Celebrity Cruises

The Celebrity Blue Chip Club is Celebrity Cruises’ free casino loyalty programme. You join automatically the first time you play with your SeaPass card, earn Tier Credits (for status) and Reward Points (for FreePlay or onboard credit), and climb six tiers from Pearl to Ruby. The real prize for regular players is the offers: discounted or free cruise certificates, plus an annual free cruise at the upper tiers.

This guide covers how the programme works for the August 2026 to July 2027 tier year, what each tier gets you, how people actually land free cruises, and where Blue Chip stands next to Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale. Celebrity changes casino perks fairly often, so treat the numbers as a guide and check your own account before you book.

How to join the Celebrity Blue Chip Club

There is no fee and no form to fill in. Celebrity’s FAQ says guests who are in the Captain’s Club and use their SeaPass card while gaming are enrolled automatically. In practice:

• Slots and video poker: insert or tap your SeaPass card on the machine before you play.
• Table games: hand your card to the dealer or pit supervisor so they can rate your play.
• Age: you must be 18 or over, or 21 or over on Alaska sailings.

If you play without your card in the machine, that play is not tracked and cannot count toward offers later. That is the most common way new players miss out.

Tier Credits vs Reward Points

Every eligible bet earns two separate things, and mixing them up causes a lot of confusion:

Blue Chip Club points: earning rates

Celebrity’s official pages list these rates:

• Reel slots: 1 point for every $5 played.
• Video poker: 1 point for every $15 played on Celebrity’s US page (some third-party guides quote $10, so check your ship).
• Table games: based on the game, your average bet and how long you play. No fixed rate is published.
• No points: Texas Hold’em poker, Keymaster, Cash Crane and coin pushers. You also don’t earn Tier Credits on FreePlay or promotional chips.

Note that “played” means the total amount wagered, not the amount you lose. If you feed $100 into a slot and keep replaying your winnings, you can easily wager $500 or more, which would earn 100 points.

Spending your points

Points can be downloaded as FreePlay on slots, swapped for non-negotiable chips at the casino cashier, or turned into credit on your onboard account through the casino host. Folio credit needs a minimum balance (reported as 10,000 points), and people in the same stateroom can pool points to reach it. Points have no cash value, and anything you don’t use is gone when the cruise ends. So redeem before your last night.

Blue Chip Club tiers for 2026-27

There are six tiers. Your tier is set on August 1 each year, based on the Tier Credits you earned in the previous programme year. If you move up during the year, you get the new benefits from your next cruise. Celebrity puts its benefits grid in an image rather than text, so the thresholds below come from recent third-party guides that broadly agree. Confirm them in your Celebrity account.

At slot rates, 5,000 Tier Credits works out to about $25,000 wagered in a year, and Ruby is around $750,000. For most holiday players, Pearl or Onyx is realistic and Amethyst is a stretch. The upper tiers are aimed at serious players.

The annual cruise benefit

Celebrity’s US page lists an annual cruise for Sapphire, Sapphire Plus and Ruby members. The current terms allow one per year, booked and sailed by July 31, 2027. Third-party guides say the cabin improves as you move up the tiers, from a veranda at Sapphire to Concierge Class at Sapphire Plus and Aqua Class at Ruby. Some also list an inside cabin for Amethyst, so ask the Blue Chip reservations team (1-866-461-7170) what your tier qualifies for. Taxes, port fees and gratuities are not included.

How to get a Celebrity casino free cruise

Most Blue Chip members never reach an annual-cruise tier. Free cruises usually come from offers based on your play on recent sailings, not from your tier. In outline:

1. Play with your card on every sailing. Offers are mostly based on your theoretical loss (how much the casino expects to win from your play) and the points you earned per cruise. One big session can count for more than a little play spread over many trips.
2. Check your offers online. Since August 2025, Blue Chip offers appear in your Celebrity account rather than on the old separate offers website.
3. Read the certificate carefully. Offers usually name a cabin type (inside, ocean view or veranda), a set of qualifying sailings, a booking deadline and sometimes a short sailing window. They are normally for two guests in one stateroom. You still pay taxes, fees, port charges and gratuities, and sometimes a deposit.
4. Book through the casino reservations line unless the offer says otherwise. Regular bookings don’t apply casino pricing automatically.
5. Watch for on-board deals. Casino hosts sometimes have offers for the next cruise for active players. Ask before you get off the ship.

Some Celebrity players get offers by playing on other lines. Other casinos run their own cruise promotions, so it’s worth comparing what each line will give you. Our guide to getting free (or nearly free) casino cruises covers that strategy in more detail.

What a “free” cruise really costs

Before you chase an offer, add up what you will still pay: taxes and port fees (often $150 to $400 per person on a seven-night cruise), daily gratuities, drinks if you don’t have a package, flights and hotels. Then think about what you might lose in the casino. If you weren’t going to gamble that much anyway, a full-fare cruise bought at a sale price can work out cheaper than a “free” one.

Blue Chip Club vs Royal Caribbean Club Royale

Celebrity and Royal Caribbean belong to the same company and run very similar casino programmes, but they are not linked. Both lines’ FAQs say Club Royale and the Blue Chip Club don’t offer reciprocal benefits or status. Your tier on one line doesn’t carry across, and points don’t move between them.

The structures are clearly related, though. Both use a points-per-wager model, a tier year starting August 1, and offers built around recent play. Celebrity’s terms say it can grant status under a “tier match program”, but it doesn’t publish one. If you have high status with another casino, it’s worth asking the Blue Chip team whether they will match it. If you are choosing between the two lines, our Royal Caribbean vs Celebrity comparison looks at the wider onboard experience. For the casinos themselves, see our round-up of the best casino cruise ships.

