Top Things To Know Before Cruising with Celebrity Cruises

To many cruising enthusiasts, it is the only way to travel! Imagine seeing the islands, meeting newfound camaraderie, all the while indulging on a seemingly endless array of amazing food and drinks. However, if you haven’t cruised before, there are a few things you might want to know to fully enjoy your vacation at sea.

Below is a summary of some basic facts you ought to know before cruising with Celebrity Cruises. If you would like to know more, you can visit the Celebrity Cruises Website by clicking here.

#1 Download the Celebrity Cruises App

The Celebrity Cruises app is free to use onboard and you don’t need to purchase an internet package. You just need to be connected to the ship’s Wifi.

Advantages:
a. Chat with fellow cruisers
b. Make dining reservations
c. Reserve shore excursions
d. Browse daily activities
e. Explore deck plans

How to Download

The app is available to download from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

On the ship:
a. Connect to ‘Celebrity-Wifi’ network.
b. Open a web browser and type ‘cnn.com’ to get to Celebrity Cruises’ Internet homepage.
c. Tap the Apple or Android button at the bottom of the screen to install.

To Connect to Wifi Onboard:

Provide your name, birth month & year and your stateroom number to receive a 10-minute internet session to download the app.

#2 Travel Documents

Most important thing to do before you cruise is to make sure you have all your travel documents handy on the day of embarkation. Guests without proper documentation will be denied boarding and no refunds will be given.

Valid Passport
Acceptable travel document for traveling via land, sea or air. Must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the end of their cruise

Green Card or Alien Registration Card
All green card holders in the US must bring their green card in addition to their passport when they cruise as proof of their permanent residence status in the US.

Government issued birth certificate with a government issued photo ID (e.g. driver’s license)
Acceptable as proof of citizenship when sailing on closed-loop cruises if you don’t have a valid passport

For US Citizens under 16 years of age, the following documents are acceptable:
a. Original or notarized or certified copy of a birth certificate
b. Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by DOS
c. Certificate of Naturalization issued by USCIS

#3 Dining and Beverage Options

Celebrity Cruises offer a variety of culinary delectables to satisfy even the hungriest of guests. From mouthwatering complimentary options to healthy options for the health conscious and of course, specialty dining for food connoisseurs who want to pay extra for that added luxury on their dining experience.

Complimentary Dining:

a. Oceanview Cafe – buffet-style dining

b. Main Dining Room – a la carte dining

• Number of dining rooms depends on the fleet. On Edge class ships, there are 4 dining rooms to choose from. Cyprus (Mediterranean), Tuscan (Italian), Normandie (French), and Cosmopolitan (American Fusion)
• Sommelier is available each night for wine enthusiasts
• Cuisine changes nightly

c. AquaSpa Cafe – healthy dining options

d. Pool/Mast Grill – burgers and hot dogs

Specialty Dining

If you want an even more amazing culinary experience in a more intimate setting, specialty restaurants offer an elevated dining experience to spice up your cruise.

Click here for a more detailed description of dining options onboard.

Seating options:

a. Fixed

• More personalized service with the same wait staff and table each night
• Can either be Early (6pm seating) or Late (8:30pm).
• Seating time coincides with nightly entertainment times at 7pm or 9pm.

b. Select Dining

• For those who favor flexibility on their dining schedule with regards to seating and times
• This option is limited and those who enrolled can call the Maître D to reserve your preferred dining time that day.

Specialty Dining Packages

Dining packages help you save money by paying for specialty dining ahead of time at a discounted price.
a. Packages must be booked at least two days prior to boarding to enjoy the savings.
b. Packages can not be shared and are non transferrable
c. Specialty Dining Packages and restaurant reservations are based on availability and may not be offered on every voyage.
d. The more meals you purchase ahead of time, the more you’ll save on specialty dining.

