Celestyal Cruises vs Royal Caribbean International

The core difference

Celestyal Cruises is a Greek-owned specialist with over 30 years of experience and a year-round homeport in Athens. Two mid-size ships — Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery, each carrying around 1,200 passengers — sail exclusively in the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, and Adriatic. The all-inclusive pricing bundles meals, drinks, shore excursions, and gratuities at rates starting under $400 for a 3-night sailing. Celestyal exists to deliver affordable, immersive Greek Islands cruising — and it does so with a focus and value that no global line replicates.

Royal Caribbean International is the world’s largest cruise line. Twenty-nine ships — soon to be 30 with Legend of the Seas joining in 2026 — span every major cruise region and include some of the largest passenger vessels ever constructed. The Icon class ships, led by Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, top 250,000 gross tonnes and carry over 5,000 guests across eight distinct neighbourhoods. The scale is genuinely staggering: the largest waterpark at sea, a surf simulator, rock climbing walls, a zip line, an ice-skating rink, a Central Park-style open-air garden, Broadway-calibre entertainment, and Perfect Day at CocoCay — Royal Caribbean’s private island experience in the Bahamas. The fleet sails the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, the South Pacific, Northern Europe, and Australian waters.

The gap between these lines is the widest in this entire comparison series. Celestyal’s 1,200-guest mid-size ships and Royal Caribbean’s 5,000-guest mega-ships are not variations on the same product — they are fundamentally different conceptions of what a cruise holiday can be. Celestyal delivers the destination. Royal Caribbean delivers the spectacle. Both do it well, but the traveller who would love one may not enjoy the other, and understanding that distinction prevents an expensive mistake.

What is actually included

Celestyal’s all-inclusive fare covers meals in the buffet and a-la-carte restaurants, a classic drinks package (beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks), two select shore excursions per voyage, port charges, onboard entertainment, and gratuities. The 3-night Iconic Greek Islands starts under $400 per person. Seven-night sailings start under $900. The included excursions — Ephesus, the Acropolis of Lindos, the Monastery of St John on Patmos — add genuine cultural value.

Royal Caribbean’s base fare covers accommodation, meals in the main dining room and Windjammer buffet, pool and deck access, and entertainment including Broadway-calibre shows. Speciality restaurants carry surcharges of approximately USD $40 to $80 per person. Alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, spa treatments, and gratuities (approximately USD $18 to $21 per person per day) are additional. Royal Caribbean offers add-on packages — Deluxe Beverage Package, speciality dining packages, and the Royal Caribbean app-based pricing — but the base fare is not all-inclusive. Total costs can accumulate quickly, particularly for families.

The inclusion gap is significant at the base fare level. Celestyal’s fare covers everything a guest needs for a Greek Islands cruise with no end-of-voyage surprises. Royal Caribbean’s base fare covers the essentials but layers on extras that can add AUD $100 to $200 per person per day. For budget-conscious travellers, Celestyal’s transparency is a major advantage. For travellers who want to choose their own level of extras, Royal Caribbean’s modular approach provides flexibility — but requires discipline to manage the total spend.

Dining and culinary experience

Celestyal’s dining is rooted in Greek heritage. The a-la-carte restaurant serves multi-course Mediterranean menus with regional specialities — moussaka, grilled octopus, fresh seafood, and lamb. The buffet offers a broader selection. Greek cooking classes, olive oil tastings, and themed evenings add cultural context. The dining is honest and regionally authentic, with two to three venues per ship.

Royal Caribbean’s dining programme has improved markedly across the fleet. The main dining room serves multi-course dinners, and the Windjammer buffet provides all-day casual dining — both included in the fare. Speciality restaurants vary by ship class: Chops Grille steakhouse, Giovanni’s Italian, Izumi Japanese, Wonderland innovative cuisine, 150 Central Park (on Oasis-class ships), and numerous other venues. The Icon class ships feature dining in eight distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own culinary character. The variety is extraordinary — a 7-night sailing on Icon of the Seas offers more dining options than most cities.

