Celebrity Cruises’ 2027 Galapagos sailings have opened for booking. The seven, 10, 11, and 16-night all-inclusive itineraries offer an unforgettable vacation experience while providing an opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts.

The Galapagos is the center of attention on Celebrity’s 100-guest mega yacht, Celebrity Flora. The vessel, which was purpose-designed for the region, allows guests to enjoy all-inclusive accommodations and elevated culinary experiences. Itineraries are led by Galapagos National Park expert naturalists, immersing passengers in the destination each day. On every sailing, guests can look forward to experiences including glamping under the stars on board, snorkeling with sea lions, kayaking with sea turtles, coastal explorations along volcano cliffs, and guided tours with giant tortoises.

Recognizing the significance of sustaining the Galápagos Archipelago for present and future generations, Celebrity has celebrated a significant milestone in its commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation in the region. Partnering with the Galápagos National Park since 2014, Celebrity Cruises marked a decade of progress on its Scalesia reforestation project. The successful project, now referred to as the “Rewilding Galápagos” initiative, invites guests to help restore the natural habitats of the Galápagos Islands and protect endangered wildlife throughout the region. On each itinerary, Celebrity Flora guests visit the reforestation area with Galapagos Park Rangers and naturalist guides to plant seedlings.

Celebrity is the only tour operator partnering with the Galapagos National Park to carry out such a project, and has planted over 85,000 endemic plant species to date. To commemorate the 10-year milestone, representatives and park rangers from the Galápagos National Park, as well as naturalists and guests traveling aboard Celebrity Flora participated in a special Scalesia tree planting event.

“We have the privilege of connecting our guests with some of the most pristine destinations on our planet and understand that we need to play a role in maintaining the health of these delicate ecosystems,” says Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “In the Galapagos Islands, we are very proud of our long-standing partnership and will continue to work closely to support education and conservation projects that promote the preservation of this natural marvel for future generations.”

Established in 2005, the Celebrity Cruises Galápagos Fund has supported local conservation efforts through the restoration of the islands’ ecosystems and local community projects. The newly renovated Hernán Carrión Nursery, sponsored by Celebrity Cruises, grows all the native plants used for reforestation efforts in the Galápagos. Over the past decade, guests have helped to restore more than 60 acres and support the incredibly biodiverse habitats that are home to iconic plant and animal species.

To learn more about how Celebrity Cruises is helping conserve the Galapagos’ pristine beauty, visit celebritycruises.com/about-us/sustainability-efforts/stewardship.

Now through May 1, 2025, travelers can save 50 percent on the second guest in their stateroom. Plus, when booking with Flights by Celebrity, guests can enjoy complimentary airfare from the U.S. or Canada to the Galapagos (up to $750 per person). These offers are applicable on all 2027 Galapagos expeditions.

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Celebrity Cruises has announced that its newest Edge-class ship, Celebrity Xcel, won’t feature the class’ multi-purpose Eden space. Instead, it will introduce a new concept for the cruise line called The Bazaar.

The new experience will be an epicenter of activities on board, introducing authentic experiences that extend guests’ time “on shore” to enjoy destinations in a unique way. Each day the three-story space will transform, with no two days being the same throughout a voyage. The Bazaar will feature experiences like a market offering local artisan products and hands-on craft experiences to destination-inspired festivals specific to each itinerary, regionally inspired culinary experiences, and unique entertainment.

“The Bazaar is a truly one-of-a-kind space designed to seamlessly blend ship and shore and transform the way guests experience destinations,” shares Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “Celebrity Xcel intentionally extends the destination experience onboard through a continued authentic offering between ports of call, allowing guests to take the destination with them.”

Four Caribbean-Inspired Festivals

Four Caribbean destination-inspired festivals, each linked to a place the ship visits, will immerse passengers in the cultures they’ll discover during their cruise. Every festival will include local food and beverages, crafting experiences, retail activations, destination-inspired cooking and dance classes, pop-up entertainment from local musicians, and other Caribbean-inspired activities. As Xcel heads to Europe in 2026, The Bazaar will transform to feature festivals, markets, and culinary experiences inspired by Mediterranean destinations.

Market at The Bazaar

On sea days, guests can engage with local artisans in the Market at The Bazaar, who come onboard to showcase their crafts, skills, and traditions — and even show guests how to make their own creations.

As with all experiences at The Bazaar, the offering at the Market will change throughout sailings to reflect each of the four festival themes. Depending on the festival theme, guests can expand their palate with activities including rum and chocolate pairings and local hot sauce tastings, dive deep into the destination’s culture with experiences like live basket weaving demos, and find one-of-a-kind keepsakes from local vendors such as an authentic Caribbean mask shop, traditional Mexican leather hats, embroidery stations, and more.

Mosaic

Foodies can indulge in local cuisines at The Bazaar. An open kitchen concept, Mosaic, will serve reimagined and elevated dishes inspired by the regions Celebrity Xcel is sailing. For something extra special, Mosaic will also host Chef’s Table experience at Mosaic. Celebrity’s global culinary leadership team will each develop a dish inspired by their native cuisine, plated and presented in an elevated way. The Chef’s Table experience at Mosaic serves a diverse, multi-course tasting menu of childhood favorite dishes representing all continents, each perfectly paired with wines.

Mosaic will also host Celebrity’s first-ever destination inspired cooking school, called Chef’s Studio at Mosaic. There, passengers will learn to prepare new dishes from the places they visit on the voyage. Throughout the cruise, the cooking school classes will change to reflect the festival themes.

Spice

A new casual dining concept, Spice, will offer a daytime selection of rotating bites with special items inspired by the ports visited on the itinerary. A café on the water’s edge, the new seating area at Spice will feature floor-to-ceiling windows.

Dream Makers

Celebrity Cruises’ Xcel ‘Dream Makers,’ a previously-announced program where Celebrity cruisers can help make decisions for the ship’s culinary, entertainment, and interior design, will also include The Bazaar.

For The Bazaar, Dream Makers will shape how the festivals come to life, choose entertainment and activities in Market at The Bazaar, select menu items for Mosaic, and more.

Celebrity Xcel Inaugural Season

Celebrity Xcel is sailing her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

In summer 2026, Xcel will set sail on her inaugural European season where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean on seven to 11-night journeys from Barcelona and Athens.

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When it comes to enjoying a drink, Celebrity Summit offers cruisers a variety of bars and lounges. Not sure where to start? Well, we just returned from a family cruise on this ship and have put together our Celebrity Summit Bars Guide with all of the bar menus and drink prices to help you make the difficult decisions.

Celebrity Summit Bars Guide With Menus & Drink Prices

While one of the smaller ships in the Celebrity Cruises fleet, Celebrity Summit does still have many of the staples that repeat cruisers have come to know and love— like the Martini Bar or the Sunset Bar. Featuring signature cocktails, live music, and entertainment throughout the cruise, there are plenty of opportunities to make use of your Celebrity drink package at these bars and lounges.

Drink prices range from $8-11 for beer, $10-17 for wine, and $12-17 for specialty cocktails (though some basic cocktails are included in the Classic Package).

Casino Bar – Deck 4

If you need a beverage to go along with your slot play, then the Casino Bar is your stop. This bar is open whenever the casino is open (which on our port intensive itinerary was usually only in the evenings). This is one of the late night spots on the ship, so don’t be surprised to see some of the night owls grabbing one last drink at this centrally located venue.

Unlike many other casino bars, this one on Celebrity Summit does have a unique drink menu. It also has televisions broadcasting popular sporting events.

Casino Bar Menu

Martini Bar – Deck 4

Possibly the most happening bar onboard any Celebrity cruise ship is the Martini Bar; though, this one did lack some of the character found on newer Celebrity ships. With highly talented bartenders and a large list of specialty martinis, including the popular espresso martinis on tap, you will probably find yourself frequenting this venue. This is definitely one of our favorite Celebrity Summit bars.

During our sailing, the Martini Bar was typically open from 4 PM to late.

Martini Bar Menu

Rendezvous Lounge – Deck 4

The Rendezvous Lounge is located at the entrance of the lower level of the Main Dining Room and Luminae (the restaurant exclusively for suite guests). Thus, it is the perfect spot to grab a pre-dinner cocktail or an after-dinner drink while enjoying the live music or nightly game shows that occur here.

Typically, the Rendezvous Lounge serves drinks from 4 PM on port days or 12 PM on sea days.

