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Celebrity Cruises was the brainchild of John Chandris of the renowned Greek shipping family, who created the cruise line in 1989, promising he would "exceed expectations". He accomplished his goal by offering much higher standards of food and service than cruisers were accustomed to in a mid-price cruise experience.
In addition to the smaller Horizon and Zenith, Chandris ordered three new stunning ships in the mid 1990's, Century, Galaxy and Mercury. They were the first mid-price ships to boast suites with butlers, the largest spas at sea, an extensive collection of private art, large staterooms in all categories and sophisticated touches such as a private cigar club, champagne and martini bars.
Acquired by Royal Caribbean International in 1997, Celebrity Cruises has retained its own identity, with food and service maintained at high levels.
In June, 2000 Celebrity launched the Millennium, the first vessel in the series four "Project Millennium" ships. Three sister ships followed: Infinity (2001), Summit (2001) and Constellation (2002). These ships represent a new era of sophisticated vessels with advanced technology. At 91,000 tons, the focal point of these ships is a three-deck atrium and a 25,000 sq.ft. spa -- including a solarium and health club -- the largest afloat. Glass elevators on the ship's exterior allow panoramic ocean views. One distinctive feature is the alternative restaurant which honors a famous liner from the past; the Olympic on Millennium, S.S.United States, on Infinity and the Normandie on Summit.
Constellation's "Ocean Liners" restaurant recalls the best of classic transatlantic travel with artifacts from a number of famous liners. While there is a $25 per person surcharge levied for dining in these restaurants, the glamorous spots fill up on each cruise. These vessels have the first full service floral conservatories at sea. This unique botanical environment of flowers, plants and trees is created by award-winning floral designer, Emilio Robba of Paris. His attractive floral art can also be found throughout the ship. Millennium-class ships feature the largest suites at sea and some 56% of all accommodations have private verandahs, including six disabled-access suites with balconies. Celebrity's current "signature" features, including Michael's Club, the Cova Cafe from Milan, AquaSpa, cuisine by Michel Roux and alternative dining options, are also found onboard.
Celebrity's 1990-built Horizon will move to the British based Island Cruises fleet in October 2005 under a six-year lease agreement.
The Celebrity Experience:
These are primarily ships for adults seeking the finer things in life with the signature "Michael's Club" cigar lounge plus martini and champagne/caviar bars, the elegant Cova Cafe and, onboard the millennium-class ships, a music library chess area and floral conservatory. While these trappings are sophisticated and the decor subdued, it's still an upbeat atmosphere with the traditional casino, floor shows, lounges for cabaret and piano bar. You will find cuisine made from scratch and special touches including a sorbet course on formal nights. Adding to the stylish elegance is the line's adherence to a traditional dress code with two formal and two informal nights on a seven night cruise.
Celebrity boasts the largest spas afloat, spacious cabins, extra perks such as hair dryers, in-cabin massages and in-cabin dining from the restaurant menus including full breakfast service. These technologically sophisticated ships have interactive TV enabling you to order wine for dinner, book shore excursion or try your luck at games of chance without leaving your cabin. Amenities for suite passengers are superior to mid-market lines with butlers serving meals in-suite and assisting with unpacking and packing. Celebrity has many Greek staff members, especially the officers, so how could the ships ever be stuffy? While children do cruise during vacations, some Alaska cruises and aboard Century's Caribbean cruises, these ships are primarily for adults. We found entertainment to be above average, but not up to the top levels found aboard Royal Caribbean and Carnival.
Fellow Passengers
During one-week Caribbean and Alaska cruises, you'll find most passengers in their 40's and 50's plus families during vacation and holiday periods. On longer cruises, including Europe and South America itineraries, passengers tend to be in the 60+ age group.
Shore Excursions:
On par with other cruise lines in terms of quality and price. Celebrity Xpeditions excursions are unique experiences ashore. The program got underway in 2004 with a behind-the-scenes tour of the former headquarters of the KGB and Kremlin in Moscow and a race car driving academy led by professional drivers Justin and Derek Bell in Palm Beach, Florida. See the line's web site www.celebrity.com for a complete listing and description of shore excursions. They can be booked online up to ten days before sailing.
Taking The Kids:
While Celebrity's ships are primarily geared for adults, you'll find excellent activities for children year-round with the Club X program. Century, cruising year-round in the Caribbean, and Zenith during New York/Bermuda sailings are especially popular with families. More families are also cruising Alaska. Century, Galaxy and Mercury have separate teen discos and more extensive facilities than the newer Millennium, Infinity, Summit and Constellation. Youth activities are arranged by age groups, which vary between high and low seasons: Shipmates, 3-6, Celebrity Cadets, 7-9, Ensigns, 10-12 and Admiral T's, 13-15 and 16-17. 18 year olds are welcome to use the teen facilities.
The youth program maintains the same hours whether in port or at sea: 9 a.m. to noon; 2 to 5:30 p.m.; and 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. Group babysitting is available in the youth room for children ages three to 12, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., at a fee of $6 per hour per child. Private babysitting is available in your stateroom for $8 per hour per child (maximum two). Make arrangements for private babysitting as early in your cruise as possible through Guest Relations or Stateroom Services departments.
A special complimentary service offered to all is "Parents' Nights Out," when youth counselors take children to a pizza party during dinner on the two formal nights of a seven-day cruise.
Note that no pagers, cribs or strollers are provided.
Theme Cruises and Special Programs:
Celebrity offers the Acupuncture at Sea program, culinary cruises and entertainment by Cirque du Soleil on some ships. For a list of current offerings see the theme cruise page.
Past Passenger Program:
Celebrity's "Captain's Club" is a three-tiered program with a variety of benefits based on the number of cruises taken. The club sponsors four, annual Captain's Club reunion cruises. Other benefits include complimentary one-category upgrades (selected categories/cruises); cruise video; priority embarkation and debarkation; newsletter; complimentary wine tasting, cocktail party and other perks. For further information call 1-800-760-0654 or 1-316-554-5961.
Tipping:
Celebrity suggests a per person per day gratuity of $3.50 for the waiter, butler (Suites only) and stateroom attendant; $2.00 for the Assistant Waiter; .75 for the Maitre d'; .50 for the Chief Housekeeper.
A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to all beverage tabs. Gratuities for room service, spa, casino and other staff are at your discretion.
For the Xpedition, gratuities to shipboard personnel are included in the fare. Rates:
Save by booking early and check with your travel agent for specials. Per person, double occupancy fares with advance purchase discounts start at:
- Century, one-week Caribbean $755
- Constellation, Millennium, one-week Caribbean $905
- Galaxy, 10-night Caribbean, $900
- Horizon, one-week Bermuda, $700
- Horizon, 10-night Caribbean $825
- Infinity, 11-night Hawaii, $1,300
- Infinity, one-week Alaska, $1,010
- Mercury, one-week Alaska, $900
- Summit, 10-night Caribbean $1,030
- Zenith, one-week Bermuda, $1,100
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