does celebrity cruises have single rooms

Everything you need to know about Celebrity Cruises cabins and suites

In keeping with the ambiance on Celebrity Cruises ' vessels, the brand's accommodations offer an elevated experience without going full-on luxury. That means Celebrity's passengers can expect more sophisticated surroundings and an upscale vibe at relatively affordable prices.

Like the vessels themselves, the line's cabins are well-appointed and elegant, with modern touches that appeal to a slightly younger-than-average cruise demographic.

Learn what to expect from each room type before you book with our primer for those who are new to Celebrity.

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Celebrity Cruises cabin primer

Celebrity Cruises' fleet of ships includes more than a dozen vessels that fall into four main categories : Millennium Class, Solstice Class, Edge Class and Galapagos Class. Ships in the first three classes share similarities in terms of their cabin offerings. The Galapagos-class vessels are much smaller and include a narrower selection of cabin types and amenities. Because of this, the Galapagos Class will have its own section below; the other sections of this article do not apply to the Galapagos Class.

Although all of the ships' staterooms fall into the same general categories – insides, oceanviews, balconies and suites – the specific types of each vary across classes, particularly with regard to the most expensive options.

Even at the most basic level, nearly all accommodations include two twin beds that can be connected to form a king (most rooms) or queen; a desk and vanity area with a chair, drawers and a phone; nightstands with drawer space and reading lights; a sofa or plush chair; a coffee table; an in-cabin bathroom with shampoo, conditioner, body wash and towels; a closet with shelves, hanging space and bathrobes; a safe; a hair dryer; a television with a selection of movies and live TV, as well as shipboard channels and the ability to check the daily schedule and your onboard bill; a mini-fridge; a selection of outlets, including USB ports; and individual lighting and climate controls.

RELATED: The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship

All cabins also come with the services of a room attendant, who will tidy your digs up to two times daily. All passengers also have access to 24-hour room service, which carries a fee of $9.95 per order, plus an 18% auto-gratuity.

Across the fleet, all ships offer connecting rooms, with some of the largest suites joining to sleep up to 10 people. The line also features special accommodations for solo cruisers on a small number of its vessels (specifics are noted below under applicable cabin categories).

Further, all ships offer several accessible accommodations across all main stateroom categories (except Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Reflection, which do not offer accessible standard balcony cabins) for passengers needing extra space for wheelchairs, walkers and scooters. Those cabins feature wider (32-inch) doorways, a 5-foot turning radius, ramped bathroom thresholds, bathroom grab bars, lowered sinks and vanities, higher toilets, roll-in showers with fold-down benches, hand-held showerheads, lowered closet bars and accessible balconies (in select staterooms).

Unless otherwise noted, all cabins are designed for double occupancy. In most cases, solo travelers staying in accommodations meant for two people will be charged an additional cruise fare, known as a single supplement. Further, some staterooms are outfitted with trundle beds, pull-down bunks or sofa beds that can accommodate up to four people per room.

Inside cabins on Celebrity ships

Inside cabins on Celebrity ships run anywhere from 170 to 202 square feet, and they offer everything mentioned above. The one thing they don't have is a view.

As is implied by their name, they have no windows and no balconies for natural light or fresh air. These are stellar options for anyone on a budget or travelers who have trouble sleeping with any sort of light.

Celebrity Silhouette has four inside cabins available for solo travelers.

RELATED: 6 reasons to book an inside cabin

Oceanview cabins on Celebrity ships

Oceanview cabins on Celebrity ships come in at between 170 and 242 square feet, depending on the ship and type.

True to their name, these rooms offer views of the ocean from windows that don't open, so although there are no in-cabin ocean breezes, there is natural light.

They include all of the basic amenities listed above.

Balcony cabins on Celebrity ships

There are several veranda categories available throughout the Celebrity fleet, all of which offer traditional balcony setups. Types include basic balcony cabins (170 to 202 square feet, 38- to 53-square-foot balcony), Family Verandas (270 to 575 square feet, 106- to 242-square-foot balcony) that sleep a larger number of people and Sunset Verandas (194 to 228 square feet, 53- to 89-square-foot balcony) that offer aft views of the ship's wake.

The vessels also offer AquaClass and Concierge Class digs, which are essentially basic balcony accommodations with some extras. The former focuses on wellness and comes with free fitness classes, unlimited access to the onboard spa's thermal suite, dining at exclusive health-focused restaurant Blu, a healthier room service menu, daily bottled water, upgraded toiletries, discounts on spa packages and yoga mats for in-cabin use. The latter entitles cruisers to amenities like dedicated concierge services, as well as an exclusive luncheon, daily in-room canapes and sparkling wine on request.

Basic amenities are included, but what really sets these accommodations apart is that they provide cruisers with private access to ocean air – no need to venture to a public deck.

Infinite Veranda

As with standard balcony cabins, Infinite Verandas – which are only found on ships in the line's Edge Class – come with the basic amenities listed above, but they also grant a bit more interior space (202 square feet) in lieu of the usual walk-out terrace.

They earn their own category here because, as those who book the accommodations will find, instead of a traditional balcony, they have a window that can be raised and lowered with the push of a button. A set of see-through folding doors allows the area near the window to be cordoned off in order to make it feel like a more traditional balcony.

RELATED: 6 reasons to stay in a balcony cabin

Celebrity's three newest vessels each have several Infinite Veranda solo cabins for cruisers traveling by themselves. Celebrity Edge has 16, and Celebrity Apex offers 24, while Celebrity Beyond boasts 32. They offer 131 to 184 square feet of space with 42- to 45-square-foot interior balcony areas.

Suites on Celebrity ships

There are 10 types of suites on Celebrity's ships, four of which – Sky Suites, Celebrity Suites, Royal Suites and Penthouse Suites – appear on every single ship in the fleet. Two more – Edge Villas and Iconic Suites – are found only on Edge-class vessels. Another two, Signature Suites and Reflection Suites, are exclusive to Celebrity Reflection, and the remaining Sunset Suites and AquaClass Suites are new to the fleet with the debut of Celebrity Beyond.

Passengers booked in any of the suites in this category have access to the exclusive suites-only lounge and pool deck, known as The Retreat, as well as dining in suite-access-only restaurant Luminae.

RELATED: 7 reasons to splurge on a cruise ship suite

Cruisers in these accommodations also receive a slew of perks, including higher-level Wi-Fi and drink packages (upgraded from the free ones that come with all fares); onboard credit; prepaid gratuities; free in-room bottles of alcohol; complimentary laundry, shoeshine, butler and concierge services; and priority embarkation and tendering, among other draws.

An explanation of each type of suite can be found below.

These are the smallest suites in the fleet, ranging from 251 to 362 square feet with balconies that range from 57 to 163 square feet. They're arranged in a studio configuration, similar to what you'd find in non-suite cruise-ship accommodations. They're the least expensive option for those who crave access to suite-level amenities.

Celebrity Suites

For cruisers wanting the step up their square footage or storage space, a Celebrity Suite will do the trick. Expect 394 to 498 square feet, plus a balcony between 51 and 105 square feet, complete with separate living and bedroom spaces, a sizeable bathroom (with a bathtub/shower combo) and tons of drawers and cabinets to help chronic overpackers stow their belongings.

