Celebrity Cruises: The Complete Fleet Guide (2026)

Q: What is The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises?

The Retreat is Celebrity's suite 'ship-within-a-ship': suite accommodations plus the exclusive Luminae restaurant, the private Retreat Lounge and a Retreat Sundeck, along with premium inclusions. It's available across the fleet and is one of the strongest suite enclaves in premium cruising.

Fleet at a glance

Celebrity markets 15 ships in 2026 — 14 ocean ships across three classes (Edge, Solstice and Millennium) plus Celebrity Flora in the Galápagos, which is really a different product altogether. Here are the groupings, biggest to smallest.

Class	Ships	Size	Guests
Edge	Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel	~130–141k GT	~2,900–3,260
Solstice	Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, Reflection	~122–126k GT	~2,850–3,050
Millennium	Millennium, Infinity, Summit, Constellation	~91k GT	~2,100
Galápagos	Flora	~6k GT	~100

Celebrity is expanding on two fronts. A sixth Edge-class ship, Celebrity Xcite, is due in 2028, and the line enters river cruising in 2027, beginning with ships including Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker on the Rhine and Danube — its first move off the ocean. As always, only confirmed dates are worth planning around.

Guest numbers are approximate double-occupancy capacities; each ship carries more at maximum occupancy. Celebrity Flora is an intentionally tiny expedition ship.

How Celebrity scores

Celebrity sits a clear step above the mainstream lines. Its strengths are couples, dining, relaxation and a genuinely elevated suite experience; its trade-offs are a deliberately light family offering and premium pricing. Think style and food over spectacle and thrills.

Seabound Fit Profile · Celebrity Cruises 1–10 scale

These are fit scores, not review scores. A lower families score means the experience is less suited to travelers who want a kid-focused, activity-packed ship — not that the ship is lower quality.

Families5

Couples9

Food9

Entertainment7

Value6

Relaxation9

Luxury8

Accessibility7

Two honest caveats. On value: Celebrity is premium-priced, and while All Included pricing (a Classic Drinks Package and Basic Wi-Fi) can make the total surprisingly competitive, this is not a budget play — the score reflects fit for price-first travelers, not the quality on offer. On families: kids are welcome and there's a youth program, but the line is designed for adults, so families wanting waterslides and big kids' clubs should look elsewhere.

Class by class

Three ocean classes plus a Galápagos expedition fleet. Newer ocean ships push design and dining hardest; older ones offer the same polish, often at better value; and the Galápagos ships are a wholly different, expedition-style experience.

◆ Newest & largest · 2018–2025

Edge Series

Celebrity's design-forward flagships.

~130–141k GT~2,900–3,260 guests5 ships

Edge (2018), Apex (2020), Beyond (2022), Ascent (2023) and Xcel (2025) are the ships that redefined modern Celebrity: the cantilevered Magic Carpet platform, Infinite Veranda cabins that bring the balcony inside, the multi-story Eden venue, the Rooftop Garden, and a four-restaurant main-dining concept. Beyond, Ascent and Xcel are the larger, stretched versions with the biggest Retreat sundecks and Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud — in our view, the fleet's strongest food and design.

Best for

Couples and food-focused travelers who want the newest, most designed Celebrity ship and the widest dining choice.

Skip if

You want the lowest fare, a smaller destination-first ship, or a kid-focused, high-thrills vacation.

Seabound Fit Profile

Families5

Couples9

Food9

Entertainment8

Value6

Relaxation9

Luxury8

Accessibility8

◆ Modern classic · 2008–2012

Solstice Series

The ships that defined modern Celebrity.

~122–126k GT~2,850–3,050 guests5 ships

Solstice (2008), Equinox (2009), Eclipse (2010), Silhouette (2011) and Reflection (2012) are the instant classics — big premium ships with the signature grass Lawn Club up top, elegant public rooms, and a refined resort feel, all refreshed under Celebrity's fleet-modernization program. They carry the full Retreat suite experience and much of the brand's dining, usually at fares below the Edge ships.

