Exploring the 4 different categories of Celebrity Cruises ships

Among the seven major cruise lines dominating North American cruises, Celebrity Cruises is known for having one of the most streamlined fleets.

The brand is centered around 13 sizable ships that can be grouped into just three distinct categories.

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These groups, called "classes" in the cruise industry, consist of ships built around the same time with similar designs. Once you’re familiar with one ship in a class, you’ll know what to expect from the rest.

Celebrity also operates three smaller ships in the Galapagos, forming a unique fourth category. These vessels are significantly different from the line’s 13 primary ships and represent a distinct part of the brand's operations, as we'll discuss further.

A guide to Celebrity Cruises ships

For years, Celebrity has been a leader in the cruise industry, constantly innovating with new ship designs.

The line's four cutting-edge Edge Class ships are considered among the most innovative at sea. They feature revolutionary designs, including cabins with sea-facing glass walls that open to create a balcony-like experience and exterior "Magic Carpet" platforms that move up and down for multiple purposes.

The Edge Class ships are the latest in a series of groundbreaking vessels from the line, setting new standards in cruise ship innovation.

The older Solstice Class ships also introduced a number of features that were revolutionary for their time and, in many cases, continue to captivate passengers even more than a decade after their debut.

With a capacity of around 2,000 to 3,000 passengers each, Celebrity's 13 main ships are sizable but not massive by today's standards. Ranging from 91,000 to 141,000 tons, they are much smaller than the colossal ships operated by Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

The three ships based in the Galapagos are quite small, as they must be to navigate the islands. Ecuador's government, which oversees the archipelago, limits cruise ships to a maximum of 100 passengers.

Celebrity's Galapagos-based ships carry between 16 and 100 passengers each.

Generally, Celebrity's largest and most feature-rich ships are its newest vessels. If you're seeking a cruise with a wealth of onboard activities and amenities, the ships in the Edge and Solstice Classes are your best bet.

If you prefer a more intimate cruise experience, Celebrity's older Millennium Class ships are a great option. These ships are much smaller than the Edge and Solstice Class vessels.

For those eager to explore the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands, the three smaller Galapagos-based vessels are the perfect choice.

Unlike cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line, which operates eight different ship classes, Celebrity offers a relatively simple and easy-to-navigate fleet.

Edge Class

Ships in this class: Celebrity Ascent (2023), Celebrity Beyond (2022), Celebrity Apex (2020), Celebrity Edge (2018)

Size: 130,818 to 141,420 tons

If you believe that newer ships offer the best experience, the Edge Class is for you. First launched in 2018, the four ships in this class represent the pinnacle of Celebrity's fleet in terms of innovation and luxury.

They may well be the most cutting-edge ships in the entire cruise industry.

Designed to accommodate between 2,908 and 3,260 passengers at double occupancy, the four ships — Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Edge — each feature groundbreaking innovations like the "Infinite Veranda" cabins, where the entire outward-facing wall is made of glass.

Promoted as a cruise industry first, these new glass-walled cabins were made possible by a reimagining of how cruise ship load-bearing walls are constructed.

A key feature of these cabins is the glass wall that slides down with the push of a button, transforming the space into a balcony-like area. This innovative design, once exclusive to river cruise ships, can be enclosed by bifold doors to separate it from the rest of the cabin.

Another standout feature of the Edge Class ships is their 90-ton platforms, the size of a tennis court, which extend over the edge of the ship and serve a variety of purposes.

Known as Magic Carpets, these unique platforms (one per ship) move up and down, serving multiple purposes from tender boat boarding zones to alternative dining spaces with 90-seat restaurants.

Among the Edge Class' distinctive features are the plant-filled top-deck 'playscapes' called the Rooftop Garden, complete with an outdoor dining area, the Rooftop Garden Grill. Designed to evoke childhood playgrounds, these areas aim to "awaken the inner child in everyone," according to the cruise line.

The ships also feature innovative glass-walled lounge, dining, and entertainment spaces, such as Eden, designed by the renowned Patricia Urquiola, and covered, adults-only solariums created in collaboration with acclaimed British architect Tom Wright.

The Edge Class ships are not only Celebrity's newest and most advanced vessels, but also the largest in the fleet — though their size is only marginally bigger than the Solstice Class ships. This increased space allows for additional onboard venues not found on older Celebrity ships.

The third and fourth ships in the Edge Class, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, are slightly larger than their predecessors, which allows for new and enhanced features. Celebrity Ascent, for example, includes more solo cabins and a private space available for groups to rent, offering karaoke, movie screenings, and virtual games. Celebrity Beyond introduced the first-ever 'resort-within-a-resort' space, The Retreat, exclusively for suite passengers. Both ships also feature a new two-story sun deck with hot tubs, loungers, and private cabanas, accessible only to suite guests.

The two latest ships also boast a significantly expanded Sunset Bar at their stern, featuring a Morocco-inspired design by celebrity interior designer Nate Berkus, as well as a new restaurant created by renowned chef Daniel Boulud.

Celebrity plans to have a total of five Edge Class ships, with one more currently under construction, expected to debut in late 2025.

Solstice Class

Ships in this class: Celebrity Reflection (2012), Celebrity Silhouette (2011), Celebrity Eclipse (2010), Celebrity Equinox (2009), Celebrity Solstice (2008)

Size: 121,878 to 125,366 tons

The Solstice Class, consisting of five ships, is the largest class in Celebrity's fleet and makes up nearly half of the brand's total passenger capacity.

As a result, the Solstice Class is likely the ship you'll find yourself on most frequently if you become a loyal Celebrity cruiser. These ships travel to destinations all over the globe, from the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Alaska to Europe, Asia, and Australia.