Rendezvous Lounge Menu

Cafe al Bacio – Deck 5

Cafe al Bacio is your coffee bar at sea. Serving up signature espresso-based drinks, coffee cocktails, and tasty sweet treats, you can relax and people watch here day or night. There’s occasionally live music here too.

The good news is that specialty coffees/teas are included in both the Classic and Premium beverage packages, and all the pastries are completely free!

Cafe al Bacio is open daily from 6:30 AM to midnight, so you can get your caffeine fix whenever you need it.

Cafe al Bacio Menu

Cellar Masters – Deck 5

For wine lovers, Cellar Masters will be your go-to venue. Offering a wide collection of wines from around the world, the sommeliers at the bar are ready to guide you on your tasting journey. Given its location, Cellar Masters is another perfect spot for a pre-dinner or post-dinner drink. There’s also live music here in the evenings.

Cellar Masters is open most days from 3 PM until midnight.

Cellar Masters Menu

Spa Cafe – Deck 10

Located in the Solarium, the Spa Cafe serves up healthy light bites as an alternative to the buffet for breakfast and lunch. The Spa Cafe is open for breakfast approximately 7-10 AM and lunch from 12-2 PM. It features small plates, smoothies, and fresh pressed juices.

Of note, the Classic drink package does NOT include the smoothies and fresh juices here, but the Premium drink package does.

Spa Cafe Menu

Pool Bar – Deck 10

Located in the center of the action on the pool deck, you can enjoy your favorite frozen cocktail while laying poolside and soaking up the sun. A visit to the Pool Bar will provide a refreshing and thirst-quenching treat during your sea days on Celebrity Summit.

This is one of the early spots to grab a drink as the Pool Bar is generally open from 8 AM to 8 PM daily.

Pool Bar Menu

Sunset Bar – Deck 10

Amazing views coupled with a great specialty cocktail menu, the Sunset Bar is a perfect combination. At this aft-facing venue, cruisers can gaze at the horizon while sipping some drinks. The Sunset Bar is also the perfect place to unwind after a day ashore and enjoy a great sunset view. I guess that is how the venue got its name!

The Sunset Bar is generally open from 6:30 AM to 1 AM daily. So whether you want a morning mimosa or a nightcap, you won’t want to miss out on this bar. It’s also positioned right beyond the Oceanview Cafe, so you could even grab some food and enjoy your meal outdoors.

Sunset Bar Menu

Sky Observation Lounge – Deck 11

The Sky Observation Lounge is a versatile space with floor to ceiling windows that provide great forward-facing views. This entertainment venue comes alive with cruise activities like trivia, game shows, and themed parties. Good thing the Sky Observation Lounge is also home to a specialty cocktail menu with drinks named after the constellations.

Sky Observation Lounge is typically open from around 3 PM until late.

Sky Observation Lounge Menu

Mast Bar – Deck 11

Lastly, overlooking the pool deck is the Mast Bar. This outdoor venue allows you to catch some sun with a cocktail in your hand while still being able to enjoy all of the sights and sounds of the pool deck, without the crowds.

The Mast Bar is usually open from 1 to 7 PM on port days or 10 AM to 7 PM on sea days. The good news is that there are plenty of lounge chairs located on this sundeck, so this is where we spent most of our only sea day.

Mast Bar Menu

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Celebrity Cruises has announced that it will be entering the river cruise market starting in 2027. Celebrity River Cruises, a premium river cruise brand, will begin taking bookings later this year.

The brand has signed an initial order for 10 ships that will take guests to historic cities on the world’s most iconic rivers, launching in Europe. The river vessels will take design cues from the Edge class ocean ships.

“We’re thrilled to announce our entry into the river cruise market through our Celebrity Cruises premium travel brand,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “Our guests and travel partners should expect us to do what we do best – innovate and elevate the river cruise experience as we meet the growing demand for intimate, culturally enriching travel experiences.”

“With about half of our guests having experienced or intending to vacation on a river cruise, we know they will enjoy Celebrity’s elevated offering on the river. By leveraging our valuable loyalty programs across our three brands, we will deepen customer engagement and further our ability to keep guests within our ecosystem of vacation offerings. We are the best in the world at delivering the vacation of a lifetime, and this is the latest example of how we are building the capabilities to deliver a lifetime of vacations.”

Celebrity River Cruises is a natural extension of Celebrity’s premium offering that will bring its unique branding to the river. Passengers will sail through the heart of culturally and historically-significant cities, experiencing locally-inspired cuisine and unique shore experiences the “Celebrity Way.” Vessels will give guests 360 degrees of views, with every moment designed to immerse guests in the journey down the river.

“Celebrity River Cruises will bring the quality and sophistication of our Edge Series ocean ships to the most iconic rivers, starting with Europe,” added Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises. “We’ve redefined travel on the ocean with our best-in-class hospitality, award-winning food and beverage experiences, and elevated design and style. We are thrilled to bring these experiences to the river and combine them with authentic, destination-rich itineraries that will give our guests an experience unlike any other.”

More details on Celebrity River Cruises including booking opportunities, destinations, fleet size, ship details, excursions, and more will be announced in the coming months.

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Food is a big part of cruising, and we know our fellow cruisers are always eager to see what is available at the different restaurants onboard. So, we are back from a family cruise on Celebrity Summit and have put together this Celebrity Summit Restaurants Guide complete with menus and all the details for each venue.

Celebrity Summit Complimentary Restaurants

While one of the smaller ships in the Celebrity Cruises fleet, Celebrity Summit does still feature a variety of dining options that are included in your cruise fare. These include the Cosmopolitan main dining room, the Oceanview Cafe buffet, and a few other casual options.

Additionally, those staying in a suite will have access to the Retreat and its exclusive Restaurant, Luminae (Deck 4). Similarly, if you are staying in an Aqua Class cabin, you have your own exclusive restaurant, Blu (Deck 5). These venues offer distinct and more upscale menu selections than the main dining room.

With diverse offerings, you certainly do not have to pay extra for dining on Celebrity Summit (if you don’t want to). Though, the ship also offers a few specialty restaurants that are worth a try.

Cosmopolitan Restaurant – Decks 4 & 5

Cosmopolitan Restaurant is the main dining room on Celebrity Summit. This restaurant is located on Decks 4 and 5. Cosmopolitan is open for breakfast each morning from around 7:30-9 AM. The venue also serves lunch on sea days (which was only once on our port intensive itinerary) from around 12-1:30 PM.

Cosmopolitan features a 3-course meal every evening of the cruise. Cruisers can choose either the early seating (6 PM) or the late seating (8:30 PM) on Celebrity Summit. Or, if you prefer something a bit more flexible, the cruise line offers Celebrity Select Dining between 5:30 and 9 PM. Cruisers can make Celebrity Select reservations pre-cruise or join the walk-up line for standby guests. 

Regardless of which option you choose, the menu is the same. The menu features some classic dishes every night in addition to featured appetizers, entrees, and desserts that change nightly.

Menus: Breakfast| Lunch | Day 1 Dinner | Day 2 Dinner | Day 3 Dinner | Day 4 Dinner | Day 5 Dinner | Day 6 Dinner | Day 7 Dinner | Kids Menu

Cafe al Bacio – Deck 5

This coffee house located on Deck 5 of Celebrity Summit is a great spot to grab a specialty coffee and a sweet treat any time of day. Open from 6:30 AM to midnight, you can relax, get lost in a good book, or people watch at Cafe al Bacio whenever you want. All pastries are complimentary and change throughout the day.

The specialty coffee and teas are included in Celebrity Cruises Classic and Premium drink packages.

Cafe al Bacio Menu

Spa Cafe – Deck 10

Located in the Solarium, the Spa Cafe serves up healthy light bites as an alternative to the buffet for breakfast and lunch. The Spa Cafe is open for breakfast approximately 7-10 AM and lunch from 12-2 PM. Featuring small plates, smoothies, and fresh pressed juices, this is the perfect spot to grab a quick bite to eat while relaxing on a sea day.

Of note, the Classic drink package does NOT include the smoothies and fresh juices here, but the Premium drink package does.

Spa Cafe Breakfast Menu | Spa Cafe Lunch Menu

Pool Grill – Deck 10

This outdoor, casual venue is a great place to grab some lunch or a midday snack while lounging poolside. Serving up burgers and fries as well as other grill favorites like hot dogs and veggie burgers, the Pool Grill is open daily 11:30 AM-6 PM, weather permitting.