The dining comparison is volume versus authenticity. Celestyal offers limited venues with genuine Greek character. Royal Caribbean offers a dozen or more venues with global variety. For food-motivated travellers seeking choice, Royal Caribbean’s restaurant count is unmatched. For travellers wanting dining that reflects the destination, Celestyal’s Greek-focused menus create a more culturally coherent experience. Royal Caribbean’s included dining — the main dining room and Windjammer — is competent but not the line’s culinary highlight; the speciality restaurants are where the fleet’s dining ambitions are best expressed, and those carry surcharges.

Suites and accommodation

Celestyal’s cabins range from interior staterooms to balcony cabins and suites. The ships are older and refurbished, with functional dimensions. In-cabin experience tablets were introduced fleet-wide in early 2026. The accommodation serves the itinerary rather than competing with it.

Royal Caribbean’s accommodation spans an extraordinary range. Standard interior and ocean-view staterooms provide budget-friendly entry points. Balcony staterooms are available across all ship classes. Central Park-view and promenade-view interior cabins on Oasis-class ships offer unique perspectives. Suites range from Junior Suites with modest balconies to the two-level Ultimate Family Suites with slides connecting the floors, and the sprawling Royal Loft Suites with panoramic views. The Suite Class programme on newer ships adds a dedicated restaurant, private lounge, and concierge service — though not approaching the full ship-within-a-ship enclave model of some competitors.

The accommodation gap is substantial. Royal Caribbean offers more cabin categories, more innovative layouts, and more suite options than Celestyal’s two-ship fleet can provide. The Ultimate Family Suite — a multi-level family playhouse at sea — is a concept that could not exist on a Celestyal ship. For families wanting creative cabin experiences, Royal Caribbean pushes the boundaries of what cruise accommodation can be.

Pricing and value

Celestyal’s pricing starts under $400 per person for the 3-night Iconic Greek Islands, all-inclusive. Seven-night sailings start under $900. For Australians, return flights to Athens add approximately AUD $1,500 to $2,500 per person. A complete Celestyal Greek Islands holiday is achievable for under AUD $3,000 per person.

Royal Caribbean’s pricing varies enormously by ship, itinerary, and cabin category. Short 3- and 4-night Caribbean getaways from Florida start from approximately AUD $600 to $900 per person. Seven-night Mediterranean cruises start from approximately AUD $1,200 to $2,500 per person in balcony staterooms. Adding a beverage package (approximately AUD $100 per day), gratuities (approximately AUD $30 per day), Wi-Fi, and speciality dining brings the total to approximately AUD $2,500 to $5,000 per person for a 7-night voyage. Australian-waters deployments offer competitive pricing without international flight costs — a significant saving. Icon of the Seas sailings command a premium of 20 to 40 per cent over comparable ships.

The value comparison is not straightforward. Celestyal is dramatically cheaper for a Greek Islands cruise on a per-night, all-inclusive basis. Royal Caribbean’s Australian deployments eliminate flight costs entirely for Australian travellers, potentially making the total holiday cost competitive despite the higher per-night fare. For Mediterranean cruises where both lines operate (though at very different scales), Celestyal is the budget option and Royal Caribbean is the premium experience. The traveller choosing between them is choosing between price and facilities rather than comparing equivalent products.

Spa and wellness

Celestyal’s spa is modest — treatment rooms, massage, facials, and body treatments alongside a fitness centre and pool deck. Proportionate to the mid-size ships and short itineraries.

Royal Caribbean’s Vitality Spa is a comprehensive wellness facility across the fleet. Treatment rooms, thermal suites, saunas, steam rooms, and fitness centres are standard. The Oasis-class and Icon-class ships feature some of the largest spa facilities at sea, spanning multiple decks. The fitness centres include rock climbing walls (outdoor), running tracks, sports courts, FlowRider surf simulators, and zip lines — active wellness options that extend well beyond the traditional spa model. Multiple pool complexes, adults-only Solarium areas, and waterpark features provide additional relaxation and recreation.