Royal Suites

For an even bigger upgrade, Royal Suites come in at between 538 and 687 square feet with verandas measuring 72 to 195 square feet. Each has ample storage, separate lounging and sleeping quarters, and a generously sized bathroom with a shower and separate soaking tub that's perfect for relaxing after a day in port.

Penthouse Suites

Penthouse suites are the largest accommodations found fleetwide, ranging from 1,291 to 1,432 square feet with 197- to 1,098-square-foot verandas that are large enough for their own private hot tubs. The two-bed, two-bath setup with a separate sitting area and dining table that seats eight, makes these cabins great for entertaining or sharing with travel companions.

Edge Villas

These two-deck suites offer an upstairs-and-downstairs setup with one bedroom, two bathrooms, and a living room in 739 square feet of space. There's also a 211-square-foot balcony. These rooms are exclusive to the line's Edge Class of ships, and they boast access to a private plunge pool.

Iconic Suites

Iconic Suites -- which are in high demand, due to their limited numbers and plethora of extras -- are the largest on Edge-class vessels, offering 1,892 square feet, a nearly 689-square-foot balcony (larger than most staterooms onboard, complete with a private hot tub and daybed), a bathroom with dual sinks and a whirlpool tub, and an unparalleled forward-facing view from directly above the bridge.

Signature Suites

While Signature Suite accommodations are on the smaller side, at 441 square feet, the 118-square-foot balcony still manages to include an outdoor tub with a rain shower so you can soak while taking in the views as you sail. They also include high ceilings, a shower/tub combo, and separate living and sleeping areas.

Reflection Suites

At nearly four times the size of Signature Suites, Reflection Suites come equipped with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a cantilevered glass shower that hangs out over the ocean for simply amazing views. All of this fits neatly into 1,636 square feet of space, plus a 194-square-foot balcony. Dual sinks, a separate soaking tub with a rain shower, high ceilings, a walk-in closet, and a prime corner location round out the opulent offerings. These suites are only slightly smaller than Iconic Suites, but their verandas are far tinier.

Sunset Suites

Similar to the wake-view concept behind the line's Sunset Veranda staterooms, Sunset Suites provide an elevated experience with the same stunning vistas at each ship's aft. Some of these suites are on the smaller side, comprising 296 to 575 square feet, plus a 53- to 242-square-foot balcony, but they do incorporate separate living and sleeping areas, making them feel more like true suites.

AquaClass Sky Suites

These rooms combine the space and enhanced extras of a Sky Suite (including access to The Retreat and Luminae) with the perks of an AquaClass cabin – fitness classes, thermal suite access, dining at Blu, daily bottled water, discounts on spa packages and yoga mats for in-cabin use – to bring passengers a more health-centric suite experience in 319 square feet with a 79-square-foot veranda.

Cabins on Celebrity's Galapagos-class ships

Because Celebrity's expedition vessels are much smaller, they warrant their own section. What follows is a breakdown of the cabin types – most of which are suites – offered on each ship.

Note that Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration have neither The Retreat nor Luminae, so suite passengers do not have access to those venues. Amenities also may vary from those offered on the fleet's non-expedition ships.

Celebrity Flora

The largest of Celebrity's expedition vessels, Celebrity Flora houses 50 cabins with a double-occupancy capacity for 100 passengers. All staterooms are classified as suites, with a mix of several types of Sky Suites, including some with Infinite Verandas (330 to 365 square feet, 65- to 86-square-foot balcony); Royal Suites (559 square feet, 129-square-foot balcony); and Penthouse Suites (1,288 square feet, 321-square-foot balcony).

Celebrity Xpedition

Significantly smaller is Celebrity Xpedition, which can carry 48 passengers across 24 cabins at capacity. Availability includes 160-square-foot oceanview accommodations; 175-square-foot Junior Suites with 45-square-foot verandas; and a combination of suites – Xpedition Suites, Royal Suites and Penthouse Suites – that run the gamut from 205 to 460 square feet with balconies ranging from 50 to 235 square feet. Given that Penthouse Suites on the line's other ships span 1,291 to 1,432 square feet with 197- to 1,098-square-foot verandas, it's easy to see that suite sizes decrease as ship sizes decrease.

Celebrity Xploration

The tiniest and most no-frills option on Celebrity's roster is Celebrity Xploration, which carries just 16 people in eight cabins at its maximum. Oddly, all staterooms are labeled as Junior Suites, but while half of them have balconies (180 square feet with 245-square-foot verandas), the other half (190 square feet) don't. It's also interesting to note that, in the ones that do have them, the balconies boast significantly more space than the interior living area does.

Bottom line

Celebrity's selection of basic cabins is fairly standard. However, when it comes to suites, passengers have a decent number of choices, and even the smallest and least expensive options offer coveted amenities and access to dedicated spaces.

Although there are suite types that span the entire fleet, the line likes to create experiences that are exclusive to some of its newest classes and ships.

Celebrity is one of the best big-ship cruise brands when it comes to everything from service and extras to in-cabin storage space, decor and even furniture layout. Overall, the line offers an upscale ambiance with a lot of value for your money, starting with inside cabins and running right up through accommodations at the suite level.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
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• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Feature d photo by Tim Aylen/Celebrity Cruises.

Cruise Lines With Single Cabins for Solo Travelers 2024

As more people choose to travel solo, cruise lines are stepping up their game to accommodate independent travelers.

Nowadays, a number of cruise with solo cabins or studios designed specifically for solo travelers, and some offer a range of choices, inside, oceanview, and even balcony options, albeit in relatively small numbers.

These cabins not only cater to the needs of solo travelers but also provide a more affordable way to explore the world without having to pay the single supplement.

Here we will be highlighting which cruise lines offer solo cabins or studios. 

Cruise Ships with Single Cabins

In the table below, we list all the individual cruise ships which offer single cruise cabins for solo travelers

Where known, we have included the number of single cabins on cruise ships as a guide to possible availability.

Check out which of the above cruise lines make our top picks for certain age ranges:

• Best Cruises for 20-something Singles (Under 30)

Cruise Lines with Single Cabins

Below we cover in more detail what each cruise line offers in the way of single cabins for solo travelers.

Ambassador Cruise Line

Ambassador cruise line is a British-owned single cruise ship, the MS Ambience which was launched in 2022 and offers a relatively high number of 89 single cabins as part of there stated commitment to single guests at a special single supplement rate.

With a capacity of 1400 passengers, the ship offers a range of Inside, Ocean view and a Super Plus with a single balcony rooms.

• Superior Inside Single on Consulate deck 10
• Standard Ocean View Single on Aloe deck 4
• Superior Ocean View Single on Consulate deck 10
• Premium Ocean View Single on Ambassador deck 11
• Super Plus Balcony Single on Consulate deck 10

These single cabins vary in terms of their location on the ship, as well as their level of amenities and features. The Superior Inside Single is an interior cabin, while the Standard and Superior Ocean View Singles offer a view of the ocean. The Premium Ocean View Single provides a higher level of luxury, and the Super Plus Balcony Single offers the added feature of a private balcony.

