celebrity cruises vs royal caribbean

Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Cruises: Which sister cruise line should you choose?

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, which are sister cruise lines operated by Royal Caribbean Group, are both known for offering abundant dining options and engaging nightlife. But they have different onboard vibes and target different types of cruise travelers.

Royal Caribbean's fleet of more than two dozen ships includes some of the largest vessels at sea and features groundbreaking innovations and family-friendly attractions. Celebrity's 15 not-quite-as-large vessels are more upscale, adult-focused and design-centric.

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

Which cruise line should you choose? Read on for a head-to-head comparison of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, covering each brand's onboard experience, itineraries and passenger profile to help you decide.

Size of ships

Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity operate multiple classes of ships, most categorized as large. The older ships in both fleets are smaller than the newest vessels but are not intimate by any means.

Royal Caribbean 's older ships carry 2,000 to 3,900 guests, and its newest more than 5,000, putting it at the forefront of the megaship trend.

Its fleet boasts five of the world's largest ships, led by Wonder of the Seas . This Oasis Class ship and its four siblings are so massive they carry up to 5,700 guests at double occupancy and are divided into themed neighborhoods to help guests find their way around.

Royal Caribbean's modern Quantum Class ships accommodate 4,180 guests and stand out due to each ship's North Star sightseeing capsule, which rises 300 feet above the sea.

Icon of the Seas, the first in an entirely new class for Royal Caribbean, will be the line's largest ship when it debuts in early 2024. It will only hold 5,600 passengers at double occupancy because the ship will feature more cabins and suites that accommodate four or more passengers than found on any other Royal Caribbean ship.

Related: The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

Celebrity Cruises ' newest and largest ships are its 3,260-guest Edge series: Celebrity Edge , Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Beyond , with Celebrity Ascent launching in December. Its five Solstice Class ships each carry around 2,800 passengers, and its four Millennium Class vessels accommodate around 2,200 a piece.

Celebrity also offers expedition-style cruising on three 16- to 100-passenger ships in the Galapagos Islands (but we won't address them in this article).

Both cruise lines offer all the amenities of a floating resort at sea: pools, spas, bars and multiple dining venues. In terms of sheer wow factor, though, Royal Caribbean's activity-packed Icon Class, Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships are hard to beat, especially for family cruising.

On the other hand, Celebrity's vessels are spacious and designed to dazzle with contemporary decor and premium amenities.

On both lines, the smallest, oldest ships can have a different vibe from the newest, largest vessels, so keep that in mind as you're researching trips.

Related: The 4 types of Celebrity Cruises ships, explained

Who is on board?

With Royal Caribbean, a better question might be, "Who isn't on board?" As a mainstream cruise line, it appeals to a wide range of passengers, mostly Americans (at least on North American itineraries) and many of them families.

It's also popular with friends celebrating birthdays or bachelor/bachelorette getaways and couples of all ages seeking a lively shipboard ambience at an affordable price. That said, Royal Suite Class passengers definitely have money, so there's a more upscale demographic, often multigenerational.

Passengers also differ by itinerary, with three- to five-night Bahamas and seven-night Caribbean sailings attracting families and groups of friends. The line's eight- to 12-night Mediterranean itineraries draw more couples and retirees and fewer families, as well as more Europeans. (About half of passengers on Royal Caribbean's European itineraries are Europeans and travelers from outside the United States.) Alaska sailings lure multigenerational families and older cruisers.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries

Celebrity's ships attract a narrower, more upscale demographic, mostly Gen Xers in their 40s and 50s and retirement-age baby boomers, with some childless millennials, too.

There will be kids on board, but not in the numbers that Royal Caribbean attracts. As a premium cruise brand, Celebrity typically has higher fares, especially on its Edge-series ships, but sailings are not as expensive as on luxury cruise ships.

Related: The ultimate guide to Celebrity Cruises ships and itineraries

Cabins and suites

Royal Caribbean offers a dizzying array of cabin and suite options, especially on its newest and largest ships. Celebrity features fewer overall cabin categories but offers non-suite rooms with extra perks.

Both cruise lines offer a variety of cabin styles and price points. You'll find windowless inside cabins , ocean-view rooms with picture windows or portholes, accommodations with private balconies and a range of suites. There are also connecting rooms for families and groups, as well as accessible cabins for passengers using wheelchairs or other assistive devices.

It's not surprising that Royal Caribbean's large Icon Class, Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships feature the most accommodation types within the fleet — up to three dozen cabin and suite categories designed for both families and couples with a wide range of budgets.

On the affordable end, some of the windowless inside cabins come with a "virtual balcony," a window-mimicking screen that displays real-time video of the view outside. These are available on all five Quantum Class ships, plus Wonder of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

Oasis Class ships also feature inside and balcony cabins that overlook the Promenade, Boardwalk and Central Park neighborhoods.

Six vessels (Brilliance of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas) offer a limited number of studio cabins designed for solo travelers .

The cruise line's top accommodations are suites, varying in size and some with loft configurations. Its most lavish digs are the two-story Ultimate Family Suites (found on Wonder, Symphony and Spectrum of the Seas) and the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas. They sleep up to eight guests and boast kid-friendly amenities, including a slide, air hockey table and other games.

All suites offer exclusive amenities. However, Royal Caribbean's largest, most expensive suites come with exclusive perks, such as Royal Genie butler service and complimentary specialty dining and beverage packages.

Related: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

Celebrity's newest Edge Class ships replace the standard balcony cabin with Infinite Veranda Staterooms, in which a floor-to-ceiling window lowers halfway to create an open-air veranda within the room. This design allows for more usable space within the cabin, regardless of whether the window is open or shut.

AquaClass cabins include in-cabin wellness amenities and access to an exclusive restaurant and the spa's thermal suite (with saunas and heated loungers). Concierge Class rooms come with a dedicated concierge, a pillow menu and an exclusive welcome-aboard lunch in the dining room with complimentary wine.

Solstice Class ships offer single inside cabins, while Edge-series ships include some Infinite Veranda Staterooms designed for solo travelers.

Suite configurations and decor vary by ship class. On Edge-series ships, seven suite categories include the two-story Edge Villas and the Iconic Suite, the largest in the fleet at 1,892 square feet (plus a 689-square-foot terrace). Solstice Class ships feature six suite categories, and Millennium Class ships have five.

All suites come with dedicated attendants and a concierge, as well as included perks: a premium drink package, premium Wi-Fi, prepaid tips and an onboard credit. Celebrity's suite guests can also access exclusive amenities as part of The Retreat, including a private sun deck, lounge and restaurant.

Related: Everything you need to know about Celebrity Cruises cabins and suites

The upside: Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships offer a dozen or more onboard dining venues, so there are culinary options to suit every palate.

The downside: Both cruise lines offer just a handful of complimentary restaurants — a buffet, banquet-style dining rooms, a poolside grill and a few casual eateries — meaning passengers must pay extra for steakhouses , Italian or French restaurants, and sushi bars.

Royal Caribbean's complimentary offerings include casual options such as the Dog House for a global hot dog menu, El Loco Fresh for burritos and quesadillas, Sorrento's Pizza for grab-and-go slices, and Park Cafe for deli-style sandwiches — although options do vary slightly by ship.

Extra-fee dining on Royal Caribbean covers most of the bases — Chops Grille and Samba Grill for steak, Izumi for sushi, Teppanyaki and Sichuan Red for Asian, Giovanni's Table and Jamie's Italian for Mediterranean classics, and Hooked Seafood for fish and shellfish.

Wonderland mixes creative flavors and unique presentations, and 150 Central Park is ideal for a special celebration; the latter two are available solely on Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships. Themed 1950s diner Johnny Rockets (on more than a dozen ships) is an affordable, kid-friendly favorite.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity offers a formal main dining room on Solstice Class and Millennium Class ships. However, on Edge-series ships, four smaller themed restaurants replace the one banquet-style dining hall.

Each features a selection of exclusive menu items — new American in Cosmopolitan, Mediterranean in Cyprus, French in Normandie and Italian in Tuscan — along with selections from the Celebrity Signature menu.

Each venue's distinctive ambience and unique menus serve a variety of tastes on a complimentary basis — but solely for dinner. In addition, guests who book suites in The Retreat can dine at Luminae, while those in AquaClass have access to health-focused Blu, free of charge.

Additional fleetwide complimentary dining includes the buffet-style Oceanview Cafe; the Mast Grill, a casual poolside eatery serving burgers and wraps; and Spa Cafe, offering healthier, lighter options for breakfast and lunch.

Celebrity's extra-fee dining also varies by ship class. On Edge-series ships, guests can enjoy Fine Cut Steakhouse for prime cuts and seafood, Eden Restaurant for modern global cuisine, Le Grand Bistro for classic French, Rooftop Garden Grill for backyard favorites, Raw on 5 for sushi and Japanese specialties, and Magic Carpet for small bites and cocktails.

Celebrity's most elevated dining experience is Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, the acclaimed French chef's first restaurant at sea, available aboard Celebrity Beyond and Ascent.

Celebrity's Solstice Class and Millennium Class ships feature Tuscan Grille for steak and Italian specialties, Le Petit Chef for classic French with enchanting tabletop entertainment and Sushi on Five for Japanese. The line's Solstice Class ships have an additional restaurant, Murano, for elevated French tasting menus.

Two Celebrity ships, Reflection and Silhouette, also offer two alfresco eateries: Lawn Club Grill and The Porch Seafood Restaurant.

Related: Dining mistakes you must fix on your next cruise

If you're looking for culinary variety without paying extra, Royal Caribbean's multiple complimentary casual dining venues, namely on its newest and biggest ships, give it an edge for families.

Celebrity's Edge Class ships' quartet of complimentary restaurants offers a nightly change of scenery and menus, ideal for couples and groups of adult friends.

If you don't mind paying extra for a few dinners, Celebrity's roster of specialty restaurants is also a notch above Royal Caribbean's in terms of quality and ambience.

Onboard attractions

Royal Caribbean's focus on adrenaline-rush activities makes it the clear choice for family fun, while Celebrity's chicer vibe is a draw for couples seeking to relax.

Royal Caribbean is a leader in offering amusement park-style attractions such as waterslides, zip lines, surfing and sky-diving simulators, and escape rooms. Celebrity doesn't go there at all. Rather, its onboard attractions are designed for grown-ups, with pools, hot tubs and stylish top-deck relaxation areas, such as The Lawn Club on Solstice Class ships and The Rooftop Garden on Edge-series ships.

All Royal Caribbean ships feature rock climbing walls, outdoor movie screens and arcades. All but Radiance Class and Vision Class ships have FlowRider surf simulators, and all but Radiance Class, Vision Class and Quantum Class ships have minigolf courses.

Royal Caribbean's Icon Class, Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships feature the most thrills in the fleet — perhaps even at sea. Oasis Class vessels are known for their collection of waterslides and the Ultimate Abyss dry slide that drops riders 10 decks through a spiral tube pulsing with light. These ships also have an ice skating rink, zip line, escape room, pop-up laser tag and a carousel.

When Icon of the Seas debuts, it will have the largest water park at sea, with six slides and a thrilling ropes course along the side of the ship.

Related: The best cruise ship waterslides and watery fun zones

Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class ships don't feature waterslides but are distinguished by their North Star sightseeing capsule, which lifts guests high above the ship for 360-degree views. Other thrills include RipCord by iFly (a sky-diving simulator) and the multipurpose indoor SeaPlex offering bumper cars, basketball and Xbox gaming consoles.

Freedom Class and Voyager Class ships offer some thrill activities, but not as many as the newer ships. These can include various waterslides, laser tag and escape rooms, so check each ship's offerings. Older and smaller Radiance Class and Vision Class ships feature pools but no waterslides or other kid-friendly attractions.

What Celebrity's ships lack in thrills, they make up for with eye-catching contemporary design and cool places to hang out. Solstice Class ships feature a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass; it's the setting for jazz concerts and outdoor games. Edge-series vessels have a Rooftop Garden with live plants, modern sculptures, cozy seating nooks and a grill restaurant. Cabana-lined pool decks feature elevated hot tubs shaped like martini glasses.

Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity feature adults-only, glass-enclosed Solarium pools. They also offer relaxing spas with salons, thermal suites and fitness centers for all your self-care and wellness needs.

Related: The wildest attractions you'll find on a cruise ship

Kids activities

Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity welcome families and have complimentary kids clubs, but only Royal Caribbean has the onboard attractions and thrills that appeal to active younger children and teens.

Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean youth program has spaces and activities (science and art projects, games and parties) designed for kids ages 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. The program is free during the day and early evening; an hourly rate applies after 10 p.m.

