Who Owns Celebrity Cruises: Ownership Insights

• Celebrity Cruises is wholly owned by Royal Caribbean Group, meaning the brand has no independent shareholders, no public stock listing, and no separate equity structure of its own.
• All ownership control, capital investment, and long-term strategic decisions for Celebrity Cruises are exercised at the parent-company level, while the brand operates with its own leadership and premium-focused business model.
• Celebrity Cruises is indirectly owned by the public shareholders of Royal Caribbean Group, which include large institutional investors and individual shareholders, with no single entity holding a controlling majority stake.

Celebrity Cruises is a major global cruise line known for delivering an elevated vacation experience at sea. The brand combines modern design, exceptional service, and stylish hospitality across its fleet.

Its ships sail to nearly 300 destinations in more than 70 countries and cover all seven continents, offering varied itineraries that include Caribbean beaches, European culture routes, Alaskan wilderness, and expedition-style voyages. Celebrity maintains a reputation for refined yet accessible cruising, blending thoughtful onboard amenities with immersive destination experiences.

In 2025, Celebrity continues to grow its fleet with advanced Edge-Class ships and is expanding into new markets such as river cruising. It is headquartered in Miami, Florida, reflecting its strong presence in both the North American and global cruise markets.

Founder and Origin of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises was founded in 1988 by the Greece-based Chandris Group, a prominent maritime family enterprise with deep roots in passenger shipping and cruise operations. The Chandris name itself dates back to the early 1960s, when Antonios Chandris established Chandris Line to operate ocean liner services between Europe and Australia.

Over time, the company expanded into cruises under different banners including Chandris Cruises and Chandris Fantasy Cruises, serving Mediterranean and North American leisure markets, respectively.

In the late 1980s, the Bermuda Government offered upmarket cruise contracts that required a premium-oriented operator. Chandris recognized this opportunity and created Celebrity Cruises explicitly to secure these contracts and compete at a higher tier than its existing family cruise brands.

To meet the Bermuda requirements, Chandris negotiated with government officials and positioned Celebrity Cruises as an “upmarket” line with enhanced service standards and refined guest experiences.

The first ship to sail under the Celebrity banner was SS Meridian, originally part of Chandris’ fleet but extensively refitted in Germany in 1989 to meet the new brand’s standards. SS Meridian began service in February 1990, marking the official commercial launch of Celebrity Cruises.

The company’s logo—the Greek letter “Χ” emblazoned on its funnels—comes directly from the Greek spelling of Chandris (“Χανδρή”), reflecting the founder’s legacy and linking Celebrity back to its heritage. The brand adopted the tagline “Luxury Cruising by Design,” which communicated its strategy of combining premium service levels with broader accessibility compared to ultra-luxury lines of the time.

Major Milestones

• 1988: Celebrity Cruises is founded by the Greece-based Chandris Group to enter the premium cruise market and qualify for Bermuda’s upscale cruise contracts.
• 1990: SS Meridian begins service as Celebrity’s first ship after a major refit, marking the brand’s official launch into commercial cruising.
• 1992: Celebrity Horizon and Celebrity Zenith join the fleet, helping the brand scale operations and establish a stronger North American presence.
• 1995: Celebrity Century enters service, launching the Century class and signaling a move toward larger, purpose-built cruise ships.
• 1996: Celebrity Galaxy debuts, expanding the Century class and improving onboard amenities and passenger capacity.
• 1997: Celebrity Mercury is delivered, completing the Century-class trio and strengthening the brand’s premium positioning.
• 1997: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line acquires Celebrity Cruises, placing it under what later becomes Royal Caribbean Group while maintaining brand independence.
• 2000: Celebrity Millennium launches as the first Millennium-class ship, introducing advanced propulsion systems and modernized ship design.
• 2001: Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Summit enter service, expanding the Millennium class and enhancing global deployment options.
• 2002: Celebrity Constellation joins the fleet, completing the Millennium-class lineup.
• 2008: Celebrity Solstice debuts, launching the Solstice class and introducing signature features such as the Lawn Club with real grass at sea.
• 2010: Celebrity Eclipse enters service, continuing the Solstice-class expansion and elevating onboard entertainment and dining.
• 2011: Celebrity Silhouette joins the fleet, adding refined design updates to the Solstice platform.
• 2012: Celebrity Reflection is delivered, becoming the largest Solstice-class ship and concluding that generation.
• 2018: Celebrity Edge launches as the first Edge-class ship, redefining ship architecture with innovations like the Magic Carpet platform.
• 2019: Celebrity Flora enters service as a purpose-built expedition ship for the Galápagos Islands, marking Celebrity’s entry into expedition cruising.
• 2020: Celebrity Apex begins operations as the second Edge-class vessel, expanding the new design philosophy.
• 2022: Celebrity Beyond launches with expanded public spaces and enhanced luxury accommodations.
• 2023: Celebrity Ascent enters service as the fourth Edge-class ship, continuing fleet modernization.
• 2025: Celebrity Xcel debuts as the newest Edge-class ship, introducing next-generation entertainment spaces and destination-focused design concepts.
• 2025: Celebrity River Cruises is announced, with 10 river ships ordered and European sailings scheduled to begin in 2027.
• 2028 (planned): A sixth Edge-class ship is scheduled for delivery, extending Celebrity’s commitment to large-scale innovation.

