If you’re a fan of Celebrity Cruises and a fan of sailing the Caribbean then you know that your options can actually be somewhat limited. The luxury cruise line is well known for sailing around the world, including exotic spots like the Galapagos and Patagonia. But a quick search of this summer’s sailings (July-September) shows just one ship — Celebrity Equinox — sailing the Caribbean from Florida.
That’s about to change. The cruise line has announced a massive shift in focus starting next year, including a stop at one of the most popular private islands on the planet.
“Starting next April, sun chasers, beach lovers and relaxation seekers, will all be able to enjoy the Caribbean like never before on board two award-winning ships, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Reflection, as they begin to call the tropics home,” said a press release from the cruise line.
Celebrity Beyond will sail year-round from Fort Lauderdale on six and eight-day cruises. These trips will include ports of call in Grand Cayman, The Bahamas, Mexico, as well as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.
Celebrity Reflection will offer up shorter three and four-day cruises to The Bahamas, providing an opportunity to sail the cruise line for fewer days — and less money — than is often required. These tips will stop in Bimini and Key West.
However, both ships will also offer stops at a brand-new port for Celebrity: Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay.
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are actually sibling cruise lines, both under the umbrella of Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company. Until now, however, Celebrity didn’t stop at CocoCay despite the association.
The destination is enormously popular with Royal Caribbean, where it is said to average about 11,000 guests per day and earns rave reviews.
CocoCay offers large beaches, a massive waterpark with North America’s tallest waterslide, the exclusive Coco Beach Club, the largest freshwater pool in The Bahamas (Oasis Lagoon), ziplines, jet skis, and even a balloon ride that takes you 450 feet up in the air. Whether you want to sit and relax, or have a lot to do, CocoCay has something to offer.
This new schedule announcement definitely marks a new push for Celebrity in the region. For instance, the shorter trips aboard Celebrity Reflection start at less than $250 per person for some cruises.
Combining more cruises with shorter, less expensive options and a popular destination like CocoCay should give more passengers the ability to try Celebrity for the first time.
