My First Celebrity Cruise: Seven Nights Aboard the Celebrity Beyond
My husband and I recently experienced our first Celebrity cruise, spending seven nights aboard the Celebrity Beyond. We were traveling as part of a Seminar at Sea, so the week included two days of training along with plenty of opportunities to explore the ship, experience the dining and entertainment, and learn what makes Celebrity Cruises different.
Yes, we had to squeeze some work into our vacation. It was a tough assignment, but someone had to do it! 😂
As a travel advisor, experiencing a cruise line firsthand helps me go beyond the information found in a brochure. I can better understand who will enjoy the experience, which accommodations may work best, and which onboard features are worth recommending.
Here is a look at our week aboard the Celebrity Beyond.
Our Infinite Veranda Stateroom
One of the first things that impressed me was our Infinite Veranda stateroom.
Instead of having a traditional balcony completely separated from the cabin, the veranda is incorporated into the room’s square footage. This design made the entire stateroom feel larger and gave us more usable living space.
The floor-to-ceiling windows provided beautiful views throughout the day. With the touch of a button, the top section of the window lowered to create an open-air veranda. We could enjoy the extra indoor space when it was closed or let in the ocean breeze when we wanted more of a traditional balcony experience.
I think this design would be especially nice on an Alaskan cruise. You could enjoy the views of the Inside Passage and the fjords from the comfort of your bed or the seats near the window without having to step outside into the cold.
The bathroom was another pleasant surprise. Celebrity made excellent use of the space, with a larger sink, ample storage, and a shower that provided enough room to move around comfortably.
I even developed my own unofficial test for determining whether a cruise-ship bathroom is spacious: Can you touch the sink while sitting on the toilet?
In this bathroom, I couldn’t—and experienced cruisers know that is a big deal! 😂
Perfect Day at CocoCay and Hideaway Beach
Our first port was Perfect Day at CocoCay. We chose to spend our day at Hideaway Beach because we wanted an adults-only experience.
Hideaway Beach did not disappoint. We enjoyed the pool, the calm beach water, and time socializing with the other travel advisors sailing with us.
And did I mention that there were no children? LOL!
The area provided a fun but relaxing atmosphere. It is a great option for adults sailing with Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean who want to enjoy a more grown-up island experience.
That evening, we attended The Elements. The showmanship was incredible. From the singing to the acrobats and aerialists, the production kept us captivated. It is definitely a show that should not be missed aboard the Celebrity Beyond.
Learning More About Celebrity Cruises
Because this was a Seminar at Sea, the trip was not entirely about relaxing and having fun. We also spent two days learning more about the Celebrity Cruises brand.
Before this sailing, Celebrity was not a brand I knew as thoroughly as some of the other cruise lines. The training gave me a much better understanding of the ships, accommodations, onboard experiences, promotions, and available opportunities for our clients.
This is part of the behind-the-scenes work travel advisors do. We do not simply want to book a cruise. We want to understand the product well enough to determine whether it fits the traveler.
The information we received will help us identify the right Celebrity experience for our clients and take advantage of promotions that may provide them with better value.
Resting Instead of Exploring Grand Cayman
When we arrived in Grand Cayman, we decided not to leave the ship.
We did not schedule an excursion or try to fill the day with activities. Instead, we got some much-needed rest and walked around the Celebrity Beyond to become more familiar with the ship.
Sometimes, the best vacation day is the one without an itinerary.
Grand Cayman will still be there for another visit. That day, rest was the destination—and we had no regrets.
Celebrating My Husband’s Birthday at Fine Cut
That evening, we celebrated my husband’s birthday with dinner at Fine Cut Steakhouse.
The ambiance was beautiful, the service was excellent, and the food was delicious. It was the perfect setting for a birthday dinner at sea.
After dinner, we attended Stage Door, a production featuring songs from famous Broadway musicals. My favorite part was the excerpt from Hamilton. The singing was amazing, and the entire performance was a wonderful way to end my husband’s birthday celebration.
Great food, Broadway music, and special birthday memories made it a beautiful evening.
Touring The Retreat
Our next port was Cozumel, but we once again decided to remain onboard.
Our morning began with a tour of The Retreat, Celebrity’s private area for suite guests. We visited The Retreat Lounge, the private sun deck and pool, and Luminae, the exclusive restaurant for Retreat guests.
These spaces offer a more private and elevated experience while still allowing guests to enjoy everything available throughout the rest of the ship.
We also toured an AquaClass Sky Suite. It featured a roomy sleeping area and a tub-and-shower combination, something you do not often see inside a cruise-ship stateroom.
