Royal Caribbean and Celeb Cruises are two of the most well-liked cruise strains on this planet — and so they’re really owned by the identical dad or mum firm, Royal Caribbean Group. So it’s no shock that first time cruisers usually surprise which is best.
After crusing on each strains extra instances than we will depend, we will let you know that they ship very completely different trip experiences. Royal Caribbean is the road that constructed its fame on the largest ships on this planet and probably the most jaw-dropping onboard points of interest. Celeb is its premium counterpart with a extra refined and complicated ambiance. However which is best relies upon totally on what you’re searching for in a cruise. Right here’s how the 2 strains stack up class by class.
Royal Caribbean and Celeb Fleets: A Breakdown
Each Royal Caribbean and Celeb Cruises function trendy, well-maintained fleets however they differ considerably in dimension and persona.
One essential observe for each strains: the expertise may also differ significantly relying on which particular ship you’re crusing. A brand-new Icon-class ship on Royal Caribbean is a really completely different trip from an older Voyager-class vessel. The identical is true between a brand new Edge-class Celeb ship and an older Millennium-class one. That’s why it’s essential to analysis the particular ship earlier than you e-book.
What number of ships does Royal Caribbean have?
Royal Caribbean presently operates 29 ships throughout a number of lessons, with upcoming new additions together with Legend of the Seas (Summer time 2026), Icon 4 (2027), Oasis 7 (2028), Icon 5 (2028), and a brand-new Discovery-class starting in 2029. With the supply of Legend of the Seas this summer season, Royal Caribbean could have the most important fleet of cruise ships on this planet, with Carnival coming in an in depth second.
What are the largest, smallest, latest, and oldest Royal Caribbean ships?
The latest ships within the Royal Caribbean fleet are Icon of the Seas (2024), Utopia of the Seas (2024), and Star of the Seas (2025). Icon and Star are additionally the 2 largest cruise ships on this planet at 248,663 gross registered tons every. Although, the most important by passenger capability is definitely Marvel of the Seas, which holds 5,734 friends at double occupancy. The oldest Royal Caribbean ship is Grandeur of the Seas (1996), which can also be the smallest by each passenger depend (1,992 at double occupancy) and tonnage (73,817 GRT).
What number of ships does Celeb Cruises have?
Celeb presently sails 15 ships, with a sixth Edge Class ship — Celeb Xcite — set to reach in 2028. The fleet is split into 4 lessons: the flagship Edge-class, the Solstice-class, the Millennium-class, and the one-of-a-kind Celeb Flora, a small expedition vessel that sails the Galápagos Islands completely.
It’s additionally price noting that Celeb is increasing into river cruising in 2027, with two new river vessels — Celeb Compass and Celeb Seeker — set to sail European waterways. It’s an thrilling improvement for followers of the model who wish to take that elevated Celeb expertise to the rivers.
What are the largest, smallest, latest, and oldest Celeb ships?
The latest and largest ships in Celeb’s fleet are the Edge-class vessels. Celeb Xcel (2025), Celeb Ascent (2023), and Celeb Past (2022) are tied as the most important at roughly 140,600 gross tons, every carrying round 3,260 friends at double occupancy. The oldest ship within the Celeb fleet is Celeb Millennium (2000). The smallest vessel is Celeb Flora at simply 5,922 gross tons, carrying solely 100 friends.
Who Sails Royal Caribbean vs. Celeb Cruises?
Each strains entice a variety of vacationers, however spend a day on every and also you’ll instantly discover the distinction in onboard vibe.
Royal Caribbean attracts a extra energetic crowd who need as a lot as attainable packed into one cruise trip — households with younger youngsters, multigenerational teams, {couples}, buddy teams, and solo vacationers, all united by the road’s fame for having one thing for completely everybody. The ambiance onboard skews energetic and energetic, particularly on the larger Oasis- and Icon-class ships. It’s a social setting with a lot occurring at any given second that it’s almost not possible to suit all of it in on a single cruise. That’s a part of the attraction for a lot of friends — and could be overwhelming for others.