The minimum cabin size is 190 square feet.

Celebrity Cruises

In 2018 Celebrity launched its Infinite Veranda single rooms on Celebrity Edge.

They have since expanded their single cabin offerings on other ships with Celebrity Apex having 24 and Celebrity Silhoutete refitted with 4 single interior staterooms.

The staterooms measure 131 sq ft with an additional 45 square feet when the Infinite Veranda.

Larger cabins of 185 square feet are available on Celebrity Beyond.

You can find out more how Celebrity Cruises caters for solo travelers.

Costa Cruises

About half of the Costa cruise ship fleet offer cruises with single cabins

There are single cabins available as inside rooms or ocean view.

Room sizes range from 102 to 199 square feet.

Cunard Line

The prestigious and traditional cruise line Cunard offers solo cabins on all 3 of the ships in the fleet.

The Queen Mary 2, the world’s only true transatlantic ocean liner, offers 15 large single occupancy rooms between 178 and 183 square feet.

All 3 ships in the fleet offer both Britannia Single Inside Britannia Single Oceanview cabins, which are located centrally within each of the ships.

Cunard specifically offers complimentary coffee mornings and drinks receptions for solo travelers as well as the option of shared table dining if you’d like to meet other guests. As you can see here the Cunard staterooms are the epitome of luxury.

Fred. Olsen

There are at least 40+ available single cabins on each of the cruise ships in the Fred. Olsen fleet.

With a wide range of options available including:

• Single Interior Room
• Single Ocean View 
• Single Balcony Suite

Each room is at least 130 square feet, going up to 200 sq ft for the Balcony Suite.

Fred Olsen was Cruise Critics Editors Pick 2022 – Best for Solo Travelers .

You can more information n solo cruising with Fred. Olsen here.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line is a popular cruise line with older adults.

All single staterooms offer ocean views and measure 127 to 172 square feet.

With only 12 single occupancy rooms per ship, if you are booking a single persons cruise, you’d need to do so as far in advance as possible.

If you can’t get a solo cabin you might want to consider the “Singles Partner Program”, which partners guests of the same gender to share a stateroom.

Marella Cruises

Marella Cruises is a British cruise line with 4 ships in its fleet all of which offer inside and outside solo cabins.

Marella ships all have a cruise hosts who arrranges events for solo passengers which is a great opportunity to meet other single cruisers. You can find a review of the different solo cabin types on emmacruises first-hand Marellla singles cabins review .

MSC Cruises

The Swiss cruise line MSC Cruises offers single cabins on a number of its ships.

All are inside staterooms and measure approximately 130 square feet.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise lines is an award-winning cruise line for solo travelers.

They were one of the first main cruise lines to offer studio cabins to guests.

Currently offering studio cabins on 8 ships in the fleet and in higher numbers than most of the other cruise lines.

You can see and read more here about Norwegian singles cruises .

P & O Cruises

P&O Cruises is a British cruise line with 7 ships in the fleet, all of which have a range of single cabin options:

• Single Inside Cabin (Arcadia, Azura, Britannia, Iona, Ventura)
• Single Sea view (Aurora, Azura and Ventura)
• Single with balcony (Arcadia, Aurora, Britannia, Iona)

If you’re single and want to meet up with other singles, be sure to attend the solo traveler’s coffee mornings.

2 of the ships, Arcadia and Aurora are adult-only.

P&O Britannia has the highest number of single cabins at 27, with 15 having a balcony. All the solo cabins are located on the Lido deck, which is a high deck towards the front of the cruise ship might cause some passengers seasickness.

Royal Caribbean

Although Royal Caribbean does have solo cabins on approximately half its fleet 14 ships (in its fleet of 27), they are relatively very few in number in relation to the total number of cabins on the ships.

Royal Caribbean offer a range of different single cabins including:

• Studio Interior
• Studio Virtual Balcony
• Studio Ocean View
• Studio Ocean View Balcony
• Super Studio with Balcony

If you are thinking of traveling solo, be sure to check out the best Royal Caribbean cruises for singles .

Saga Cruises

Saga cruises is a British cruise line providing an elegant over 50’s adults-only cruise experience.

They have a relatively large number of single cabins of different grades including:

• Single with Balcony
• Suite with Balcony

Amongst the range are also Deluxe and Superior options.

You can see a range of what they offer here.

Virgin Voyages

The relatively new British cruise line Virgin Voyages cater to an adult-only expereince and offers over 40 singles cabins per ship in the fleet.

They offer a choice between an Insider or a Seaview single cabin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do carnival cruise ships have single cabins.

Carnival cruise ships do not offer any single cabins. All ships in the Carnival cruise fleet are 100% double occupancy.

As a solo traveler, you can book a double occupancy room, but you have to pay 100% single supplement fees.

While Carnival doesn’t particularly cater to solo travelers, it is a popular choice with some younger adults who are looking for a fun atmosphere. You can find out more in our best Carnival singles cruises .

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• Cruise News

How Celebrity Just Became The Least Solo-Friendly Cruise Line

Richard Simms

• January 3, 2024

Even as studies show that more and more travelers are looking to take trips on their own, one cruise line has quietly made a shocking move: It appears Celebrity solo cruisers are being charged more that double the going rate for staterooms.

Celebrity Solo Cruise Pricing

Over the past few years, a growing number of people have opted to travel solo. As a result, several cruise lines have made major strides in their efforts to woo those would-be passengers.

Most notably, Norwegian Cruise Line introduced solo staterooms built around a centralized lounge on several of their newer ships, while also announcing plans to offer lower pricing on select staterooms across all cabin categories, fleet-wide.

Celebrity Cruises, however, seems to be taking a different path. Solo cruisers have, for years, become accustomed to paying a “single supplement”, which meant they were charged double occupancy rates despite being a stateroom’s only occupant.

While many complained, others rationalized that it was somewhat akin to staying in a hotel, where prices do not vary based on single or double occupancy. (This is something of a false equivalency, of course, as hotel rooms do not typically include meals, entertainment and other extras which are folded into the cruise fare.)

Celebrity Cruises, however, is now charging those who opt to travel solo more than twice the going rate for a room.

According to two sources close to Celebrity’s sales department, the move is being made to counter the loss of additional onboard revenue generated by a second guest. In other words, money they would have spent in the casinos, shops and restaurants above and beyond the initial cruise fare.

This comes as parent company Royal Caribbean Group has reported record bookings at higher-than-expected pricing and significant upticks in onboard spending.

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• Celebrity Cruises

Family Cabins

By Sunseeker20 , June 17, 2023 in Celebrity Cruises

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Sunseeker20

I have not sailed with Celebrity yet, but I'm looking for information on cabins that fit 5 people. Does Celebrity have these? I know sometimes people with a larger family will book connecting rooms but I feel like the cost can be more that way. We just sailed on Royal Caribbean in a balcony room and it worked great. Any information is helpful!

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WestLakeGirl

Five adults? Or two adults and three children?

2 adults and 3 kids!

