If you’re thinking about sailing on Celebrity, you’re probably wondering — is it really more upscale, or just smart marketing? And more importantly, is it worth paying extra?
Celebrity is marketed as a more luxurious alternative to its sister cruise line, Royal Caribbean, and it’s usually more expensive. But does the experience actually justify that higher price?
I’ve been on over 25 cruises, including two with Celebrity, and I’ll be sharing my firsthand experiences. I’ll compare Celebrity to other mainstream cruise lines to see if it’s really more upscale — or if it’s mostly just a clever marketing strategy with a higher price tag.
Ambiance
First off, the ambiance on Celebrity cruise really does feel more upscale. The furniture, carpeting, and small details all feel more refined — from plush theater seats to the heavier, solid chairs in the main dining room.
The public spaces and dining rooms have a stylish, contemporary design, and even the cabin bathrooms feel more spacious than on most mainstream cruise lines.
On ships with the Lawn Club, having real grass on board adds an extra touch of sophistication.
Upscale Resort Experience
Celebrity Cruise does have elements of an upscale resort that you don’t always find on mainstream cruise lines.
For example, pool towels are self-serve—no need to sign in or out. It’s a small touch, but it’s a big convenience. You can take as many towels as you need without worrying about keeping track, which is standard in luxury resorts.
Another subtle difference is that there aren’t too many photographers. Cheesy photo booths are rare on the ship. It keeps the public spaces feeling more refined.
Even the little touches, like how mail is delivered to your cabin, makes the experience feel more refined. Mail arrives in envelopes—and even the spa and gift shop flyers come in envelopes. This adds a polished, upscale feel.
That said, not every aspect of the “upscale resort” experience worked for me.
For example, the cabin bathrooms don’t have a retractable clothesline, there are only two small hooks. I get that the design is trying to mimic luxury hotels like the Ritz-Carlton, where guests aren’t expected to rinse clothes in the sink — but it’s just not practical. I don’t know about you, but I’m not bringing a swimsuit for every day of the cruise, and if I rinse it, I need somewhere to hang it.
Another thing I don’t like about Celebrity is that prices are slightly higher than other cruise lines.
For example, when you order the wash-and-fold service, you’ll get a laundry bag that is noticeably smaller than usual, so you end up paying more. While the bag itself is fancier—it’s cloth and embroidered instead of nylon—but at the end of the day, it’s still just laundry.
This kind of pricing strategy is common in luxury hotels, which I don’t like.
Food
Now let’s talk about the food — because this is usually where people ask, is it actually better, and is it worth paying more?
In the main dining room, Celebrity definitely gives you more food choices. On many cruise lines, you’ll see maybe four or five entrées a night. On Celebrity cruises, it’s closer to nine — usually a mix of fish, chicken, lamb or stew, steak, and a vegetarian option.
There’s also a good variety of appetizers, and I appreciate that classics like shrimp cocktail and escargot are available every night. And on themed or formal nights, you’ll see premium items like lobster, steak, and baked Alaska.
That said, nothing really ‘wowed’ me. Some cruise lines have signature dishes — for example, Princess cruise has soufflés — but Celebrity doesn’t quite have that one dish that feels truly special.
The menu is polished and definitely supports the upscale image, but it’s not dramatically different from other mainstream cruise lines. At this point, most cruises serve steak and lobster on formal nights, so it doesn’t really set Celebrity apart.
One thing where Celebrity does feel more upscale is the food presentation. The food is carefully plated, and that alone makes the dining experience feel more elevated.
The buffet also feels a step above average. What really sets it apart are the cook-to-order stations — things like fresh pasta, stir-fry stations or made to order Eggs Benedict at breakfast.
And in keeping with Celebrity’s wellness-focus, there are plenty of healthy and vegetarian options.
Themed buffet nights—like a seafood extravaganza or an impressive dessert and cake spread—also add a touch of luxury.
If I had one criticism, it’s that some dishes are a little under-seasoned and can taste bland at times — though that really comes down to personal preference.
So is the food more upscale? Maybe — but not by a huge margin. Even budget-friendly cruise lines are putting out much better food these days.
For Celebrity to really impress me, I’d love to see something more distinctive, like tableside Caesar salad or Cherry Jubilee. Right now, the food feels refined and well-executed, but still very similar to other mainstream cruise lines.
Main Dining Room Service
Walking into Celebrity’s main dining room, I had high expectations for a more luxurious experience. And visually, it delivers. The lighting, layout, and furnishings immediately feel refined and sophisticated.
