If you’re comparing celebrity ships by age before you book, you’re already thinking one step ahead. Ship age is a sneaky little shortcut to understanding design style, onboard tech, and how “modern” the experience feels, but it’s not as simple as “newer is always better.” With Celebrity Xcel just entering service and Celebrity Xcite plus new river ships on the way, the fleet is in that fun mix of brand-new hardware and upgraded classics.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through celebrity ships by age from the newest Edge-class and river builds all the way back to Celebrity Millennium, plus the tiny Galapagos expedition ships that sit off to the side like luxury cousins. We’ll talk about what year they launched, but also what really matters to you: how the older ships have been refurbished, which ones feel almost Edge-like inside, and which ships are your best match if you care more about itinerary, vibe, or value than shiny-new hulls.
We’ll also include future ships already on the books: the upcoming Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker river ships (slated for 2027) and Celebrity Xcite, the next Edge-class sister currently being built for a targeted 2028 debut. That way, if you like planning vacations way in advance, you’ll know exactly where those ships will sit in the lineup and what kind of experience they’re designed to deliver.
If you like looking at celebrity ships by age, you’ll probably also want to see how they stack up by sheer footprint. I’ve put together a separate Celebrity ships by size guide that lines up every ship from the biggest Edge-class giants to the smallest expedition vessels, so you can compare age, size, and vibe side by side before you book.
Table of Contents
Overview: How Celebrity’s Fleet Evolves Over Time
Before we dive into a straight newest-to-oldest list, it helps to zoom out and see how ship age, class, and style line up across the brand. Celebrity isn’t like some lines that churn out copy-paste megaships every couple of years. Instead, you see distinct design eras, each with its own personality, and then a lot of smart refit work to keep older ships feeling current.
Broadly, the modern Celebrity fleet breaks into four big buckets:
- Cutting-edge Edge-class ocean ships
- Beloved Solstice-class “instant classic” ships
- Midsize Millennium-class veterans (extensively refurbished)
- Boutique Galapagos expedition ships, plus upcoming river ships
Overlay celebrity ships by age and you get this rough timeline:
- Late 2010s–mid 2020s: Edge-class revolution (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel) and Celebrity Flora in the Galapagos.
- Late 2000s–early 2010s: Solstice-class era (Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, Reflection).
- 2000–2002: Millennium-class debuts (Millennium, Infinity, Summit, Constellation), now heavily “Edge-ified” through the Celebrity Revolution refit program.
- Future 2027–2028: New Celebrity River ships (Compass, Seeker) and the Celebrity Xcite Edge-class ocean ship extending the newest end of the age curve.
That means if you pick a “younger” ship, you’re likely picking either:
- A big, design-forward Edge-class ship, or
- A high-end expedition or river vessel built for very specific regions.
Pick a “middle-aged” ship and you’re often looking at:
- A Solstice-class favorite with real-grass Lawn Club and classic resort feel.
Choose the “oldest” ships and you’re mostly in:
- Millennium class, which now hides surprisingly modern interiors under more classic hulls.
Age matters, but refit year matters almost as much. A 2000-built ship that got a full “Revolution” makeover in 2019 can feel fresher inside than a 2012 ship that hasn’t had as much love yet. When we go through celebrity ships by age, I’ll flag not just launch dates, but also major refurb timelines and what changed.
How This Celebrity Ships by Age Guide Is Structured
To keep this guide both SEO-happy and actually useful for real people booking real cruises, we’re going to do more than just list launch years. Here’s the game plan:
- Start with an at-a-glance table of celebrity ships by age (newest to oldest), including future confirmed ships.
- Then break things into eras, so you can see how age and design style travel together:
- Future & newest builds (Xcel, Xcite, river ships)
- Modern Edge era (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent)
- Recent specialty builds (Flora in Galapagos)
- Solstice era (Solstice through Reflection)
- Millennium era (Millennium through Constellation)
For each ship we’ll cover:
- Launch / expected launch year
- Rough age in 2026
- Class & size band (and what that feels like onboard)
- Refit / Revolution details where relevant
- What type of cruiser that ship actually suits best right now
By the time we’re done, you won’t just know the order of celebrity ships by age; you’ll know which “age band” fits your style, and which specific ships inside that band belong on your shortlist.
Celebrity Ships by Age: Newest to Oldest (Simple List)
To keep this part easy to update, here’s a clean, no-ages-attached list of celebrity ships by age, starting with future builds and moving down to the oldest ships currently in the fleet. You only have to touch this when Celebrity adds or removes a ship, not every calendar year.
Use this as your quick reference whenever you talk about celebrity ships by age elsewhere in the article.
Celebrity Ships by Age (Ship, Class/Type, In Service / Planned Year)
| Ship | Class / Type | In service / planned year |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Xcite | Edge class (ocean) | Planned 2028 |
| Celebrity Compass | River ship (Europe) | Planned 2027 |
| Celebrity Seeker | River ship (Europe) | Planned 2027 |
| Celebrity Xcel | Edge class (ocean) | 2025 |
| Celebrity Ascent | Edge class (ocean) | 2023 |
| Celebrity Beyond | Edge class (ocean) | 2022 |
| Celebrity Apex | Edge class (ocean) | 2020 |
| Celebrity Flora | Expedition (Galapagos) | 2019 |
| Celebrity Edge | Edge class (ocean) | 2018 |
| Celebrity Reflection | Solstice class (ocean) | 2012 |
| Celebrity Silhouette | Solstice class (ocean) | 2011 |
| Celebrity Eclipse | Solstice class (ocean) | 2010 |
| Celebrity Equinox | Solstice class (ocean) | 2009 |
| Celebrity Solstice | Solstice class (ocean) | 2008 |
| Celebrity Constellation | Millennium class (ocean) | 2002 |
| Celebrity Summit | Millennium class (ocean) | 2001 |
| Celebrity Infinity | Millennium class (ocean) | 2001 |
| Celebrity Xpedition | Expedition (Galapagos) | 2001 |
| Celebrity Millennium | Millennium class (ocean) | 2000 |
Future & Newest Celebrity Ships (2025–2028)
When you look at celebrity ships by age, the very top of the list is where things get really interesting. This is where Celebrity is actively reshaping what “Celebrity style” means:
- Brand-new Edge-class hardware
- Completely new river ships
- And a future Edge sister already announced
If you like being on the newest ship in the fleet, this is your playground. Let’s start with what’s coming, then work down through the freshest ships you can actually book right now.
Celebrity Xcite (Planned 2028) – The Future Flagship
Celebrity Xcite sits at the very top of celebrity ships by age, even though she’s still just steel, renderings, and shipyard buzz right now.