Pool Grill Menu

Oceanview Cafe – Deck 10

If you have sailed on Celebrity Cruises before, then you are very familiar with the Oceanview Cafe. This casual, complimentary buffet is open most of the day. On both sea and port days, the Oceanview Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

The Oceanview Cafe serves breakfast 7-11 AM (with some early riser options starting at 6:30 AM) and lunch 12-3 PM daily. For breakfast, you can find your typical selections including fruits, breakfast pastries, cereals, hot menu items such as scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage, as well as a custom omelet station.

For lunch, you will find a selection of salads, cold cuts and sandwiches, a pasta station, pizza, and other hot dishes which vary each day of the cruise. Lunch themes include Taste of Britain, Taste of Caribbean, Taste of Italy, and the Wonderland buffet featuring seafood selections and a chocolate fondue station.

The Oceanview Cafe also serves dinner nightly from 6-9:30 PM, offering traditional favorites as well as cuisine from around the world with a menu that varies each night. Some themed evenings feature Gourmet Burgers, Taste of Greece, German Sausage Station, Taste of France, Taste of Spain, and more.

Further, the Oceanview Cafe serves late night snacks from 10:30 PM to 1 AM.

As you probably already know, we are not huge fans of buffets, but we do rank Celebrity’s among the best at sea.

Celebrity Summit Specialty Restaurants

While you don’t have to spend money on food while cruising on Celebrity Summit, there are a few upcharge restaurants that might be worth the splurge.

If you plan to dine at any of these restaurants, you should make reservations pre-cruise, as popular dining times and restaurants do fill up quickly.

Tuscan Grille – Deck 3

Celebrity Cruises’ signature Italian steakhouse, Tuscan Grille, offers Italian favorites in a rustic yet sophisticated atmosphere. Open nightly for dinner from 6-9:30 PM, Tuscan Grille will cost you $55 per person to indulge on tasty appetizers, pasta dishes, entrees, and desserts.

This is one of the best Italian restaurants at sea in our opinion; you can’t go wrong with just about anything on the menu. We enjoyed the Short Rib Pappardelle, Chicken Parmesan, House Meatballs, and Limoncello Cheesecake to name a few dishes.

Tuscan Grille Menu | Chef’s Table

Sushi on Five – Deck 5

Sushi on Five serves up sushi and other Japanese specialties nightly for dinner typically from around 3 to 11 PM and on sea days for lunch from noon to 3 PM. Some popular menu options include Kobe Beef Ramen Sliders, Shrimp Tempura, Lobster & Shrimp Wontons, and a variety of sushi rolls. Sushi on Five is a la carte pricing, with most items ranging from $4 to $13 each.

Sushi on Five Menu

Le Petit Chef at Qsine – Deck 11

Le Petit Chef is a digitally enhanced dinner which includes a four-course meal and a “show”. The world-renowned artists of Skullmapping, presented by TableMation, offer this unique 3D experience which expertly pairs tabletop entertainment with an upscale pre-fixe menu.

During this unique experience exclusive to Celebrity Cruises, Le Petit Chef himself will appear on your table to artfully create each course of the menu. This experience has an early seating at 6 PM and a late seating at 8:30 PM. This dining experience is available for an up-charge of $65 per person.

This is a set menu, which is themed to the show. An alternate menu is available, but there isn’t the option for any further substitutions beyond that. During our 7-night cruise, there were two different menus/shows offered— The Magical Cooking Book (first half of the cruise) and Le Menu Extraordinaire (second half of the cruise).

Le Petit Chef Menu 1 | Menu 2

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Celebrity Cruises is inviting travelers to create their dream vacation experience on Celebrity Xcel with ‘Xcel Dream Makers.’ Open to all who wish to join, the global community will test, try, and vote on new experiences. Their selections will launch on Celebrity Xcel in November 2025.

“We want to ensure our guests love our products and experiences, so involving them in the process to perfect Celebrity Xcel was a great way to achieve this,” shared Michael Scheiner, chief marketing and product officer of Celebrity Cruises. “Celebrity Cruises is known for ground-breaking innovation in ship design and experiences unlike any other at sea, when Xcel launches guests won’t have just found their happy place, they’ll have helped us build it.”

In an industry first, Dream Makers will have the final say across key elements of the vacation experience to be offered on Celebrity Xcel when she sets sail. Through online polls and unique, experiential in-person events, the public will perfect the ship’s design, culinary, and entertainment offerings.

Celebrity Cruises fans will make their mark on Celebrity Xcel by:

• Choosing textiles, managing interior design elements and curating service offerings
• Picking their favorite dishes and beverages, choosing table settings and shaping dining concepts
• Providing input on headline shows, curate props and costumes, select playlists and partake in selections to appoint pivotal entertainment positions onboard

Celebrity Xcel reached a major milestone on January 18th, as it was floated out of the dry dock at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The float out ceremony celebrated the completion of the ship’s exterior.

The ship will advance Royal Caribbean Group’s decades-long commitment to sustaining the planet with the first tri-fuel capable engine, representing an important stepping stone on the company’s journey to Destination Net Zero by 2050.

Celebrity Xcel will operate her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night cruises alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on her inaugural European season where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean like never before on seven to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including all-new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

Those interested in joining Xcel Dream Makers can learn more at celebritycruises.com/xceldreammakers.

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Royal Caribbean Group announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard to order a sixth Edge class ship for delivery to Celebrity Cruises in 2028.

Edge 6 or “Xcel 2” will be a sister ship to Celebrity Xcel, which is preparing to set sail later this year. Other Edge class ships include Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Ascent. The first, Celebrity Edge, debuted in 2018.

“Celebrity Xcel will be the happy place of vacationers globally when she launches in November and we’re thrilled to be making this commitment to bring her a sister ship in Edge 6,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “Celebrity Xcel will take forward the best of Edge Series ships coupled with seven new experiences, all perfected with the help of our recently announced Xcel Dream Makers – an industry first program enlisting the power of cruisers to make final decisions across culinary, interior design and entertainment.”

Celebrity Cruises’ Edge class ships transformed the cruising experience with iconic features like the cantilevered floating platform Magic Carpet, infinity balcony staterooms, and the plant-filled multipurpose space Eden. The sixth ship in the lineup will incorporate key features from the Edge class, while making room for other not-yet-announced innovations.

“The strong ties between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Royal Caribbean Group have led to the creation of the unique Edge Series design,” said Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “This sixth ship marks the epitome of a pioneering series in the cruise industry that is both elegant, high-performing, and ever more innovative, notably thanks to its methanol capabilities.”

Royal Caribbean Group’s newbuild pipeline currently includes a total of eight ships on order. This year, the company will welcome two new ships including Royal Caribbean International’s Star of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Xcel.

The new agreement is contingent upon customary conditions, including financing.

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While Heidi and I tend to sail on newer mega-ships, we decided to do something different this holiday season. We took the family to Puerto Rico for a Southern Caribbean cruise on the 24-year-old Celebrity Summit. How did this older, smaller vessel compare to the likes of her big sisters, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent? Well, we are back and share our honest feedback in this Celebrity Summit ship review.

Our Honest Celebrity Summit Ship Review

Casual Dining

Given Celebrity Summit is a ship holding just slightly over 2,200 guests at double occupancy, there are only a few options when it comes to casual dining. The Oceanview Café, the ship’s buffet, was open most of the day for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. Thankfully, the Oceanview Café held up when compared to other ships in the Celebrity fleet.

This buffet included various hot and cold breakfast selections, several custom omelet stations, and breakfast food from around the world.

For lunch and dinner, the buffet offered some standard stations, including Mexican and Asian favorites. In addition to other options like a custom salad bar, sandwiches, and a pasta station, there were also themed Chef’s Selections. Something new was offered each day, like Caribbean specialties or American classics.

On the last day of our cruise (the only sea day), the buffet featured an extravagant lunch, complete with a shrimp cocktail station and chocolate fondue tower.

The Oceanview Cafe also had a pizza corner at the very back. This was open into the late evenings for those needing a snack before bed. While not the best pizza at sea, it was still better than sister brand Royal Caribbean’s Sorrento’s pizza.

In addition, the Pool Grill is outside on the pool deck. This quick service counter offers hamburgers and hot dogs from about noon to 6 PM every day. The burgers here don’t stack up to the freshly prepared offerings on Carnival or Holland America, but I do have to say that the one burger I tried was better than what you typically get on a Celebrity Cruises’ ship.