The Royal Babies & Tots nursery accommodates children ages 6 to 36 months for drop-off babysitting (for an hourly fee). Teens can hang out in The Living Room, dance or chill with new friends at the Fuel teen club or try to get a high score at the arcade.

Related: Best cruise lines for families

Celebrity's Camp at Sea kids program also caters to children in three age groups (3-5, 6-9 and 10-12). Programming focuses on recreation, hobbies and learning-based activities in arts and science. Its Teen Club keeps 13- to 17-year-olds entertained with sports competitions, silent discos and video game parties.

Royal Caribbean is the hands-down winner here, a cruise line designed with family fun in mind. Some older teens might enjoy a transition from Royal Caribbean to Celebrity. However, families with active tweens and younger kids seeking onboard thrills are better off with Royal Caribbean.

Entertainment

Royal Caribbean pulls out all the stops in terms of entertainment, so if lively, in-your-face nightlife is key to your vacation bliss, opt for one of its newer, larger ships.

Celebrity's entertainment lineup pushes boundaries in more unexpected ways but mainly on its newer Edge Class ships; its Solstice Class and Millennium Class ships offer more traditional entertainment.

Both cruise lines feature inviting bars and lounges. Celebrity's nightlife scene is decidedly more upscale and chic, while Royal Caribbean's is livelier and more casual.

Love a Broadway show? Royal Caribbean stages versions of award-winning musicals such as "Grease," "Cats," "Hairspray" and "Mamma Mia!" on select ships, as well as original productions on all vessels. The line's biggest and newest ships also offer dazzling ice skating shows, daring high-dive AquaTheater performances and/or fantastic high-tech multimedia dance shows.

The two dozen bars and lounges on Royal Caribbean's ships range from the panoramic Viking Crown Lounge to the gimmicky Bionic Bar featuring robot bartenders. A sports bar (Playmakers Bar & Arcade), piano bar (Schooner Bar) and Latin-style lounge (Boleros) are other popular options.

Related: Cruise ship drink packages: A line-by-line guide

Passengers can also sing karaoke, watch a poolside movie under the stars and hit the dance floor to the tunes of a live band or DJ. The bigger the ship, the greater the entertainment options.

Celebrity's entertainment philosophy overall is more traditional, with nightlife centered around drinking, hanging out in lounges and enjoying original shows in the ship's theater. Bars and lounges also feature live music, and there's a silent disco party at least once per cruise.

If you're looking for something a little different, the Edge-series ships offer creative and interactive performances in Eden and The Club, a multipurpose space featuring DJs and themed late-night performances.

All Celebrity ships are known for the Martini Bar, where flamboyant bartenders create a spectacle with shaker tosses and colorful cocktail towers, and the Sunset Bar, located aft and offering terrific sailaway views. Only Celebrity Beyond and Ascent feature a chicly reimagined, two-level Sunset Bar by designer Nate Berkus. Craft Social is the place to grab a craft beer and bar bites, while World Class Bar is the go-to for curated cocktails.

Both cruise lines' ships feature large casinos and offer participatory game shows ("Love & Marriage" and "Battle of the Sexes" on Royal Caribbean and "Deal or No Deal" on Celebrity).

Itineraries

Royal Caribbean's ships cruise to more than 300 destinations worldwide, but the heart of its business is the Caribbean and the Bahamas .

Most of its vessels spend the months from November to March in the islands, sailing three- to 12-night cruises from ports in Florida and Galveston, Texas. However, you can find several ships cruising the Caribbean year-round. Many itineraries call on Royal Caribbean's activity-packed private Bahamian island, Perfect Day at CocoCay .

Seasonal itineraries in Europe, including the Mediterranean , Greek islands and the British Isles, are also popular, as are cruises to Alaska . Royal Caribbean also offers sailings to Bermuda, Hawaii, Canada and New England, Mexico, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Panama Canal and the South Pacific. Transatlantic and transpacific cruises are available seasonally as well.

Celebrity ships call on more than 300 global cruise ports. Most ships spend November to March cruising the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale and Miami on four- to 11-night sailings and April to October in Europe on 6- to 14-night itineraries in the Mediterranean, Greek islands, Adriatic, British Isles, Iceland and Northern Europe.

Seasonal cruises are also available to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Bermuda, New England and Canada, South America, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, South America and Asia. Celebrity also offers itineraries to Antarctica (scenic cruising only) from Buenos Aires.

Both cruise lines offer many global options, but neither has itineraries longer than 18 nights. For a summer cruise in the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean has far more options, while Celebrity is the better choice for a summer sailing in Europe. Either line is a good choice for Alaska in summer or the Caribbean in winter, depending on whether you're traveling as a couple or a family and the ship class you book.

Bottom line

Royal Caribbean is the obvious choice if you crave a lively and stimulating cruise experience with 24/7 entertainment and activities that wow both adults and kids. It's also generally the more affordable option.

Celebrity is the cruise line for you if you want a more upscale large-ship experience with a grown-up vibe (but still suitable for kids and teens). What Celebrity's ships lack in adrenaline-rush thrills, they make up in terrific dining and drinking venues.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• Port Overview
• Transportation to the Port
• Uber & Lyft to the Port
• Dropping Off at the Port
• Cruise Parking
• Cruise Hotels
• Hotels with Parking Deals
• Uber & Lyft to the Ports
• Things to Do
• Cozumel Taxi Rates
• Free Things to Do
• Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
• Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
• Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
• Tips For Visiting
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Parking Discounts
• Hotels with Shuttles
• Which Airport Should I Use?
• Transportation to the Ports
• Dropping Off at the Ports
• Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
• Inexpensive Hotels
• Hotels near the Port
• Hotels With Shuttles
• Budget Hotels
• Carnival Tips
• Drink Packages
• Specialty Restaurants
• Faster to the Fun
• More Articles
• CocoCay Tips
• Norwegian Tips
• Great Stirrup Cay
• Harvest Caye
• How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
• Best Time to Book a Cruise
• Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• Cruises Under $300
• Cruises Under $500
• Spring Break Cruise Deals
• Summer Cruise Deals
• Alaskan Cruise Deals
• 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
• Tips for First-Time Cruisers
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• What to Pack (Alaska)
• Packing Checklist
• Cruising with Kids
• Passports & Birth Certificates
• Bringing Alcohol
• Cruising with a Disability
• Duty-Free Shopping
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
• What Not to Do on a Ship
• News & Articles

12 Big Differences Between Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean

What’s the difference between sailing a cruise on Royal Caribbean and a trip on Celebrity? To be sure, any cruise you take will have plenty of similarities, but despite being owned by the same company (Royal Caribbean Group), there is plenty that’s different between these two cruise lines.

That means just because you’re a fan of one line doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be a fan of the other although there are certainly plenty of people that enjoy the two. And if you’ve never sailed Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, you might be wondering which to sail for your cruise.

Having sailed both, we can share details of ways the two lines are clearly not the same so you can decide which line might be best for you.

Celebrity Caters to More Affluent Adults

If you’ve sailed Royal Caribbean, then you know that it caters to everyone. There is a large family focus, but you’ll find something to enjoy whether you are 8 years old or 88 years old. Celebrity is a bit different in that everything from the ship’s décor, to food, to things to do, to itineraries all cater to a higher-end adult passenger.

That’s not to say that kids or families aren’t welcomed. Far from it. There are dedicated kids areas on both lines. But whereas Royal Caribbean has lots of kid-friendly things to do, eat, and see, Celebrity focuses more on adults. This means more stylish decor, no wild waterslides onboard, and food options that tend to be more adventurous.

If you think of Royal Caribbean as a great place to take a family vacation, then you can think of Celebrity as a great way to celebrate a honeymoon or anniversary.

Royal Caribbean Has Larger Ships

When it comes to the largest cruise ships on the planet, there’s Royal Caribbean and then everyone else. Its newest ship — Icon of the Seas — comes in a 250,000+ gross tons and has the ability to carry 7,600 passengers at full capacity. And even beyond that, the fleet in general is large with the six largest cruise ships on the planet all belonging to Royal Caribbean.

That’s great for those that want a lot to do on a cruise ship as more size means more can be packed on. But if you’re not a fan of the biggest ships, Celebrity’s are considerably smaller.

Its largest ships (Beyond and Ascent) come in at “just” 141,000 gross tons and carry about 3,500 passengers. And some of the cruise line’s special expedition ships carry as few as 16 passengers at double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean Sails From More Departure Ports in North America

If you live in the United States and want “easy to sail,” then one big difference is that there are a lot more options with Royal Caribbean.

Both lines sail from a number of departure ports in North America, but Royal Caribbean offers more options including Baltimore, New Orleans, and Galveston. This puts a ship within driving distance for tens of millions more people. As well, Celebrity seems to have fewer year-round options and a smaller number of ships sailing from each port.

To be sure if you’re sailing from ports in Florida, you’ll have a number of options on either line. But overall, you’ll find more choices with Royal Caribbean across the continent.

Drink Prices Are More Expensive on Celebrity

Let’s be clear that any cruise is going to carry hefty price tags on alcohol. It’s not unusual to spend hundreds of dollars on drink packages or buying beverages ala carte during the course of your cruise.

But we’ve noticed that drinks are significantly more expensive when sailing Celebrity. In general, you’ll find menu prices of around $14 per cocktail, plus an additional 18% gratuity charge. On Celebrity, the menu prices vary a bit more, but tend to hover around $17-$20 per cocktail and then there is a 20% gratuity on top of that. In other words, you could be paying up to $24 for a fancy cocktail.

Celebrity Offers “All Included”

Are you someone that doesn’t like to be nickeled and dimed? If so, then Celebrity offers the “All Included” deal that may be to your liking. Royal Caribbean doesn’t have the same package.

With All Included, a basic drink package and basic wi-fi are included in your fare (gratuities used to also be included before it was recently taken out) at a price that’s less than what you’d pay for them individually. So you pay a little extra but save money overall and also have drinks and wi-fi included on your cruise.

You don’t have to purchase the offer if you don’t want to. On Royal Caribbean, however, it’s not a choice (at least for now).

Celebrity Offers More Space

We have not sailed every ship on Celebrity or Royal Caribbean. We have sailed on the Edge-series ships from Celebrity (names like Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Ascent) and several different classes across Royal Caribbean. We can say there is a noticeable difference in the design on the ship that lends itself to more space.

The Edge-series ships are smartly built with spaces around the ship designed to be open and airy. It results in less of a cramped feel while sailing. And it’s not just our imagination.

Cruzely uses a measure called the “space ratio” that takes the gross tonnage of a ship and divides it by passengers at double occupancy. Essentially, it measures the size of the ship per passenger.

Overall, many Royal Caribbean ship score well, hovering around a ratio of 40. Celebrity, however, is even better with many ships in the 42-44 range for the ratio, indicating more space per person.

Royal Caribbean Offers More Short Cruise Options

Over the past decade or two, short cruises (those five nights or fewer) have surged in popularity. Not only are they generally less expensive, but fewer days means less time off work and away from home. There’s little surprise that the chance to get away for a few days without the time commitment or cost of a 7-day trip has proven popular.

If you’re a cruiser that likes these short trips, then you should know that Royal Caribbean offers many more options. A search of the schedule for Celebrity shows 44 different itineraries between 2-5 nights, with most of those routes having only a handful of dates.

Royal Caribbean offers 127 different short itineraries, with some of those sailing dozens of times over the course of the year.

Celebrity Is More Upscale Throughout

We mentioned that Celebrity is more focused on affluent adults. It’s important to emphasize that part of that is being in general a more upscale experience. Ships — especially the newer Edge-series — are essentially pieces of art. We like to think of it as if you took a traditional cruise spa and used that as inspiration for the entire ship. Colors are calm and inviting, there’s lots of space, and it simply feels high end.

As well, the onboard experience will be more upscale. Think calming days by the pool instead of “hairiest chest” contests. That’s not to say it’s uptight and stuffy — you’ll still enjoy yourself. But if you’re the type that likes to wear shorts and flip-flops into the dining room instead of tucking in your shirt, it may not be a fit.

One thing that also adds to the atmosphere is lots of artwork and sculptures throughout. From the pool to the stairwells to the restaurants, nice pieces add a touch of class to everything.

Royal Caribbean Has CocoCay

We include mention of CocoCay as it’s a big draw for many Royal Caribbean cruises, but it’s also a difference that’s soon to go away .

If you aren’t familiar with CocoCay, it’s Royal Caribbean’s private destination in The Bahamas. The spot is considered the ultimate in private islands. It features a full waterpark , lots of beach space, a massive pool, an exclusive beach club and an adults-only section. Literally millions of passengers sail here each year and seemingly every cruise from Florida pays a visit.

Celebrity, however, hasn’t had access to its sister-line’s island. That is until now. Celebrity will begin to include CocoCay stops on some itineraries.