Who Owns Celebrity Cruises?

Celebrity Cruises is fully owned by Royal Caribbean Group.

Royal Caribbean Group owns 100% of Celebrity Cruises. This means all strategic, financial, and operational control ultimately rests with the parent company. Celebrity functions as a core brand within Royal Caribbean Group’s multi-brand cruise portfolio.

Because Royal Caribbean Group is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Celebrity Cruises is indirectly owned by the group’s public shareholders. These shareholders influence Celebrity through board oversight, executive leadership, and capital allocation decisions at the parent level.

Parent Company: Royal Caribbean Group

The parent company of Celebrity Cruises is Royal Caribbean Group, one of the largest cruise operators in the world.

Royal Caribbean Group owns 100% of Celebrity Cruises. This makes Celebrity a fully consolidated subsidiary within the group’s corporate structure. All major decisions related to fleet investment, brand expansion, ship orders, and capital allocation are approved at the group level.

Royal Caribbean Group oversees multiple cruise brands, each targeting a different segment of the market. Celebrity Cruises represents the group’s premium category, positioned between mass-market cruising and ultra-luxury expedition lines.

Acquisition of Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises was acquired in 1997 through a full corporate acquisition of Chandris Lines, the Greece-based parent company that owned Celebrity Cruises at the time.

The transaction was valued at approximately $1.3 billion, making it one of the largest cruise industry acquisitions of the 1990s. The deal was structured primarily as a stock-based transaction, rather than an all-cash purchase. Chandris Lines shareholders received shares in Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, giving them equity exposure to the combined entity rather than a one-time cash exit.

Legal Structure of the Deal

The acquisition was executed as a parent-level takeover, not a simple brand purchase.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line acquired Chandris Lines and its subsidiaries, which included:

• Celebrity Cruises
• Chandris Fantasy Cruises
• Associated vessels and maritime assets.

Following the transaction, Celebrity Cruises became a wholly owned subsidiary within Royal Caribbean’s corporate structure. Chandris shareholders became minority shareholders in the acquiring company, eliminating any ongoing independent ownership or control over Celebrity Cruises.

After closing, Royal Caribbean reorganized its corporate framework to operate multiple cruise brands under a single holding entity. This structure later evolved into what is now known as Royal Caribbean Group.

Why Royal Caribbean Acquired Celebrity Cruises

The acquisition was driven by clear strategic and competitive motives, not short-term expansion.

At the time, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was heavily concentrated in the mass-market cruise segment. Celebrity Cruises offered:

• Immediate entry into the premium cruise market
• An established upscale customer base
• A modern fleet with strong brand recognition
• Access to premium itineraries and loyal repeat guests.

Building a premium brand organically would have required years of brand repositioning and fleet redevelopment. Acquiring Celebrity allowed Royal Caribbean to instantly segment its market offering without diluting its core Royal Caribbean International brand.

From Chandris’ perspective, the sale addressed rising capital requirements. The cruise industry was entering a period of rapid ship size expansion and escalating construction costs. Remaining competitive as an independent operator would have required significant long-term capital investment. The acquisition provided financial scale and balance-sheet strength that Chandris could not easily achieve alone.

How the Acquisition Was Integrated

Post-acquisition, Royal Caribbean made a deliberate decision not to merge brands.

Celebrity Cruises retained:

• Its brand name and identity
• Its premium service positioning
• Its own fleet development strategy
• Brand-specific leadership and onboard culture.

