I’m excited to share that I’ve just booked my first Celebrity cruise! As someone who primarily travels with Royal Caribbean, I was initially hesitant about trying Celebrity Cruises. However, after hearing positive reviews and learning about the unique features of the Edge class ships, I decided it was time for a new experience. Celebrity Cruises is known for offering a more upscale experience than mainstream options, while still being considered a premium cruise line rather than a luxury product. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Celebrity Cruises now includes unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, and daily gratuities in its base fare as part of its “always included” pricing structure. With the special group rate I found, I was able to book two concierge class cabins on Deck 6 of the Celebrity Apex at a discounted price, which came out to $7,972.84. Now I can’t wait to embark on this new adventure and would love to hear tips and advice from others who have tried Celebrity Cruises or the Edge class ships.
Choosing Celebrity Cruises
Initial hesitation
When deciding to book a cruise with Celebrity Cruises, I initially had some hesitation. As someone who primarily travels with Royal Caribbean, I was not sure if Celebrity Cruises would be the right fit for me. I had heard positive things about Celebrity from friends who had tried it, but I also had some misconceptions about the cruise line. I believed that Celebrity catered more towards older individuals without children, which made me unsure if it would be a good fit for my family. However, after doing some research, I realized that Celebrity Cruises offered a premium cruise experience with a contemporary vibe and unique features that could appeal to both me and my family.
Premium cruise line
Celebrity Cruises is often described as a premium cruise line. While it is not considered a luxury product, it offers a more upscale experience compared to mainstream cruise options. Celebrity’s ships are stylish and modern, providing an elegant atmosphere for passengers. The cruise line aims to attract a sophisticated crowd who appreciates the finer things in life. This premium experience can be seen in Celebrity’s culinary offerings, onboard activities, and overall ambiance. By choosing Celebrity Cruises, I knew that I would be getting a higher level of service and quality compared to other mainstream cruise lines.
Not a luxury product
It is important to note that while Celebrity Cruises is a premium cruise line, it falls short of being categorized as a luxury product. This differentiation is important to consider when deciding whether or not to book a cruise with Celebrity. Luxury cruise lines offer an even higher level of service, exclusivity, and amenities, often at a significantly higher price point. Celebrity Cruises provides a more elevated experience than mainstream options but does not reach the level of luxury. Keeping this in mind, I was able to set my expectations accordingly and appreciate the value that Celebrity Cruises offers.
Always Included Pricing Structure
Inclusion of unlimited drinks
One of the major benefits of booking a cruise with Celebrity Cruises is their “always included” pricing structure. As of late 2020, Celebrity started including certain amenities in their base fare, making the cruise more all-inclusive. One of these inclusions is unlimited drinks. This means that passengers can enjoy unlimited cocktails, wine by the glass, beers, and sodas throughout their cruise without having to worry about additional costs. This was a significant selling point for me, as I usually enjoy having a drink or two while on vacation.
Inclusion of Wi-Fi
Another inclusion in Celebrity’s always included pricing structure is Wi-Fi. In today’s digital age, having access to Wi-Fi is essential for many travelers. Whether it’s staying connected with loved ones back home or sharing vacation photos on social media, having Wi-Fi on board can greatly enhance the cruise experience. By including Wi-Fi in the base fare, Celebrity Cruises eliminates the need for passengers to purchase costly internet packages, which can add up over the course of a cruise.
Inclusion of daily gratuities
One expense that can often catch cruisers off guard is daily gratuities. These are the fees that are typically added to a passenger’s onboard account to cover tips for the ship’s crew. However, with Celebrity Cruises’ always included pricing structure, daily gratuities are already factored into the base fare. This means that passengers do not have to worry about calculating and budgeting for these additional costs. The inclusion of daily gratuities ensures that the crew members are fairly compensated for their hard work, while also providing a hassle-free experience for passengers.
Selecting the Celebrity Apex
Part of the Edge class ships
When it came time to choose which ship to book with Celebrity Cruises, I was immediately drawn to the Celebrity Apex. The Celebrity Apex is part of the Edge class ships, which are the newest group of ships in the Celebrity fleet. The first ship in this class, the Celebrity Edge, launched in 2018 and received rave reviews for its innovative design and unique features. The Edge class ships have redefined what Celebrity Cruises is all about and offer a fresh take on the cruise experience. I was excited to have the opportunity to sail on one of these cutting-edge ships and see for myself what all the hype was about.
Contemporary vibe and unique features
One of the standout features of the Edge class ships is their contemporary vibe. These ships have a sleek and modern design that sets them apart from traditional cruise ships. From the moment I saw pictures of the Celebrity Apex, I was captivated by its stunning architecture and stylish interiors. The ship’s public spaces are thoughtfully designed, creating a sophisticated and chic atmosphere. I was looking forward to immersing myself in this contemporary ambiance and experiencing the unique features that the Celebrity Apex had to offer.