In the Solarium on Celebrity Summit, there’s the Spa Café as well. This healthier, grab-and-go alternative offered small plates for breakfast and lunch. The selections here ranged from muffins in the morning to small plates of pre-made salads and light bites for lunch. This venue also features juices and smoothies, yet they were often out of ingredients to make them.

One of our favorite spots on any Celebrity Cruises’ ship is the coffee shop, Café al Bacio. Located on Deck 5 midship on Celebrity Summit, we frequented Café al Bacio several times daily. Along with serving specialty coffee that’s included in the cruise line’s drink packages, Café al Bacio offers breakfast bakery items and small pastries throughout the day like cookies and slices of cake.

However, unlike Princess Cruises or Royal Caribbean, Cafe al Bacio does not have a large selection of food items like sandwiches.

While there were fewer dining venues on Celebrity Summit than most modern mega-ships, we never went hungry. The food quality and selections were similar to newer ships in the Celebrity Cruises’ fleet, and we always think this cruise line has one of the best buffets at sea. Still, the Oceanview Café did get busy at certain times, so finding a seat did take some work.

Pool Deck

One place Celebrity Summit showed her age was the pool deck. While many public venues did receive extensive revitalization in 2019, it did not appear that the outdoor decks got many updates.

The main pool area is midship on Deck 10. Yet, it felt rather closed off with two smaller pools and four whirlpools raised slightly above the pool deck. Of course, we are used to the expansive and elegant Resort Pool on the Edge Class ships.

Given this seven-night cruise included five ports, we didn’t spend much time on the pool deck. On the only sea day, we had no issues finding loungers on Deck 11 next to the Mast Bar and our nephew enjoyed some pool time. When walking through the pool area at other times, the space never seemed overly busy.

Celebrity is a premium cruise line, so one nice perk is that you don’t have to worry about towels. Plenty are available on the pool deck, and you don’t need to swipe your card to get one like on Royal Caribbean.

In addition to the main pools, the Solarium is forward on Deck 10. Again, its design felt less than rejuvenating. Further, only one side had loungers, as the starboard side contained tables with chairs for the nearby Spa Café.

Finally, aft on Deck 12 is the Rooftop Terrace. This area features an outdoor television showing movies and sporting events throughout the cruise. There’s also a variety of seating options for those looking to take in a flick or catch the game. However, given the itinerary, and the movie schedule, we never spent any time here.

Sports Deck

Celebrity Summit offers limited outdoor sports areas and amenities. Granted, Celebrity Cruises caters more to couples than families. We like to say Celebrity Cruises is family-friendly, not family-focused.

Still, the sports court aft on Deck 12 did offer both organized activities and free play. Popular sports included basketball and pickleball. Back on the pool deck, there were two ping pong tables and cornhole, which were available most of the day.

The ship’s fitness center is forward on Deck 10. We felt the gym was a good size for this ship. It housed plenty of cardio equipment, weight machines, and free weights. While there were Peloton bikes, they had signs saying, “out of order”. So, not sure if they were available for guests to use.

The Deck 11 sundeck doubled as the jogging track as well, with over nine laps equaling one mile. Just be careful, as only the center section of the track makes a complete loop. The jogging track on the aft portion has dead ends.

Given that we were off the ship most of the day, the limited outdoor sports facilities did not impact our trip.

Onboard Activities

Despite the port intensive itinerary, the cruise director Manuel and the activities staff hosted a variety of events in addition to other self-led activities.

For instance, each day, there were puzzles and adult coloring. Plus, board games and cards were available in the Sky Lounge or Rendezvous Lounge for those staying onboard.

There were daytime competitions and different trivia sessions, and there was even axe throwing one afternoon in the Grand Foyer. Note that no real axes were used in the competition.

There were also family-friendly game shows and karaoke sessions throughout the cruise, not to mention bingo sessions on several days. We couldn’t resist a round of Deal or No Deal, but sadly, no one in our party walked away with any prizes.

Though, given we were sailing over Christmas, we would have expected a few more holiday-themed events throughout the week. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, activities ranged from a family bazaar to a visit from Santa Claus and a Christmas-themed silent disco.

While Celebrity Summit did offer several of the usual cruise activities, we couldn’t help but feel like the onboard atmosphere wasn’t as fun and engaging as usual.

Nightlife

Being accustomed to the high-energy feeling and dynamic venues on the Edge Class, we were surprised at how subdued the nightlife was on Celebrity Summit.

We scheduled most dinners with Celebrity Select dining for around 6:15 PM. This gave us plenty of time for our typical routine of dinner, game show, main theater performance, and a nightcap and/or party.

The Rendezvous Lounge was the second entertainment space and home to a nightly game show at 8:15 PM. While these game shows were typical shows like True or False, Yes or No, and 60 Seconds or Less, they lacked enthusiasm and felt rushed. At times, it seemed the staff were simply going through the motions. The shows were nowhere near as engaging as they are on other cruise lines, like Princess Cruises.  

The musical acts on the cruise were pretty standard. They included a duo, a solo guitarist, and a couple of bands. These acts rotated through venues like Cellar Masters and the Rendezvous Lounge. Sometimes a band or DJ would also play near the Martini Bar on Deck 4. Overall, none of the acts were memorable though.

There were several parties too, like the Silent Disco and 80s party. Thanks to the cruise director, Manuel, these events were a bit more lively. Manuel was a great cruise director. He was everywhere on the ship, and he wasn’t shy about going all in to get a laugh.

Even the Martini Bar, the usual hub of activity on many Celebrity ships, did not have its typical vibrance.

Given we had some long days ashore, we were okay retiring earlier than usual in the evenings. But, if the itinerary were different, we may have been bored with the lack of livelihood on the ship.

Entertainment

Like most cruises, we attended several of the shows in the main theater. Over our seven nights, there were three production shows and four headliner acts.

Overall, the production shows were pretty average cruise revues with a cast of singers, dancers, and aerialists.

On night two, the production show Life was a mashup of very literal songs. Most songs had the name life or death in the title.  

On the last night, Soundtrack was a show advertised as “redefining movie music”. But the setlist included several pop songs with arrangements in the style of early 20th-century jazz. Plus, we are pretty sure not all songs were prominently featured in movies.

On Christmas night, the production cast put on a Holiday Spectacluar. The show featured a pretty typical setlist of Christmas songs that definitely got everyone into the holiday spirit.  

On the other nights, the headliner acts were run-of-the-mill.

We are pretty sure we’ve seen the Welcome Aboard comedian on another cruise. Her first-night set was enough for us, so we never made it to her adults-only show later in the week.

Additionally, there was Evolution Motown, a trio of singers that played predictable songs and Zak McAllister, a two-time gold medal juggler in the World Championships of Juggling.

Bars and Lounges

Celebrity Summit boasts nine bars and lounges, many of which offer signature cocktail menus.

Our go-to on any Celebrity ship is the Martini Bar. While the drinks here were the same, the atmosphere wasn’t as lively and the bartenders weren’t as high-energy. Before you ask, yes, they had espresso martinis on tap!

The Rendezvous Lounge was one of the main pre-dinner or post-dinner venues. Subsequently, we couldn’t pass up the She’s With the Whiksy and the Sweet Berry Smash. One deck above, Cellar Masters often offered light music paired with its custom wine list.

The cosmically-themed cocktails at the Sky Lounge, like the Libra or the Cancer, were perfect for sipping during one of the nightly parties. For those looking for a more traditional poolside drink, the Mast Bar on Deck 11 mixed up frosty concoctions and classic cocktails.

Not to mention, aft on Deck 10, the Sunset Bar paired great views with refreshing takes on boat drinks, like a Pickford Punch. The resident coffee shop, Café al Bacio, also offered dessert cocktails and sweet treats throughout the day. Even the Casino Bar offered some unique drinks not found on any other bar menu.

We never waited long for drinks in any of the bars. Although, there were not many servers in the venues. Often, we ordered from the bar and took the drinks back to the table on our own.

Main Dining Room

Like the casual dining, the 2-story Cosmopolitan main dining room on Celebrity Summit delivered on several fronts.

Our three-course meals were well-timed, with dinner usually lasting no more than 90 minutes for our group of six. Plus, all of our dishes were served at the appropriate temperature and as requested. With two food allergies at the table and several special requests, the waitstaff had no issues making our accommodations.

While Celebrity Cruises does still offer traditional dining, we opted for Celebrity Select dining. We made reservations pre-cruise for 6:15 PM each night. All evenings but one, we were sat at the same table with the same waitstaff.

