Ship Comparison
Celebrity Summit vs Celebrity Apex
For a refined cruise experience, Celebrity Summit offers intimate charm and culinary focus, while Celebrity Apex delivers innovative design and expansive luxury.
The verdict
Choosing between Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Apex largely depends on whether you lean towards classic elegance or contemporary innovation. The Summit, with its welcoming, recently refreshed spaces, offers a more intimate journey, ideal for those who appreciate consistent, attentive service and a robust culinary program in a slightly smaller setting. On the other hand, the Apex pushes boundaries with its architectural marvels and cutting-edge venues, appealing to travelers seeking a modern, artful, and technologically advanced cruise vacation. Both ships prioritize excellent dining and service, but the scale and style of their offerings create distinct atmospheres.
Choose Celebrity Summit if…
Travelers seeking a relaxing and fun cruise experience with a strong emphasis on culinary delights and cocktails, appreciating a smaller ship feel with consistent, engaging service. It's particularly well-suited for professionals aged 35 and up, including baby boomers, who enjoy a sophisticated yet unpretentious social atmosphere.
Best for
- Travelers who prefer a more intimate, classic cruise experience
- Food and cocktail enthusiasts seeking diverse culinary offerings
- Those who value consistent and engaging personalized service
- Guests looking for a relaxing yet active vacation with a sophisticated social vibe
- Value-savvy balcony hunters interested in larger balcony options at a lower price point
Avoid if
- Passengers seeking the newest, most technologically advanced ship designs
- Families with young children desiring extensive kid-focused thrill attractions
- Those prone to motion sickness, particularly if considering forward-facing 'Sweet 16' cabins
- Guests requiring universal complimentary access to all spa thermal suite amenities
Choose Celebrity Apex if…
Those who gravitate towards modern luxury, innovative design, and a vibrant, sophisticated atmosphere. Celebrity Apex is ideal for travelers who enjoy diverse, high-quality dining, cutting-edge entertainment, and unique architectural features like the Magic Carpet, all within a larger, more contemporary vessel.
Best for
- Guests who appreciate modern, innovative ship design and architectural marvels
- Travelers seeking diverse, high-quality dining and cutting-edge entertainment
- Luxury seekers prioritizing exclusive amenities and personalized butler service
- Wellness enthusiasts who value advanced spa facilities and fitness programs
- Families looking for engaging, age-specific kids' programming and autism-friendly initiatives
Avoid if
- Those who prefer a more traditional or classic cruise ship ambiance
- Budget-conscious travelers, as exclusivity and innovation come at a premium
- Families with children expecting traditional high-thrill attractions like waterslides or climbing walls
- Guests who prefer quieter, less bustling central gathering spaces
Overall Vibe
Celebrity Summit
Celebrity Summit, launched in 2001 and part of the Millennium Class, offers a comfortably elegant atmosphere. While it has undergone a significant redesign, it maintains a classic charm, focusing on a relaxing yet fun experience centered around high-quality dining and cocktails. This ship creates a setting where guests can enjoy sophisticated moments, from savoring gourmet meals to finding Instagram-worthy spots, all within a manageable 2,158-passenger vessel.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex, a newer vessel from 2020 and the second in the revolutionary Edge Series, is recognized with a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Rating. It exudes a modern luxury vibe with an innovative, outward-facing design that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Carrying 2,910 passengers, the Apex feels expansive and visionary, offering a sophisticated resort-at-sea experience that emphasizes groundbreaking architecture and a distinctly contemporary ambiance.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Celebrity Summit
With a capacity for 2,158 guests and a dedicated crew of 936, Celebrity Summit maintains a favorable guest-to-staff ratio of nearly 2:1, contributing to its reputation for consistent and engaging service. The atmosphere is generally low-key and social, drawing a crowd of professionals over 35 and baby boomers who appreciate responsible fun, good food, and wine. It’s a ship where relaxation and meaningful interactions are prioritized, rather than high-octane thrills.
Celebrity Apex
Hosting 2,910 passengers with a crew of 1,536, Celebrity Apex offers a guest-to-crew ratio of approximately 1.9:1, ensuring attentive service even on a larger vessel. The ship cultivates a sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere, appealing to those who enjoy a blend of adult-centric entertainment and culinary excellence. While welcoming families, its focus leans towards innovative design and premium experiences, creating a refined social environment without emphasizing traditional, high-energy, thrill-focused activities.
