15 Celebrity Cruises Cabins To Avoid

Celebrity Cruises is considered a premium cruise line. Not quite as exclusive as the very top-tier luxury companies, it is still a step above what you’d expect from cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival or NCL.

And with that premium approach to service, style and amenities comes a premium price tag. This makes it even more imperative that, when booking a cruise with Celebrity, you find a stateroom or suite that’s the right fit for you.

After all, nobody wants to pay a high price for a cruise only to have it spoiled by a poor location, or loud noises, right?

So, I’ve spent time researching the deck plans for all the ships, along with checking forums and social media groups, to find the all the Celebrity Cruises cabins to avoid.

Thankfully there aren’t really any outright ‘bad’ cabins. There are no ships like the Celebrity Galaxy anymore, which had huge poles taking up space in your room!

But some of these Celebrity Cruises cabins might not fit your style of cruising, so make sure you use this guide when booking to avoid putting a damper on what should be an incredible cruise.

1. Aqua Class Staterooms

(If You’re Not Into the Spa)

As well as the regular range of staterooms and suites you can book on a Celebrity Cruises ship, there are also two special classes of stateroom that you can book. One of these is the Aqua Class, and it’s available on all of the main ships in the fleet (so not the expedition ships).

They’re Veranda staterooms, but considered a higher tier because they come with a selection of additional perks, all of which are themed around the spa. So you’ll get premium bedding, more luxurious bathroom amenities (including a massage showerhead), and you’ll get to enjoy complimentary fitness classes.

You’ll also have unlimited access to the spa area on your ship (SEA Thermal Suite on Edge-class ships, and Persian Garden on others), the option to dine at the Blu restaurant, and you can use the Spa Concierge to book spa treatments for you.

This all sounds great, but it’s worth thinking about how much those extra amenities mean to you considering you’ll often pay around 25% more than you would for a regular Veranda stateroom just for these benefits.

That’s a considerable amount – so don’t be taken in by the idea of a more luxurious-sounding stateroom if you aren’t a spa user. The shower and bedding in a regular stateroom is fine, and while the Blu restaurant has some nice dishes, the dining across the Celebrity ship is excellent.

Ask yourself, would you really be missing out if you didn’t book Aqua Class?

2. Concierge Class Staterooms

(If You’re Happy Booking Your Own Services)

The same can be said of the Concierge Class as can be of the Aqua Class staterooms – they’re a nice upgrade, but are they worth the extra cost compared to a regular stateroom, or are you being drawn in by something that sounds luxurious but you wouldn’t actually make use of?

Concierge Class tends to be slightly cheaper than Aqua Class – typically between 20% and 25% more than a regular Verandah Stateroom, though this will vary depending on your ship and sailing.

For that extra fee, you’ll enjoy the use of the personalised Concierge service. The Concierge Desk will be available to help you book excursions, reserve a table at a speciality restaurant, and generally make your cruise experience a little bit smoother and easier.

You’ll also be able to enjoy an exclusive seminar about your destinations, highlighting some of the best places to visit (but also doubling as an advert for the excursions you can book), and a welcome lunch onboard the ship. Plus there’s a shoeshine service, if you think that’ll be useful.

Personally, I would just book a regular Verandah stateroom and make my own bookings, even if I wasn’t a top priority, but if you like the idea of a Concierge handling all that (or you really, really like shiny shoes), then a Concierge Class Stateroom might be worth it.

3. Deluxe Porthole Balcony Staterooms

Not every balcony on a Celebrity Cruises ship has the same kind of balcony you’d find on other cruise ships. One of the more unusual options is a Deluxe Porthole Balcony stateroom.

Don’t be alarmed – these aren’t porthole-view rooms with a tiny little window. Instead, they’re enclosed balconies, with a large circular opening.

You still get the veranda, but with a slightly more limited view. There’s still a clear railing though, it just might feel a little more cramped, and you won’t get much sunlight during the middle of the day due to the shade it provides.

Of course, that might be perfect for you – if you want to read or use your phone or tablet, sometimes the glare can be annoying. But if you’re looking to sunbathe, then I’d look at other options.

4. Obstructed View Staterooms

Every ship in the Celebrity Cruises fleet has rooms with an obstructed view. They’re usually found in the middle of the ship on Deck 6 but you should check the deck plans for your chosen cruise ship to find the specific staterooms that are affected, as not all will be. You’re looking for “Veranda (Partial View)” rooms.

An obstructed view is where there’s something blocking your view, typically a lifeboat although sometimes it’s the washing station used to clean the ship when she is docked. It might also be part of the ‘magic carpet’ on Edge-class ships.

It won’t completely take up the view but it will add limitations to what you can see when you’re sat on your veranda.

Again, these might actually be perfect for you. If you don’t care about the view and just want the fresh air and sunlight, then you can save a little bit by choosing one of these rooms. However, if you want to sit back and watch the ocean pass by, or especially on a cruise to Alaska where the scenery is a key attraction, I’d recommend booking one without a partial view.

I’ve actually booked an obstructed view balcony stateroom on my next cruise on Celebrity Apex. I’ll be saving £150 by having a view that’s only 15% obstructed. I’m absolutely fine with that!

