Ship Comparison
Celebrity Constellation vs Celebrity Apex
For a blend of classic luxury and intimate charm, Celebrity Constellation delivers consistent value, while Celebrity Apex offers a modern, innovative, and tech-forward resort-at-sea experience.
The verdict
Choosing between Celebrity Constellation and Celebrity Apex truly comes down to your personal cruising style. Constellation, a seasoned gem, offers a more traditional and intimate luxury experience, perfect for those who appreciate classic elegance and a friendly, familiar atmosphere. Its smaller scale allows for a strong sense of community and attentive service. Apex, on the other hand, is a bold statement in modern cruising. It’s designed for travelers who seek innovative spaces, cutting-edge entertainment, and a vibrant, outward-facing connection to the sea. While both ships provide Celebrity's signature refined service and culinary excellence, Apex pushes the boundaries with its contemporary design and experiential offerings, catering to a slightly larger, more active crowd. Ultimately, if you lean towards timeless sophistication and a cozy feel, Constellation is your choice. If you desire modern flair, dynamic experiences, and architectural innovation, Apex will captivate you.
Choose Celebrity Constellation if…
Travelers who appreciate classic cruising elegance, a more intimate ship size, and a focus on destination enrichment with a refined, friendly atmosphere.
Best for
- Experienced cruisers seeking value and luxury
- Travelers who prefer a more intimate ship size
- Those who enjoy traditional elegance and a relaxed pace
- Guests valuing friendly and accessible officers and crew
- Foodies who appreciate diverse dining options and a sophisticated main dining room
Avoid if
- You seek cutting-edge innovation and ultra-modern design
- You desire a high-energy, late-night party scene
- You prefer larger, more bustling ships with extensive new attractions
- You are looking for the absolute latest in cabin technology and space
- You expect all premium spa and fitness classes to be complimentary
Choose Celebrity Apex if…
Cruisers seeking innovative design, high-tech entertainment, diverse experiential dining, and a vibrant, modern luxury resort experience at sea.
Best for
- Travelers seeking modern luxury and innovative ship design
- Guests who appreciate diverse, experiential dining options
- Those looking for high-tech, engaging entertainment and vibrant nightlife
- Cruisers desiring spacious, technologically advanced cabins with 'Infinite Verandas'
- Families and adults who enjoy a sophisticated, resort-at-sea experience in the Caribbean
Avoid if
- You prefer a more traditional, classic cruise aesthetic
- You are on a strict budget, as many unique experiences are à la carte
- You primarily seek high-thrill activities like waterslides or climbing walls
- You prefer an extremely quiet and understated atmosphere at all times
- You're not interested in the 'outward-facing' design and prefer more enclosed spaces
Overall Vibe
Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation, built in 2002, embodies a sophisticated yet friendly ambiance, characteristic of Celebrity's Millennium Class. This mid-sized ship, spanning 12 decks, offers a compelling blend of intimacy and extensive amenities. It’s a vessel that feels proven and polished, delivering an experience that many experienced cruisers describe as a 'luxury-value' proposition, focusing on comfort and a relaxed pace. The design leans into traditional elegance, creating inviting spaces that encourage connection and contemplation of the sea.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex, launched in 2020 as the second in the revolutionary Edge® Series, presents a decidedly modern, innovative, and sleek vibe. This larger vessel, featuring 16 decks, is designed with an 'outward-facing' philosophy, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Its contemporary architecture and visionary venues create a dynamic, relaxed, and sophisticated resort-at-sea atmosphere. The ship aims to revolutionize how guests experience the world, appealing to those who appreciate cutting-edge design and a vibrant, experiential journey.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Celebrity Constellation
Onboard Celebrity Constellation, the atmosphere is generally sophisticated yet warm, attracting a mature and savvy traveler seeking a balanced cruise experience. With a capacity for 2,170 passengers and a dedicated crew of 999, the ship maintains a comfortable guest-to-staff ratio, fostering attentive service. It's known for its friendly officers and crew, contributing to a welcoming environment. While social opportunities abound, it's notably not a late-night party vessel, making it ideal for those who prefer leisurely evenings and engaging daytime activities.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex cultivates a modern and relaxed atmosphere, balancing adult-centric entertainment and culinary excellence with thoughtful family-friendly programming. Carrying 2,910 passengers with a crew of 1,536, it maintains a strong crew-to-guest ratio, ensuring high service standards. The vibe is more energetic and contemporary, appealing to guests who enjoy vibrant social spaces and innovative experiences. While it offers engaging activities for all ages, its focus is on sophisticated leisure and unique design rather than high-thrill attractions, creating a refined yet lively ambiance.
