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Celebrity Cruises Cruising Guide & Tips - Cruising Earth
Celebrity Cruises Cruising Guide & Tips
Celebrity Cruises
Cruising Guide & Tips Contents
The information below is specific to cruising with Celebrity Cruises and current as of Spring 2026.
For additional general cruise planning information, use: Cruising Earth's - Cruise Planning Guide.
Before Cruising
- Identification and Documentation Requirements:
- U.S. Citizens on Closed-Loop Cruises (starting and ending in the same U.S. port): An original or certified copy of a government-issued birth certificate combined with a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) is accepted for ages 16 and older. A valid passport book is highly recommended for faster processing, emergencies, or if you need to fly home unexpectedly.
- All Other Cruises (including those starting or ending in different ports or international destinations): A valid passport book is required for all U.S. citizens, with at least 6 months validity beyond the cruise end date strongly recommended.
- Non-U.S. Citizens: A valid passport is required for all sailings, along with any necessary visas, green card, ESTA (for visa waiver), or EVUS (for certain Chinese nationals).
- Europe and Schengen Area Sailings: Some itineraries accept EU/EEA national ID cards (valid at least 1 month beyond return); however, routes with ports outside Schengen require passports. UK and Ireland citizens must carry a full passport.
- Critical Rule: The name on your booking must exactly match your identification documents. If your name has changed (e.g., marriage/divorce), bring original or notarized supporting documents. Improper documentation will result in denied boarding with no refund.
- Minor Travel Consent Forms: Minors traveling without both parents or legal guardians must have a notarized letter from the absent parent(s) authorizing the trip, supervision, and emergency medical treatment. This is required even for grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives.
- Celebrity Cruises App: This is your essential companion. Download it pre-cruise to complete mandatory online check-in, receive your digital SetSail Pass (boarding document), make reservations for dining, shows, excursions, and spa treatments, view your onboard account, access the daily planner, and use onboard messaging features.
- Travel Insurance: Purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended to cover trip cancellation, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more. Celebrity offers its own plan, but third-party providers often provide broader coverage at better value—compare options carefully.
- Additional Pre-Cruise Tips: Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel dates to prevent fraud flags. Review your ship's deck plans on the Celebrity website or app to familiarize yourself with venues and layout.
Tipping / Gratuities
- Automatic Daily Gratuities (current as of December 2025): $18 per person per day for guests in standard staterooms, oceanview, veranda, Concierge Class, and AquaClass; $23 per person per day for guests in The Retreat (suites). These apply to all guests, including children.
- These gratuities are shared among dining room staff, stateroom attendants, and behind-the-scenes hotel services crew who contribute to your overall experience.
- An additional 20% service charge is automatically added to all beverages, mini-bar purchases, spa and salon services, specialty dining cover charges, and room service orders (outside complimentary breakfast).
- You can prepay gratuities when booking or via the app/website for budgeting convenience.
- Onboard adjustments (increase, decrease, or remove) are possible at Guest Relations until the morning of disembarkation. Prepaid gratuities can be modified similarly.
- Extra cash tips are always appreciated for exceptional service from bartenders, waiters, stateroom attendants, porters, or spa staff—this is entirely at your discretion.
- Tipping is a personal choice: Prepay to have it handled upfront, or adjust based on the service you receive. The crew relies on these for a significant portion of their compensation.
Embarking
- Complete mandatory online check-in via the Celebrity Cruises app or website as early as possible (up to 90 days before sailing) to select your arrival time and receive your SetSail Pass.
- Arrive during your assigned time window for the smoothest process. Many terminals use facial recognition or biometrics for faster boarding.
- Luggage drop-off is available at the terminal—tag your bags and they will be delivered to your stateroom by late afternoon or early evening.
- Embarkation Day Bring-On Allowance: Non-alcoholic beverages are limited; guests may bring two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne per stateroom in carry-on luggage only. A $15 corkage fee applies if consumed in public areas.
- Snacks are permitted in reasonable quantities in carry-on luggage.
- Pack your swimsuit and a change of clothes in your carry-on—cabins may not be ready immediately, and luggage delivery can take several hours.
- Switch mobile devices to airplane mode as soon as the ship sails to avoid expensive international roaming charges.
- All-aboard time is strictly enforced—be back onboard at least 30–60 minutes early to avoid missing the ship.