The spa and wellness comparison reflects the broader scale difference. Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships are purpose-built wellness and recreation complexes. Celestyal’s mid-size ships offer serviceable but modest facilities. For active travellers who want surf simulators, rock climbing, and waterparks, Royal Caribbean is unmatched. For travellers whose wellness is swimming in the Aegean and walking through Santorini, Celestyal’s simpler offering is entirely sufficient.

Entertainment and enrichment

Celestyal’s entertainment is culturally immersive — Greek cooking classes, traditional dancing lessons, wine tastings, and live music. Evening shows are modest, and overnight stays in Santorini and Mykonos direct evening activity ashore. The destination is the entertainment.

Royal Caribbean’s entertainment is the industry benchmark. Broadway-calibre productions — Grease, Cats, Mamma Mia!, and original shows — perform in purpose-built theatres across the fleet. The FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing walls, zip lines, ice-skating rinks, waterslides, and the largest waterpark at sea (on Icon of the Seas) create theme-park-scale thrills. AquaTheatre on Oasis-class ships presents high-diving performances above a pool stage. Casino gaming, comedy clubs, jazz bars, and nightclubs fill the evenings. The Royal Promenade — an interior boulevard stretching the length of the ship — hosts parades, parties, and events. Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, features Thrill Waterpark, the tallest waterslide in North America, an overwater cabana complex, and a helium balloon ride with panoramic views.

The entertainment gap is the most dramatic difference between these two lines — perhaps the most dramatic in the entire comparison series. Royal Caribbean’s entertainment budget for a single ship exceeds Celestyal’s total operating budget for both vessels. For travellers who want entertainment, spectacle, and onboard thrills, Royal Caribbean is in a category of its own. For travellers who view entertainment as secondary to destination, Celestyal’s cultural programming is appropriately scaled.

Fleet and destination coverage

Celestyal’s two ships sail year-round from Athens to the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, and Adriatic, with winter deployments to Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. The geographic focus is narrow and deep — Greek waters with unmatched frequency and regional knowledge.

Royal Caribbean’s 29 ships cover every major cruise region. The Caribbean is the core market, with short getaways from Florida and longer itineraries visiting the Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. The Mediterranean, Alaska, Northern Europe, the South Pacific, and Asia round out the programme. Australian and New Zealand seasonal deployments bring Royal Caribbean ships to local waters with departures from Sydney. The fleet spans multiple ship classes — from the mid-size Vision class to the Icon class mega-ships — providing options at every scale and price point.

For Australian travellers, Royal Caribbean’s Australian deployments represent a structural advantage that Celestyal cannot match. Sailing from Sydney on a Royal Caribbean ship eliminates international flights, simplifies logistics, and provides an immediately accessible cruise experience. Celestyal requires flights to Athens for every sailing. In Mediterranean waters, Royal Caribbean’s larger ships visit major ports but may lack the smaller-port access that Celestyal’s mid-size ships provide in the Greek Islands.

Where each line excels

Celestyal excels in:

Greek Islands value. All-inclusive fares starting under $400 for 3-night sailings with meals, drinks, excursions, and gratuities. The most affordable Greek Islands cruise experience available.

All-inclusive transparency. No add-on decisions, no packages to compare, no end-of-voyage bill. The total cost is known before boarding.

Port intimacy. Mid-size ships reaching smaller Greek island harbours that Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships cannot enter. Overnight stays in Santorini and Mykonos allow exploration after the day-trippers depart.

Short taster cruises. The 3- and 4-night Iconic itineraries are ideal for first-time cruisers or travellers adding a Greek Islands sailing to a European holiday.

Royal Caribbean excels in:

Ship innovation. Icon of the Seas, the largest passenger vessel ever built, with eight neighbourhoods, the largest waterpark at sea, and facilities that redefine what a cruise ship can offer.

