Celebrity Cruises vs Virgin Voyages

The core difference

Celebrity Cruises and Virgin Voyages both position themselves as modern alternatives to traditional cruising — both invest in design, both reject stuffiness, and both attract travellers who might not consider themselves “cruise people.” They overlap in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, both have sailed Australian waters, and both appeal to a younger, design-conscious demographic than most premium lines. Yet the onboard experience could hardly be more different in philosophy, inclusion model, and evening atmosphere.

Celebrity positions itself as “modern luxury.” Under the Royal Caribbean Group umbrella, Celebrity builds innovative ships that push design boundaries — the Edge-class vessels introduced the Magic Carpet cantilevered platform, Infinite Verandas, and Eden, a three-storey glass-wrapped performance venue. The fleet of 15 mainline ships spans three classes carrying 2,170 to 3,260 guests, plus the 100-guest Celebrity Flora in the Galapagos. Entertainment ranges from Broadway-style productions to casino gaming. Families with children are welcome. The Retreat provides a ship-within-a-ship suite experience with butler service and Luminae restaurant. Pricing is flexible — a lower base fare lets you add beverage packages, Wi-Fi, excursions, and speciality dining as you choose, or book the All Included fare for a bundled approach.

Virgin Voyages positions itself as “not a cruise.” Founded by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and led by former Royal Caribbean executive Tom McAlpin, Virgin deliberately dismantles cruise conventions. There is no main dining room. No buffet. No formal nights. No kids. No beverage packages. Instead, four identical ships carry approximately 2,700 adults each through 20-plus dining venues — all included in the fare — with a nightclub (The Manor), a tattoo parlour (Squid Ink), hammocks on every balcony, and Scarlet Night, an immersive event that transforms the entire ship. The aesthetic is Miami Beach meets Soho House — bold colours, contemporary art, and a soundtrack that leans toward house music and hip-hop rather than smooth jazz and show tunes.

For Australian travellers, Celebrity’s presence is significantly larger — Edge and Solstice sail from Sydney annually with a four-ship expansion coming for 2027/28. Virgin deployed Resilient Lady to Australia for South Pacific sailings, bringing the brand to local waters but without the same scale or consistency. The practical choice comes down to a fundamental question: do you want a refined resort at sea with broad itinerary choice and a loyalty pathway across Royal Caribbean Group, or do you want a nightlife-forward adults-only experience where every restaurant is included and the entire ship transforms into a party?

What is actually included

The inclusion models are where this comparison gets genuinely interesting — and genuinely confusing. Celebrity and Virgin include fundamentally different things, and the total cost comparison shifts dramatically depending on your personal habits.

Virgin Voyages includes in every fare: all dining across 20-plus restaurants without surcharges or reservations fees; basic Wi-Fi; group fitness classes including yoga, cycling, and HIIT sessions; all tips and gratuities (baked into the fare); and essential room service items. The headline here is dining — every restaurant, every night, no bill to sign. From The Wake (steakhouse with ocean views) to Gunbae (Korean barbecue where you cook at the table) to Pink Agave (upscale Mexican) to Razzle Dazzle (vegetarian-forward brunch spot), the entire culinary programme is included.

Virgin Voyages does not include: any alcoholic beverages (no packages available — every drink is purchased individually at approximately US$12–$18 per cocktail); premium Wi-Fi upgrades; shore excursions; spa treatments; speciality fitness and wellness sessions; the Redemption Spa thermal suite (day passes available); and tattoos at Squid Ink. The absence of a beverage package is the single most important detail in this comparison. On a seven-night sailing, a couple having three drinks each per evening will spend approximately US$500–$750 on alcohol alone.

Celebrity includes in the base Cruise-Only fare: stateroom accommodation; main dining room meals and buffet dining; basic entertainment and shows; pool and fitness centre access; and room service (with a $9.95 delivery fee plus gratuity). This is a stripped-back starting point.

Celebrity’s All Included fare adds: a Classic Beverage Package and basic Wi-Fi at approximately $70–$85 per person per day above the base fare. This covers house wines, beers, spirits, and cocktails up to approximately US$12 per drink. It excludes shore excursions, speciality dining surcharges, thermal spa access, and gratuities — the last of which are charged separately at $18–$23 per person per day depending on stateroom category.

