Celebrity Cruises has established a successful position for itself within the luxury end of cruising. Although owned by Royal Caribbean, the overall levels of service are of a higher class than its parent company. Their cruise holidays are affordable though, with our deals proving there are some great discounts on Celebrity Cruises available. See our Celebrity 2008 Late Deals and our Celebrity 2009 Early Booking Offers.
Celebrity has built an outstanding reputation for its food, particularly in the main dining rooms, with a rather formal approach to presentation and service.
Celebrity aim to adhere to the principles that first made cruising famous: high quality, superior design, spacious accommodation, grand style, attentive service and cruise cuisine.
Celebrity advertises itself as being a premium line with a taste of luxury, and that sums it up nicely. The ships are instantly recognizable, with the X on the funnel denoting the third letter of the Greek alphabet, for Chandris, the family that founded Celebrity Cruises in 1989.
In 2007 Celebrity Cruises created a new company, Azamara Cruises. The brand, with mid-sized ships and a focus on lesser-visited destinations, offers in-depth shore experiences. All hotel services and cruise operations are operated by Celebrity Cruises.
Berlitz Cruise Review of Celebrity Cruises
The ships are spotlessly clean and extremely well maintained. There are always lots of flowers and flower displays. There is a lot of fine artwork aboard Celebrity’s ships and is probably the most remarkable collection of contemporary art in the cruise industry.
The company provides a lot of the niceties that other lines have long forgotten (although some are now playing ‘catch up’): being escorted to your cabin on arrival by a steward; waiters that carry your trays when you obtain food from buffets or casual eateries; water spritzes on the pool deck.
There really are three different ‘classes’ aboard Celebrity ships: those in accommodation designated as suites; those in standard exterior-view and interior (no view) cabins; and a third that comes between the two, known as ‘Concierge Class.’ Concierge Class adds another dimension and items that bring added value to passengers.
Enhanced facilities include priority embarkation, disembarkation, tender tickets, alternative cruise dining and cruise ship spa reservations ; European duvet; double bed overlay (no more falling ‘between the cracks’ for couples); and better facilities in cabins. Balconies get better furniture.
Strong points include the many European staff and the high level of service, fine spas with a good range of facilities and treatments, taste-filled food attractively presented and served in fine European dining tradition, the provision of many intimate spaces, a fine collection of artwork, a ‘zero announcement policy’ (which means little intrusion), cloth towels in public restrooms instead of paper towels (as aboard most of the other major companies). On days at sea (in warm weather areas) if you are sunbathing on deck, someone will bring you a cold towel, and a sorbet, ice water or iced tea. Little touches like this differentiate Celebrity Cruises from its competitors.
Celebrity Cruises’ ships have many more staff than other ships of comparable size and capacity. This is particularly noticeable in the housekeeping and food and beverage departments, and results in a superior product.
Such things as topless sunbathing spaces are now available aboard all ships (except Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, Celebrity Xpedition). Meanwhile, what were formerly cigar smoking lounges have been turned into cozy jazz/piano lounges. Some cruises aboard some ships are designated as child-free.
Embarkation: When you first embark, a member of staff, dressed in a crisp white uniform (or black butler’s uniform if you are in one of the more expensive suites) will escort you (and carry your hand luggage) to your cabin, with white glove service and a smile.
Celebrity Cruises for families
Junior passengers are divided into four groups: Shipmates (3–6 years), Cadets (7–9 years), Ensigns (10–12 years), Teens (13–17 years).
Best ships for children:
Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Summit
Almost as good:
Celebrity Century, Celebrity Galaxy, Celebrity Mercury
Find out more about Celebrity Cruises cuisine and entertainment.
Gratuities (tipping) and currency
US$10 per person per day is added to your onboard account. You can have this amount adjusted if you visit the guest relations desk before the end of the cruise. Additionally, 15% is added for all bar, wine purchases; 10% for spa treatments.
The onboard currency is the US dollar. |
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