What changed in 2025-26

• The new benefits package started on August 1, 2025. Celebrity announced a revamp in July 2024, then delayed it after members complained. Under the new package, Effy boutique credits, spa discounts and casino-only drinks replaced the old FreePlay allowances and drinks packages. Priority services became Ruby-only.
• Tier Credits reset on August 1, 2025 and again on August 1, 2026. Your current tier reflects play between August 2025 and July 2026.
• Offers moved into your Celebrity account in August 2025.

Practical tips for Blue Chip members

• Set a budget for the whole cruise before you board, and use FreePlay as part of that budget, not on top of it.
• Check your points balance at the casino desk or a machine mid-cruise. Mistakes are easier to fix on board than afterwards.
• Use or pool your Reward Points before your last night, because they expire.
• Remember that Blue Chip is separate from Captain’s Club. Casino status won’t upgrade your cruise loyalty tier, and Captain’s Club status won’t upgrade your casino tier. For how cruise loyalty schemes compare, see our cruise line loyalty programs comparison.
• Keep certificate emails and screenshots of your offers, including the offer code and expiry date.

Gamble responsibly

Casino offers are designed to bring players back, and the house edge stays the same however good the perks look. Only gamble money you can afford to lose. Don’t chase losses to reach a tier, and take breaks. If gambling has stopped being fun, the US National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) is free, confidential and open 24/7. You can also ask the casino manager on board about limiting your access to the casino.

FAQs

Does it cost anything to join the Celebrity Blue Chip Club?

No. Membership is free. Celebrity says Captain’s Club members are enrolled automatically when they use their SeaPass card in the casino. Members must be 18 or over, or 21 on Alaska sailings.

How many points do you need for a free cruise with Blue Chip?

There is no fixed number. Most free cruise offers are based on your recent play per cruise and how much the casino expects to win from it. The guaranteed annual cruise is for Sapphire members and above, which third-party guides put at about 15,000 Tier Credits.

Do Blue Chip Club points expire?

Yes. Reward Points expire at the end of each voyage and can’t be carried to another cruise, so redeem them before you disembark. Tier Credits build up until July 31, when the tier year ends.

Is Blue Chip Club status shared with Royal Caribbean Club Royale?

No. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean both say the two programmes don’t offer reciprocal benefits or status, even though both lines belong to the same company.

When does the Blue Chip tier year reset?

The programme year runs from August 1 to July 31. Your tier for August 2026 to July 2027 is based on the Tier Credits you earned between August 2025 and July 2026.

Celebrity Cruises has announced the sale of two of its ships, leading to the cancellation of all 2025 voyages scheduled on these vessels.

The cruise line is to sell two of its Galapagos Expedition Series ships, Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration. Lindblad Expeditions has agreed to buy them, with the transaction due to complete in January 2025.

The cruise line is not closing down its Expedition arm, with Celebrity Flora still continuing to sale for the cruise line.

On the heels of this news, Celebrity Cruises has announced options for guests who are booked on either of the sold ships for a 2025 sailing.

The first option is for guests to rebook a cruise on the ships for a sailing departing before the end of 2024. Guests will have their booking transferred to an equivalent or better stateroom category, with their fare protected.

If the new fare is lower, the guest will be asked to pay the lower rate. Any guests who’ve also booked airfare through the cruise line will have their flight bookings automatically moved, and guests can receive up to $400 towards non-refundable charges for rental cars, trains or parking.

The second option allows guests to move their booking onto a 2025 cruise onboard Celebrity Flora. Again, their fare will be protected, but holiday sailings are excluded from this option – guests wishing to move to a holiday cruise will have to pay the higher fare.

Again, flights booked through Celebrity will automatically be transferred and guests can request up to $400 towards non-refundable travel arrangements.

While the cruise line has not detailed any specific alternatives to these two options, standard cancellation options will apply for any guests who just prefer to cancel their cruise.

Once Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xpedition are transferred to Lindblad, they’ll be renovated and renamed. Bookings are expected to open for the two ships during summer 2024.

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Celebrity Cruises has 16 cruise ships. These range from large cruise ships that can accommodate over 3,000 guests, to small expedition yachts with a guest capacity of just 16.

In this article, we’ll look at the different Celebrity Cruises ships, to help you narrow down your options for your next cruise. You’ll find lists of the Celebrity ships by age and size, as well as explanations of the different classes of vessels in the fleet.

Whether you’re a regular cruiser or are considering your first cruise with Celebrity, I hope that you find this guide to Celebrity Cruises ships ranked by age and size to be useful!

All the Celebrity ships by age – newest to oldest

The following table shows all of Celebrity Cruises ships ordered by year of launch, including which is the newest Celebrity ship…

Ship	Launch date
Celebrity Ascent	December 2023
Celebrity Beyond	April 2022
Celebrity Apex	June 2021
Celebrity Flora	June 2019
Celebrity Edge	November 2018
Celebrity Xploration	March 2017
Celebrity Reflection	October 2012
Celebrity Silhouette	July 2011
Celebrity Eclipse	April 2010
Celebrity Equinox	August 2009
Celebrity Solstice	November 2008
Celebrity Xpedition	June 2004
Celebrity Constellation	May 2002
Celebrity Summit	October 2001
Celebrity Infinity	March 2001
Celebrity Millennium	July 2000

Celebrity Ascent is the newest ship

The newest Celebrity Cruises ship is Celebrity Ascent. This ship made her maiden voyage in December 2023 in the Eastern Caribbean.