Celebrity’s The Retreat (suite class) includes: Premium Beverage Package, Premium Wi-Fi, unlimited speciality dining, complimentary stocked minibar, butler service, Luminae private restaurant access, Retreat Lounge and Sundeck, and priority embarkation. This is Celebrity’s genuinely all-inclusive tier.

The practical maths: a non-drinking couple who love dining will find Virgin dramatically better value — 20-plus included restaurants versus Celebrity’s surcharges of US$30 to US$125 per speciality venue. A couple who drink moderately to heavily will find Celebrity’s All Included fare more economical — the beverage package covers unlimited drinks at a fixed daily rate, while Virgin charges per glass. In my experience, the break-even point is roughly three drinks per person per day. Below that, Virgin’s model works well. Above that, Celebrity’s packaged approach saves money.

Dining and culinary experience

Dining is Virgin’s most compelling advantage and the area where the comparison is most lopsided in terms of inclusion — though not necessarily in terms of peak quality.

Virgin’s dining is revolutionary in its scope and accessibility. Twenty-plus venues, all included, with no main dining room and no buffet. The philosophy is simple: eat wherever you want, whenever you want, and never sign a bill. The Wake is an upscale steakhouse with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Gunbae serves Korean barbecue where guests cook galbi and bulgogi at communal grills. Pink Agave delivers modern Mexican across multiple courses. Razzle Dazzle is a vegetarian-forward restaurant that doubles as a brunch venue. Extra Virgin serves Mediterranean and Italian. The Test Kitchen is an experimental multi-course dining experience. The Galley is a food-hall-style collection of stations — not a buffet, as Virgin insists, but a casual grazing space with made-to-order options. Dock House serves tapas and small plates at the pool. Lick Me Till Ice Cream and The Social Club round out the casual options. The breadth is impressive and the quality is consistently good across the fleet.

Celebrity’s dining offers higher peaks but with surcharges. The main dining room is complimentary — on Edge-class ships, divided into four themed restaurants (Normandie, Tuscan, Cosmopolitan, Cyprus) sharing the same menu but each with distinct ambience. The Oceanview Cafe buffet and poolside grills are also included. Blu is complimentary for AquaClass guests. Luminae is complimentary for Retreat suite guests.

Beyond these, Celebrity’s speciality dining carries surcharges: Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud (US$125 dinner, US$200 tasting menu); Fine Cut Steakhouse (approximately US$55); Eden Restaurant experiential dining (approximately US$75); Le Petit Chef immersive animated dining (approximately US$60); and Raw on 5 sushi bar (a la carte). A 20 per cent gratuity is automatically added.

In my experience, Virgin’s dining model is the more generous and stress-free proposition for the vast majority of travellers. You will eat well across every venue without ever thinking about cost. Celebrity’s dining peaks higher — Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud is genuinely special, and Eden’s experiential dinner is theatrical in a way Virgin does not attempt — but each of those peaks costs extra. A couple dining at two speciality restaurants on a seven-night Celebrity cruise adds US$200–$400 before gratuities. On Virgin, that money simply does not need to be spent. For food-motivated travellers who want variety and all-inclusive simplicity, Virgin. For travellers who want a few exceptional fine-dining moments and do not mind paying for them, Celebrity.

Suites and accommodation

The cabin philosophies reflect each brand’s identity — Celebrity offers range and hierarchy; Virgin offers consistency and playfulness.

Celebrity’s stateroom range on Edge-class ships: Interior cabins from 181 square feet; Oceanview from 170 square feet; Veranda with Infinite Veranda from 150–228 square feet plus veranda space; Concierge Class at approximately 243 square feet; and AquaClass with Infinite Veranda, complimentary Blu restaurant, and thermal suite access. The Infinite Veranda is Celebrity’s signature — floor-to-ceiling glass that retracts to create an open-air space, though it is not a true outdoor balcony.

Celebrity’s The Retreat suites range from the Sky Suite (approximately 395–451 square feet) to the Iconic Suite (2,580 square feet with two bedrooms, veranda hot tub, and only two per ship). Every Retreat suite includes butler service, Luminae restaurant, the Retreat Lounge and Sundeck, Premium Beverage and Wi-Fi packages, unlimited speciality dining, and a complimentary stocked minibar. This is a genuinely excellent ship-within-a-ship concept with no Virgin equivalent.