Different cabins have different levels of obstruction and a good travel agent will have access to all the info to help you choose the best one.

5. Infinite Verandas on Edge Class Ships

The Edge Class for Celebrity Cruises introduced a new kind of stateroom, called the Infinite Veranda. The quirk of these rooms is that they don’t have a separate balcony area – instead, it’s incorporated into the room.

You can close it off though, and create a balcony, but other people will prefer to leave the inner doors open and then have one large room. You have a sliding window that acts as your balcony, so you can open up the space and keep the window closed, or have it open and then choose either to make your whole room a veranda, or close the doors.

I actually think these rooms are really innovative but I know they split opinion online, and some people just prefer to have a simple balcony stateroom instead. So I’ve included them here to make sure you know what you’re getting.

They do have some little quirks, such as the window automatically closing if it starts to rain, or the air-con switching off if you leave the balcony window open along with the inner doors. But those things make sense. I think some people just like the standard balcony.

6. Deck 3 Staterooms On Edge Class Ships (Due To Noise)

Deck 3 on Edge-class ships is a good one to avoid if you want to avoid noise, as it’s right below a very busy deck.

Deck 4 is where you’ll find the theatre at the front of the ship, the nightclub, the shops, the casino and several restaurants – that’s a lot of activity throughout the day, and the soundproofing of the rooms isn’t always ideal. It’s not terrible – you’re not going to hear every noise through the ceiling – but when it gets loud you may be disturbed.

It’s fine if you’re a night owl – anyone likely to be enjoying the bars or the casino themselves won’t really mind as the noise is only really an issue in the evening. But if your ideal cruise is one where you get a relaxing early night with plenty of energy to explore your port of call the next day, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.

As a guide, it’s always best to have staterooms above and below you, if you want to minimise the risk of noise disturbances.

7. Staterooms Below The Pool Deck

Millennium Class – Deck 9
Solstice Class – Deck 10
Edge Class – Deck 11

Another location you should consider avoiding if you want to keep noise to a minimum is the deck below the pool deck.

The pool deck is always popular on a Celebrity cruise, and even on a premium cruise line such as this there can be a bit of a tussle to get the best spots for sun loungers. This means there are often people waking up early and heading to the pool deck to reserve a spot – even though you’re not supposed to reserve them.

The loungers are sometimes stacked away though, and when they’re dragged over that wooden decking the noise can be particularly unpleasant – and it can carry into the staterooms directly below.

So this time, if you’re someone who likes a lie-in, then these are the rooms I’d suggest avoiding. It’s not going to be an issue if you’re awake anyway – in fact, if you want to hit the pool deck early then these rooms could be ideal.

8. Premium Staterooms on Celebrity Xpedition

Celebrity Xpedition is one of the expedition ships sailing for the cruise line, and with a capacity of just 48 people, it really feels like an intimate, relaxing atmosphere onboard.

However the ship is quite old compared to others and she looks a little dated in places, especially in the accommodations. They have modern touches, but she could do with a revamp. The suites are nice and spacious, but the Premium Staterooms in particular aren’t great.

They only have a small picture window and the old wood takes up more of the room. They’re great if you’re feeling adventurous and don’t mind limited accommodations but if you can, I’d suggest choosing one of the suite options instead.

9. Elite Ocean View on Celebrity Xploration

The Celebrity Xploration is the smallest ship in the whole fleet. Another Expedition ship, she has a capacity of just 16 guests in 8 rooms – and I’m about to tell you why I’d avoid half of those.

You can either choose from a Junior Suite or an Elite Ocean View. The Junior Suites have their own balcony, but in an Elite Ocean View you have two windows that are quite high up, but they are next to a public area.

So yes, you don’t have many people on the ship, but if you have the blinds raised you might have people walking past at any time, which can make the rooms feel a lot less private.

It’s a minor issue on a ship with just 16 guests, but worth pointing out if you don’t want someone’s head blocking your ocean view.

10. Rooms Worse For Seasickness

On any cruise ship, you’re more likely to feel the motion if you are higher up, and you’re towards the front or back of the ship. That’s where the motion is worst, and it can feel quite nauseating if you’re someone who suffers from any kind of motion sickness.

If you are a sufferer, or you’re not sure but don’t want to take the risk, always aim for a lower deck towards the middle of the ship.

On the smallest Expedition ships you haven’t really got much choice, and because they’re small you will likely feel the movement even more. Bigger ships tend to make it less noticeable.

Try to get an ocean view, still, as focussing on the horizon can help.

Suggested read: My Top Tips To Prevent Seasickness

11. Connecting Rooms (If You Only Book One)

This is a top tip for any cruise ship with any cruise line – it doesn’t just apply to Celebrity Cruises. Some rooms are connecting, which means they have an internal door linking with another stateroom.

Normally this stays locked, but if you book both cabins you can open it up, which makes these great choices for any groups who want to travel together and share a bigger space.