Before Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond (2022), Celebrity Apex (2021) and Celebrity Edge (2018) were the newest mainstream cruise ships in the Celebrity Cruises fleet. Two small Galapagos expedition ships, Celebrity Flora (2019) and Celebrity Xploration (2017) are also relatively new.

There’s then a five-year gap in the construction of new ships, with Celebrity Reflection being built in 2012.

Read more: The Newest Celebrity Cruise Ships (In Order)

Ships that have sailed on

There are several ships that Celebrity Cruises used to operate that have been sold on. Meridian was the oldest, which also sailed as Sun Cruises once sold. She sank in 1999.

Horizon was sold in 2005, and Zenith in 2007. Both ships have since been scrapped.

But there are three older ships that are still sailing on. Celebrity Galaxy, Celebrity Mercury and Celebrity Century have all have several names since leaving the Celebrity fleet, and now operate for Marella Cruises as Marella Explorer, Marella Voyager, and Marella Explorer 2 respectively.

From big to small – Celebrity ships in order of size

When it comes to comparing the size of cruise ships, the best way is to consider the Gross Tonnage. This is a measurement of the internal volume of a ship. Length, guest capacity and the number of decks that are accessible to passengers may also be considered.

The following table shows the Celebrity Cruises ships ordered from largest to smallest…

Ship	Tonnage	Length	Guest Decks	Guests	Crew
Celebrity Ascent	140,600	327m	16	3,937	1,416
Celebrity Beyond	140,600	327m	16	3,937	1,416
Celebrity Edge	129,500	306m	16	2,918	1,320
Celebrity Apex	129,500	306m	16	2,910	1,319
Celebrity Reflection	126,000	319m	13	3,030	1,293
Celebrity Silhouette	122,000	319m	13	2,902	1,285
Celebrity Equinox	122,000	317m	13	2,852	1,290
Celebrity Eclipse	122,000	317m	13	2,850	1,286
Celebrity Solstice	122,000	315m	13	2,850	1,284
Celebrity Constellation	91,000	294m	11	2,184	1,022
Celebrity Millennium	90,940	294m	11	2,218	1,024
Celebrity Infinity	90,940	294m	11	2,170	1,024
Celebrity Summit	90,940	294m	11	2,158	1,027
Celebrity Flora	5,739	102m	6	100	80
Celebrity Xpedition	2,842	90m	4	48	58
Celebrity Xploration	316	30m	3	16	12

The occupancy refers to how many passengers each ship can accommodate based on having two guests in each room. As some staterooms have extra beds for third and fourth passengers, the maximum occupancy will be higher.

Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond are the biggest in the fleet

The largest Celebrity Cruises ship is Celebrity Ascent, along with her twin sister Celebrity Beyond. These cruise ships have a volume of 140,600 GT and a length of 327 m, making the ships 12% larger than the next biggest ships in the Celebrity Cruises fleet.

The biggest Celebrity Cruises ships at sea previously were sister ships Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex which have a volume of 129,500 GT and 16 passenger decks. However, Celebrity Reflection is 13 meters longer at 319m in length and can accommodate around 100 more guests despite having three fewer decks.

Why are some ships so small?

Celebrity Xploration, Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Flora are small ships, accommodating 16, 48 and 100 guests, respectively. In fact, Celebrity Xploration is the smallest cruise ship in the world!

These ships cruise to the remote Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador and so they need to be small to access the ports, sometimes via Zodiac boat.

The four Celebrity classes explained

Celebrity Cruises has four classes of ships, which are referred to as ‘series’. Each class of ships has something different to offer, whilst the ships within each class will be relatively similar.

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Celebrity Edge Class Ships

Celebrity Edge class ships are the newest in the Celebrity Cruises fleet. Designed to bring you closer to the ocean, they feature the Magic Carpet, an outdoor levitating bar, and Eden, a beautiful indoor area with 7,000 square feet of windows.

The ships in Celebrity Edge Class are:

• Celebrity Ascent
• Celebrity Beyond
• Celebrity Edge
• Celebrity Apex

Celebrity Solstice Class Ships

Celebrity Solstice-class ships are large cruise ships that were built between 2008 and 2012. They each feature a half-acre real grass lawn and ice-topped Martini bars.

The ships in Celebrity Solstice Class are:

• Celebrity Solstice
• Celebrity Equinox
• Celebrity Eclipse
• Celebrity Silhouette
• Celebrity Reflection

Celebrity Millennium Class Ships

Celebrity Millennium-class ships were built between 2000 and 2002 and accommodate around 2,000 passengers. Ideal for destination-focussed cruise itineraries, they’re able to access the smaller ports that larger cruise ships can’t reach.

The ships in Celebrity Millennium Class are:

• Celebrity Millennium
• Celebrity Infinity
• Celebrity Summit
• Celebrity Constellation

Celebrity Galapagos Class Ships

Celebrity Cruises Galapagos ships are designed specifically for cruises around the Galapagos Islands. They feature groundbreaking technology and offer a yacht-like experience for 16 to 100 guests.

The Celebrity Galapagos ships are:

• Celebrity Xpedition
• Celebrity Xploration
• Celebrity Flora

Read more: Celebrity Cruise Ships By Class

Don’t confuse ship classes with stateroom classes

Celebrity Cruises also has two classes of accommodation that offer special services and amenities: the Aqua Class and the Concierge Class.

Aqua Class staterooms – In premium locations close to the spa, these come with unlimited access to spa areas and a range of perks, including welcome drinks, daily canapes, a pillow menu, bathrobes, yoga mats and priority check-in.

Concierge Class staterooms – Located on upper decks in midship locations, these come with perks such as an exclusive lunch on embarkation day, daily canapes, a pillow menu, priority check-in and access to a personalised concierge service.