Family programming. Adventure Ocean kids’ programmes, waterslides, surf simulators, rock climbing walls, zip lines, ice-skating rinks, and the Ultimate Family Suite — the definitive family cruise experience.

Australian accessibility. Regular Australian-waters deployments from Sydney, eliminating international flights and providing local embarkation.

Entertainment. Broadway shows, theme-park-scale thrills, and Perfect Day at CocoCay — entertainment at a level that no other mainstream line matches and that Celestyal’s mid-size ships cannot approach.

Destination breadth. Twenty-nine ships covering the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Northern Europe, South Pacific, and Australian waters.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Celestyal’s 3-Night Iconic Greek Islands (roundtrip Athens) is the standout for Australians fitting a Greek Islands cruise into a European holiday. Mykonos, Santorini, and Kusadasi with an overnight in Santorini, all-inclusive for under $400 per person. Fly to Athens from Australian gateways via Singapore, Doha, or Dubai.

Celestyal’s 7-Night Heavenly Adriatic adds Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Corfu to Greek ports for under $900 per person all-inclusive — excellent value for a broader Eastern Mediterranean experience.

Royal Caribbean’s Australian deployment (seasonal, varying ships and itineraries from Sydney) is the most accessible Royal Caribbean option for Australian travellers. No international flights required, local embarkation, and the full Royal Caribbean onboard experience. South Pacific island itineraries from Sydney are particularly popular.

Royal Caribbean’s 7-Night Mediterranean from Barcelona or Rome aboard an Oasis-class or newer ship delivers the full Royal Caribbean experience in Mediterranean waters. AquaTheatre, Broadway shows, Central Park, and multiple pools alongside calls at iconic Mediterranean ports. Fly to Barcelona from Australian gateways via the Middle East or Singapore.

Royal Caribbean’s 7-Night Eastern Caribbean from Miami aboard Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas represents the pinnacle of the Royal Caribbean experience — the largest ships, the most facilities, and a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Fly to Miami from Australian east coast cities via Dallas, Los Angeles, or Honolulu.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery (approximately 1,200 guests each) deliver a comparable experience. Choose by itinerary — the 3- or 4-night Iconic sailings for a taster, the 7-night Heavenly Adriatic for a fuller experience. Both ships received in-cabin experience tablets in early 2026.

Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas (over 5,000 guests, Icon class) are the largest and most innovative cruise ships ever built. Eight neighbourhoods, the largest waterpark at sea, and facilities that surpass many shore-side resorts. Choose for the definitive Royal Caribbean experience, but expect the scale to feel more theme park than ship.

Allure of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and other Oasis-class ships (approximately 5,400 guests) remain excellent choices for the mega-ship experience at a slightly more accessible price point. The proven Central Park, Boardwalk, and Royal Promenade neighbourhoods deliver the Royal Caribbean formula in its most refined form.

Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas (approximately 4,900 guests, Quantum class) have been deployed in Australian waters and feature the North Star observation pod, RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, and Bionic Bar robotic bartender. The most likely Royal Caribbean ships for Australian travellers to experience without international flights.

Voyager of the Seas and similar mid-range ships (approximately 3,100 guests) offer a more manageable Royal Caribbean experience. Fewer headline facilities than the newest ships but still carrying the signature FlowRider, rock climbing wall, and ice-skating rink. Competitive pricing makes these ships good value for first-time cruisers.

For Australian travellers specifically

The Australian accessibility gap between these lines is decisive and favours Royal Caribbean overwhelmingly.

Royal Caribbean has deep Australian market presence. Regular seasonal deployments from Sydney bring Quantum-class and other ships to local waters, offering South Pacific, New Zealand, and coastal itineraries without international flights. Royal Caribbean operates an Australian website with AUD pricing, local call centres, and Australian-specific promotions. The Crown and Anchor loyalty programme is well-supported in Australia. For Australian families wanting a cruise holiday, Royal Caribbean is often the first brand considered — and for good reason.