Celebrity Offers “Infinite Verandahs”

It’s not on every ship, but newer Celebrity vessels like Ascent and Edge have a little tweak to the traditional balcony cabins. On the cruise line they are called “infinite verandahs.”

Normally a balcony cabin has the room, and then a door that leads to an outside balcony. These infinite balconies instead have a window for the entire outside wall. When you want some fresh air, hit a button and the top half of the window slides down, turning essentially the entire cabin into the balcony. There is still a “balcony” section that you can close off with folding doors if you want to sit outside without disturbing the rest of the room.

Royal Caribbean’s new Icon class ships are incorporating this design feature, but it’s not on the rest of the fleet.

Royal Caribbean Offers More Options for Kids

We think it’s important to emphasize that Royal Caribbean specifically has a lot more for kids. Yes, kids are welcomed on Celebrity and there is a kids area as mentioned earlier. Children definitely won’t have a bad time.

But compared to Royal Caribbean — which we consider to be among the most kid-friendly lines — the difference is night and day.

Pool decks on Royal Caribbean offer waterslides, climbing walls, and the Flowrider wave simulator. There’s the arcade, some ships offer entertainment like escape rooms, and dry slides. Even others offer bumper cars and ice skating.

Celebrity Offers Small-Ship Trips to the Galapagos

Both cruise lines can take you places around the world, including Royal Caribbean’s epic 274-night “Ultimate World Cruise.” But when it comes to more exotic locations, we have to give the nod to Celebrity.

In particular, the cruise line offers three ships — Xpedition, Xploration, and Flora — that provide cruises to the Galapagos. These three vessels are unique not just in that they offer cruises to one of the most remote parts of the planet, but they are also small. The largest of the three — Celebrity Flora — has an occupancy of just 100 passengers.

That definitely sets it apart from Royal Caribbean.

Which Cruise Line Is Better, Royal Caribbean or Celebrity?

So which should you sail? And which cruise line is better between Royal Caribbean and Celebrity?

That comes down to a matter of personal preference. The good news is that both cruise lines do a great job of delivering a memorable vacation. But they do seem to deliver the most for certain groups.

If you’re a family sailing with children, the Royal Caribbean is the obvious choice . The cruise line caters to everyone, but has a much larger focus on things to do onboard compared to not just Celebrity but nearly any cruise line. That’s not to say Mom and Dad won’t have fun, but the kids should have a markedly more exciting cruise.

On the other hand, if you’re celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or you are simply the sort of passenger who enjoys a more luxurious experience (e.g. you prefer the spa over the waterslide), then we think Celebrity is a great option .

More on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean:

• Celebrity Ascent First Look: Review, Tour, & Should You Sail?
• Complete Guide to Sailing Royal Caribbean (What It’s Like)

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

7 Easy Ways to Get From the Airport to the Miami Cruise Port

44 must-have alaskan cruise tips, tricks, and secrets, 15+ easy port canaveral hotels with cruise shuttles to the ship, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

• +1 (866) 622-3344

• Cruise Booking
• Cruise Articles
• First Time Cruisers

Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity: Comparison of Cruise Lines

Can't decide between Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises? We break down ship size, itineraries, dining, entertainment, and more to help you pick your perfect cruise!

Book A Cruise

The two major brands that fall under the Royal Caribbean Group are Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises , both of which have become well-known cruises that provide a variety of experiences that cater to different types of travelers. In this blog, we'll go into detail about how Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises differ based on onboard experiences, itineraries, and passenger profiles, emphasizing the decision-making process that travelers will have.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ROYAL CARIBBEAN and Celebrity CRUISES

Size of ships.

One of the most apparent differences between Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises is the size of the ships. Royal Caribbean turns its strength into a fleet with cutting-edge amenities and family-friendly attractions, including some of the largest ships on the sea. Their ships cater to guests seeking a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, with amenities like water slides, zip lines, and skydiving simulators. On the other hand, Celebrity Cruises provides upper-class, mature-oriented adventures, with ships that are large and elegant, their interiors decorated in a modern style, and many luxurious facilities.

Related:   Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships By Age Newest to Oldest

Passenger profile

The passenger profile on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises differs significantly. Royal Caribbean cruise ships are recognized by passengers of diverse backgrounds, such as families, couples, and groups of friends who intend to have a fun and active cruise atmosphere at a reasonable price. Their vessels encompass various categories, like those with children, multigenerational groups, and couples of any age. In contrast, Celebrity Cruises is a brand that middle-aged or older travelers typically choose. They have a fleet of ships that prefer a high standard and refined atmosphere, thus attracting those who are looking for a laid-back and elegant journey.

Cabins and suites

Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises are ready to offer a wide range of cabin and suite choices to suit every preference and budget. Royal Caribbean differentiates its ships with various cabin categories, particularly the newer and the biggest ones, designed for families or couples on a budget. Suite categories are their most considerable amenities that feature VIP services, like a butler and a special menu at no additional cost. Celebrity Cruises, in contrast, reduces the number of the overall cabin types but gives the non-suite rooms some extra amenities like the dedicated concierge service and exceptional dining options. Their suite guests can access exclusive amenities as part of The Retreat, including a private sun deck, lounge, and restaurant.

Also Read:   What types of accommodations are available on Celebrity Cruises?

Through dining, both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises provide their guests with numerous onboard restaurants, serving cuisines to satisfy every palate. The ships of Royal Caribbean offer a blend of complementary and extra-paid restaurants, from casual eateries to specialty venues that offer various cuisines worldwide. Celebrity Cruises also provides guests with multiple dining choices through their Edge-series ships-themed restaurants and exceptional onboard dining experiences for suite guests. While both lines offer outstanding dining experiences, Celebrity Cruises' specialty restaurant lineup outperforms Royal Caribbean's in quality and atmosphere. Whether you want steak and seafood or gourmet French cuisine, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have something to suit your taste.

Related :  What Is the Best Restaurant on Symphony of the Seas?

Onboard attractions

One of the vital aspects of both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises is their onboard attractions. Royal Caribbean is famous for its adrenaline rush activities, such as slides, ropes, and simulators, featuring skydiving. These ships are attractive to families and active travelers who are looking for thrilling adventures. Their ships also provide an extensive choice of activities, including rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, and bumper cars, so there is always a bright moment on board. In contrast, Celebrity Cruises provides a more upmarket and stylish ambiance on board with its features, such as natural grass lawns and fashionable upper-deck relaxation areas. Their ships are designed to create an atmosphere of calm and luxury, which is a perfect destination for couples and people who are tired of hectic schedules and want to relax.

Related :  Top Things to Do onboard Celebrity Apex

Entertainment

Another distinction between Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises is in their entertainment offerings. Royal Caribbean is well-known for its dynamic and exciting entertainment options, which include Broadway-style shows, high-tech multimedia acts, and interactive game shows suitable for guests of all ages. Their ships have a variety of pubs, lounges, and nightclubs that provide live music, karaoke, and themed parties throughout the cruise. On the other hand, Celebrity Cruises has a more sophisticated and diverse entertainment roster, including creative musicals, live music, and themed acts that push the envelope and engage audiences. The design of their cruise displays sleek bars and lounges with custom cocktails, live music, and spectacular sea-view outlets.

Related:   Are the Activities on Royal Caribbean Free?

Itineraries

Regarding itineraries, both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines offer the choice of many Cruise destinations worldwide, ranging from locations for those who like to relax and have fun to destinations for those who want to explore and learn. The Royal Caribbean's ships visit over 300 destinations, with their favorite travels going to the Caribbean , Europe, Alaska , Hawaii , and Asia . Their ships run journey liner services to different destinations, for example, the Mediterranean , Greek islands, and British Isles, hence offering a variety of options to their passengers. Apart from Celebrity Cruises, travelers will also have a variety of itineraries to choose from, as they can sail to over 300 cruise ports in the Caribbean, Europe , Alaska, and South America . Their ships are designed to cover different seasons, heading to places like the Mediterranean, Iceland, and Northern Europe , along with Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands expeditions. Whether you want a calm, relaxing trip or an exciting and surprising journey, both companies have programs that fit your travel needs.

Also Read :  Tips for First time Royal Caribbean Cruisers

The Royal Caribbean is the one for families and active travelers who want to enjoy the thrills and fun with exciting activities and vibrant entertainment, as the ships are large and offer many adrenaline-filled activities. However, the Celebrity Cruises brand is the one for couples and adult clients searching for a more premium experience onboard with its upscale atmosphere and trendy facilities. From zero gravity fun to ultimate relaxation, the Royal Caribbean and the Celebrity Cruise offer some of the best experiences that will make you crave more!   So, visit CruiseBooking.com for a seamless booking.

What Is Special about Viking Cruises?

Book Viking Ocean Cruises For decades, cruising has been recognized as the ultimate expression of luxury, relaxation, and discovery. Viking Cruises has earned its reputation through its philosophy [...]

April 09, 2024

What Are Things You Should not Buy on a Cruise Ship?

Book A Cruise Now A cruise ship provides a distinctive fusion of luxury, adventure, and pleasure when cruising the high seas. The experience for passengers is all-inclusive. Two of the many [...]

Does Virgin Voyage Drink Package include alcohol?

Book Virgin Voyages Cruises Virgin Voyages is a joint venture cruising line that operates under two parent companies, namely, Virgin Group and Bain Capital. It is one of the newer cruise lines [...]

April 08, 2024

How Big Is a Stateroom on a Carnival Cruise?

Book Carnival Cruises Choosing the size of a stateroom on a carnival cruise depends on many factors. Before taking your pick, explore all the stateroom categories first! In this extensive guide, [...]

April 05, 2024

Cruise Inquiry

Our cruise experts will help you to plan your perfect cruise vacation!

* I consent to receive communications by email or phone. I understand I may opt out at any time using the unsubscribe link provided in all communications. Please proceed to the Privacy Policy page or read our Terms & Conditions to understand how your data might be used.

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Privacy Policies

Celebrity vs. Royal Caribbean: Which is Right for You?

Posted on Published: 11/21/2023

When researching cruise lines for your next family cruise, you are likely to encounter both Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in your research. Not only are among the most popular cruise lines in the United States, they are actually owned by the same parent company. So, if you are trying to decide between Celebrity vs Royal Caribbean cruises, you’ll want to know how they compare.

We’ve sailed on both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean cruise ships and have enjoyed both brands of cruise ships. But, there are minor and major differences that you’ll need to understand.

Disclosure: We’ve sailed at no cost on Royal Caribbean but have also paid our own on both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links and a click-through/purchase may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.

Check Prices on both Celebrity ships and Royal Caribbean cruises at this link .

Celebrity Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Royal Caribbean Group. This company also owns the Silversea cruise line and has a stake in two additional cruise lines. While you will see some similarities in the companies, especially related to their websites and apps, the ships are quite different.

Royal Caribbean International offers more cruise ships than Celebrity, and also larger ships. The Royal Caribbean Oasis Class ships (including the Allure of the Seas and the Wonder of the Seas) are the largest in the world. While Celebrity does have large cruise ships, none of them are near this size.

Overview of Celebrity Cruise Line

It’s important to note that Celebrity Cruise Line is not an adult-only cruise line. Kids are allowed on the ships, and they do offer a number of activities specific to children – including kids’ clubs.

However, Celebrity does have more of an “adult” feel. The ships feel very sophisticated and modern. The prices are reasonable, but there are also lots of upgrades that you can purchase. These include Celebrity concierge level, AquaClass, and the Retreat.

Of these, the Retreat is the most exclusive. As a Retreat guest, you have access to separate restaurants, as well as exclusive sundecks and other areas of the ship. These are higher priced rooms but do come with lots of benefits.

During our recent Celebrity Cruise Line sailing, we saw mostly couples and groups of friends celebrating specific events. While there were children on board, there weren’t as many of them.

Like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity has been steadily introducing new ships, as well as refurbishments. New ships include some innovative features, like the Magic Carpet moveable deck. Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond are among the new Celebrity cruise ships.

Celebrity offers a main dining room for guests, as well as a buffet that is included in the standard cruise fare. In addition, guests can choose to purchase specialty dining upgrades, for restaurants including Qsine (Le Petit Chef and the Tuscan Grille). Food is a little more adult-focused, although there are things like burgers and pizza that will appeal to kids.

During your evenings and days at sea (as well as port days, if you decide to stay on the ship), there are plenty of things to do. Activities like salsa dance classes and wine tastings are offered. There are also other activities, including game shows and trivia.

In the evenings as you walk through the ship, you’ll find various entertainment and live music throughout the lounges and bars. The ships also offer entertainment in the main theater, including large-scale shows, comedians, and musicians.