The best Celebrity ships for families

All of the Celebrity Cruises ships are good for kids, so it wouldn’t be possible to say that one particular ship is the best. While you won’t find waterslides and ziplines, Celebrity Cruises kids’ clubs are great, with soft play and lots of organised activities.

They also have special resources available to help autistic guests, including children. Families can get priority boarding, and there are sensory toys to hire. Some film screenings are also low-volume and low-lighting, and autistic children can attend a kids club outside of their age range if it means they are more comfortable with a sibling.

When choosing a Celebrity cruise with children, the itinerary is probably more important than the ship. Older kids will love the Galapagos expeditions, warm weather cruises are loved by all, while parents with pre-school kids may like to look out for no-fly cruises from their nearest port.

Suggested read: The Best Cruise Ships for Kids

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To conclude

There’s a Celebrity Cruises ship for everyone. The newest ships, especially Celebrity Beyond, are modern and luxurious with stunning new design concepts and the latest technology.

The older ships have all been modernised as part of a $500-million makeover. So it’s fair to say that there are no bad ships when it comes to Celebrity Cruises.

But if you’d like to see which ships cruisers rate the highest, then check out this list of the best and worst Celebrity ships according to reviews for more info.

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Celebrity AquaClass is worth it if you will actually use the spa and want quieter, healthier dining. For a modest premium over a standard Veranda stateroom you get unlimited thermal suite access, dinner and breakfast in the AquaClass-only Blu restaurant, and wellness touches in your cabin. If the upgrade costs more than a few hundred dollars per cabin, or you rarely visit spas, a Veranda or Concierge Class cabin is usually better value.

This guide explains exactly what Celebrity AquaClass includes for sailings in late 2026, how it compares with Concierge Class and The Retreat, which ships offer it, and a simple way to work out whether the price premium makes sense for your cruise.

What Is Celebrity AquaClass?

AquaClass is Celebrity Cruises’ wellness-focused stateroom category. It sits above standard Veranda and Concierge Class cabins and below The Retreat, the line’s suite tier. Physically, an AquaClass cabin is a balcony stateroom much like a Veranda, usually located close to the spa and fitness center. The difference is the package of perks attached to it: spa access, a private restaurant and a few in-room upgrades.

Cabin sizes vary by ship class. According to Celebrity, Edge Series AquaClass staterooms offer around 243 sq. ft. of total living space including the Infinite Veranda, Solstice Series cabins are about 192 sq. ft. with a 54 sq. ft. veranda, and Millennium Series cabins are about 209 sq. ft. with a 42 sq. ft. veranda.

Celebrity AquaClass Perks in 2026

Based on Celebrity’s current AquaClass and “What’s Included” pages, these are the exclusive benefits for 2026 sailings:

Blu restaurant

Blu is a smaller, quieter dining room reserved for AquaClass guests (and Aqua Sky Suite guests on the ships that have them). The menu leans toward lighter, “clean” cooking, though richer dishes and desserts are on offer too, and there is a list of sustainable and biodynamic wines. Blu serves breakfast and dinner but not lunch, so at midday you will use the main restaurant or buffet like everyone else. Many past guests cite Blu as the single biggest reason to book AquaClass, because it gives you a calmer, more personal dinner without reservations in a busy main dining room.

Spa and thermal suite access

• Edge Series ships: unlimited access to the adults-only SEA Thermal Suite, with heated loungers, steam and sauna rooms and other heat and water experiences.
• Solstice and Millennium Series ships: unlimited access to the Persian Garden, with aromatic steam rooms, tropical rain showers and heated tile loungers.
• A dedicated spa concierge, priority spa reservations and discounts on spa treatment packages (treatments themselves still cost extra).
• Complimentary fitness classes, with the selection varying by cruise length.

Other guests can usually buy thermal suite passes, but these are limited in number and can sell out on busy sailings. Having access included is a real convenience on sea-day-heavy itineraries.

In-room amenities

• Two bottled waters in the cabin daily
• Two yoga mats and an in-room fitness amenities menu
• eXhale bedding, a pillow selection on request and 100% cotton robes, slippers and towels
• Eco-friendly shower amenities and, on Solstice and Millennium Series ships, a massaging showerhead
• An enhanced air filtration system
• A welcome bottle of sparkling wine on request, plus an umbrella, binoculars and shoeshine service
• An expanded room service breakfast menu (Celebrity notes a $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply)

What AquaClass does not include

AquaClass does not include drinks beyond the daily water and the optional sparkling wine, free Wi-Fi, a private lounge, butler service or priority boarding. Celebrity lists priority embarkation for The Retreat, not for AquaClass. If you want drinks and Wi-Fi, look at Celebrity’s All Included fare or a drinks package separately.

AquaClass vs Concierge Class vs The Retreat

The question “AquaClass vs Concierge Class” comes up constantly, and it has changed slightly this year. For sailings departing after September 21, 2026, Celebrity dropped the afternoon canapés from Concierge Class and replaced them with complimentary room service, with the $9.95 delivery fee waived (gratuity still applies). You can read more in our news story on how Celebrity swapped Concierge Class canapés for free room service.

In short, Concierge Class buys convenience: a better cabin location, a concierge, an embarkation lunch and now free room service. AquaClass buys a lifestyle: the spa and a private dinner venue every night. The Retreat is a different level of cruise, with a lounge, butler, Luminae restaurant and drinks, and a price to match. The Retreat page on Celebrity’s official site lists its full benefits.

On the newer Edge Series ships, Celebrity also offers Aqua Sky Suites, which combine AquaClass wellness perks with Retreat-level suite benefits. These are a niche option for guests who want both.

How Much More Does AquaClass Cost?

