Celebrity Cruises Archives - Sophisticated Travel

Cruise ship refurbishments & stats

Updated: January 11, 2021 How recently a cruise ship has been refurbished is an important factor to many seasoned cruisers, especially if you are investing a significant amount in your cruise vacation. It can be very disappointing to find a ship with stained or worn carpets and beat up furnishings. Many cruisers prefer a ship that is no more than a few years from its last refurb. So here is a guide so you can be better informed on how recently a ship has been updated & upgraded. This list will be continually updated: ......

By Brian Raymond|2021-01-14T10:52:53-07:00January 11th, 2021|

2021 Cruise Wave Season Specials

As 2020 sails into the sunset, we all look forward to 2021 when we can begin to start cruising again. As many of you know, "Wave Season" start the end of December and runs into March. During "Wave Season" the cruise lines offer some of their best deals. With cruise lines shut down for a year, demand is high. Its even higher than the same time in 2019. The reason? People are have cooped up at home and they all want to get out and get back on the seas. We will post the various offers on this page as ......

By Brian Raymond|2021-01-21T12:25:08-07:00December 16th, 2020|

Celebrity announces new “Always Included” pricing program

Celebrity Cruises has announced a new approach to cruising called ‘Always Included,’ putting an end to confusing promotions, complicated add-ons and limited time offers. Starting Tuesday, Nov. 17th, every Celebrity Cruises vacation will include Wi-Fi, drinks and tips, simplifying the luxury vacation experience. “Everything we do at Celebrity is driven by the desire to redefine what today’s luxury looks and feels like, with experiences modern travelers want. With the launch of our Edge Series ships, Celebrity Edge and her brand-new sister ship Celebrity Apex, we tapped into a powerful ‘New Luxury’ culture - relevant, relaxed, design-focused and inclusive,” said ......

By Brian Raymond|2020-12-16T12:01:12-07:00November 11th, 2020|

Royal Caribbean & Norwegian form joint group to develop coronavirus plan

Celebrity Edge New task-force created Two cruise industry powerhouses announced the formation of a new joint effort to develop a response to coronavirus. Royal Caribbean Group (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara & Silversea) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (Norwegian, Oceania & Regent Seven Seas Cruises) announced the blue-ribbon task force will be headed by Mike Leavitt, former Utah governor, and Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Other panel members are globally recognized experts from public health, biosecurity, infectious disease, hospitality and maritime operations. The group is charged with developing procedures to prevent the ......

By Brian Raymond|2020-10-21T13:45:27-07:00July 9th, 2020|

Celebrity increases cruise fare on beverage packages

NOTE: On December 17, 2019, Celebrity Cruises dropped the surcharge on the "Classic Beverage" perk. The option to get a free Classic Beverage Package included as a perk with your cruise fare has been popular with many Celebrity Cruise passengers. But starting October 10, 2019, Celebrity will add a $14.00/day per person surcharge to your cruise fare, adding an extra $196 to your seven night cruise for two passengers choosing the "Classic Beverage" perk. Celebrity stated, "Since we began offering perks, we have not increased package pricing for our guests. We’ve been absorbing the increased cost and ......

By Brian Raymond|2020-09-08T12:48:43-07:00October 10th, 2019|

Galapagos Island cruising goes upscale

Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises have upped the ante for luxury cruises through the Galapagos Islands. Silversea will launch its luxury 100-passenger Silver Origin in summer of 2020. Silversea cruises start with two days in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and include airfare to and from the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity Cruises is launching the Celebrity Flora, a 100-passenger luxury exploration ship in June 2019. All cruises are seven night itineraries with 10, 11 or 15 night all-inclusive packages including pre/post cruise nights in Quito or Peru/Machu Picchu. (Both Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises are owned by Royal Caribbean.)CELEBRITY FLORAThe Flora ......

By Brian Raymond|2020-09-08T14:01:48-07:00May 16th, 2019|

Celebrity fleet upgrades to Edge Class design

THE CELEBRITY “REVOLUTION” We have lots of fans of Celebrity Cruises among our clients. With the launch of the Celebrity Edge, we keep getting asked if and when the rest of the fleet will be updated to reflect the Edge designs. The answer is the process has already begun. The Celebrity Millennium and Summit have already been refurbished (Celebrity calls it the “Revolution”), and the schedule below shows how it will roll out across the entire fleet. A MAJOR REFURBISHMENT This isn’t just a minor fluff and paint. It is a major $500 million fleet-wide renovation. Every stateroom in ......

By Brian Raymond|2020-09-08T14:06:54-07:00April 9th, 2019|

The new Martini Bar on the Celebrity Edge

(Transcript from video above) Wow this is certainly a very different Martini Bar. Rather than being tucked away in a corner, the Edge Martini Bar is big (spanning three decks), bold (with its multi-story LED lights which are synchronized with music twice a night), sophisticated (with its elegance and style) and vibrant (it could easily be a bar in South Beach or LA). Whether this new design is for you depends on your perspective. The consensus has been that if you were a fan of the Solstice Class Martini Bar, you probably won't like the new design. But if ......

By Brian Raymond|2020-09-08T14:11:53-07:00February 5th, 2019|

New tech on the Celebrity Edge

MORE POWER OUTLETS FOR YOUR GADGETS s we use more and more gadgets, our need for additional sources of power grows. The limited number of power outlets on cruise ships has been a problem for years. The Celebrity Edge helps to address these needs with additional outlets throughout the stateroom. The decorative power box shown above gives you access to two 110 outlets and two USB power plugs for smartphones. Additional outlets and USB plugs were bedside in our Celebrity Suite. TOUCHSCREEN CONTROLS LIGHTS & CURTAINS The Edge also features touchscreens to control lights, curtains, and your thermostat - ......

By Brian Raymond|2020-09-08T14:13:10-07:00January 17th, 2019|

The Retreat on Celebrity Edge – suite paradise

With the addition of the Retreat on the Edge, Celebrity significantly ups the value and benefits for suites guests. Following the lead of Norwegian’s Haven and MSC’s Yacht Club, the Retreat offers an upscale, sophisticated, and private sanctuary for suites guest. Access to this new private lounge and pool area is restricted through the use of a suites guest’s stateroom card. Now in addition to the suites only upscale Luminae restaurant, suites guests also gain access a bright and spacious lounge complete with complimentary cocktails, coffees, teas and sodas. The lounge is perfect getaway for reading a book, ......

By Brian Raymond|2020-11-06T12:58:31-07:00January 16th, 2019|