The service team of waitress, Kim, and assistant waitress, Win, took excellent care of our group. They were among the highlights on the ship when it came to service. By our third visit to the restaurant, sommelier Elmer knew our table’s order, which included wine and cocktails.

Among the stand-out dishes was the signature Celebrity Tournedo, a tender cut of beef cooked to a medium rare temperature. On night 1, the Fried Masala Potatoes was a spicy addition to a rather bland welcome aboard dinner lineup.

On Christmas Day, our table raved about the holiday classics including the Old Fashioned Honey Glazed Virgina Ham, Broiled Lobster Tail, and Slow Roasted Turkey. Prime rib, a classic cruiser favorite, was served on the last night. And, the Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli and the Rigatoni Boscaiola were decadent pasta dishes with portions that were just the right size.

For dessert, we couldn’t pass up the apple pie a la mode and the Tiramisu cake, among others. But, Heidi was disappointed that there was no Baked Alaska this sailing.

Specialty Restaurants

Celebrity Summit has only a few specialty restaurants. On Deck 11, Le Petit Chef at Qsine offers a dinner and show. This unique digital dining experience is exclusive to Celebrity Cruises. We have dined at Le Petit Chef on other Celebrity Cruises ships and enjoyed it. However, our 12-year-old nephew was not interested in the menu.

Likewise, Sushi on 5 offers its namesake Japanese delicacies with a small menu of other Asian specialties. Given our family members’ less-than-adventurous palates (Heidi included), we also passed on this restaurant.

But, you can’t go wrong with Italian food! So, on night two, the six of us settled in to mangia at the Tuscan Grille.  

Perhaps the most challenging part of dining at this restaurant is finding it. But after making our way down the starboard side hallway on Deck 3, we were treated to a culinary feast.

Alongside various Italian breads, dinner started with hearty appetizers like homemade meatballs and fried calamari. As expected, Heidi couldn’t pass up the Chicken Parmesan, and I went with the Short Rib Pappardelle Ragu. Both were rich meals reminiscent of the authentic flavors you would find in Boston’s North End.

Lastly, for dessert, I couldn’t say no to the Limoncello Cheesecake. This citrus-infused, light, and airy cheesecake was the perfect ending to this satisfying meal.  

Staterooms

Celebrity Summit received a multi-million-dollar refurbishment in 2019, and happily, the staterooms were part of this major makeover. In fact, we were very impressed with the furnishings and stylings of our Prime Veranda, stateroom 9023. This category V1 stateroom was on the portside, forward of the forward elevators.

According to the Celebrity Cruises website, this stateroom is 170 square feet with a 38-foot veranda. While smaller than the balcony staterooms we typically stay in, the layout was familiar.

Immediately upon entering the room, the bathroom was on our right. Likewise, our bed was also on the right wall, facing aft. After the bed, a small desk and oversized chair were situated near the balcony.

Near the entrance to the room was the closet and a wall unit containing some over-head cabinets with shelves, a series of drawers, and the mini-fridge. We had just enough hangers and shelves to neatly store all of our clothing. Using some of our cruise cabin hacks, we were able to get all of our accessories organized as well.

The bathroom in this Celebrity Summit cabin was a welcomed surprise. It too received a major facelift and actually resembled those on the Edge Class, complete with a glass-door shower and marble finishes.

Our cabin was directly below the pool deck; thus, we had a partially obstructed view due to some support beams and roofing. Still, we were able to utilize the veranda to watch the sail-ins and sail-outs from our ports of call. Awkwardly though, the chairs were fixed in a position somewhere between upright and reclined, so they weren’t very comfortable.

Overall, while smaller than typical, our Celebrity Summit stateroom was a comfortable and stylish home away from home for our holiday family cruise.

Our Overall Celebrity Summit Ship Review

Admittedly, it has been a while since we sailed on an older, smaller Celebrity Cruises ship. Yet, Celebrity Summit held up to her big sisters in several ways.

The casual dining and main dining room served up well-prepared and flavorful dishes. Service was also timely and friendly in the Oceanview Café and the Cosmopolitan Restaurant. Further, our family dinner at the Tuscan Grille was one of the best dining experiences we had all year on a cruise ship.

Likewise, several bars and lounges offered unique atmospheres and specialty cocktail menus. These venues were never too busy, so we could kick back and relax with a drink in hand while watching a game show or listening to live music.

Similarly, our renovated stateroom was fashionable and well laid out. While the veranda was not ideal, it was a fine place to relax after a long day ashore.

However, some areas of the ship did show signs of aging, particularly the outdoor spaces. The pool deck had an awkward layout and felt dated. The sports deck and Rooftop Terrace also seemed to get little to no updates.

To us, Celebrity Summit also lacked character. The ship felt like a collection of venues and people, rather than exuding a distinct vibe that other cruise ships offer. On other Celebrity ships, the Atrium or Grand Foyer are usually lively spots for activities and events. Yet, there didn’t seem to be a central hub that cruisers gravitated to during this voyage.

Still, with the ports of call being the main draw for our family during this cruise, Celebrity Summit was a nice backdrop. She offered lush accommodations, delicious food, and enough activities and nightlife to keep us entertained as we sailed from one port of call to the next.

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For Christmas, we decided to take a family cruise with my mom, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. While we cruise often, our family does not; thus, they had a few requisites for the trip. They wanted to visit new Caribbean destinations, and they wanted a sailing with the fewest sea days (gasp!).

After reviewing the options available and pricing, our family decided on a 7-day cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico on Celebrity Summit. This cruise would visit St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, and Dominica, with only one sea day.

Indeed, our preferred travel advisor was able to secure a great rate with Celebrity Cruises’ All Included pricing. This meant we got a Classic drink package and WiFi as part of our cruise fare at a significantly cheaper price than a similar cruise on Norwegian Viva. But, we did have some hesitations with this decision.

What would the holiday vibe be like on a ship that doesn’t necessarily cater to families? Would our 12-year-old nephew be bored? Given we tend to sail on newer ships, what would we think of a nearly 24-year-old vessel? Were we getting in over our heads booking such a port intensive cruise for the holidays— knowing that our family wanted to book a shore excursion in every port of call?

Nonetheless, we joined our family in San Juan ready for our holiday adventure.

We Took a Family Cruise on Celebrity Summit – Was It a Mistake?

The Ship – Celebrity Summit

By modern day standards, many would consider Celebrity Summit a small and old ship. Debuting in 2001, Celebrity Summit is a 12-deck, 91K gross ton vessel carrying just over 2,200 guests at double occupancy. As one of the oldest ships in the Celebrity Cruises’ fleet, it does lack many of the bells and whistles that mega-ships offer.

Still, it featured all the staples. There was a pool deck, spa and fitness center, casino, main theater, multiple bars and lounges, as well as complimentary and specialty dining options.

In fact, the ship underwent an extensive renovation in 2019. Some of the enhancements included a complete redesign of all staterooms, the addtion of the Retreat for suite guests, and reimagining of many other public spaces.

We were surprised at how modern and inviting the staterooms were, and they even featured an upgraded bathroom with a glass shower.

Yet, given the Edge Class is among our favorite, we were a bit disappointed in the pool deck on Celebrity Summit. The outdoor area does feature two pools, whirlpools, and plenty of loungers, but it felt rather dated. The same could be said about the indoor solarium. Celebrity Summit does feature a sports court and a Rooftop Terrace aft on Deck 12, but this area too looked like it was in need of some updating.

With that said, we didn’t really spend much time outdoors on Celebrity Summit given we were off exploring a new port each day. During our one sea day, we had no issues securing lounge chairs, and our nephew enjoyed hanging out in the pool.

The interior public spaces, while smaller and less of them, did feel refreshed. Our typical evening routine consisted of dinner in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant, a game show in the Rendezvous Lounge, a show in the main theater, and drinks around the ship.

Food and Drinks on Celebrity Summit

When it comes to restaurants and bars/lounges, Celebrity Summit features many familiar favorites.

The Cosmopolitan Restaurant is the 2-story main dining room which offered a rotational menu each evening. The food selections were on par with our expectations, and service was timely for the most part. While we chose Celebrity Select Dining, we were assigned the same table most nights of the cruise. Our waitstaff of Kim and Win were standout when it comes to service.