Amenities on the ship include the pool deck, hot tubs, an adult-only area, a spa (with a full collection of spa treatments) a fitness center, a casino, and a coffee shop. There are also kids’ clubs, separated by age.

Shops on Celebrity are upscale, focused primarily on luxury goods. You’ll find duty-free items, perfume, jewelry, handbags, and watches.

Celebrity Cruise Line offers itineraries to many destinations, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe (and the Mediterranean), Australia and the South Pacific, the Galapagos, Asia, and Mexico. While Celebrity does not have their own Bahamian private island destination, select ships do go to Perfect Day at Coco Cay , Royal Caribbean’s private destination.

Overview of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International is known for its large, thrilling ships, packed with family-friendly fun. These ships are bright and bold, but still offer fantastic service with lots of activities that appeal to adults as well as kids.

While there are separate adult-only areas, much of the ship is very family-friendly with so much fun packed into each deck. It’s nearly impossible to be bored on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Royal Caribbean offers the largest cruise ships at sea, with a new one, the Icon of the Seas, coming soon. The Icon of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world, replacing the Wonder of the Seas. These ships keep outdoing themselves with more and more activities and awe-inspiring amenities.

Activities onboard Royal Caribbean do vary by ship. Some of these activities include pools, water slides, dry slides, bumper cars, zip lines, FlowRider surf simulators, ice skating rinks, the North Star observation pod, arcades, and carousels. These are the types of activities that are extremely popular with tweens and teens. When we sailed on Royal Caribbean with my teens, they loved all of the exciting activities.

Activities on Royal Caribbean are also offered and vary by sailing. These include trivia, game shows, karaoke, and live music. Whether you are an adult traveling without kids or a family on vacation, there are plenty of things in the schedule that will appeal to you.

Royal Caribbean is known for its world-class entertainment. In addition to large Broadway-style productions, many of the ships also have smaller shows, as well as ice shows and aqua shows. There’s always something exciting going on during your Royal Caribbean sailing.

Dining on Royal Caribbean is similar to Celebrity, in that you will be assigned a time (or can do My Time dining) for the main dining room each evening. At that time, you’ll have the same serving team and the same table.

Specialty dining is also offered on Royal Caribbean. Restaurants vary by ship, but may include Playmakers Pub, Johnny Rockets, 150 Central Park, Giovannis, Chops Grille, Izumi, Wonderland, and Hooked Seafood. There are also plenty of included dining options , like El Loco Fresh, Windjammer Buffet, Dog House, Sorrento’s Pizza, and Promenade Cafe. An exclusive restaurant, Coastal Kitchen, is offered to concierge guests.

Like Celebrity, Royal Caribbean offers upscale shops. However, in addition, there are usually some kid-focused stores, including candy and toy stores.

With more ships, Royal Caribbean offers many different itineraries. Options include the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Dubai, Europe, Latin America, Australia, and Asia. Many of the Bahamian and Caribbean cruises stop at their private destinations of Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, Haiti .

Differences between Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Line

The differences between the ships are apparent as soon as you board. While Royal Caribbean has a bright, exciting atmosphere, Celebrity tends to be more muted and sophisticated. That style carries over to the public areas of the ship as well as the ship’s staterooms.

Activity Differences

Both cruise brands offer many things to do throughout the days and evenings. While Royal Caribbean’s activities tend to have a very broad appeal, the activities on Celebrity may be a little more focused on teens and adults.

The activity amenities, however, are where Royal Caribbean and Celebrity differ. While Celebrity offers standard cruise ship amenities like pools and hot tubs, Royal Caribbean has some additional exciting and thrilling amenities like zip lines and surf simulators. These types of onboard activities are truly what differentiates Royal Caribbean from other cruise lines when it comes to family fun.

Entertainment Differences

You’ll find lots of entertainment options on both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. Both have entertainment that kids can enjoy, and both have performances that are more adult-focused. However, the entertainment on Royal Caribbean has a more universal appeal for younger kids through adults.

Food Differences

Celebrity does have plenty of kid-friendly food options, including burgers and steak. However, the specialty restaurants on Royal Caribbean do have a little more family appeal. With options like Playmakers Pub and Johnny Rockets, families will find more options for picky eaters.

I also found the Celebrity’s buffet had a few more international options for food, including Indian food. Overall, however, I really enjoy the food on both cruise lines.

Price Differences

Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Line have a variety of different add-ons and service options that can change the price. In general, Celebrity Cruise Line’s prices tend to be a little higher. But the prices differences really aren’t enough that they would change your mind one way or another about which cruise line to book.

Staff Differences

We have had excellent service on both cruise lines, with standout crew members on each. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to the crew on both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines.

The Bottom Line

Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are both excellent cruise lines with delicious food, great crew members, and fun activities. You’ll have a great time on either cruise line. If you are looking for a sophisticated cruise experience, Celebrity is probably the best option, while Royal Caribbean is best for thrills and excitement and for a family travel.

Have you sailed on either Celebrity Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean International? Which will you sail on for your next cruise vacation?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

May We Suggest?

Is this it, how about this, search results.

Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

Royal Caribbean vs Celebrity Cruises

Saturday, April 13th

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Royal Caribbean
• Best for guests of all ages
• 27 ships in the fleet
• Some of the largest ships in the cruise industry: from 2,400 to 6,000+ passengers
• Exciting onboard activities can include rock climbing, ice skating, escape rooms, FlowRider and waterslides, and much more
• 300+ ports of call
• Two private islands: CocoCay (Bahamas) and Perfect Day (Labadee, Haiti)
• Great last-minute cruise deals
• Excellent safety record

Royal Caribbean International is a cruise line headquartered in Miami, Florida, operating a fleet of 27 ships that sail to destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Alaska. The company offers innovative onboard experiences, such as Broadway-style shows, the Bionic Bar, and Virtual Balcony cabins, as well as a wide range of activities like ice skating and rock climbing while at sea. Royal Caribbean is suitable for guests of all ages and is well known for having some of the largest ships in the cruise industry, 300+ ports of call, and two private islands: CocoCay and Perfect Day. The company is also known for great last-minute cruise deals and having an excellent safety record. We recommend Royal Caribbean as one of the first places to search for your next cruise.

• Celebrity Cruises
• Best all-around cruise line: widest variety of destinations, ship sizes, and adventure levels
• 13 ships in the main fleet + 3 smaller ships that visit the Galapagos Islands
• Suitable for guests of all ages
• Choose between Cruise-Only and All-Inclusive fares
• Excellent track record for safety
• Winner of multiple awards

Celebrity Cruises offers a variety of cruise experiences for all ages and to various destinations, with a fleet of over a dozen ships ranging in size from 16 to 3,260 passengers. Celebrity's dining options are renowned for their quality and variety, and the company offers both Cruise-Only and All-Inclusive fares. The cruise line has a strong commitment to safety and has never experienced a major incident, earning recognition as the Best Premium Cruise Line by Travel Weekly's Readers' Choice Awards for 14 consecutive years. Celebrity is an excellent choice for guests of all ages and interests.

More Cruise Line Reviews

• Disney Cruise Line

• Virgin Voyages

• Viking Cruises

• Regent Seven Seas

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Princess Cruises

• Holland America

• MSC Cruises

• Carnival Cruises

The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above...

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

Compare Cruise Lines

Select any 2 Cruise Lines to compare them head to head

Trending Cruise Line News

1 killed, several injured in shuttle bus accident at Honolulu cruise ...

according to police and Carnival Cruise Line. The cruise port bus was dropping off people near a pier when a bystander informed the driver that the bus was moving forward. The driver jumped into the driver’s seat and tried to stop the bus ...

  Sat, 13 Apr 2024

The Points Guy on ...

5 reasons to turn down a cruise ship cabin upgrade

It doesn't always pay to accept a cabin upgrade from a cruise line. Here are 5 times you might want to say no to a higher-category room.

  Fri, 12 Apr 2024

Related Cruise Line Reviews

Since you're interested in Cruise Lines, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.

Cruise Vacation Sites

What's the best place to book a cruise vacation? You've finally got some time off, and you've decided you want the full-experience: sailing, relaxing, and new and exciting ...

Luggage Stores

Which luggage store is the best? Luggage is something that everyone will need at some point in their life, whether it be a backpack for an overnight trip or school, or a full set of luggage ...

Passport Services

Where can you get a passport fast? Maybe you've found a last-minute travel deal to that far-flung destination you've always dreamed of visiting.

Photo Book Companies

Where is the best place to get photo books out there today? Photo books are a fantastic way to keep our special memories in a tangible, beautiful format instead of just storing pictures on ...

Travel Insurance Plans

Who offers the best travel insurance? With daily news stories of delayed and canceled flights, lost baggage, and travelers stranded overseas in the middle of a natural disaster, it's ...

Vacation Rental Sites

What's the best website to use for booking a vacation rental? Are you tired of the same old hotel experience when you go on vacation?

Newest Reviews

Beauty Box Subscriptions

What's the best Beauty Box Subscription online today? Looking for the best beauty box subscription to elevate your self-care routine?

Canadian Personal Loans

Who Offers the Best Personal Loans in Canada? In urgent need of some quick cash?

Chinese Lessons

Where Can You Get the Best Chinese Lessons Online? The motivations for learning Chinese are as diverse and compelling as the language itself.

Home Automation Companies

What's the best Home Automation system? Just a few years ago, the idea of home automation was a futuristic dream, a vision of Jetsons-style technology that promised to simplify every aspect of home life.

Home Improvement Loans

Where Can You Get the Best Home Improvement Loans? Need some extra cash to make some changes to your house?

Scabies Products

What are the best products for dealing with scabies? If you recently came down with an intense case of itching (particularly at night) accompanied by a rash, you may be experiencing some of the uncomfortable ...

Celebrity vs Royal Caribbean Cruises

• Post published: October 3, 2021
• Post category: Cruise Tips / Travel Blog
• Reading time: 8 mins read

Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line may be part of the same family, but there are major differences between the two cruise lines.  Read on for some similarities and differences to help you pick which is right for you!  

Atmosphere 

Neither Celebrity or Royal Caribbean have a party atmosphere (if you’re looking for a party try Carnival), but Celebrity feels like a much older and calmer clientele.  Royal Caribbean includes a lot of families, especially if you are on a mega ship with lots of kid-friendly activities.  Celebrity does not have the activities that cater towards children like slides or climbing walls so there are simply less children on board.  

Buffet Food 

The buffet of Celebrity and Royal feels almost the same.  The appearance of the Oceanview Café on Celebrity and the Windjammer on Royal Caribbean is incredibly similar – both are made up of various stations that you walk around to gather your food from the servers.  The quality of food onboard Celebrity is up a notch though.  One sea day we found filet mignon so tender you could cut it with a butter knife on Celebrity’s lunch buffet.  It wasn’t advertised.  It wasn’t anything special.  It was just there.  We’ve not seen that yet on Royal.  The food in the Windjammer is plentiful. (I’m not saying it is bad.  It’s just nothing to write home about.)  

Main Dining Room Food 

The food in the main dining rooms is very similar.  Celebrity’s may be a slight step up but they literally include some of the same foods.  Escargot is our favorite appetizer on both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean and it is the exact same dish.  

Staterooms 

The cabins on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are very similar.  They are set up in similar ways.  Both could use more hooks.  But Celebrity includes a few touches that most of the Royal Caribbean ships do not.  There was a motion-sensor night light in the bathroom so you didn’t have to turn on a light in the middle of the night.  There was a dispenser of good-quality lotion in the bathroom.  Despite their similarities, Celebrity wins this round with just those little extra touches that you don’t really think about but are really handy.  

Solarium 

Both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have an indoor, enclosed pool that is 18+.  This space is very nice if you are trying to get away from the sun or trying to get away from children.  On Royal, this is a space where all the adults hang out.  On Celebrity, it’s got more of a spa atmosphere because there are very few children in the main pool.  I would give the point to Royal Caribbean on this one because it’s solarium is a fun place to hang, while on Celebrity it’s a little sleepy.  

Entertainment 

Generally a tie.  They have very similar evening performances with singers and dancers performing to a decade or genre of music. 

Both lines also have day-time entertainment from trivia, to poolside games to dancing.  But Celebrity does have its guest lecturers that provide some context on the ports of call.  This is a nice touch regardless of if you are in Alaska, the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.  Sometimes it is fun to learn a little about the history and geography of a place to give you a better appreciation!  

Kid-friendly activities 

Royal Caribbean definitely wins this category.  Royal ships come outfitted with slides and climbing walls at minimum, but many also have more interesting activities at sea from wave riders to ice skating to ziplines depending on the ship.  