Yes the Family Veranda category is marketed for 5 people.  You have to call to book.  They are not available for booking on the website.

3 hours ago, Sunseeker20 said: 2 adults and 3 kids!

Celebrity has 2 types of Family Veranda (FV) cabins that can sleep 5.  Celebrity recently changed the names of the categories for their cabins.  They are now designated as Ultra Deluxe Veranda cabins (UV) however it is tough for me to get used to the new name.

There are two different FV designs (types): one on the Millennium class ships (Millennium, Infinity, Summit, and Constellation) and another design on the Solstice class ships (Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, and Reflection).  I have booked my family of 4 in these FV cabins 10 times (4x Millennium class and 6x Solstice class).

Each Millennium class ship has 12 FV cabins and they are all located at the stern.  Their claim to fame is their large magnificent balconies.  The FV comes with a king size bed and two sofa beds and can definitely sleep 4.  If the kids are small, it is possible to sleep 5 in one of the two sofa beds. Although the size specification of the FV cabin is large, it has a long and skinny shape and there is no room to place a rollaway bed without blocking the bathroom door or the main cabin door.  The bottom line is that it Is difficult for me to recommend the cabins for 5 people.

There are only 4 FV cabins on each of the Solstice class ships (except Silhouette).  These cabins are all the way forward and they occupy the corners of the ship on two decks.  The best thing about them is that they are very large and furnished to sleep 5 with no question.  There is a separate master bedroom with a king size bed.  There is a second bedroom with a pair of bunk beds.  The fifth person can sleep on the couch in the main living area.  The room is large enough that a roll away bed can be conveniently placed without difficulty.  This cabin I can easily recommend for a family of 5.  I have included a sketch of an FV that we had aboard Reflection (note that the FV cabins are furnished differently on each Solstice class ship).

Both types of FVs come with only one bathroom and it is of the standard size and design. 

6 hours ago, wrk2cruise said: Yes the Family Veranda category is marketed for 5 people.  You have to call to book.  They are not available for booking on the website.

I have booked fv on line before on constellation 

Yes, I booked one of these on Solstice online recently for 3 of us (with the larger Deck 8 veranda). However on further consideration I reckoned my wife is more likely to get sea sick at the very front and there are also reports of docking noise early morning, so moved to better located 2x adjoining Concierge Veranda midships as offered at an almost identical total price.  

When FVs are first released for booking, they require a minimum of five to book. Celebrity's computer reservation system cannot handle putting five in any single cabin and so it has to be done manually by Miami (or wherever it is done) which is why you have to call. Even the Future Cruises consultants cannot book them without "calling" it in. 

At some point later, the requirement for five passengers is removed and any unsold FVs can then be booked online. My wife and I sailed on an FV by ourselves aboard Constellation (14 night Oct 22 Transatlantic) and I was able to book it through Celebrity's website six months in advance. 

Constellation FV 8166 balcony. The 6 FVs on the extreme corner of the ship have this balcony size and shape.  The adjacent, "non-corner", FV balconies are smaller. 

Constellation FV king size bed

Constellation FV 8166 sofa beds. Sofa on the left (does not fold out) converts into a bed for one person. Sofa on the right folds out to accommodate up to two small children. When the sofa is folded out, nearly all the floor space between the two sofas is occupied. 

@Sunseeker20 , here are some photos of the Solstice class FV cabins.  These cabins are on Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, and Reflection. 

Silhouette used to have them, but her 4 FV cabins were converted into suites in 2020.  They used to be called Sunset Suites, but I believe they are now named Horizon Suites.  Although they are rated for sleeping 4, the 2nd bedroom has been converted into a walk in closet that now connects with the master bedroom.  What a pity.

Unfortunately the FVs on the 4 remaining ships are furnished differently.  Solstice (the oldest Solstice class ship) has the fewest amount of furniture which meant a lot of space went to waste.  It was as if the designers furnished it like it was a regular size stateroom.  For example, there was no dining room table in there.  By the time Celebrity got around to building Reflection (the newest Solstice class ship), they furnished her properly including adding some built in furniture and they got it right.  Eclipse is furnished better than Solstice (it has a dining room table) but not as well as Reflection (Eclipse FVs don't have the built in furniture under the two windows).  I have not been in an Equinox FV but I suspect that it is furnished more along the lines of Solstice. 

Reflection FV 8107, Jan 2019: Here is the massive living room area.  The sofa against the wall on the left can be made up into a bed for one adult.  Our 6 ft adult son loved sleeping on it so he could watch movies in the evening while eating a room service snack.  Although there are 3 rooms, there is only one television and it is located near the desk in this photo.

Reflection FV 8107, Jan 2019: There is a small dining table near the balcony door which comes in handy for in-cabin dining.  My family liked to use it for playing games (e.g. cards).  My daughter like to use it to do her sketches and drawings.

Reflection FV 8107, Jan 2019: master bedroom.  The two large windows and the glass balcony door let in a lot of light and kept the cabin bright.  Sometimes it was necessary to draw the shades on the windows to keep direct sunlight from overheating the cabin.

Reflection FV 8107, Jan 2019: although the Solstice class FVs are blessed with a lot of space to sleep up to five people, it only had one bathroom--and it was the same size that you found in a regular non-suite stateroom.   This is one of the drawbacks to the FV design.

Reflection FV 8107, Jan 2019: This is the small second bedroom with two bunk beds--each with their own reading light--and a clothes closet.  No window.

Reflection FV 8107, Jan 2019: this is the lower bunk bed that our adult daughter liked to use.  Unlike the top bunk, the lower bunk bed does not fold into the wall.

Solstice FV 8107, Dec 2019: Here is what the second bedroom looks like with the upper bunk bed folded out.

Solstice FV 8107, Christmas Eve 2019: the balcony and windows gave the FV views from two different directions.  Here is what the Tasman Sea looks like.  The balcony had an area (to the extreme right in the photo) that was very sheltered and was nice to use on rainy or windy days.

Solstice FV 8107, Christmas Day 2019: The FV balconies on Deck 8 (shown) are actually larger (longer) than the average balcony.  On the other hand Deck 7 FVs on the Solstice class ships are smaller (shorter) than the average balcony.  The balcony divider in the background can be opened up to the adjacent balcony.

Solstice FV 8107, Dec 29 2019: the two windows that face the front of the ship give very nice views.  This is the early morning view as we were arriving at our tender port of Akaroa, New Zealand.

Solstice FV 8107, Dec 2019: The FV cabins can be booked with the adjacent outside cabin (8105 in this photo) to make them connecting cabins.  The connection is done through the shared vestibule which has a single door to the public hallway.  The outside cabin gives you an additional king size bed (or it can be split apart into two singles and an extra bathroom.

Reflection FV 8107, Jan 2019: This photo makes two things more readily apparent about the balcony for 8107.  First you can see how the balcony is wider than the average balcony.  Second, you can see the bridge wing that extends above the 8107.  It does obstruct the overhead view somewhat.