Drink Packages

a. Classic Package ($59 per person per day)

• Includes beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks and wines by the glass up to $9 per serving
• 15% discount on wine by the bottle

b. Premium Package ($69 per person per day)

• All the benefits of the classic package plus: specialty coffees & teas, craft & artisan beers, spirits, cocktails, frozen drinks, Coca Cola products, premium bottled water and wines by the glass up to $15 per serving.
• 20% discount on wine by the bottle

c. Drinks & More Package ($85 per person per day)

• All the benefits of the Classic and Premium Beverage Packages plus the following perks:
  – Two bottles of wine
  – $50 in casino free play
  – A wine tasting experience
  – Mini bar included and replenished daily if two adults in your stateroom purchase this package

Room Service

• Available 24 hours a day (except on Celebrity Xpedition Class ships)
• Complimentary except for orders received between 11pm and 6am when a late night room fee of $4.95 is added.
• An extensive room service menu is available 24 hours a day. Continental Breakfast is available between 6:30am and 10am.

#4 Internet

While cruising, you can stay connected and surf the web with Celebrity’s XcelerateSM Wifi Service. One account allows you to connect up to four devices. To save 10%, you can book your internet package online before you cruise.

Internet plans available:

a. Surf Plan ($16 per cruise day) – allows you to surf the web, send emails or use messaging apps.

b. Stream Plan ($35 per cruise day) – gain full access to the internet including streaming services like Netflix, video calling or using VOIP.

#5 Electrical Outlets

All ships have at least one North American and one European outlet in every stateroom. Millennium Class and Solstice Class ships each have multiple North American and European outlets. On Edge class ships, USB outlets for your smartphones are also available.

Note: Electrical extension cords are not allowed onboard.

#6 Luggage Tags

If you want your luggage sent to your stateroom while you enjoy the first day of your cruise, you need to attach luggage tags to each of your bags. The tags are color coded & customized to your ship, sailing date & stateroom.

How to get them:

a. Online Check In

• As soon as you receive your electronic cruise document (eDocs) and have an assigned stateroom, you can log in to check-in online and select “request” in the Luggage Tags section to submit your request. Luggage tags will be sent to you via USPS mail. You can make this request up to 11 days prior to your sailing date.

b. Printed Cruise Documents ($35 charge)

• Your luggage tags will be included in your document book

c. At the port

• Luggage tags are available upon arrival at the port for guests with an assigned stateroom but has not submitted a request at least 11 days prior to sailing.

#8 Cruise Cabin Types

a. Suites

• Most luxurious and spacious accommodations available designed for utmost indulgence
• The Retreat – an exclusive lounge with a pool and bar, exclusive to Suite Stateroom guests.

b. Aqua Class Staterooms

• Premium ship location close to the spa
• Exclusive access to Blu Specialty Restaurant
• Unlimited access to the SEA Thermal Suite (on Edge^®) & the Persian Garden (on Millennium Class and Solstice Class)
• Spa Concierge
• Wellness Consultations Specified to Guests Preferences

c. Edge Staterooms

• Staterooms that go right to the water’s edge with the touch of a button, giving you open air access to the sea.

d. Veranda Staterooms

• Enjoy some fresh air and lots of sunshine in your own private balcony

e. Ocean View Staterooms

• Staterooms with large open windows so you can enjoy breathtaking views of the open ocean as you cruise

f. Inside Staterooms

• Inside, windowless staterooms with ample living space and basic amenities

#9 Seasickness

When you’re on a cruise, the one thing you don’t ever want to have is to get seasick. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent you from being seasick.

Here’s a few of our recommendations that helps:
a. Scopolamine patch (Prescription – prevents motion sickness)
b. Dramamine (Over the counter but get the less drowsy kind)
c. Zofran (Prescription – helps with nausea)
d. Ginger Pills (Natural way to prevent motion sickness)
e. Seabands (Naturally prevents motion sickness by applying pressure to certain point on your wrist)
f. Choose a stateroom on a lower deck and located mid ship.  Rooms closest to the front or the stern of the cruise ship experience most of the rocking motion.

#10 Onboard Purchases

Things to know:
a. All items onboard are priced in US dollars and purchases are charged to your SeaPass account.
b. Validate your account with a credit card at the check-in desk or during online check-in.
c. You can also add cash to your account but only in US dollars. Personal checks are not acceptable.
d. Final settlement is done at the end of your cruise with an itemized statement of your purchases.

#11 Laundry Services

Celebrity Cruises might not offer self-service laundry for guests, but for a small fee, you can pay for laundry or dry cleaning services and have them do it for you.