Virgin’s cabin categories are simpler but distinctive. The Sea Terrace (approximately 225 square feet plus balcony with hammock) is the standard balcony category — and every balcony comes with a rope hammock, which is a small detail that guests consistently love. The Sea View (approximately 225 square feet with porthole window) is the oceanview equivalent. The Inside cabin (approximately 145 square feet) is the budget entry. Mega RockStar Suites are the top tier — flamboyant suites of up to approximately 2,150 square feet featuring hot tubs, guitars, vinyl record players, and access to Richard’s Rooftop, an exclusive sundeck with a bar and DJ.

The critical difference is tiering philosophy. Celebrity’s The Retreat creates a genuine luxury enclave — butler service, private restaurant, private sundeck, premium everything included. It is a loyalty and upsell pathway that delivers luxury-line quality at premium-line pricing. Virgin has the RockStar Suites and Richard’s Rooftop, which offer exclusivity and flair, but without butler service or the depth of personalisation that Celebrity’s Retreat provides. If the suite experience matters to you — and for many Australian travellers it does as they graduate from mainstream lines — Celebrity has the more developed and more luxurious offering.

One noteworthy Virgin innovation: every cabin features tablet-controlled mood lighting, air conditioning, and entertainment through the ship’s app. The technology integration is more seamless than Celebrity’s, particularly for younger travellers comfortable with app-based control of their environment.

Pricing and value

Comparing headline fares between Celebrity and Virgin is misleading without understanding what each fare covers — and critically, what it does not.

Virgin’s directional pricing for a seven-night Caribbean cruise (Sea Terrace balcony, per person, at time of writing): approximately US$200–$400 per night depending on season. This includes the balcony cabin with hammock, all dining, basic Wi-Fi, group fitness, and gratuities. Drinks are entirely additional — budget US$50–$100 per person per day for moderate alcohol consumption. Shore excursions are additional. Spa is additional.

Celebrity’s directional pricing for a seven-night Caribbean cruise (Edge-class, per person, at time of writing): a balcony from approximately US$200–$350 per night. Add the All Included package at approximately $70–$85 per day for drinks and Wi-Fi. Add gratuities at $18–$23 per day. Add speciality dining at US$30–$125 per venue. The total for a balcony cabin with comparable inclusions often reaches US$350–$500 per night.

The comparison shifts depending on behaviour. A couple who drink three cocktails each per evening on Virgin will spend roughly US$75–$110 daily on alcohol — more than Celebrity’s All Included beverage package costs. But that same couple on Virgin will save US$200–$400 across the voyage in included speciality dining. The maths is genuinely personal.

For Australian travellers, positioning flights matter. Celebrity’s Australian deployments eliminate the need for international flights entirely — sail from Sydney on Edge or Solstice. Virgin’s Australian deployments have been more limited, meaning many Virgin sailings require flights to the Caribbean or Mediterranean. Celebrity’s “Flights by Celebrity” programme offers airline delay guarantees, and the line is bookable on the Qantas Cruises platform earning Qantas Points. Virgin has no equivalent Australian flight programme. At the time of writing, both lines run promotional pricing that can significantly alter the comparison — the smartest approach is always to compare total cost for your specific sailing.

Spa and wellness

Both lines offer quality wellness facilities, but the inclusion model and design philosophy differ meaningfully.

Celebrity’s spa is operated by Canyon Ranch. On Edge-class ships, The Spa features the SEA Thermal Suite with eight distinct therapeutic spaces: a Turkish hammam, simulated rain showers, a Crystal Room, Salt Room, Infrared Sauna, and Float Room with zero-gravity loungers. This is an extensive facility. However, it is only complimentary for AquaClass guests — everyone else pays approximately US$219 for a week-long pass. The fitness centre and group classes are complimentary for all guests.

Virgin’s Redemption Spa takes a different approach — designed with a modern wellness aesthetic rather than traditional spa luxury. The thermal suite includes a mud room, salt room, cold plunge pool, hydrotherapy pool, and quench (ice room). Day passes are available at an additional charge. Where Virgin differentiates is in the complimentary fitness offering — the Athletic Club includes boxing, yoga, cycling, HIIT classes, and outdoor training at no extra cost. The rooftop athletic area with outdoor workout equipment is a feature Celebrity does not match.

