They Equated Cruises With Excess So These First
The ocean and travel are two of my favorite things. Yet until recently, I had never even considered going on a cruise. I shuddered at the thought of being stuck at sea with thousands of mostly retired strangers and nothing to do but eat, drink and watch cheesy entertainment before making too-brief stops in too many ports. I cringed at the idea of dressing up to dine at an assigned seat in a vast room rimmed with overflowing food stations. Cruise ship travel seemed not only incredibly superficial and spectacularly inefficient, but also highly likely to wreak havoc with my mental state and blood sugar level.
But now, Ive become a travel and a wellness editor who no longer finds socializing with retirees a foreign concept. And Ive learned that the cruise industry has gone all in on the wellness trend: Mainstream lines have added fancy spas, the latest in health and fitness equipment, and lighter meal options to their ships, while high-end lines are designing whole itineraries around health, fitness, yoga and meditation. Plus, dress codes have become less formal throughout the industry, and the average age of cruise ship passengers dropped from 65 in 1995 to 45 in 2005. It seemed time to test my potentially outdated prejudices about cruises as waistline-ruining bacchanals thinly disguised as travel opportunities.
Celebrity Cruises: Is Concierge Class Worth It
Celebrity Cruises offers Concierge Class staterooms on its ships, which is one step above Veranda staterooms, which are the entry-level balcony cabins. There is no appreciable difference in cabin or balcony sizes.
Concierge Class is generally considered to be one step below AquaClass staterooms, which in turn, are a step below suites.
What Are The Different Stateroom Classes On Celebrity Cruises
Its important not to confuse ship classes with accommodation classes
Celebrity Cruises also has two classes of accommodation which offer special services and amenities Aqua Class and 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.
You May Like: What Cruise Lines Depart From Bayonne Nj
What Are The Different Ship Classes On Celebrity Cruises
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 Edge
Celebrity Solstice class ships
Celebrity Solstice class ships are large cruise ships which 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 Cruise Ships By Age Size And Class
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Celebrity Cruises has 14 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, well explore the different Celebrity Cruises ships, to help you narrow down your options for your next cruise. Youll find lists of the Celebrity ships by age and size, as well as explanations of the different classes of vessels in the fleet.
Whether youre a regular cruiser or are considering your first cruise with Celebrity, I hope that you find this guide to Celebrity Cruises ships to be useful.
Don’t Miss: Can You Use Marriott Points For Cruises
Complimentary Food Embarkation Day Lunch And Priority Dining Time Selection
Concierge Class guests receive a small plate hors doeuvres/canapés delivered every afternoon. You can also receive complimentary sparkling wine upon request.
In addition, Concierge Class guests are invited to a semi-exclusive lunch in the Main Dining Room on embarkation day, which means they can avoid the crowded buffet at the Oceanview Cafe.
Finally, Concierge Class guests receive priority when selecting dining times in both the MDR and specialty restaurants.
Which Celebrity Cruises Ships Are Best For Families With Children
All of the Celebrity Cruises ships are good for kids, so it wouldnt be possible to say that one particular ship is the best. While you wont find waterslides and ziplines, Celebrity Cruises kids clubs are great, with soft play and lots of organised activities.
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.
Also Check: How Far Is Rome Airport To Cruise Port
Get The Best Price When You Book Your Celebrity Cruise
The price you pay for your cruise will be different depending on who you book it with, even though what you get will be exactly the same.
Its generally always cheaper to use a specialist cruise travel agent that can access discounted rates.
Of course, not all travel agents are equal in terms of the service that they provide. If youd like to get a quote from a trusted travel agent that Ive used to book multiple cruises myself,.
Is Aqua Class On Celebrity Worth It
This post may have affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through them. Here’s our Disclosure & Privacy Policy for more info.
The question any Celebrity newbie has on their mind: Is Aqua class worth the price?Usually followed with: What is the difference between Aqua and Concierge class?
I recently had both of those questions on my mind while booking a 2-week voyage from Tokyo to Vancouver after I noticed a very attractive price on the Aqua class staterooms. I was going to book in the regular veranda class of staterooms, until I did some further digging on what was really included with Aqua.
For anyone who just wants the fast answer to Is Aqua class worth the price? I have to be honest and say it depends.
If Aqua is only a few hundred dollars more than Veranda or Concierge, I say YES.If Aqua is $700-$1000 more than Veranda or Concierge, I would say MAYBE.And if Aqua is $1500-$2000+ more than Veranda or Concierge, I say NO WAY.
It will ultimately depend on what you like doing during your cruise, where you spend most of your time, and which perks benefit you the most.
To help you decide if Aqua class is worth the extra money I made a detailed list of all the benefits you get from booking that class of stateroom. Including what makes it different from all the other classes, a comparison against Veranda and Concierge class, and why you want want Aqua over both of those.