There is no fixed surcharge. The AquaClass premium over a standard Veranda depends on the ship, itinerary, season and how many AquaClass cabins remain unsold, and it moves constantly. On some sailings the gap is small enough to be an easy yes; on popular holiday cruises it can climb well into four figures per cabin.

Rather than relying on a rule of thumb, price the same sailing three ways and do this quick check:

1. Find the difference. Compare the AquaClass fare with the cheapest Veranda and Concierge Class fare on the same date, using the same fare type (cruise only or All Included).
2. Value the thermal suite. Check what a cruise-long thermal suite or Persian Garden pass costs for two on that ship. If you would buy one anyway, subtract it from the difference.
3. Value Blu honestly. If you would otherwise book a specialty restaurant once or twice for a quieter dinner, count that. If you are happy in the main dining room, count nothing.
4. Decide on what is left. If the remaining premium is small, AquaClass is good value. If it is still several hundred dollars or more, ask whether a calmer dinner and in-cabin extras are worth that to you.

Fares shift with promotions too, so keep an eye on offers such as those in our roundup of cruise deals for 2027. A good sale can shrink the AquaClass premium significantly.

Which Celebrity Ships Have AquaClass?

AquaClass is available across Celebrity’s three main ship classes. It is not offered on the small Galapagos expedition ships.

The Edge Series ships, including Celebrity Xcel, the newest ship in the class, have the largest AquaClass cabins and the more extensive SEA Thermal Suite, so the upgrade tends to feel most worthwhile on these ships. On the older Millennium Series ships the cabins are smaller and the Persian Garden is more compact, though Blu is still a strong draw.

Is Celebrity AquaClass Worth It? Who Should Book It

AquaClass tends to suit:

• Couples and solo travelers who enjoy saunas, steam rooms and a daily spa routine
• Guests on itineraries with lots of sea days, when the thermal suite gets the most use
• Diners who prefer a smaller restaurant and lighter food over a busy main dining room
• Anyone who would buy a thermal suite pass anyway

It is less likely to be worth it if you:

• Are on a short or port-intensive cruise and will be ashore most days
• Rarely use spas or prefer the main dining room’s atmosphere and menu
• Value a midship location, an embarkation lunch or free room service more, which point toward Concierge Class
• Are traveling with young children, since the thermal areas are adults only

One practical tip that many guides skip: AquaClass cabins cluster near the spa and pool decks, and on some ships certain cabins sit beneath outdoor structures such as the running track or near late-night venues. Check the deck plan above and below any cabin number before you pay the premium, and see our guide to Celebrity Cruises cabins to avoid for specific locations to steer clear of.

If you are tempted to go one step further, our guide to Celebrity Retreat suite perks explains what each suite tier adds.

If drinks are part of your budget, compare the Celebrity Classic and Premium drink packages before you sail.

If the spa is not a priority, you may also want to weigh up whether Celebrity Concierge Class is worth it before choosing a cabin.

FAQs

What does AquaClass get you on Celebrity?

Unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite or Persian Garden, breakfast and dinner in the exclusive Blu restaurant, a spa concierge with priority reservations, complimentary fitness classes, daily bottled water and wellness amenities in your stateroom.

Is Aqua Class worth it on Celebrity Cruises?

It is worth it if you will use the thermal suite most days and enjoy Blu, and the premium over a Veranda is modest. If you rarely visit spas or the price gap is large, a Veranda or Concierge Class cabin is usually better value.

Which is better, AquaClass or Concierge Class?

Choose AquaClass for spa access and Blu. Choose Concierge Class for a better cabin location, a concierge, an embarkation lunch and, from late September 2026, free room service with the delivery fee waived.

Do AquaClass guests get priority boarding on Celebrity?

No. Celebrity lists priority embarkation for The Retreat, and priority debarkation for Concierge Class, but not priority boarding for AquaClass.

Does AquaClass include drinks on Celebrity?

No. AquaClass includes daily bottled water and a sparkling wine on request, but not a drinks package. Drinks come with Celebrity’s All Included fare or a separate package.

The Celebrity Retreat is usually worth it if you would otherwise pay for the drinks package, Wi-Fi and a few specialty dinners, and if you value quiet space and personal service. It is harder to justify on short sailings, port-heavy itineraries or older ships without a Retreat Sundeck, where the premium over a veranda cabin can roughly double your fare.

The Retreat is Celebrity Cruises’ suite area: every suite booking, from the entry-level Sky Suite to the two-storey Edge Villas and Iconic Suites, comes with a private restaurant, a lounge, a sundeck on most ships and a butler. Here is what is included at the time of writing (November 2026), what it really costs and how it compares with AquaClass and Norwegian’s Haven.

What Is the Celebrity Retreat?

Instead of selling suites as just a bigger cabin, Celebrity groups them into a ship-within-a-ship called The Retreat. You get your own places to eat, drink and sunbathe, plus staff who look after a fairly small number of guests. Because every suite category belongs to The Retreat, the core perks are the same whether you book a Sky Suite or a Penthouse. What changes as you move up is space and a set of extras for Royal Suites and above.

On the Edge Series ships (Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent and Xcel, which entered service in November 2025) The Retreat is at its most complete, with the Sundeck and the largest suites. A sixth Edge Series ship, Celebrity Xcite, is due in 2028. If you are choosing a specific suite on these ships, our guides to Celebrity Edge cabins to avoid and Celebrity Xcel cabins to avoid point out noisy or awkward locations.

