Celebrity Cruises Best & Worst Ships

The Gems of the Celebrity Fleet

Let’s kick things off with the real stars of the Celebrity Cruises fleet—the ones worth every penny of your hard-earned vacation budget. If you’re looking for a ship that will make you swoon, you’ll want to get cozy with the Celebrity Edge and its sister ship, the Celebrity Apex. Part of what’s charmingly called the Edge-class, these ships are the shiny new jewels in Celebrity’s crown. Launched in 2018 and 2020 respectively, they’re practically toddlers in cruise years.

The Edge-class stands out for its luxe amenities and innovative design. We’re talking the Magic Carpet—a floating platform that moves up and down the ship’s side, offering different experiences depending on the deck. Both these ships also score consistently high in the CDC reports with sanitation scores often hovering around a pristine 98 out of 100. Check out more details in our ship database.

Celebrity Beyond: The New Kid on the Block

The newest addition to the fleet, the Celebrity Beyond, is another stellar choice. Launched in 2022, this ship elevates the luxury game even further with expanded open-air spaces and a rooftop garden that could make a landlubber out of a seasoned sailor. Its CDC score is pristine, which you’d expect from a ship that’s practically fresh off the yard. If you like your cruises with a side of “wow,” the Beyond will not disappoint.

The Ships That Are Showing Their Age

Now, let’s chat about the ships that might need a little more than a facelift. The Millennium-class ships are starting to resemble your Uncle Bob who refuses to retire. Celebrity Millennium, Infinity, and Constellation are a bit long in the tooth. Built in the early 2000s, they’ve been around long enough to see flip phones become vintage collectibles.

While they’ve been refurbished—and credit where it’s due, Celebrity has tried—the wear and tear is noticeable. The Millennium-class ships have had some recent upgrades, but the design updates can’t completely mask the fact that these ships are older than most Instagram influencers. If long lines at the buffet and creaky elevators are your idea of nostalgia, these ships might be for you. Otherwise, maybe not.

Celebrity Solstice: The Middle Child

The Celebrity Solstice-class ships, including the Solstice herself, are like your dependable middle child. Not the newest, not the oldest, but still delivering a solid experience. Launched in 2008, the Solstice was a game-changer back in the day with innovations that still hold up pretty well. The CDC scores for the Solstice are also respectable, generally staying in the mid-90s range. If you’re looking for a middle-ground experience, the Solstice is a safe bet.

Specific Ships to Seek or Avoid

If you’re painstakingly checking CDC scores and refurbishment updates, the Celebrity Flora should be on your radar for its unique Galapagos itineraries and high cleanliness scores. On the flip side, if you see Celebrity Infinity in your itinerary, it might be worth reconsidering. Its CDC scores have been less consistent, sometimes dipping below that blessed 90 mark. For more gory details, visit our cleanliness rankings.

Newest vs. Oldest: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Comparing the Edge-class ships with the Millennium-class is like comparing a Tesla to a horse-drawn carriage. The Edge-class ships embody modernity with features like infinite verandas and a high-speed internet that doesn’t make you want to throw your device overboard. On the contrary, the Millennium-class has its charm but lacks the technological pizazz.

In terms of CDC scores, the newer ships almost always outperform the older ones. It’s not just about cleanliness; newer ships generally have better-designed sanitation systems that make compliance easier. It’s no surprise that Celebrity is pouring more investments into their newer vessels.

Refurbishment Status: When a Paint Job Just Isn’t Enough

Now, let’s talk refurbishments. While Celebrity has tried to keep the Millennium-class ships looking snazzy, there’s only so much you can do with a ship that’s been sailing since the early 2000s. Recent refurbishments have focused on updating staterooms and public areas, but they can’t completely eliminate that “vintage” cruise vibe.

The Solstice-class has also seen refurbishments, but these ships were better designed to begin with, so the improvements are more noticeable. If you’re curious about the nitty-gritty details of each ship’s refurbishment history, our Celebrity Cruises Dossier has you covered.

The Verdict on CDC Scores Across the Fleet

Here’s the tea on CDC scores: newer ships almost always get better grades. In the Celebrity fleet, Edge-class ships boast near-perfect scores, while Millennium-class ships see more variance. It’s not that the older ships are unclean, but maintaining stringent hygiene standards is easier when the infrastructure supports it. We’ve got all the juicy details in our Outbreak Tracker.