Don’t Miss: Marriott Points For Cruises
So Is Aqua Class Worth It
Personally, I think Aqua class is worth the price, as long as it still fits into your cruise budget.Now that I have cruised Aqua, I cant imagine not having access to Blu, daily canapes, daily iced-tea, and the priority boarding. It really made the trip seem even more luxurious than it already was, plus it saved me money in extras!
I think if the cost for Aqua is at par or even up to $800-ish more to Veranda or Concierge, I would always choose to book it.
More Cruise based articles:
Expanded Room Service Menu
Celebrity already has a stellar room service menu, which not only includes hot items on their breakfast menu, but is also complimentary.
However, the expanded breakfast menu for Aqua Class guests was even better!
It had extra items, especially hot ones, that really covered every breakfast base.
I have to be honest here. We didnt have breakfast outside of the room ONCE on the entire 14 day trip. Even though we knew breakfast was fabulous in Blu, the Aqua room service menu was really perfect for what we wanted in the morning.
This is the Aqua Class expanded breakfast room service door hanger. Such good stuff on here!
Read Also: How Much Should I Budget For An Alaskan Cruise
Aqua Class & Concierge Class
In addition to the suites, Celebrity also has special amenities for some balcony rooms that offer suite-like amenities without the suite price tag.
Both Concierge Class and Aqua Class are balcony cabins that offer a bit more space than a regular balcony room and include extra benefits.
Here is what Aqua Class includes:
- Priority boarding and early debarkation
- Shoeshine service
- A Personal Spa Concierge to arrange Canyon Ranch SpaClub treatments
- Binoculars included
- 24-hour room service
- Pillow menu
- Blu Restaurant for breakfast and dinner
- Welcome cans of water
- Daily flavored ice tea in carafe
- Location near the spa
- Unlimited access to Persian Gardens and SEA Thermal
- Spa concierge
- VIP tour of SPA on embarkation day
- 10% off spa treatments
- Two yoga mats on Edge-class ships and “revolutionized” ships
- Daily Canapes
Celebrity Cruises Reveals Wellness Options On Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Cruises next Edge-series ship will feature the first F45 studio at sea, in-room fitness menus and a new Woman in Wellness programme as part of the lines enhanced wellness offering.
Celebrity Beyonds Aquaclass staterooms will be dedicated to wellbeing, featuring private balconies, eXhale bedding, a personal spa concierge and complimentary dining at clean cuisine restaurant Blu.
The line has also introduced Aquaclass Sky Suites on Celebrity Beyond offering guests access to The Retreat, the exclusive onboard area for suite passengers which has been significantly expanded.
New in-room fitness menus in Aquaclass staterooms and suites will allow guests to customise their own amenities, with themes including yoga, meditation, strength, stretch and cardio.
The menus were curated in partnership with lifestyle brand goop, whose founder Gwyneth Paltrow was recently revealed as the lines new wellbeing advisor.
Celebrity Beyonds spa area was designed by Kelly Hoppen and will feature eight distinct areas including a salon, barber and fitness centre.
The spa will feature a sea thermal suite a crystalarium and more than 120 destination-inspired treatments and services.
An expanded fitness studio will offer new wellness programmes, including the first at-sea programming from functional training gym brand, F45 Training, for high-intensity group workouts.
Also Check: When Is The Best Time To Cruise The Mediterranean
What Is The Difference Between The Retreat Aquaclass And Concierge Class On Celebrity Cruises
Whether you live the suite life on every cruise, or are considering trying out an elevated cruise experience on your next sailing, Celebrity Cruises offers a few ways to plus your onboard experience.
One way Celebrity stands apart from sister cruise line Royal Caribbean is by placing a larger emphasis on its suite offerings, with broad suite privileges on almost all of its ships.
If you are trying to figure out what each of the suite programs offers, here is a look at the differences between The Retreat, AquaClass and Concierge Class.
Wellness Program Details Revealed For Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Cruises has revealed new details about its luxury wellness program aboard the next Edge-class ship, Celebrity Beyond.
Creating a sanctuary at sea, the offerings onboard will rival the best spa resorts on land, and have been designed to promote holistic wellness of the mind, body, and spirit.
The SEA Thermal Suite
Wellness is so fundamental to our philosophy at Celebrity Cruises, that we continue to build and grow a truly special onboard experience where it is woven into every aspect of the guest journey from the stateroom to the spa, said President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. And, because were doing all of this at sea, which is incredibly therapeutic in itself, it becomes a wonderful wellness journey unlike anything in the world.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Read Also: How Much Does An Alaska Cruise Cost
Celebrity Cruises Ships By Size: Biggest To Smallest
The following table shows Celebrity Cruises ships ordered from largest to smallest
| ShipLengthShip | |
|---|---|
| 16 | 12 |
The most common way to compare the size of cruise ships is by tonnage. This is a measurement of the overall internal volume of a ship.
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.