Dining
Celebrity Constellation
Dining on Celebrity Constellation offers a mix of traditional and specialty experiences. The elegant two-deck San Marco Dining Room provides classic and contemporary choices with both traditional set seating and 'Select Main Dining' open seating. Specialty options include the upscale Tuscan Grille for Italian steakhouse fare and Sushi on Five for Japanese cuisine, both at an additional cost. AquaClass guests enjoy exclusive access to Blu for healthier, spa-inspired dishes, while suite guests can dine at Luminae. Casual bites are found at the Oceanview Café buffet and the poolside Mast Grill, complemented by Cafe al Bacio for coffee and pastries, where the treats are complimentary.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex elevates culinary exploration with four distinct main dining rooms—Tuscan, Cyprus, Cosmopolitan, and Normandie—all included and offering diverse, globally inspired menus. The ship boasts an impressive array of specialty restaurants for an additional cost, such as Fine Cut Steakhouse, the experiential Eden Restaurant with its open kitchen, Raw on 5 for high-level seafood, and Le Petit Chef for whimsical animated dining. Guests of The Retreat enjoy exclusive access to Luminae, featuring Chef Daniel Boulud's signature dishes, and AquaClass guests dine at Blu. Casual options include the vibrant Oceanview Cafe and the Rooftop Garden Grill for gourmet BBQ.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation's entertainment centers around classic cruise experiences. The Celebrity Theater hosts Vegas-style song-and-dance revues, focusing on Broadway and pop hits, alongside veteran singers and comedians. Live music, from '40s jazz to swing pop, fills the Rendezvous Lounge and Grand Foyer, inviting dancing. The Martini Bar offers lively flair bartending shows. While the Reflections Observation Lounge is a quiet spot by day, it transforms into a disco at night, though it can be sparsely attended. Enrichment events, such as wine tastings, cooking demos, and Apple-product how-tos, round out the offerings.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex delivers cutting-edge, high-tech entertainment across its innovative venues. The Theatre features ambitious production shows like 'Rockumentary,' 'Tree of Life,' and 'Crystallize,' utilizing a 180-foot LED screen and acrobatic performances. The Club transforms from a daytime gathering space to a vibrant nightlife hub with live DJs, acrobats, and cabaret shows like 'Caravan.' Eden offers evolving nightly experiences with unique performances and themed cocktails. The Grand Plaza is a bustling central hub with a Martini Bar featuring flair bartenders and live music. The Resort Deck hosts lively 'Poolest Day Ever' parties, and Craft Social offers craft beers in a relaxed setting.
Cabins & Suites
Celebrity Constellation
On Celebrity Constellation, standard cabins, including inside, oceanview, and Deluxe Oceanview veranda staterooms, average around 170 sq ft with 38 sq ft balconies where applicable. While some consider these compact, they are thoughtfully laid out with comfortable Cashmere™ mattresses. The ship offers a range of suites, from Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms with enhanced amenities to larger Sky Suites, Family Veranda cabins, Celebrity Suites, Royal Suites, and the expansive Penthouse Suites, which include a baby grand piano. All suite passengers benefit from butler service and exclusive perks, and 26 wheelchair-accessible cabins are available.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex introduces innovative accommodations, with most staterooms featuring 'Infinite Verandas' that transform the entire living space into a balcony with the touch of a button. These standard rooms are notably more spacious, being 23% larger than those on Solstice Class ships, and 99% come with king-sized Cashmere™ mattresses. Unique offerings include Edge Single Staterooms with Infinite Verandas for solo travelers and the luxurious two-story Edge Villas with private plunge pools. The Retreat® level suites, such as the Iconic Suites (the fleet's largest at over 2,500 sq ft) and Penthouse Suites, provide exclusive access to Luminae, a private sundeck, and personalized Retreat Hosts. The ship also features 25 accessible cabins across multiple categories.
Service & Onboard Style
Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Constellation maintains a highly regarded service standard, known for its friendly and accessible officers and crew. With a guest-to-staff ratio of nearly 2:1, guests often experience personalized attention. The onboard style is one of classic sophistication, with elegant public spaces and a comfortable, unpretentious luxury that appeals to those seeking a refined yet relaxed atmosphere. Suite guests benefit from dedicated butler service, enhancing the feeling of being well-cared for throughout their voyage.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex exemplifies a modern luxury service style, characterized by intuitive service and personalized attention, especially within The Retreat. The ship's strong crew-to-guest ratio ensures a high level of care for its 2,910 passengers. The onboard style is sleek, contemporary, and design-forward, with interiors crafted by renowned designers. In-room automation allows for personalized control of cabin features, while dedicated Retreat Hosts offer bespoke service to suite guests. The emphasis is on seamless, sophisticated comfort and a relaxed, yet polished, cruising experience.
Best Itineraries
Celebrity Constellation
While specific itineraries are not detailed, Celebrity Constellation's overall profile suggests a ship well-suited for diverse global explorations. Its appeal to 'Cultured Explorers' and offerings like a Destination Concierge and itinerary-focused lectures indicate a strong emphasis on immersive port experiences. This ship is ideal for travelers who prioritize discovering various cultures and scenic views across a wide range of international destinations.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex has a notable focus on Caribbean itineraries, highlighted by its unique 'Poolest Day Ever' parties and access to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Celebrity's award-winning private island destination. This ship is particularly well-suited for travelers looking for vibrant, sun-soaked escapes with a blend of relaxation and curated island adventures. Its innovative design and amenities enhance the experience of exploring popular warm-weather destinations.
What reviewers say
Celebrity Constellation
4.5/5Celebrity Constellation masterfully balances the intimate feel of smaller ships with the extensive leisure, entertainment, and dining perks of larger vessels. It consistently delivers a great value for the money, making it an excellent choice for discerning cruisers.
Celebrity Apex
5/5Celebrity Apex redefines modern luxury cruising, blending innovative design with a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere. It excels in diverse dining, vibrant nightlife, and unique features like the Magic Carpet, offering a premium experience without being stuffy.
Itineraries to compare
Pick an itinerary on either ship to see all available departure dates.
Celebrity Constellation
Celebrity Apex
Read our guides
In-depth guides on the ships and cruise lines in this comparison.

Ship Guide
Celebrity Constellation: Intimate Luxury at Sea
Discover a cruise that perfectly blends intimate charm with extensive dining, leisure, and entertainment options for exceptional value.

Ship Guide
Experience Modern Luxury on Celebrity Apex Cruises
Indulge in a premium cruise experience with diverse dining, vibrant entertainment, and refined service aboard the Celebrity Apex.
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