LGBTQ community throughout the year, and it was the first cruise line to earn the title "Gay Traveler Approved" from GayTravel in 2016.

In 2024, consider a Royal Caribbean voyage that sails to gay-friendly destinations. "Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, [is] full of gay bars, clubs and gay beaches," says Martinez. Hop aboard Navigator of the Seas in May for a seven-night sailing round-trip from Los Angeles that stops in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada, Mexico. Navigator of the Seas also hosts a seven-night itinerary throughout the year that calls on Mazatlan, Mexico, as well.

Ready to plan a cruise? Find the best value sailings on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Courtesy of The Cruise With La Demence

According to past cruisers, if you're looking for one of the best party scenes on the open seas, consider an all-gay cruise with La Demence. Powered by a popular gay nightclub in Brussels with the same name, La Demence – French for "the madness" – primarily caters to a European crowd. Most passengers are male, though women are also welcome.

On board, passengers should expect to dance the night away at massive deck parties that last into the wee hours of the morning. The line prides itself on its top-notch DJs, impressive light setup and electric party atmosphere. Previous cruisers had high praise for the itineraries – which exclusively visit gay-friendly locations – as well as the fruity cocktails, themed nights (costumes strongly encouraged) and glamorous entertainment. Enjoy unique events like drag bingo, high heel runs and more.

La Demence sails every summer to European destinations like Greece, Italy and Malta. The 2023 cruise was chartered on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas. Fares include all food and nonalcoholic beverages, plus access to all parties, shows and the onboard gym.

Read: The Top Party Cruises

Source Journeys has been planning luxury vacations for LGBTQ travelers for more than 20 years. The Miami-based company, with the vision of founder and chief executive officer Craig Smith, offers small group land tours and full-charter cruises for like-minded travelers with a focus on giving back to the communities they visit. The company also supports LGBTQ organizations, such as the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign.

Past guests of their tours say their fellow travelers were as fun and interesting as the destinations. They appreciated the excellent personalized planning for the trips by Smith and his life partner, Rafael Rodriguez.

The company's cruises in 2024 include a seven-night Galápagos sailing in late September on a Relais & Chateau luxury yacht: Ecoventura's new ship, Evolve. The intimate ship accommodates just 20 passengers. Source Journeys is also offering a seven-night river cruise through Burgundy and Provence, France, in June on Avalon Waterways' Avalon Poetry II, as well as a seven-night voyage from Venice along the Dalmatian Coast. This ocean cruise scheduled in August is chartered on Star Clippers' masted sailing ship, Royal Clipper.

Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to gay cruising, gone are the days of discreet "Friends of Dorothy" meetups. The term – a euphemism that dates back to the 1950s – was once used to indicate gay social events on daily cruise line programs, without explicitly calling out members of the community on board. It's a far cry from today's LGBTQ cruising industry, which loudly and proudly celebrates passengers from all walks of life.

According to experts, LGBTQ cruising is a market that will only continue to grow. Travelers can take their pick between cruise operators tailored specifically to queer communities and major cruise lines that offer festive Pride celebrations and inclusive onboard entertainment. As travel on the high seas continues to grow in popularity for vacationers, gay and lesbian travelers should consider setting sail on a fun-filled cruise vacation for their next trip.

When planning a cruise, vacationers should first consider what their ideal sailing looks like.

Gay-friendly vs. all-gay sailings: Cruisers should think about whether they'd like to travel aboard a gay-friendly mainstream line – such as Celebrity Cruises or Virgin Voyages – or opt for an all-gay, full-ship charter with a third-party vacation company.

"Each and every LGBTQIAPK person has a different level of comfortability in their 'outness,' " says Patrick Gunn, co-founder and chief marketing officer of LGBTQ vacation company VACAYA. Of VACAYA's all-gay charters, he adds, "For one magical week, our community gets to be the majority and live life out loud in the blissful utopia VACAYA creates on a gay cruise. That single change from being an always-minority to a sudden majority can have a profoundly positive real-world effect on individuals."

• Travel style: Some cruise operators (think: Atlantis Events and La Demence) are known for their electrifying all-night parties, which may be perfect for gay groups of friends. Meanwhile, other companies like VACAYA and Olivia look to provide a more diverse selection of activities, ranging from tea dances (LGBTQ parties that, historically, included tea service) to philanthropic service activities to immersive onshore experiences.
• Ports of call: Some of the most LGBTQ- and gay-friendly destinations for cruises include: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Sydney; Barcelona, Spain; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan; Helsinki; Quebec City; Auckland, New Zealand; Mykonos, Greece; Reykjavik, Iceland; Amsterdam; Tel Aviv, Israel; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and San Francisco. Countries that gay travelers may want to avoid include the Maldives, Jamaica, Morocco, Malaysia and Haiti, as homosexuality is illegal in these destinations.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has visited destinations around the globe on nearly every type of ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, expedition vessels, traditional masted sailing ships and intimate river ships on the Mekong River. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

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Disembarkation: Everything You Need to Know

By Sue Bryant

Last updated: April 27th, 2024

• Find a Cruise

Make the most of the day in your disembarkation port, which will run all the more smoothly with a little preparation and planning.