Celeb intentionally positions itself in another way. The ambiance is quieter, extra refined, and really a lot designed round leisure and the enjoyment of fine meals, good drinks, and delightful environment. You’ll discover a number of {couples}, grownup buddy teams, and solo vacationers who admire high quality over amount. The pool deck on a Celeb ship is a noticeably calmer expertise than what you’d discover on a comparable Royal Caribbean crusing. Celeb’s slogan, “Nothing Comes Shut”, displays the road’s dedication to a extra upscale, resort-like really feel that units it aside from different mainstream strains, together with its sister model.
We’ve sailed each strains as a pair and with our household, and all have been nice experiences. Once we need exercise, journey, and one thing thrilling round each nook, Royal Caribbean delivers. Once we wish to really decompress and really feel like we’re on trip slightly than fixed go-go-go, Celeb is our decide.
Winner: Depends upon your journey occasion and journey fashion. Royal Caribbean for energetic vacationers, households, and anybody who needs excessive vitality and continuous choices. Celeb for {couples}, grownup teams, and anybody prioritizing a complicated, relaxed expertise. Personally, we love Royal Caribbean when crusing the Caribbean and Bahamas and Celeb when crusing the Mediterranean or different destination-focused itineraries.
Youngsters and Household Packages
This is without doubt one of the most essential classes for households and likewise the place the 2 strains differ considerably.
Royal Caribbean’s youngsters and teenage programming is among the many finest within the cruise business. Journey Ocean divides youthful cruisers into age-appropriate teams — Aquanauts (3-5), Explorers (6-8), Voyagers (Sep 11), and Navigators (12-14) — every with its personal devoted actions, crafts, video games, and themed occasions. Teenagers have their very own area totally.
Newer ships within the Royal Caribbean fleet take the youth expertise even additional with devoted household areas, huge pool complexes with waterslides, even extravagant household lodging. There’s sufficient onboard points of interest to maintain youngsters fortunately occupied for a complete week.
Celeb’s ships nonetheless have devoted youngsters and teenagers applications simply not as in depth as Royal Caribbean. Camp at Sea divides youngsters into age teams — Shipmates (3-5), Cadets (6-9), Captains (10-12), and Teenagers (13-17) — with age-appropriate actions like arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, sports activities competitions, and film nights. However Celeb’s ships don’t have waterslides, FlowRiders, mini-golf, or the form of youth-focused points of interest that make Royal Caribbean so interesting to households.
That mentioned, households who need a extra relaxed trip, have older youngsters, or need a extra destination-focused expertise usually discover Celeb to be an exquisite selection.
Winner: Royal Caribbean. Whereas Celeb could also be nice for the suitable sort of household, Royal Caribbean is a transparent winner on this class. Royal Caribbean is constructed for household cruising in a method Celeb merely isn’t.
Who Has Higher Meals: Royal Caribbean or Celeb?
Each strains embrace the principle eating room and buffet of their base fares and have constructed out in depth specialty eating lineups — however the general high quality differs. Right here’s how the important thing venues stack up aspect by aspect:
Steakhouses
- Royal Caribbean: Chops Grille
- Celeb: High quality Reduce Steakhouse (Edge-class & Solstice)
Italian
- Royal Caribbean: Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen/Desk
- Celeb: Tuscan Grille or Trattoria Rossa (Solstice/Millennium-class)
Asian
- Royal Caribbean: Izumi
- Celeb: Uncooked on 5/Sushi on 5
Pub Fare
- Royal Caribbean: Playmaker’s Sports activities Bar & Arcade
- Celeb: Craft Social (choose ships)
Distinctive/Experiential
- Royal Caribbean: Wonderland (choose ships), supper membership and dinner theater ideas (choose Icon and Oasis-class ships)
- Celeb: Eden Restaurant (Edge-class), Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud (latest Edge-class ships), Le Petit Chef
Informal/Fast Service
- Royal Caribbean: Park Cafe, Sorrento’s pizza, Windjammer buffet
- Celeb: Oceanview Café buffet, Mast Grill, Spa Café, Café al Bacio, Eden Café
As well as, Royal Caribbean additionally gives BBQ, Mexican, consolation meals, and seafood choices, incomes the sting on sheer quantity. However Celeb takes the sting in high quality. The primary eating room constantly delivers, with higher dishes and extra thoughtfully composed menus. The Oceanview Café is without doubt one of the finest buffets we’ve skilled on any cruise line. And venues like Le Voyage add a stage of culinary excellence that Royal Caribbean doesn’t match.