The fitness-forward traveller may prefer Virgin’s complimentary group classes and outdoor training facilities. The relaxation-focused traveller may prefer Celebrity’s more extensive thermal suite, particularly in AquaClass where it is included. Neither line includes spa treatments in the base fare.

Entertainment and enrichment

This is where Celebrity and Virgin diverge most dramatically — and where the comparison reveals genuinely different philosophies about what a cruise ship should be in the evening.

Virgin’s entertainment is immersive, participatory, and nightlife-driven. Scarlet Night is the headline — a themed event that transforms the entire ship into a single coordinated experience. The pool deck becomes a dance floor, performers appear throughout the vessel, the lighting shifts ship-wide, and guests are encouraged to dress in the night’s theme (typically red and white). It is unlike anything else at sea and generates the kind of social media moments Virgin is designed to produce. The Manor is a genuine nightclub with a sprung dance floor, DJ booth, and late-night sets that run past midnight. Duel Reality is an interactive gameshow experience. Shows at the Red Room are edgy, theatrical, and contemporary — circus-style acrobatics, immersive performances, and musical acts that lean toward pop and electronic rather than Broadway. The atmosphere is a Saturday night out, not a Wednesday at the theatre.

Celebrity’s entertainment is polished, varied, and more traditional. The Theatre on Edge-class ships hosts Broadway-style productions, acrobatic performances, and comedy shows — choreographed, costumed, and technically impressive. Eden transitions from relaxation space to immersive performance venue as evening arrives. Multiple bars feature live pianists, ensembles, and pool deck bands. The Martini Bar’s flair bartenders are a Celebrity institution. The casino operates nightly. Themed deck parties, trivia, and wine tastings fill the daytime programme.

The divide is fundamental. Virgin’s evening experience is built for people who go out at home — who choose restaurants over buffets, bars over lounges, and dancing over shows. Celebrity’s evening experience is built for people who enjoy a polished production, a casino flutter, and a cocktail bar conversation. Neither is objectively better. But in my experience, getting this choice wrong is the fastest path to a disappointing cruise.

Celebrity also provides meaningfully more enrichment programming — lectures, wine tastings, mixology classes, art auctions, and spa-focused wellness sessions. Virgin’s daytime programming is lighter, leaning toward fitness, DJ pool sessions, and group social events. Travellers seeking intellectual stimulation between ports will find more of it on Celebrity.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleet comparison is where Celebrity holds an overwhelming advantage, and it matters for Australian travellers planning more than a single sailing.

Celebrity operates 15 mainline ocean ships across three classes plus Celebrity Flora in the Galapagos. The five Edge-class ships (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel) are the flagship product at 130,818 to 141,420 gross tonnes. Five Solstice-class ships (2008–2012) carry approximately 2,852–3,046 guests. Four Millennium-class ships round out the fleet. Celebrity Xcite is under construction for 2028. The fleet sails the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Northern Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, South America, and the Galapagos. For Australian travellers, this means Celebrity can take you essentially anywhere in the world.

Virgin Voyages operates four ships — Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady — each carrying approximately 2,700 guests at 110,000 gross tonnes. The fleet sails primarily the Caribbean from Miami, the Mediterranean from Barcelona and Athens, with seasonal Northern Europe and South Pacific deployments. Virgin does not sail Alaska. Virgin does not sail Asia. Virgin does not offer expedition voyages. Virgin does not have a world cruise programme.

The destination gap is the single largest practical difference between these two lines. If your cruise ambitions extend beyond the Caribbean and Mediterranean, Celebrity provides options Virgin simply cannot match. The Galapagos aboard Celebrity Flora is a purpose-built expedition experience with no Virgin equivalent. Alaska on Celebrity is a well-established programme. Viking Homelands, Asia explorations, and South American voyages add breadth that a four-ship fleet cannot replicate.

For Australians specifically, Celebrity’s annual Sydney deployment with 17 sailings and an expanding programme offers convenience Virgin cannot approach. Virgin’s Australian presence has been welcome but inconsistent — Resilient Lady’s deployment brought the brand to local waters, but the scale does not compare to Celebrity’s four-ship commitment.

