Ship Comparison
Celebrity Roamer vs Celebrity Beyond
For those seeking an intimate, immersive river journey with innovative touches, Celebrity Roamer delivers, while Celebrity Beyond offers a grand, sophisticated ocean experience with expansive luxury and diverse entertainment.
The verdict
Choosing between Celebrity Roamer and Celebrity Beyond truly comes down to the scale and pace of your desired vacation. The Roamer, a new river ship, is poised to offer a fresh, intimate perspective on European waterways, blending upscale river cruising with familiar Celebrity innovations like unique dining pods and a focus on connecting with the destination. It's designed for a more tranquil, deeply engaged travel experience. On the other hand, the ocean-going Beyond is a significantly larger vessel, offering a more expansive, vibrant, and amenity-rich environment. It's a ship that provides a 'ship within a ship' luxury experience through The Retreat, alongside a broad spectrum of dining, entertainment, and wellness options. Both ships represent a modern, sophisticated take on cruising, but cater to very different travel styles.
Choose Celebrity Roamer if…
Travelers seeking intimate, culturally immersive river journeys with modern amenities and a focus on scenic views and destination engagement, particularly those interested in European Christmas markets.
Best for
- Travelers seeking an intimate, boutique-style cruise experience on rivers
- Guests who prioritize deep cultural immersion and scenic river views
- Those looking for a relaxed pace of travel with personalized service
- Individuals interested in European itineraries, especially seasonal Christmas market cruises
Avoid if
- Guests who prefer a wide array of high-energy entertainment and large-scale productions
- Travelers seeking extensive onboard activities and numerous dining venues
- Individuals who prefer ocean cruising and open sea voyages
- Families with young children seeking dedicated kids' clubs and extensive youth programming
Choose Celebrity Beyond if…
Guests who appreciate a larger, sophisticated ocean liner experience with diverse dining, cutting-edge entertainment, extensive wellness facilities, and premium suite-level luxury, enjoying both sea days and port calls.
Best for
- Guests desiring a large, sophisticated ocean cruise experience with diverse amenities
- Travelers who appreciate modern design, innovative dining, and vibrant nightlife
- Those seeking extensive wellness and spa facilities, including unique high-tech treatments
- Families and couples looking for a balance of relaxation, entertainment, and diverse activities
Avoid if
- Guests who prefer small, intimate ships and a quieter atmosphere
- Travelers sensitive to crowds or noise in certain cabin locations (e.g., above Eden)
- Individuals who prefer a highly inclusive experience without additional costs for specialty dining
- Those who prioritize direct sunlight on their balcony across all cabin categories
Overall Vibe
Celebrity Roamer
The Celebrity Roamer, set to launch in 2028, embodies a modern and upscale river cruise experience. As a new vessel from Celebrity River Cruises, it's crafted for guests who wish to follow the river's rhythm and truly immerse themselves in each destination. Its design emphasizes airy, light-filled spaces and innovative features like the unique Magic Edge dining pods and elevated gathering areas, all intended to foster a soft, effortless connection to the passing world. This 2028-built river cruise ship promises an intimate yet sophisticated atmosphere, blending familiar Celebrity comforts with the tranquility of river travel.
Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Beyond, launched in 2022 as the third in Celebrity Cruises' revolutionary Edge Series, exudes a sophisticated, chic, and adult-focused vibe with a touch of flash. This ocean vessel, with its expanded length and extra deck compared to its predecessors, offers a grander scale of luxury. Its outward-facing design, featuring stylized interiors by Kelly Hoppen and the reimagined Sunset Bar by Nate Berkus, creates a closer connection between guests and the sea. It's an urbane and upscale environment, perfect for those who appreciate contemporary design and a vibrant, yet refined, cruising experience.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Celebrity Roamer
Onboard Celebrity Roamer, the atmosphere is distinctly intimate and geared towards a more serene journey. Carrying just 172 passengers, the experience is designed to be highly personalized, allowing guests to settle in deeper to each destination. The focus is on a modern, upscale river cruise, appealing to those who enjoy a refined environment without the bustling crowds of larger ships. While specific crew numbers aren't detailed, the smaller passenger capacity suggests a highly attentive service, fostering a sense of community among fellow wanderers.
Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Beyond, a significantly larger vessel, hosts up to 3,260 passengers and is supported by a crew of 1,400, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. The ship maintains a sophisticated and chic ambiance, catering to an adult-focused clientele, though it also offers family-friendly amenities like Camp at Sea. With its diverse range of venues, guests can find both lively social spaces and tranquil retreats, allowing for a dynamic experience that balances excitement with opportunities for relaxation. It’s a ship that buzzes with activity and offers a broad social landscape.
Dining
Celebrity Roamer
Celebrity Roamer offers eight distinct dining and bar venues, providing a diverse culinary journey. Guests can enjoy included meals at the Main Restaurant and the relaxed Cafe Al Bacio, known for its café atmosphere. A standout feature is the Magic Edge, an outdoor cantilevered dining pod offering panoramic river views, included in the fare. For drinks, the lively Martini Bar and scenic Sunset Bar are available. The ship also provides the convenience of 24/7 dining and room service, ensuring a variety of options throughout the day and night.
Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Beyond boasts an expansive culinary landscape with 19 dining venues, including four complimentary main dining rooms: Cyprus, Tuscan, Normandie, and Cosmopolitan, each offering a unique regional focus. The Oceanview Cafe Buffet provides a lighter, brighter experience with international selections and outdoor seating. Specialty dining, available at an additional cost, includes Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud's Le Voyage, the innovative Eden Restaurant, Fine Cut Steakhouse, and the interactive Le Petit Chef. Cafe al Bacio and the Spa Cafe and Juice Bar offer lighter fare, while continental breakfast is complimentary via 24-hour room service, with other room service options for a fee.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Celebrity Roamer
Entertainment on Celebrity Roamer leans towards a more relaxed and social experience, fitting its intimate river cruise setting. Guests can enjoy evenings in the Sunset Lounge or the lively Martini Bar, fostering engaging conversations and a sophisticated ambiance. The ample outdoor deck space is also a key feature for evening enjoyment, allowing guests to take in the scenic river views. While not featuring large-scale productions, the Roamer's entertainment is designed to complement the immersive nature of river travel, encouraging connection with both fellow guests and the surrounding environment.
Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Beyond offers a dazzling array of entertainment and nightlife options. The technologically advanced Theatre hosts new production shows like 'Elements,' 'Arte,' and 'Stage Door,' utilizing a massive 4K LED screen and floor projection. Eden provides multi-sensory experiences and saucy performances, while The Club features daily activities and cutting-edge evening entertainment. The vibrant Martini Bar is a social hub with flair bartenders, and the World Class Bar offers expertly crafted cocktails. Guests can also enjoy a Vegas-style Casino, the Jazz Joint speakeasy, Rooftop Garden movies, and lively Resort Pool Deck events.
Cabins & Suites
Celebrity Roamer
Celebrity Roamer offers 5 cabin categories, each designed with comfort and river views in mind. River View cabins are 157 sq ft with fixed windows, while Infinite Balcony cabins (173-179 sq ft) feature floor-to-ceiling windows that slide down to create a French balcony. Balcony cabins are more spacious (211-225 sq ft) with traditional walk-out verandas. For a truly elevated experience, Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites (233 sq ft) boast an opening ceiling window and Infinite Balcony, while Vista Balcony Suites (258 sq ft) are the largest, offering separate living areas and expansive verandas. All rooms include king-size beds, luxury linens, and complimentary mini-bars.
Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Beyond features 1,646 cabins, with 81% being Infinite Verandas, which transform the entire living space into a sunroom with the touch of a button. These staterooms are notably spacious, starting at 181 sq ft and featuring king-size Cashmere mattresses. The ship also offers a wide range of luxurious suites, including the expansive, two-bedroom Iconic Suite (1,892 sq ft interior, 698 sq ft outdoor with hot tub) positioned above the bridge, and the unique two-story Edge Villas with private plunge pools. AquaClass Sky Suites combine wellness perks with Retreat access, and all suites benefit from butler service and exclusive amenities, though guests should note that some higher-deck balconies may have sun exposure limitations.
Service & Onboard Style
Celebrity Roamer
Service on Celebrity Roamer emphasizes a personalized and attentive approach, reflecting the intimate nature of river cruising. All guests benefit from pre-travel and onboard concierge services, ensuring seamless bookings and inquiries. Daily housekeeping and turndown service maintain a high standard of comfort. While a classic drink package is included for all, suite guests receive a premium beverage package, butler service for added assistance like packing and unpacking, and priority access to dining and shore excursions. The dress code is relaxed during the day, transitioning to smart-casual for evening dining, aligning with an elevated yet comfortable journey.
Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Beyond delivers a sophisticated and urbane service experience with a high crew-to-guest ratio, ensuring attentive care for its 3,260 passengers. Suite guests in The Retreat enjoy dedicated butler service, a private lounge, and priority access for embarkation, tendering, and theater seating. Concierge Class staterooms also receive personalized concierge service and exclusive events. The 'All Included' fare covers basic Wi-Fi, drinks, and tips for most guests, with premium Wi-Fi and drinks for suite categories. The dress code is casual chic by day, with smart casual and 'Evening Chic' nights encouraging a refined, stylish ambiance for dinner and shows.
Best Itineraries
Celebrity Roamer
Celebrity Roamer is designed for immersive exploration of Europe's iconic waterways. Its inaugural season will focus on the Rhine and Dutch Waterways, offering guests the chance to linger in charming towns and cities. A particular highlight for seasonal travelers will be the special themed cruises during the holiday season, visiting Europe's renowned Christmas markets. The river cruise format allows for deep cultural immersion and picturesque scenery, appealing to those who prefer a more focused, in-depth exploration of a specific region rather than covering vast ocean distances.
Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Beyond primarily sails diverse ocean itineraries, with a strong focus on the Caribbean. A notable feature of these sailings is the inclusion of Perfect Day at CocoCay, Celebrity's exclusive private island destination, offering a mix of relaxation and excitement from sprawling freshwater pools to North America's tallest waterslide. The ship's robust design and extensive amenities make it ideal for varied destinations, allowing guests to enjoy both sea days filled with activities and rich port explorations, including private journeys and small group discoveries tailored to diverse interests like culinary, cultural, and adventure.
What reviewers say
Celebrity Roamer
The 172-passenger Celebrity Roamer, launching in 2028, is a new river ship from Celebrity River Cruises, designed to appeal to both ocean and river cruisers. It introduces innovative features like Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites and unique cantilevered dining pods to the river cruise sector.
Celebrity Beyond
5/5Third Edge-class ship wows with jaw-dropping artwork and design, sophisticated dining and entertainment options and a better-than-ever suite experience. The Celebrity Beyond experience does, in fact, surpass its predecessors.
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Celebrity Roamer
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