Celebrity Cruises is now a part of the Royal Caribbean International family. Originally Chandris Fantasy Cruises, Celebrity Cruises began life serving destinations solely within Bermuda before becoming a part of Royal Caribbean Cruises in 1997. It has since expanded its range of destinations to include many worldwide ports of interest. Since the merger, Celebrity Cruises has continued to expand its fleet and provide luxury cruises at a fair price. In 2014, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo became the President of Celebrity Cruises. She is the first woman CEO of a major cruise line. Celebrity Cruises has 4 Millennium-class cruise ships at 91,000 GT. These millennium class ships hold roughly 2,100 passengers.
All Celebrity Cruises vessels haveaptly named with ‘Celebrity’ in the title. The current fleet stands at 11 ships, each capable of carrying between 90 and 3,000 passengers at a time. There are four categories depending on the type of cruise offered. Celebrity Cruises offers suitable itineraries for everyone regardless of personal interest and budget.
Celebrity Ships
The Celebrity Solstice Class comprises of five vessels and is ideal for travellers looking for that ultimate luxurious cruise. From tree houses and art galleries to 24 karat gold facials and onboard country clubs, these ships offer the very best of Celebrity Cruises. All Celebrity Solstice Class cruises operate throughout destinations in Europe, with some extending services to the eastern Caribbean.
There are several Solstice-class cruise ships. These average about 121,800 GT and can hold an impressive 2,850 passengers. Some of the Solstice-class ships have a real grass lawn area on the top deck, a feature that is almost exclusive to Celebrity Cruises. In 2018, Celebrity Cruises added an Edge class ship to its fleet. The Celebrity Edge with a gross tonnage of 130,800 GT, this is the largest ship in their fleet. It has a capacity of 2,918 passengers and cost around $1 billion to build.
Four cruise ships make up the Celebrity Millennium Class. These cruise liners offer a similar style of cruising as the Celebrity Solstice Class but with slightly more limited amenities. However, the luxury of the ships is still apparent. There are sophisticated wine bars, high class dining and even personal trainers to help you work off all the indulgence. These ships are ideal for travellers who want more destination choices than is offered by the Celebrity Solstice Class, with options including Europe, the southern Caribbean, Asia and the Antarctic. In fact, Celebrity Cruises is one of the few cruise lines throughout the world who travel to this fascinating location.
The Celebrity Cruises Difference
For those seeking a more intimate cruise experience, the Celebrity Century ship offers just that. Carrying fewer passengers per cruise (under 2,000, as opposed to approximately 3,000), this ship is the first choice for travellers wanting the luxurious cruise experience but with an added personal touch. This vessel is also a fantastic choice for those wanting to sightsee, travelling to destinations such as Hawaii, the Panama Canal and Alaska.
Setting them apart from the competition is the Celebrity Xpedition ship. This small yacht carries just 92 passengers on any given cruise. Passengers receive the ultimate in intimacy, adventure and luxury. Sailing exclusively to the Galapagos Islands, onboard talks and workshops familiarize and educate passengers on the history and nature they will encounter during the trip.
Booking Your Cruise
Cruise planning is a breeze. The full booking service allowing you to enjoy spa days, onboard dining, live theatre performances and shore excursions without any hassle. Great offers are available all year round including early booking discounts and free flights. Celebrity adds new destinations and itineraries every year. They are one of the world’s leading cruise companies. They ranked first place in the large ship category for best cruise line in the Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards in 2011.
Over the years, Celebrity Cruises has retired several ships. These ships ranged in tonnage from 30,000 to 75,000 GT. They are currently undergoing renovations with several of their millennium class and Solstice-class ships. The company said in July of 2018 they intended to invest more than $500 million to complete these refurbishments of these ships.