Operational integration occurred behind the scenes. Ship financing, procurement, itinerary planning systems, sales infrastructure, and regulatory compliance were centralized at the parent level. This allowed Celebrity to benefit from economies of scale while preserving brand differentiation.

Importantly, Celebrity ships were not reflagged or rebranded, and no forced alignment with Royal Caribbean International occurred. This brand preservation strategy is widely regarded as a key reason the acquisition succeeded long term.

Long-Term Impact of the Acquisition

Since the 1997 acquisition:

• Celebrity Cruises has remained 100% owned by Royal Caribbean Group
• No equity stakes have been sold or spun off
• All major fleet expansions have been parent-funded
• Celebrity has evolved into the group’s flagship premium brand.

The acquisition enabled multi-decade investment planning, including the Millennium, Solstice, and Edge classes. These long-term capital programs would have been far more difficult under fragmented or privately constrained ownership.

Indirect Ownership Through Public Shareholders

Although Celebrity Cruises itself is not publicly traded, it is indirectly owned by the public shareholders of Royal Caribbean Group.

Royal Caribbean Group is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Its ownership base consists primarily of large institutional investors, mutual funds, pension funds, and retail shareholders.

No single shareholder exercises majority control. Governance is maintained through a board of directors and executive leadership team at the parent-company level. Celebrity Cruises’ performance and strategic direction are reviewed within this broader corporate governance framework.

Control and Decision-Making Authority

Celebrity Cruises operates with brand-level leadership responsible for day-to-day management, guest experience, and product development.

However, final authority over critical decisions such as:

• New ship orders
• Fleet expansion
• Market entry or exit
• Brand-level capital investments.

rests with Royal Caribbean Group’s executive management and board.

This hybrid model allows Celebrity Cruises to innovate independently while remaining financially and strategically aligned with the group’s long-term objectives.

Who is the CEO of Celebrity Cruises?

As of 2025, the chief executive officer (CEO) role at Celebrity Cruises is held by Laura Hodges Bethge, who serves under the official title President, Celebrity Cruises. She is the senior executive responsible for brand leadership, strategic direction, global operations, and product innovation for the premium cruise line within the parent company’s corporate framework.

Laura Hodges Bethge assumed the presidency on May 1, 2023, succeeding Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, who moved into a vice-chair role within Royal Caribbean Group. Her appointment was part of a planned leadership transition aimed at advancing Celebrity Cruises into its next phase of global growth.

As President, Hodges Bethge leads all aspects of the Celebrity Cruises brand, including:

• Fleet strategy and onboard innovation
• Guest experience and service standards
• New market initiatives, such as Celebrity River Cruises
• Brand positioning within the global cruise segment
• Coordination with Royal Caribbean Group for capital allocation, fleet investment, and long-term planning.

Executive Background and Career Path

Laura Hodges Bethge has spent more than two decades with Royal Caribbean Group, rising through increasingly senior roles across operations, product development, and global market strategy. Her career highlights include:

• Leading Royal Caribbean Group’s fleet accessibility program in 2000
• Senior roles in hotel and marine operations, sales, marketing, and investor relations
• Vice President of market development, including time based in Shanghai
• Senior Vice President of Product Development for Royal Caribbean International, where she led teams responsible for new ship concepts, onboard experiences, and destination offerings
• Executive Vice President of Shared Services Operations at Royal Caribbean Group before becoming Celebrity Cruises President.

Her deep experience across multiple functional areas of cruise operations and product innovation positions her to manage both day-to-day business and long-term creative strategy.

In 2025, she is recognized as one of the most influential leaders in the travel industry.

Leadership Role and Decision-Making Authority

While Celebrity Cruises reports operationally to Royal Caribbean Group’s senior executives and board of directors, Laura Hodges Bethge has broad authority over decisions that shape the brand’s identity and market position. These include:

• Product development and fleet design choices
• Destination and itinerary planning
• Passenger experience strategy
• Guest services and hospitality standards
• Talent management at the brand level.

She also represents Celebrity Cruises in corporate leadership forums where group-wide strategic decisions are made, ensuring the brand’s priorities are aligned with Royal Caribbean Group’s broader goals.