Where each line excels

Celebrity excels in:

• Fleet breadth and destination range. Fifteen ships sailing every major cruise region on earth, plus the Galapagos. Virgin’s four ships cover a fraction of this territory. If itinerary choice matters, Celebrity wins decisively.
• The Retreat suite experience. Butler service, Luminae restaurant with Daniel Boulud menus, the Retreat Lounge and Sundeck, and unlimited speciality dining create a ship-within-a-ship with no Virgin equivalent.
• Family and multigenerational travel. Camp at Sea for children from six months of age makes Celebrity the only option for families. Virgin is strictly adults-only.
• The Galapagos. Celebrity Flora is a purpose-built, all-inclusive expedition vessel — one of the finest small ships in the world.
• Beverage value for regular drinkers. The All Included beverage package caps daily drink spending in a way Virgin’s per-drink pricing does not.
• Australian presence. Annual Sydney deployments, Qantas Cruises partnership, and an expanding four-ship programme give Celebrity a clear local advantage.

Virgin excels in:

• All-inclusive dining. Twenty-plus restaurants, all included, no surcharges, no reservations fees. This is the most generous dining inclusion in the premium segment.
• Nightlife and immersive entertainment. Scarlet Night, The Manor nightclub, and the overall party atmosphere deliver an evening experience that Celebrity — and frankly any other cruise line — does not attempt.
• No-rules informality. No dress code, no formal nights, no fixed dining times, no buffet. The entire ship is designed to feel like a boutique hotel rather than a cruise ship.
• Design and aesthetic. Virgin’s interiors are bold, contemporary, and Instagram-ready. The hammock on every balcony, tablet-controlled mood lighting, and curated art programme create a distinctive visual identity.
• Adults-only guarantee. No children, no exceptions. The ship’s atmosphere is designed for adults, and the programming reflects that.
• Gratuities included. Tips are baked into the fare — no daily service charge appearing on your onboard account. For Australians who find tipping uncomfortable, this is a genuine advantage.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Celebrity

13-Night New Zealand Holiday Cruise (Celebrity Edge, roundtrip Sydney, December). Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, and seven New Zealand port stops on Celebrity’s flagship in Australian waters. An Edge-class ship through the fjords combines innovative design with spectacular scenery.

9-Night Australia Wine Journey (Celebrity Edge or Solstice, from Sydney). Hobart, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, and Melbourne — a food-and-wine-focused coastal itinerary that plays to Celebrity’s culinary strengths with overnight stays in key ports.

18/19-Night Tahitian Treasures (Celebrity Edge, Sydney or Auckland to Tahiti). South Pacific island-hopping on an Edge-class ship — a long sailing reaching destinations few premium ships access from Australian homeports.

7-Night Galapagos Outer Loop (Celebrity Flora, 100 guests, roundtrip Baltra). All-inclusive — flights from Quito, hotel, guided excursions, meals, drinks, tips, snorkelling gear, and binoculars. Requires connecting flights from Australia, but the product is exceptional.

110-Night Grand Voyage — Alaska to Asia (Celebrity Solstice). Fifty-five unique destinations across 15 countries, routing from Alaska through the Pacific to Australia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. One of the most ambitious itineraries from any premium line.

Virgin

South Pacific from Sydney (Resilient Lady, when deployed). Virgin’s Australian deployment offers South Pacific island-hopping with the line’s distinctive adults-only atmosphere. Ports include Noumea, Mystery Island, and Port Vila — familiar Pacific destinations experienced through a very different lens.

7-Night Mediterranean from Barcelona (Valiant Lady). Barcelona, Ibiza, Toulon, Ajaccio, Cagliari, Palma de Mallorca — a western Mediterranean circuit that plays to Virgin’s strengths. The combination of Mediterranean port towns and Virgin’s evening atmosphere is particularly well matched. Accessible from Australia via direct flights to Barcelona.

8-Night Greek Island Glow (Brilliant Lady, from Athens). Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Bodrum on Virgin’s newest ship. Greek island nightlife and Virgin’s onboard nightlife make natural companions. A strong choice for Australian travellers who want a Mediterranean cruise that does not feel like a cruise.

