Do you have an upcoming Celebrity Silhouette cruise? If so, you need to read this.
I’m sharing everything I learned on my twelve night cruise on Celebrity Silhouette— things I wish someone had told me before my cruise.
Free Champagne
If you want free champagne, here’s a tip. Attend the art auction. They give out complimentary champagne to all attendees, and there is absolutely no pressure to buy anything.
You can also find free champagne at the Welcome Aboard reception on the first day, so check your daily planner.
Oceanview Café
The buffet can get extremely crowded—sometimes it’s hard to even find a single empty table. It was packed on embarkation day, during lunch, and honestly, it stayed that way for most of the cruise. Breakfast on sea days and lunchtime weren’t much better.
If you’re traveling with a larger group like I was, it becomes even more challenging. But there are ways to make it work.
If you can, try eating during off-hours. Even going to breakfast just thirty minutes earlier or later makes a huge difference. And for lunch, consider heading to the main dining room instead. It’s calm, quiet, and the food is excellent.
You can also try the outdoor seating areas—they do fill up, but it’s still easier to find a table out there.
Free Food at Café al Bacio
Now let’s talk about Café al Bacio, Celebrity’s specialty coffee shop. The coffee isn’t free, but a lot of people don’t realize that the pastries and snacks are completely complimentary.
They’re displayed behind the glass with no sign saying they’re included, so it’s easy to assume they cost extra. I was one of those people—I didn’t realize the food was free until a few days into my cruise.
The cookies are amazing, and it’s the perfect spot to grab an afternoon snack without having to trek all the way up to the buffet.
Laundry Bag Size
Now we need to talk about the laundry bags on Celebrity Silhouette. If you’re planning to use the wash-and-fold laundry service, prepare yourself for a little surprise.
The laundry bag is tiny. Much smaller than what you’d expect. I had to order two bags for my family of four.
The good news is that for one price, you can stuff the bag as full as you want, but just don’t expect a full-sized bag. If you’re cruising on a longer itinerary, like I was, this is something you’ll want to plan for.
Free Spa Facilities
Okay, I almost don’t want to tell you this, but here’s a little secret: the spa locker rooms and the spa waiting area are free to use.
And the best part? You don’t need an appointment at all. You can enjoy the saunas and showers without paying a thing.
Themed Buffet
One of my favorite things about this cruise was the themed buffet. Celebrity really goes all out, and honestly, it’s something a lot of guests miss because it’s not always announced.
One night, we stumbled on Oktoberfest night, complete with all kinds of sausages and warm pretzels.
But it’s not just evenings—some of the best themes happen during lunch on sea days. One day, the buffet was transformed into a giant dessert wonderland, and another day, they had an incredible seafood spread, including amazing shrimp cocktail.
The trick is to check the buffet every now and then, even if you’re not planning to eat. That way you can see what theme is happening before it’s gone.
You don’t have to eat twice, but if you do decide to grab a little extra, well… you’re on a cruise—why not?
Lavazza Coffee All Day
Another great perk on Celebrity Silhouette is the all-day Lavazza coffee at the buffet. As a Lavazza fan, I really appreciate this. You can get regular or decaf coffee anytime—completely free.
Free Drinks in the Casino
A lot of first-time Celebrity cruisers don’t know this, but you can get free drinks in the casino. As long as you’re actively playing, servers will come around and offer complimentary drinks.
Slide your SeaPass card into the slot machine or play at a table, and you can order drinks without paying extra.
Formal Night Dinner
Don’t miss the formal night dinner in the main dining room. Celebrity really goes all out, and it ended up being one of the best meals of the entire cruise.
You’ll find premium dishes like steak, duck confit, and lobster—all included in your cruise fare. Just make sure to ask your waiter when formal night is so you don’t accidentally end up at a specialty restaurant or, even worse, the buffet.
Mast Grill Burgers
If you want a good burger on Celebrity Silhouette, make sure you stop by the Mast Grill. They cook the burgers fresh, and they taste so much better than the ones at the buffet.
My son loves the burgers there. Most days, he would order a burger at Mast Grill and then bring it back to our table at the buffet.
Tote Bags and Umbrellas
One thing that makes Celebrity Cruises feel more upscale is the little touches—like complimentary tote bags and umbrellas.
On embarkation day, I received tote bags, and they were really high quality, with a small zippered pouch inside that was super handy for keeping things organized on port days.
They also provide umbrellas in the stateroom, which came in very handy during those rainy port days.
The Library as a Quiet Spot
If you need a quiet escape from the crowds, head to the library on Celebrity Silhouette. Unlike the small, dark libraries you’ll find on some other cruise ships, this one is bright, airy, and spacious with high ceilings and plenty of comfortable seating.
There’s also a great selection of books you can borrow for free. It’s peaceful, relaxing, and the perfect spot to read or just unwind for a while.