Compensation and Salary Details

As President of Celebrity Cruises in 2025, Laura Hodges Bethge’s compensation continues to reflect a mix of base salary, performance incentives, and long-term equity awards tied to Royal Caribbean Group’s overall results. Executive pay figures are disclosed annually in the parent company’s proxy filings.

For the 2024 fiscal year (most recently reported), her total compensation was approximately $4.3 million. This comprised:

• A base salary of about $0.80 million, reflecting a modest increase over prior years, compared with historical base pay figures
• Performance bonus and incentive compensation of approximately $1.44 million, tied to company performance metrics such as adjusted earnings per share, operational targets, and strategic milestones
• Equity awards valued at approximately $2 million, representing long-term incentives designed to align her interests with Royal Caribbean Group’s shareholder value and future growth strategy
• Additional “other compensation” totalling roughly $0.10 million, covering benefits, qualified plan contributions, and perquisites.

Total compensation, therefore, stands at approximately $4.3 million for 2024, which serves as the basis for 2025 reporting until the next proxy is released by Royal Caribbean Group. This combination of salary, bonus, and equity reflects standard executive compensation practices within large global cruise corporations, where significant portions of pay are tied to long-term performance and share price outcomes.

Estimated Net Worth and Ownership Stakes

Laura Hodges Bethge’s estimated personal net worth is currently at least $6 million, based on disclosed equity holdings and insider share ownership. As of December 2025, she directly owned over 21,000 shares of Royal Caribbean Group stock, valued at more than $6 million based on average traded prices during the year.

Her net worth estimate does not include private assets such as real property, personal investments, or deferred compensation arrangements that may also contribute to her wealth. It is typical for senior executives in publicly traded corporations to have a significant portion of their personal net worth tied to stock holdings and long-term incentive plans.

Leadership Context Within Royal Caribbean Group

The President of Celebrity Cruises is part of a tiered executive leadership ecosystem at Royal Caribbean Group. While Laura Hodges Bethge is the senior authority for Celebrity Cruises’ brand strategy, fleet planning, guest experience, and operational performance, her role operates within a broader governance and leadership structure that aligns multiple cruise brands under one corporate umbrella.

At the corporate level, overarching strategic decisions—such as global fleet investment, debt financing, new market entries, and long-term brand positioning—are made in consultation with the Royal Caribbean Group executive leadership and board of directors. This includes decisions around capital allocation for new vessels across all brands, including Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Silversea.

The Group CEO, Jason Liberty, holds ultimate accountability for the financial performance and corporate governance of the entire cruise portfolio. Presidents of individual brands, including Laura Hodges Bethge, report to this executive leadership team.

Collaboration between brand leaders and the corporate office ensures that long-range plans, such as the development of new ship classes (e.g., the sixth Edge-Class vessel) and expansion into river cruising, align with corporate financial targets and shareholder expectations.

Within this context, Laura Hodges Bethge’s role also includes fostering innovation and brand differentiation. She guides product development strategies that impact onboard experiences, service standards, guest segmentation, and premium positioning in competitive global markets.

Her leadership is instrumental in shaping initiatives such as Celebrity’s fleet design philosophy, customer loyalty programs, and elevated service offerings that distinguish the brand from both mass-market and ultra-luxury competitors.

Celebrity Cruises Annual Revenue and Net Worth

As of December 2025, Celebrity Cruises is estimated to generate approximately $3.5 billion in annual brand-level revenue, with an estimated brand net worth of about $7 billion.

Celebrity Cruises Revenue in 2025

Celebrity Cruises’ $3.5 billion revenue is generated entirely through brand-specific cruise operations and guest spending. The largest portion of revenue comes from passenger ticket sales, which account for roughly 65% to 70% of total brand revenue.

These ticket sales reflect premium pricing relative to mass-market cruise lines, driven by modern ship design, longer itineraries, and destination-focused programming.

The remaining 30% to 35% of revenue comes from onboard and pre-cruise spending, often referred to as onboard revenue. This includes specialty dining restaurants, beverage packages, spa and wellness services, shore excursions, premium Wi-Fi plans, casino operations, retail shopping, and suite-level upgrades. Celebrity’s Edge-Class ships are specifically engineered to increase onboard spend per passenger through exclusive venues, experience-driven spaces, and a higher proportion of premium cabins.

Revenue distribution is also influenced by itinerary mix. European, Alaska, and longer destination-intensive sailings typically produce higher per-guest revenue than short Caribbean cruises.