Celebrity Retreat Benefits for All Suites

These are the main Celebrity Retreat benefits listed by the line for every suite category:

• Luminae at The Retreat: a suites-only restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with its own menu and complimentary signature dishes from chef Daniel Boulud.
• The Retreat Lounge: a private lounge with free drinks, snacks, afternoon tea and a dedicated concierge. On a few older ships the space is called Michael’s Club.
• The Retreat Sundeck: a private outdoor deck with loungers, a pool or hot tubs and attendants handing out towels, drinks and snacks. It is on Edge Series ships and refitted older ships, but not on every ship.
• Butler and Butler Chat: a butler team for your suite, which you can message from anywhere on board or ashore.
• Premium drinks and premium Wi-Fi: included in standard suite fares, with Wi-Fi covering everyone in the suite. Some special fares and MoveUp upgrades below Signature Suite do not include Wi-Fi, so check the fare rules.
• Shore day help: a destination specialist for excursions and transfers, a pre-excursion lounge, and escorts to your car on Private Journeys tours.
• In-suite extras: a stocked minibar, daily picks from the in-suite menu, welcome bubbles, robes, a pillow menu and premium bath products.
• Reserved theatre seating for the main shows.

Extra perks for Royal Suites and above

Royal, Signature, Penthouse, Reflection, Edge Villa and Iconic Suites add more. Celebrity lists unlimited specialty dining (dinner nightly and lunch on sea days), daily laundry and pressing, a personalised minibar with two bottles of wine or spirits, SEA Thermal Suite or Persian Garden spa access, special sleepwear and a complimentary Extend Your Stay on disembarkation day in selected ports such as Barcelona, Athens (Piraeus) and Southampton. Sky Suites and Celebrity Suites do not get these.

What is not included

Gratuities are the big one. Celebrity stopped including prepaid gratuities in suite fares for bookings from October 2023, and in July 2026 it raised the Retreat rate to $24.50 per person per day. On a 7-night cruise that is about $343 for two. Shore excursions, spa treatments, casino play and drinks above the package’s per-drink price limit are also extra, and Sky Suites pay for specialty restaurants.

How Much Does the Celebrity Retreat Cost?

Prices move a lot by ship, season and how early you book, so treat these as rough guides and check live fares. Past published examples show a Sky Suite costing around 80 to 100 percent more than a standard veranda on the same sailing. One 10-night Caribbean example from early 2024 listed a Sky Suite at about $5,560 per person against $3,025 for a veranda. On a 7-night Caribbean sailing you will often see Sky Suites somewhere between about $3,500 and $7,000 per person.

The fairer comparison is with a veranda cabin plus the extras you would buy anyway. Here is a simple way to work it out for two people on 7 nights:

1. Take the veranda fare and add the cost of a premium drinks package, if you would buy one, and Wi-Fi for both of you.
2. Add two or three specialty dinners and any spa thermal access you would pay for.
3. Compare that total with the Sky Suite fare. Remember both options pay gratuities, although the Retreat rate is $5 a day higher than the standard rate.
4. If the gap is a few hundred dollars per person, the suite usually wins on value. If it is $1,500 or more per person, you are paying mainly for space and exclusivity.

Many Celebrity fares in the US already bundle drinks and Wi-Fi with standard cabins, so check what your veranda fare includes before you compare. Celebrity also runs suite-specific promotions during big sales, and last-minute suite deals sometimes appear on repositioning cruises.

Is the Celebrity Retreat Worth It?

It depends on how you cruise. These points tend to decide it.

It is usually worth it if

• You sail on an Edge Series ship, where the Sundeck and Lounge are at their best.
• You are on a longer sailing with plenty of sea days, so you actually use the private spaces.
• You dislike crowds at the buffet, pool and theatre, and want a calm place to eat every meal.
• You would buy the premium drinks package anyway, or you book Royal Suite or above, where free specialty dining and laundry add real value.

It may not be worth it if

• Your itinerary is mostly port days and you will be ashore from morning to evening.
• Your ship has no Retreat Sundeck, which removes one of the main reasons to book.
• You barely drink alcohol, so the drinks package means little to you.
• You mostly want a bigger room. On a tight budget, a larger veranda or Concierge Class may be enough.

One thing many guides skip: the Sky Suite gets the same Luminae, Lounge, Sundeck and butler as far more expensive suites. If the shared spaces matter more than the suite itself, the cheapest suite category is usually the best value in The Retreat.

Celebrity Retreat vs AquaClass vs Concierge Class

If The Retreat feels too expensive, Celebrity has two cheaper upgrades. Concierge Class is a veranda cabin with small extras such as priority service, a welcome lunch and better bedding. From sailings after 21 September 2026 Celebrity replaced its afternoon canapés with free room service delivery, as covered in our report on the Concierge Class room service change. AquaClass adds the Blu restaurant and spa access.

Celebrity Retreat vs Norwegian’s The Haven

Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Haven is the closest rival. Both offer a private restaurant, lounge, butler and concierge. The main differences:

• Outdoor space: most Haven ships have an enclosed courtyard with a pool and hot tubs, while Celebrity’s Sundeck sits on the top deck with sea views.
• Atmosphere: The Haven sits on larger, busier ships with families, waterslides and big shows. The Retreat feels more grown-up and quieter.
• Inclusions: Celebrity includes premium drinks and Wi-Fi in standard suite fares. Norwegian’s drinks and Wi-Fi depend on its current package offer, so compare the full price, not just the cabin.

Pick The Retreat for a calmer, food-focused trip. Pick The Haven if you want the energy and activities of a big resort ship with a private hideaway.

