Celebrity Cruises
From LoveToKnow Cruises
Unlike many mainstream cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises offers a more refined experience that still incorporates dozens of activities and amenities for a spectacular vacation experience. Based in Miami, FL, Celebrity Cruises is a relative newcomer to the cruise industry: the line was only formed in 1989, though the original founding family, Chandris, has been involved with shipping and cruising for decades. Celebrity Cruises was acquired by Royal Caribbean International in 1997 but each line operates as a separate entity with distinct characteristics.
The Celebrity Cruises Fleet
Celebrity Cruises operates only a small fleet – less than a dozen current ships – but each vessel offers passengers only the best in amenities, luxuries, itineraries, and other features.
Size
Celebrity’s largest ships are the new Millennium Class vessels which first debuted in 2000. Each can accommodate well over 1,900 passengers without compromising the abundant living space in cabins and public areas. Though even these large ships do not compare with the behemoths of sister line Royal Caribbean or competitor Carnival, they still offer an amazing variety of activities and amenities. The smallest ship, the Zenith, is still a respectable size with room for more than 1,300 passengers.
Departure Ports
Despite a fewer number of ships, Celebrity Cruises offers a wide range of departure ports, including Fort Lauderdale and Miami in Florida as well as Galveston, TX and San Juan, Puerto Rico for various Caribbean voyages. Other departure ports include San Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Bayonne, NJ; and Seattle, WA. This makes Celebrity a convenient choice for cruisers from across the United States.
Décor
The majority of Celebrity’s décor focuses on modern and Art Deco designs with classic touches such as rich suedes, polished woods, and muted colors. Stateroom decorations vary but include distinctive touches often missing on other cruise ships. Naturally, penthouse suites are the most carefully decorated, with details ranging from fresh flowers to an elegant piano. In public areas, silk flower arrangements and topiaries add bright, lively touches to corridors and lounges, and the art collections are among the finest at sea. The Millennium class ships are the most extravagant of all, with extraordinary inner-lit onyx atrium staircases serving as a spectacular focal point and favorite photo location.
One unique touch on each Millennium class vessel is the nod to history: the main dining rooms are themed after former luxury liners such as the Olympic (sister ship to the Titanic) and the Normandie. The main dining rooms even incorporate original artifacts from those ships.
Every Celebrity vessel is highlighted with the “X” smokestack logo. While different passengers will claim it stands for many things, including x-cellent service, x-quisite dining, and x-traordinary amenities, the true story is that it is the Greek letter chi and stands for the Chandris family – another nod to the line’s history.
Itineraries
Celebrity Cruises offers a range of itineraries from their varied departure ports, including Eastern Caribbean Cruises, Western Caribbean Cruises, southern Caribbean cruises, Alaskan Cruises, Mexican Riviera voyages, Hawaiian itineraries, and Bermuda Cruises. Specialized adventure sailings are also scheduled to exotic destinations, such as the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, and the Arctic. Most itineraries are seven to ten-day voyages, though a limited number of shorter sailings are available as well as a few lengthy cruises.
Onboard Activities
While Celebrity prides itself on being a bit more refined and less rambunctious than other mainstream lines, there is no lack of onboard activities. A wide variety of enrichment lectures – up to four on each sailing – are offered, including astronomy, photography, history, and investment talks as well as more unique events such as caricature artist lectures and themed guest speakers. The astronomy lectures are particularly popular on the Millennium ships, which have a number of telescopes available for avid stargazers. Other enrichment activities include dance lessons, cooking demonstrations, art auctions, and computer classes.
Dining
Each ship’s main dining room(s) offers a variety of standard cruise fare, including healthy alternatives and vegetarian selections. The line’s specialty restaurants are among the most expensive at sea with a $30 per person cover charge, though the food is exquisitely presented and well worth the fee. Celebrity’s aft Lido deck alternative dining – while still maintaining a casual atmosphere – utilizes their expert wait staff. Dinner reservations are recommended, though walk-in seating is available when crowds are lighter. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style for passengers’ convenience, and lunch buffets are often themed to present a wide variety of culinary experiences. Other dining options include a healthy café near the ships’ spa, sushi bars, extensive room service, and pizza delivered to your stateroom. On formal nights, Celebrity ships offer a “Gourmet Bites” midnight event in the lounges with appetizers and canapés.
Entertainment
In 2004, Celebrity Cruises partnered with Cirque du Soleil to present some of the most spectacular entertainment available at sea with innovative interactive performances. Other shows feature Vegas-style revues as well as individual performers: magicians, comedians, harpists, and a cappella groups are frequent entertainers on Celebrity ships. The larger, more modern ships offer an even wider range of entertainment options with better technical support.
Spas and Fitness
Celebrity’s spa facilities are the first to offer extensive acupuncture treatments along with other exotic indulgences such as hot rock massages and hydrotherapy treatment rooms. A focal point of most ships’ spas is the enormous thalassotherapy pool – a saltwater hot tub that simultaneously harnesses the therapeutic benefits of saltwater, heat, and gentle massage.
For passengers who prefer more vigorous workouts, ships are equipped with golf simulators, basketball courts, jogging tracks, and extensive fitness centers stocked with state-of-the-art machines, free weights, and ample exercise rooms. While standard aerobics classes are complimentary, specialized classes such as Pilates and yoga do require an additional fee.
Gambling
Every Celebrity ship features a modest casino, though they are not as elaborate as those on other mainstream lines. Bingo games are also offered throughout each voyage.
Games and Contests
Unlike other mainstream cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises does not offer wacky, immodest games, or other silly activities. While there are plenty of activities to choose from, the line prefers to maintain a more sophisticated atmosphere. Passenger talent shows, enrichment lectures, and unique demonstrations are more the norm on Celebrity ships.
Children’s Programs
As more families experiment with cruising, Celebrity has begun expanding their children’s programs. Both group and private babysitting is available, including the “Parents’ Night Out” on formal nights to allow parents to relax and indulge. When larger numbers of younger passengers are sailing, such as during spring break season, age group activities are presented, including treasure hunts, ship tours, karaoke contests, and “classroom” activities about such topics as marine life. The Junior Olympics is a popular event when children compete in mock events in the pool areas. Dedicated children’s areas are equipped with wading pools, slides, jungle gyms, and other child-friendly materials.
Extras
To provide a true celebrity treatment to every passenger, Celebrity Cruises offers a number of extra amenities. Every cabin on every ship has a complimentary robe for guests to use during their cruise, and the Millennium class vessels are wired for Internet access in every cabin for guests who bring along laptops. Interactive televisions allow passengers to order room service, select pay-per-view movies, or choose that evening’s dinner wine conveniently from their cabin.
Cons About Celebrity Cruises
Despite a more sophisticated atmosphere than larger cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises still suffers from an overabundance of activities: passengers may have to forgo some options in order to partake of certain experiences. Some vessels are plagued with overly loud music in acoustically-enhanced areas, and the lack of a wraparound promenade deck slightly limits passenger strolling.
Celebrity Cruise Line Summary
For a taste of both the luxury cruise experience and the active atmosphere of a mainstream cruise line, Celebrity Cruises is the perfect choice for a cruise vacation. With multitudes of activities and exquisite dining and spa options, every passenger will return home feeling just a bit more famous than when they left.
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