In 2025, Celebrity Cruises optimized deployment toward higher-yield itineraries, which improved revenue per sailing without relying on aggressive discounting or capacity oversupply.

Another meaningful contributor to revenue is repeat guest spending. Celebrity Cruises has a strong loyalty base through its Captain’s Club program, which drives higher onboard spend, premium cabin bookings, and advance reservations for future sailings. This repeat behavior stabilizes revenue and reduces reliance on first-time passenger acquisition.

Revenue Stability and Earnings Quality

Celebrity Cruises’ revenue quality is considered strong within the premium cruise segment. The brand benefits from long booking windows, often extending 12 to 24 months ahead, which provides visibility into future revenue. A significant share of annual revenue is secured through advance deposits well before sailings occur, improving cash flow predictability.

Unlike ultra-luxury cruise lines that rely on low passenger volume and very high pricing, or mass-market brands that depend on volume and promotions, Celebrity Cruises maintains a balanced revenue model. This balance allows the brand to sustain consistent pricing while adapting to shifts in consumer demand and global travel conditions.

Net Worth of Celebrity Cruises

The estimated $7 billion net worth of Celebrity Cruises represents the standalone economic value of the brand, not the total asset base of its parent company. This valuation is grounded in tangible assets, identifiable brand-level intangibles, and future earning potential.

A substantial portion of Celebrity’s net worth is tied to its fleet of modern cruise ships, which includes Edge-Class, Solstice-Class, Millennium-Class vessels, and a purpose-built expedition ship.

These ships have high replacement value and long operational lifespans, often exceeding 25 to 30 years. The fleet alone accounts for several billion dollars of the brand’s valuation when adjusted for depreciation and remaining service life.

Beyond physical assets, brand equity is a major contributor to net worth. Celebrity Cruises holds a strong position in the premium cruise market, with global brand recognition, consistent guest satisfaction scores, and a clear identity centered on modern luxury and destination immersion.

This brand strength allows Celebrity to command premium pricing and sustain margins over time.

Intangible assets also include customer loyalty programs, repeat-guest relationships, itinerary rights, port agreements, proprietary onboard concepts, and intellectual property related to ship design and guest experience. These elements enhance long-term earnings power and materially increase brand valuation beyond ship hardware alone.

Brands Owned by Celebrity Cruises

Below is a list of the major brands owned by Celebrity Cruises as of December 2025:

Celebrity Edge Class

The Edge Class is Celebrity Cruises’ flagship ship class and one of its most valuable brand assets. It represents the company’s highest level of design, engineering, and guest experience innovation.

Ships in this class include Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent, and Celebrity Xcel. These vessels are known for features such as the Magic Carpet platform, Infinite Veranda staterooms, expanded premium suites, and experience-driven public spaces.

The Edge Class plays a central role in driving higher ticket prices and onboard revenue for the brand.

Celebrity Solstice Class

The Solstice Class is one of Celebrity Cruises’ longest-serving and most recognizable ship classes. It includes Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Silhouette, and Celebrity Reflection. These ships introduced signature concepts such as the Lawn Club with real grass at sea, glass-blowing studios, and expanded spa facilities. The Solstice Class remains a core part of Celebrity’s global deployment strategy, particularly on longer itineraries in Europe, Asia, and the Southern Hemisphere.

Celebrity Millennium Class

The Millennium Class consists of Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Summit, and Celebrity Constellation. These ships marked a major technological leap for the brand when first introduced and continue to operate after extensive modernization programs. They are frequently deployed on destination-intensive routes such as Alaska, Asia, South America, and transoceanic voyages. The class supports Celebrity’s strategy of offering premium experiences on smaller, more flexible ships.

Celebrity Cruises Expeditions

Celebrity Cruises Expeditions is a specialized operating division focused on expedition-style cruising. It is centered around Celebrity Flora, a purpose-built expedition ship designed specifically for the Galápagos Islands. This entity operates under stricter environmental and regulatory standards and offers curated itineraries, expert-led excursions, and small-group exploration. Celebrity Cruises Expeditions represents the brand’s entry into high-value experiential travel rather than mass cruising.

Celebrity River Cruises

Celebrity River Cruises is a newly launched brand extension announced in 2025. It represents Celebrity Cruises’ first move beyond ocean cruising into the river cruise market. The initiative includes a planned fleet of purpose-built river vessels designed to reflect Celebrity’s modern-luxury positioning. While operations begin after 2025, the brand, product design, and commercial structure are already owned and managed directly by Celebrity Cruises.

