Ship Comparison
Celebrity Summit vs Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Summit offers a refined, intimate escape with a strong culinary focus, while Celebrity Apex delivers cutting-edge design and diverse experiences for the modern, sophisticated traveler.
The verdict
Choosing between Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Apex largely depends on whether your preference leans towards a classic, recently refreshed luxury experience or a bold, innovative journey. Summit, a Millennium Class ship, provides a more intimate atmosphere with highly personalized service and a focus on culinary excellence within a traditional setting. Apex, as an Edge-class vessel, showcases revolutionary design, expansive public spaces, and a wider array of specialty dining and high-tech entertainment. Both ships excel in offering a premium experience, but Apex caters to those seeking the latest in cruise innovation, while Summit appeals to guests who appreciate timeless elegance and a slightly more understated luxury.
Choose Celebrity Summit if…
The Celebrity Summit is ideal for seasoned cruisers and those seeking a refined, relaxing escape with a strong emphasis on exceptional food and attentive, consistent service. It particularly suits professionals aged 35 and up, including baby boomers, who appreciate a sophisticated yet unpretentious social environment and a classic cruise experience with modern comforts.
Best for
- Guests who appreciate classic cruising with modern updates
- Food and cocktail enthusiasts seeking diverse dining options
- Travelers looking for a relaxed, social atmosphere with attentive service
- Wellness seekers interested in spa-inspired amenities and healthy dining
- Value-conscious travelers looking for spacious balcony cabins
Avoid if
- You prefer the latest, most innovative ship designs and features
- You are prone to motion sickness and wish to avoid forward-located cabins
- You expect extensive, high-thrill activities like waterslides
- You require consistently fast Wi-Fi across all cabin categories
- Your dietary restrictions are severe and require specialized care at every venue
Choose Celebrity Apex if…
The Celebrity Apex is tailored for the modern, discerning traveler who values innovative design, diverse culinary journeys, and vibrant, sophisticated entertainment. It's perfect for those who enjoy contemporary aesthetics, unique onboard experiences like the Magic Carpet, and a balance of relaxed luxury with ample opportunities for social engagement and wellness.
Best for
- Travelers seeking cutting-edge ship design and innovative features
- Guests who desire an expansive choice of specialty dining venues
- Families looking for engaging, inclusive kids' and teen programming
- Those prioritizing a luxurious, personalized retreat experience
- Wellness enthusiasts seeking advanced spa and fitness facilities
Avoid if
- You prefer a smaller, more traditional cruise ship ambiance
- You are looking for traditional high-thrill activities like waterslides or climbing walls
- You prefer quiet, uncrowded public spaces at all times, especially in central areas
- You are on a strict budget for spa access and do not book AquaClass
- You prefer fixed dining times across all main restaurants
Overall Vibe
Celebrity Summit
The Celebrity Summit, a Millennium Class ship launched in 2001 and having undergone a revolutionary redesign, offers a classic yet refreshed luxury cruise experience. Carrying 2,218 passengers across 12 decks, it maintains a comfortable scale that avoids feeling overwhelming. The atmosphere is one of relaxed elegance, where modern design touches blend with the ship's traditional charm. It's a vessel that prides itself on creating abundant Instagram-worthy moments, particularly through its culinary offerings and well-appointed, contemporary spaces, appealing to those who appreciate a relaxed pace with sophisticated flair.