15 hours ago, mahdnc said:   Celebrity has 2 types of Family Veranda (FV) cabins that can sleep 5.  Celebrity recently changed the names of the categories for their cabins.  They are now designated as Ultra Deluxe Veranda cabins (UV) however it is tough for me to get used to the new name.   There are two different FV designs (types): one on the Millennium class ships (Millennium, Infinity, Summit, and Constellation) and another design on the Solstice class ships (Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, and Reflection).  I have booked my family of 4 in these FV cabins 10 times (4x Millennium class and 6x Solstice class).   Each Millennium class ship has 12 FV cabins and they are all located at the stern.  Their claim to fame is their large magnificent balconies.  The FV comes with a king size bed and two sofa beds and can definitely sleep 4.  If the kids are small, it is possible to sleep 5 in one of the two sofa beds. Although the size specification of the FV cabin is large, it has a long and skinny shape and there is no room to place a rollaway bed without blocking the bathroom door or the main cabin door.  The bottom line is that it Is difficult for me to recommend the cabins for 5 people.   There are only 4 FV cabins on each of the Solstice class ships (except Silhouette).  These cabins are all the way forward and they occupy the corners of the ship on two decks.  The best thing about them is that they are very large and furnished to sleep 5 with no question.  There is a separate master bedroom with a king size bed.  There is a second bedroom with a pair of bunk beds.  The fifth person can sleep on the couch in the main living area.  The room is large enough that a roll away bed can be conveniently placed without difficulty.  This cabin I can easily recommend for a family of 5.  I have included a sketch of an FV that we had aboard Reflection (note that the FV cabins are furnished differently on each Solstice class ship).   Both types of FVs come with only one bathroom and it is of the standard size and design.   

That's so helpful! Thank you

Wow, thanks so much everyone!

All the information and pictures were incredibly helpful, I took a few screen shots so I can look back on the info when I need to. I have to say, I asked the same question in the boards for the other cruise lines and I got a lot of judgement and unhelpful suggestions,  you guys were the nicest by far!

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Celebrity Reflection cabins and suites

Celebrity reflection staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Celebrity Reflection cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Celebrity Cruises en-suite amenities and services.

The Celebrity Reflection cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

2-Bedroom Reflection Suite

Layout (floor plan).

The Reflection Suite was Celebrity Cruises' first 2-bedroom suite. This exclusive to the Celebrity Reflection ship accommodation features:

• ~37% higher ceilings (compared to Celebrity Cruises standard suites)
• Panoramic seaviews from the balcony due to its corner location
• Seaview bathroom with a cantilever (projecting from the ship's superstructure) shower cabin
• Balcony hot tubs with rain showers
• Private area (exclusive) location on Deck 14. This area is accessible only by passengers with an exclusive SeaPass card - for either Reflection Suite or a Signature Suite. The entire area can be also booked as a whole, accommodating a total of 26 guests.

Penthouse Suite

Royal suite, signature suite.

These exclusive to the Celebrity Reflection ship accommodations feature:

• ~23% higher ceilings (compared to Celebrity Cruises standard suites)
• Private area (exclusive) location on Deck 14. This area is accessible only by passengers with an exclusive SeaPass card - for either Reflection Suite or a Signature Suite. The entire area can be also booked as a whole, accommodating a total of 26 guests.

Celebrity Suite

Room 2130 has no bathtub.

Aqua-Concierge Balcony Cabins

2-bedroom family balcony cabin, balcony cabin, oceanview cabin, interior cabin, celebrity reflection cabins review.

Follows the review of Celebrity Reflection staterooms as amenities, furniture, amenities, and complimentary services:

• Guests in all Celebrity Reflection suites enjoy as bonus amenities: iPod station, 24-hour butler service for priority check-in, luggage packing/unpacking, shoeshine, full en-suite dining service (expanded room-service menu, afternoon tea, hors-d'oeuvres in the evening, complimentary coffee (espresso, cappuccino), dining reservations and seating preferences, welcome gifts (champagne bottle, fruits, flowers, Celebrity tote bag).
• Additional perks for all suite passengers are complimentary premium beverages, all specialty/surcharge restaurants dining, unlimited Internet, mini-bar (complimentary water, soft drinks, beers), premium bath amenities (by Bulgari), exclusive Suite-only lounge (Michael’s Club /concierge service), exclusive Suite-only restaurant (for breakfast, lunch, dinner).
• All balcony cabins and all-suite grades feature floor-ceiling sliding doors leading to a private verandah (lounge furniture).
• As “family cabins” the ship offers 268 connecting cabins plus 4 “Family Veranda” suites (capacity up to 5). These fore-located family suites are sized 575 ft2 (53,4 m2), each with balcony (sized 55 ft2 or 105 ft2 / 5-10 m2, furnished with 2-seat dining table), separate living room (coffee table, 2 chairs, convertible sofa /to trundle bed, dining area /4-seat table), two separate bedrooms (wardrobes, one with queen bed, one with single twin plus upper Pullman bed).
• All Celebrity Reflection cabins as amenities have 2 twin beds (convertible to Queen-size double bed, bedside tables with lamps), ample closet space, private bathroom (shower, bath products, towels, bathrobes), comfortable sitting area (desk, drawers, vanity, sofa), smart HDTV, individual air-conditioning, direct-dial phone, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet or behind the desk mirror), mini bar (AquaClass rooms and suites have mini-fridge), Wi-Fi Internet access, deluxe bedding sets (100% cotton), 24-hour room service (complimentary). Some staterooms additionally have a sofabed or/and upper (Pullman beds) for 3rd/4th person.
• The list of included bathroom amenities includes bar soap, shampoo, lotion, conditioner, hair dryer (wall-mounted).
• The 24-hour Room Service menu includes cold and hot breakfast items (cereals, fruits, eggs, pancakes, also daily soups, salads, fast food (burgers, sandwiches, pizza, desserts, vegetable lasagna, steaks, quesadillas), also items from the main dining room’s dinner menu. The room service order is via the cabin phone or the interactive TV system.
• Each passenger stateroom is equipped with an interactive TV system (smart HDTV and keyboard-remote control device). The TV is interfaced with a mini Mac computer that allows Internet access, booking excursions, making reservations, ordering services, checking onboard accounts, browsing food and bar menus; watching movies on-demand. The channeling includes sports-movie-music-news channels, also Celebrity Cruises ship info channel and live camera views. The TV size varies by cabin category, raging between 32 and 52 inches (in largest suites).
• As to power outlets, each cabin has several US-standard plugs (North American 3-pronged / 3-pin sockets, 110 V) and one European-standard plug (2-pronged / 2-pin socket, 220 V). UK passengers have to use adapters. There are no bedside plugs, so bringing an extension cord is recommendable.

The uniquely-designed Reflection Suite has 2 separate bedrooms (each with queen bed, premium mattress, iPad control technology, 52-inch TV, walk-in closet), 2 bathrooms (single-sink vanity, separate shower, the other with double-sink vanity, whirlpool bathtub, shower stall), high ceiling (10 ft / 3 m), large living room (floor-ceiling glass walls, double sofa bed, coffee table, 4 chairs, 52-inch TV with surround sound), separate dining area (10-seat table, pantry, full wet bar), large veranda (size 200 ft2 / 18 m2, with patio furniture, 4-seat dining table, outdoor Jacuzzi tub), exclusive ship location (card-key access only). Rated among the best cruise ship bathrooms, the Reflection Suite’s 3rd bathroom is glass walled and cantilevered. It houses a balcony bathtub (with 26-inch TV), glass-paneled rain shower (cantilevered, hanging off the ship’s side), double-sink vanity area (with a phone). You can see all the bath’s details in the photo combo below.