She’s planned as the sixth Edge-class ship, which tells you a lot:
- Expect the full Edge playbook: Magic Carpet, Infinite Verandas, a bold outward-facing design.
- She’ll likely iterate on whatever guests love most about Xcel, Ascent, and Beyond.
- By the time she sails, Celebrity will have years of Edge-class feedback to sharpen the design even more.
Think of Celebrity Xcite as the “refined Edge 3.0”: not a completely new concept, but a ship that benefits from every lesson learned across the first five Edge sisters.
Who Xcite is perfect for:
- Planners who love saying “I booked the newest ship in the fleet.”
- Fans who already adore Edge-class and want the latest and most polished version.
- Cruisers willing to book early and accept that first-season quirks are part of the fun.
As celebrity ships by age go, Xcite will eventually define the new youngest end of the ocean-going fleet. Everything else will be judged by “before Xcite” and “after Xcite.”
Celebrity Compass & Celebrity Seeker (Planned 2027) – Celebrity Goes River
These two are the curveballs in any conversation about celebrity ships by age: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, the line’s first dedicated river ships.
Both are planned to enter service in 2027 on European rivers, with:
- Around 172 guests each (double occupancy), not thousands.
- A design language that feels very “Celebrity” inside, just on a river scale.
- Features like Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites, basically importing Edge-style balcony thinking into river cruising.
If you’ve cruised rivers before, you know the ships tend to look… similar. Compass and Seeker are Celebrity’s play to bring a bit of Edge spirit into that world: more glass, more airy interiors, more focus on flow and flexibility instead of cookie-cutter layouts.
Why these matter in celebrity ships by age:
- They sit right at the newest edge of the brand’s portfolio.
- They open a whole new way to cruise with Celebrity, on rivers rather than oceans.
- Their small size means they’ll feel more like a floating boutique hotel than a cruise ship in the classic sense.
Who Compass & Seeker suit best:
- Ocean-cruise fans who want to try river cruising without switching brands.
- Travelers who prefer small-ship intimacy but love Celebrity’s decor and service.
- People who are more about ports, culture, and wine than big pool decks and production shows.
If you’re reading a guide on celebrity ships by age because you like mapping out future options, make a mental note: 2027 = rivers. That’s the year the brand stops being just an ocean line.
Celebrity Xcel (2025) – Newest Ocean Ship You Can Actually Sail
Celebrity Xcel is the newest ocean-going ship in the fleet in 2026 and the current baby of the Edge-class family.
Here’s what sets Xcel apart at the young end of celebrity ships by age:
- She’s built on the larger stretched Edge platform (like Beyond and Ascent), with more room for:
- Expanded pool and rooftop areas
- A bigger Retreat for suite guests
- She debuts The Bazaar, a replacement for Eden on earlier ships, designed as a flexible space with festival-style food, culture, and entertainment concepts that change with the itinerary.
- She continues Celebrity’s push into flex-fuel, lower-emission tech, including methanol-capable engines behind the scenes.
So while her tonnage is similar to Beyond and Ascent, Xcel is all about next steps: next-gen entertainment concepts, next-gen sustainability, and fine-tuning what already works on the earlier Edge sisters.
If you love being on the newest ship in a fleet, Xcel is your headline choice. Among all current celebrity ships by age, she offers the boldest mix of:
- Edge-style design
- Expanded suite offerings
- Destination-inspired onboard experiences
Perfect if you want the latest and greatest without waiting for Xcite.
Celebrity Ascent (2023) – Edge Class Dialed-In
Just a couple of years older in the celebrity ships by age ladder, Celebrity Ascent is the fourth Edge-class ship and feels like that point where a class really hits its stride.
You get everything that makes Edge ships stand out:
- The dramatic Grand Plaza with a three-deck atrium and buzzing Martini Bar.
- Rooftop Garden and resort-style pool deck, great for sea days and sail-away.
- Full suite of Infinite Veranda cabins, AquaClass, Concierge, and traditional suites.
Plus some Ascent-specific refinements:
- New or updated food & beverage experiences, including a fresh Le Petit Chef take and tweaks in key venues.
- Thoughtful micro-adjustments to layouts and décor based on feedback from Edge, Apex, and Beyond.
Ascent’s age sweet spot in the list of celebrity ships by age means:
- She still feels new and sharp, but
- Crew and operations already have time to smooth out first-season wrinkles.
If you’re wary of being on an absolute inaugural year but still want that “shiny new ship” feeling, Ascent is a very safe, very fun choice.
Celebrity Beyond (2022) – The First “Bigger” Edge
Celebrity Beyond sits just behind Xcel and Ascent in the celebrity ships by age lineup, but she was the first to stretch the Edge concept:
- An extra deck and added length compared to Edge and Apex.
- A larger Rooftop Garden and more generous pool area.
- An expanded Retreat sundeck for suite guests, about 40% larger than on Edge and Apex.
She also brought some unique touches:
- Le Voyage, a specialty restaurant by Daniel Boulud, making her a magnet for food-focused cruisers.
- More pools and hot tubs overall, including extra capacity within The Retreat.
When you compare celebrity ships by age, Beyond is kind of the turning point in the Edge story:
- Edge and Apex proved the concept.
- Beyond scaled it up into a full-on resort ship with extra open space and upgraded suite areas.
- Later ships like Ascent and Xcel then built on that larger platform.
If you’re a pool-deck-and-sun kind of cruiser, Beyond’s age plus her stretched design make her a fantastic “first Edge” choice.
Celebrity Apex (2020) – Edge With Early Upgrades
Celebrity Apex is the second Edge-class ship and sits just behind the newest crop in the celebrity ships by age order. She’s young enough to feel fresh, but she incorporates early tweaks that came from watching guests on the original Edge.
Onboard Apex you’ll find:
- Craft Social, a relaxed bar and eatery with sports, comfort food, and a beer-forward menu.
- A reimagined Eden space, with programming evolved from what debuted on Edge.
- Updated wellness and retail options compared to her older sister.
Apex was delivered in 2020 but entered service later due to the pandemic delay. That odd timing means:
- She’s physically young in the celebrity ships by age timeline.
- She didn’t get the same high-wear first few years that many ships do, since her early period saw reduced cruising.
If you’re looking for a ship that’s solidly Edge-class but not the brand-new flagship, Apex is a great “middle of the Edge pack” pick: very modern, slightly less hyped than the newest names, and often priced nicely versus Xcel and Ascent.