Dining
Celebrity Summit
Celebrity Summit provides a diverse culinary landscape with several complimentary options, including the Cosmopolitan Main Restaurant offering traditional or anytime dining, and the Oceanview Cafe buffet, known for its good quality and international stations. Guests can also enjoy lighter fare at the Pool Grill and Spa Cafe. For a culinary indulgence, specialty restaurants like Tuscan Grille offer contemporary Italian dishes, Sushi on Five serves Japanese-fusion, and Qsine presents inventive global cuisine, including the interactive Le Petit Chef virtual dinner show. Luminae is exclusive for Suite Class guests, featuring French-inspired menus by Chef Daniel Boulud.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex showcases an impressive array of dining venues, starting with four complimentary main restaurants: Tuscan, Cyprus, Cosmopolitan, and Normandie, each with distinct menus. The Oceanview Cafe offers a bright, crew-served buffet, while Eden Cafe and Spa Cafe provide lighter options. Exclusive to AquaClass and suite guests, Blu offers healthy, clean cuisine, and Luminae at The Retreat features a refined menu by Chef Daniel Boulud. Specialty dining includes the unique Dinner on the Edge on the Magic Carpet, the animated Le Petit Chef experience, Eden Restaurant with its open kitchen, Fine Cut Steakhouse, Rooftop Garden Grill, and Raw on 5 for Japanese and seafood.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Celebrity Summit
On Celebrity Summit, evenings come alive in The Theatre with musical productions such as 'December '63' and live performances. For more social interaction, the Martini Bar hosts flair bartending shows and DJs, while the Rendezvous Lounge offers live music and karaoke. Guests can try their luck at Fortunes Casino or join in daily trivia and bingo. Daytime activities include outdoor swimming pools, an adults-only indoor thalassotherapy pool, a basketball court, and various deck games like ping-pong and cornhole, providing a balanced mix of activity and relaxation.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex features a state-of-the-art Theatre with a nearly in-the-round stage and a 180-foot LED screen for ambitious productions like 'Tree of Life' and 'Rockumentary.' The multi-purpose venue, The Club, transitions from daytime activities to a lively nightlife with live music, acrobats, and cabaret shows. Eden offers an evolving experience with themed events and cocktails. The Grand Plaza, a bustling three-deck hub, hosts a Martini Bar with flair bartenders and live music. Casual options include the Craft Social Bar for beers and sports, and a Vegas-style Casino for gaming.
Cabins & Suites
Celebrity Summit
Celebrity Summit's cabins feature a fresh, contemporary design with modern comforts. Standard Interior and Ocean View staterooms are 170 sq ft, while Balcony cabins range from 170-191 sq ft with private verandas. Enhanced balcony categories like Concierge Class (191 sq ft) and AquaClass (195 sq ft) offer added perks. For those seeking more space, Sky Suites are 251 sq ft, Celebrity Suites boast 467 sq ft with panoramic windows, and the expansive Penthouse Suite measures 1,432 sq ft with a baby grand piano and private hot tub. All come with king-sized Cashmere Mattresses and interactive TVs.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex offers innovative staterooms, most notably the 'infinite verandas' that transform the entire living space into an open-air balcony at the touch of a button. Standard cabins are around 200 sq ft, with solo cabins also featuring infinite verandas. Suites range from the 298 sq ft Sky Suite to the opulent 1,892 sq ft Iconic Suite, positioned above the bridge with panoramic views and a private hot tub. The unique two-story Edge Villas include private plunge pools and direct access to The Retreat Sundeck. All staterooms feature king-sized Cashmere Mattresses and in-room automation for personalized comfort.
Service & Onboard Style
Celebrity Summit
On Celebrity Summit, the service is a highlight, described as friendly and personalized, with a guest-to-staff ratio of almost 2:1. This allows for attentive care across the ship. Suite passengers benefit from dedicated butler service, including assistance with unpacking and in-suite dining, while Concierge Class guests receive personalized concierge support. The ship's overall style, particularly after its redesign, is modern and comfortable, earning it a Recommended Rating from Forbes Travel Guide, reflecting a commitment to guest satisfaction and a refined onboard experience.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex is a Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Rated resort at sea, underscoring its commitment to exceptional service and style. With a guest-to-crew ratio of approximately 1.9:1, the crew provides attentive and intuitive care. Guests in The Retreat suites enjoy exclusive services, including personal Retreat Hosts (butlers) and dedicated concierges. The ship’s onboard style is characterized by sleek, modern design by Kelly Hoppen, CBE, and advanced in-room automation that allows guests to control lighting, shades, and temperature with ease, enhancing the personalized luxury experience.
Best Itineraries
Celebrity Summit
While specific itineraries aren't detailed in the provided information, Celebrity Summit's design and amenities suggest it excels in destinations where a refined, comfortable, and culinary-focused experience is desired. Its smaller size compared to newer ships allows it to access a wider variety of ports, making it a versatile choice for diverse cruise regions. The ship's emphasis on relaxation and engaging service makes any journey on the Summit a pleasant escape, whether it's to sun-drenched beaches or culturally rich cities.
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Apex, with its innovative design and modern luxury offerings, is particularly well-suited for Caribbean sailings, including visits to the exclusive Perfect Day at CocoCay. This private island destination complements the Apex's blend of relaxation and excitement, offering everything from tranquil beach days to thrilling water activities. The ship's sophisticated venues and diverse dining also make it an excellent choice for exploring culturally vibrant Mediterranean or European itineraries, where guests can enjoy cutting-edge comfort after a day of discovery.
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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