Winner: Celeb Cruises. The standard distinction in the principle eating room and buffet — the place most friends eat most meals — is constant and noticeable. Specialty eating is robust on each strains, however Celeb’s general culinary program is a step above.
Bars and Drinks: Royal Caribbean vs. Celeb Cruises
Each strains have nice bar applications, however the persona of every is totally completely different.
Royal Caribbean leans into novelty with some venues. The Rising Tide Bar levitates between decks on Oasis-class ships. The Bionic Bar serves cocktails blended by robotic arms. The Pesky Parrot options an animatronic chook including a little bit of impolite humor to the institution. Dueling Pianos serves cocktails alongside some risque sing-alongs, and Icon-class ships even characteristic a swim-up bar. The Lemon Submit options cocktails all made with lemonade, and The Lime & Coconut options vibrant colours and drinks served in seaside pails. In fact, there are extra conventional choices too, like and English pub, Schooner Bar with piano tunes and martinis, and Boleros for some Latin aptitude.
Then again, Celeb’s bar scene is a little more subdued and complicated. The Martini Bar is maybe probably the most iconic venue for the model. Right here, the bartenders placed on a efficiency, the menu is in depth, and the ambiance is energetic. The Sundown Bar is one other fleet-wide favourite, with a surprising out of doors location and completely paired drinks. The World Class Bar serves upscale craft cocktails in an intimate setting, and Eden on Edge-class ships options one-of-a-kind cocktails that you simply received’t discover wherever else. To not point out, Café al Bacio is without doubt one of the finest espresso homes at sea that includes specialty espresso and scrumptious pastries.
On the subject of drink packages, Celeb’s Traditional Drink Bundle begins round $90 per particular person per day and the Premium package deal round $105. Royal Caribbean drink packages have dynamic pricing however are often fairly comparable in worth The important thing distinction is that Celeb’s All Included fare can bundle the Traditional package deal into the bottom worth.
Winner: Tie. Royal Caribbean wins for enjoyable, modern bar ideas and sheer selection. Celeb wins for craft cocktails and drink package deal worth. Neither will disappoint.
Leisure: Royal Caribbean vs. Celeb Cruises
That is one other class the place the hole between the 2 strains is broad. Whereas each provide a few of the finest leisure within the business, Royal Caribbean actually delivers the wow issue.
High-Deck Sights and Sports activities
Royal Caribbean is in a category of its personal right here. Many ships within the fleet characteristic waterslides, a FlowRider surf simulator, mountaineering partitions, mini golf, and a devoted sports activities court docket. Oasis-class ships characteristic a zipper line and a carousel, whereas Quantum-class ships characteristic bumper automobiles and a sky-diving simulator and Icon-class ships have a full waterpark and 7 complete swimming pools.
Celeb’s pool deck is a essentially completely different expertise — and deliberately so. You’ll discover a foremost pool, a Solarium, and loads of lounge chairs for stress-free poolside. The Edge-class ships add the Rooftop Backyard as a retreat from the principle pool space. Celeb ships additionally characteristic a sports activities court docket for video games like pickleball however you received’t discover all the opposite thrill points of interest.
Manufacturing Reveals
Royal Caribbean units the bar for cruise ship theater. The road options legit Broadway reveals like Hairspray, Grease, and Mamma Mia!, alongside unique productions like The Wizard of Oz and Again to the Future: The Musical on Icon-class ships. The Studio B ice skating rink hosts full skilled ice reveals on many Royal Caribbean ships, and the AquaTheater productions are world-class spectacles with high-diving, acrobatics, and synchronized swimming. There’s nothing else in mainstream cruising that competes with this stage of leisure.