The Towel Situation 

This feels a little petty to include, but I think it shows a difference between the two cruise lines.  On Celebrity, the crew places beach towels on the deck chairs every morning.  When you have used a towel, you place it in the bin.  If there is an empty chair with no towel, you get a clean towel from the towel holder.  On Royal Caribbean, you go to the towel hut when you get up on deck and give them your card and you rent a towel.  Royal places a charge on your card until you return the towel.  Once you return the towel, the charge is removed from your card.  Apparently Royal is concerned its guests are stealing the beach towels while Celebrity is not worried about it.  

Price 

Celebrity is more expensive.  But is it worth the extra cost?  That is up to you to decide!  

Looking for more information about Celebrity? Check out these posts:

What’s Included on a Celebrity Cruise

Top 8 Places to Take Photos on the Celebrity Edge

Please Share This Share this content

• Opens in a new window

You Might Also Like

Why You Should Take A Caribbean Cruise In The Winter

Why A Road Trip Through The Florida Keys Is A Perfect Replacement For A Cruise

Celebrity vs. Royal Caribbean: How do they compare?

Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International share a parent company, but that’s all they have in common. The Celebrity ships are some of the most beautiful at sea, with modern designs and impressive contemporary art collections. True, these ships' best models date back to 2008, but they still feel well-thought-out and sophisticated — and the line continues to excel at an elegant take on big ship cruising for the 40 and older demographic, most of whom travel in pairs. Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, serves families and multigenerational groups, among others, with a focus on sporty and adrenaline-pumping activities such as skydiving and surfing simulators, as well as amusement park-style entertainment and cutting-edge technology. (No other line has internet access that is as fast and as reasonably priced, for example.) Royal Caribbean's big, loud, activity-filled ships include the largest vessels in the industry, carrying more than 6,000 passengers. How do the two lines stack up against each other? Here's our take. Pricing Generally speaking, Celebrity tends to be more expensive than Royal Caribbean. Similar to Royal Caribbean, the lowest rates on Celebrity are typically found on the older ships, especially Celebrity Summit. But, even with Celebrity Summit, it's rare for the line to drop prices for seven-night sailings to less than $500 per person.

10 Best Ports for Fun Fall Activities

More to explore

Find the best deals.

Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity: Which Cruise Line Is Best for You?

By: Author Dan Bagby

Posted on Published: February 26, 2023

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are two of the most popular cruise lines on the market. Both offer wonderful ships and itineraries for cruise honeymoons and vacations of all sorts. Although both lines are owned by the same company, there are differences. Is Celebrity or Royal Caribbean best for you? In short: it totally depends!

In this article, we will share the similarities and key differences between Celebrity vs. Royal Caribbean cruises to help you decide which one is the perfect choice for you. We will also answer questions like, is Royal Caribbean as good as Celebrity and is the food better on Celebrity than Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean Overview

Royal Caribbean takes a fun approach to cruising, making it a great choice for those looking for a wide variety of exciting activities.

If you want to just sit back and relax onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships, you certainly can. But if you enjoy thrilling amenities like zip lining, rock climbing walls, huge waterslides, and surf pools, you will find them here, as well as plenty of nightlife.

There is also high-end enjoyment to be had on a Royal Caribbean cruise. From spa treatments to fine dining, Royal Caribbean has something for everyone.

Celebrity Cruises Overview

Celebrity is one of the best cruise lines for people looking for a luxury trip. With ships that feature state-of-the-art interior design and luxe furnishings, Celebrity does exactly what it says in the name: it makes you feel like a true celebrity.

Every ship has a variety of onboard amenities and entertainment, including amazing shows and live music, casinos, and shopping. And if you’d rather lay back and relax, you can enjoy a spa treatment, a day by one of the pools, fine dining, and plenty of lounges and bars.

Celebrity cruise ships differ in size, and each brings its own unique charm to the fleet. The largest Celebrity ship is the Celebrity Beyond, holding up to 3260 passengers. Celebrity is also home to the smallest cruise ship in the world, the Celebrity Xploration, which holds only 16 passengers!

Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Cost

Cost can be a huge factor when deciding which cruise line is best for you. In general, Royal Caribbean tends to be less expensive than Celebrity Cruises, but they’re typically more family-friendly and less about living the life of luxury. With Celebrity, you get the celebrity lifestyle at a celebrity price–though they often have discounts available.

Royal Caribbean may be the best choice for you if you are looking for a budget-friendly option. That’s not to say you can’t find good deals with Celebrity, but you’ll likely get a lot more for your money on Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Ships

When it comes to their fleet, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are quite different.

One difference between the two is the size of their fleet. Celebrity Cruise Line has a fleet size of 16 cruise ships, whereas Royal Caribbean boasts a fleet size of 24. 

Celebrity ships are varied in size and each gives a different experience, while sticking to the luxury feel. In general, Celebrity ships carry fewer passengers than Royal Caribbean, which leads to a more intimate atmosphere and more personal service. As mentioned before, the smallest Celebrity ship holds just 16 passengers.

Royal Caribbean ships, on the other hand, all feature the brand’s fun-loving vibe and mix of exciting activities. The largest Royal Caribbean ships are some of the biggest cruise ships in the world, with the largest holding 5700 people. (These ships have also been some of the most award-winning.) The smallest Royal Caribbean ship carries nearly 2000 people.

Celebrity vs. Royal Caribbean Food and Drink

Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise ships are comparable in the food on offer. They offer a range of restaurants, from complimentary dining for everyone on board to fine-dining options if you’re looking for something special.

Royal Caribbean offers a 3-restaurant dining package as well as an unlimited dining package , so you can visit different restaurants on board as much as you desire. They have quite a varied selection of eateries to choose from. As they cater to families, they have a balance of upscale restaurants and more family-friendly options with great choices on the kids’ menus.

Celebrity on the other hand is more tailored towards luxury, which carries over into their dining experiences too. With a larger selection of high-end restaurants on board, they typically cater better to groups of friends, couples, and honeymooners. Celebrity restaurant cuisine is overseen by a Michelin-starred chef.

Of course, Celebrity also has a range of complimentary dining options. Tip: these restaurants are all quite upscale too, so be sure to read their fleet-wide dining room dress codes before you pack!

Is the food better on Celebrity than Royal Caribbean? Both cruise lines offer food choices for convenient meals and luxury dining alike. But if you’re  looking for a meal that will put the cherry on top of your vacation (no pun intended!), Blu, a restaurant onboard many Celebrity cruise liners, is one of the best options out there. 

Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity offer a variety of bars.

Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Cabins

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity both offer a variety of cabin types. These are very different between the two companies, however, as they’re geared toward their typical clientele.

Celebrity cabins all boast an air of luxury within them. With gorgeous ocean-view rooms with large windows, private balconies, world-class amenities, and beautiful furnishings, they’re sure to make your vacation picture-perfect.

Choose from a variety of staterooms and suites catering to couples, solo travelers, and families or groups, each delivering the upscale experience Celebrity promises.

While Royal Caribbean doesn’t offer as sophisticated an atmosphere as Celebrity in its cabins, it still features plenty of comfort and luxury. Staterooms are designed with couples in mind. Bright and beautiful, they’re a great space to relax and unwind at the end of the day. They also have large rooms for group trips, with up to four bedrooms.

And as a more family-friendly cruise line, Royal Caribbean knows how the little ones like to live. Their family rooms are like no other. Colorful, comfortable, and full of fun, you’ll find giant games of Connect four, Lego walls, and even in-room slides to keep the kids entertained.

Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Itineraries

You won’t have a problem finding a fabulous itinerary on either cruise line. Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity offer cruises to plenty of top destinations such as the Caribbean , the Mediterranean , Europe , Alaska , South America, and more.

They also each have a wide variety of itineraries to choose from. Whether it’s a three-night jaunt in The Bahamas on either cruise line, a 12-night trip around Argentina and Patagonia with Celebrity, or a 245-night life-changing round-the-world cruise with Royal Caribbean, there truly is something for everyone!

Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Activities

The activities onboard Celebrity and Royal Caribbean can vary depending on the ship and its itinerary. 

Celebrity Cruise Line offers a more upscale, relaxed atmosphere geared towards those that enjoy a little sophistication. People travel with Celebrity to, well, feel like a celebrity! Because of this, most people like to enjoy a wellness visit to the spa, try their luck at the casino, visit an art gallery, check out wine tastings, or learn a new skill or hobby.

Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, is geared more toward those who like to live life in the fast lane. Royal Caribbean offers a variety of extreme sports and exciting activities, including the Flowrider surf simulators, rock climbing walls, zip lining, ice skating, bumper cars, the tallest waterslide at sea, sky diving simulators, nightclubs, and more. They also offer more activities for kids and teens, so it’s a great choice to keep the kids occupied.

Both cruise lines offer entertainment options like Broadway-style shows, music, dance lessons, bingo and other games, trivia competitions, etc.

Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity for Kids

Keeping the kids entertained is something you need to consider when deciding which cruise line is best for your family vacation. In general, Royal Caribbean tends to be a bit more family-friendly than Celebrity Cruise Line, with more fast-paced activities onboard geared towards the little ones, and family rooms designed with them in mind. 

While Celebrity welcomes children, Royal Caribbean may be the best choice for you if you’re traveling with family. That’s not to say you can’t have a great family vacation with Celebrity, but the kids might not get as much out of the trip as you do.

Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Entertainment

When it comes to entertainment, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean offer a lot of similar options, with on-board shows, clubs, bars, casinos and so much more, you’re guaranteed to be spoiled for choice no matter which you choose.

One difference, though, is the entertainment geared toward children and teens. As we have just discussed, Royal Caribbean is more family-friendly in many aspects, and this extends to the range of entertainment onboard.

Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity Typical Passengers

Both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity welcome a variety of people on board. However, there are some distinct differences between the two based on pricing, onboard activities, and general vibe.

Royal Caribbean tends to host families and those looking for adventure, while Celebrity usually welcomes more couples and adults who are looking for a relaxing and luxurious escape.

The usual passenger age on Celebrity cruises ranges from mid-30s to 70s, while Royal Caribbean passengers are generally younger (20s to 60s, with many more families with children).

Celebrity vs. Royal Caribbean Conclusion

Is Royal Caribbean as good as Celebrity? That depends on what type of cruise you’re looking for. In general, while Royal Caribbean offers a fun and enjoyable cruising experience–especially for families and active travelers–Celebrity offers more of a luxury cruise atmosphere.

After reading this article, what do you think? Is Celebrity better than Royal Caribbean, or is Royal Caribbean better than Celebrity for your cruise vacation? If you’re still undecided, check out our articles on Royal Caribbean vs. Norwegian and 10 Best Honeymoon Cruises & Cruise Lines for more information!

He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club. Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.

Cruise Spotlight

Helping you find cruise ships you'll love

Celebrity Edge vs Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas

The Celebrity Edge was built in 2019. The Celebrity Edge is the first ship to feature the "Magic Carpet," a moving platform that makes using water tenders a breeze while in port, or adds outdoor dining space while at sea. This Edge-class of ship is known to feel quite different than the rest of the Celebrity fleet as it's less geared towards traditional cruise passengers. It's 5 years newer than the Quantum of the Seas , which was built in 2014.

Comparison Overview

Number of passengers, food and restaurants.

• Bars and Drinks

Pools and Hot Tubs

Ship features and activities, cruise costs, onboard costs.

The Edge is considered a medium size ship. Coming in at 1,004 feet long and 128 feet wide, it's roughly the length of 2.8 football fields, as wide as 2.4 tractor-trailers and the same height as a 16-story building. Compared to the Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas, the Edge is 23% smaller in terms of overall tons.

Celebrity Edge holds 30% fewer passengers than the Quantum of the Seas based on double occupancy (two people per room). When you compare the total tonnage of the ship to the number of passengers, or what we call the "Space Ratio," the Edge has more space per person compared to the Quantum of the Seas. This means that you might have a bit more space to yourself on the ship, although there still could be some crowded areas like buffets, pools, etc.

Food is a big part of any cruise, and the ship you choose can make a huge difference in your food experience.

The Edge has 18 different dining options like Magic Carpet , Oceanview Cafe , and Eden Restaurant . Of those options, 8 are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other 10 options have an additional fee.

The Quantum of the Seas has 3 more dining venues. Some of its popular venues are Izumi , Sorrento's Pizza , and Chef's Table . 13 of these restaurants are complementary and the other 8 have an additional fee.

If you like having a variety of places to eat, the Quantum of the Seas might be a better choice. It has 17% more dining options than the Edge.

If you're looking to avoid extra money while on board, the Quantum of the Seas might be a better choice then the Edge. More of the dining options are included in the base cruise fare, potentially saving you money.

In terms of drinks and cocktails, you have a variety of choices. Both ships serve the Coca-cola family of products. That means Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Barqs Root Beer, although the selection can vary by ship. Most Royal Caribbean ships also have Coke Freestyle machines where you can make 100 different flavor combinations.