Disembarking a cruise ship is not the same as checking out of a hotel on your last day. Disembarkation day is a carefully choreographed event. It has to be, with sometimes 2,000 guests or more and their luggage to move from the ship to the cruise terminal and beyond in a short time.

Your Celebrity Cruises crew are highly experienced in this logistical exercise, though, and will do all they can to make that bittersweet goodbye as easy as possible.

What is a disembarkation port?

A disembarkation port is a port where a cruise ends. Most passengers will leave the ship here, apart from those who have booked back-to-back cruises.

The ship will then be “turned around”—cleaned top to bottom, refueled, and re-provisioned with everything that’s needed for the next voyage.

Once all the disembarking guests have left, after a brief lull, new arrivals will begin to check in, ready for the next cruise.

Typical disembarkation ports tend to be gateway cities with good air and road access, like Miami, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale in Florida; Cape Liberty, New Jersey; and San Juan, Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.

In Europe , disembarkation ports include Barcelona, Rome, Athens, and Southampton, England. Sydney, Australia and Singapore are two of Celebrity’s disembarkation ports in the Asia-Pacific region.

What happens on disembarkation day?

Disembarkation day is a busy day on a cruise ship. You’ll be invited to put your luggage outside your stateroom the night before. It will be collected by the crew overnight and will be waiting for you in the terminal when you leave the ship.

You’ll make sure your final bill is settled the day before, pack your carry-on luggage, and have breakfast. When your pre-allocated disembarkation time comes, make your way to the gangway.

You will then identify and claim your luggage in the terminal, clear customs, and take whatever onward transportation you’ve arranged.

Read: Everything You Need to Know About Embarkation Day

How will I know on board what to expect on disembarkation day?

Towards the end of your cruise, there will be a talk on disembarkation procedures. This will be shown on your stateroom TV, too, in case you miss it. You’ll also find details in the daily program.

You will already have been asked about your arrangements on disembarkation day. These might include a transfer to the airport arranged by Celebrity Cruises, or a shore excursion that ends at the airport.

You may have made independent plans, in which case you will need to add your flight details to the form you’ll be given, or the time your private pickup is booked.

A day or so before the voyage ends, your stateroom attendant will deliver a disembarkation letter and a set of colored luggage tags. The letter will tell you what time you are due to disembark. On the day, you will be called by group number or color code. You should stick to these staggered times to avoid congestion at the gangway.

If you’re not happy with the time you have been allocated, take it up with Guest Services as soon as possible rather than waiting until disembarkation day.

Do I have to put my luggage out for collection the night before disembarkation?

The vast majority of cruisers put their luggage outside their stateroom door, color-tagged and locked, the night before disembarkation. It’s more convenient and practical, as dragging heavy bags into crowded elevators and down a sometimes steep gangway is no fun for anybody.

But if you feel strongly about hanging onto your bag, or are perhaps traveling light with only a small wheelie on a short cruise, you can opt for “self disembarkation”. This usually means you can leave the ship as soon as disembarkation has begun.

How long can you stay on the ship on disembarkation day?

Disembarkation day isn’t a time to linger on board as the crew has to work hard to prepare the ship for the next voyage. Normally, there’s a window between around 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. for disembarkation. If your flight isn’t until much later, you will be given a later slot in this window, but this isn’t a day to expect to sleep in.

If you’ve booked a back-to-back cruise, you can relax on board during disembarkation day, or join a shore excursion while the new guests are checking in.

You will normally be asked to vacate your stateroom by 8 a.m. so the stateroom attendant can prepare it for the next guest. If your allocated disembarkation time is later than this, there will be public areas on the ship where you can relax with your carry-on before you leave.

Read: The Only Cruise Packing List You’ll Ever Need

How early can you get off?

A ship will usually only have a short distance to travel from its penultimate port to the disembarkation port to account for any delays or weather issues; no cruise line wants to arrive late on turnaround day. So you may find you’re docked alongside very early in the morning.

But the ship has to be cleared by the local authorities before anybody can leave. Luggage has to be offloaded, too.

When you book your cruise, you will be told about the earliest reasonable flight departure time to choose. A very early morning flight, for example, is usually impractical. If you do have a relatively early flight, this will be factored in when disembarkation groups are allocated.

Disembarkation times vary from port to port, but it is unusual for the process to begin any earlier than 7 a.m.

Is there time for breakfast?

Of course! You are still on vacation and will never be sent away hungry. Most of the usual breakfast venues will be open, including Café al Bacio for coffee to go.

Restaurants may be busier than usual as everybody is preparing to leave within the same short timespan, and some people may have already left their staterooms and will be carrying their hand baggage with them.

