Is Celebrity Cruises Right for You: A Canadian's Honest Guide
Celebrity suits you if you want a polished, food-focused cruise with a grown-up atmosphere and don't mind paying a bit more than mainstream fares. It is a poor fit if you want waterslides, wall-to-wall kids' activities or the lowest possible price.
Where Celebrity sits in the market
Celebrity calls itself "modern luxury". In practice it is premium: a step up from its sister line Royal Caribbean, Norwegian or Carnival, and a step below luxury lines that include nearly everything. Expect design-led interiors, a serious art collection, well-regarded specialty restaurants and a guest mix that leans towards couples and travellers over 40.
Families do sail, mostly in summer and over Christmas, but the ships aren't built around them. Pools and lounges tend to be calmer than on the biggest mega-ships. If crowds are what put you off cruising, see cruises for couples who don't like crowds.
Edge class or an older ship: which Celebrity are you booking?
The ship matters more on Celebrity than on many lines, because the fleet spans several generations.
| Class | Ships | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Edge | Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel | Magic Carpet platform, Infinite Veranda cabins, Eden, Rooftop Garden, the newest tech |
| Solstice | Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, Reflection | Real-grass Lawn Club, classic Celebrity layout, often good-value balconies |
| Millennium | Millennium, Infinity, Summit, Constellation | Smallest and oldest, refitted with Retreat suites, more intimate |
Edge-class ships usually cost more for a similar itinerary, and Solstice-class sailings are often where the value sits. In Alaska either works well, because the scenery is the main event.
What's included, and what isn't
A cruise-only fare covers your cabin, the main dining room, the Oceanview Café buffet, entertainment, and basics like water, coffee and tea at the buffet. On Edge-class ships the main dining room is four complimentary restaurants rather than one. Celebrity also sells an All Included fare that adds the Classic drinks package and Basic wifi.
Daily gratuities were taken out of All Included in late 2023 and are now extra: US$19.50 per person per day in standard cabins since July 2026. Specialty restaurants, Premium wifi and excursions cost extra on any fare except where a suite includes them.
Cabin tiers worth knowing
- Concierge Class: a balcony cabin with small upgrades such as priority boarding and extra in-cabin touches.
- AquaClass: spa-focused cabins with access to the Blu restaurant and the spa's relaxation areas.
- The Retreat: suites with a private lounge and sundeck, the Luminae restaurant and butler service, plus the Premium drinks package and Premium wifi at recent terms.
Celebrity for Canadians: ports, flights and currency
Alaska from Vancouver
For 2026, Celebrity's Alaska ships are Celebrity Edge, Solstice and Summit, sailing from Vancouver, Seattle and one-way from Seward. Its itineraries usually feature Hubbard Glacier or Endicott Arm rather than Glacier Bay, which matters if Glacier Bay is on your list; compare them in Glacier Bay vs Hubbard vs Endicott Arm. Albertans weighing ports can use Calgary to Seattle vs Vancouver.
Caribbean from Florida
Celebrity's Caribbean sailings centre on Fort Lauderdale and Miami, with Celebrity Beyond sailing the Caribbean year-round from those ports. Nonstop flights from Toronto and Montreal make the fly-cruise simple, as covered in Toronto to Fort Lauderdale cruise flights.
Paying in Canadian dollars
Celebrity sells fares to Canadian residents in CAD, but everything on board posts in US dollars. Prepaying gratuities on your booking, and settling the onboard account with a no-foreign-transaction-fee card, keeps the exchange cost down.
Who Celebrity suits, and who should look elsewhere
Celebrity is a strong choice for:
- Couples and friends who rate food, wine and design highly.
- Travellers over 50 who want an elegant ship without luxury prices; see best cruise lines for couples over 50.
- First-timers who want a clear step up from mainstream lines.
Look elsewhere if:
- Your kids want waterslides and big family shows. Celebrity has a kids club but no waterslides.
- Price is the deciding factor, since mainstream lines are cheaper.
- You want drinks, gratuities and excursions all in; compare luxury lines and their real extra spend.
- Glacier Bay is a must on your Alaska trip.
Celebrity policies explained
The practical rules people search for most, in plain language:
- Celebrity price drop policy
- Celebrity gratuities
- Celebrity cancellation policy
- CPAP on Celebrity
- Celebrity dress code
- Celebrity smoking and vaping policy
- Celebrity alcohol policy
- Celebrity kids club ages
- Celebrity wifi packages
- Celebrity drink package price
Have a question about this? A licensed cruise expert can answer it for free — no booking required, no pressure.
Ask a cruise expert →Comparing Celebrity against your actual options
Premium pricing varies enough between lines, ships and dates that assumptions rarely hold. Price your shortlist side by side, with drinks, wifi and gratuities counted, before you commit.
Want this priced up for your dates? Speak to a licensed cruise expert — same price as booking direct, plus perks like onboard credit and prepaid gratuities the websites don't show. No fee, no obligation, and you can book online if you'd rather.
Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Is Celebrity Cruises good for couples over 50?
Generally yes. Design-led ships, strong dining, an adults-only Solarium and quieter evenings match what many couples over 50 want, without luxury-line prices. Families do sail Celebrity, but the mood leans adult.
Does Celebrity Cruises sail from Vancouver?
Yes. Celebrity runs summer Alaska sailings from Vancouver as well as Seattle and one-way trips from Seward; for 2026 its Alaska ships are Celebrity Edge, Solstice and Summit. Check which ship sails from which port for your dates.
What is The Retreat on Celebrity?
The Retreat is Celebrity's suite area, with a private lounge, a sundeck, the Luminae restaurant and butler service. At recent terms Retreat fares include the Premium drinks package and Premium wifi, but daily gratuities are still charged separately.
More questions you might have
- When Should You Book Cruise ExcursionsThe booking window that decides whether you get the popular tour or the leftovers — and how far ahead the best excursions actually sell out.
- Do Cruise Ships Have Laundry and What Does It CostPacking light for a long cruise — the laundry options that make it possible, plus the bring-your-own alcohol and water rules that surprise first-timers.
- Disney Cruise Line Wifi Packages: Cost, Speed and Whether to Buy Before You SailWhat Disney Cruise Line's internet (Connect@Sea) costs per day, the tiers, when it's bundled free, and whether pre-cruise pricing beats buying on board.
- Norwegian Cruise Line Smoking and Vaping Policy: Where You Can and Can'tNorwegian Cruise Line's rules on cigarettes and vapes — the designated outdoor spots, the balcony ban, the casino question, and the fine if you get it wrong.
- Toronto to Miami for a Caribbean Cruise: Flights, Timing and CostsFlight times, realistic fares, MIA to the port in 20 minutes, and what the whole week costs from Toronto — Miami vs Fort Lauderdale decided.
- Cruises With Cooking Classes: Which Lines Run Real Culinary ProgramsHands-on classes vs demo theatres, what they cost, the lines worth choosing for food, and how to book before the sessions fill.
Booking essentials: Is It Cheaper to Book a Cruise Through a Travel Agent · What Are Expedia Extras on a Cruise Booking · Onboard Credit Explained and How to Get More · Cruise Line Policies Compared: 8 Lines Side by Side (2026)