However, those connecting doors are not as well-insulated as a regular stateroom wall. So, if you’re only booking one stateroom, I’d try to avoid a connecting one if you can – otherwise, you might hear noise from your neighbours, and they might hear you too. A bit embarrassing if you’re a loud snorer, for example!

12. Small Inside Cabins

Celebrity is one of the better cruise lines when catering to solo passengers. Several of the ships have dedicated single passenger staterooms, with the Edge Class introducing the Edge Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda – I know I’ve already said that Infinite Veranda rooms split opinion, but it’s nice to have the option of a proper solo room with a balcony.

However, be careful what you pick when you book, as some of the regular solo Inside staterooms on Celebrity ships can be a lot smaller – sometimes just over 100 square feet. It’s not tiny, but they’re still pretty small, and if you’re someone who gets a little bit claustrophobic then they might not be ideal for you.

They’re designed for people who want to keep costs down and who will spend most of their time exploring the ship, so if you only use your stateroom to sleep and shower then these will be more affordable. But make sure you check before you book if you do want a bit more room.

13. Cramped 3-Person Staterooms

Several of the staterooms on Celebrity Cruises can sleep multiple guests, and while the cruise line isn’t primarily aimed at families, there are still some limited kid-friendly activities onboard and some staterooms that are suited to a couple with one or two children.

But some of the three-person staterooms are pretty small, and can feel cramped when the single sofa bed is converted. I would definitely recommend skipping these rooms if you’re travelling as a group of three adults, since you’ll feel like you’re stepping on each other’s toes.

Book a Veranda Stateroom or a Suite if you’re travelling with two other adults, but the Inside and Ocean View rooms are best left to couples travelling with a child, who don’t mind the cosy feel.

14. Inside Rooms Running Lengthways Along a Corridor

On a cruise ship, most rooms are oriented ‘sideways’ – by that, I mean the longer walls are perpendicular to the long side of the ship, so the entrance is on one of the shorter walls.

But some Celebrity rooms are laid out the opposite way, which means that they have a long wall exposed to one of the corridors where people will be walking past. And this can make them a little bit noisier.

Instead of people walking past the entrance to your room, they’re walking alongside near your bed. At night, if they’re a little bit tipsy, they might not be as quiet as you’d like, and you might be disturbed by them returning to their rooms.

Even in the mornings, if they aren’t very considerate then they might be talking loudly just a couple of feet from where you’re trying to sleep.

The noise will pass quickly but if you’re a light sleeper then maybe avoid one of those rooms, just to be safe.

15. Rooms Adjacent to Speciality Restaurants

This is a relatively minor concern – hence its position at the bottom of the list – but it could be something that bothers you if you book one of these staterooms on the Edge-class ships.

On Deck 3, there are a couple of speciality restaurants situated at the aft (rear) of the ship, and they tend to be pretty popular – so they will often sell out every night.

On other ships, the restaurants are all within easy reach of an elevator but on the Edge-class ships, the nearest elevators are mid-ship, and there are staterooms between them and the restaurants. This means that, every night, you’re going to have a steady flow of people walking past your stateroom on their way to and from the restaurants.

Again, it’s only a minor issue but if you were planning on having a quiet night in your stateroom, you might get a bit disturbed by the many people walking past constantly. And with the other issues that I’ve already explained about Deck 3, it’s another reason to consider booking a stateroom elsewhere on the ship.

Final Word

There really aren’t any outright terrible rooms on a Celebrity cruise ship. It’s just that some rooms are better than others depending on who you’re sailing with, what kind of budget you’re working with, and whether you are someone who’ll be up at the crack of dawn or who prefers to enjoy late nights.

It’s always important to do some of your own research, too, though hopefully this guide has made it easier and you know what kind of things you should be looking out for when choosing your Celebrity Cruises stateroom or suite.

You might also note that I’ve not picked any suites in this list of staterooms to avoid. Honestly, Celebrity’s suites are all pretty amazing, even on the older ships, and I didn’t find anyone complaining about them. Of course, they’re a lot more expensive, so avoid them if you can’t afford them!

With that in mind, I’d always recommend checking the deck plans for your ship. Note what’s above and below your cabin, and whether it’s in a good location for the elevators and any other nearby amenities.

Here’s a full list of the Celebrity Cruises deck plans for you:

• Celebrity Apex Deck Plans
• Celebrity Ascent Deck Plans
• Celebrity Beyond Deck Plans
• Celebrity Constellation Deck Plans
• Celebrity Eclipse Deck Plans
• Celebrity Edge Deck Plans
• Celebrity Equinox Deck Plans
• Celebrity Flora Deck Plans
• Celebrity Infinity Deck Plans
• Celebrity Millennium Deck Plans
• Celebrity Reflection Deck Plans
• Celebrity Silhouette Deck Plans
• Celebrity Solstice Deck Plans
• Celebrity Summit Deck Plans
• Celebrity Xpedition Deck Plans
• Celebrity Xploration Deck Plans

Related Posts:

• Celebrity Cruise Ships By Class
• The Newest Celebrity Cruise Ships (In Order)
• Celebrity Cruise Ships Ranked From Best To Worst
• Celebrity Cruises Suite Perks Explained