Celebrity Apex
The Celebrity Apex, the second in the revolutionary Edge Class, launched in 2020, immediately sets a tone of cutting-edge modern luxury. With a larger capacity of 2,910 passengers spread across 15 decks, it feels expansive and airy due to its innovative outward-facing design. The vibe is sophisticated and relaxed, balancing adult-centric fun with a strong focus on culinary excellence and visionary spaces. It's a ship that invites guests to engage with its architectural marvels and diverse offerings, pushing boundaries in design and onboard experiences without ever feeling stuffy.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Celebrity Summit
Onboard Celebrity Summit, the atmosphere is generally relaxing yet conducive to responsible fun. It tends to attract a mature crowd, typically professionals aged 35 and up, including a significant number of baby boomers, who appreciate a low-key social environment. With a crew of 936 catering to 2,218 guests, the guest-to-staff ratio is nearly 2:1, fostering an intimate setting where crew members often remember preferences. This creates a friendly, engaging social dynamic, perfect for those who enjoy good conversation, fine dining, and live music without an overly boisterous party scene.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex cultivates a modern, sophisticated, and relaxed ambiance, appealing to a broad demographic of discerning travelers. While it offers family-friendly programming through Camp at Sea, the overall feel leans towards adult-centric fun and culinary exploration rather than high-thrill activities. With 2,910 passengers and 1,536 crew members, the ship manages to feel spacious despite its larger size, thanks to its thoughtful design. The crowd is typically composed of individuals and families who appreciate contemporary luxury, innovative spaces, and a vibrant, yet unpretentious, social scene.
Dining
Celebrity Summit
Celebrity Summit offers a diverse culinary journey, highlighted by the main Cosmopolitan Restaurant with its classic and contemporary choices. The Oceanview Cafe provides a surprisingly high-quality buffet with international stations and made-to-order options. Specialty dining includes the rustic Italian Tuscan Grille, the popular Sushi on Five, and the unique, animated Le Petit Chef experience. AquaClass guests enjoy exclusive access to Blu for spa-inspired cuisine, while Suite Class guests dine at Luminae, featuring French-inspired dishes by Chef Daniel Boulud. For casual bites, there's the Pool Grill and the Spa Cafe for healthier fare, alongside Cafe al Bacio for specialty coffees and pastries.
Celebrity Apex
Dining on Celebrity Apex is a testament to its innovative design and culinary ambition, offering a wider array of choices. It features four distinct main dining rooms: Cyprus, Cosmopolitan, Normandie, and Tuscan, each with its own exclusive menu. Beyond these, guests can explore the vibrant Oceanview Cafe, the healthy Spa Cafe, or the quiet Eden Cafe. Specialty options abound, including the upscale Fine Cut Steakhouse, the French-inspired Le Grand Bistro, the unique Eden Restaurant, and Raw on 5 for fresh seafood. The Magic Carpet also transforms into an open-air dining venue on Deck 5. For suite guests, Luminae provides exclusive, fine dining with daily changing menus by Chef Daniel Boulud.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Celebrity Summit
Celebrity Summit provides a balanced entertainment lineup that caters to a relaxed yet engaged audience. The Main Theatre hosts dazzling musical productions and select ballet performances. Nightlife centers around sophisticated venues like the Martini Bar & Crush, known for its flair bartenders and occasional DJs, and Cellar Masters for international wine selections. The Rendezvous Lounge offers live music and dancing, while the Sunset Bar provides a country club atmosphere with ocean views and pop/folk tunes. Daytime activities include trivia and bingo, and for younger guests, there's the Camp at Sea kids' club and the X Club for teens. The Rooftop Terrace offers movies under the stars.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex pushes the boundaries of onboard entertainment with its technologically advanced venues and experiential offerings. The Theatre boasts a nearly in-the-round stage and a 180-foot LED screen for ambitious productions like 'Tree of Life' and 'Rockumentary'. The multi-level Eden complex transforms throughout the day, evolving into a vibrant nightlife spot with interactive performances and themed cocktails. The Club offers a versatile space for games, live DJs, and acrobatic shows like 'Caravan'. The Grand Plaza serves as a lively hub with its Martini Bar and flair bartenders. Unique features like the Magic Carpet host live music, and the Resort Deck throws energetic 'Poolest Day Ever' parties, ensuring diverse options for all.