When the Solstice Class first debuted in 2008, it was praised for its groundbreaking design and features, some of which remain unique in the cruise industry today.

Slightly smaller than the Edge Class ships, the Solstice Class vessels are especially known for their innovative top-deck Lawn Club areas, which feature real grass and span half an acre.

The Lawn Clubs are a marvel of cruise ship design, maintained by dedicated greenskeepers who manage a complex irrigation and filtration system to ensure the grass stays pristine. With Adirondack chairs, hammocks, and lawn games like bocce and croquet, these areas provide a serene, park-like escape from the more bustling parts of the ship.

Feel free to walk barefoot across the Lawn Clubs if you wish.

In addition to the Lawn Clubs, some Solstice Class ships feature a unique glass-making pavilion next to the Lawn Club, where guests can take glass-making classes in collaboration with Hollywood Hot Glass.

The Solstice Class ships are renowned for their stunning outdoor pool decks, among the most stylish at sea. Similar to the Edge Class, these ships also feature adult-only indoor pool areas, with glass panels embedded with solar panels that help power the ship's energy grid.

In addition to their pools, the Solstice Class ships boast expansive spas, casinos, showrooms, and a diverse range of dining options, including the signature French restaurant, Murano.

Other unique dining venues include Le Petit Chef, where augmented reality is used to create an interactive dining experience with tabletop projections, and the Lawn Club Grill, located within the Lawn Club area.

One of the Solstice Class ships, Celebrity Reflection, is home to one of the most impressive suites in cruising — the 1,646-square-foot Reflection Suite. This suite made history as the first two-bedroom suite ever offered on a Celebrity Cruises ship.

Millennium Class

Ships in this class: Celebrity Constellation (2002), Celebrity Summit (2001), Celebrity Infinity (2001), Celebrity Millennium (2000)

Size: 91,000 tons

The Millennium Class is the oldest of Celebrity's main ship classes. The four ships in this series began debuting in 2000, right at the turn of the millennium, and now, around 20 years later, they remain a key part of the fleet.

Although the Millennium Class ships are older, they have been thoroughly modernized in recent years, making them look and feel quite contemporary.

When they first launched, the Millennium and Solstice Class ships had distinct differences. However, over time, Celebrity has incorporated many of the popular venues from the Solstice Class into the Millennium Class vessels.

The most noticeable difference today between the two classes is the smaller size of the Millennium Class ships. These vessels are approximately 30% smaller than their Solstice Class counterparts.

The more compact size of the Millennium Class ships can make them a better fit for cruisers who prefer a more intimate, less crowded experience.

Due to their smaller size, the Millennium Class ships offer fewer venues compared to the larger Solstice and Edge Class vessels.

While all the restaurants available on Millennium Class ships are also found on Solstice Class ships, the reverse isn't true. For example, if you're a fan of Murano, you won't find it on the Millennium Class.

Galapagos vessels

Ships: Celebrity Flora (2019), Celebrity Xploration (2007), Celebrity Xpedition (2001)

Size: 2,842 to 5,739 tons

As previously mentioned, Celebrity operates three small vessels in the Galapagos Islands.

While each of these vessels has its unique features, they share a similar cruise experience tailored specifically for the islands they explore.

The cruise experience on these three ships differs greatly from that of Celebrity's larger vessels. With capacities ranging from just 16 to 100 passengers, they are much smaller than Celebrity's traditional ships, which carry 2,000 to 3,000 passengers.

Because of their smaller size, the three Galapagos vessels offer fewer onboard amenities compared to the larger Celebrity ships. If you're accustomed to the vast selection of bars, restaurants, and entertainment aboard Celebrity Solstice or Celebrity Edge, the Galapagos ships won't have the same variety.

That's perfectly fine because a Galapagos cruise isn't about the time spent on the ship. It's all about immersing yourself in the region's extraordinary wildlife, the same creatures that inspired Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection.

To truly experience the Galapagos, you'll need to step off the ship. All three of Celebrity's Galapagos vessels are expedition-focused and come equipped with landing crafts to explore remote areas, along with expert guides who are certified naturalists by the Galapagos National Park.

Each day is centered around exciting landings with your guides, where you'll have the opportunity to observe the islands' iconic wildlife, including tortoises, blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, and Darwin's finches.

The Celebrity Flora, a 100-passenger luxury vessel and one of the newest in the Galapagos, offers an array of amenities including two gourmet restaurants with menus designed by a renowned chef, a lab for interactive science lessons, multiple lounges, a plunge pool, a stargazing deck, and two sets of cabanas for a deck-top glamping experience.

Every room aboard Celebrity Flora is a suite, with the two largest penthouse suites offering 1,300 square feet of space each, extending across the full width of the ship.

Celebrity has recently announced plans to retire its two smallest Galapagos vessels, Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration, in 2025.

In summary, the Celebrity Cruises fleet is fairly straightforward, with three main ship classes — Edge, Solstice, and Millennium — plus a separate collection of three smaller ships dedicated exclusively to the Galapagos. You'll find a high degree of consistency across the fleet, especially in the types of onboard venues and amenities.

The Celebrity Cruises fleet is easy to navigate, with three main ship classes — Edge, Solstice, and Millennium — along with a fourth category of three smaller vessels exclusively operating in the Galapagos.

For cruisers seeking the widest variety of onboard amenities or those who prefer to sail on the newest ships, Celebrity's Edge Class vessels are the perfect fit.

If you prefer a more personal and intimate cruising experience, the Millennium Class vessels are likely your best choice. And for those eager to explore the Galapagos — a truly once-in-a-lifetime destination — the line's three intimate Galapagos vessels are second to none.