Looking for Celebrity Cruise line tips? Here is a handy list packed with Celebrity Cruise tips and things you should know to help you make the most of your cruise vacation.
Celebrity is one of the cruise lines we sail with most often. On one of our first cruises with them years ago, I wasn’t sure we’d return so quickly—their ships are more laid back, and at the time, I wasn’t sure that was our style. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate that pace more than ever. Their ships have a classy, modern feel, and with the Edge Class, they’ve taken things to the next level in design and layout.
Like every cruise line, Celebrity has its own quirks, guidelines, and way of doing things. So if you’re planning your first Celebrity cruise—or it’s just been a while—these tips will help you know what to expect before you sail.
Celebrity Cruises Leans More Relaxed Than Party-Heavy
Before you book a cruise with Celebrity, know that it’s the opposite vibe of its sister line, Royal Caribbean. While Royal is geared more toward families, nonstop activities, and ships that feel like floating theme parks, Celebrity is far from that.
They have fun events—like Silent Disco and late-night themed dance parties—but the vibe is more laid-back overall. The demographic tends to skew older, although more families are on board during school breaks. Kids’ clubs and family-friendly spaces are still on board, but it’s not the main focus.
Celebrity Has Four Main Ship Classes
Celebrity Cruises has four main ship classes, and each one has its own layout, size, and personality. It’s worth knowing which class your ship falls under before you book.
- Millennium Class: These are the oldest and smallest ships in the fleet. They still offer the classic Celebrity feel but on a more compact scale.
- Solstice Class: Larger ships with more venues and extras like the real grass Lawn Club.
- Edge Class: These are the most modern ships in the fleet, known for their Infinite Verandas, the Magic Carpet, and more open design. These ships also have expanded spaces for The Retreat, including a private restaurant, lounge, and dedicated sundeck.
- Galapagos Expedition Series – A completely different experience. It’s a small expedition ship, Celebrity Flora, explicitly built for sailing the Galapagos.
Cruise Cabin Classes Can Make a Difference on Celebrity
While you will find standard cruise cabin options like inside, ocean view, and balcony cabins, Celebrity adds a few more layers with their Concierge Class, Aqua Class, and suite-level accommodations. These aren’t just upgraded rooms—they come with extra perks that can change your cruise experience.
- Concierge Class includes access to a dedicated check-in line at the terminal (not priority boarding), better cabin locations than standard balconies, and a few nice extras like a welcome bottle of bubbly and an embarkation day sit-down lunch in the main dining room.
- Aqua Class comes with access to Blu, a more intimate restaurant with lighter menu options and better personalized service. Aqua guests also get unlimited access to the Persian Garden in the spa, plus daily bottled water and some added in-room perks.
- The Retreat is Celebrity’s suite experience and includes priority boarding, access to Luminae (their suite-only restaurant), a private lounge, and an exclusive sundeck with its own pool—especially spacious on Edge Class ships. Guests also get butler service, which adds another level of personalized attention throughout the cruise.
We’ve sailed Concierge, Aqua Class, and The Retreat—Aqua and Retreat are easily our favorites.
Concierge is fine if the price is close to a standard veranda, but we wouldn’t pay much more for it. Aqua Class feels like a great value. You get Blu, which we jokingly called “Retreat Light.” It has the same great service and a quieter atmosphere without the butler or fancy cabin.
The Retreat is worth it if you want more luxury. We stayed in a Sky Suite on Celebrity Beyond, and having Luminae, a private sundeck, and dedicated spaces made the experience feel next level. That said, the setup can vary by ship—Edge Class ships like Beyond offer the best version of The Retreat.
Some of Their Newer Ships Have Infinite Verandas Instead of Traditional Balconies
With the Edge Class series came the introduction of Infinite Verandas. These are floor-to-ceiling windows that make the cabin feel more spacious. At the touch of a button, the top half lowers to create an open-air balcony.
There’s definitely some debate about these. Some love the extra space and modern design, while others miss having a true, separate traditional balcony. Either way, it’s something to be aware of when choosing your cabin on an Edge Class ship.
30+ Bid on a MoveUp to Upgrade to a Higher Category Cabin or The Retreat
Not long after the final payment, you may get an email from Celebrity inviting you to bid for an upgrade through their MoveUp program. This is your chance to potentially move from an ocean view to a balcony—or even into The Retreat—without paying full price.
If you’re interested in cruising in a suite, it’s worth placing a bid. We’ve seen people score some solid upgrades this way. It’s a great opportunity to experience something you might not have booked at the standard rate.
That said, always book the cabin you’ll be comfortable in from the start. Your bid will not be guaranteed to be accepted, so don’t count on an upgrade as part of your cruise plans.
Do the Math: “All-Included” Pricing May or May Not Save You Money
Celebrity offers an “All-Included” fare that bundles the Classic Drink Package and Basic Wi-Fi into your cruise price. It might save you money—but not always.