Celebrity Edge (2018) – The Original Game-Changer
Celebrity Edge is where the current celebrity ships by age story really begins for a lot of people. Launched in 2018, she completely changed what people expected from Celebrity’s design:
- Infinite Veranda cabins, which bring the balcony into the room and let you open the top half of a floor-to-ceiling window with a button.
- The iconic Magic Carpet platform riding up and down the side of the ship as a bar, lounge, and tender platform.
- Eden, a multi-story aft lounge with floor-to-ceiling glass, part bar, part performance space, part relax-with-a-book hideaway.
Edge is no longer the youngest in the celebrity ships by age lineup, but she’s still one of the most influential:
- Many of the upgrades on older ships (Solstice, Millennium) borrow styling and layout ideas from her.
- The Revolution refits on older vessels often aim for an “Edge-lite” aesthetic in cabins and suites.
For guests, Edge makes a great choice if you want:
- The full Edge-class feature set
- Often slightly better pricing than the very newest sisters
- A ship where staff and crew know the class inside-out after several solid years in service
She’s the “classic Edge,” if that’s not too much of a paradox.
Celebrity Flora (2019) – Tiny, New, and Totally Different
Right alongside Edge and Apex in celebrity ships by age, Celebrity Flora stands out as something completely different:
- A 100-guest, all-suite expedition ship built specifically for the Galapagos.
- Designed from the keel up for eco-sensitivity, with tech like dynamic positioning to reduce anchor use.
- An all-inclusive model that wraps in tours, drinks, transfers, and more into the fare.
On paper, Flora is one of the youngest celebrity ships by age. In practice, she feels more like:
- A high-end safari lodge on the water than a cruise ship
- A place where the daily briefings, Zodiac rides, and landings matter more than pool chairs or production shows
If you’re trying to decide between the newest ocean-going ships and a bucket-list expedition:
- Choose an Edge-class ship if you want the ship itself to be the main attraction.
- Choose Flora if your heart is set on wildlife, photography, and once-in-a-lifetime shore experiences.
In this upper band of celebrity ships by age, you’ve basically got two paths:
- Big, modern Edge-class ships where the ship is a huge part of the fun.
- Small, specialized builds (Flora, and soon Compass/Seeker) where the destination is the star.
Solstice Class: Modern Celebrity Classics (2008–2012)
Now we slide into my favorite middle section of the celebrity ships by age timeline: the Solstice-class ships. This is the era where Celebrity really locked in that “modern premium resort” personality: real grass on the top deck, airy atriums, sleek cabins, and a calmer vibe than the mega-ship arms race going on elsewhere.
All five Solstice-class ships arrived between 2008 and 2012, so they sit right in the middle band of celebrity ships by age: not brand-new like Edge, but not “vintage” either. The important part is that they’ve been steadily refreshed and in some cases “Edge-ified” with newer décor, tech, and The Retreat for suite guests. You’re getting ships that are architecturally mature but cosmetically modern.
If you want a ship that feels both polished and familiar, this is your sweet spot. Let’s walk through each Solstice-class ship and what that age + refit combo actually means onboard.
Celebrity Reflection (2012) – The Youngest Solstice Sister
Class / type: Solstice class, ocean ship
In service: 2012
Celebrity Reflection is the youngest of the Solstice ships in the celebrity ships by age lineup, and you can feel it. She was built with a slightly stretched design compared to her older sisters and came into the world already benefitting from Celebrity’s early Solstice lessons.
Onboard, that translates into:
- A full Lawn Club with real grass on the top deck for picnics, games, and movies under the stars.
- A larger overall footprint than the other Solstice ships, which helps with crowd flow on popular sea days.
- A strong line-up of specialty restaurants, with fan favorites like Tuscan Grill and Murano (lineup can vary by season).
Being at the newer end of celebrity ships by age also means Reflection has:
- A slightly more contemporary design baseline than first-born Solstice.
- Benefited early from Celebrity’s rolling update programs, keeping cabins and public spaces looking crisp.
- Recently shifted into some shorter itineraries (like 3–4 night sailings including Perfect Day at CocoCay), which is a fun twist for a ship many people associate with longer cruises.
Who Reflection works best for:
- Cruisers who want the full Solstice experience but prefer the youngest version in this age band.
- People who like a big-ship resort feel without the over-the-top mega-ship features.
- First-time Celebrity guests who want something that feels modern, but not experimental like Edge’s Infinite Verandas.
If you were to pick just one Solstice-class ship from the middle of the celebrity ships by age range to try first, Reflection is an easy, confidence-boosting choice.
Celebrity Silhouette (2011) – Revolutionized & Versatile
Class / type: Solstice class, ocean ship
In service: 2011
Celebrity Silhouette sits just a year older in the celebrity ships by age ordering, but she got a huge upgrade in 2020 as part of The Celebrity Revolution program. That’s important: in practice she feels newer inside than her launch date suggests.
What that Revolution refit brought to Silhouette:
- Refreshed staterooms with updated colors, fabrics, and a more Edge-inspired look.
- A dedicated Retreat sundeck and lounge for suite guests, giving her a very competitive suite experience for her age band.
- Modernized public areas, including new or reimagined venues and a fully updated Craft Social-style bar concept that fits today’s bar culture.
Combined with her Solstice-class bones, that gives Silhouette a really nice balance:
- Classic Lawn Club and Solarium pool for relaxed sea days.
- A layout that’s easy to learn in a day or two.
- Enough specialty dining and bars to keep a 7–10-night sailing feeling varied without feeling like a maze.
Because she sits in the middle of the celebrity ships by age spectrum, Silhouette often picks up itineraries that need flexibility: Northern Europe, Caribbean, and repositioning voyages where guests appreciate a ship that can handle both chilly and sunny days gracefully.
Who Silhouette suits best:
- Travelers who want Edge-like styling without Edge’s experimental cabin layouts.
- People who like a ship that feels “just busy enough” but not constantly buzzing.
- Repeat Celebrity cruisers who appreciate the familiar Solstice layout with refreshed finishes.
Silhouette is the classic example of why you can’t just stare at launch years when comparing celebrity ships by age. Big refits really can reset the clock on how a ship feels.
Celebrity Eclipse (2010) – Stylish & Scenic-Itinerary Friendly
Class / type: Solstice class, ocean ship
In service: 2010
Celebrity Eclipse is one of those ships that keeps popping up in repeat guests’ stories, especially on scenic itineraries. She sits comfortably in the middle of the celebrity ships by age timeline, and while she’s older than Reflection and Silhouette, she’s been kept current through ongoing upgrades and planned/refreshed refits.
Eclipse is known for:
- Running varied itineraries, including Europe, Caribbean, and occasionally more unusual routes.
