Virgin vs Celebrity
Virgin is a adults only line and Celebrity is premium, so expect real differences in price, crowd and what's included.
| Feature | Virgin Voyages | Celebrity Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Adults only | Premium |
| The vibe | Adults-only and boutique-hotel cool, with a playful, sometimes cheeky edge and a late-night social scene. | Stylish, relaxed and adult-leaning; good food, good cocktails and a calmer pool deck than the big family brands. |
| Best for |
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| Maybe not for |
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| Fleet size | 4 (as of October 2026) | 15 (as of September 2026) |
| Founded | 2014 | 1988 |
| Parent company | Virgin Group and Bain Capital (joint venture) | Royal Caribbean Group |
| Gratuities | As of October 2025 Virgin adds a gratuity of $22 per Sailor per day for all cabin types, according to The Points Guy's October 2026 tipping roundup. Other tips are bundled into the fare. (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 | No formal nights and no dress code beyond common sense. Scarlet Night, held once per voyage, is a ship-wide party where Sailors are encouraged to wear red, and some evenings have optional themes. | 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 | Virgin Voyages Sailing Club | Captain's Club |
| US/Canada homeports in our guides | 6 | 8 |
Both sail to: Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada & New England, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Northern Europe & Baltic, Transatlantic.
Both depart from: Seattle, Vancouver. Pricing the same week on both is the fastest way to decide.
Questions people ask
Is Virgin or Celebrity better for families?
Virgin: Virgin Voyages is adults-only: all Sailors must be adults, so there are no children's facilities or programs. Celebrity: Camp at Sea is the included kids' program, split by age, with a teen club on most ships.
Which has higher gratuities, Virgin or Celebrity?
As of the dates we last checked, Virgin: As of October 2025 Virgin adds a gratuity of $22 per Sailor per day for all cabin types, according to The Points Guy's October 2026 tipping roundup. Other tips are bundled into the fare. 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 Virgin and Celebrity sail from the same ports?
Yes. Both sail from Seattle, Vancouver, which makes it easy to compare the same week on both lines.
Price Virgin 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.