Unlike NCL’s More at Sea pricing, where you often come out ahead, Celebrity’s bundled fare can go either way. Before booking, it’s worth pricing out the drink package and Wi-Fi separately. The Classic Drink Package doesn’t include bottled water; you might not need it if you don’t drink much.
We usually wait for flash sales and buy à la carte—it’s been more cost-effective for us. But sometimes the math works out in favor of the All-Included option. It really depends on what you need and what the current promos look like.
Read more: Use Our Drink Package Calculator
Pack a Reusable Water Bottle
Bottled water is not included if you’re sailing with the Classic Drink Package (included with the “All Included” bundle). Unless you upgrade to the Premium Package, bringing a reusable water bottle will save you money in the long run. You can refill it at the filtered water stations in the buffet, and it’s an easy way to stay hydrated both on the ship and during port days.
Upgrade Your Classic Drink Package to the Premium Package
If you plan to order more than just basic cocktails, house wines, or beer, upgrading to the Premium Drink Package might be worth it. The Premium Package includes a wider range of spirits, top-shelf cocktails, premium wines by the glass, bottled water, specialty coffees, and smoothies—none of which are included in the Classic Package.
💡 This is where watching for flash sales comes in handy. Celebrity often discounts drink packages in the Cruise Planner before your sailing. These sales can be combined with Captain’s Club member discounts, depending on your tier, which can bring the price down even more.
Also worth noting: if you’re a Zenith-level Captain’s Club member, the Premium Package is already included for free—one of the many perks of reaching that top tier.
Celebrity Allows You to Bring One Bottle of Wine Onboard
Celebrity Cruises lets each adult (21 and over) bring one 750ml bottle of wine onboard at embarkation. You can enjoy it in your stateroom with no extra charge or bring it to dinner—just know there’s a $25 corkage fee if you open it in a restaurant or bar.
Unlike some cruise lines, additional bottles and other types of alcohol aren’t allowed. And non-alcoholic drinks like soda or water technically aren’t permitted either, so it’s best to bring a reusable water bottle for filtered water.
Tip: Pack a wine opener if you plan to enjoy your bottle in the cabin—your stateroom won’t come with one.
Celebrity Cruises Gratuity Rates and Why You Should Prepay Them
Celebrity Cruises charges daily service gratuities for each guest, which are automatically added to your onboard account—unless you choose to prepay them when you book.
As of now, the rates are:
- $18.00 per person, per day for Inside, Ocean View, and Veranda staterooms
- $18.50 per person, per day for Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms
- $23.00 per person, per day for guests staying in The Retreat
Gratuities used to be included when booking with the “All Included” pricing and The Retreat, but they no longer are. So unless you add them to your reservation before you sail, you’ll see the daily charges automatically appear on your account onboard.
We recommend prepaying them in advance—it’s easier to manage and keeps your onboard folio from slowly creeping up during your cruise.
Watch for Celebrity’s Flash Sales on Add-Ons
Celebrity Cruises regularly runs flash sales on drink packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and specialty dining. While you’ll see discounts of 5% to 40%, don’t just look at the percentage—keep an eye on the final price. Sometimes, the “retail” price quietly increases, making the deal seem better than it really is.
Celebrity’s Cruise Planner and app don’t always show the same deals, so it’s worth checking both when browsing add-ons.
Pro Tip: If something goes on sale after you’ve already purchased it, you can usually cancel and rebook it at the lower price right in your account. We’ve done this several times and it’s an easy way to save without any hassle.
If you didn’t book the “All-Included” fare, this is where you can save a decent amount—especially on Premium Wi-Fi and drink packages.
You Can Book Premium Access for Early Boarding and Wi-Fi
Celebrity offers an optional “Premium Access” add-on, including priority boarding, disembarkation, tendering, an embarkation day lunch, and Wi-Fi for two devices per guest. This can be an excellent option for new cruisers who don’t have status yet but still want perks like early boarding and priority tendering or disembarkation.
It’s worth considering if the price is close to what you’d pay for Premium Wi-Fi alone—sometimes it drops enough during flash sales to make it a good deal.
We had this on our Celebrity Solstice cruise and were among the first to board, which was nice. The lunch we could’ve skipped, but I would’ve appreciated the tender priority had we needed it. For us, the Wi-Fi was the most valuable part.
If you already booked the All-Included fare, skip this add-on—you’d just be overpaying for Wi-Fi.
Download the App
Download the Celebrity Cruises app as soon as you book your cruise. It’ll show your countdown to sail day, let you complete online check-in, and help you keep an eye on flash sales, shore excursions, and more. You can even watch the muster drill video from your phone while waiting to board.