- A classic Solstice-class deck plan with a generous main pool, adult-focused Solarium, and the ever-popular Lawn Club up top.
- A strong bar and lounge scene, from relaxed observation-style venues to the lively Martini Bar.
One of Eclipse’s “origin stories” that still gets mentioned: she famously sailed a special voyage to bring stranded British tourists home after the Icelandic volcano disrupted air travel in 2010. That doesn’t change your drink package, but it does add to her ship-lore factor and repeat-guest loyalty.
At this point in celebrity ships by age, Eclipse occupies a nice middle zone:
- Old enough to have a big fanbase and proven layout.
- Young enough (and updated enough) that she doesn’t feel like a relic, especially with soft-good refreshes and tech tweaks.
Best for:
- Cruisers who care more about itineraries and views than the very latest ship design.
- People who like spacious outdoor decks and a mix of activity and chill.
- Guests who appreciate a classic cruise aesthetic with a premium polish.
Eclipse is a good “bridge ship” if you’re coming from more traditional lines and want to see why people rave about Solstice-class without jumping straight into the edgiest design experiments.
Celebrity Equinox (2009) – Sunshine Specialist
Class / type: Solstice class, ocean ship
In service: 2009
Celebrity Equinox has quietly become one of the workhorse favorites in the middle part of the celebrity ships by age lineup, especially for warm-weather cruising. She got a major refit in 2019, which is key for how she feels today.
Highlights that stand out on Equinox:
- A refreshed Lawn Club that doubles as a casual hangout, concert space, and movie venue on balmy evenings.
- A glassblowing studio on some sailings, which makes her stand out from her sisters with a truly unusual onboard activity.
- Updated cabins and public spaces that borrow design cues from Edge, while keeping the underlying Solstice layout intact.
On many itineraries, Equinox leans into Caribbean and warm-weather runs, where her age band works in her favor:
- She’s large enough to feel like a full resort at sea, but
- She’s not so enormous that you spend half the day just walking through crowds.
Because of that 2019 upgrade, Equinox feels like a strong answer to “what if I want a ship that’s not brand-new, but also doesn’t feel dated?” in the celebrity ships by age conversation.
Ideal for:
- Sun-lovers who prioritize deck time, pools, and sea days.
- Guests who want that Solstice styling with the benefit of a relatively recent refresh.
- People who enjoy having a few unique activities (like glassblowing) thrown into their cruise routine.
Equinox is a terrific middle-child in the celebrity ships by age family: old enough to be seasoned, new enough in feel to satisfy design-conscious cruisers.
Celebrity Solstice (2008) – The Original Nameplate
Class / type: Solstice class, ocean ship
In service: 2008
Celebrity Solstice is where the whole Solstice era started, and she holds the distinction of being the oldest Solstice-class ship in the celebrity ships by age sequence. But this is one of those cases where “oldest” does not mean “tired.”
Solstice was a big deal when she launched because she introduced things that are now core to Celebrity’s identity:
- The first Lawn Club at sea with real grass, something no other big line has matched in quite the same way.
- A new level of cabin design and space, including a strong emphasis on verandas.
- A more hotel-like interior style that moved away from the loud colors of older-era cruising.
Over time, Solstice has been refreshed to stay in step with her sisters and the newer Edge class:
- Updated soft furnishings and décor that smooth out any early-2000s design traces.
- Iterative tech and amenity upgrades that keep her aligned with the rest of the fleet.
- Continued deployment on itineraries that highlight her big open decks and scenic potential (Alaska, Asia, etc., depending on season).
In the bigger context of celebrity ships by age, Solstice is a foundation ship:
- She shows you where Celebrity’s modern style began.
- She still works beautifully for guests who want a relaxed, scenic-focused cruise.
- She proves that good bones + ongoing investment can keep an older hull feeling surprisingly current.
Best for:
- Cruisers who love the idea of sailing the original Solstice ship as a kind of “classic celebrity” experience.
- People more excited by views and peaceful decks than the absolute latest gadgets.
- Anyone who likes the romance of an older, well-loved ship that’s been carefully maintained and refreshed.
Solstice Class in the Celebrity Ships by Age Conversation
When you lay all five Solstice-class ships together in the celebrity ships by age lineup, you see a very clear pattern:
- Launch dates run 2008–2012, but
- Refits (especially Revolution work on Silhouette and major updates on Equinox and others) keep the experience much younger in feel than the calendar suggests.
So when you’re thinking about celebrity ships by age and you land in this middle band, here’s the real decision you’re making:
- Do you prefer a classic, resort-like layout with real grass and traditional balconies?
- Are you okay with a ship that’s not the newest if the interiors and amenities feel modern and well-kept?
If the answer is yes, Solstice-class ships are incredibly strong value and experience plays. They’re the bridge between the oldest Millennium ships and the newest Edge builds, and for a lot of cruisers, they end up being the fleet’s “just right” ships.
Millennium Class: Refreshed Veterans at the Oldest End of Celebrity Ships by Age
Now we’re at the “oldest” end of the ocean-going celebrity ships by age spectrum: the Millennium-class quartet. On paper, these ships launched between 2000 and 2002, which might make you think “dated.” In reality, because of the massive Celebrity Revolution refits, they’re more like modern, midsize hotels hiding inside classic hulls.
If you’re the kind of cruiser who hates feeling lost on a mega-ship, this age band might actually be your best match. You still get multiple restaurants, a proper theater, live music, and a decent choice of bars, but the ships feel intimate and human-scale, not overwhelming.
Let’s walk through each Millennium-class ship in the context of celebrity ships by age: what their launch date used to mean, and what their refits mean now.
Celebrity Millennium (2000) – Oldest Ship, Surprisingly Modern Feel
Class / type: Millennium class, ocean ship
In service: 2000
Celebrity Millennium is officially the oldest ship on the modern list of celebrity ships by age, but she got one of the earliest and most dramatic Revolution refits in 2019. That refit is a big deal, because it turned what could have been a “vintage” ship into something that feels more like a small, contemporary hotel at sea.
Here’s what that makeover brought to Millennium:
- Fully redesigned staterooms, with new bedding, color schemes, and storage that feel far closer to Edge-class than early-2000s styling.
- Addition of The Retreat complex for suite guests, including an upgraded sundeck and lounge that didn’t exist at launch.
- New dining and bar touches, including revamped Oceanview Café, updated main dining décor, and specialty venues that feel aligned with the rest of the fleet.