Tips for Booking The Retreat

• Check your ship has a Retreat Sundeck before you pay the premium.
• Read the fare rules: special or upgrade fares can drop Wi-Fi or other inclusions.
• Compare a Sky Suite with a Royal Suite. On longer sailings the free specialty dining and laundry can close more of the gap than you expect.
• Prepay gratuities before you sail to lock in the rate shown at booking.
• Call Celebrity’s Retreat team (1-877-RETREAT in the US) or a travel agent for help with suite choice and dining.

FAQs

Are gratuities included in The Retreat?

No. Prepaid gratuities were dropped from suite fares for bookings made from October 2023. Retreat guests are charged $24.50 per person per day at the time of writing, unless a promotion says otherwise.

Do Sky Suites get the full Retreat experience?

Sky Suites get the core Retreat benefits: Luminae, The Retreat Lounge, the Sundeck where the ship has one, butler service, premium drinks and Wi-Fi. They miss the Royal Suite and above extras such as free specialty dining, laundry and spa access.

Which Celebrity ships have The Retreat Sundeck?

The Sundeck is on the Edge Series ships (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent and Xcel) and on refitted Millennium and Solstice Series ships. Celebrity said in 2024 that Solstice, Eclipse, Reflection, Constellation and Infinity do not have one, and the Sundeck on Equinox has had access limits, so check your ship.

Can non-suite guests visit Luminae or The Retreat Lounge?

The Retreat Lounge and Sundeck are for suite guests only. Celebrity says Retreat guests can sometimes bring friends or family to Luminae for a fee, depending on space.

Is The Retreat better than AquaClass?

They suit different people. AquaClass is a cheaper spa-focused upgrade with Blu restaurant. The Retreat costs much more but adds a private lounge, sundeck, butler and premium drinks. If you only want a better dining room, AquaClass is usually the better value.

Celebrity Retreat benefits start the moment you book any suite: you get The Retreat, Celebrity’s suites-only area with its own restaurant (Luminae), a 24-hour lounge and, on most ships, a private sundeck, plus a butler service, the Premium drink package and Premium Wi-Fi for everyone in the suite. Bigger suites, from the Royal Suite up, add unlimited specialty dining, free laundry, thermal spa access and more. Gratuities are not included on standard US fares.

Celebrity adjusts its suite perks fairly often, so this guide sets out what applies as of late 2026, how the perks change by suite tier, and how The Retreat compares with AquaClass and Concierge Class. Always check the benefits list for your exact sailing before you book.

What is The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises?

The Retreat is Celebrity’s name for its suite class. Instead of each suite simply being a bigger cabin, every suite booking unlocks a set of private spaces and services that the rest of the ship cannot use. Think of it as a ship within a ship: a quieter place to eat, drink and relax, with staff who get to know your preferences.

The three private spaces are:

• Luminae at The Retreat: a suites-only restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a menu not offered elsewhere on board and signature dishes created with chef Daniel Boulud.
• The Retreat Lounge: open around the clock, with complimentary drinks, light bites, afternoon tea and a dedicated concierge. On ships that have not been fully revolutionized, the equivalent space is called Michael’s Club.
• The Retreat Sundeck: a private pool deck with loungers, cabanas and bar service. It is found on the Edge Series (Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent and Xcel) and revolutionized ships. Celebrity’s suite page says it is not available on Celebrity Solstice, Eclipse, Reflection, Constellation and Infinity, and on Celebrity Equinox an accessible alternative space is provided on the pool deck.

Children staying in a suite can use Luminae and the lounge too. One catch to know: guests in a regular stateroom that connects to a suite do not get Retreat access, so families splitting between a suite and an adjoining cabin should plan around that.

Celebrity suite perks every Retreat guest gets

Whether you book an entry-level Sky Suite or an Iconic Suite, these core Celebrity suite perks are included:

• Premium drink package for every guest in the suite (of legal drinking age for alcohol), covering cocktails, spirits, beer, wine by the glass, specialty coffee and soft drinks up to $19 per serving.
• Premium Wi-Fi for every guest in the suite. Celebrity notes some special fares and certain move-ups below Signature Suite level are excluded, so check your booking.
• Butler service, reachable through the Butler Chat feature in the app. Sky Suites are looked after by a butler team led by a head butler rather than a single assigned butler.
• In-suite dining: full breakfast, lunch and dinner service in your suite.
• Minibar stocked with soft drinks and beer on embarkation day, with water restocked daily.
• Welcome bottle of sparkling wine, a king-size Cashmere Mattress, premium towels and robes and a pillow menu.
• Priority services, including priority check-in and boarding, a suite departure lounge for shore excursions and reserved theater seating on Evening Chic nights.
• A Destination Experience Specialist to help plan excursions, plus butler-escorted transfers to the car for Private Journeys tours.
• The Retreat Concierge phone line (1-877-RETREAT) for help with reservations before and during your cruise.

What is not included anymore

Two things often catch people out because older reviews still mention them. First, gratuities: Celebrity removed them from its inclusive pricing in 2023, and Retreat guests now pay a daily rate of $24.50 per person per day (raised from $23 for gratuities charged from July 29, 2026). Second, the onboard credit that suite fares used to carry was dropped at the same time. Promotions can still add credit, but it is no longer a standard Retreat perk.

Celebrity Retreat suites explained, tier by tier

Celebrity’s suite line-up differs by ship class, so not every category exists on every ship. Here is how the main Celebrity Retreat suites fit together, roughly from entry level to top tier:

• Sky Suite: the entry point and the most common suite. Good-sized, with a veranda, and all the core Retreat perks.
• Aqua Sky Suite: a Sky Suite with the AquaClass wellness extras, including unlimited SEA Thermal Suite or Persian Garden access.
• Celebrity Suite: larger, with more living space and, on many ships, floor-to-ceiling windows.
• Sunset Suite and Horizon Suite: Edge Series categories, known for wraparound aft or forward-facing verandas.
• Signature Suite: a large Edge Series suite with a big living area and veranda.
• Royal Suite: the point where perks step up noticeably (see below).
• Edge Villas: two-level villas with their own plunge pool and direct access to The Retreat Sundeck, on Edge Series ships.
• Penthouse Suite: a very large suite, often with a whirlpool on the veranda.
• Reflection Suite: a showpiece suite on Celebrity Reflection only.
• Iconic Suite: the top suite on Edge Series ships, set high above the bridge.