Once you’re on board, the app becomes your daily guide. You’ll be able to check the schedule of events, see what restaurants are open, and view menus for each dining venue every day. It’s one of those things that just makes the cruise easier to navigate.
Check in 45 Days Before Your Cruise
Celebrity Cruises opens online check-in 45 days before your sailing. This is when you’ll choose your arrival time, so if you want an earlier boarding window, check in as soon as it goes live. I’m that excited passenger logging in at 12:01 a.m. EST just to snag an early slot.
Checking in ahead of time helps speed things up at the terminal. Celebrity has one of the smoothest and most organized embarkation processes—having everything set beforehand makes it easier.
Dinner Reservations for Specialty Dining Restaurants
If you purchased a dining package, you won’t be able to make any specialty dining reservations ahead of time—you’ll have to wait until you’re on board. This is different from booking individual specialty restaurants à la carte, which can usually be reserved before your cruise through the app or website.
Once you’re on the ship, head to one designated spot (usually noted in the app or daily planner) to make your reservations. It’s a good idea to do this as soon as you board, especially if you have specific restaurants or time slots in mind—they can fill up quickly.
We’ve had no issues getting great dining times when we planned early on embarkation day, but it’s something you don’t want to put off.
Only Continental Breakfast is Free with Room Service
Celebrity now charges a $9.95 delivery fee plus 20% gratuity for room service—unless you’re staying in The Retreat or are a Zenith Captain’s Club member. The one exception? Continental breakfast.
You can still have coffee, juice, and pastries delivered in the morning at no extra charge. It’s a nice, easy way to start your day without leaving your cabin.
Pastries, Cakes, and Cookies at Café al Bacio Are Included
Most cruise lines have cafés serving specialty coffees—sometimes even Starbucks—but Celebrity has Café al Bacio, a cozy spot that feels a little more elevated. While coffee drinks come at an extra charge, the display case of fresh pastries, cookies, and sometimes small sandwiches is included with your cruise fare.
The selection is refreshed throughout the day, so it’s worth stopping by more than once.
Turn-Down Service is Still a Thing on Celebrity
While many other cruise lines have scaled back or eliminated turn-down service, Celebrity hasn’t. They still provide it in all cabins, including those little chocolates on your pillow—a small touch I hope they never get rid of.
You won’t find towel animals here, but after dinner, it’s nice to return to a freshly made-up room and clean towels in the bathroom.
If you’d prefer to skip turn-down service, just let your stateroom attendant know or hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door.
No Self-Serve Laundromats on Celebrity Ships—But Laundry Specials Do Happen
Celebrity Cruises doesn’t have self-serve laundromats, so you won’t find any guest-accessible washers or dryers on board. Instead, they usually run a laundry-in-a-bag special about halfway through the cruise. You fill the provided bag with as much as you can, and a day or two later, your clothes come back folded and ready to go.
If you’re a Captain’s Club member, here’s what to expect when it comes to laundry and pressing perks:
- Select members and above receive two complimentary pressed items per cruise—perfect if you packed anything that needs smoothing out before Chic Night.
- Elite members and above get one complimentary bag of laundry per cruise.
- Zenith members receive unlimited pressing and laundry, which makes packing light even easier.
If you don’t see the laundry special in the daily newsletter or app, just ask your stateroom attendant—they’ll usually have the info and a bag handy. We always try to take advantage of it. Coming home with clean clothes is one less thing to deal with post-cruise.
Stay Informed with Celebrity Today and the App
Each evening, you’ll receive a printed copy of Celebrity Today in your stateroom. It highlights the next day’s schedule—activities, entertainment, dining hours, and port info—all in one place. Even though the app shows the same information, we still like flipping through it with coffee in the morning and even the night before when its left in your cabin.
The Celebrity Cruises app is excellent for checking what’s happening on the go. You can also use it to find restaurant hours, dress code details, and daily showtimes without carrying around the paper copy.
You Don’t Have to Check Out Pool Towels on Celebrity
One of the little things we love about Celebrity: pool towels are freely available at the pool—no sign-out, no scanning your card, and no need to return them. They’re often already folded and waiting on the pool chairs, so you can just grab a spot and settle in.
If you’re headed to a beach destination, beach towels will be delivered to your cabin the night before. Just take them with you when you head off the ship, and when you return, leave the used towels in the bathroom with your others. Your stateroom attendant will replace them with a fresh set for the next port day—no tracking or towel drama involved.
You Do Not Need Reservations for Shows
Unlike some other cruise lines, you don’t need reservations to attend theater shows on Celebrity Cruises. Just show up! We do recommend arriving 15–30 minutes early to get a good seat—some performances can fill up, especially on sea days.
Celebrity Has Chic Nights on Their Ships
Celebrity Cruises holds “Chic Night” instead of a traditional formal night, and it’s all about wearing what makes you feel your best—without the pressure of tuxedos or ball gowns. You’ll usually have one Chic Night on shorter cruises, and two on longer sailings, typically on the first and last sea days.