Best for

Travelers who want the premium Celebrity experience with broad itinerary reach and better value than the newest hardware.

Skip if

You specifically want Edge-class design (Magic Carpet, Infinite Verandas) or the very newest dining.

Seabound Fit Profile

Families5

Couples9

Food9

Entertainment7

Value7

Relaxation9

Luxury8

Accessibility7

◆ Midsize & oldest · 2000–2002

Millennium Series

The intimate, destination-first ships.

~91k GT~2,100 guests4 ships

Millennium (2000), Infinity (2001), Summit (2001) and Constellation (2002) are the smallest and oldest ocean ships — but heavily refurbished, and prized for their manageable size and easy flow. Fewer venues than the big ships, but the same service, The Retreat, and strong specialty dining, on some of Celebrity's most interesting destination itineraries.

Best for

Destination-first travelers who prefer a smaller, easy-to-navigate ship and often the most unusual itineraries.

Skip if

You want the newest design, the most venues and dining choice, or a big-ship atmosphere.

Seabound Fit Profile

Families5

Couples8

Food8

Entertainment6

Value7

Relaxation8

Luxury7

Accessibility6

◆ Expedition · a different product

Galápagos Fleet

All-suite, all-inclusive wildlife expeditions.

~6k GT~100 guestsCelebrity FloraGalápagos only

Celebrity Flora — a purpose-built, all-suite expedition ship for about 100 guests — sails exclusively in the Galápagos and is the ship Celebrity markets there today. This is a true expedition: naturalist guides, Zodiac landings, all-inclusive fares (flights within Ecuador, tours, meals and drinks), and wildlife at the center. Score it as its own thing; it shares Celebrity's polish but almost none of a big-ship's format.

Best for

Couples and travelers for whom the Galápagos itself is the goal, wanting an upscale, all-inclusive, small-ship expedition.

Skip if

You want big-ship venues, entertainment and activities, families with young kids, or a budget fare.

Seabound Fit Profile

Families4

Couples9

Food9

Entertainment5

Value5

Relaxation9

Luxury9

Accessibility5

Class comparisons

Two comparisons come up constantly among the ocean ships. Here's how we'd frame them.

Edge Series vs Solstice Series

Edge

Newest and most designed — Magic Carpet, Infinite Verandas, Eden, the four-restaurant concept and (on Beyond/Ascent/Xcel) Le Voyage. The strongest food and the biggest Retreat.

Solstice

The refined modern classic — elegant, spacious, the Lawn Club up top, the full Retreat and most of the dining, usually at a lower fare.

The honest read: Choose Edge for the newest design and the best dining; choose Solstice for the same premium feel and broad itineraries at better value. Both are excellent for couples.

Solstice Series vs Millennium Series

Solstice

Bigger, with more venues, more dining and more space — the fuller premium big-ship experience.

Millennium

Smaller and more intimate, easy to navigate, with the same service and The Retreat — and often the most distinctive destination itineraries.

The honest read: Pick Solstice when you want the full big-ship premium experience; pick Millennium when the itinerary and a calmer, smaller ship matter more than the number of venues.

Dining & entertainment

Food is Celebrity's headline act — in Seabound's assessment one of the strongest food-focused premium lines — and its entertainment is stylish and intimate rather than blockbuster.

Dining

A multi-restaurant approach — instead of one big main dining room, the Edge ships spread complimentary dining across four distinct restaurants, alongside specialty venues: the Fine Cut steakhouse, the experiential Eden tasting menu, Le Petit Chef, and Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud on the newest ships.

Consistently strong — celebrity-chef partnerships, a serious wine and cocktail program (the Martini Bar is a Celebrity institution), and quality that holds up fleet-wide make food the single best reason many guests choose Celebrity.

Entertainment

Stylish, not spectacle — Eden's genre-blending performances, contemporary production shows (Xcel debuts "Elements" and "Stage Door"), live jazz at the Martini Bar, silent discos and enrichment. The Magic Carpet doubles as a bar and dining venue.

The honest note — Celebrity's shows are polished and sophisticated, but this isn't the big-budget, arena-scale entertainment of the largest mainstream ships. That's by design — the vibe is a chic resort, not a theme park.