Other casual dining options include the Oceanview Cafe, Mast Grill, and Spa Cafe. We always applaud the selections in Celebrity’s buffet and this experience delivered as well. The pool grill was another option for grab-and-go burgers and fries. However, we were disappointed in the Spa Cafe, as it seemed like they were out of smoothie ingredients whenever we visited.

Celebrity Summit does have a few specialty restaurants as well. These include Tuscan Grille, Sushi on Five, and Le Petit Chef at Qsine. We dined at Tuscan Grille one evening and the food did not disappoint.

When it comes to bars and lounges, Celebrity Summit features the Sky Observation Lounge, Mast and Pool outdoor bars, Sunset Bar, Cellar Masters, Rendezvous Lounge, and our favorites the Martini Bar and Cafe al Bacio. However, when compared to the Edge Class, the vibe wasn’t nearly as lively. While mostly updated, the venues also lacked theming and character.

Most of the bars did have signature drink menus though, so we were still able to grab cocktails while enjoying the evening activities and entertainment around the ship. And of course, Cafe al Bacio was our go-to for our twice daily caffeine fix and sweet treats.

Activities and Entertainment on Celebrity Summit

The cruise director, Manuel, was the highlight of the activities team on Celebrity Summit. He was funny and upbeat, and we enjoyed all the entertainment that he hosted. Although, some of the other activities around the ship felt dull and rushed.

We did attend several of the game shows in Rendezvous Lounge, like 60 Seconds or Less, Yes or No, and True or False. We also made sure to check out some of the live music around the ship, which mostly occurred in Cellar Masters and the Rendezvous Lounge.

Some of the other entertainment highlights included the Silent Disco and Totally 80’s party in the Sky Lounge and the Full Moon Party (white party) on the pool deck.

In the main theater, there was a show each evening. We watched three headliner acts— a comedian, a juggler, and a Motown group. We also attended three shows with the production cast: Holiday Spectacular, Life, and Soundtrack. All were pretty average cruise shows at best.

Additionally, there were a few trivia sessions, outdoor movies, karaoke, and open play games in which we did not partake. Since this was a busy itinerary, the amount of activities and entertainment sufficed, but there was certainly less happening than we are used to on cruises.

Given this was a Christmas cruise, Santa did make an appearance as well! Overall though, there weren’t too many holiday themed events. Of course, there were decorations and trees around the ship helping to add some Christmas cheer.

Of note, Celebrity Summit does have a kids club, but it’s rather anemic when compared to sister brand Royal Caribbean. Our nephew spent a few evenings playing Xbox (when he could get the gaming stations to work) but ended up spending most of his time with us around the ship.

The Itinerary – 7-Day Southern Caribbean Cruise

As mentioned previously, our family chose this sailing mainly for the itinerary. The ports of call were meant to be the focus of the trip, so we put extra emphasis on our shore excursion picks.

The only port that our family had visited was St. Maarten back in 2021. Even we would be visiting a new port— Dominica.

So, after reviewing tour options, we booked several of our excursions with the third party vendor Shore Excursions Group. Shore Excursions Group often offers smaller group experiences at cheaper prices than the cruise lines. You can actually use our exclusive link to save up to 40% when compared to cruise line excursions.

Don’t worry- the company also offers a “return to ship guarantee” and convenient, easy-to-find tour meeting points.

St. Maarten

In St. Maarten, our nephew wanted to visit Maho Beach which we couldn’t do the last time around. Sis had other plans, as she wanted to visit the SXM Brewery. Thus, we booked the St Maarten Brewery Experience and Maho Beach small group tour with Shore Excursions Group.

This tour visited SXM Beer, the largest brewery on the island. Here, we learned a bit about the company’s history, unique brewing process, and got to tour the facilities. Of course, a visit to this local brewery wouldn’t be complete without some samples!

Next, it was onwards to Maho Beach, located adjacent to the Princess Juliana Airport. This is an experience unlike any other, where planes fly right over the beach before landing on the runway. It almost feels like you can just reach up and touch the planes. That’s how close they are! Here, we enjoyed some lunch, beach time, and the views before returning to the ship. Don may have even gotten blown away by a jet blast.

Our family agreed that this was a great way to start off our cruise.

Antigua

For our second port of call, sis and her family booked a hike through the cruise line while we took mom on an island tour. We booked the Panoramic Antigua small group tour with Shore Excursions Group.

This sightseeing tour included stops at notable landmarks for photo-ops while driving through the towns of St. John’s, Freeman’s, and Liberta. We stopped at the Block House, Shirley Heights, and Nelson’s Dockyard. At Nelson’s Dockyard, we also got a short narrated tour from an on-site guide; though, we would have appreciated a bit more time here.

Our final stop on this island tour was an hour beach break at Pigeon Point Beach. Too bad it started raining right when we arrived.

St. Lucia

In St. Lucia, our family agreed upon a tour that hit all the highlights— Soufriere Island Delight and Falls with Shore Excursions Group. The tour departed from Castries where our cruise ship was docked en route to Soufriere, passing through the towns of Canaries and Anse-La-Raye along the way.

The first stop on this tour was a quick photo-op of the Pitons. Too bad the Saharan dust clouded our view. Next up was the only drive-in volcano in the world, Sulphur Springs. While we didn’t take a dip in the mud baths, we did take a brief tour of the sulphur springs before heading to our final destination. At the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Waterfall, we took an easy hike through the gardens to the waterfall for some photos.

This tour provided a good overview of the island, giving our family some ideas of what they want to do during their next visit to St. Lucia.

Barbados

Christmas in Barbados! Since it was a holiday, there weren’t many tours available during our visit to this island. Thus, we booked a short excursion through Celebrity to Harrison’s Cave. During this unique tour, we boarded a tram to explore the underground caverns, with a short video introduction beforehand.

With some narration from a guide, we admired the stalactites, stalagmites, and natural pools along the way. During the approximately 45 minutes in the cave, there were two stops where we could get out and take photos.

Harrison’s Cave is part of Chukka’s Eco-Adventure Park which also features a zipline, challenge course, a Mount Gay rum experience, and a small natural trail with an aviary. So, you could book combo tickets to extend your visit. However, since it was a holiday, none of the other for-fee activities were open during our visit.

Dominica

Since this was also our first visit to Dominica, we wanted to see as much of the island as we could. But, some of us are more adventurous than others when it comes to swimming in caves and the like. Nonetheless, we settled on the Jewels of Dominica tour from Shore Excursions Group, knowing ahead of time that the swim portions were optional.

Our day started with a drive to Titou Gorge, a natural wonder and a filming location featured in Pirates of the Caribbean 2. Here, many guests braved the rough current for a swim into the gorge. Mom and I opted out, and it’s a good thing we did. While the tour description stated that once inside the cave the water was only waist level, this was not the case due to persistent rain in the region. In fact, the water flow was too strong for most guests to even make the swim out to the waterfall as described.

The second highlight of this tour was a visit to Trafalgar Falls. Here, there was a moderate uphill walk with several steps to the vantage point of these twin falls. While the tour also advertised a swim in the falls, it was not an option during our visit.

With these two stops being the highlights of the tour, we did also make a brief stop at more sulphur springs, drive through a small botantical garden, and visit Morne Bruce for a panoramic photo-op.

Despite rain most of the day, we enjoyed our stop in Roseau and exploring the lush island of Dominica.

Did We Make a Mistake?

While we did have reservations about booking this Celebrity Summit family cruise, we’re glad we did. Atypical for us, the ports of call were the focus of this Caribbean cruise. Our family had fun on the shore excursions and visiting these new destinations. This did mean that we were up early most days to head ashore, so we retired for the evening earlier than typical.

As a smaller ship, it turned out that Celebrity Summit was a good choice for this itinerary. We could still enjoy dining and nighttime entertainment without having FOMO about missing out on all the other amenities and attractions. There weren’t elaborate stage productions like Beetlejuice or a racetrack like on Norwegian Viva, but that’s okay.

There was enough holiday spirit and activities occurring in the evenings to keep everyone in the group busy— even if they didn’t compare to the offerings on modern mega-ships. The food and drinks were what we’ve come to expect on a cruise, and we were pleasantly surprised by the staterooms. While the pool deck and some other areas of the ship did show its age, our family actually enjoyed this cruise more than previous cruises on Royal Caribbean.

Of course, if we hadn’t planned a tour in every port or if there were more sea days, we may have had a different opinion. But overall, Celebrity Summit turned out to be a great backdrop to this port intensive family cruise.