Celestyal has minimal Australian visibility. The line homeports in Athens, requiring flights of 20 to 24 hours via one connection through Singapore, Doha, or Dubai. There are no Australian deployments, no local booking infrastructure, and limited brand recognition. Celestyal is best booked through specialist cruise agents familiar with the product. The line’s appeal for Australians is strictly destination-driven: if you are going to Greece and want an affordable cruise in the islands, Celestyal is the specialist choice.

The loyalty programmes differ significantly in Australian relevance. Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society is one of the most established cruise loyalty programmes, with tiers earning onboard credits, cabin upgrades, priority embarkation, and access to exclusive events. For Australian travellers who cruise regularly, Crown and Anchor offers genuine long-term value — particularly with Australian deployments allowing points accumulation without international travel. Celestyal’s loyalty programme is smaller and less relevant for Australian travellers unlikely to sail repeatedly from Athens.

The onboard atmosphere

Celestyal’s atmosphere is warm, Mediterranean, and destination-focused. The passenger mix is predominantly European — Greek, British, German, and French travellers — on ships carrying around 1,200 guests. Greek music on the pool deck, regional cuisine, and the islands visible from the rail create an ambiance rooted in the Aegean. The dress code is casual to smart casual. The feeling is of a floating Mediterranean hotel where the destination is the constant focus.

Royal Caribbean’s atmosphere is energetic, international, and entertainment-focused. Ships carrying 3,000 to 5,000 guests create a resort-town energy — pools buzzing with activity, entertainment venues drawing crowds, restaurants filling throughout the evening. The passenger mix is predominantly North American and Australian (on local deployments) with growing international representation. The dress code is resort casual with optional formal nights. The energy is high, the options are endless, and the atmosphere is one of constant possibility. For families, the energy is infectious. For travellers seeking quiet contemplation, the Solarium adults-only area and suite-class lounges provide retreat.

The atmospheric difference is the most fundamental distinction between these lines. Celestyal is contemplative. Royal Caribbean is exhilarating. Celestyal feels like a Mediterranean holiday. Royal Caribbean feels like a floating entertainment complex. Neither atmosphere is superior — they serve different travel motivations and different personality types. The traveller who loves the quiet magic of a Santorini sunset from a mid-size ship may find Icon of the Seas overwhelming. The traveller who thrives on energy, choice, and spectacle may find Celestyal understimulating.

The bottom line

Celestyal Cruises and Royal Caribbean International represent the widest gap in this comparison series — a two-ship Greek Islands specialist versus the world’s largest cruise line. Comparing them is less about choosing between competitors and more about understanding which type of cruiser you are.

Choose Celestyal for the Greek Islands at the best price in cruising. Choose it for all-inclusive fares from under $400, for overnight stays in Santorini and Mykonos, for included shore excursions to ancient sites, and for mid-size ships that reach harbours Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships cannot enter. Choose it if the destination is your priority and the ship is simply the vehicle to get there. Accept the older ships, the modest entertainment, and the narrow geographic focus.

Choose Royal Caribbean for the most innovative, facility-rich cruise experience at sea. Choose it for Icon of the Seas and the spectacle of the world’s largest ship. Choose it for Australian-waters deployments that eliminate international flights. Choose it for family programming that sets the industry standard. Choose it for Broadway shows, the FlowRider, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Choose it for 29 ships covering every major cruise region on the planet. Accept the higher pricing, the add-on costs, the large-ship crowds, and the fact that the ship itself is the destination rather than the ports of call.

For Australian travellers, the practical recommendation often comes down to accessibility. Royal Caribbean sails from Australian ports — no flights, no visa complications, no jet lag. Celestyal requires a commitment to Greece. For families planning a cruise holiday from home, Royal Caribbean is the obvious choice. For couples or cultural travellers adding a cruise to a Greek holiday, Celestyal delivers an experience that Royal Caribbean’s Mediterranean sailings — despite their onboard superiority — cannot match for Greek Islands depth and value. Both lines excel at entirely different things, and both deserve their place in the consideration set for different reasons.