Signature Suites have high ceiling (10 ft / 3 m), oceanview bathroom (shower, bathtub), separate bedroom (queen bed, TV), large walk-in closet, living room (double sofa bed, 52-inch TV with surround sound, coffee table, 2 chairs, wardrobe), large veranda (size 120 ft2 / 11 m2, with outdoor Jacuzzi tub).

Celebrity Cruises Penthouse Suites are among the best-rated cruise ship suite accommodations. Each of those has has a foyer, separate bedroom (king bed, 52-inch TV, vanity desk, walk-in closet, dressing room), bathroom (marble floor, 26-inch TV, large double-sink vanity area, whirlpool bathtub, WC/bidet, large-size shower for 2 /dual shower heads), large living room (hardwood floor, motorized curtains with lights, throw rug, plush furniture, double sofa bed, coffee table, 4 chairs, media center, 52-inch TV with surround sound, baby grand piano), dining area (glass-topped 8-seat table, pantry, full wet bar), powder room (WC, shower), full guest bathroom, huge veranda (size 390 ft2 / 36 m2, with patio furniture, 4-seat dining table, outdoor Jacuzzi tub).

Royal Suites have separate bedroom (queen bed, vanity desk, TV, large walk-in closet), master bathroom (whirlpool bathtub, separate shower stall, double-sink vanity), guest bathroom (WC/sink), large living room (L-shaped double sofa bed, coffee table, chair, media center, 52-inch TV with surround sound), separate dining area (glass-topped 6-seat table, full wet bar), large veranda (size 160 ft2 / 14,5 m2, with patio furniture and outdoor Jacuzzi tub).

Celebrity Suites have entrance hall, separate bedroom (2 twin beds /convertible, vanity, TV, walk-in closet, dual access bathroom (bathtub, shower), living room (L-shaped double sofa bed, coffee table, vanity desk, chair, media center, 52-inch TV with surround sound), spacious veranda (105 ft2 / 9,8 m2).

Sky Suites (mini-suites) have 2 twin beds (convertible to queen), bathroom (with bathtub-shower), living area (with double sofa bed), 40-inch TV, mini-fridge, spacious veranda (80 ft2 / 7,5 m2).

Aqua Class (“spa cabins”) represent a new class of accommodations. All are located on Deck 11 (near the Canyon Ranch Spa). As for sizes, they are identical to Deluxe OceanView, Sunset Veranda and Concierge staterooms (190 ft2 / 55 ft2 balcony). The difference is in the complimentary amenities and privileges. Guests in AquaClass cabins enjoy the following bonus amenities and services: exclusive dining at the Blu restaurant (located aft-portside on Entertainment Deck 5 /priority seating, complimentary continental breakfast and dinner), unlimited Spa access (Persian Garden, Relaxation Room), daily bottled water and fresh (flavored) iced tea, luxury bedding sets (Frette linens, towels, robes, slippers, pillow menu), premium bath products (spa cosmetics, gels), in-cabin dining (daily canapes, exclusive (healthy food) room service menu, wellness classes, personal Spa Concierge (treatments booking, products info, wellness library recommendations). AquaClass cabin bathrooms are equipped with a 5-head Hansgrohe shower tower.

The Reflection ship has a total of 34 “AquaClass Spa Suites” (category AS on deck 12 “Resort”), which are larger in size (300 ft2 / 28 m2, veranda 80 ft2 / 7 m2). Spa Suite AquaClass passengers enjoy the same spa amenities and services but don’t receive exclusive access to the suite-only restaurants and lounges.

Guests in Concierge Class cabins enjoy the following concierge services: priority check-in, welcome gifts (sparkling wine, fruits, flowers, Celebrity tote bag), hors-d'oeuvres in the evenings, pillow menu, dinner seating preferences, shoeshine. Bonus amenities are exclusive Concierge Lounge (serving free coffee, juices, pastries), exclusive Main Dining Room luncheons (on embarkation day only), high-quality balcony furniture.

Guests in Suite Class cabins (excluding Junior Suites) enjoy complimentary dining (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at the new Luminae restaurant located on Plaza Deck 3 (lobby deck, aft-starboard).

Sunset Veranda (balcony) cabins are with bow location. Balcony staterooms in categories 2C and 2D are with obstructed view (due to lifeboats).

IMPORTANT: Celebrity Cruises charges USD 3,95 for late-night room service orders (between 11 pm and 6 am). This is an extra service charge implemented fleetwide (including on the Reflection ship). Passengers exempted from the new room service fee are the occupants of higher-grade cruise accommodations (Aqua-class, Concierge-class and all Suites).

IMPORTANT: The daily replenished bottled water perk for AquaClass cabins is no longer available. AquaClass guests, along with passengers in Sky Suite and Celebrity Suite accommodations, now receive (free of charge) two bottles of water (9 oz / 250 ml) only once – upon embarkation. Still, AquaClass passengers enjoy the beverage package perk, so they can take bottles of water for free at any of the ship bars. Know that Celebrity Cruises drink packages are not available on trans-oceanic (including Transatlantic) crossings.

Celebrity Cruises ship gratuities (automatic tipping per person per day) are as follows – standard cabins (Inside, Oceanview, Balcony) USD 13,50 (up from USD 12,95), AquaClass-ConciergeClass cabins (USD 14 / up from USD 13,45), Suites (USD 17 /up from USD 16,45). Daily gratuities are shared by the ship’s service staff (dining, housekeeping, cabin stewards, etc).

Handicap / wheelchair-accessible cruise cabins

For Celebrity Cruises passengers with disabilities, the Reflection ship offers a total of 30 accessible cabins in the following categories:

• S2 (Sky Suite / mini suite on deck 12) – sized 345 ft2 / 32 m2 (veranda 100 ft2 / 9 m2)
• AA (AquaClass Balcony, on deck 11) – sized 300 ft2 / 28 m2 (veranda 80 ft2 / 7 m2)
• C3 (Concierge Class Balcony, on deck 10) – sized 300 ft2 / 28 m2 (veranda 80 ft2 / 7 m2)
• 2B (Balcony, on decks 6 and 7) – sized 290 ft2 / 27 m2 (veranda 80 ft2 / 7 m2)
• category 8 (Oceanview, on deck 3) – sized 290 ft2 / 27 m2
• categories 9 and 10 (Inside cabins on decks 8 and 9) sized 245 ft2 / 23 m2.
• Each of the handicap staterooms features larger size (compared to the non-accessible counterpart), wider doors (39 inch / 1 m, automatic, sitting-level keycard slot), turning spaces (5 ft / 1,5 m), ramped thresholds, beds with open bed frames, lowered vanity in the sitting area, amplified phones, captioned TVs, wider bathrooms (door width 32 inches/ 0,8 m, roll-in shower, fold-down shower bench, grab bars, lower sinks, and closet rods, raised toilets, hand-held shower head).
• Service dog relief boxes are also available (on request).
• All handicap cabins feature a convenient location near the ship’s elevators.
• Accessible suites are butler served. Among other chores, personal butler also provides luggage assistance (packing, unpacking, moving).