Celebrity Retreat (Suite-Class Program)

The Retreat is Celebrity Cruises’ premium suite-class brand. It operates as an internal luxury product line offering exclusive accommodations, private dining venues, dedicated lounges, priority services, and personalized concierge support.

The Retreat is not a separate company but functions as a distinct branded experience within Celebrity Cruises, contributing disproportionately to onboard revenue and guest loyalty.

Celebrity Cruises Loyalty Program (Captain’s Club)

Captain’s Club is Celebrity Cruises’ proprietary loyalty program. It manages repeat-guest engagement, tier-based benefits, priority services, and onboard rewards. While not a standalone business entity, it is a critical internal asset that drives repeat bookings, premium cabin upgrades, and long-term customer value for the brand.

Celebrity Cruises Shore Excursions Division

Celebrity Cruises operates its own shore excursions division that designs, markets, and manages destination experiences under the Celebrity brand. These excursions are curated to align with the brand’s premium positioning and include small-group tours, cultural immersion experiences, and exclusive access programs. This division is a significant contributor to onboard and pre-cruise revenue.

Celebrity Cruises Culinary and Beverage Programs

Celebrity Cruises owns and operates its onboard culinary and beverage programs, including specialty dining concepts, chef partnerships, and curated beverage offerings. These programs are developed internally and are central to the brand’s differentiation from mass-market cruise lines. They are continuously refreshed to support higher onboard spending and guest satisfaction.

Celebrity Cruises Entertainment and Enrichment Division

This internal entity manages onboard entertainment, enrichment programming, guest lectures, wellness experiences, and cultural programming. It supports Celebrity’s destination-focused identity and plays a key role in enhancing perceived value, especially on longer itineraries.

Fleet Operations and Maritime Management

Celebrity Cruises directly operates and manages its fleet through brand-specific maritime, hotel, and technical operations teams. While regulatory and financing functions are centralized at a higher corporate level, day-to-day vessel operations, guest services, and onboard staffing models are brand-controlled and aligned with Celebrity’s service standards.

Final Thoughts

Celebrity Cruises has evolved into a globally recognized premium cruise brand with a clearly defined ownership and operating structure. The company is wholly owned by Royal Caribbean Group, a setup that provides long-term financial backing while allowing Celebrity to operate with its own leadership, fleet strategy, and brand identity. This balance between corporate ownership and brand-level autonomy has been central to Celebrity’s steady growth and consistency.

Over the years, this ownership structure has enabled Celebrity Cruises to invest heavily in modern ship classes, refine its premium positioning, and expand into new segments such as expedition and river cruising. When looking at who owns Celebrity Cruises, it becomes clear that the brand’s stability, innovation, and market strength are closely tied to this model, which continues to support sustainable growth and long-term value in the global cruise industry.

FAQs

When was Celebrity Cruises founded?

Celebrity Cruises was founded in 1988. The brand was created by the Greece-based Chandris Group to operate in the premium cruise segment, with a focus on modern ships, elevated service, and destination-driven itineraries.

What company owns Celebrity Cruises?

Celebrity Cruises is wholly owned by Royal Caribbean Group. It is not a publicly traded company on its own and has no independent shareholders. All ownership, capital investment, and long-term strategic control sit with the parent company.

Who owned Princess Cruises lines?

Princess Cruises is owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. Princess Cruises operates as a major brand within Carnival’s global cruise portfolio and is not connected to Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean Group.

What is the difference between Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean?

Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean are part of the same corporate group but serve different market segments. Celebrity Cruises focuses on premium cruising, emphasizing modern luxury, refined dining, and destination immersion. Royal Caribbean, by contrast, targets the mass-market and family cruise segment, with larger ships, more onboard attractions, and a broader price range. They operate as separate brands with distinct ships, onboard experiences, and guest demographics.

Is Celebrity more upmarket than Royal Caribbean?

Yes, Celebrity Cruises is considered more upmarket than Royal Caribbean. Celebrity offers higher average pricing, more upscale accommodations, enhanced dining options, and a quieter, more refined onboard atmosphere. Royal Caribbean is designed to appeal to a wider audience, including families and first-time cruisers, while Celebrity caters more to travelers seeking a premium, experience-focused cruise product.