Read: What Is Food on a Cruise Really Like?

What documents do I need for disembarkation and customs?

You will need your passport and receipts for any duty-free goods you have bought, in case you get stopped at customs. Normally, the ship will have been cleared by the local immigration authorities, but you may still be required to show a passport to officials when you disembark.

If you have already checked in for your flight and feel happier with a paper boarding pass, you can print this out in the ship’s internet center. If you’ve parked your car at the port, make sure you have the receipt and know where it is.

You will also need your SeaPass key card to leave the ship for one last time.

How long does it take to get off a cruise ship?

If everybody follows the instructions they have been given and shows up at the gangway when invited, getting off a ship is quick and easy. You should be able to disembark in 15 to 30 minutes, including collecting your baggage in the terminal.

There can be delays, though, and the ship is at the whim of the local immigration authorities. This is another compelling reason for leaving plenty of time between your scheduled disembarkation time and your flight home.

If you have booked an airport transfer or a disembarkation day tour with Celebrity, your transportation will wait until everybody is present.

How do I choose the right disembarkation port for my cruise?

First, to be clear, you can’t choose where to disembark your cruise. Unless there is some kind of personal emergency or you have booked two back-to-back cruises, everybody disembarks on the same day in the same port.

It’s worth thinking about where your cruise ends, though, and what you might want to do to extend your vacation. If, for example, you’ve always wanted to see Athens and you’ve booked a cruise that ends in the Greek capital, you’re not going to actually see Athens unless you extend your stay there. The transfer from the port to the airport will not take you through the city center.

The same applies to Rome and Barcelona . So by all means pick a disembarkation port that you want to see, but bear in mind that unless the ship arrives there the day before the end of the cruise, you will need to add on a night somewhere, or book an evening flight and plan your day carefully.

Can I arrange transportation from the disembarkation port to the airport or other destinations?

Yes, of course. Celebrity Cruises offers airport transfers, which can be pre-booked, either as a group transfer by coach or a private car or van. If you haven’t pre-booked and decide that you would like an airport transfer, this can be done on board through your Guest Account or the Celebrity Cruises app up to five days before the end of the cruise.

In the vast majority of disembarkation ports, taxis will wait to pick up independent travelers. But do your research first; in some instances, the airport is a long way from the seaport. If you disembark in Southampton, England , for example, the drive to London Heathrow Airport is at least one hour and a taxi will be expensive.

What happens if my flight is in the evening?

An evening flight means you have the whole day to enjoy your disembarkation port. But this needs to be planned, as you will most likely have luggage. There’s no fun in going straight to the airport and sitting there for eight hours or so—and your flight check-in will not be open, in any case.

There are various ways to make the most of your time in your disembarkation port. You could go to the airport and deposit your bags in a left luggage locker and then take off for a day in town. This is only practical if the airport is not too far from where you want to go, though.

Booking a day room in a hotel is an option and also means you can freshen up before your evening flight. Be sure to book somewhere that will allow early check-in.

Celebrity Cruises offers tours with airport and sometimes rail station and downtown hotel drop-offs in most ports. In Sydney , for example, you could join a city tour taking in the Opera House and Bondi Beach before being dropped off at the airport.

From Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, Italy , there’s the option of joining a wine-tasting tour in the Italian countryside before heading to the airport.

If your Alaska cruise ends in Vancouver , you could take a trip to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, deep in the forest, that ends with an airport drop-off.

Best of all, you could extend your stay. Celebrity Cruises offers a comprehensive City Stays program , which means everything will be organized for you.

In Alaska , you could pre-book a Cruisetour to extend your vacation, heading off to the wilds of Denali National Park to see a different face of the 49th state.

What are some things not to do on disembarkation day?

• Don’t pack all your clothes in your suitcase and leave it for collection the night before. Nobody wants to be disembarking in their PJs.
• Similarly, don’t pack your travel documents in your checked luggage. Keep them with you as you may need to show your passport in the customs hall.
• Don’t party too hard on your last night; while it’s tempting, disembarkation day is busy and comes with an early start, so a clear head helps.
• Don’t forget the valuables that you put in the safe on the first day.
• Don’t wait until disembarkation morning to check your final bill. If you need to ask questions about your account, this will delay your disembarkation. You can view your statement on your stateroom TV.
• Do not expect to use the ship’s facilities on disembarkation day; this is not the time for a last swim or a workout, and the onboard shops will be closed when the ship is in port.
• Don’t leave your key card in your stateroom. You will need it to leave the ship for the last time.
• Leave the bathrobe. The slippers are yours to take, but if you walk off with a bathrobe, the cost will be added to your account, even after you have left the ship.

Read: Things Not to Do on a Cruise

Ready to plan your next cruise vacation? Browse our itineraries and plan your dream escape.

Sue has been writing about cruising for 20 years and is lucky enough to have sailed all seven continents. She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide.

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