So while Millennium sits at the very bottom of celebrity ships by age chronologically, she’s nowhere near the bottom when it comes to:
- Onboard comfort
- Suite experience
- Overall vibe
Her midsize footprint also means:
- Short, easy walks between theater, dining room, and pool.
- A social life where you start recognizing faces quickly, including crew and fellow guests.
- A cozy, clubby feel in lounges instead of vast, echoing spaces.
Who Celebrity Millennium suits best:
- Cruisers who don’t need the latest bells and whistles, but do want a ship that feels clean, modern, and comfortable.
- Itinerary-first travelers who care more about where the ship is going than how many different bars it has.
- People who want to experience one end of the celebrity ships by age spread and see how well an “older” ship can be brought into the modern era.
If you’re nervous about Millennium’s age, think of her as proof that launch year is only half the story. It’s refit year that really tells you how she’ll feel under your feet.
Celebrity Infinity (2001) – Compact Ship, Big Loyalty
Class / type: Millennium class, ocean ship
In service: 2001
Next in the celebrity ships by age lineup is Celebrity Infinity, launched in 2001. She shares the same basic size and layout with her Millennium sisters, but she’s carved out a particular niche with Europe and Med-focused itineraries and a host of loyal repeat guests.
Infinity has also been significantly refreshed:
- Cabins have been updated with modern fabrics and furnishings, again aiming for that Edge-inspired look on a smaller frame.
- New Sunset Suites were added at the aft, giving suite guests big balconies and prime sundowner views that punch well above the ship’s age.
- The Retreat Lounge and Luminae specialty restaurant for suite guests were expanded and refreshed, turning the high-end experience into a major selling point.
When you’re choosing between Millennium-class ships in the celebrity ships by age mix, Infinity stands out if you like:
- Port-rich European itineraries, often with strong Greek Isles or Med routes.
- A ship where the vibe is more “floating boutique lodge” than all-singing, all-dancing Vegas hotel.
- The idea of smaller guest numbers, which can make everything from tendering to buffet breakfasts feel less hectic.
Who Celebrity Infinity suits best:
- Suite guests who want an intimate Retreat experience on a smaller ship, not a giant complex.
- Couples or small groups who enjoy long evenings of conversation, music, and slow travel, rather than non-stop spectacle.
- Guests who want to explore a lot of ports without having to “learn” a massive ship on top of it.
In any chart of celebrity ships by age, Infinity looks like an old-timer. In reality, she’s a quietly elegant choice for people who value scale and itinerary over flash.
Celebrity Summit (2001) – Revolutionized “Boutique Resort” at Sea
Class / type: Millennium class, ocean ship
In service: 2001
Celebrity Summit shares a launch year with Infinity, but her personality within the celebrity ships by age lineup is slightly different: she’s become known as the “boutique resort” of the family after one of the earliest and most complete Revolution refits.
On Summit you’ll notice:
- Cabins that feel brand new, with fresh color palettes, updated bathrooms, and smarter storage.
- A thoroughly modern Retreat sundeck and lounge, designed by Kelly Hoppen, that gives suite guests a chic, private enclave.
- Public spaces that feel cohesive and contemporary, from lounges to restaurants, rather than a patchwork of old and new.
Summit’s age and size combine to create a specific kind of experience in the celebrity ships by age band:
- You can walk from one end of the ship to the other without feeling like you’ve done a cardio session.
- The social scene is friendly and familiar; you start to recognize your trivia rivals and fellow bar regulars quickly.
- Itineraries often skew toward classic Caribbean, Canada/New England, or repositionings, where the ship is a comfortable, polished basecamp.
Who Celebrity Summit suits best:
- Cruisers who want the feel of a small, design-forward hotel, not a giant resort.
- People traveling with older parents or less-mobile friends who appreciate shorter walking distances.
- Fans of Celebrity who want to see how the oldest end of the celebrity ships by age spectrum can still feel very fresh after a big refit.
If Edge is Celebrity’s sleek, modern flagship energy, Summit is the cozy, stylish boutique cousin that quietly holds its own.
Celebrity Constellation (2002) – Classic Ship With a Cult Following
Class / type: Millennium class, ocean ship
In service: 2002
Rounding out Millennium class in the celebrity ships by age list is Celebrity Constellation, often affectionately called “Connie”. She’s the youngest of the Millennium quartet by launch date, and like her sisters, she’s benefitted from significant refurbishment, including:
- New or refreshed staterooms with updated décor.
- Revamped lounge spaces that feel far more aligned with the newer fleet’s aesthetic.
- Added or enhanced specialty dining options like Tuscan Grill and Sushi on Five, closing the gap between older and newer ships’ culinary lineups.
Constellation is also one of the ships where you’ll find Le Petit Chef, the animated projection-mapping dinner experience that’s a huge hit with guests who like quirky, memorable meals. It’s a good example of how a ship at the older end of celebrity ships by age can still host very current, buzzworthy experiences.
In practice, Constellation feels like:
- A relaxed, mid-size ship where you can find quiet corners without trying.
- A place where crew recognition happens quickly; the vibe is more “club” than “mall.”
- A solid platform for longer itineraries, repositioning cruises, and slightly more off-the-beaten-path routes where port variety is the headliner.
Who Celebrity Constellation suits best:
- Foodies and experience collectors who like unique specialty dining on a smaller ship.
- Guests who enjoy feeling like they’re on a ship with stories, not a fresh-out-of-the-yard blank slate.
- Anyone who likes the idea of sailing near the bottom of the celebrity ships by age list but still having very modern comforts.
Millennium Class in the Big Picture of Celebrity Ships by Age
When people first look at celebrity ships by age and see launch years starting with “2000,” they sometimes flinch. But Millennium class is one of those situations where age is almost misleading without the refit context.
Across Millennium, Infinity, Summit, and Constellation, you get:
- Midsize scale, ideal for people who dislike extremes.
- Modernized interiors, thanks to extensive Revolution work and ongoing tweaks.
- Itineraries that often emphasize ports, scenery, and quiet sea days more than onboard spectacle.
If you:
- Crave calmer ships,
- Prefer shorter walks, and
- Care more about destination and atmosphere than giant hardware,
then the oldest end of the celebrity ships by age spectrum might actually be the best part of the fleet for you.
Galapagos Expedition Ships in the Celebrity Ships by Age Story
We’ve talked a lot about ocean ships, but there’s another axis in the celebrity ships by age conversation: the tiny Galapagos expedition vessels. These don’t really fit the normal “ocean ship” mold, but they do sit at very specific, important points on the age timeline.
