The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises vs. Explora Journeys

Overall atmosphere

The indoor pool area on Explora

The private pool at The Retreat

Celebrity’s Retreat is a “ship within a ship” concept, meaning that while you’re sailing on a large, vibrant vessel with more than 2,900 passengers, your personal experience feels elevated and private. Guests in The Retreat enjoy access to exclusive spaces like Luminae, a refined restaurant with menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs; the Retreat Lounge, a quiet, well-appointed space for relaxing or enjoying a drink; and a beautiful sun deck that feels more like a boutique hotel rooftop than a cruise pool area. These areas are only accessible to suite guests, which helps them feel uncrowded and serene, even on busy sea days. Yet just steps away, you can dive into the buzz of the ship’s theaters, bars, specialty restaurants, and nightlife when you’re in the mood for something more social or spontaneous. It really does offer the best of both worlds: upscale privacy when you want it, and big-ship variety when you don’t.

Explora Journeys takes a different approach by making luxury the standard for everyone onboard. There’s no need to separate guests into suite areas or special lounges because every guest is in a suite, and every venue is designed to a high luxury standard. There are no inside or window-only cabins, and the ship's design, from the airy lounges to the curated dining spaces, feels more like a modern European luxury resort than a traditional cruise ship. With fewer than 1,000 guests onboard, the entire experience is intentionally peaceful and never crowded. The atmosphere is calm and refined, and since everyone is enjoying the same level of elevated service and ambiance, there’s no need for a Retreat-style concept. Everything is already all-in, and there’s a quiet confidence to the experience that feels both elegant and easy.

Suites & service

Relaxing in The Retreat Lounge

Heated tile loungers on Explora

The suites in The Retreat are beautifully designed on the Edge-class ships like Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, and Xcel. They're spacious, modern, and come with premium perks like butler service, priority boarding, and upgraded amenities. The staff in the Retreat Lounge and Luminae restaurant are fantastic, friendly, and intuitive without being over-the-top.

Explora’s suites are all veranda suites (no oceanview or inside), and they feel like elegant hotel rooms. Think walk-in closets, oversized bathrooms, and private terraces. What stood out to us most was the guest-to-crew ratio and the way service is delivered: calm, professional, and thoughtful. There’s no stuffiness, just warm, genuinely caring service throughout the entire ship.

Service-wise, Explora has more of what we’d describe as a European style: polished, professional, and refined, with much of their staff coming from luxury hotels and resorts. Celebrity’s service tends to be more of an American-style friendliness that is warm and personable, but not quite as formal. It’s not a huge difference, but it’s noticeable and worth considering depending on what kind of vibe you prefer. Celebrity usually hires staff with traditional cruise line experience.

Dining

Crema Cafe (coffee bar) on the Explora

Dinner with a view on Celebrity

Dining on Celebrity in The Retreat starts with exclusive access to Luminae, an elegant, intimate restaurant reserved just for Retreat guests. The menu features elevated, thoughtfully prepared dishes in a serene, refined setting that is perfect for those looking for a quiet, upscale dining experience. You’ll see the same breakfast and lunch menus each day, but dinner brings something new every night. Beyond Luminae, you have access to a wide variety of other restaurants across the ship, ranging from classic steakhouses and fresh sushi bars to French- and Mediterranean-inspired venues.

However, it’s important to note that most of these specialty restaurants carry additional cover charges, even for guests staying in The Retreat (unless you book a Royal Suite category or higher—then all specialty dining is included). Although a few main dining and casual options are included, most of the premium restaurants charge extra—which can add up if you love trying different spots or crave top-tier meals. Still, for us, the specialty dining is absolutely worth it, and it’s always the highlight of our cruise experience.

In contrast, Explora Journeys takes a more inclusive approach to dining. Nearly all venues, including specialty restaurants, are included in the fare, allowing guests to enjoy a diverse culinary journey without worrying about extra charges. The ship offers several distinct dining options—from an upscale steakhouse and flavorful pan-Asian cuisine to Mediterranean-inspired dishes and a vibrant, all-day, market-style restaurant. Drinks and gratuities are also included, further simplifying the experience. There is only one very high-end specialty restaurant that carries an extra charge, and it’s clearly communicated as an optional upgrade rather than a standard cost.

What really stood out to us on Explora was the relaxed, unhurried pace of meals, which felt much more like dining at a boutique luxury resort than a typical cruise ship. The focus is on quality, ambiance, and genuine enjoyment of each dining experience rather than rushing through seatings or upselling extras.

Entertainment

Celebrity’s Edge-class ships have a sleek, modern design with an almost architectural feel throughout, and that same contemporary energy carries into their entertainment offerings. Over the last few years, Celebrity has really elevated its game when it comes to evening shows. The main theater productions feel more like something you’d see in Las Vegas—high-energy, visually striking, and performed by truly talented entertainers. It’s not the typical cruise ship fare with cheesy scripts or outdated song choices. Instead, the shows feature fresh choreography, impressive vocals, and immersive multimedia elements that make the performances stand out.