Celebrity Reflection cabin and suite plans are property of Celebrity Cruises . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

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Disembarkation: Everything You Need to Know

By Sue Bryant

Last updated: April 27th, 2024

• Find a Cruise

Make the most of the day in your disembarkation port, which will run all the more smoothly with a little preparation and planning.

Disembarking a cruise ship is not the same as checking out of a hotel on your last day. Disembarkation day is a carefully choreographed event. It has to be, with sometimes 2,000 guests or more and their luggage to move from the ship to the cruise terminal and beyond in a short time.

Your Celebrity Cruises crew are highly experienced in this logistical exercise, though, and will do all they can to make that bittersweet goodbye as easy as possible.

What is a disembarkation port?

A disembarkation port is a port where a cruise ends. Most passengers will leave the ship here, apart from those who have booked back-to-back cruises.

The ship will then be “turned around”—cleaned top to bottom, refueled, and re-provisioned with everything that’s needed for the next voyage.

Once all the disembarking guests have left, after a brief lull, new arrivals will begin to check in, ready for the next cruise.

Typical disembarkation ports tend to be gateway cities with good air and road access, like Miami, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale in Florida; Cape Liberty, New Jersey; and San Juan, Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.

In Europe , disembarkation ports include Barcelona, Rome, Athens, and Southampton, England. Sydney, Australia and Singapore are two of Celebrity’s disembarkation ports in the Asia-Pacific region.

What happens on disembarkation day?

Disembarkation day is a busy day on a cruise ship. You’ll be invited to put your luggage outside your stateroom the night before. It will be collected by the crew overnight and will be waiting for you in the terminal when you leave the ship.

You’ll make sure your final bill is settled the day before, pack your carry-on luggage, and have breakfast. When your pre-allocated disembarkation time comes, make your way to the gangway.

You will then identify and claim your luggage in the terminal, clear customs, and take whatever onward transportation you’ve arranged.

Read: Everything You Need to Know About Embarkation Day

How will I know on board what to expect on disembarkation day?

Towards the end of your cruise, there will be a talk on disembarkation procedures. This will be shown on your stateroom TV, too, in case you miss it. You’ll also find details in the daily program.

You will already have been asked about your arrangements on disembarkation day. These might include a transfer to the airport arranged by Celebrity Cruises, or a shore excursion that ends at the airport.

You may have made independent plans, in which case you will need to add your flight details to the form you’ll be given, or the time your private pickup is booked.

A day or so before the voyage ends, your stateroom attendant will deliver a disembarkation letter and a set of colored luggage tags. The letter will tell you what time you are due to disembark. On the day, you will be called by group number or color code. You should stick to these staggered times to avoid congestion at the gangway.

If you’re not happy with the time you have been allocated, take it up with Guest Services as soon as possible rather than waiting until disembarkation day.

Do I have to put my luggage out for collection the night before disembarkation?

The vast majority of cruisers put their luggage outside their stateroom door, color-tagged and locked, the night before disembarkation. It’s more convenient and practical, as dragging heavy bags into crowded elevators and down a sometimes steep gangway is no fun for anybody.

But if you feel strongly about hanging onto your bag, or are perhaps traveling light with only a small wheelie on a short cruise, you can opt for “self disembarkation”. This usually means you can leave the ship as soon as disembarkation has begun.

How long can you stay on the ship on disembarkation day?

Disembarkation day isn’t a time to linger on board as the crew has to work hard to prepare the ship for the next voyage. Normally, there’s a window between around 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. for disembarkation. If your flight isn’t until much later, you will be given a later slot in this window, but this isn’t a day to expect to sleep in.

If you’ve booked a back-to-back cruise, you can relax on board during disembarkation day, or join a shore excursion while the new guests are checking in.

You will normally be asked to vacate your stateroom by 8 a.m. so the stateroom attendant can prepare it for the next guest. If your allocated disembarkation time is later than this, there will be public areas on the ship where you can relax with your carry-on before you leave.

Read: The Only Cruise Packing List You’ll Ever Need

How early can you get off?

A ship will usually only have a short distance to travel from its penultimate port to the disembarkation port to account for any delays or weather issues; no cruise line wants to arrive late on turnaround day. So you may find you’re docked alongside very early in the morning.

But the ship has to be cleared by the local authorities before anybody can leave. Luggage has to be offloaded, too.

When you book your cruise, you will be told about the earliest reasonable flight departure time to choose. A very early morning flight, for example, is usually impractical. If you do have a relatively early flight, this will be factored in when disembarkation groups are allocated.

Disembarkation times vary from port to port, but it is unusual for the process to begin any earlier than 7 a.m.

Is there time for breakfast?

Of course! You are still on vacation and will never be sent away hungry. Most of the usual breakfast venues will be open, including Café al Bacio for coffee to go.

Restaurants may be busier than usual as everybody is preparing to leave within the same short timespan, and some people may have already left their staterooms and will be carrying their hand baggage with them.

Read: What Is Food on a Cruise Really Like?

What documents do I need for disembarkation and customs?

You will need your passport and receipts for any duty-free goods you have bought, in case you get stopped at customs. Normally, the ship will have been cleared by the local immigration authorities, but you may still be required to show a passport to officials when you disembark.

If you have already checked in for your flight and feel happier with a paper boarding pass, you can print this out in the ship’s internet center. If you’ve parked your car at the port, make sure you have the receipt and know where it is.

You will also need your SeaPass key card to leave the ship for one last time.

How long does it take to get off a cruise ship?

If everybody follows the instructions they have been given and shows up at the gangway when invited, getting off a ship is quick and easy. You should be able to disembark in 15 to 30 minutes, including collecting your baggage in the terminal.

There can be delays, though, and the ship is at the whim of the local immigration authorities. This is another compelling reason for leaving plenty of time between your scheduled disembarkation time and your flight home.

If you have booked an airport transfer or a disembarkation day tour with Celebrity, your transportation will wait until everybody is present.

How do I choose the right disembarkation port for my cruise?

First, to be clear, you can’t choose where to disembark your cruise. Unless there is some kind of personal emergency or you have booked two back-to-back cruises, everybody disembarks on the same day in the same port.

It’s worth thinking about where your cruise ends, though, and what you might want to do to extend your vacation. If, for example, you’ve always wanted to see Athens and you’ve booked a cruise that ends in the Greek capital, you’re not going to actually see Athens unless you extend your stay there. The transfer from the port to the airport will not take you through the city center.

The same applies to Rome and Barcelona . So by all means pick a disembarkation port that you want to see, but bear in mind that unless the ship arrives there the day before the end of the cruise, you will need to add on a night somewhere, or book an evening flight and plan your day carefully.

Can I arrange transportation from the disembarkation port to the airport or other destinations?