Cabins & Suites
Celebrity Summit
Celebrity Summit offers 936 cabins, with over 80% providing ocean views and 26 being wheelchair accessible. Standard cabins, including Inside and Ocean View, measure 170 sq ft, while Balcony cabins range from 170-191 sq ft with 38-54 sq ft verandas. All feature a fresh, contemporary design with king-sized beds (convertible to twins) and modern bathrooms. Enhanced balcony categories like Concierge Class (191 sq ft) and AquaClass (195 sq ft) come with added perks. For ultimate luxury, suites range from Sky Suites (251 sq ft) to the expansive Penthouse Suites (1,432 sq ft), offering butler service, exclusive dining at Luminae, and access to The Retreat Lounge and Sundeck. Note the 'Sweet 16' cabins on Deck 6 offer larger balconies but are far forward.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex features a modern array of accommodations, with most of its 1,450 cabins boasting the innovative 'infinite veranda' design, blurring indoor and outdoor spaces. Standard cabins are around 200 sq ft, and even solo travelers can enjoy an infinite veranda in dedicated 130 sq ft cabins. All staterooms include king-sized beds, generous storage, and smart room automation. The suite experience is elevated with The Retreat, offering Sky Suites (298 sq ft) up to the opulent Iconic Suites (over 2,500 sq ft). The six two-story Edge Villas include plunge pools and direct access to The Retreat Sundeck. Retreat guests benefit from exclusive Luminae dining, a private sundeck, personal butlers, premium drinks, and faster Wi-Fi, emphasizing a truly personalized luxury experience.
Service & Onboard Style
Celebrity Summit
Celebrity Summit maintains Celebrity's reputation for friendly, personalized service, with a favorable guest-to-staff ratio of nearly 2:1 (2,218 guests to 936 crew). The smaller ship size allows for consistent and engaging interactions with the crew, from housekeeping to dining staff, creating a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. The onboard style is one of modern comfort, with elegant public spaces like the Grand Foyer and a recently redesigned spa. Concierge Class and suite passengers receive enhanced services, including dedicated concierge assistance and personal butler service in The Retreat, ensuring an elevated and attentive journey.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex embodies a sophisticated onboard style, marked by innovative, outward-facing design and a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Rating. The service is highly attentive, particularly for guests of The Retreat, who benefit from dedicated Retreat Hosts (butlers) and exclusive lounges. The ship's modern aesthetics, with expansive windowed areas like Eden and the Grand Plaza, create a sense of openness and connection to the sea. While the ship is larger with 1,536 crew members, the emphasis on intuitive, personalized service remains a cornerstone, ensuring every guest feels well-cared for within its contemporary and luxurious environment.
Best Itineraries
Celebrity Summit
While specific itineraries for Celebrity Summit are not detailed in the provided information, its Millennium Class design and size make it versatile for exploring diverse destinations. Historically, ships of this class have navigated a wide range of routes, from intimate European coastal tours to relaxing Caribbean voyages. Its recent redesign ensures that guests can enjoy a modern luxury experience regardless of the destination. Given its focus on refined dining and tranquil spaces, it is well-suited for itineraries emphasizing cultural immersion and scenic beauty, allowing guests to savor each port of call at a comfortable pace.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex offers captivating itineraries, particularly highlighting Caribbean sailings, including visits to the vibrant Perfect Day at CocoCay. Its innovative design, especially the Magic Carpet, enhances the experience of visiting these destinations by providing a unique perspective from the water's edge. The ship's modern amenities and diverse culinary options complement shore excursions focused on adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration. Whether guests seek thrilling activities on a private island or serene moments at sea, Apex's itineraries are curated to deliver a dynamic and memorable journey, connecting guests intimately with the beauty of the Caribbean.
What reviewers say
Celebrity Summit
4/5Celebrity Summit delivers a relaxing yet fun cruise experience, where exceptional food and cocktails take center stage, creating abundant Instagram-worthy moments. The ship's engaging and committed crew, including senior staff, further elevate the journey with their attentive service.
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
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Celebrity Summit
Celebrity Apex
Read our guides
In-depth guides on the ships and cruise lines in this comparison.

Ship Guide
Celebrity Summit: Relaxing Cruises with Fine Dining
Discover Celebrity Summit, where exceptional food and cocktails create Instagram-worthy moments.

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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