If you’re looking for a destination-focused trip or a relaxing vacation on a smaller and sophisticated ship without all the flashy attractions and up-charge amenities, Celebrity Summit might be the perfect fit.

Comments

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With the excitement of a new year comes anticipation of brand-new cruise ships. As with most other years, there’s a slew of exciting new vessels coming in 2025. These include Celebrity’s final Edge-class ship Celebrity Xcel, Disney’s first purpose-built vessel for Asia, Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-class ship, and more. To help with your vacation planning, here are our picks for the 11 most exciting new cruise ships debuting in 2025.

11 New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2025

Allura

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line / ship class: Oceania Cruises / Allura Class
Size: 67,000 gross tons / 1,200 guests

Allura is the second ship in Oceania Cruises’ Allura class, following the debut of Vista in 2023. Part of a culinary-focused cruise line, Allura will feature many of the same restaurants as Vista. These include Ember serving reimagined American classics, Terrace Cafe, the new Crêperie, and Aquamar Kitchen — which features a menu of healthier options. The vessel will also house an expansive Culinary Center, which will include the new Chef’s Studio where onboard chef instructors will share their expertise.

All 612 of the staterooms on Allura will feature balconies, including six brand-new Concierge Level Solo Veranda staterooms. A variety of suite categories will also be available on the ship, as well as both Veranda and French Veranda cabins.

Other features of Allura include the Artist Loft where guests can take art classes, the Aquamar Spa with a spa sundeck, the Vitality fitness center with complimentary exercise classes, and multiple bars and lounges.

Allura is scheduled to sail in the Mediterranean for her inaugural season. The ship will then head to the Caribbean for the winter 2025-2026 season.

Brilliant Lady

Scheduled debut date: September 2025
Line: Virgin Voyages
Size: 110,000 gross tons / 2,770 guests

The fourth ship in the Virgin Voyages fleet, Brilliant Lady has been patiently waiting for her debut since delivery earlier this year. While most aspects of Brilliant Lady will be similar to her predecessors, some will be different. Notably, she is the first Virgin ship built to be able to transit the Panama Canal. This is due to her width ( the ‘beam’ in maritime terms) and ability to move the lifeboats inward during transit. She will also be the first Virgin Voyages ship to sail in Alaska.

The ship will feature the cabins that guests have come to know and love, including interior (Insider), oceanview (Sea View), and balcony (Sea Terrace) staterooms that feature a hammock. However, new to Brilliant Lady will be a new Sea Terrace category that features two hammocks on the balcony. The suite categories RockStar Quarters and Mega RockStar Quarters will also be available.

Specific details on how similar (or different) dining on board Brilliant Lady will be compared to her sister ships has not yet been announced. The line has said that concepts from its Eat and Drink Festival will be found on board, which included an Asian Night Market and a cocktail treasure hunt across several bars on board. Otherwise, it’s safe to assume that the ship will feature the same restaurants including Razzle Dazzle, Gunbae Korean BBQ, The Galley fast-casual fare, The Wake steakhouse, and more.

Virgin Voyages has also said that it will be introducing new music, comedy, and entertainment options aboard Brilliant Lady. Other features of the vessel will include The Dock aft sundeck and bar complete with daybeds, as well as the adjacent indoor Dock House with comfy seating and a laid-back atmosphere. Virgin’s iconic Scarlet Night and Pajama Party will also be found on Brilliant Lady. Additionally, guests can enoy The Manor nightclub, Redemption Spa, and The Red Room — a transformational entertainment venue.

Brilliant Lady will debut in NYC, offering Canada/New England and Bermuda voyages before homeporting in Miami to operate Caribbean cruises through the winter. In spring 2026, the ship will sail to Mexico and California from Los Angeles before heading up to Seattle to offer Alaska cruises through the summer.

Celebrity Xcel

Scheduled debut date: November 2025
Line / ship class: Celebrity Cruises / Edge Class
Size: 141,420 gross tons / 3,260 guests

Celebrity Xcel will be the fifth and final ship in Celebrity’s Edge class. It will feature many of the same venues and experiences as the other Edge-class ships, with some slight changes. One such change will be a larger Rooftop Garden, including an expansion over the side of the ship. The Grand Plaza (atrium) has been redesigned to let in more natural light as well. Celebrity has also hinted that there will be more entertainment options and parties on Xcel.

Favorite spots on board will include the multi-level aft Sunset Bar, the Magic Carpet cantilevered platform, a spa with SEA Thermal Suite, and The Retreat ship-within-a-ship complex. Like the two latest Edge-class ships (Beyond and Ascent), it will feature a fine dining restaurant by Chef Daniel Boulud, in addition to all the other favorites. The plant and light-filled multi-purpose venue Eden, complete with a bar, restaurant, and lounge, will also be found on Xcel.

When she sets sail, Celebrity Xcel will cruise from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.

Disney Adventure

Scheduled debut date: 2025 (month TBA)
Line / ship class: Disney Cruise Line / Global Class
Size: 208,000 gross tons / ~ 6,000 guests

Another one of the new cruise ships debuting in 2025, Disney Adventure will be the first mega ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. It’s also the line’s first purpose-built ship for the Asian market. The vessel will feature Disney Imagination Garden, a central open-air garden complete with Disney character topiaries, interior-facing balcony cabins, an Avengers-themed stage show, and a three-story storybook castle art piece. The space will also include two casual restaurants: Mowgli’s Eatery serving Indian cuisine and Gramma Tala’s Kitchen, offering up dishes inspired by the flavors of the Pacific and Asia.

The ship will also feature Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, and Wayfinder Bay where guests can shop, dine, and be entertained in areas inspired by their favorite Disney characters. Not to mention, there’s Marvel Landing with all-new super hero experiences and Toy Story Place with interactive play areas.

Disney Adventure will sail from Singapore, offering three and four-night cruises to nowhere. These voyages will spend the entire cruise at sea with no ports. As part of this collaboration between Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board, the ship will sail from Marina Bay Cruise Center for at least five years.

Disney Destiny

Scheduled debut date: November 2025
Line / ship class: Disney Cruise Line / Wish Class
Size: 144,000 gross tons / ~ 2,508 guests

Following the launch of Disney Treasure in late 2024, Disney Destiny will be the third vessel in the Triton class along with Disney Wish. These three new DCL ships will bring the total Disney Cruise Line fleet up to 8 vesels. The theme for many spaces on the ship will be heroes and villains, including classic Disney heroes and villains as well as characters from the Marvel Universe. It will feature a Black Panther-inspired Grand Hall (atrium) as well as an all-new lounge inspired by Doctor Strange.

Staterooms on the ship will include the exclusive Destiny Tower Suite — a one-of-a-kind accommodation in the funnel themed to Iron Man. Disney Destiny will also offer Hero Suites inspired by Hercules as well as Incredibles-themed IncrediSuites. Other staterooms will be similar to what Disney guests are used to, with most featuring Disney’s signature split-bathroom concept.

The three rotational main dining rooms on Destiny will feature two returning venues: Worlds of Marvel and 1923. The third restaurant will be the line’s first Lion King-themed dining room, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King. As guests eat, they’ll enjoy a musical journey through the movie’s soundtrack. Disney Destiny’s confectionery will be themed to Edna Mode from Incredibles, and the ship will also feature two cafes inspired by Megara from Hercules and Merida from Brave.

Other features will include a Haunted Mansion bar and a Pirates of the Caribbean themed bar. The ship’s two upscale specialty restaurants will be Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. The AquaMouse water attraction will be on board with a brand-new villains-themed storyline, and an immersive Oceaneer Club for kids with themes including Marvel Super Heroes, Star Wars, Disney Princesses, and more.

Disney Destiny will sail from Fort Lauderdale, offering an inaugural season of four and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and western Caribbean.

A Bit More on Disney Treasure

While technically launching in December 2024, most guests likely won’t get the chance to sail on Disney Treasure until 2025. This second ship in the Triton class is themed for adventure and exploration. Disney Treasure will tell stories of adventure not only from classic Disney movies but (for the first time ever) also from widely popular theme park attractions.

Disney Treasure showcases Captain Hook and Peter Pan at the stern. Aladdin and Jasmine on a magic carpet adorn the Grand Hall. The three main dining rooms will include Worlds of Marvel with a second show “Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix”, the all-new Plaza de Coco, and 1923. The Haunted Mansion Parlor will replace Hyperspace Lounge and the Skipper Society lounge themed after the Jungle Cruise attraction will replace The Bayou. This ship will also debut a brand-new Moana-inspired show called The Tale of Moana.