There are also plenty of bars available on these ships. You can check out recent the bar menus for the Quantum of the Seas below.

Nothing beats relaxing by a pool with a nice drink in hand as you feel the fresh sea breeze pass by you. The problem is that with thousands of people on a ship, there's not always room. If you want to spend all day for 7 days in a pool, a cruise isn't for you. You would have a much better bet choosing a resort with a huge pool complex. That being said, a quick dip in the pool can be nice on a hot day.

The Celebrity Edge has a total of 3 pools and 4 hot tubs. Tired of loud kids and splashing? 1 of the pools and 1 of the hot tubs are adults only. 1 of the pools and 1 of the hot tubs are exclusive access, which means there's either an extra charge to access them or you need to book a certain class of cabin to have access to them.

Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas has more pools than the Edge and more hot tubs. There are fewer exclusive pools and hot tubs on the Quantum of the Seas. If you like ships without extra charges or exclusive areas, this might be a better choice since everyone will have access to these areas.

Both ships have lots of activities to keep you busy throughout your cruise. Below you'll see a list of some of the major features on these ships. You might up paying more while on board the Edge. Only 67% of the activities below are included in your cruise fare. On the Quantum of the Seas, 71% of the activities are included at no additional cost.

Celebrity is a premium cruise line. Premium cruise lines typically offer upscale food, accommodations, and service. These typically cost about $150 - $400 per person per day.

Royal Caribbean, on the other hand, is considered a mainstream cruise line. Mainstream cruise lines cater to a variety of guests, hoping to provide something for everyone. These typically cost about $100 - $350 per person per day.

Cruise pricing is dynamic and varies for each specific sailing based on factors such as departure point, ports of call, and time of year. To get a good idea of how the pricing compares, visit the cruise line's website to price out the separate cruises or consult a travel professional.

Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips.

Typically guests can expect to spend about 25 - 40% of the cost of the cruise on onboard expenses. In other words, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, you might spend between $250 and $400 on extra expenses.

The table below will help you compare onboard prices to see if you might spend more on a specific ship.

Celebrity Cruise Lines offers an "All Included" program. Guests who book a cruise using this promotion will have gratuities, wifi, and alcohol included. Some sailings are available without this program so pay attention when booking. Typically prices are lower if they don't include "Always Included." The wifi and alcohol package are the base levels and can be upgraded for an additional cost.

Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, which means the pricing for many things will vary per sailing. The daily gratuities and tip are consistent across the fleet, but the pricing for the drink package, internet, and excursions will change. The only way to know your price is to consult the Royal Caribbean cruise planner once you're booked.

Want to Stay Up-To-Date on All Things Cruising?

Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Threads , or subscribe to our monthly newsletter .

Articles Related the These Ships

Royal Caribbean Makes Some Surprising Short Cruise Announcements for 2025-26

8 Things To Know About Alaskan Cruises

Skydiving on a Cruise Ship? RipCord by iFLY

Ride Bumper Cars on Your Next Cruise

Royal Caribbean’s North Star: All You Need To Know

Why to Use Port Valet While Cruising From Seattle

Royal Caribbean's family-friendly private island is about to get more crowded with Gen Xers

• Celebrity Cruises will sail to Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay for the first time.
• The cruise lines target different demographics, but the business case is solid.
• The private island is scheduled on 47 of Celebrity's itineraries this year.

Royal Caribbean's family-friendly private island is about to get a bit more crowded — with Gen Xers.

On April 21, Gen X-beloved Celebrity Cruises will voyage to Royal Caribbean International's Perfect Day at CocoCay for the first time, marking the start of a Celebrity-CocoCay bonanza: The premium cruise line plans to visit the family-friendly getaway 47 more times before the end of the year.

According to Celebrity, these itineraries will both double its year-round Caribbean offerings and launch its first weekend cruises . And travelers are hyped: A handful of these sailings are halfway or close to selling out.

Fares start at about $277 per person for a three-day roundtrip cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in which the Caribbean island is the only destination on the itinerary.

Travelers familiar with Celebrity and CocoCay might be scratching their heads

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity share the same parent company, Royal Caribbean Group .

For the most part, that's where their similarities end.

Royal Caribbean's private island is a tropical dream for cruising families dotted with sprawling beaches, clubs, a zipline, and a waterpark. The private destination is colorful, loud, kid-friendly, and generally the antithesis of what travelers might find on Celebrity's ships.

Celebrity's stylish vessels do offer children and teen programming. But if you want the exciting water slides, fun rides, and rock climbing walls of the popular mass-market ships, you're better off looking elsewhere.

Compared to Royal Caribbean's ships, Celebrity is best if you want to be on a premium, trendy, and more subdued cruise.

Related stories

If it's not obvious, the two brands are vying for different guests. Royal Caribbean goes after multi-generational families, while Celebrity's target demographic is Gen Xers, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, the then-CEO of Celebrity Cruises, told Business Insider in 2021.

Celebrity sails to 300 ports on all seven continents — why this sudden push for the private Caribbean island?

In short, cruisers love Celebrity's upcoming Caribbean destination .

Last year, Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told analysts that CocoCay had seen robust demand, including from repeat travelers.

About two-thirds of Royal Caribbean's Caribbean-bound guests will stop at CocoCay this year. And most of them aren't complaining: "The vast majority of people love the islands," Patrick Scholes, a lodging and leisure research analyst at Truist Securities, told Business Insider in March.

But for the two brands' parent company, there are more benefits to private island cruising besides guest satisfaction.

CocoCay is one night's sailing from Florida's major cruise ports, reducing the visiting ships' fuel consumption and costs.

More importantly, these private destinations keep more profits in-house.

A day pass to CocoCay's waterpark can exceed $100 per person. Entry to the recently opened Hideaway Beach costs up to $89 per person. Nearby, an afternoon at the more luxurious Coco Beach Club could be shy of triple that cost.

Even the complimentary parts of the island have splurge-enticing amenities like rentable cabanas and snorkeling gear. And because there's no need to rely on other excursion operators, Celebrity's parent company gets to pocket more profits.

Most of Celebrity's 2024 cruises to CocoCay will be on two of its largest ships: the 3,849-guest Celebrity Beyond and 3,480-guest Celebrity Reflection. That's plenty of guests ready to spend big on the popular private island.

But that doesn't mean Celebrity cruisers will be fighting kids for beach chairs

It is possible to escape the hoards of families at Perfect Day at CocoCay. For example, the new Hideaway Beach is rowdy, boozy, and thankfully adult-only.

While not kid-free, on the other side of the island, the Oasis Lagoon pool has become the de facto hot spot for afternoon ragers "packed with intoxicated people having a really good time" on one end, and children on the other end, Bayley told reporters in late January.

If nothing else, at least there won't be any kids drinking at the island's more than 10 bars.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

• Main content

• Celebrity Cruises

Loyalty level on Royal Caribbean vs Celebrity

By suizas , September 15, 2017 in Celebrity Cruises

Recommended Posts

Hi. Considering my first cruise with Celebrity and am Diamond on Royal. I believe I have heard that status' between the lines are recognized. Does anyone know anything about this and what would Diamond equate to on Celebrity?

Thanks in advance! Susan

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

internetwhiz

Hi. Considering my first cruise with Celebrity and am Diamond on Royal. I believe I have heard that status' between the lines are recognized. Does anyone know anything about this and what would Diamond equate to on Celebrity?   Thanks in advance! Susan     Sent from my iPad using Forums

You would be Elite on Celebrity. Go to the Celebrity website and there's a place to apply for Captain's Club

or else call them.

You may also enjoy the Elite perks more than the Diamond on RCI. The Diamond lounge may be the only exception.

I sure didn't in May. We are D+ on RC and that's Elite as well. We had to pay for photos instead of free, and if we hadn't had a promotion, the internet for Elite is FORTY minutes [emoji23]. For D+ we each get two days. They really didn't have any perks that we didn't already get other than I think OP as a Diamond could send a free bag of wash and fold, and you have to wait until D+ on RC. Their happy hour wasn't every night. Royal's perks are hard to beat.

You have to compare D to Elite., not D+ to Elite. Works the other way around also.

cruisestitch

Elite gets 90 minutes of internet, not forty. That must have been a typo.

I initially thought so too... Until the number "40" was spelled out! And personally, I prefer to utilize my internet allowance over the course of a sailing as needed rather than have unlimited access for a day or two...

The value of loyalty perks is in the eye of the beholder... As a result of limited level reciprocity I've experienced Diamond level perks on Royal [one/done for a whole lot of reasons which largely relate to service/crew accountability and responsiveness in resolving issues that should have never occurred] and--any day--prefer those provided to me by Celebrity... The C&A Balcony Discount is nice but the Diamond Lounge on Allure [i believe Royal has since addressed the overcrowding issue by routinely loading three drink vouchers to the SeaPass card] was--night after night--standing room only in a larger venue than is typically used... Photos? No thanks; I routinely offer to sell my collection back to the ships' photographers and personally prefer a laundry allowance...

That said, we all tend to like that which we best know... Fortunately, we all have choices and at least in the RCI family there is some limited loyalty reciprocity between brands; Carnival doesn't do anything comparable among their active brands [legacy lines Sitmar and P&O get some historical recognition on Princess]...

No issues here. We had our Celebrity account opened when we hit Platinum. (We had to call to have the account opened with Celebrity so the accounts were "linked".) As we have cruised, our Celebrity level has changed automatically to match our new RCCL level as it has changed.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the responses! Plan to call and get set up today. After sailing one cruise line so long, trying another line seems tricky! I appreciate your feedback.

We totally appreciate the fact that our D+ status is recognized by Celebrity even if it is at the Elite Level. On our recent Summit Cruise:

Laundry - up to 2 pressed items. One Time Use; 1 dry clean item; one bag of of wash,dry,fold.

Spa - one time, 15% off treatment while in port

Bingo - free 6 card bingo bonus card with purchase of 3 card bingo session

casino - 3 $5 match plays for roulette or blackjack

Internet - 90 minutes

Wine savings - 20% 1 $40+ bottle of wine

Specialty dining - 20% off 1 $40+ bottle of wine; 1 complimentary specialty coffee

Photo - 20% discount on any digital or print photo

Gelateria - 1 complimentary scoop of gelato

Captains Club Lounge - Captains Club Coffee Breakfast 8am - 10am; Cocktail Hour 5pm - 7pm

Club Events : Casino Double Jackpot; Captains Club Celebration; Senior Officers Party; Elite Elegant Tea; Back Stage Tour; Wine Tasting; Private Departure Lounge

Thanks for the responses! Plan to call and get set up today. After sailing one cruise line so long, trying another line seems tricky! I appreciate your feedback.     Sent from my iPad using Forums

Happy to help.

Just a reminder - your starting point level on the other line will be 0 (zero); however, you get to enjoy the benefits of the reciprocal level until you accrue the appropriate points under that line program.

Example: If you are Elite on Celebrity, you should enter RCCL at Diamond. However, your points on RCCL will be 0 (zero).

Happy sailing...

Mea culpa, internet was 90 minutes for Elite Captain's Club. For an 11 night cruise. We had a package that included internet so we never used our minutes. Yes, there were other items offered. For me, what RC offers works better, including a balcony discount each time. It was the first time I had paid for pictures since 2011 (25 each x 2), when we reached Diamond on RC.

The one thing that was different and I liked was having officers more visible at the captain's reception one night.

Error in my post. ELITE could send a bag of laundry to wash and fold, so a Diamond member on Celebrity sailing as Elite could enjoy that.

On RC, you have to be D+ to have that.

Just in case it isn't clear, each person in the cabin receives 90 minutes, 1 bag of laundry

So for two, 180 minutes, 2 bags.... Pretty sweet if you ask me!

I'll be Diamond on Oasis for the first time in Feb. Looking forward to the comparison.

NemoCrownie

OP, your question has been answered but I will still throw in my $.02 (not worth a penny); We are Diamond on RCI and took our first Celebrity cruise this year. We had the Go Best with the drinks perk so didn't go to the Elite Happy Hour, it was only an 11 night cruise so we didn't use the free laundry, chic nights so no laundry pressing, didn't get a free gelato, go to the Elite breakfast or special embarkation lounge, attend the wine tasting, etc. We didn't use one single Elite benefit BUT it was a fabulous cruise and our two future bookings are also on Celebrity. For us, it was well worth forgoing the loyalty perks and spending just a little more than a comparable RCI cruise for a better vacation experience. Don't focus on the difference in perks, rather focus on the experience. Some prefer the Celebrity experience while others prefer RCI, neither is right or wrong but, either way, you will have a wonderful vacation.

