Journey WonderFULL. It's a bold statement to make. If you don't believe us by the end of this article believe Forbes; it's a 4-star rated resort at sea. Don't stop there, each of the 16 ships are award winning
Let us tell you why...
There are different styles of cruising: if you want adrenaline, non-stop activities, or a party ship look at Celebrities' big sister Royal Caribbean. If you're looking for multi-generational family cruising we a point you towards Princess Traditional British? That would be Cunard. From our point of view.
Celebrity is a 'Modern Classic cruise; think a luxury resort at sea, a floating Westin, Le Meriden, or W resort. understated luxury, were the details matter, and the crew really make a difference.
Celebrity is inclusive, we're not talking drinks packages, we're talking you and I. Yes, they fly the pride flag for one month a year, but when the flag is lowered it continues to flv: demonstrated through crew and colleague values companywide. We have only ever felt welcomed onboard by both crew and fellow passengers
Inclusivity extends to their crew and godmothers. Inspirational women have been selected as godmothers, not celebrities - such as Malala Yousafazi, Nobel Peace Prize winner and activist for female education. Reshma Sujani, Apex's Godmother, is an author, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organisation. Celebrity aims to bridge the aap in a male orientated industry too. Captair Kate is the first American Female cruise ship captain. Tifuh Azirh is the first West African woman to work on a cruise ship bridge, and over 22% of Celebrity's bridge teams are now made up of women.
Whilst we’re on the subject of Captains, they really make a difference. They’re leaders, but not in the traditional sense. They’re relaxed, you’ll always see them around the ship interacting with guests and they all have engaging personalities. They’re warm, welcoming and they set the tone of the ship and the ships crew. If you talk to the crew, they genuinely enjoy working for the captains and respect them, a respect that’s not been demanded, but earnt. The crew truly want to make your voyage the best it can be and this flows down from the person at the helm.
All three classes of ship are iconic in design and push boundaries through innovation. Edge-class was one of the first to debut a parabolic bow and the magic carpet. Solstice-class is known for its grass lawns and floating trees, and the Millennium-class, is known for its classic outward design, but modern award-winning interior.
Millennium-class
Let’s start from the very beginning; Celebrity Millennium. This was our first Celebrity ship and she didn’t disappoint. She was the first in the fleet to be ‘revolutionised’ following the arrival of Edge. Don’t let her classic façade fool you, she’s young at heart and truly a modern classic. Her interiors have been updated inside including her staterooms fully redesigned from scratch by Kelly Hoppen.
Expect a classic, but not traditional, cruise experience onboard with surprises and delights. For example, Millennium was the first to introduce a frozen topped martini bar, a staple now found across her class and on Solstice-class. She also features the Sunset Bar, a concept now found in different guises on all Celebrity ships. You’ll always find us saying bon voyage to our last port from her, or if you’re in concierge class you’ll get the chance to sail away from the helipad with cocktails on her bow. Six further bars can be found onboard to help you charge your vessels!
The Millennium-class features two outdoor saltwater pools and an adults only indoor solarium, you’ll find saunas for all to use in each changing room. The Spa café can be found by the Solarium too; it’s great for light bites after a class, the gym, or a treatment. We love the smoothies and fresh juices here; included in the premium package. The Spa café can be found fleet wide.
The food onboard is some of the best we’ve had at sea. It’s not just speciality restaurants, but the dual level main dining room ‘Metropolitan’ and the buffet ‘Oceanview Café’. Escargots are our go to in the evening and don’t miss the Caesar salad tossed in a wheel of parmesan for lunch in the Oceanview Café; the calmest of buffets we’ve ever experienced of any cruise line. No pushing, no shoving.
The scale of Millennium-class allows them to sail to the smaller ports which larger ships cannot. This also allows for lower demand, more interesting itineraries such as our Mumbai to Singapore sailing in February.
Solstice-class
You might have sailed on this class under the name of Celebrity Silhouette, whilst based in Southampton for the past five seasons. Like her older sister Millennium, she’s had her revolution from bow to stern. She features three unique differences, larger Sunset Bar, exclusive outdoor retreat areas and two additional alfresco restaurants.
Like the Edge-class now, Solstice-class was a game changer when first introduced. They’re all about outside spaces and letting the outside in. The class is known for its Lawn Club, a relaxing real grass covered space on the open decks. Flanked by private cabanas, a big screen for movies and the ‘Lawn Club Grill’ and ‘The Porch’.
Light floods into the ship from Deck 16, past the signature floating tree, The Library, Hideaway, and shiny banks of glass lifts all the way to the Grand Foyer on Deck 3. You never feel as though you’re shut inside or hidden from the ocean which surrounds you.
Entertainment onboard has been refocused around a secondary ‘one stop shop’ entertainment atrium – Entertainment Court. Here you’ll find Celebrity Central, The Theatre, Quasar night club, The Casino and a bar to remain suitably hydrated.
Solstice class is the best of both worlds and quite possibly our favourite? They’re a little bit classic Millennium and a touch of innovative Edge.
Edge-class
Edge, Apex, Beyond and Accent. Four, soon to be five of the most innovative ships in the industry; all designed to change the way you think about cruising. These ships are unmistakeable with their X-shaped funnels, martini glass hot tubs, elevated running tracks and the Magic Carpet.
Ever fancied flying alongside a cruise ship sipping on champagne? Dining on the edge with waves beneath you? Or embarking on a tender seamlessly by wheels or foot? This is where the Magic Carpet comes in. Initially conceived to take the pain out of tendering, the Magic Carpet can move between Decks 2 and 16 and transforms between bar, restaurant, and tender platform. We fell in love with this space especially when on Deck 5. It’s the most connected to the ocean we’ve ever been at sea as you watch it lap against the ship. Fellow travellers in wheelchairs can take advantage of the magic carpet in ports that require tenders. It offers a level floor between ship and tender, making it easier than ever before to get ashore.
Dining is different on this ship compared to the classes that came before. One dining room has become four with signature dishes to fit with the restaurant theme.
There are twenty-five more restaurants, bars, and lounges to enjoy onboard including a not to be missed gastronomic and entertainment venue Eden. Placed at the aft of the ship overlooking the wake, Eden is a green oasis featuring live music and a tasting menu to tantalise all your senses.
Within the staterooms you can experience rooms that take you right to the water’s edge. At the push of the button your room transforms from inside to outside. When your veranda is not in use, the space is given back to you as part of your room, making it one of the most spacious at sea.
Celebrity Cruises award-winning ships have everything you could ever ask for—and much more. All classes of Celebrity ship will be sailing in Europe in Summer 24, including Celebrity Apex which will be based out of Southampton for her summer season. If you haven’t tried Celebrity, it’s about time you did.