The Retreat & design

Two things set the tone on Celebrity: a genuine suite enclave that rivals the best at sea, and interiors by name designers that make the ships feel like boutique hotels.

The Retreat

A true ship-within-a-ship — suite guests get the exclusive Luminae restaurant, the private Retreat Lounge and a private Retreat Sundeck, with the largest and most developed versions on the newer Edge-series ships, plus premium drinks, Wi-Fi and a dedicated team. It's one of the strongest suite products in premium cruising, and it's available across the fleet.

It's what lets Celebrity reach toward luxury without being a luxury line — you can sail the mainstream decks or step up into a near-luxury enclave on the same ship.

Design & staterooms

Designed, not decorated — interiors by names like Kelly Hoppen and Tom Wright give Celebrity a modern, gallery-like feel. The Edge ships introduced Infinite Veranda cabins that fold the balcony into the room.

All Included — most fares can be booked with a Classic Drinks Package and Basic Wi-Fi bundled in, which is worth pricing against a cruise-only fare for your trip.

Accessibility · verify by ship and sailing

Celebrity offers accessible staterooms across categories, and the newer Edge and Solstice ships have the most modern accessible infrastructure; the older Millennium ships and the small Galápagos vessels are more limited (Galápagos expeditions involve Zodiac landings and are not well suited to significant mobility needs).

Treat our score as a starting signal. Confirm the specific features you need — cabin dimensions, roll-in showers, and port/tender accessibility — for your exact ship and sailing before booking.

Captain's Club & All Included

Celebrity rewards repeat guests through Captain's Club, and shapes most of its pricing through the All Included bundle.

Captain's Club — tiers by points

Captain's Club rises through Preview, Classic, Select, Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith, earned through Club Points based on stateroom category and nights sailed. Perks build steadily — Wi-Fi, drinks, laundry, a lounge and priority services at the top. Celebrity also participates in Royal Caribbean Group's one-for-one Loyalty Status Match across Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Silversea, and Points Choice lets members direct points earned on one brand toward the program they choose.

All Included — most fares are sold either cruise-only or as All Included, which bundles a Classic Drinks Package and Basic Wi-Fi. It often makes the total-trip cost more competitive than the headline fare suggests, but only if you'll use the inclusions — so compare both for your sailing.

The Galápagos

Celebrity doesn't operate a private island — but it does run one of the most respected Galápagos programs at sea, a genuine point of difference. Treat this as a snapshot and confirm details for your sailing.

Celebrity Flora All-inclusive

A purpose-built, all-suite expedition ship for about 100 guests, designed specifically for the Galápagos. Fares are genuinely all-inclusive — internal Ecuador flights, naturalist-led excursions, Zodiac landings, meals and drinks — with a glass-forward design and an outdoor "Vista Walk." It's Celebrity's most luxurious, most immersive product.

All-inclusive by design Fares

Galápagos fares are genuinely all-in — internal Ecuador flights, naturalist-led excursions, meals and drinks — and pair naturally with a mainland Ecuador or Machu Picchu extension. (Celebrity has historically also run smaller Galápagos yachts; Flora is the ship it markets there today.)

No private island elsewhere Worth knowing

On its ocean itineraries Celebrity leans on real destinations rather than a branded private island. If a private-island beach day is central to your trip, that's a point in favor of some other lines — but if ports and dining are the draw, you won't miss it.

Where Celebrity sails

Celebrity sails a broad, premium itinerary map. Deployments shift yearly; read this as the durable pattern, and verify your homeport and itinerary before booking.

Caribbean & Europe are the core, with a large Mediterranean and Northern Europe presence in summer and the Caribbean in winter, sailing from Florida and both sides of the Atlantic. Alaska is a strong season (Edge, Solstice and Millennium ships), with cruisetours pairing the ship with Denali land travel.

Farther afield — Australia and New Zealand, South America and a return to Antarctica, transatlantic and repositioning voyages, and long grand voyages. The Galápagos runs year-round on the expedition fleet.