In the whole scheme of things, after paying for airfare, pre-cruise hotel stay, airport parking, meals, dog boarding, taxis, etc. the cost of a cruise vacation is not an insignificant amount and the balcony discount, free pictures, and 3 free drinks (unlimited if you want to be in an overcrowded lounge) are nice but not worth enough to sway me one way or the other.

Just in case it isn't clear, each person in the cabin receives 90 minutes, 1 bag of laundry   So for two, 180 minutes, 2 bags.... Pretty sweet if you ask me!   I'll be Diamond on Oasis for the first time in Feb. Looking forward to the comparison.

On RC a Diamond member gets 1440 minutes x 2 = 2880 minutes versus 180 min for 2 on Celebrity. Celebrity really should up that amount. Many of us don't have the luxury of turning the phone off for the whole cruise. If you bought an internet package, the cost was wayyy more than RC, as in double the rate. Not sure why their should be that much difference in the time allocation and cost.

I also missed going on the bridge tour (one of my favorite perks on Royal).

I'll be interested to hear from you about what you think about Celebrity's loyalty program. We enjoyed our Equinox cruise, the food was fine, but the entertainment and such weren't on par with RC. That's a very subjective thing, I know, but we really enjoy good entertainment.

Enjoy your cruise. The only real thing that makes me sad is that three of our ports have so many displaced and suffering: St. Maarten, St. Thomas (we went to St. John's that day) and Tortola ( went to Jost Van Dyke). Prayers for all.

Baron Barracuda

We find diamond / elite pretty much a push. DW loves the free laundry on X as it allows us to pack less. However as an early riser she enjoys the 24 hour dl access on Royal for 4am cappuccino's. We both prefer the dl in the evening over X's nightly Elite event.

Just in case it isn't clear, each person in the cabin receives 90 minutes, 1 bag of laundry So for two, 180 minutes, 2 bags.... Pretty sweet if you ask me! I'll be Diamond on Oasis for the first time in Feb. Looking forward to the comparison.

Hey Lady!!...how are you? Just saw you here and wanted to say Hi!!...and also a ? that applies to this thread...I think..?...if I'm Elite Plus on X what am I on RCCL? LuAnn

Celebrity Elite, Elite +, and Zenith are granted Diamond tier benefits on Royal Caribbean...

Royal Diamond, Diamond +, and Pinnacle are granted Elite tier benefits on Celebrity...

Miss you on our Infinity Roll Call!

We were so disappointed by the Diamond cocktail hour on the Allure in January. The D lounge had not been particularly pleasant on our Freedom cruise a few years ago owing to crowding but we thought with the D lounge now being in what had been the suite lounge it might be better. However, unless you got there before alcohol was being served you had no chance of a seat.

Guests were not coming in for one or two pre dinner drinks they were coming in for the whole session, whereas on Celebrity guests seem in come in for one or two drinks and move on...

Also experienced guests "saving seats" for friends. OK if there are other options for guests looking to sit down but not when there is standing room only!

My son and I were also challenged by another guest that we shouldn't be in there as it was for Diamonds only (popped in for a coffee mid morning)....I politely said we were D+ she responded "Impossible, you come from England!".....Hmmmm, just got my coffee and sat down!

My observation re lounges is the alcohol VOLUME is definitely better on RC but the AMBIENCE is better on Celebrity. Depends what is more important to you. Picture vs laundry at D/E level, prefer the laundry!

Both ships have lots to offer.....we loved the RC ships when travelling with youngsters but now find generally we prefer X. The D lounge is one of those areas on RC that makes you realise just how many pax are on board!

excitedofharpenden

We were so disappointed by the Diamond cocktail hour on the Allure in January. The D lounge had not been particularly pleasant on our Freedom cruise a few years ago owing to crowding but we thought with the D lounge now being in what had been the suite lounge it might be better. However, unless you got there before alcohol was being served you had no chance of a seat.   Guests were not coming in for one or two pre dinner drinks they were coming in for the whole session, whereas on Celebrity guests seem in come in for one or two drinks and move on...   Also experienced guests "saving seats" for friends. OK if there are other options for guests looking to sit down but not when there is standing room only!

I found it busy on Allure too. It was a transatlantic and there were a lot of D and above members. They opened a few venues, but it was still a bit of a bun fight in each. I think the free drinks time on Royal is looked upon more as just that by many rather than a social and it lasts longer than on X. And don't get me started on the Pinnacle members proudly wearing their badges (I was in a suite that had access to Coastal Kitchen where Pinnacles were also allowed). I just don't get that. I have friends on Anthem at the moment and have commented about the DYKWIA brigade.

I'll be on 1st RCCL cruise since attaining Elite this January when I am on the Empress of Seas. When I was on the Equinox last April the Captains Club Hostess signed us up with RCCL. Very interested to see how Diamond works.

I have to say we enjoy the Captains Club Happy Hour a lot. Not so much the drinking but the socializing. Many folks we met we still remain in contact and become friends of ours. The other perks are nice, I am fine with 180 minutes of internet to check email every few days and get a boarding pass. The laundry helps with longer cruises. Also I enjoy a Bloody Mary for breakfast. With these perks I usually pick OBC & gratuities when booking rather then a internet package and a drink package.

Hope Diamond has similar perks and opportunities.

I found it busy on Allure too. It was a transatlantic and there were a lot of D and above members. They opened a few venues, but it was still a bit of a bun fight in each. I think the free drinks time on Royal is looked upon more as just that by many rather than a social and it lasts longer than on X. And don't get me started on the Pinnacle members proudly wearing their badges (I was in a suite that had access to Coastal Kitchen where Pinnacles were also allowed). I just don't get that. I have friends on Anthem at the moment and have commented about the DYKWIA brigade.   Phil

Phil, just had to look up what DYKWIA meant! Know I know!

We also were in a suite on Allure. We did meet some lovely very elderly pinnacles in the Suite Lounge (with their proudly worn badges). Some were doing multiple back to backs.....I am not surprised they made the most of accessing the suite lounge with the D lounge being so busy. The snag being then, that the suite lounge also became very busy....

We sailed Oasis once, but never again on a ship of that size. IMO they doubled the size of the ship and passenger count, but not the size of common areas, including dl. 6000 people is just too big and crowded. Quantum class, sailing when kids are in school, is about 4,000 passengers so not quite as bad. We've sailed regularly on Voyager class ships with 3000 passengers, just a touch bigger than Celebrity S class, and there were usually only 20 or so in dl at night. Made quite a few nice acquaintances there. Another reason Elite event is less well attended is on X most folks already have bev pkg, so no need to scrounge for free drinks.

Hi LuAnn,   Celebrity Elite, Elite +, and Zenith are granted Diamond tier benefits on Royal Caribbean...   Royal Diamond, Diamond +, and Pinnacle are granted Elite tier benefits on Celebrity...   Miss you on our Infinity Roll Call!

Thanks so much!!...and we "switched horses in mid steam" on that cruise! well..shall I say "ships"?...we will meet again for sure! LuAnn

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
• ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started Thursday at 10:20 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 07:36 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 12:53 AM

LauraS · Started Tuesday at 07:17 PM

LauraS · Started Monday at 10:08 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society: The Complete Guide

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has some of the largest ships at sea. The company sails around the globe, offering itineraries for all interests and a handful of world cruises that can last several months.

Similar to airline and hotel brands, cruise lines also have loyalty programs, and Royal Caribbean is no exception. Its Crown and Anchor Society rewards repeat cruisers interested in maximizing their onboard perks. Here’s what you need to know about the loyalty program and why “It pays to be loyal to Royal" as the cruise line says.

How do you earn points for Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society?

After completing your first cruise, you will earn points every time you sail with Royal Caribbean, accruing one point for each night you’re on board. You'll earn double points per night if you stay in a suite. The more points you earn, the higher your elite status.

Note that elite status earning requirements are based on lifetime point accrual — not a calendar year like most other loyalty programs.

Don't worry if you forget to sign up; taking your first cruise automatically enrolls you in the program. However, you will need to create a Crown and Anchor login to view your online account, which will help you keep track of the points you earn.

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

Can you earn points with a Royal Caribbean credit card?

Even though Royal Caribbean has its own co-branded credit card , you can’t use it to help you reach Crown and Anchor elite status. Instead, the points you earn by spending with the card can be used to enhance your cruise experience.

You can redeem points for onboard credits, cruise discounts, room upgrades and companion fares. The only way to earn points toward Crown and Anchor elite status is by sailing on a cruise.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for cruises

Crown and Anchor Society elite status levels

There are six elite status levels in the Crown and Anchor loyalty program. As an added benefit for those who cruise with their family, children younger than 18 automatically hold the same status as their parents (with the exception of the Pinnacle Club tier).

Here’s what you can expect to receive at each tier of the Crown and Anchor Society.

Gold is the first elite status tier, which you'll reach after earning 3 points. As a Gold member, you receive:

A newsletter with advance notice of new ships, itineraries and special deals.

Exclusive rates on some sailings and itineraries.

Access to a private lounge with continental breakfast before departure.

One additional cruise point for each night when paying a single rate in a double occupancy stateroom.

Discounts on Wi-Fi, spa, food and beverage options.

Platinum is the next elite status, which members reach after accruing 30 points as a member. In addition to all of the Gold perks, as a Platinum member, you’ll receive:

Exclusive rates on balcony and suite staterooms.

Reciprocal status with Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club.

A special onboard event on sailings five nights or longer.

Robes in the cabin.

Laundry discounts.

» Learn more: Tips for getting the best deal on your next cruise

Once you reach 55 points, you move to the Emerald tier, which provides all the perks of Gold and Platinum plus these additional things:

Welcome water in your stateroom (two bottles per adult).

Lapel pin to recognize your Emerald status.

Now you’re starting to crack the code on special perks with Royal Caribbean. Once you earn 80 points, you reach the Diamond level and receive the benefits of all the lower status tiers plus these extras:

Chef’s choice welcome gift on sailings five nights or longer.

Four complimentary drinks per day.

Priority waitlist for shore excursions and spa appointments.

Access to the Crown or Silver lounge with complimentary snacks and nightly happy hour.

Priority waitlist for preferred seats in the main dining room.

Four daily complimentary nonalcoholic drinks for kids.

One day of free Wi-Fi.

Plus, a commemorative crystal block is awarded when you accrue 140 points and again for every 70 points afterward.

Diamond Plus

The Diamond Plus level is for serious cruisers since it kicks in once you’ve earned 175 points. It comes with all the perks of the lower tiers as well as these benefits:

Dedicated call center for reservations.

Choice of a special in-room amenity, such as wine, strawberries or cheese plate.

Five complimentary drinks per day.

Deluxe beverage package discounts.

Priority seating at entertainment venues (theater, Ice show and AquaTheater).

Two days of free Wi-Fi.

One free laundry service on sailings five nights or longer.

Complimentary add-on spa treatment. 

Five daily complimentary nonalcoholic drinks for kids.

Although still in the same elite tier, for members who have earned at least 340 points, there are even more benefits:

Lunch and wine with an officer on sailings seven nights or longer.

Upgraded bathroom toiletries.

Reduced single supplement cruise fare.

» Learn more: How to plan a cruise in 6 steps

Pinnacle Club

Once you accrue 700 points, you’re awarded Pinnacle Club status. This is the highest tier you can earn, and it includes all of the benefits of the lower tiers plus:

Specialty dining discounts, exclusive daily breakfast and access to a private restaurant.

Free Wi-Fi for one device for the entire sailing.

Six complimentary drinks per day.

Personalized lapel pin.

Complimentary cruise.

Another complimentary cruise for each additional 350 cruise points earned.

Six daily complimentary nonalcoholic drinks for kids.

The free cruises are a great bonus, and the first two cruises earned (at 700 and 1,050 points) are eligible for a balcony stateroom on a seven-night Caribbean sailing. You can also choose to redeem a $2,400 credit toward another cruise. The cruise must be taken within one year of earning it, and the ship must have been sailing for at least one year.

Any additional complimentary cruises earned can be redeemed for a junior suite stateroom on a seven-night Caribbean sailing or as a voucher for $3,200 on any other sailing. They’re not valid during the holidays or peak summer months, and the member has to pay taxes, fees and port surcharges.

Are there any Crown and Anchor partner benefits?

There are several partner perks that Crown and Anchor Society members can take advantage of when they’re not sailing. Here’s what you can expect:

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards

Go immediately to the car without stopping by the counter at certain locations.

Choose cars from the Gold Plus area at select locations.

MGM Rewards

MGM elite tier status match.

Celebrity Cruises

Elite tier status match (for Crown and Anchor Platinum level and higher).

» Learn more: How Norwegian and Royal Caribbean cruise lines differ

Is it worth joining the Crown and Anchor Society?