Notes:
a. For Captain’s club members, you’ll often find coupons for laundry services in your cabin. Complimentary laundry services are offered to elite level and above and for those staying in Royal Suites.
b. You’ll find a laundry bag inside your stateroom closet. Your stateroom attendant will take them from you and return them the next day.
c. Same day expedited laundry service is available for an extra fee. Pick up is before 9am.

#12 Stateroom Amenities

All stateroom bathrooms are equipped with soap, shampoo, conditioner and a wall-mounted hair dryer. Unfortunately, steamers or irons are not allowed.

All staterooms have a safe behind the desk mirror or in the closet.

#13 Celebrity Today

Celebrity Today is the cruise line’s daily newsletter distributed nightly. It contains the following information on your cruise the next day:

a. Important announcements
b. Featured activities
c. Special Events
d. Show Times
e. Special offers on dining, drinks and merchandise
f. Dress Code
g. Hour by hour schedule of what’s happening
h. Contact information

#14 Bringing Beverages

On embarkation day, guests are allowed to bring two bottles of wine per stateroom, which are subject to a corkage fee when consumed in the dining room.

Alcoholic beverages bought from onboard shops or ports of call will be secured by ship’s personnel. These will then be returned to guests just before the end of their cruise.

#15 SeaPass Card

Once you complete your final check-in at the port, you will be given your SeaPass card. This will serve as:
a. Keycard to your stateroom
b. Identification card for reboarding the ship at ports of call
c. Charge card for your onboard purchases

#16 Muster Safety Drill

As mandated by the US Coast Guard, all guests are required to participate in a Muster Safety Drill before the ship leaves port.

This will ensure that everyone onboard knows what to do and where to go during an emergency at sea.

Specific muster locations are printed on the guests’ keycards and are also noted clearly at the back of each stateroom door.

#17 Pregnancy

Pregnant moms who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy at any time during the cruise period will not be allowed to board the ship.

Upon check-in, all guests are required to sign a health questionnaire to ensure awareness of this policy.

If you have already booked a cruise and do not meet this requirement, please call your travel agent or Celebrity Cruises at 1-888-283-7275 and ask for a resolution agent.

#18 Cruise Photo Packages

Feel like a celebrity and put on your best smile while you cruise. Professional photographers are ready to capture those awesome cruise moments so you can keep those precious memories forever.

The following day, you can visit the Photo Gallery to check out or maybe purchase the photos you want. There is no obligation to purchase.

Save up to 20% on the price by booking your photo package online pre-cruise.

#19 Online Check In

Online check-in must be completed at least 3 days prior to your sail date by logging in to My Celebrity website.

If you have not completed Online Check-in, you will be required to complete some paperwork at the pier two hours prior to the published sailing time.

Note: Xpress Pass guests whose cruise departs from ports in the United States are required to be at the pier and checked-in no later than 60 minutes prior to the published sailing time or you may not be permitted to board.

Once online check-in is completed, you will receive an Xpress Pass which means that you have successfully completed the check-in process.

#20 Communication

Here are ways you can keep in touch while onboard the ship:

a. Cellular Roaming

• The ship is equipped with a cell tower that allows you to text and make calls onboard. However, roaming charges will apply and rates are based on your cellphone carrier.

b. Celebrity Cruises App

• With this complimentary app, you can communicate with fellow cruisers while connected to the ship’s Wifi network

c. Stateroom Phone

• For $7.95 per minute, you can make ship-to-shore calls with your stateroom phone. This is automatically charged to your SeaPass account.
• From outside the ship, friends and family can contact the ship by calling 877-266-1020 or 321-953-9002 if calling from outside the US. This is charged to their credit card.

d. Internet VOIP

• You can also purchase an internet package and connect via VOIP or video calls online.

#21 Captain’s Club

Captain’s Club is the cruise line’s loyalty program that lets you enjoy exclusive rewards and perks next time you cruise.

Points are earned nightly and the number depends on your accommodation type. Suite rooms earn the most points (18 points per night), while inside staterooms the least at 2 points per night. Click here for more info.