New frontiers — Celebrity enters river cruising in 2027, beginning with ships including Celebrity Compass and Seeker on the Rhine and Danube, and remains part of Royal Caribbean Group, positioned as its premium brand above the mainstream lines.

Who Celebrity fits — and who should look elsewhere

Celebrity is a strong fit if you…

Are a couple or adult traveler who wants a stylish, grown-up ship
Rank food and design near the top of your priorities
Want a near-luxury suite experience (The Retreat) without luxury-line pricing
Value calm, sophisticated relaxation over spectacle
Are drawn to the Galápagos or premium worldwide itineraries

Consider another line if you…

Are travelling with kids who want waterparks and big kids' clubs
Want the lowest fare or a value-first cruise
Rank blockbuster, arena-scale entertainment at the top
Want a lively, high-energy party atmosphere
Expect a branded private-island beach day

If you asked us to pick

Seabound Picks · Celebrity Cruises

Best overall Celebrity ship

Celebrity Ascent or Beyond

The stretched Edge ships — best design and dining, biggest Retreat.

Best newest ship

Celebrity Xcel

The fifth and latest Edge-class ship, with new venues and flex-fuel tech.

Best for food lovers

Beyond, Ascent or Xcel

Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud and the widest specialty lineup.

Best for a suite experience

The Retreat on any Edge ship

Luminae, the Retreat Lounge and the largest private sundecks.

Best for Alaska

Celebrity Edge or Solstice

Modern premium ships on Celebrity's Alaska season.

Best value within Celebrity

A Solstice-class ship

Equinox, Eclipse or Silhouette: full premium feel, softer fares.

Best for the Galápagos

Celebrity Flora

All-suite, all-inclusive, purpose-built for the islands.

Best smaller, destination-first ship

Summit or Constellation

Millennium-class intimacy on distinctive itineraries.

Ask Seabound about Celebrity

Tell us about your trip.

Tell us who's travelling, your home airport or driving radius, budget, preferred length and region — and whether The Retreat or the Galápagos is on your mind — and we'll point you to the right Celebrity ship and itinerary, or tell you honestly if another line fits you better.

Is The Retreat worth it? Edge class or Solstice class? Best Celebrity ship for food Is Celebrity good for couples? Celebrity Flora Galápagos Is All Included worth it?

Instant answers from our guides · always verified against current Celebrity Cruises information before you book.

Quick answers

How many ships does Celebrity Cruises have?

Celebrity markets 15 ships in 2026 — 14 ocean ships across three classes (Edge, Solstice and Millennium) plus Celebrity Flora in the Galápagos. The newest ship is Celebrity Xcel (2025); a sixth Edge-class ship, Xcite, is due in 2028, and Celebrity enters river cruising on the Rhine and Danube in 2027.

Is Celebrity Cruises a luxury line?

Celebrity is a premium line, not a true luxury one — a clear notch above the mainstream lines in design, dining, service and its suite experience, but below dedicated luxury brands like Seabourn, Silversea or Regent. The Retreat suite experience is the part that comes closest to luxury.

What is The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises?

The Retreat is Celebrity's suite "ship-within-a-ship": suite accommodations plus the exclusive Luminae restaurant, the private Retreat Lounge and a Retreat Sundeck, along with premium inclusions. It's available across the fleet and is one of the strongest suite enclaves in premium cruising.

Is Celebrity Cruises good for families?

Children are welcome and there's a Camp at Sea youth program, but Celebrity is deliberately adults-forward, with no waterslides or large kids' facilities. It's a better fit for couples and adult travelers; families who want kid-focused ships will do better on Royal Caribbean, Carnival or Disney.

Which Celebrity ship is best for food?

Dining is a fleet-wide strength, but the Edge-class ships lead — especially Beyond, Ascent and Xcel, which carry Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud and the widest specialty lineup. Celebrity's multi-restaurant approach and celebrity-chef partnerships make it one of the strongest food lines in premium cruising.

Craving great food, great design, and a grown-up ship?

Ask Seabound about Celebrity