After sailing on all three major Celebrity ship classes over the past decade, I can tell you that choosing the right Celebrity ship isn't just about destinations—it's about understanding how dramatically different these floating cities actually are. Whether you're deciding between the Celebrity Edge on a Mediterranean cruise or the Celebrity Millennium for Alaska, the ship class you pick will shape your entire vacation experience more than you might realize.
The Edge class ships—Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Millennium—represent Celebrity's vision of cruising's future, and honestly, they mostly deliver on that promise. These ships feel more like floating resorts than traditional cruise vessels.
What Makes Edge Class Special:
The Magic Carpet is the showstopper here—a cantilevered platform that moves up and down the ship's side throughout the day. At Deck 2, it becomes a tender platform. On Deck 5, it extends your dining experience at Raw on 5. By evening, it's often positioned at Deck 16 as a sunset bar. I've watched countless passengers discover it for the first time, and their reactions never get old.
The Retreat Sundeck on Deck 16 is exclusive to suite guests, but here's an insider tip: book the AquaClass Sky Suite (category SV) and you'll get access for about $800 less per person than a comparable Retreat Suite. The difference in perks is minimal, but the price difference is substantial.
Edge Class Cabin Reality Check:
Standard balcony staterooms (category 2B) are noticeably smaller than Solstice class—about 183 square feet versus 194. However, the innovative Infinite Verandas in categories 1A and 1B blur the line between indoor and outdoor space. When the veranda wall is down, these 200-square-foot rooms feel surprisingly spacious.
Dining Highlights and Disappointments:
Raw on 5 serves some of the best sushi at sea—expect to pay $8-15 per roll, but the quality rivals high-end shore restaurants. The main dining room's menu rotates more frequently than other Celebrity classes, with genuinely interesting options beyond the standard cruise fare.
However, Oceanview Cafe (the buffet) can be a nightmare during peak hours. The layout creates bottlenecks, and I've waited 15+ minutes just to get a plate during lunch rush on sea days.
Edge Class Drawbacks You Should Know:
These ships feel crowded when full. The Celebrity Edge holds 2,918 passengers, but common areas often feel designed for fewer people. The Solarium, in particular, fills up quickly and stays full.
The theater shows are hit-or-miss. While the venue itself is stunning with its three-story design, some productions feel rushed and the sound system has inconsistent quality depending on your seat.
Discuss Edge class experiences with fellow cruisers in our Celebrity Ships forum!
If I had to pick one Celebrity ship class for a first-time cruiser, it would be Solstice class every time. These ships—Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, and Reflection—hit the perfect balance between size and intimacy.
Why Solstice Class Still Wins:
The real grass lawn on Deck 15 isn't just a gimmick—it's genuinely peaceful. I've spent hours up there reading, and it never feels crowded even on full ships. The lawn club picnics (usually $45 per person) are worth every penny if you want a unique dining experience.
Cabin design on Solstice class remains Celebrity's best. The standard balcony rooms (category 2B) feel more spacious than newer ships, with better storage solutions and more logical layouts. The bathrooms, while not huge, have excellent lighting and counter space.
Solstice Class Dining Excellence:
The main dining room service is consistently superior to Edge class. I don't know if it's the kitchen layout or crew training, but meals come out faster and at proper temperatures more reliably.
Murano restaurant (specialty dining, $85 per person in 2026) serves the most consistently excellent meals in the Celebrity fleet. The intimate 80-seat setting and French cuisine make it worth the splurge for special occasions.
Entertainment That Actually Works:
The Celebrity Theater on Solstice class ships hosts better shows than the newer vessels. The acoustics are superior, and the productions feel more polished. The Eclipse's "Atmosphere" show in particular is spectacular—book front mezzanine seats if available.
Solstice Class Limitations:
The Pool Deck can feel dated compared to Edge class, and the bar locations create congestion during busy periods. The Celebrity iLounge (internet cafe) is tiny and often full—plan to bring your own devices and buy wifi packages.
Standardized balcony furniture shows wear on older ships, and some Solstice class vessels need soft goods updates in public areas.
The four Millennium class ships—Millennium, Summit, Infinity, and Constellation—offer something increasingly rare in modern cruising: genuine intimacy at sea.
Small Ship Advantages:
With only 2,158 passengers maximum, you'll actually recognize faces by day three. The crew-to-guest ratio feels more personal, and service is noticeably more attentive than larger ships.