Cabin
- Standard Amenities: Celebrity's eXhale bedding collection for superior comfort, basic toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash in dispensers), hairdryer, in-room safe (free), mini-fridge (stocked—request empty for personal use), multiple power outlets including USB/USB-C on newer ships.
- Room Service: 24/7 menu. Continental breakfast (6am–10am) is complimentary; all other orders incur a $9.95 delivery fee + 20% gratuity per order. Guests in The Retreat enjoy complimentary room service.
- Storage Tips: Ample space under the bed for suitcases; many cabins have drawers in couches or additional closet organizers.
- Balcony Tips: Use a bungee cord or door stop to prop the door open for fresh air; on some ships, place a small magnet over the door sensor to keep the air conditioning running while the door is open.
- "The Key" Upgrade: Optional paid program offering priority embarkation, debarkation, show seating, internet, and more.
On Deck
- Chair Etiquette: Avoid "chair hogging"—do not reserve loungers for extended periods. Crew may remove unattended items after 30–60 minutes.
- Balcony Tip: Place a towel on chairs when wearing light-colored clothing to prevent soot stains from ship exhaust.
- Key Features (vary by ship/class): Resort Deck with pools, hot tubs, The Retreat sundeck (suites), Magic Carpet (Edge-class moving platform), Lawn Club (Solstice-class real grass area), jogging track, sports courts.
Food & Beverage
- Included Dining Options: Main Dining Rooms (multi-course, flexible or traditional seating), Oceanview Café (buffet), Mast Grill (burgers), Spa Café (healthy options), Café al Bacio (pastries/coffee—some items extra).
- Included Beverages: Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, lemonade, iced tea, select juices (breakfast), fountain water.
- Specialty Dining: Extra-fee venues like Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, Fine Cut Steakhouse, Raw on 5—pre-book for savings and availability.
- Beverage Packages (pre-purchase for best rates; prices approximate and variable):
- Premium Beverage Package: Unlimited drinks up to $17 value (premium cocktails, spirits, wines by glass, specialty coffee, bottled water). Often $100–$130/day when purchased separately.
- Classic Beverage Package: Drinks up to $10 value (standard in All Included fare). Upgrade to Premium available onboard or pre-cruise.
- Zero Proof Package: Non-alcoholic mocktails, premium coffees/teas, juices, bottled water.
- Water Package: Discounted cases of bottled water delivered to cabin.
- All Included Fare: Often bundles Classic package, basic Wi-Fi, and gratuities.
- Elevate and Indulge Add-Ons: Paid upgrades for Premium drinks, specialty dining credits, etc.
Private Destinations
- Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas): Complimentary entry with beaches, Oasis Lagoon pool, Splashaway Bay kids area, included lunch at Snack Shack and Skipper's Grill. Extras include Thrill Waterpark (slides, wave pool), Hideaway Beach (adults-only upcharge), Coco Beach Club (premium beach/infinity pool), cabanas, zip line.
- Labadee (Haiti): Complimentary beaches and BBQ lunch. Extras include Dragon's Breath Flight Line (world's longest zip line over water), cabanas, water activities, parasailing.
- Beverage packages and Wi-Fi extend to Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Onboard Planning & Reservations
- Pre-book as much as possible via the Celebrity app: Specialty dining, theater shows, comedy, aqua shows, excursions, spa treatments—popular options and times sell out quickly.
- Dining Styles: Select Dining (anytime flexible) or Traditional Dining (fixed time and tablemates).
- Daily Planner: Digital version in the app with full schedules, menus, events, and port info.
- Onboard Messaging: Available through the app for staying connected with travel companions.
Wi-Fi / Internet Access
- Basic Wi-Fi is included in the All Included fare for browsing/email/social media.
- Premium Wi-Fi upgrade available for streaming, video calls, and faster speeds (Starlink-powered on most ships).
- Prices for Premium upgrade approximately $20–$35 per day (pre-cruise discounts and multi-device options available).
- Wi-Fi works at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Disembarking
- Self-Assist Departure: Carry your own luggage off the ship for the earliest possible exit (starts as soon as the ship is cleared by local authorities).
- Standard Departure: Colored luggage tags are delivered to your cabin the night before; wait in public areas until your tag color is called for an orderly exit.
- Everyone must be off the ship approximately 3 hours after docking.
- Having a passport typically results in faster processing through customs and immigration lines compared to using a birth certificate and photo ID.