Celeb’s theater programming is well-produced and artistically spectacular too, even when on a smaller scale. The Edge-class ships mix stay efficiency with cutting-edge LED know-how. The Membership and Eden host further interactive reveals for a well-rounded leisure lineup that’s higher than most different cruise strains. The place Royal Caribbean productions are usually loud and flashy, Celeb’s method is extra intimate and creative.
Actions, Nightlife, and Enrichment
Each strains provide the usual exercise lineup of trivia, sport reveals, and themed events just like the silent disco.
The place Celeb differentiates itself is in enrichment programming. Anticipate varied mixology lessons, wine tastings, destination-focused lectures, and a common emphasis on curated experiences. Celeb Xcel’s Bazaar is a standout instance — an immersive, destination-themed area that transforms all through the crusing with native meals, leisure, and cultural experiences tied to every port of name. On itineraries like Alaska, the Past the Podium sequence could be a spotlight of the journey.
Royal Caribbean leans into continuous enjoyable with actions just like the Loopy Quest sport present, comedy golf equipment, stay music in a number of venues, nightclub experiences, and a common ambiance that retains the vitality excessive effectively previous midnight.
Winner: Royal Caribbean for sheer selection and the unrivaled top-deck attraction lineup. Royal Caribbean additionally units the bar for theater productions with high-quality performances throughout a number of distinctive theaters.
Cabins and Lodging
Each strains provide the total vary from inside cabins to expansive suites, however the general high quality and decor of the staterooms are noticeably completely different.
Royal Caribbean’s commonplace staterooms are snug and well-maintained, although not significantly distinctive. The road earns factors for the number of cabin sorts out there — particularly on the newer ships, the place you’ll discover inward-facing balconies overlooking the Boardwalk and Central Park neighborhoods, digital balconies, and infinite balcony cabins on Icon-class vessels. On the prime finish, Star Class suites bundle specialty eating, limitless drinks, gratuities, WiFi, and the companies of a devoted Royal Genie concierge into the fare.
Celeb’s staterooms are likely to really feel extra refined throughout the board, when it comes to fashion, operate, and decor. Even the older ships within the fleet really feel trendy, as Millennium-class underwent revitalization in 2019 and the Solstice-class are presently being revitalized beginning with Solstice in March 2026. For friends centered on wellness, AquaClass staterooms provide a spa-forward expertise that features complimentary entry to the thermal suite, health lessons, and unique eating at Blu, a quieter various restaurant reserved for AquaClass friends.
On the prime finish for Celeb, The Retreat gives a ship-within-a-ship expertise. Suite friends get entry to a non-public sundeck, the unique Luminae restaurant, a devoted lounge, and full butler service. As a part of Celeb’s $250 million revitalization program for its Solstice-class ships, they may even see enhanced Retreat lodging — conserving them aggressive with the newer Edge-class vessels.
Winner: Celeb Cruises. Normal cabin high quality is extra constantly elevated throughout all classes, and AquaClass and The Retreat lodging make Celeb the clear winner over Royal Caribbean.
Pricing and Worth
On paper, Royal Caribbean sometimes carries a decrease sticker worth than Celeb for a comparable crusing — however the true comparability requires just a few extra steps.
Royal Caribbean’s base fare covers lodging, foremost eating room, buffet, and most onboard leisure. Drinks, WiFi, specialty eating, and gratuities are all add-ons.
Celeb gives two fare constructions: Cruise Solely and All Included. The “cruise solely” fare consists of all of the fundamentals like Royal Caribbean, whereas the All Included fare provides a Traditional Drink Bundle and primary WiFi to the bottom worth (with the choice to improve to premium WiFi and/or the Premium Drink Bundle for an added price). For friends on a 7-night crusing who plan to buy a drink package deal anyway, that inclusion alone can shut or typically remove the worth hole between the 2 strains.
