Celebrity Cruises sells the dream—quiet luxury, world-class dining, and service that doesn’t miss a beat. That’s what makes it a premium cruise line. You’re not here for waterslides and conga lines. You’re here because you expect something better. And when you’re paying for premium, the last thing you want is to feel like you missed the mark before the ship even leaves the dock.
But that’s precisely what happens. I’ve read about it on countless cruise forums—disgruntled Celebrity passengers complaining they picked the wrong cabin, missed perks, let discounts go by, or felt stung by the drinks package. Celebrity doesn’t scream when you mess up—it just quietly lets you overpay, downgrade, or miss something entirely.
So, before you lock anything in, here’s what you need to know. These are the booking mistakes to avoid at all costs if you want the Celebrity cruise of a lifetime.
Assuming Celebrity’s “All Included” Covers Everything
One of the biggest misconceptions cruisers have is thinking Celebrity’s “All Included” package means everything is truly covered—especially when it comes to drinks, WiFi, and gratuities. But here’s the fine print many guests miss: the package includes only the Classic Drink Package and Basic WiFi—gratuities are not included.
Let’s break it down:
The Classic Drink Package only covers drinks priced up to $10. You’ll pay the difference for premium cocktails, higher-end spirits, better wines, bottled water like Evian, and fresh-pressed juice. Beverage gratuities are included in the drink package, but not general service gratuities.
Basic WiFi is fine for email, messaging, and light browsing—but no streaming or video calls.
Daily gratuities for your cabin steward and dining staff are not included in the “All Included” package. These are added to your onboard account unless prepaid.
If you want unlimited drinks up to $17 and streaming-capable WiFi, you’ll need to upgrade both:
- From Classic to Premium Drink Package
- From Basic to Premium WiFi
These are two separate upgrades—Celebrity does not offer a single package that includes both.
So while “All Included” helps with upfront value, be aware of what it does and doesn’t cover—and what you’ll need to upgrade if you want a truly premium experience.
Skipping the “All Included” Thinking it’s Too Pricy
While some cruisers expect too much from Celebrity’s “All Included” package, others make the opposite mistake—skipping it altogether, thinking they’ll save money. But in many cases, that decision ends up costing more in the long run.
According to Celebrity Cruises, guests who purchase “All Included” typically save between $200 and $800, depending on cruise length and their onboard habits. One cruiser shared that they saved over $700 on a five-night sailing by bundling drinks and WiFi upfront instead of paying à la carte.
Cruisers who skipped the package thinking they’d just “pay as they go” often ended up shocked by drink prices, plus a 20% gratuity. Others found themselves offline because they didn’t purchase even basic internet access.
Of course, if you don’t drink alcohol, and don’t plan to go online, it might make sense to skip “All Included.” But if you enjoy a cocktail, like to stay connected, or simply don’t want to stress about every add-on cost, it’s often the smarter financial move—just be sure to understand exactly what it covers and what it doesn’t.
Booking a Retreat Suite Without Understanding What’s NOT Included
The Retreat is Celebrity’s most luxurious experience, offering suite guests access to a private sundeck, the exclusive Luminae restaurant, a dedicated concierge, priority check-in, and upscale extras throughout the ship.
But here’s the catch: not everything is included, and what you get depends on your suite category.
Cruisers in Royal Suites and above receive more perks—like complimentary access to the SEA Thermal Suite. Those in lower-tier suites may be surprised to find that spa access and specialty dining still cost extra.
Even with the Premium Drink Package included, you’ll still pay out of pocket for drinks over $17, as well as certain à la carte items and upgrades.
The Retreat is a major upgrade—but only if you go in knowing exactly what’s covered. Read the details carefully so your splurge feels like a smart move, not a missed opportunity.
Think the MoveUp Offer Is a Guaranteed Upgrade with Full Perks? Think Again
Celebrity’s MoveUp offers catch cruisers off guard because it comes with strings attached. Although you’ll get a better room—even a luxurious suite, you don’t get the perks that come with it.
One cruiser shared that they got a suite through MoveUp and enjoyed access to The Retreat and Luminae private dining. But they had to pay for drinks in the restaurant and Sundeck and didn’t get WiFi or prepaid gratuities. They later realized it would have been cheaper to rebook when the cruise price dropped.
Others were disappointed to learn their Concierge or AquaClass bids didn’t come with priority check-in or spa access. Some also overpaid compared to price drops they could’ve snagged directly.
If perks matter, skip the bid and track prices manually. Upgrading through a price drop keeps the benefits that make it worth it.
Booking Spa Services Online Without Confirming Onboard Pricing
Don’t make the costly mistake a few Celebrity passengers have made when booking spa treatments. Some passengers decided onboard to book spa treatments after being offered a 50% onboard discount. The issue? The website didn’t match the onboard prices. They were pre-cruise booking prices.