Beyond the theater, the ships are full of live music venues offering everything from jazz and acoustic sets to pop and DJ-driven dance nights. It’s a well-rounded nightlife scene with something for just about every mood. For Retreat guests, this offers the best of both worlds: peace and calm during the day in your exclusive spaces, and high-quality entertainment in the evening when you're ready to mix it up.

Explora Journeys takes a more understated and refined approach to entertainment. You won’t find large-scale productions or Broadway-style shows here. Instead, the focus is on smaller, more intimate performances that are often reminiscent of cabaret or upscale lounge acts. These might include live vocalists, instrumental ensembles, or cultural performances, and the settings are intentionally cozy and thoughtfully designed. There’s no need to show up early to get a seat, and you’ll always feel close to the performers no matter where you sit.

Rather than centering the evening around spectacle, Explora leans into enrichment, relaxation, and wellness. Their spa is one of the most tranquil we’ve experienced at sea and the programming leans toward mindfulness, yoga, nutrition, and destination-specific talks and workshops. It’s a quieter, more holistic onboard experience that encourages rest and reflection rather than fast-paced entertainment.

The overall atmosphere encourages you to slow down and be present, creating a calm and restorative pace throughout the voyage. So while Celebrity delivers a vibrant “night out” energy, Explora is more about elegant, low-key evenings that are just as memorable, just in a very different way.

Accessibility

Spacious accessible suite bathroom in The Retreat

Both ships offer accessible staterooms with roll-in showers and built-in benches. Our Celebrity Retreat suite was also exceptionally spacious and included a bathtub. On Explora, a standout accessibility feature was the powered automatic balcony door. Unlike other ships where balcony access often involves navigating a raised threshold and struggling with heavy doors, especially in windy conditions, Explora makes it easy with the push of a button that opens the door for you and the threshold is very flat.

Celebrity Cruises' Edge-class ships feature the Magic Carpet, a unique, cantilevered platform on the side of the ship. When the ship is at anchor and using tender boats to go ashore, the Magic Carpet is positioned on a lower deck, creating a spacious and stable platform that makes getting on and off the tenders significantly easier for all guests, especially those with mobility challenges.

Explora demonstrates a commitment to accessibility with its thoughtful design. One notable feature is a mobile pool lift, which can be moved and used at different pools around the ship. This flexibility ensures that guests with mobility aids can enjoy a refreshing swim in their preferred pool, rather than being limited to just one designated pool.

Every restaurant, lounge, and bar area on both ships was accessible. However, the Martini Bar that is located in the Grand Plaza atrium on Celebrity Edge-class ships was a highlight for us. A thoughtful design feature is its two-tiered counter: one side is standard bar height, while the other is lower, making it easily accessible for guests using wheelchairs or those who prefer sitting at a table-height counter. This inclusive design ensures that everyone can comfortably enjoy a drink at the bar counter and not at a nearby table.

Final thoughts

Aft pool deck on Explora

If you want to cruise on a larger, modern ship with lots of entertainment and dining choices but still enjoy a private, upscale enclave, The Retreat on Celebrity Edge-class is a fantastic choice. Retreat guests get the premium beverage package and premium Wi-Fi included, which is a nice perk, but gratuities still need to be paid separately. Also, especially during summers and holidays, you’ll notice more families and children onboard Celebrity ships compared to Explora.

Explora Journeys, on the other hand, offers a more intimate, fully immersive luxury experience where the whole ship feels like a high-end sanctuary. Premium drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities are all included, which is standard for true ultra-luxury lines. You’ll find very few families with children on Explora, making for a quieter atmosphere overall.

We honestly loved both for different reasons, and it really comes down to how you like to travel: Do you want boutique luxury within a big ship, or full-ship luxury in a quieter, more curated setting? The Retreat on Celebrity gives you exclusive spaces and premium perks, while still offering all the variety, entertainment, and dining of a larger ship. If you like staying busy, exploring new venues daily, or are prone to seasickness, a bigger ship like Celebrity’s Edge class might be a better fit. Explora offers a smaller, more intimate experience where the entire ship is luxury. You’ll likely see the same fellow guests throughout the trip, which is great if you enjoy making connections. But smaller ships can feel either cozy or limiting depending on your preferences.

It really depends on your style—do you crave variety and energy, or calm and connection? Both deliver a fantastic experience in very different ways.

The world of cruising is vast, with approximately 370 ships (and growing) sailing to countless destinations, between ocean and river cruises. Trying to navigate all those options to find the perfect fit can be a daunting task, and that's where a knowledgeable expert makes all the difference.

We've been on over 30 cruises with more than 10 different lines, and we're ready to share our personal insights to help you find the experience that's right for you. Whether you're considering one of these luxury options or something completely different, let us help you chart the perfect course for your next vacation.

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