Captain’s Club Tiers
a. Preview Tier (0 points)
b. Classic Tier (2-149 points)
c. Select Tier (150-299 points)
d. Elite Tier (300-749 points)
e. Elite Plus Tier (750-2999 points)
f. Zenith Tier (3000+ points)

Click here to know more about the perks and benefits of each tier.

#22 Babysitting

Celebrity offers private, in-cabin babysitting service for children 12 months or older with a maximum of two children per babysitter. Requests for babysitting services must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Minimum age to cruise is 6 months, with the exception of Transatlantic, Transpacific and some South American cruises where the minimum is 12 months.

#23 Camp at Sea

Celebrity’s Camp at Sea Program is a customizable, fun-filled list of activities designed to cater the needs and interests of junior cruisers. Each cruise offers a fun and unique program so they’ll never have the same experience twice.

Program categories include:

a. S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

• By partnering with The Frost Science Museum, Anturus and Lonely Planet, these programs are created to entertain and stimulate young minds with experiments and everyday science.

b. Recreation

• Wide range of video games and fun-filled activities that will keep everyone on their toes. Lots of team play excitement to keep everyone happy.

c. Culinary

• You’re never too young to become a foodie. From making cupcakes to baking pizza, there are oodles of culinary fun to indulge their young taste buds and grow an appreciation for good food and cooking techniques.

d. Art

• This program allows young cruisers to express themselves through art and crafts. Make custom stuffed animals and other fun activities to nurture young creative minds.

#24 Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted except in designated areas of the cruise ship. You can contact Guest Relations to find out where these designated areas are.

Guests caught smoking inside their stateroom or verandas will be fined $250 on their SeaPass account and could be subjected to further action as stated on the Guest Conduct Policy.

A guest must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco onboard.

#26 Onboard Entertainment

Onboard shows on Celebrity ships are simply outstanding. Broadway-style musicals heightened with mesmerizing lights and heart-thumping audio. It’s a production that falls nothing short of spectacular.

You can view show schedules on your Celebrity Cruises App or on your Celebrity Today Newsletter. Reservations are not needed but it is best to show up 15-20 minutes before it starts if you want better seats.

Click here to know more about onboard shows.

#27 Gratuities

Gratuities are automatically added daily to your SeaPass account. Rates are as follows:

a. $14.50 per person per day for standard accommodations
b. $15 per person per day for Concierge or AquaClass Staterooms
c. $18 per person per day for Suites

Gratuities are shared by your stateroom attendant, dining room staff and housekeeping. Rates may be adjusted onboard by talking to Guest Relations.

A 20% gratuity is automatically added to all beverages, mini bar purchases, spa & salon services.

#28 Shore Excursions

Book your shore excursions through Celebrity Cruises and enjoy certain benefits such as priority disembarking, convenience, flexibility, and a guaranteed return to the ship. Meaning if there are delays on your excursion, the ship will wait for you. In the event the ship has to leave, the cruise line will even make arrangements for guests to return to the ship at the next port at no cost.

Things to know:
a. You have up to 2 days prior to your sail date to purchase your Shore Excursions online. Otherwise, you will have to purchase them onboard.
b. Tours purchased prior to departure will be charged to your credit card. Tours purchased onboard will be charged to your SeaPass Account.

Click here to know more about available excursions.

#29 Onboard Dress Code

While having formal nights is an integral part of time-tested cruising tradition, Celebrity Cruises turned it down a notch and opted for Evening Chic. It’s a happy medium between smart casual and formal attire.

Here are some suggestions:

Gentlemen

• Pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt or sweater
• Optional sport coat or blazer

Ladies

• A cocktail dress
• Skirt, pants or designer jeans with an elegant top

Things to know:

• All cruises that are 7 nights or longer will feature two Evening Chic nights. Any cruise 6-nights or shorter will feature one Evening Chic night. All other nights of the cruise will feature Smart Casual attire.

• Smart Casual attire can be enjoyed every other night of your cruise.

• T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurant at any time.

To learn more about cruising, check out other articles on our site:

1. 33 Things To Pack For A Cruise Besides Clothes
2. Things to Leave Behind When Packing For Your Next Cruise
3. 18 Hidden Costs That Bump Up Your Cruising Budget