When sailing with Royal Caribbean, it is worth joining the loyalty program — after all, you’re automatically enrolled after your first cruise. Once you reach elite status, you’ll enjoy plenty of perks, which increase the more you sail.

After reaching Platinum level, you’ll enjoy elite status perks on Celebrity cruises. While you can’t spend your way to elite status with the Royal Caribbean credit card, using it can provide discounts on your next cruise. And any time you sail, you can get closer to the next tier of the Crown and Anchor Society program.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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

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

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Bank of America's website

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Short vs. long cruises: Which one is right for you? Here's how they compare.

Whether you want a weekend getaway or to max out your vacation days, there’s a cruise for that.

Cruise lines offer itineraries ranging from a few days to monthslong . But there are more differences between short and long sailings than just the amount of time guests spend on board. The length of a cruise can help dictate the types of ports passengers visit, the kind of ship they’re sailing on and even the general vibe on board.

“It's important to walk our guests through and for cruisers to think about, what's the experience that they're trying to have,” said Jamie Margolis, owner of Moms at Sea Travel, a Dream Vacations franchise. “So, we try to tease out that information, like, ‘What's your vacation style?’ ”

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

What can guests expect from short cruises?

Cruises can be divided into those shorter or longer than a week, according to Jared Feldman, owner of travel agency Jafeldma Travel. “So, anything less than that is really considered a short cruise,” he said.

Those around three nights long are often aimed at new-to-cruise guests “who aren’t really ready to commit to seven days but really want to quote-unquote test the waters, let's say – to see if cruising is right for them,” he added.

Those sailings typically feature just one port and a sea day and often visit tried-and-true cruise destinations. Travelers sailing from South Florida ports like Miami and Fort Lauderdale will likely visit Nassau in the Bahamas or one of many cruise line private islands , for example. While those sailing from Galveston, Texas, can expect to stop in Cozumel.

Margolis called three-and-four-night voyages a “great intro to cruising,” albeit with more limited itinerary choices. “Is their dream to go to Saint Kitts? They're probably not going to find that on a short sailing,” she said.

Shorter cruises may also lend themselves more to a party atmosphere and be less kid-friendly. But Margolis noted that’s not unique to cruising. “I mean, it's the nature of travel that short weekends can be celebratory,” she said.

And with diverse onboard offerings – from ship-within-a-ship concepts to kids clubs – passengers can often carve out their own experience.

Cruise lines have new offerings in that shorter category. Celebrity Cruises is launching its first regular weekend itineraries in the Caribbean this month, and Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas will offer three-and-four-night sailings when it debuts in July.

What can guests expect from long cruises?

Feldman said any sailing over seven days could be considered a “longer cruise.” Those can range from around 10 days to more than six months. Royal Caribbean is operating a nine-month world cruise to more than 60 countries.

While short cruises “can feel like a bit of a whirlwind,” according to Margolis, longer itineraries offer more time to explore a greater variety of ports. They may feature less-visited destinations such as Aruba and Curaçao and often take place on smaller, older vessels (though ships are refurbished regularly).

That’s partly due to the limitations in places they stop. “Some of the ports … cannot really accommodate this large ship hardware,” Feldman said. “So, you need a smaller-size ship to navigate in and out of these ports.”

The onboard demographic also tends to skew older on those cruises since retired passengers typically have more free time, and travelers with kids are often beholden to school schedules.

If you want a middle ground, though, Margolis said a seven-night cruise “really takes you through what I think is, like, the whole cruise cycle.”

"You get on, you get acclimated, you find all the different amenities, and then you're able to … truly relax, disconnect, unwind,” she said. ‘And then you know, midweek, you start getting your luggage tags, and you go through that mental process of accepting that you're going to have to get off in a couple of days and go back to work.”

At that length, it's also easier to tack on a bit of extra time on the front or back end of the sailing to explore on their own, Feldman added.

Are short or long sailings cheaper?

Because short sailings frequently take place on larger ships, they are “very attractively priced” to help fill the cabins. But that doesn’t mean they’ll always be cheaper than a longer cruise.

A cruise with more stops will have higher port fees, but passengers may book longer itineraries further out and get better fares.

Looking for cheap cruises?: Here's what to know know about finding deals.

“Most times, you're not going to book a three-to-four-night sailing 12 to 18 months in advance,” said Feldman. “You're going to book that much closer in.”

The ship’s age also plays a role in how it’s priced, with shiny new vessels commanding higher rates . “So, there's a lot of different variables in play that kind of dictate where you're going to come out ahead or how much your cruise is ultimately going to cost based on those factors,” said Feldman.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Short vs. long cruises: Which one is right for you? Here's how they compare.

• Need help? 1-888-751-7804 1-888-751-7804
• Let Us Call You CALL ME
• Drink Packages
• Flights by Celebrity℠
• Hotels by Celebrity
• Manage Reservation
• Shore Excursions
• Upgrade with MoveUp

• My Tier and Points
• Join Captain's Club

Already booked? Sign in or create an account

• South Korea
• New Zealand
• Grand Cayman
• St. Maarten
• U.S Virgin Islands
• New England & Canada
• Pacific Coast
• Antarctic Ocean
• Panama Canal
• Transatlantic
• Transpacific
• Cruise Ports (+300)
• Mediterranean
• Perfect Day at CocoCay
• All Inclusive
• Bucket List Cruises
• Cruise & Land Package
• Groups & Events
• New Cruises
• Popular Cruises
• Specialty Cruises
• Destination Highlights
• Group Excursions
• Private Journeys
• Shore Excursions Overview
• Small Group Discoveries

• 360° Virtual Tours
• Celebrity Apex®
• Celebrity Ascent℠ NEW
• Celebrity Beyond℠ NEW
• Celebrity Constellation®
• Celebrity Edge®
• Celebrity Eclipse®
• Celebrity Equinox®
• Celebrity Infinity®
• Celebrity Millennium®
• Celebrity Reflection®
• Celebrity Silhouette®
• Celebrity Solstice®
• Celebrity Summit®
• Celebrity Xcel℠ COMING SOON
• Explore Edge Series

Galapagos Expedition Series

• Celebrity Flora®
• Celebrity Xpedition®
• Celebrity Xploration®
• The Retreat
• All Suites. All Included
• Iconic Suite
• Penthouse Suite
• Reflection Suite
• Royal Suite
• Signature Suite
• Celebrity Suite
• Aqua Sky Suite
• Horizon Suite
• Sunset Suite
• Concierge Class
• Galapagos Accommodations
• Eat & Drink
• Entertainment
• Spa & Wellness

• Cruising 101
• Cruise Fare Options
• Cruise Tips
• First Time on a Cruise
• What is Included on a Cruise
• Future Cruise Vacations
• Accessible Cruising
• Captain's Club Rewards
• Cruise Insurance
• Flights by Celebrity
• Healthy at Sea
• Manage Cruise
• The Celebrity Store
• Travel Documents
• Royal Caribbean International
• Celebrity Cruises

• 75% Off 2nd Guest + Bonus Savings
• 3rd and 4th Guests Sail Free
• Galapagos 20% Savings + Free Flights
• Resident Rates
• Exciting Deals
• View All Offers
• All Included
• Cruise & Land Packages
• Dining Packages
• Photo Packages
• Wi-Fi Packages
• View All Packages
• Captain's Club Overview
• Join the Club
• Loyalty Exclusive Offers
• Tiers & Benefits
• Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® Card

Enjoy 75% off your second guest’s cruise fare and get bonus savings of up to $200. Plus, additional guests in your stateroom sail free on select sailings.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Drink Packages FAQs
• FAQs Overview

What is the Celebrity Cruises Drink Package?

The Celebrity Cruises Drink Package gets you the best value on your favorite drinks. Pay just one price to enjoy a wide variety of beverage choices such as premium coffees, bottled water, wines-by-the-glass, beers, or your favorite cocktails. Your package can be used in the Main Restaurant, specialty restaurants, casual dining restaurants, and all bars and lounges.  Room service and minibar are not included. All Drink Packages are for single-guest use and cannot be shared by multiple people.

You can visit our Drink Package section or if you are booked, visit the Cruise Planner for more information and to pre-purchase. 

How do I purchase a Celebrity Cruises Drink Package?

You may purchase a Drink Package up to 72 hours before you sail, online at Celebrity Cruises Cruise Planner. Or you may purchase the Drink Package onboard, on the first day of your cruise. Ask at any bar for more information.

What Drink Packages are available on Celebrity Cruises?

Celebrity Cruises has a variety of Drink Packages available.

• Classic Drink Package 
• Premium Drink Package 
• Zero Proof Drink Package (Premium Non-Alcoholic Drink Package)

What is the Classic Drink Package?

The Classic Drink Package includes an incredible array of beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks, and wines by the glass for up to $10 per serving. This package also included a 15% discount on all wines by the bottle.

What happens if I have the Classic Drink Package and the beverage I would like is more than $10?

If a guest orders a drink that exceeds the $10 maximum value, they will be charged for the difference. 

For example: If a guest orders a $12 cocktail, a $2.00 + 20% gratuity charge will appear on their SeaPass account.

What is the Premium Drink Package?

The Premium Drink Package includes all Classic Drink Package items, PLUS: Specialty coffees & teas, craft & artisan beers, spirits, cocktails, frozen drinks, Coca-Cola products, premium bottled water, and wines by the glass up to $17 per serving. Also, take a 20% discount off all bottles of wine!

What happens if I have the Premium Drink Package and the beverage I would like is more than $17?

If a guest orders a drink that exceeds the $17 maximum value, they will be charged for the difference. 

For example: If a guest orders a $19 cocktail, a $2.00 + 20% gratuity charge will appear on their SeaPass account.

What is the Zero Proof Package (previously the Premium Non-Alcoholic Package)?

Refresh with premium bottled water from Evian, Perrier, San Pellegrino, & Panna, Specialty Coffees & Organic Teas, Red Bull Energy Drink, Frozen Smoothies, Zero Proof Cocktails, Coca-Cola selections, offerings from Vitamin Water, and Bottled Iced Teas. 

Can I order multiple drinks at a time with the Celebrity Cruises Drink Package?

No, you can only order one drink at a time with each Drink Package. All packages are for single-guest use and cannot be shared by multiple people.

Are gratuities included in the Celebrity Cruises Drink Package cost?

No, a 20% gratuity will be added to all drink page prices at checkout. Package prices may reflect an additional tax for certain ports or itineraries.

How do I cancel my Celebrity Cruises Drink Package?

Orders can be canceled through Cruise Planner up to 2 days before the sail date and are 100% refundable. Once onboard, refunds will be credited to the guest's account. Any partially consumed portion of the package will be charged at full price.

How am I identified as having purchased a Drink Package?

Simply present your SeaPass® Card to the bar staff when ordering your beverage.

Are Drink Packages available on all sailings?

Drink Packages are available on most 2+ day sailings except for 2- or 3-day sailings from Southampton, England.

How much do drinks cost?

Prices for drinks onboard vary depending on what you order. Please note that prices are subject to change and can vary by ship and sail date.

Does everyone in one stateroom need to buy a drink package?

The Drink Package Policy requires all guests wishing to purchase a Drink Package to do so for ALL guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom. This policy applies to packages purchased pre-cruise or onboard.

My travel partner is pregnant/recovering alcoholic/medical issue that does not allow them to drink, do I have to purchase for them?

Our policy requires that any guest wishing to purchase the Drink Package must do so for all other guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom. However, we will make an exception for the following:

Exceptions: 

• Children 12 years old and under : will NOT be required to purchase a Zero drink package.
• 13 -17 years old (Europe, Asia, Australia)
• 13 - 20 years old (USA)
• Pregnant guests – A Zero Proof drink package will be added .
• Recovering alcoholic or medical issue that does not allow guests to consume alcohol. – A Zero Proof drink package will be added .

Is there a daily limit for drinks with any of the Celebrity Cruises Drink Packages?

No, there is no daily limit for drinks with Celebrity Cruises Drink Packages.

How many drinks can I order at a time with a Drink Package?

Guests may only order one drink at a time. Additional drinks ordered will be charged at current bar prices.

Can I use my Drink Packages when I get on board my cruise?

Yes, Drink Packages are active the moment you step on board.

Are Drink Packages available fleetwide?

No, Drink Packages are not available on cruises in the Galapagos.

Can I use my Drink Package at Labadee or CocoCay?

Yes, Drink Packages purchased onboard or on Cruise Planner will be active at Labadee or CocoCay.

Does everyone in the stateroom need to purchase the same drink package, including upgrades? 

The Drink Package Policy requires all guests to purchase the same Drink Package for ALL guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom (ex. if one guest chooses to upgrade to the Premium Drink Package, ALL guests of legal drinking age in the stateroom must upgrade) This policy applies to packages purchased pre-cruise and onboard.