This confusion isn’t uncommon. Celebrity’s pricing may shift between booking and sailing, especially when taxes, port days, or service fees come into play. Some passengers also reported limited refund options when they tried to cancel onboard.
Before booking spa or massage treatments, confirm final pricing (with fees) via the cruise line’s app. Onboard, ask for a printed price list before committing. Also, be prepared for aggressive upselling to get you to buy premium products you probably don’t need.
Picking the Wrong Celebrity Ship (Edge-class vs. Millennium-class)
The cruise experience on Celebrity depends on the ship—ensure you book the right one to match expectations. The newest cruise ships in the Edge Class are sleek and upscale, with better crowd flow and an ultra-modern theater. However, not everyone is a fan of the Infinite Verandas—many cruisers call them a glorified window that lacks a true balcony experience.
Older ships like the Millennium-class or Solstice-class vessels are more intimate and traditional. You’ll enjoy proper balconies, and on Solstice ships, you can even walk on real grass on the Lawn Deck. However, entertainment options are not as good as Edge ships, and the ships are showing their age.
Research your ship class. Watch walkthrough videos, compare deck plans, and check cruiser reviews to find the vibe that fits your style.
Further reading: Celebrity Cruise Ship Classes Ranked: Best & Worst According to Real Cruisers.
Celebrity Cruises: Not Always More Expensive Than You Think
Too many cruisers dismiss Celebrity assuming it’s overpriced—until they do the math. While cruise fares tend to be more expensive than Royal Caribbean cruises, they are not always. After factoring in cruise add-ons on Royal Caribbean (RCL), the total cost of cruising can sometimes be surprisingly similar.
One cruiser shared that after snagging a great deal and factoring in the “All Included” package that has unlimited drinks and WiFi, the final price was cheaper than like-for-like with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruises.
Remember that a premium feel doesn’t always come with a premium price, especially during flash sales. The best advice? Don’t assume—compare. Add up what you’d actually spend onboard elsewhere, then check Celebrity’s inclusive fare for real value.
Not Reviewing Your Celebrity Booking Confirmation Carefully
Mistakes happen, so it’s an oversight not to double-check booking confirmations from the cruise line. I discovered on several Reddit posts that drink packages sometimes didn’t show onboard, and Guest Services wouldn’t honor it without proof. Others have arrived to find they were assigned the wrong dining time or were missing the onboard credit they’d expected.
Booking glitches do happen—and they’re much harder to fix once you’re at sea. I always make it a habit to double-check every detail—fare type, perks, cabin number, and dining—right after booking. Then, take a hard copy of the confirmations in case you need leverage onboard.
Skipping Celebrity’s Dining Package—And Paying More Onboard
There’s no mistake about it—Celebrity has some of the best dining options among the mainstream cruise lines. Even the Oceanview Cafe buffet and Main Dining Restaurant get rave reviews. However, the specialty restaurants—Le Voyage, Le Petit Chef, Fine Cut, and Eden—are outstanding onboard experiences. But they’re not cheap.
If you’re thinking about eating at a few specialty dining restaurants, consider the dining package. You can include three or four restaurants and make huge savings, especially on longer sailings. One cruiser lamented, “We thought we’d just do one or two, but ended up dining out five times—and spent way more than we planned.”
Some cruisers found the included dining so good, they canceled their specialty reservations!
Insider tip: Note that gratuities are not included in the cost of specialty dining packages.
Booking Without Checking Celebrity’s “Blue Chip” Promotions or Flash Sales
Don’t overlook the importance of checking Celebrity’s promotions and sales before sailing. These deals can help you save hundreds of dollars on the standard cruise fare.
For example, one couple told how they got a free cruise offer from the Blue Chip Club (casino). The cruise line also offers deals like 75% off second guest fares, discounts on beverage packages, and bonus points on the Captain’s Club loyalty program. Sometimes, you can snag last-minute cruise deals or free flight offers.
Even if you have booked already, you might be able to reprice or get onboard credit if the offer changes.
Flights by Celebrity: Convenience or Risky Gamble?
Booking flights and transfers through Celebrity to the cruise terminal is a hit and a miss, depending on who you speak to. Many cruisers use the Flights by Celebrity service as they can fly into the port on embarkation day with a guarantee of getting to the ship on time. Any delays? Celebrity cruises sort it out.
On the flip side, others haven’t had such great luck. Cruisers on forums report last-minute changes, limited airline options, and poor customer service. One shared, “Our flight got changed three times, and Celebrity support wasn’t helpful. We weren’t able to deal directly with the airline, which made changes even harder to manage.”
Others say they couldn’t choose seats or access their airline booking directly. It’s convenient—but not always flexible, especially if you’re picky about airlines or arrival times.