What Royal Suites and above add

From the Royal Suite upward, Celebrity adds a noticeably richer set of benefits:

• Unlimited specialty dining, covering dinner nightly and lunch on sea days.
• Complimentary laundry and unlimited pressing.
• Access to the SEA Thermal Suite or Persian Garden at the spa.
• Two complimentary bottles of premium spirits or wine.
• A personalized minibar restocked daily with water, soft drinks and beer.
• Premium in-suite coffee set-up and exclusive sleepwear.
• The Extend Your Stay program in select ports, which can let you stay on board longer on the last morning.

There is one grey area worth knowing about. Celebrity’s suite page reserves the unlimited specialty dining package for Royal Suites, Penthouse Suites, Edge Villas and Iconic Suites, while its Retreat FAQ also lists Signature and Reflection Suites as including specialty dining. If you are booking a Signature Suite, ask Celebrity or your travel advisor to confirm in writing.

Celebrity suite perks comparison table

This table summarizes the main differences. “Core” means the shared Retreat benefits listed above.

*Royal Suite, Edge Villa, Penthouse Suite and Iconic Suite, plus the Reflection Suite. Signature Suite status for specialty dining should be confirmed, as noted above.

Celebrity Retreat vs AquaClass vs Concierge Class

Celebrity sells two premium levels below The Retreat, and the gap between them is bigger than the price difference sometimes suggests.

AquaClass is built around wellness. Guests get the AquaClass-only restaurant Blu, unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite (Edge Series) or Persian Garden (Solstice and Millennium Series), a spa concierge, priority spa reservations, an expanded room service breakfast menu and two bottles of water daily. If you want to weigh it up in detail, see our look at whether Celebrity AquaClass is worth it.

Concierge Class is a veranda stateroom with extra service touches: a welcome lunch on boarding day, a bottle of sparkling wine on request, preferred dining time requests, eXhale bedding and a personalized concierge. For sailings departing after September 21, 2026, Celebrity removed the afternoon canapés and replaced them with complimentary room service, meaning the delivery fee is waived (a 20% gratuity may still apply), plus two welcome waters on embarkation day. Our article on Celebrity swapping Concierge Class canapés for free room service covers that change.

Is Celebrity Retreat worth it?

The fairest way to judge is total cost, not headline fare. A Retreat fare bundles the Premium drink package and Premium Wi-Fi, which many couples would buy anyway on a standard booking. Subtract what those would cost you for the length of the cruise, then compare the remaining gap with what you value in the private spaces, butler and Luminae.

A few practical tips that are easy to miss:

• Check whether your ship has the Sundeck. On older ships without it, the experience leans on the lounge and Luminae, which some guests find less compelling.
• Budget for higher gratuities. At $24.50 per person per day, a couple on a 7-night cruise pays $343 in gratuities, $70 more than the $19.50 rate for a standard balcony.
• Watch the fare type. Some special fares and move-up offers exclude Premium Wi-Fi or other perks, so read the inclusions on your booking confirmation.
• Pick the suite carefully. Location matters as much as category, especially on the Edge Series; our guide to Celebrity Edge cabins to avoid flags areas with noise or obstructed views.

If you mainly want better food and spa time, AquaClass is often the better-value step up. If you want included drinks, a quiet place to relax and a high level of personal service, The Retreat is where Celebrity’s best experience lives. You can compare current suite categories and inclusions on Celebrity’s official suite page.

If you are not booking a suite, our breakdown of Celebrity Wi-Fi costs and options explains what you would pay for internet otherwise.

FAQs

What is included in The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises?

Every Retreat suite includes access to Luminae, The Retreat Lounge (or Michael’s Club) and, on most ships, The Retreat Sundeck, plus a butler service, the Premium drink package and Premium Wi-Fi for everyone in the suite, priority boarding and in-suite dining. Gratuities are charged separately on standard US fares.

Do Celebrity suite guests pay gratuities?

Yes, on standard fares. Since gratuities were removed from Celebrity’s inclusive pricing in 2023, Retreat guests pay a daily rate, which rose to $24.50 per person per day from July 29, 2026. You can prepay it before you sail.

Which Celebrity suites include specialty dining?

Celebrity’s suite page lists unlimited specialty dining for Royal Suites, Penthouse Suites, Edge Villas and Iconic Suites, and its Retreat FAQ also names Signature and Reflection Suites. Sky, Aqua Sky, Celebrity, Horizon and Sunset Suites get Luminae instead, so book specialty restaurants separately.

Is The Retreat better than AquaClass or Concierge Class?

The Retreat is a different level: private restaurant, lounge, sundeck, butler, drinks and Wi-Fi are all included. AquaClass adds the Blu restaurant and thermal spa access, while Concierge Class mainly adds small conveniences such as free room service delivery and a welcome lunch, and neither includes drinks or Wi-Fi by default.

Is Celebrity Retreat worth it?

It usually is if you would otherwise buy the Premium drink package and Wi-Fi, value a quiet sundeck and lounge, and the fare gap to a veranda is modest. Compare the total cost, including what you would spend on packages anyway, rather than the headline fares.