The AquaSpa on Millennium class ships is proportionally larger and less crowded. The Persian Garden (complimentary for suite guests, $25 daily for others) rarely reaches capacity, making it a genuine retreat.
Cabin Considerations:
Balcony staterooms are slightly smaller than Solstice class at 191 square feet, but the layouts feel more practical. Storage solutions are adequate, though bathroom counter space is limited.
Suite upgrades provide exceptional value on Millennium class ships. Royal Suites (category RS) offer massive space increases for often $200-300 less per night than comparable suites on newer ships.
Dining and Entertainment Scale:
Specialty restaurants book up less frequently, making spontaneous reservations possible. However, menu variety in the main dining room is more limited than newer ships.
The theater is intimate but can feel cramped for taller passengers. Entertainment offerings are fewer but often higher quality due to the more selective booking process for smaller venues.
Millennium Class Drawbacks:
Technology infrastructure shows its age—wifi is slower and less reliable than newer ships. The Pool Deck lacks modern amenities like poolside service or contemporary bar designs.
Some public areas feel dated despite recent renovations, particularly the atrium and shopping areas.
Choose Edge Class If You:
Choose Solstice Class If You:
Choose Millennium Class If You:
My Honest Recommendation:
For most Celebrity cruisers, Solstice class delivers the best overall experience. The ships are large enough to offer variety without feeling overwhelming, service standards remain consistently high, and cabin design is superior to both older and newer classes.
However, if you're cruising Alaska specifically, consider Millennium class ships for their intimate observation areas and better passenger-to-scenic-viewing ratios. For Caribbean or Mediterranean cruising where you want the latest amenities, Edge class ships deliver impressive experiences despite their crowds.
The biggest mistake I see cruisers make is choosing based solely on ship age or marketing photos. Celebrity's older classes often provide superior experiences in areas that matter most—service, dining consistency, and cabin comfort.
Join the discussion and share your Celebrity ship class experiences in our Celebrity Ships forum!
Celebrity Edge Class: The Modern Marvel (2018-2022)
The Edge class ships—Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, and Millennium—represent Celebrity's vision of cruising's future, and honestly, they mostly deliver on that promise. These ships feel more like floating resorts than traditional cruise vessels.
What Makes Edge Class Special:
The Magic Carpet is the showstopper here—a cantilevered platform that moves up and down the ship's side throughout the day. At Deck 2, it becomes a tender platform. On Deck 5, it extends your dining experience at Raw on 5. By evening, it's often positioned at Deck 16 as a sunset bar. I've watched countless passengers discover it for the first time, and their reactions never get old.
The Retreat Sundeck on Deck 16 is exclusive to suite guests, but here's an insider tip: book the AquaClass Sky Suite (category SV) and you'll get access for about $800 less per person than a comparable Retreat Suite. The difference in perks is minimal, but the price difference is substantial.
Edge Class Cabin Reality Check:
Standard balcony staterooms (category 2B) are noticeably smaller than Solstice class—about 183 square feet versus 194. However, the innovative Infinite Verandas in categories 1A and 1B blur the line between indoor and outdoor space. When the veranda wall is down, these 200-square-foot rooms feel surprisingly spacious.
Dining Highlights and Disappointments:
Raw on 5 serves some of the best sushi at sea—expect to pay $8-15 per roll, but the quality rivals high-end shore restaurants. The main dining room's menu rotates more frequently than other Celebrity classes, with genuinely interesting options beyond the standard cruise fare.
However, Oceanview Cafe (the buffet) can be a nightmare during peak hours. The layout creates bottlenecks, and I've waited 15+ minutes just to get a plate during lunch rush on sea days.
Edge Class Drawbacks You Should Know:
These ships feel crowded when full. The Celebrity Edge holds 2,918 passengers, but common areas often feel designed for fewer people. The Solarium, in particular, fills up quickly and stays full.
The theater shows are hit-or-miss. While the venue itself is stunning with its three-story design, some productions feel rushed and the sound system has inconsistent quality depending on your seat.
Discuss Edge class experiences with fellow cruisers in our Celebrity Ships forum!
Celebrity Solstice Class: The Sweet Spot (2008-2012)
If I had to pick one Celebrity ship class for a first-time cruiser, it would be Solstice class every time. These ships—Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, and Reflection—hit the perfect balance between size and intimacy.
Why Solstice Class Still Wins:
The real grass lawn on Deck 15 isn't just a gimmick—it's genuinely peaceful. I've spent hours up there reading, and it never feels crowded even on full ships. The lawn club picnics (usually $45 per person) are worth every penny if you want a unique dining experience.