Yes, of course. Celebrity Cruises offers airport transfers, which can be pre-booked, either as a group transfer by coach or a private car or van. If you haven’t pre-booked and decide that you would like an airport transfer, this can be done on board through your Guest Account or the Celebrity Cruises app up to five days before the end of the cruise.

In the vast majority of disembarkation ports, taxis will wait to pick up independent travelers. But do your research first; in some instances, the airport is a long way from the seaport. If you disembark in Southampton, England , for example, the drive to London Heathrow Airport is at least one hour and a taxi will be expensive.

What happens if my flight is in the evening?

An evening flight means you have the whole day to enjoy your disembarkation port. But this needs to be planned, as you will most likely have luggage. There’s no fun in going straight to the airport and sitting there for eight hours or so—and your flight check-in will not be open, in any case.

There are various ways to make the most of your time in your disembarkation port. You could go to the airport and deposit your bags in a left luggage locker and then take off for a day in town. This is only practical if the airport is not too far from where you want to go, though.

Booking a day room in a hotel is an option and also means you can freshen up before your evening flight. Be sure to book somewhere that will allow early check-in.

Celebrity Cruises offers tours with airport and sometimes rail station and downtown hotel drop-offs in most ports. In Sydney , for example, you could join a city tour taking in the Opera House and Bondi Beach before being dropped off at the airport.

From Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, Italy , there’s the option of joining a wine-tasting tour in the Italian countryside before heading to the airport.

If your Alaska cruise ends in Vancouver , you could take a trip to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, deep in the forest, that ends with an airport drop-off.

Best of all, you could extend your stay. Celebrity Cruises offers a comprehensive City Stays program , which means everything will be organized for you.

In Alaska , you could pre-book a Cruisetour to extend your vacation, heading off to the wilds of Denali National Park to see a different face of the 49th state.

What are some things not to do on disembarkation day?

• Don’t pack all your clothes in your suitcase and leave it for collection the night before. Nobody wants to be disembarking in their PJs.
• Similarly, don’t pack your travel documents in your checked luggage. Keep them with you as you may need to show your passport in the customs hall.
• Don’t party too hard on your last night; while it’s tempting, disembarkation day is busy and comes with an early start, so a clear head helps.
• Don’t forget the valuables that you put in the safe on the first day.
• Don’t wait until disembarkation morning to check your final bill. If you need to ask questions about your account, this will delay your disembarkation. You can view your statement on your stateroom TV.
• Do not expect to use the ship’s facilities on disembarkation day; this is not the time for a last swim or a workout, and the onboard shops will be closed when the ship is in port.
• Don’t leave your key card in your stateroom. You will need it to leave the ship for the last time.
• Leave the bathrobe. The slippers are yours to take, but if you walk off with a bathrobe, the cost will be added to your account, even after you have left the ship.

Read: Things Not to Do on a Cruise

Ready to plan your next cruise vacation? Browse our itineraries and plan your dream escape.

Sue has been writing about cruising for 20 years and is lucky enough to have sailed all seven continents. She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide.

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I've stayed in 3 types of rooms on cruises, and the cheapest was never worth it. Here's what to book instead.

• I'm a frequent cruise traveler who's stayed in a variety of onboard accommodations.
• The least expensive rooms have no view and are usually cramped, especially if shared by a family.
• Splurging on a higher-category cabin on my last cruise was the best decision I made.

Automatically booking the cheapest room on a cruise ship without doing proper research first can ruin a trip. 

As someone who's been going on cruises for over 10 years, I've learned that the price tag for these vacations can vary based on a number of factors — from cruise line to trip duration to room category.

Staying in the most standard-level cabin seems like an obvious way to keep costs down. But after trying out three different room categories, both with and without my kids, I've found that a ship's least expensive option is almost never worth it.

Based on my experience in three different cruise-room categories, here are the ones I recommend skipping and the ones I recommend splurging on.

Interior staterooms are limited in space and privacy

The standard (and least expensive) room on any cruise ship is typically called an inside or interior stateroom.

These cabins often sleep three to four people and are located in the middle of the ship, with no exterior view of the vessel's surroundings. 

I've stayed in interior staterooms on a Carnival Cruise Line ship and a Disney Cruise Line ship . Aside from different decor styles and a few small touches, this room category is fairly standard across the board. 

When I'm on a cruise, I like to wake up and open my curtains to look at the ocean or the port where the ship is docked , which isn't an option in these inward-looking cabins.

Apart from having no view, interior staterooms are very small. The exact square footage varies but, for reference, the Disn ey Fantasy cruise ship's interior stateroom is 169 square feet and a Royal Caribbean ship's version is around the same size at 164 square feet .

To put those numbers into perspective, standard hotel rooms in the US are, on average, around 330 square feet , almost double the size of the entry-level cruise accommodation.

I want to be able to maneuver around without tripping over luggage, accent furniture, or my own family members. And because of the lack of space in interior staterooms, that's a challenge.

This category is definitely the most economical option, making it ideal for travelers on a budget .

However, if families, especially ones traveling with teens, can swing an alternative, they should steer clear of cramming into an interior stateroom and opt for a category with more space and privacy.

Ocean-view staterooms provide slightly more space but can still feel cramped

The next category up is usually an ocean-view stateroom.

With an outward-facing window, ocean-view staterooms are a solid mid-tier option for travelers who want more space than an interior stateroom offers but don't want to spend extra for a balcony room.

Their exact size and capacity range from ship to ship, but Disney Fantasy's ocean-view staterooms are 204 square feet , and Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas' version is 179 square feet .

Many of these accommodations fit up to five people. If you have more than four family members (yes, infants who are six months and older are part of the headcount), making the jump from an interior stateroom to an ocean-view stateroom is absolutely worth the extra money.

Some cruise lines sell ocean-view rooms as the entry-level category for families of five or more travelers , simply because many interior staterooms can only accommodate a maximum of four guests.

My top pick is balcony staterooms, which offer privacy and plenty of space 

Balcony staterooms, also known as veranda staterooms, are usually the largest accommodation option you can get without concierge service or extras.

I recommend this category to all travelers setting sail in the future for one reason: the private balcony.

You can open your curtains and enjoy the sights outside, similar to the experience of staying in an ocean-view stateroom. But in this room type, you can step out onto a balcony and take in the sounds and smells, too. 

The rooms' sizes and capacities depend on the ship, but balcony staterooms are usually larger than ocean-view staterooms and tend to sleep up to five guests . Even if the rooms' living spaces aren't substantially bigger, they have the added space of the veranda. 

Including the terrace, balcony staterooms on the Disney Fantasy are 246 square feet and are between 214 square feet to 279 square feet on Princess Cruises' fleet.

When my family stayed in a balcony stateroom on a seven-night cruise, we made great use of the outdoor space. On a shorter cruise, where the balcony itself might not get as much use, I would still book this category for my family.

The upgrade was completely worth the price increase, especially because we were traveling with two sets of grandparents .

To make the most of the balcony staterooms, we even turned our individual verandas into one large terrace by having our steward remove the partitions between rooms. 

This story was originally published on May 25, 2022, and most recently updated on February 5, 2024.