Right now, the key Galapagos names to know are:
- Celebrity Flora – launched 2019
- Celebrity Xpedition – originally launched in 2001, refitted multiple times for Galapagos work
Together, they create a strange but fascinating contrast within celebrity ships by age: a brand-new, custom-built eco-yacht and a much older, classic expedition vessel that’s been revamped for modern expectations.
Celebrity Flora (2019) – Young, All-Suite Eco-Yacht
We touched on Flora in the “newest ships” section of this guide, but in the context of celebrity ships by age it’s worth emphasizing:
- She’s one of the youngest ships in the entire brand.
- She carries just around 100 guests, all in suites.
- She was designed specifically for Galapagos environmental regulations and wildlife-focused itineraries.
From an age perspective, that means she combines:
- Very new hardware with
- A very specialized mission
So instead of asking “Is Flora too old?” or “Is Flora modern enough?” the real question is:
“Is the Galapagos expedition style the right fit for how I like to travel?”
If yes, you’re getting near-top-of-the-list youth on the celebrity ships by age timeline plus an all-inclusive experience where age and design are absolutely not a concern.
Celebrity Xpedition (2001) – Older Hull, Serious Expedition Soul
Class / type: Expedition ship, Galapagos
In service with Celebrity: 2001 (extensively refitted for Galapagos work)
Celebrity Xpedition is the outlier at the older end of the celebrity ships by age chart for the Galapagos program. But again, context is everything:
- She carries a tiny number of guests (fewer than 100 on many sailings).
- She’s been purpose-refitted for expedition cruising, with Zodiac operations, lecture spaces, and practical deck layouts.
- Interiors have been updated to keep things comfortable and in line with the Celebrity brand, even if she doesn’t have Flora’s ultra-yacht sheen.
In the full celebrity ships by age timeline, Xpedition is close in age to Millennium-class ships but plays a completely different role:
- No giant theater
- No huge shopping promenade
- No flashy pool complex
Instead, you get:
- Intimate groups, heavy interaction with naturalist guides
- A ship that feels more like a floating lodge or research vessel with wine
- A vibe where daily landings and briefings are the real centerpiece of your cruise
If you love expedition travel, nature documentaries, and smaller groups, Xpedition’s age doesn’t feel like a negative. It feels like you’re stepping onto a tried-and-tested platform that’s been shaped by years of real-world wildlife cruising.
Where Galapagos Ships Sit in Celebrity Ships by Age Choices
When you put Flora and Xpedition onto the same celebrity ships by age chart as Edge, Solstice, and Millennium, you end up with a very simple decision tree:
- If you want classic or modern resort-style cruising, you’re looking at:
- Edge class (youngest ocean ships)
- Solstice class (middle-aged modern classics)
- Millennium class (oldest, but refreshed midsize ships)
- If you want wildlife-first expedition cruising, you’re looking at:
- Flora (younger, all-suite luxury expedition)
- Xpedition (older, classic expedition feel with Celebrity polish)
In other words, age here is almost a proxy for style:
- Younger in Galapagos (Flora) = ultra-lux expedition yacht.
- Older in Galapagos (Xpedition) = traditional expedition vessel, small and focused.
If you’ve read this far into a guide about celebrity ships by age, you’re the kind of planner who will appreciate thinking about the age + style combo, not just which ship launched when.
How to Choose the Right Celebrity Ship by Age
Looking at celebrity ships by age is fun, but the real win is turning that list into practical decisions: Which ships should I actually sail, and which should I skip for this trip? Age, by itself, is just a number. What you really care about is how that number translates into design style, onboard vibe, and value for what you’re paying.
The good news: you don’t need to memorize launch years. You just need to answer a few honest questions about how you like to cruise, then map yourself to the right age band.
Let’s build you a little “decision playbook.”
Step 1: Decide Where You Want to Sit on the Age Curve
First up, a gut check. When you hear “oldest” and “newest” in a list of celebrity ships by age, how do you instinctively react?
- “I only want the newest, shiniest hardware.”
- “I like newer ships, but I care more about the itinerary.”
- “I honestly love smaller, older-but-refurbished ships if the vibe is right.”
Roughly, that maps to:
- Newest / Flashiest:
Ships launched 2018 and later
→ Edge class (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel) + Flora, and later Xcite & river ships - Modern Classics:
Ships launched 2008–2012
→ Solstice class (Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, Reflection) - Refreshed Veterans:
Ships launched 2000–2002
→ Millennium class (Millennium, Infinity, Summit, Constellation) + Xpedition
You don’t have to lock yourself into one band forever, but it helps to pick a primary lane for this trip before you get buried in sailing options.
Step 2: Match Your “Ship Personality” to an Age Band
Now ask: What kind of environment do I actually like living in for 7–14 days? Forget marketing images for a second. Think about your ideal day at sea.
If you like:
“A buzzing atrium, multiple bars, weird cool design features, and the ship is as big a star as the itinerary.”
You’re a newest-age-band person. Stick to:
- Edge class: Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel
- Future: Xcite, once she joins
- For a very different twist: Flora if that energy is focused into luxury expedition instead of big resort
This end of the celebrity ships by age spectrum is all about:
- Infinite Verandas, Magic Carpet, big Grand Plazas
- Layered nightlife, multi-restaurant main dining, lots of nooks and bars
- The most modern cabins, tech, and “Instagrammable” spaces
If you like:
“A calm, beautiful resort feel, classic balconies, big open decks, and fewer design experiments.”
You’re a middle-age Solstice-era person. Look at:
- Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, Reflection
This age band gives you:
- The Lawn Club (real grass!)
- Traditional balconies rather than Infinite Verandas
- A layout that’s easy to learn but still feels premium and spacious
If you like:
“Smaller, more intimate ships where I can learn the layout in a day and the crew starts to recognize me.”
You’re a refreshed-veteran person. Aim for:
- Millennium, Infinity, Summit, Constellation
- In Galapagos, Xpedition if you love classic expedition style
Here, the oldest celebrity ships by age deliver:
- Midsize scale, shorter walks, cozier lounges
- Updated interiors from the Revolution program
- Itinerary-heavy cruises where ports are the headline
None of these answers is “right” or “wrong.” The key is to not book a “newest” ship if you secretly prefer quiet, or an older midsize ship if you need constant venue variety to stay entertained.
Step 3: Filter by Itinerary Type
Next, layer in where you’re actually going, because different parts of the celebrity ships by age lineup shine in different regions.
Caribbean & Bahamas, Mexico, Short Sunny Breaks
Age band that usually works best:
- Newest & middle: Edge class and Solstice class
Why:
- Lots of sea days + pool time make it worth having the latest pool decks, rooftop gardens, and bar variety.
