Celebrity Cruises may be Royal Caribbean’s premium brand, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave the kids at home to sail with a cruise line. In fact, Celebrity Cruises has an award-winning Kids Club, Camp at Sea, where kids participate in age-appropriate activities at Shipmates (ages 3-5), Cadets (6-9), Captains Club (10-12) and Teens Club (13 -17).
In addition to the kids’ clubs, there is much more for families and children. The spa on board Celebrity cruise ships offers teen treatments such as facials, manicures and pedicures, makeup lessons and two-for-two massages for teens and their parents, which can be booked together. Families can participate in game shows together, watch live shows or watch a movie under the stars on the pool deck. If you think family cruises are synonymous with overcrowded swimming pools, chicken fingers and fabulous shows, think again.
Here are my picks for the best celebrity cruises for families in 2024.
1. A perfect day at CocoCay
On cruises, my family likes to stay on the cruise line’s private island. It takes everything we love about a boat and brings it to an idyllic shore. In the summer of 2023, Celebrity Cruises made its first visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.
This private island was previously the exclusive domain of Celebrity’s sister brand Royal Caribbean. Now two Celebrity ships, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Reflection, also call at this private island.
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A perfect day at CocoCay is where you’ll find Thrill Water Park, featuring the tallest water slide in North America; Oasis Lagoon is the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean; Up, Up and Away, a helium balloon floating 450 feet in the air; a 1,600-foot zip line; and much, much more. In early 2024, the island opened Hideaway Beach for families with young adults (18 and up) or for an adults-only escape while the little ones enjoy the kids’ club.
2. The rise of celebrity
Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, Celebrity Ascent, set sail on its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale in December 2023. Ascent is the fourth of Celebrity’s innovative Edge-class ships. Each of these Edge-class ships has a moving “Magic Carpet” deck that goes up and down the outside of the ship.
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The Magic Carpet transforms into different venues depending on its location on the day and can be anything from a bar or lounge with live music to a restaurant. It even serves as a landing spot for Ascent harbor tenders. Celebrity Ascent offers alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises in the first half of the year, followed by Mediterranean cruises in the summer and fall.
3. Portraying a celebrity
Wondering if your kids are ready to “step up” to a more luxurious cruise line? Celebrity Reflection offers the brand’s first long weekend (three- to four-night sailings) itineraries, many of which stop at Perfect Day on CocoCay.
While the Reflection’s high-end styling may not initially seem kid-friendly, it boasts a feature that kids are sure to love – grass. The lawn club has nearly half an acre of real grass (that’s a lot bigger than the postage stamp yard at my house, for example) and areas for lawn games like bocce or croquet.
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When it’s time for dinner, families will love Le Petit Chef, which uses tabletop projection to create an animated evening cooking show. Take a quick three-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, and if you find your kids aren’t having a “perfect day” on Celebrity Reflection, you’ll still have plenty of time for a weeklong family vacation. at the beach or nearby theme parks.
4. Celebrities beyond borders
Debuting in 2022, Celebrity Beyond is also based in Fort Lauderdale and offers Caribbean cruises with some itineraries stopping at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Celebrity Beyond is best for families with older children who are used to traveling abroad and trying finer dining.
This Edge-class ship includes a “Magic Carpet” where you can dine, relax or soar above the hull of Celebrity Beyond. Le Petit Chef returns to Le Grand Bistro and the high-tech animated food is sure to delight and satisfy. In addition to Perfect Day at CocoCay cruises, Celebrity Beyond offers a number of Southern Caribbean itineraries, including sailings through the Panama Canal with stops in South America.
5. Top celebrities in Northern Europe
The Celebrity Apex was the second of the Edge class ships with, you guessed it, the Magic Carpet Deck, a cantilevered deck off the side of the ship. Apex sails to Europe in the summer, offering a series of cruises in the Norwegian fjords, Scandinavia and Northern Europe.
Our family loved the Norwegian Fjord cruise we took and it was one of our best vacations. The landscapes and scenery of Stavanger, Lysefjord, Pulpit Rock and Geiranger Fjord are some of the most beautiful we have ever seen. Other popular Celebrity Apex itineraries include Ireland, Iceland and Scotland cruises and a 13-day Iberian Peninsula cruise.
6. The land of celebrities in Alaska
Celebrity Edge was the ship that spearheaded Celebrity Cruise’s revolutionary Magic Carpet design that debuted in 2018. Since then, three other ships have placed the innovative shipboard deck.
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In the summer of 2024, Celebrity Edge will make a round trip from Seattle to Dawes Glacier, Alaska, and this elevating deck serves as a viewing platform for Alaska’s spectacular scenery and wildlife. In addition to the Magic Carpet, Celebrity Edge debuted a new stateroom design: Infinite Verandas. These cabins open an entire wall to the veranda, expanding the interior space and allowing guests to walk right outside. This extra space is perfect for families who need a little extra space, or for enjoying the Alaskan landscape right from your bed.
7. Rest
During the winter holiday season, Celebrity Cruises goes all out with holiday-themed shows, dance performances, carolers and Santa’s grotto. Families can enjoy the festivities and decorate the Christmas tree while sailing through beautiful locations and feasting on traditional holiday dishes. On New Year’s Day, guests can ring in the new year with a grand countdown evening featuring live music, noisemakers and champagne.