Cabin design on Solstice class remains Celebrity's best. The standard balcony rooms (category 2B) feel more spacious than newer ships, with better storage solutions and more logical layouts. The bathrooms, while not huge, have excellent lighting and counter space.
Solstice Class Dining Excellence:
The main dining room service is consistently superior to Edge class. I don't know if it's the kitchen layout or crew training, but meals come out faster and at proper temperatures more reliably.
Murano restaurant (specialty dining, $85 per person in 2026) serves the most consistently excellent meals in the Celebrity fleet. The intimate 80-seat setting and French cuisine make it worth the splurge for special occasions.
Entertainment That Actually Works:
The Celebrity Theater on Solstice class ships hosts better shows than the newer vessels. The acoustics are superior, and the productions feel more polished. The Eclipse's "Atmosphere" show in particular is spectacular—book front mezzanine seats if available.
Solstice Class Limitations:
The Pool Deck can feel dated compared to Edge class, and the bar locations create congestion during busy periods. The Celebrity iLounge (internet cafe) is tiny and often full—plan to bring your own devices and buy wifi packages.
Standardized balcony furniture shows wear on older ships, and some Solstice class vessels need soft goods updates in public areas.
Celebrity Millennium Class: The Intimate Option (2000-2002)
The four Millennium class ships—Millennium, Summit, Infinity, and Constellation—offer something increasingly rare in modern cruising: genuine intimacy at sea.
Small Ship Advantages:
With only 2,158 passengers maximum, you'll actually recognize faces by day three. The crew-to-guest ratio feels more personal, and service is noticeably more attentive than larger ships.
The AquaSpa on Millennium class ships is proportionally larger and less crowded. The Persian Garden (complimentary for suite guests, $25 daily for others) rarely reaches capacity, making it a genuine retreat.
Cabin Considerations:
Balcony staterooms are slightly smaller than Solstice class at 191 square feet, but the layouts feel more practical. Storage solutions are adequate, though bathroom counter space is limited.
Suite upgrades provide exceptional value on Millennium class ships. Royal Suites (category RS) offer massive space increases for often $200-300 less per night than comparable suites on newer ships.
Dining and Entertainment Scale:
Specialty restaurants book up less frequently, making spontaneous reservations possible. However, menu variety in the main dining room is more limited than newer ships.
The theater is intimate but can feel cramped for taller passengers. Entertainment offerings are fewer but often higher quality due to the more selective booking process for smaller venues.
Millennium Class Drawbacks:
Technology infrastructure shows its age—wifi is slower and less reliable than newer ships. The Pool Deck lacks modern amenities like poolside service or contemporary bar designs.
Some public areas feel dated despite recent renovations, particularly the atrium and shopping areas.
Making Your Choice: Matching Ship Class to Your Cruise Style
Choose Edge Class If You:
- Want cutting-edge ship design and modern amenities
- Enjoy bustling, resort-like atmosphere with lots of activities
- Plan to spend significant time in specialty restaurants and bars
- Don't mind crowds in exchange for variety and innovation
- Are sailing Mediterranean or Caribbean routes where newer ships excel
Choose Solstice Class If You:
- Want the best balance of size, amenities, and service quality
- Prefer reliable, proven ship designs over experimental features
- Value spacious cabins and well-designed public areas
- Want consistent dining and entertainment experiences
- Are first-time Celebrity cruisers or cruise newcomers generally
Choose Millennium Class If You:
- Prefer intimate ships where you can get to know crew and passengers
- Want more personalized service and attention to detail
- Don't need constant entertainment or activity options
- Are sailing Alaska or other scenic routes where the destination matters more than ship amenities
- Value suite upgrades and want the best price-to-space ratio
My Honest Recommendation:
For most Celebrity cruisers, Solstice class delivers the best overall experience. The ships are large enough to offer variety without feeling overwhelming, service standards remain consistently high, and cabin design is superior to both older and newer classes.
However, if you're cruising Alaska specifically, consider Millennium class ships for their intimate observation areas and better passenger-to-scenic-viewing ratios. For Caribbean or Mediterranean cruising where you want the latest amenities, Edge class ships deliver impressive experiences despite their crowds.
The biggest mistake I see cruisers make is choosing based solely on ship age or marketing photos. Celebrity's older classes often provide superior experiences in areas that matter most—service, dining consistency, and cabin comfort.
Join the discussion and share your Celebrity ship class experiences in our Celebrity Ships forum!
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