Celebrity Cruises

Cruising continues to be one of the most affordable ways to travel, even as costs continue to rise. With an influx in cruising demand, cruise fares have been steadily on the rise over the last few years.

As a budget traveler, I am repeatedly looking for ways to save money when traveling. The more money I can save while traveling, the better. With these savings, I am able to both cruise and travel more frequently.

I just returned from a 7-night European cruise with Celebrity Cruises. This was the first time my husband and I were cruising on a premium cruise line together. 

While I have cruised on other Celebrity Edge Class ships before, this was my husband’s first time on Celebrity Cruises! As loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers, we were excited to see what a more luxurious cruise experience would entail.

Trying a new cruise line for the first time can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, especially when you’ve been loyal to one brand. You might find the grass is greener on the other side - or you might return to the brand you’ve been loyal to.

The last thing anyone wants to consider is falling ill while on a cruise. Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 68 of the 2,264 passengers aboard Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Summit contracted norovirus on the May 24 voyage, in addition to five crew members. 

Up until my first Celebrity cruise, my entire portfolio was comprised of family-friendly cruise lines that primarily target families with children and teens. Now in my mid-20s with no children of my own, I was ready for a change of pace. 

Holding Diamond status within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, graduating to their sister line Celebrity Cruises made the most sense, as I was able to match my status and immediately become an Elite Captain's Club member before ever stepping foot on a ship. 

After sailing solo on Celebrity's newest ship, I was excited to be onboard Celebrity's first-ever sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island in The Bahamas.

Celebrity Reflection is a Solstice Class ship that launched in 2012. Though not the largest in the fleet, there's certainly enough to appease a variety of travelers. Whether you're a fan of taking advantage of all the complimentary venues or splurging on specialty dining, you'll never be bored of repetitive options! 

Having sailed on Celebrity's newest ship, Celebrity Ascent, I was eager to see why their Solstice Class remains a beloved favorite, so I booked a 5-night cruise onboard Celebrity Reflection.