- The itineraries are often less port-intensive, so the ship has to carry more of the “wow.”
Go for:
- Xcel, Ascent, Beyond, Apex, Edge if you want the most modern environment.
- Equinox, Reflection, Silhouette if you want classic resort feel with real grass and more traditional balconies.
Europe (Med & Northern Europe), Alaska, Asia, South America
Here, the best age bands often flip:
- Middle & older: Solstice and Millennium
Why:
- These are more scenic or port-heavy itineraries. You’re off the ship a lot, or you’re glued to railings watching landscapes.
- Oversized hardware can sometimes be a disadvantage in smaller, older ports.
Look for:
- Solstice stars like Solstice, Eclipse, Silhouette on scenic runs.
- Millennium-class veterans like Millennium, Infinity, Summit, Constellation when you want lots of ports and a more intimate ship to return to.
Galapagos
Age isn’t even a debate here; it’s all about ship type:
- Celebrity Flora if you want new, all-suite eco-yacht luxury.
- Celebrity Xpedition if you prefer a classic expedition ship feel with fewer guests.
Here, the celebrity ships by age distinction is more about style and price than “does the ship feel modern enough?”
Step 4: Be Honest About Your Crowd & Noise Tolerance
Age and size influence density and noise more than people realize.
Ask yourself:
- Do I like energy and people-watching, or do I burn out fast in busy spaces?
- How much does noise outside my cabin door bother me?
Then map that to the celebrity ships by age landscape:
- Newest, largest (Edge):
- Think: more venues, more events, more energy.
- Great if you like a lively ship and don’t mind ambient noise in public spaces.
- Still offers quiet corners, but you’re never far from a bit of buzz.
- Middle-age Solstice:
- Think: resort calm with a decent heartbeat.
- The Lawn Club, Solarium, and lounges spread people out nicely.
- Perfect if you like balanced energy: not sleepy, not frenetic.
- Oldest Millennium:
- Think: quieter ship overall, with busy moments during shows and peak dining, but fewer concurrent events.
- Ideal if you talk about “getting away from it all” and mean it.
If you’re very noise-sensitive, don’t panic about older ships. In fact, the smallest ships at the older end of celebrity ships by age can be easier to manage: fewer big venues directly under or over cabins, fewer nightclub-scale spaces.
Step 5: Use Age Strategically for Value
Here’s a fun secret: in many markets, age correlates to pricing, and you can absolutely use that to your advantage.
- Newer Edge-class ships often carry a price premium for being the latest hardware.
- Middle-aged Solstice ships can be sweet spot pricing on many itineraries – modern enough, but not “shiny-new surcharge” modern.
- Older Millennium ships sometimes price lower, even after expensive refits, simply because guests see the year “2000” and assume “old.”
If you’re watching your budget:
- Start your search with Solstice and Millennium ships on the routes you like.
- Compare those fares to Edge-class for the same region and dates.
- Ask: Would I rather have an Edge ship and cut back elsewhere, or a Solstice/Millennium ship and upgrade cabin, length, or excursions?
Often, the smartest value play on the celebrity ships by age spectrum is:
Newer/Edge for shorter, ship-focused trips.
Solstice/Millennium for longer, itinerary-heavy trips where you’d rather stretch your budget.
Step 6: Pair Age With Cabin Style
Ship age doesn’t just affect public rooms; it also shapes what kind of cabin experience you get.
Think about:
- Do you love the idea of an Infinite Veranda, or does it leave you cold?
- Do you prefer a classic balcony with a clear threshold and full outdoor nook?
- Is a suite experience important, and does The Retreat matter to you?
How that ties into celebrity ships by age:
- Newest Edge-era ships:
- Heavy on Infinite Veranda cabins.
- The Retreat is large and elaborate, with big sundecks and lounges.
- Suites feel very modern, but prices can be higher.
- Solstice-era ships:
- Mostly traditional verandas, which many people still prefer.
- The Retreat and other suite perks have been layered on over time via refits.
- Great if you want variety in cabin types without the Edge-style balcony experiment.
- Millennium-era ships:
- Traditional cabins, but heavily refreshed in most categories.
- The Retreat added more recently, and feels cozy and clubby instead of sprawling.
- Ideal if you want a small-ship suite vibe rather than a big-suites-complex scene.
If you’re obsessed with cabin style, you may choose your end of the celebrity ships by age list that way:
- Pick younger Edge ships if Infinite Verandas + big Retreat are your dream.
- Pick Solstice/Millennium if you’re a classic balcony loyalist or prefer a more intimate Retreat.
Step 7: Avoid Age-Based FOMO
A lot of people instinctively feel, “If I don’t book the very newest ship, I’m missing out.” But when you understand celebrity ships by age in context, that FOMO calms down, because you realize:
- A 2011 Solstice-class ship with a big refit can feel more “finished” and relaxed than a ship that’s been in service for 4 weeks.
- An older Millennium ship might be exactly what you need for a port-heavy itinerary where you spend all day ashore and just want a quiet, stylish basecamp at night.
- A Galapagos ship like Flora is worth choosing for the experience, not just the age; you could sail twenty big new ships and never replicate that trip.
So instead of thinking:
“What’s the newest ship I can get on?”
Try asking:
“Which age band matches how I want this cruise to feel?”
Sometimes that will be a brand-new Edge ship. Sometimes it will be a Solstice classic. Sometimes it’ll be a quiet little veteran like Summit that ends up being one of your all-time favorites.
Step 8: Put It All Together – A Simple Age-Based Cheat Path
Let’s turn all of this into a fast, mental flowchart for celebrity ships by age:
- If you want: maximum design, nightlife, “wow” factor
→ Aim for ships launched 2018 or later (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel; later Xcite) - If you want: classic resort feel, real grass, traditional balconies
→ Aim for ships launched 2008–2012 (Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, Reflection) - If you want: smaller, intimate, easy-walk ships with modern interiors
→ Aim for ships launched 2000–2002 with Revolution refits (Millennium, Infinity, Summit, Constellation) - If you want: expedition & wildlife, not “cruise ship life”
→ Think Flora (2019) and Xpedition (2001) and ignore the rest of the ocean-fleet age drama entirely
Once you’ve picked the age band, then you can get specific about:
- Region (Caribbean vs Europe vs Alaska vs Galapagos)
- Time of year and length
- Cabin type and location
That’s where all your normal “deck plan detective work” comes in. But by using celebrity ships by age upfront, you’ll be sure you’re starting with the right family of ships before you chase specific sailings and prices.
FAQ: Celebrity Ships by Age
Do newer Celebrity ships always give a better experience?