Curiosity about children’s programming
As a family traveler, one of my concerns when booking with Celebrity Cruises was the availability and quality of children’s programming. While I had heard great things about Celebrity Cruises from friends, most of them were either retirees or did not have children. I wasn’t sure if Celebrity would have enough activities and entertainment options to keep my kids occupied and engaged throughout the cruise. However, after doing some research, I discovered that Celebrity Cruises offers a comprehensive children’s program called Camp at Sea. This program provides supervised activities for kids between the ages of 3 and 12, divided into three age groups. From arts and crafts to scavenger hunts, there is a range of age-appropriate activities that my children could participate in. I was excited to see how my kids would enjoy the Camp at Sea program and make new friends while onboard the Celebrity Apex.
Curiosity about smoke-free casino
Another unique feature of the Celebrity Apex that piqued my curiosity was the smoke-free casino. As someone who enjoys spending time in the casino, I appreciated the fact that Celebrity Cruises has implemented a smoke-free policy in their casino. While Royal Caribbean, Celebrity’s sister company, has smoking and non-smoking sections in their casinos, the Celebrity Apex goes a step further by creating a completely smoke-free environment. This was a refreshing change for me, as I could enjoy the excitement of the casino without being overwhelmed by smoke. I was eager to try my luck in the smoke-free casino and see how it compared to the casino experience on other cruise lines.
Elite Status with Celebrity Captain’s Club
Diamond Plus status with Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society
One advantage of being a loyal Royal Caribbean cruiser is the opportunity to earn elite status with Celebrity Cruises’ loyalty program, the Captain’s Club. Due to my Diamond Plus status with Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society, I automatically received Diamond Plus status in the Celebrity Captain’s Club. This elite status comes with a range of benefits, including complimentary drinks during the Captain’s Club happy hour, access to a complimentary coffee lounge in the morning, and more. Having this top-tier status from the start of my Celebrity cruise was a significant perk and made the transition to a new cruise line much smoother.
Booking the Concierge Class Cabins
Location on Deck 6 of Celebrity Apex
When it came time to book my cabins on the Celebrity Apex, I opted for the Concierge Class. I was delighted to discover that the concierge class cabins were located on Deck 6 of the ship. This location provided easy access to the ship’s amenities and activities, ensuring that I and my family would not have to travel far to reach the various onboard attractions. Being on Deck 6 also meant that we would have a great view from our cabins, as they were situated in a prime location on the ship.
Discounted rate due to special group rate
One of the pleasant surprises when booking the concierge class cabins on the Celebrity Apex was the discounted rate. Thanks to a special group rate offered by our travel agency, the cabins were significantly cheaper than the listed rate. By working with a knowledgeable travel agent, we were able to take advantage of this special discount and save a substantial amount of money. This is just one example of the many benefits of booking with a travel agent who has access to exclusive deals and promotions.
Total Price of the Cruise
Breakdown of the price
After factoring in the discounted rate for the concierge class cabins and considering the always included benefits offered by Celebrity Cruises, the total price for our cruise on the Celebrity Apex came out to $7,972.84. This price includes accommodations for four people in two connecting infinite veranda rooms, over the Thanksgiving break holiday. Considering the length of the cruise, the holiday timeframe, and the amenities included in the base fare, I felt that this was a reasonable price for the experience we would be getting.
Inclusion of always included benefits
One of the significant factors that influenced the total price of the cruise was the inclusion of the always included benefits offered by Celebrity Cruises. The unlimited drinks, which encompassed cocktails, wine by the glass, beers, and sodas, would have likely incurred additional costs if they were not already included in the base fare. The same goes for Wi-Fi, which is often a costly add-on for many cruise lines. Additionally, the inclusion of daily gratuities in the base fare meant that we did not have to worry about setting aside extra funds for tipping the ship’s crew. This all-inclusive approach provided peace of mind and allowed us to fully enjoy our vacation without constantly worrying about additional expenses.
Conclusion
As I prepare to embark on my first Celebrity cruise, I am excited but also curious about what the experience will entail. Choosing Celebrity Cruises was not a decision I made lightly, considering my loyalty to Royal Caribbean. However, after considering the premium cruise experience, the always included pricing structure, the unique features of the Celebrity Apex, and my elite status with the Celebrity Captain’s Club, I am confident that I made the right choice.
I am eager to explore the contemporary vibe and unique features of the Celebrity Apex, as well as discover how the children’s programming and smoke-free casino will enhance my cruise experience. With the concierge class cabins booked at a discounted rate and the total price of the cruise including the always included benefits, I feel that I am getting a great value for my money.
As I embark on this new adventure with Celebrity Cruises, I would love to hear tips and advice from fellow travelers who have tried Celebrity or sailed on the Edge class ships. Your insights and recommendations would greatly enhance my cruise experience and help me make the most of my time onboard the Celebrity Apex.