Dominican Daze (Scarlet Lady, from Miami). A shorter Caribbean sailing including Puerto Plata, Beach Club at Bimini (Virgin’s private beach club in the Bahamas), and sea days designed around pool parties and The Manor. The Beach Club at Bimini is a Virgin exclusive — a private beach experience with DJ sets, cabanas, and included dining.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Celebrity

Celebrity Edge or Celebrity Ascent — The best introduction to Celebrity for Australian travellers. Edge has three seasons of Australian deployment experience. The Magic Carpet, Infinite Verandas, and Eden deliver the full Celebrity design experience. Book Edge for Sydney departures; book Ascent for Mediterranean or Caribbean.

Celebrity Xcel — The newest and most ambitious ship (November 2025). The Bazaar replaces Eden with rotating destination-inspired festivals. Currently sailing Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale — not yet deployed to Australia.

Celebrity Flora — A completely different product: 100 guests in the Galapagos. All-suites, all-inclusive, 11 naturalist guides. If the Galapagos is on your list, Flora is among the finest ways to experience it.

Avoid Millennium-class ships (Millennium, Infinity, Summit, Constellation) as your first Celebrity experience. At 24-plus years old, they do not represent the line at its best. If you are comparing Celebrity to Virgin, sail an Edge-class ship for a fair comparison.

Virgin

Brilliant Lady — The newest ship in the fleet and the most refined iteration of Virgin’s design. If you want the freshest hardware, Brilliant Lady is the choice.

Resilient Lady — The ship most likely to be deployed to Australian waters. If you want to sail Virgin from Sydney without flying internationally, watch for Resilient Lady’s deployment announcements.

Scarlet Lady — The original. Based year-round in Miami sailing Caribbean itineraries. Includes access to the Beach Club at Bimini, Virgin’s private island experience. If you are flying to the United States anyway, Scarlet Lady’s Caribbean programme is the most established.

Valiant Lady — The Mediterranean specialist, primarily sailing from Barcelona. The strongest choice for European itineraries and arguably the best match of ship and destination in the fleet.

Because Virgin builds identical ships, the experience on Scarlet Lady is functionally the same as on Brilliant Lady — the same restaurants, same cabin layouts, same entertainment programme. Book based on itinerary and departure port rather than ship preference.

For Australian travellers specifically

Both lines have reached Australian waters, but the scale and consistency of their local presence differs substantially.

Celebrity’s Australian presence is established and growing. Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Solstice sail from Sydney each summer with 17 sailings ranging from 4 to 14 nights. The line has announced its largest-ever Australian deployment for 2027/28 — four ships. New Zealand-focused itineraries, Great Barrier Reef cruises, and the Australia Wine Journey provide domestic variety. The dedicated Australian website (celebritycruises.com/au) prices in AUD. Celebrity is bookable on the Qantas Cruises platform, earning 1 Qantas Point per dollar on the cruise fare. The Flights by Celebrity programme offers an airline delay guarantee for Australians flying to international embarkation ports. Captain’s Club loyalty status transfers across Royal Caribbean and Silversea — a meaningful pathway for Australian cruisers who sail Royal Caribbean domestically.

Virgin’s Australian presence has been more sporadic. Resilient Lady’s deployment to Australia brought the brand to local waters with South Pacific itineraries, introducing Australian travellers to Virgin’s adults-only concept. However, Virgin’s four-ship fleet limits how consistently they can maintain an Australian programme while serving their primary Caribbean and Mediterranean markets. The majority of Virgin sailings require Australians to fly internationally — typically to Miami, Barcelona, or Athens. Virgin does not currently have a dedicated Australian website with AUD pricing, nor a Qantas partnership or equivalent Australian frequent flyer programme.

The loyalty consideration: Celebrity’s Captain’s Club transfers across Royal Caribbean International and Silversea through the Points Choice programme. For Australians who cruise Royal Caribbean domestically — and many do — this creates a direct pathway from mainstream cruising through Celebrity to ultra-luxury Silversea. Virgin’s loyalty programme, The Sailing Club, offers perks including a dedicated check-in, loyalty rates on future sailings, and onboard credits, but it stands alone with no cross-brand recognition. For frequent cruisers building long-term loyalty, Celebrity’s ecosystem is significantly more valuable.