When it comes to service, one thing that sets Celebrity apart is that there are sommeliers in the main dining room. Most cruise lines have cut this service to save costs, so it’s a nice extra.
Our sommelier was attentive and knowledgeable, helping us pick wines that paired perfectly with our meals, which added an extra layer of polish to the dining experience.
The waitstaff and assistant waiters were also amazing—organized, professional, and attentive. That said, the service didn’t feel dramatically different from what I’ve experienced on other lines. Even more affordable cruise lines, like MSC, have the same high level of service in their main dining rooms.
Where Celebrity falls a bit short for me is the dining room layout. For an upscale cruise line, I expected the dining room to feel more spacious. On the Celebrity Silhouette, the tables are set very close together, which makes the room feel crowded — especially during peak dinner hours.
I’ve seen this on other mainstream cruise lines that try to pack in as many passengers as possible, and I was disappointed to see the same thing on Celebrity.
So, is the main dining room experience truly more upscale? Aside from the sommeliers, the overall experience is polished and professional, but it’s not dramatically different from what you’ll find on other mainstream cruise lines.
Buffet Experience
I had pretty high expectations for Celebrity cruise’s buffet. I was expecting something calmer and more relaxed — but honestly, that wasn’t my experience. The atmosphere felt just as busy as higher-energy cruise lines like Norwegian, and during peak hours, finding a table is a real challenge.
I was also expecting more from the buffet service. Most of the staff interactions we had were actually from the bar staff asking if we wanted to buy drinks, rather than buffet staff offering help.
I’ll admit, my experiences on Princess Cruises may have set the bar high. On Princess, buffet staff will bring drinks to your table — including complimentary water, juice, and coffee — and they’re very proactive about helping guests, whether that means carrying plates or assisting with food choices. That level of service on Princess cruise really makes the buffet feel more upscale.
Traveling with my mother-in-law, who has mobility issues, that difference stood out even more. On Celebrity, she only received help only once during the entire cruise, and the rest of the time, staff didn’t really offer any assistance.
So overall, Celebrity’s buffet didn’t quite match the upscale experience I was expecting. The food selection was good, but the crowded atmosphere and limited service made it feel more like a typical mainstream cruise buffet than a premium one.
Cabin Service
You’d expect an upscale cruise line to have exceptional cabin service, right? But that wasn’t my experience on Celebrity. Overall, it didn’t feel much different from what I’ve seen on other cruise lines, and in one case, it actually felt below expectations.
On one cruise, I had to specifically request a deep cleaning of the bathroom because of a persistent odor — something I wouldn’t expect from an upscale cruise line.
Celebrity does offer nightly turndown service, which is standard on higher-end ships and exactly what I expected. Beyond that, though, the cabin service felt pretty ordinary. . It was fine — just not a noticeable step above most mainstream cruise lines.
Cabin Amenities
Celebrity Cruise cabins do include some nice upscale touches. For example, every guest gets a robe, not just suite passengers, and you don’t have to request one.
They also provide umbrellas in the cabin, just like a high-end resort.
And on embarkation day, we received complimentary tote bags that felt premium, not the cheap nylon type. The bag even had an inside zip pouch—another small detail that adds to the upscale feel.
The bathroom toiletries were also above average for a cruise line. In addition to shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel, there was lotion and even a shower cap. In today’s world of cost-cutting, I appreciated these little extras.
That said, if you’re expecting full hotel-level luxury, you might be disappointed. The towels weren’t as plush as I expected, and the sheets didn’t feel any more luxurious than what you get on other mainstream cruise lines. Extras like a pillow menu or specialty bedding could have elevated the experience. Overall, the amenities were thoughtful and nice — but not something I’d pay extra for.
Is Celebrity Cruise Upscale?
So, does Celebrity Cruise live up to its reputation as an upscale cruise line? The short answer: sometimes, but not consistently. The public spaces are polished, sophisticated, and clearly designed to appeal to a more refined crowd. From the décor to the overall atmosphere, it definitely feels more stylish than many mainstream cruise lines.
But when it comes to the areas that really define an upscale experience—food, service, and cabin amenities—Celebrity doesn’t quite rise above the competition. I was hoping for a high-end cruise experience, but in many ways, it felt very similar to other popular cruise lines. The differences are subtle, and not enough to make it worth paying extra for Celebrity cruise.
Would I sail with Celebrity again? Definitely yes. It’s a very nice cruise. But if I were deciding between a similar itinerary on another mainstream cruise line, I wouldn’t pay extra just to sail with Celebrity. The experience is nice, but it doesn’t provide enough additional value to justify the higher cost.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
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Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cruise Planning Essentials
Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.
Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.
Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
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