You’ll see everything from cocktail dresses and blazers to elevated casual outfits. It’s a great excuse to dress up a little, grab a photo, and enjoy a more festive evening—but it’s still relaxed and completely optional. That said, always keep in mind the dress codes for the restaurants you’re dining in that night.
Martini Bar is the Center of the Ship at Night
Martini Bar on Edge Class
cruise martini bar and drink
Martini Bar on Solstice Class Ship
The Martini Bar is among the most popular spots on a Celebrity ship in the evenings. It has a lively, central location that naturally draws a crowd before and after dinner. On Edge Class ships, it becomes even more of a scene—twice a night, the bartenders put on a synchronized show with choreographed pours and flair bartending that feels like a mini performance.
There’s no scheduled show on older ships, like the Solstice Class, but if you order the right drinks, the bartenders may still put on a little impromptu flair. Either way, the energy is excellent, the martinis are solid, and it’s a fun place to hang out at night.
Celebrity Cruise Ships Have Real Grass Lawns Onboard
One of the things that sets Celebrity apart is the real grass Lawn Club on the top deck of their Solstice Class ships. Yes, actual grass—at sea.
It’s a quiet, open space that feels more like a park than part of a cruise ship. You can sit back in an Adirondack chair, enjoy a drink, or lay out on the lawn with a book. On some ships, you can even rent cabanas; occasionally, there are events like movie nights or live music.
It’s a refreshing change from the usual pool deck scene and one of those unique Celebrity touches you won’t find on most other cruise lines.
Sign Up for the Captain’s Club for Perks
Sign up for Captain’s Club when you book your first Celebrity cruise. Don’t assume it happens automatically—I learned the hard way when my husband wasn’t enrolled and missed out on points. If you forget, you can contact Celebrity after the fact and have past sailings added.
Captain’s Club is Celebrity’s loyalty program. The more you cruise, the more points you earn, which come with perks. We recently hit Elite status, which means I now get a free bag of laundry and, even better, free drinks during the evening cocktail hour at any bar. There are other nice perks, too, like priority tendering, which comes in handy at specific ports.
Tip: Sign up for Captain’s Club before your cruise and start earning Power Up Points by participating in simple online activities like surveys or watching short videos. These points count toward your loyalty status—even before you sail.
Never Miss the Power Up Points Emails
If you’ve signed up for the Captain’s Club, watch for emails from Celebrity inviting you to earn Power Up Points. These small tasks—like answering a quick survey, watching a short video or webinar, or reading a travel article—add to your loyalty status.
Just make sure those emails aren’t going to your spam folder. You don’t want to miss easy points that can help you level up without stepping on a ship.
Status Match with Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises are sister cruise lines under the Royal Caribbean Group umbrella, and the good news is—they recognize each other’s loyalty programs.
If you have status with Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, you can request a status match with Celebrity’s Captain’s Club. It isn’t always point-for-point, but it usually aligns pretty closely. For example, Crown & Anchor Diamond members typically match Elite status with Celebrity.
This can unlock perks like free drinks during happy hour, priority tendering, and laundry services—even on your first Celebrity cruise. You’ll need to contact Celebrity Cruises to request the match and have your accounts linked. It’s worth doing before your next sailing to enjoy the perks immediately.
Select Captain Club Members and Above Get a Free Scoop of Gelato at the Gelateria
Celebrity’s buffet has free ice cream and soft serve, but if you’re a Captain’s Club member at Select level or higher, don’t forget—you’re entitled to one free scoop of gelato at the gelateria during your cruise.
It’s easy to overlook, especially since the gelateria is an extra charge for most guests. We almost forgot ourselves! Many people save it for the last day, but make sure you don’t let that perk go to waste whenever you use it.
RCL Shareholders Can Get Onboard Credit on Celebrity Cruises
If you own 100 shares of Royal Caribbean Group stock (RCL), you’re eligible for onboard credit as a shareholder benefit—even when sailing with Celebrity Cruises, which is part of the Royal Caribbean Group. The credit amount depends on the length of your cruise:
- $50 for sailings of 5 nights or fewer
- $100 for sailings of 6–13 nights
- $250 for sailings of 14 nights or longer
To claim your credit, fill out the Shareholder Benefit Request Form and submit it at least three weeks before your sail date. Be sure to include a current brokerage statement (dated within the last 90 days) that shows your name—matching your cruise reservation—and proof that you own a minimum of 100 shares of RCL stock.
Fun Fact: I’ve been slowly working my way toward owning 100 shares of Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) stock. I’m using the Stash app to invest a little bit every two weeks—it’s an easy way to build up over time without a big upfront cost. It’s my long game for unlocking those shareholder perks. (Just a note: I’m not a financial adviser.)
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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