Gratuities and tipping: Celebrity charges service fees of $18–$23 per person per day, though Australian bookings in AUD typically incorporate these into the fare. Virgin includes all gratuities in the fare — no daily service charge appears on your account. For Australians who find the tipping culture uncomfortable, Virgin’s approach is cleaner.

The onboard atmosphere

The atmosphere is where these two lines diverge most sharply, and in my experience, it is the single factor that determines whether a guest rebooks or regrets their choice.

Celebrity’s atmosphere is modern, social, and gently glamorous. Edge-class ships feel like contemporary luxury resorts — sculptural design, floor-to-ceiling glass, and public spaces that reward exploration. The Martini Bar buzzes with energy. Evening Chic nights create a sense of occasion. The casino adds a late-night element. Eden transitions from relaxation to performance as evening arrives. The demographic is broad — couples in their 40s through 70s, with families on school-holiday sailings. The ship accommodates multiple moods: quiet mornings at the Rooftop Garden, active afternoons at the pool, social evenings in the bars. Service is consistently strong. The atmosphere is upscale without being stuffy — real tablecloths at every dinner, genuine attention to detail, and a polish that reflects Celebrity’s “modern luxury” positioning.

Virgin’s atmosphere is energetic, informal, and deliberately disruptive. The ships feel like boutique hotels designed by someone who goes to Coachella — bold colours, contemporary art, house music at the pool, and a crowd that skews 30s to 50s. The dress code is whatever you want. Conversations at dinner are as likely to be about the DJ set later that evening as the port tomorrow. Scarlet Night creates a communal energy that builds through the evening — the transformation from regular cruise ship to coordinated party experience is genuinely impressive. The Manor nightclub operates until the small hours. The tattoo parlour does steady business. The absence of children, the absence of a buffet, and the absence of traditional cruise announcements create a space that feels less like cruising and more like an adult resort that happens to move.

The atmosphere divide is absolute. Celebrity attracts travellers who enjoy a well-run premium resort with options for both quiet and social evenings. Virgin attracts travellers who want their holiday to feel like a Saturday night that lasts a week. Australians in their 30s and 40s who have never cruised before may find Virgin’s energy revelatory — it actively works to overcome cruise scepticism. Australians in their 50s and 60s who appreciate polish and a wider range of evening options will likely feel more at home on Celebrity. I recommend that uncertain clients watch cabin-tour and evening-event videos from both lines before booking — the visual difference tells you more than any written comparison can.

The bottom line

Celebrity and Virgin both push modern cruise design forward, but they are building experiences for fundamentally different moments in a traveller’s life — and the right choice depends on what kind of holiday you are seeking.

Choose Virgin if you want all dining included across 20-plus restaurants, an adults-only atmosphere with genuine nightlife, zero dress code, and a ship that deliberately rejects cruise conventions. Choose it for Scarlet Night, The Manor, and an evening energy that no other line attempts. Choose it if you have never cruised before and suspect you would hate a traditional cruise — Virgin is specifically designed for you. Accept that the four-ship fleet limits itinerary choice, that drinks are not included and can add up quickly, that there is no suite experience comparable to Celebrity’s Retreat, that the Australian presence is inconsistent, and that the ship’s energy may feel relentless if you want quiet evenings.

Choose Celebrity if you want broader itinerary coverage including Alaska and the Galapagos, a suite-class experience with butler service and Luminae restaurant, family-friendly sailing, and a 15-ship fleet offering more dates and destinations. Choose it for the loyalty pathway across Royal Caribbean and Silversea. Choose it for the growing Australian deployment and the convenience of sailing from Sydney on an Edge-class ship. Accept that speciality dining carries surcharges, that the fleet experience varies between ship classes, that the atmosphere is more conventional than Virgin’s, and that Evening Chic nights require a modicum of effort.

For Australian couples in their 30s and 40s who want a holiday that feels nothing like a cruise, Virgin is the revelation. For Australian couples over 50 who want a refined premium experience with the flexibility to sail almost anywhere in the world, Celebrity is the smarter long-term investment. Both are excellent lines. The question is not which is better — it is which version of a holiday at sea makes you want to book.