Disney Treasure will sail 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean out of Port Canaveral.

Luminara

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Size: 46,750 gross tons / 452 guests

Luminara will be the third vessel in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fleet, following Evrima and Ilma. Design for the all-suite, all-balcony cabins has been inspired by a private yacht. It will feature five restaurants, six bars, a wine vault, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa. An expanded marina will provide guests direct access to the sea.

Among the upper-suite categories will be new accommodations called The Residential Suites. They feature a separate living and dining area, a double vanity bathroom with soaking tub and separate shower, and a walk-in closet. Other suite categories on the ship include the Terrace Suites (the lowest category with its own seating area), the Signature Suites with a small separate living and dining area and a soaking tub, and the large Concierge Suites with a separate living and dining area, double vanity bathroom with soaking tub, and a balcony with al fresco dining area, outdoor shower, and hot tub.

Luminara will spend summer 2025 operating mostly seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean. The ship will spend winter 2025-2026 sailing in Asia.

MSC World America

Scheduled debut date: April 2025
Line / ship class: MSC Cruises / World Class
Size: 215,863 gross tons / 5,200 guests

MSC World America will be the second World-class ship for MSC Cruises, following MSC World Europa. Like its name implies, MSC World America will homeport in the U.S., sailing seven-day cruises from Miami to the eastern and western Caribbean. This class of ships is a completey new design for the cruise line.

The mega ship will feature seven districts, including Family Aventura featuring The Harbour outdoor park with a ropes course, an 11-story slide, and a new swinging attraction called the Cliffhanger. Other districts are Aqua Deck with the ship’s two main pools and The Terraces featuring nine restaurants and bars and a comedy club, among others.

MSC World America will also feature a massive MSC Yacht Club. This luxurious ship-within-a-ship is dedicated to guests in Yacht Club accommodations and includes its own sundeck, lounge, and restaurant.

Restaurant and bar highlights on MSC World America will include The Gin Project, Italian restaurant Eataly, Paxos Greek restaurant, Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki, Emporium coffee bar, Hola! Tacos and Cantina, and the Jean-Phillipe Chocolate Shop and Café.

Accommodation options on MSC World America will be extensive, including the standard interior, oceanview, and balcony cabins; a number of non-Yacht Club suite categories (including one with a hot tub); and Yacht Club accommodations ranging from interiors to Owner’s Suites.

Norwegian Aqua

Scheduled debut date: April 2025
Line / ship class: Norwegian Cruise Line / Prima Plus Class
Size: 156,300 gross tons / 3,571 guests

Norwegian Aqua, the third in NCL’s Prima class, will be 10 percent larger than her predecessors — Norwegian Prima and Viva — and feature some slight differences. Notably, this ship will not feature a go-kart racetrack. Instead, it will include a new thrill ride, the Aqua Slidecoaster. This part hybrid roller coaster and waterslide wraps around the funnel and can reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

Aqua will also include the line’s first Thai restaurant, Sukhothai (which is replacing Food Republic from the sister ships). The vessel’s adults-only sundeck Vibe Beach Club, the main pool deck, and the Ocean Boulevard waterfront promenade will be much larger and offer even more outdoor space. The teppanyaki restaurant, Hasuki, and the Metropolitan cocktail bar are also enlarged, the latter of which will now feature a grand piano and entertainment space.

Other highlights of Norwegian Aqua will include The Drop dry slide, an expanded Stadium, and a new Glow Court. Additional dining options include the Indulge Food Hall with its various stations offering a variety of cuisine as well as favorites like Cagney’s and Le Bistro. The ship will also feature Syd Norman’s Pour House, Improv at Sea (with a larger space), and a new production show themed to Prince and his music.

Norwegian Aqua will also feature The Haven, a luxury ship-within-a-ship complex. Alongside the same suite categories on other ships in the NCL fleet, The Haven will also include a brand-new three-bedroom duplex suite. Also on the ship are NCL’s famous studio staterooms for solo travelers, complete with an exclusive lounge.

When she sets sail, Norwegian Aqua will offer 7-day itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida. From August through October of 2025, the ship will position to New York for 5- and 7-day voyages to Bermuda. Then, she will sail Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami through April 2026.

Star of the Seas

Scheduled debut date: August 2025
Line / ship class: Royal Caribbean International / Icon Class
Size: 250,800 gross tons / 5,610 guests

Royal Caribbean is continuing its Icon class with the debut of Star of the Seas. This ship will now be the largest cruise ship in the world upon its debut. Like Icon of the Seas, the vessel will feature eight neighborhoods. It will feature many of the same venues and amenities including Category 6 waterpark, Crown’s Edge thrill ride, Absolute Zero ice skating rink, the AquaDome with indoor AquaTheater, and The Hideaway adults-only deck with suspended infinity pool. Star will also feature the family-friendly Surfside neighborhood complete with The Lemon Post family bar and the plant-filled Central Park area.

Unlike Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas won’t feature a New York City-themed supper club. Instead, the Chicago-themed Lincoln Park Supper Club will replace the Empire Supper Club. Other returning dining spots will include Chops Grille, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, AquaDome Market food hall, and the casual Basecamp.

Further, the ship will have a huge variety of staterooms, including the Surfside Family Suites with a separate room for the kids. Both traditional and infinite balcony cabins will also be available. The massive three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse is complete with an in-suite slide and “backyard” with direct access to the Surfside neighborhood.

While there haven’t been any entertainment announcements yet, the Back to the Future Musical is rumored to be the new signature show.

Star of the Seas will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Star Princess

Scheduled debut date: October 2025
Line / ship class: Princess Cruises / Sphere Class
Size: 178,000 gross tons / 4,300 guests

The second ship in Princess’ Sphere class, Star Princess will offer many of the same features aboard Sun Princess. It will include The Dome, a glass-paneled venue that serves as both a solarium and entertainment space. The ship’s piazza will also feature a glass spherical shape that is visible from the outside of the ship. What Princess calls the “most technically advanced theater at sea,” the Arena, will also be on Star Princess.

Restaurants found on board will include The Butcher’s Block steakhouse, Umai Teppanyaki, Makato Ocean, and returning favorites like Crown Grill and Sabatini’s. Spellbound by Magic Castle — a part-dining, part-entertainment experience is also part of the entertainment lineup on Star Princess.

Suites on the ship will include the new Cabana Mini-Suites with private cabanas for the first time in the Princess fleet, Sky Suites which feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a separate seating area, and more. All suites are part of the Sanctuary Collection, which includes access to an exclusive restaurant, lounge, and sundeck with pool. Other accommodations include multiple balcony categories — including one with access to The Sanctuary amenities — plus standard oceanview and interior cabins.

Star Princess will offer two Mediterranean voyages in October 2025 before setting sail for Fort Lauderdale. From Florida, the ship will operate seven and 14-night Caribbean voyages through the winter. It will then reposition to Seattle for a 2026 summer season of sailings to Alaska.

Viking Vesta

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line / ship class: Viking / Ocean ship
Size: 54,300 gross tons / 998 guests

Viking Vesta is a continuation of Viking’s now-large fleet of ocean ships. Though, it will be a bit larger than the others that are currently sailing. For reference, Viking’s current ocean ships are just under 48,000 gross tons and carry 930 guests each. Despite the slightly larger size, Viking Vesta will still be nearly identical to the other vessels on the guest-facing side. The larger size is to accommodate new hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Features will include The Nordic Spa with thermal suite and Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant. Also on board are the Torshavn bar and music lounge and World Cafe buffet. The outdoor Aquavit Terrace features al fresco dining and an aft infinity pool. The light-filled Wintergarden near the main pool is the venue for daily afternoon tea. The cozy Explorer’s Lounge features floor-to-ceiling windows, and Mamsen’s serves waffles and split pea soup. Viking Vesta also includes a sports deck.

Like all Viking ocean ships, Viking Vesta will offer a nearly all-inclusive cruise experience. Besides accommodations, all dining and non-alcoholic beverages like water and specialty coffee are part of the cruise fare. Other drink inclusions are beer, wine, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. A shore excursion in each port of call, basic WiFi, access to the thermal suite, and room service are also complimentary.

Viking Vesta will sail in the Mediterranean, offering a variety of mostly seven to 21-day voyages. She will sail from various homeports including Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Piraeus (Athens).

Note: Passenger capacity figures are based on double occupancy.

Comments

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