Not automatically. Newer ships usually have more modern design, tech, and venues, but that doesn’t mean they’re always better for you. The youngest end of the celebrity ships by age spectrum (Edge class, Flora, and future Xcite/river ships) is perfect if you love:
- Bold design and statement spaces
- Lots of bar and dining options
- A “ship as destination” vibe
But if you prefer smaller, calmer, or more traditional layouts, the “older” Solstice and Millennium ships may actually fit you better, especially after their big refits.
Is Celebrity Millennium “too old” to book now?
On paper, yes, she’s the oldest in the list of celebrity ships by age. In reality, no: the 2019 Revolution overhaul massively updated her cabins, public spaces, and suite experience. You’re not sailing a museum piece. You’re sailing a midsize ship with modern interiors and a proven layout.
If you want water parks and cutting-edge features, Millennium isn’t your ship. If you want a cozy, familiar, upscale-feeling basecamp for a port-heavy itinerary, she can be a fantastic choice.
Which Celebrity age band is best if I’m a first-time cruiser?
If you’re brand new to cruising and not sure where you land, I’d start in the middle of the celebrity ships by age curve:
- Solstice class: Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, Reflection
They feel like premium resort hotels at sea: big enough for variety, small enough to learn quickly, modern without being too experimental. Once you know whether you like that energy, you can move “younger” to Edge or “smaller” to Millennium next time.
Should I avoid ships launched before 2010?
Not on Celebrity. The older end of the celebrity ships by age lineup has had serious money poured into refits, especially with the Revolution program. That work replaced carpets, furniture, bedding, lighting, some layouts, and added The Retreat and more modern venues.
If you were talking about some random 2000-era ship that hasn’t seen a dry dock since… sure, be cautious. But Celebrity’s older vessels have been deliberately modernized, and in some cabins and suites they’ll feel closer to Edge than you’d expect from the launch year alone.
Which ships feel most “modern” without being the absolute newest?
You’re looking for the younger and middle segments of the celebrity ships by age timeline:
- Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent – all full Edge class, not the very newest like Xcel/Xcite but still extremely modern.
- Silhouette and Equinox – Solstice-class ships that went through big refurbishments in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
These give you modern décor and features without always paying the very top “newest ship” premium.
Do the older ships have worse cabins?
Layout-wise, older ships tend to have more traditional cabins:
- Standard balconies instead of Infinite Verandas
- Slightly different bathroom and closet configurations
But after refits, many cabins on the older end of celebrity ships by age now have:
- New beds and linens
- Updated color schemes and lighting
- Upgraded tech and storage
So you’re not getting “worn and tired” unless you deliberately book the oldest, least-refurbished cabin category (and even those are usually fine, just not as swanky as the newest suites).
Which age group of ships is best if I get seasick easily?
For motion, size and cabin location matter more than age, but the age bands do map to size:
- Edge & Solstice ships are larger and generally more stable in rougher seas.
- Millennium ships are midsize but still solid; choose midship on a lower deck and you’ll be fine on most routes.
- Galapagos ships are small by design, but itineraries are planned around conditions and you’re close to land.
If you’re worried, ignore the calendar for a second and choose:
- A midship, mid-to-lower deck cabin on any ocean-going ship
- A larger ship (Edge or Solstice) for open-ocean routes
- Sea bands / meds as backup, not as your primary strategy
Is it worth paying more just to be on the very newest ship?
Sometimes. If you:
- Love being on the cutting edge of design
- Plan to spend a lot of time enjoying onboard venues
- Are booking a cruise where the ship is the main attraction (short Caribbean, Bahamas, etc.)
…then paying extra for the top of the celebrity ships by age list (Xcel, Ascent, Beyond, later Xcite) can absolutely make sense.
If your cruise is long and port-heavy, or you’re more about the destination than the ship, it often makes more sense to:
- Choose a slightly older ship (Solstice or Millennium)
- Use the savings to upgrade your cabin, excursions, or length of cruise
Are the river ships worth waiting for?
If you like the idea of river cruising but want it to feel “like Celebrity inside”, then yes, the river ships at the very top of the future celebrity ships by age list are worth watching.
They’ll be:
- Tiny compared to ocean ships
- Designed for scenery, wine, and culture more than onboard spectacle
- A way to keep your favorite brand while trying a totally different style of cruise
If you don’t care about rivers, you can safely ignore them and stay focused on the ocean and Galapagos fleet.
How much should I let ship age influence my booking?
My honest rule: let ship age get you to the right group of ships, then let itinerary, price, and cabin decide the winner.
In other words:
- Use the celebrity ships by age bands (Edge / Solstice / Millennium / expedition) to pick the style and vibe you want.
- Within that band, choose the ship that:
- Sails where you want to go
- Has dates that fit your life
- Offers the cabin/cabin price combo that feels right
Age is super helpful at the start of the decision, not the end.
Want to dig deeper into each ship’s current features, deck plans, and itineraries? Visit the official Celebrity Cruises fleet page to explore every vessel in more detail and see where they’re sailing next.
Jim’s Take
When you line up all the celebrity ships by age, from Millennium at one end to Xcel and Xcite at the other, you can see exactly how the brand grew up. You watch it move from classic early-2000s cruising into Solstice-era modern resort ships, then into the Edge-class design revolution and niche expedition builds like Flora. It’s one of the cleaner, more intentional evolution arcs in cruising.
From a practical “help you pick a ship” angle, I don’t think of these as 2000 vs 2018 vs 2025. I think of them as midsize classics, modern resort ships, and design-forward flagships, with a couple of Galapagos outliers. The oldest group gives you smaller, more intimate ships that feel like upscale hotels with sea views. The middle group gives you big open decks, real grass, and classic balconies. The youngest group gives you boutique-hotel theatrics and techy touches that make the ship itself part of the show.
If you asked me, “Jim, what would you book tomorrow?” I’d answer with another question: “What do you want this cruise to feel like?” If you say buzzy and modern, I’m pointing you toward Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, or Xcel. If you say calm but still polished, I’m steering you to Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette, or Reflection. If you whisper quiet, cozy, and port-heavy, I’m probably nudging you to Millennium, Infinity, Summit, or Constellation. And if you say sea lions and blue-footed boobies, we’re dropping the whole age conversation and booking Flora.
The real trap is treating the celebrity ships by age list like a high-school popularity ranking where “newest” always wins. It doesn’t. Newer ships are great, but the best ship is the one whose size, layout, and vibe match how you personally like to cruise. Once you use age to land in the right pool of ships, the rest becomes fun: picking decks, cabins, ports, and all the little details that turn a good cruise into a great one.