Winner: Royal Caribbean on base fare. But it surely’s price doing the mathematics on Celeb’s All Included package deal earlier than you assume Royal Caribbean is the cheaper possibility.
Itineraries and Personal Locations
Each strains sail a variety of locations — Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Mexico, and extra — however their approaches to itinerary size and selection differ meaningfully.
Maybe one in all Royal Caribbean’s largest itinerary differentiators is Excellent Day at CocoCay, its non-public island within the Bahamas. The road additionally has plans for an in depth growth of its non-public vacation spot portfolio within the coming years. Royal Caribbean excels at shorter sailings as effectively — 3- and 4-night getaways are a staple of the lineup, making it probably the most accessible choices for first-time cruisers or these brief on trip time searching for an final weekend getaway. The core candy spot for Royal Caribbean is the 7-night Caribbean crusing, and the road does that extraordinarily effectively. The road tends to draw friends who’re extra within the ship because the vacation spot.
Celeb’s itinerary lineup is broader and tends to skew longer, with extra 10- to 14-night sailings. The itineraries additionally are usually extra destination-immersive. Celeb has a very robust European presence, with sailings all through the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the British Isles. Additional, Celeb Flora is the one mainstream cruise ship crusing the Galápagos Islands. The road tends to draw friends who’re as within the locations as they’re within the ship itself, and the itinerary programming displays that.
Winner: Depends upon what you need. Royal Caribbean for shorter sailings, non-public island experiences, and the basic 7-night Caribbean journey. Celeb for destination-driven itineraries, longer sailings, and extra unique choices.
Loyalty Packages
As a result of each strains fall underneath the Royal Caribbean Group umbrella, their loyalty applications — Crown & Anchor Society (Royal Caribbean) and Captain’s Membership (Celeb) — provide reciprocal standing matching. Whereas the factors earned aren’t mixed and the perks of every loyalty program differ, you’ll have equal standing when crusing on both line.
In the event you’ve constructed standing on Royal Caribbean over time, you’ll carry that recognition straight into your first Celeb crusing — and vice versa. For example, in the event you’re Diamond standing on Royal Caribbean, you’ll obtain Elite stage perks on Celeb. It is a nice profit for vacationers who like to separate their time between each strains.
And as of 2026, you’ll be able to select which model to use your earned factors towards. With Factors Alternative, which means that even in the event you sailed with Celeb you possibly can select to accrue the factors to Royal Caribbean. This lets you work your method up the rankings quicker.
Winner: Tie. The reciprocal program and new Factors Alternative is a win for anybody who sails each strains usually. Although, Royal Caribbean does get the sting for its perks, significantly free drink vouchers for larger tier statuses.
Royal Caribbean vs. Celeb Cruises: Which Is Proper for You?
There’s no single winner between these two strains — and that’s the trustworthy reply after crusing each extra instances than we will depend. They’re two excellent cruise strains that serve completely different vacationers exceptionally effectively.
Select Celeb Cruises if…
- You need elevated meals and a extra refined general onboard expertise
- You’re touring as a pair or a gaggle of adults with out younger youngsters
- You like a complicated, resort-like ambiance over continuous actions
- You wish to bundle drinks and WiFi with Celeb’s All Included fare
- You’re searching for longer sailings or extra destination-focused itineraries
Select Royal Caribbean if…
- You’re touring with youngsters or teenagers who need actions and thrills from morning to nighttime
- You need the largest, most amenity-packed ships on this planet
- You’re keen on Broadway-style reveals and need the perfect leisure at sea
- You need entry to Excellent Day at CocoCay
- You’re searching for a shorter 3- or 4-night crusing or a extra budget-friendly entry level
Feedback
Have you ever sailed with each of those cruise strains? When evaluating Royal Caribbean vs. Celeb Cruises, which is your favourite? Drop us an anchor under to share your current critiques and experiences crusing on these cruise strains.
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