If you’re new to life on the ocean waves, the range of cruise ship amenities on offer will be a delightful surprise the minute you step up the gangway. With so many choices, you’ll feel like a VIP from the very start.
Will you head straight to the sparkling pool? Or order your favorite cocktail from a smiling waiter? Maybe you’ll make a beeline for the buffet? Or perhaps you’ll simply seek out a peaceful spot on deck to unwind with a book.
Contemporary cruise ships are packed with amenities. From multiple pools and hot tubs to an impressive variety of restaurants, bars, and lounges, you’ll be awed by the options. Dazzling entertainment, cool deck parties, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, exceptional youth programming, sports and trivia contests, live music, and all those other touches you’d never have thought of are all yours to enjoy.
Relaxation
Sea Thermal Suite
Celebrity’s ships are the epitome of relaxation. Find a lounge chair in a favorite spot by the pool, or book a private cabana for the day and enjoy rock star service.
Bask on the fragrant grass of the Lawn Club on Solstice-series ships and gaze up at the sky. Unwind in the saunas and steam rooms in the Sea Thermal Suite or Persian Garden—and gently drift off as you lie back on a heated tile lounger with dreamy sea views filling the horizon.
On Edge-series ships, sip your morning coffee on the Magic Carpet, suspended high above the ocean with uninterrupted views, or curl up in the shaded Rooftop Garden with a book, listening to the strains of an acoustic guitar.
Eden
Check out Eden on Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Ascent; with expansive ocean views, chic sofas, and abundant greenery, it feels like your own leafy paradise.
On any ship, if you’ve booked a veranda stateroom, simply relax in your private alfresco space, listening to the sound of the waves. There’s no limit to the ways you can unwind on a cruise.
Dining
Tuscan Restaurant
The great thing about dining on a cruise is that you can indulge in practically anything you want. Exquisitely rolled sushi? The perfect steak? A fresh-pressed green juice for breakfast? Indian curry, Asian stir-fry, pizza, Tex-Mex? It’s a “yes” to all.
Cruise ship dining really has evolved in the last decade. If you prefer the traditional approach of sitting at the same table every night in the elegant main dining room, no problem. Many travelers like to get to know their server and enjoy the camaraderie of a shared table.
If this is you, opt for Celebrity Select Early or Late Dining. If you’re looking for more flexibility, choose Celebrity Select Anytime. You can then reserve a table in the main dining room at a time to suit you. It’s a good idea to book ahead, though.
Le Voyage
My top tip, as a food lover, is to make the most of the specialty dining on board—it’s outstanding. I’ve dined twice in Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, the fine-dining restaurant on Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Xcel, and have been absolutely blown away by the quality of the food. It’s a fraction of the cost of what you’d pay for the same quality ashore, too.
My kids loved the antics of Le Petit Chef when they were younger—and the chicken ginger gyoza from Raw on Five on Celebrity Ascent will always have a special place in my heart.
Entertainment & Nightlife
The Theatre
Entertainment on cruise ships today is next-level. The shows are a world apart from the traditional feathers-and-sequins genre.
On Celebrity’s ships, you’ll see world-class aerialists, extraordinary special effects, and some truly exceptional singers and dancers. Some of the creative teams behind the headline shows have worked with some of the biggest acts in the world, so they know a thing or two about creating a spectacle.
There’s more beyond The Theatre, too. You’ll find everything from sultry jazz to DJ sets and silent discos where you can dance like no one is watching. There’s live music and events all over the ship, like the Shine the Night deck parties by the pool on Edge-series ships.
Pickleball
Some vacationers are content to relax by the pool all day—and why not?—but if you’re looking for something more active, several of Celebrity’s ships have pickleball courts where the competition can be hot.
There are wine tasting sessions, beer tasting, mixology classes, Blackjack masterclasses, putting contests, karaoke; you name it, and you’ll probably find it on board.
Martini Bar
Something I always try to see is the dazzling, gravity-defying show put on by the mixologists at the Martini Bar. You’ll find the music pumped up and an attentive crowd watching the spectacular display of skilled mixologists juggling glasses, bottles, and shakers, pouring perfect Martinis without spilling a drop.
Health & Wellness
Yoga
Cruise ship amenities focused on health and wellness are second to none. You’ll have free access to a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment.
There are classes from yoga and Pilates to F45, bungee fit, HIIT, and Peloton bikes, depending on the ship, for which you can live-stream classes. What’s more, one of the great joys of cruising is running on the running track in the fresh sea air with 360-degree ocean views.
The spas on board Celebrity’s ships offer an impressive range of therapies, from massage and facials to fragrant body wraps, hot stone massage, acupuncture, and high-tech MedSpa treatments that will send you home looking completely new. Some ships even offer IV infusion amenities, available at an extra cost, for an added boost of energy or a speedy detox.
Spa Café
It’s easy to eat healthy on a cruise ship, although a little discipline will be required as the choices are so impressive. On Celebrity’s ships, for example, you’ll find granola bowls, smoothies, and fresh-pressed juices at the Spa Café and an extensive salad bar in the Oceanview Café, day and night. There are vegetarian and lighter dishes in all the restaurants.
If you’re on a health and wellness journey, consider booking an AquaClass stateroom. This comes with all kinds of perks, including access to the Sea Thermal Suite—or Persian Garden, as it’s called on some ships—as well as fitness classes and exclusive dining in Blu, a health-centered restaurant offering clean cuisine, plenty of plant-based dishes, and even biodynamic wines.
Family & Kid-Friendly Spaces
Camp at Sea
Some of the best cruise ship facilities have been designed for kids. Celebrity’s Camp at Sea program provides hours of fun for youngsters ages three to 17, divided into four age-appropriate groups.