The Retreat Suite Program
If you happen to book a stateroom in The Retreat, you get more included with the what you pay.
The Retreat is the name of Celebrity’s version of “ship within a ship” concept, where suite guests pay extra to get a number of exclusives available only to them.
The Retreat experience includes:
- Indulge Package at no additional charge.
The Indulge Package provides a Premium Beverage Package, prepaid tips, and an onboard credit for all guests in the stateroom, plus an Unlimited Stream Internet Package for the first and second guest. Onboard credit amount varies by length of sailing: $200 per person for sailings 1 5 nights, $300 per person for sailings 6 9 nights, and $400 per person for sailings 10 nights or longer.
Read more: What’s Included on a Celebrity Cruise?
Don’t Miss: Average 7 Day Cruise Cost
Celebrity Cruises: Is Aquaclass Worth It
Celebrity Cruises offers AquaClass staterooms on its ships, which is one step above Concierge Class staterooms, and two steps above the entry-level veranda cabins. There is no appreciable difference in cabin or balcony sizes for any of these categories.
On Edge-class ships, the balcony may be an Infinite Veranda, which is essentially a large floor-to-ceiling exterior window where the top half of the window can slide open to create a balcony. The window is accessible through a pair of folding glass doors in the cabin.
AquaClass staterooms are generally considered the highest level of accommodation on Celebrity Cruises, short of suites.
What Are The Newest Celebrity Cruise Ships
The newest Celebrity Cruises ship is Celebrity Apex. This ship was delivered on 27 March 2020. The ships original maiden voyage was scheduled for 1 April 2020. This is now expected to take place in June 2021 in Greece.
Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Edge are the newest ships in the Celebrity Cruises fleet. Two small Galapagos expedition ships, Celebrity Flora and Celebrity Xploration are also relatively new. Theres then a five-year gap in the construction of new ships, with Celebrity Reflection being built in 2012.
Read Also: What Cruise Lines Leave From Cape Liberty Nj
If Youre Wondering What Sets Each Of The Celebrity Cruises Ship Classes Apart This Expert Guide Will Provide You With All The Information You Need To Know About The Cruise Lines Fantastic Fleet
The four Celebrity Cruises ship classes all have something different to offer but are united in a number of ways, from being fitted out to the highest standards to boasting stunning guest spaces to offering first-rate, personalised service.
As well as continuing to add to its fleet with innovative new builds, Celebrity Cruises is also in the midst of an extensive $500-million refurbishment programme known as the Celebrity Revolution.
Read on to discover what defines each one of the Celebrity Cruises ship classes as well as what makes each ship unique, such as when they can expect the revolution treatment thats if they havent already been transformed.
Embarkation Day Lunch And Priority Dining Time Selection
Concierge Class guests are invited to a semi-exclusive lunch in the MDR on embarkation day, which means they can avoid the crowded buffet at the Oceanview Cafe.
Since Blu doesnt serve lunch, AquaClass guests will need to visit the buffet or another one of the dining venues for lunch.
Concierge Class guests also receive priority when selecting dining times in both the MDR and specialty restaurants, although AquaClass guests have exclusive access to Blu, which does not require reservations.
You May Like: How Much Is Disney Cruise Insurance
Enhanced Room Service Breakfast Menu
You will have access to slightly-expanded breakfast options when using room service versus those traveling in cabins without balconies. This includes:
- More cooked-to-order egg options:
Ordering room service between 11pm and 6am still incurs a $4.95 charge, which is only waived for guests staying in suites.
Aqua Class Onboard Celebrity
Hi has anyone experienced aqua class onboard a celebrity solstice class ship ? What are the main advantages and does the evening menu change? Also is it easy to dine in the main restaurant in the evening if you wish? Any tips appreciate.
Many thanks
We’ve sailed Aqua Class since inception. Yes, the evening menu changes each night. And has some delicious options. They have the “Always available” section, and the portion that changes by night.
Perks of Aqua are: smaller, more intimate dining room that is always smart casual, Persian garden on port days, two bottles water on embarkation, spa scents in cabin etc…..details at Celebrity website. The main perk is Blu for dining, which is always anytime, always smart casual, and has “cleaner” quisine, meaning less creams and heavy sauces, less sodium overall, etc.
Being in Aqua Class, your assigned dining room is Blu, period. If you would like try the Main Dining Room one night, you’ll have to make arrangements in advance with Blu and MDR to assure a table.
The main perk of Aqua Class is Blu. And the extra Captain’s Circle points. Otherwise, it has little benefit.
Only you know whether that’s worth it to you..
Edited: 5 years ago
> > > Only you know whether that’s worth it to you..< < <
But everyone likes different thing sand has different values, so I would never knock anyone who does think it’s worth it.
Yes, that’s it exactly, if you value things like Blu and Persian Garden more than we do, you may well find it worth it!
You May Like: What Cruise Lines Go To Hawaii From California