If you decide to book your own flights, don’t make the rookie move of flying on embarkation day. Instead, fly in a day early, stay in a hotel, and leave enough time to get to the cruise terminal.
The Celebrity Cabin Mistake That Can Wreck Your Sleep
Seasoned cruise passengers all say that cabin choice can make or break the cruise experience. Some cruisers overlook checking the deck plans and are stuck in noisy locations—under or above the theater, below a noisy pool deck or buffet, or in high-traffic areas near elevator banks.
But it doesn’t stop there. Connecting cabins (if you don’t need one) are another trap. Even if the door’s locked, sound travels easily. Unless you’re sailing with family or friends, these can mean thinner walls and less privacy.
It’s easy to book an obstructed view balcony only for it to sting later. Many cruisers take the risk of a cheaper room, with the tradeoff being a partially blocked view. Sometimes, the gamble pays off. However, many times, cruisers only get a close-up view of the lifeboat and zero ocean views.
Another trap that is easy to fall into is booking a forward cabin. They may have incredible views, but they’re the worst for motion. Cruisers prone to seasickness report feeling every wave—especially in rougher waters. One said that it felt like being on a rollercoaster the entire cruise.
Further reading: The Best and Worst Celebrity Cruises Cabins (Based on Reviews).
Guaranteed Cabins—An Unpredictable Gamble
A classic first-time cruiser trap is to book a guaranteed cabin type. Basically, you’re letting Celebrity choose your cabin for you nearer the sail date. And guess what—you’ll get one no one else wanted. So, there’s a high chance that you’ll end up in a noisy location, far from amenities, or with a terrible view from your balcony or window.
Celebrity Cruises doesn’t typically attract budget-conscious travelers, but if cost is important and you’re not bothered about cabin location, go for a guaranteed cabin. However, if sleep, comfort, and convenience matter, pay a bit extra to choose your ideal stateroom.
Waiting Too Long to Book Celebrity’s Popular Itineraries
What many cruisers overlook is the importance of booking early to guarantee a dream cruise itinerary. Celebrity’s popular sailings—Alaska, the Mediterranean, or transatlantic crossings—can fill up fast, especially in peak season. Also, ships sailing to the Galapagos have limited capacity—between 16 and 100—and early booking is essential.
One cruiser shared, “We waited, thinking prices would drop, but our preferred cabin category was gone, and we missed out on our favorite specialty restaurants.” Others report price hikes as the ship fills, leaving only less desirable cabins or higher-fare suites.
Popular cruise itineraries also mean popular dining times and shore excursions vanish quickly. Early bookers often lock in better deals, perks, and stateroom locations.
If you have your heart set on a specific region or ship, book early—especially for limited-departure routes.
Missing Out on Status Match Perks from Royal Caribbean
A costly move some cruise travelers make is forgetting that their RCL cruise points on the Crown & Anchor Society transfer like-for-like to the Captain’s Club. This can let you score free perks—laundry, onboard credit, priority boarding, upgrades—the first time you sail with Celebrity.
But many cruisers forget to link accounts or assume the match is automatic. A first-time Celebrity passenger shared, “We didn’t know until halfway through the cruise about the benefits and were kicking ourselves for missing out on Elite benefits we were eligible for.”
Log into your Celebrity account and link it with your Royal Caribbean loyalty number before the final payment. Status perks won’t apply retroactively onboard.
Booking Shore Excursions Too Late (Or Risking Private Tours)
Celebrity shore excursions—especially small-group or immersive experiences—can sell out fast. Many cruisers regret waiting until they are onboard to book a cruise-sponsored shore excursion only to find everything gone.
Last-minute booking often means settling for larger group tours or missing out entirely. Others try private tours but get nervous about delays. Celebrity waits for its own excursions—but not for third-party operators. One traveler shared, “Our private tour ran late, and we barely made it back before the ship pulled away.”
Book excursions through the Cruise Planner pre-cruise for the best selection. If going private, leave a generous buffer for return time.
Booking a Celebrity Cruise Without a Travel Agent? Here’s What You Might Miss
It’s a classic booking blunder novice cruisers make—thinking it’s best to book directly with the cruise line. But skipping the travel agent means leaving perks, onboard credit, and discounts on the table.
A cruiser on Cruise Critic shared that they always use a travel agent with Celebrity because they get the best deals. Another said that they got $1,000 of refundable onboard credit on their last cruise. A good travel agent will also monitor prices and help with rebooking if the cruise price drops.
Get the Celebrity Cruise You Paid For—Not One You’ll Regret
Celebrity promises a premium experience, but in many cases, that depends on making smart booking moves. By avoiding common blunders before the cruise, you can enjoy a dream vacation without any annoying surprises. Happy cruising and may your next cruise on a Celebrity ship be everything you expected.
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