Everything’s included in your cruise fare, and Camp at Sea takes place every day apart from embarkation and disembarkation days. Take advantage of a Slumber Party Pass, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., and enjoy a romantic, adults-only date night.
Activities in Camp at Sea range from camp songs to navigation classes, Lawn Club games, slumber parties, movie nights, scavenger hunts, and, for older teens, video games and silent discos in the adult-free Teen Club.
Making the Most of Cruise Ship Amenities
Resort Deck
If you’re a planner, then plan away to your heart’s content. You can book specialty dining, spa treatments, and shore excursions in advance of your cruise.
On the other hand, if you’re likely to spend all day basking by the pool and evenings grazing the excellent buffet in the Oceanview Café, there’s no need to plan at all; be a free spirit instead.
Think about what you can prepay, or whether you can save money by booking a drinks package. These come with different levels, whether you’re looking for a non-alcoholic drinks package, the Classic, or the elevated Premium package.
All three include premium tea and coffee as well as sodas and bottled water. If you plan to enjoy some poolside cocktails, a sundowner, wine with dinner, and a nightcap, a drinks package is a great idea.
The Retreat Sundeck
Want to elevate your entire experience? Try The Retreat, an enclave of beautiful suites with blissful private spaces, including an exclusive lounge and, on Edge-series ships, a private pool deck that could rival the swankiest beach club ashore.
You’ll enjoy an extensive list of included amenities, from butler services to included drinks, room service, specialty dining, premium bath and body products, complimentary laundry, complimentary fitness classes, and Wi-Fi. Guests of The Retreat also enjoy exclusive access to Luminae at The Retreat, featuring signature dishes designed by world-renowned chef Daniel Boulud.
FAQs
What amenities are typically included on a cruise ship?
Pool
The list of amenities on a cruise ship feels endless. You’ll have access to lounge chairs around a beautiful pool and bubbling hot tubs, seats at glittering shows in The Theatre, DJ sets in the evenings, and all manner of entertainment from bingo to trivia and pickleball tournaments. There will be a state-of-the-art gym that’s free to use, as well as a running track.
When it comes to included dining, you can choose between the main dining room, the Oceanview Café, where there’s a lavish buffet, the Mast Grill, for made-to-order burgers and salads al fresco, and the Spa Café for healthier snacks. Cakes and pastries are available all day long at Café al Bacio, too.
Veranda Stateroom
All kinds of thoughtful touches are included in your cruise. Stateroom towels and beach or pool towels are provided, as well as quality toiletries in your bathroom. You can refill your water bottle to stay hydrated.
Complimentary tea and coffee are always available. There’s no charge for continental breakfast in your stateroom, either. Practically speaking, there’s even laundry; a free-to-use self-service laundry or the ship’s own professional service.
Service on a Celebrity Cruises ship may be an intangible amenity, but it’s second to none. Your stateroom will be serviced twice daily. Crewmembers will remember your name—and your cocktail order. You will leave feeling special.
Do I need to reserve amenities like spa treatments or specialty dining in advance?
Sunset Bar
It’s not mandatory, but by planning ahead, you can organize your itinerary. You can also get the dining and spa sessions that you want. If you wait until you’re on board, the best reservations could be gone.
I tend to look ahead at the itinerary to plan. On a late sailing from Santorini, for example, I’ll book dinner late so I can enjoy cocktails at the Sunset Bar.
If I’m on a long tour by day, and likely to be tired in the evening, I’ll go casual that night in the main dining room or the Oceanview Café. If the ship is likely to be sailing somewhere especially scenic, for example, along the mountainous coast of St. Lucia, I’ll consider booking dinner on deck at The Lawn Club Grill.
Spa treatment
Spa treatments on sea days always get snapped up. But something I’ve learned over the years is to pick a day when most other guests are likely to be ashore. I’ll still allow myself time to go ashore, but I’ll book a spa treatment for mid-afternoon. That gives me time for sightseeing, a sauna and steam session in the Thermal Suite, and a treatment that will leave me feeling fantastic for the evening.
Are there age restrictions for certain amenities?
Solarium
Yes, there are a few. The Solarium on Celebrity’s ships is an adults-only space apart from certain designated hours, when children are welcome with adult supervision.
Only over-16s can use the Fitness Center. In most destinations, 21 is the minimum age for being served alcohol, although in Europe and South America, this is 18.
Celebrity’s Camp at Sea youth program is available from age three, provided the child is toilet-trained, to 17.
What amenities are available for kids and teens?
Camp at Sea
Kids and teens will have a fantastic time on a cruise with Celebrity’s Camp at Sea program, which provides imaginative, age-appropriate entertainment for different age groups. There are also kids’ menus in the Main Dining Room. Much of the entertainment is suitable for kids, although children will need to be accompanied by an adult in certain venues.
Are there adult-only areas on every ship?
The Club
Every ship in the Celebrity Cruises fleet has a Solarium, a serene, covered pool with lounge chairs and hot tubs. On occasion, this space is opened up to families, but for most of the time, it’s an adults-only sanctuary. There are also adults-only nightclub sessions, where the entertainment may be a little too risqué for youngsters.
Are cruise ship gyms and fitness classes free?
Fitness Center
On Celebrity Cruises, the Fitness Center is free to use and features state-of-the-art equipment. Some classes are included, while others incur a nominal charge. Use of the running track is free, of course.
Veranda Stateroom
Ready to enjoy the endless array of amenities at sea for yourself? Browse Celebrity’s worldwide cruises and book your dream vacation today.