Staying onboard during a port day allowed us to explore with fewer people around. It gave us time to slow down, learn our way around the ship, and see areas we might not have experienced otherwise.
Dinner at Eden
Our Cozumel evening included dinner at Eden, and it became one of the highlights of the cruise.
The restaurant was beautiful, the service was excellent, and our server was extremely knowledgeable. He described every dish in such a vivid and detailed way that the experience began before the food reached our table.
The chefs at Eden took familiar dishes and transformed them into culinary masterpieces. The food was creative and beautifully presented without becoming so unusual that it was difficult to enjoy.
For dessert, my husband selected the Azteca chocolate cake with ice cream. It was his first time trying a dessert that combined sweet and spicy flavors.
I ordered the lemon tart, but it was unlike any lemon tart I had tasted before. It was unique, flavorful, and absolutely delicious.
Eden is more than a restaurant—it is a complete dining experience. In my opinion, it is a must when sailing aboard the Celebrity Beyond.
Karaoke at The Club
After dinner, I decided to enjoy a little karaoke at The Club.
The setup was really nice, there was a great turnout, and we heard several pretty good singers. Of course, I couldn’t just sit there and watch. I had to get onstage too!
My song choice was “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper. 🎤
Vacation is the perfect time to relax, have fun, and do something you enjoy—even when that means singing in front of a room filled with fellow cruisers.
A Comedic Magician and an Amazing Cookie Skillet
After our second day of training, it was time for more onboard entertainment.
That evening’s main show featured a comedic magician. The performance was funny, engaging, and very entertaining.
However, the final surprise of the evening came from the Craft Social Bar. We ordered the Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet, and it was amazing—warm, gooey, rich, and absolutely worth the calories!
If you love chocolate chip cookies, this is one onboard treat that deserves a place on your list.
Discovering the Rooftop Spaces
On our final day, we finally made our way up to the Rooftop Garden, Rooftop Garden Grill, and the rooftop bar.
I immediately wished we had discovered the area sooner.
It felt like a peaceful and relaxing place to sit, take in the views, and enjoy the atmosphere. It would have been a great spot to spend some quiet time during the week.
The next time we sail aboard the Celebrity Beyond, this area will definitely be one of our regular stops. Sometimes, you discover one of the best parts of a ship just as it is almost time to leave!
Closing the Week With Our Fellow Travel Advisors
Our final evening included dinner with the other travel advisors participating in the Seminar at Sea.
We shared stories about our experiences and discussed what we planned to do with everything we had learned. It was an opportunity to reflect on the week, exchange ideas, and talk about how we could better promote Celebrity Cruises to our clients.
It was a meaningful way to end the sailing. We left with new relationships, firsthand knowledge, and a clearer understanding of what Celebrity has to offer.
My Overall Impression of the Celebrity Beyond
Our first Celebrity cruise gave us a little bit of everything: relaxation, professional development, excellent dining, impressive entertainment, and time together.
I especially appreciated the thoughtful design throughout the ship. From the additional living space provided by the Infinite Veranda to the private atmosphere of The Retreat, the Celebrity Beyond felt modern, comfortable, and elevated.
The entertainment was another highlight. We experienced impressive production shows, Broadway music, a comedic magician, and even a fun night of karaoke.
The dining also stood out. Fine Cut provided a beautiful setting for my husband’s birthday, while Eden took familiar dishes and transformed them into something creative and memorable. Even a late-evening cookie skillet at Craft Social became part of the experience.
This cruise also reminded me that you do not have to leave the ship at every port. Sometimes, staying onboard allows you to rest, explore at your own pace, and appreciate the ship as a destination of its own.
Most importantly, the Seminar at Sea gave me a deeper understanding of the Celebrity Cruises brand. Experiencing the accommodations, restaurants, entertainment, and service personally allows me to offer more thoughtful recommendations instead of simply repeating information from a website or brochure.
The Celebrity Beyond would be a great option for adults who appreciate stylish surroundings, elevated dining, quality entertainment, and a more relaxed atmosphere. There are also options for travelers who want additional privacy and premium amenities through The Retreat.
Would I sail on the Celebrity Beyond again? Absolutely.
Next time, we will spend more time in the rooftop spaces, return to Eden, order another Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet—and probably get in another karaoke song.
If you are considering a Celebrity cruise and want help deciding whether the Celebrity Beyond is the right ship for you, contact KMD Travel. We will help you choose the ship, stateroom, and experience that match the way you want to vacation.