Captain’s Club Perks
If you’ve sailed with Royal Caribbean or Silversea before, it’s worth checking whether you’re already a Celebrity Captain’s Club member. Celebrity recently offered a status match, so you might have loyalty perks waiting for you without even realizing it.
As a member, you get some really great benefits. Elite members and above, for example, enjoy free laundry bags and complimentary drinks.
And definitely don’t skip the special Captain’s Club events—I got to attend a VIP party, a backstage ship tour, and a wine tasting. These perks really make the whole cruise experience feel extra special.
Bathroom Amenities
If you’re wondering what toiletries you need to pack, Celebrity provides shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, and even a shower cap. So you can definitely pack a little lighter.
Eggs Benedict at the Buffet
If you’ve watched my other videos, you already know my go-to breakfast item is Eggs Benedict. But I almost never make it to the main dining room for breakfast. Between my teen daughter who loves to sleep in and my son who takes forever to get moving, a sit-down breakfast is basically impossible for us.
So I’m usually stuck with buffet Eggs Benedict—which, on most ships, is… not great.
That’s why I was so pleasantly surprised on Celebrity Silhouette. Their Eggs Benedict is made to order. They actually poach the egg fresh when you ask for it—not sitting in a pan, not drying out—fresh.
And that was a total game changer for me. I ordered it every single morning. They even had different variations, and my favorite was the Mexican Benedict.
Bathrobes in Every Cabin
Another nice touch is that Celebrity provides bathrobes in every cabin. You don’t have to request them, and they’re not limited to suites. It’s one of those things that adds to the upscale experience of the ship.
All-Day Juice
One thing I really appreciate is that juice is available for free all day at the buffet. Breakfast has the widest selection, but even later in the day, you can help yourself to lemonade and fruit punch from the buffet drink stations.
Continental Breakfast Room Service
Another thing a lot of people don’t realize is how room service works on Celebrity. Most orders come with a service charge, but there’s one exception: continental breakfast. If you stick to continental breakfast items, room service is completely free.
Continental breakfast includes things like pastries, croissants, yogurt, cereal, fruit, juice, and coffee—basically anything that doesn’t require cooking. But if you add items like eggs, bacon, pancakes, or omelets, the system treats it as a regular room service order, and the service fee applies.
It’s super convenient, especially with kids. Instead of rushing everyone to get dressed and head to the buffet for an early excursion, we can enjoy a light breakfast in our cabin, take our time, and leave without stress. It’s also perfect on sea days when you want a slow, relaxing morning.
The Lawn Club
A unique feature on Celebrity Silhouette is the Lawn Club. Yes, it’s an actual grass lawn on the upper deck. It’s such a relaxing spot to sit, play on the grass, or let kids run around and burn off some energy.
During my cruise, the grass did have a few yellow spots, but I have to give Celebrity credit—they’re trying, and I know how hard it is to maintain a perfect lawn.
Even with a few imperfections, it’s still a really cool and unusual space on a cruise ship.
Free Texting on the App
On Celebrity, you can text for free using the Celebrity Cruise app. It lets you message other passengers on the ship without buying Wi-Fi, which makes coordinating plans with family or friends super easy.
The only downside is that it’s not available for kids under thirteen, so if you have an independent twelve-year-old like I do, it can be a bit trickier to keep track of them.
Turndown Chocolates
Celebrity still does traditional turndown service with chocolates on your pillow. A lot of cruise lines have cut this, but Celebrity still keeps the tradition alive.
It’s a small gesture, but my kids look forward to it every single evening.
Free Ice Cream
One of the things my kids love is the free ice cream at the buffet. And yes—it’s real ice cream, not just soft serve. You can get it in a cone or a bowl, and they even have toppings.
Just remember that the gelato in Café al Bacio is not free, so don’t confuse the two.
Lounge Chairs Everywhere
One thing Celebrity Silhouette does really well is provide plenty of lounge chairs. On many cruise ships, finding a chair can be a challenge, especially with chair hogs, but during my summer cruise, I never had trouble finding a spot.
Whether at the outdoor pool or in the indoor solarium, there were always chairs available. They arrange them efficiently, placing them close together, which actually works really well—nobody is wandering around searching for seats.
SeaPass Cards
Here’s something new cruisers may not know about. Unlike other cruise lines, Celebrity does not give you your SeaPass cards at check-in.
Instead, when you board the ship, you’ll find your cruise card waiting for you in an envelope outside your stateroom door. So after boarding, head straight to your cabin to pick them up.
Silent Disco
If you’ve never tried Silent Disco, you have to experience it. You get headphones with different music channels, and everyone dances to their own beat.
It looks hilarious from the outside, but it’s so much fun. My kids loved it, and honestly, so did I.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
Family Vacation 101 participates in affiliate programs including the Amazon Associates Program and may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
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.
Get Your FREE Cruise Packing List
Sign up once and you will get access to ALL exclusive content on this website. After unlocking the printable, just save the printable image and then print it. Use it to help you pack for your cruise vacation. I hope you like it!
Download my free Cruise Packing List printable.
