Royal Caribbean vs Celebrity
Royal Caribbean is a contemporary line and Celebrity is premium, so expect real differences in price, crowd and what's included.
Royal Caribbean in a sentence
Energetic, family-friendly and packed with headline attractions; think floating theme park with a good Broadway show at night.
Celebrity in a sentence
Stylish, relaxed and adult-leaning; good food, good cocktails and a calmer pool deck than the big family brands.
| Feature | Royal Caribbean International | Celebrity Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Contemporary | Premium |
| The vibe | Energetic, family-friendly and packed with headline attractions; think floating theme park with a good Broadway show at night. | Stylish, relaxed and adult-leaning; good food, good cocktails and a calmer pool deck than the big family brands. |
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| Maybe not for |
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| Fleet size | 30 (as of October 2026) | 15 (as of September 2026) |
| Founded | 1968 | 1988 |
| Parent company | Royal Caribbean Group | Royal Caribbean Group |
| Gratuities | Royal Caribbean adds an automatic gratuity of $18.50 per person per day for most cabins (including junior suites) and $21 per person per day for higher suite categories. An 18% gratuity is added to bar and specialty dining purchases, and 20% to spa and salon services. You can prepay gratuities when you book or let them post to your onboard account. (as of 2026-10-13) | Celebrity adds $19.50 per person per day in most cabins, $20.50 in Concierge Class and AquaClass, and $24.50 in The Retreat suites. As of October 2026 the daily charge applies even to All Included fares. (as of 2026-10-13) |
| Dress code | Daytime and most evenings are casual. Most sailings include one or more optional dress-up nights (Royal Caribbean calls them formal or dress-your-best nights) where many guests wear cocktail dresses or a jacket, but it is not enforced in the buffet or casual venues. Shorts and tank tops are fine around the pool; the main dining room asks for a bit more polish at dinner. | Smart casual by day and in the evening. Celebrity has replaced formal nights with Evening Chic nights, where guests dress up in their own style, from cocktail dresses and jackets to stylish separates. Jackets and ties are never required. |
| Private destinations |
| None |
| Loyalty program | Crown & Anchor Society | Captain's Club |
| US/Canada homeports in our guides | 15 | 8 |
Both sail to: Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, Canada & New England, Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Northern Europe & Baltic, British Isles, Norwegian Fjords, Transatlantic, Australia & New Zealand, Asia.
Both depart from: Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Cape Liberty (Bayonne), Boston, Seattle, Vancouver, Seward. Pricing the same week on both is the fastest way to decide.
Questions people ask
Is Royal Caribbean or Celebrity better for families?
Royal Caribbean: Adventure Ocean, the included kids' club, is split by age group and runs on most days, with nursery care on many ships for an added fee. Celebrity: Camp at Sea is the included kids' program, split by age, with a teen club on most ships.
Which has higher gratuities, Royal Caribbean or Celebrity?
As of the dates we last checked, Royal Caribbean: Royal Caribbean adds an automatic gratuity of $18.50 per person per day for most cabins (including junior suites) and $21 per person per day for higher suite categories. An 18% gratuity is added to bar and specialty dining purchases, and 20% to spa and salon services. You can prepay gratuities when you book or let them post to your onboard account. Celebrity: Celebrity adds $19.50 per person per day in most cabins, $20.50 in Concierge Class and AquaClass, and $24.50 in The Retreat suites. As of October 2026 the daily charge applies even to All Included fares. Lines change these, so we confirm current amounts in every quote.
Do Royal Caribbean and Celebrity sail from the same ports?
Yes. Both sail from Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Cape Liberty (Bayonne), Boston, Seattle, Vancouver, Seward, which makes it easy to compare the same week on both lines.
Price Royal Caribbean and Celebrity side by side
Tell us your dates and who's going. We'll quote the same trip on both lines with the full price, taxes and fees included.