Forbes is Now Rating Cruise Ships

Forbes Travel Guide has just released its ocean cruise ratings for the first time. Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Edge, and Celebrity Summit were the first resorts at sea to receive the distinction. Among them, Apex, Flora, and Millennium were rated as Forbes Four-star, while Edge and Summit were recommended. The Celebrity Beyond and Equinox are currently awaiting their ratings.

A 4-star rating denotes an exceptional property with high levels of service and top-quality facilities to match. The highest possible rating is 5 stars. A recommended but un-starred property is an excellent property that consistently offers good service and amenities, according to Forbes.

Hermann Elger, Forbes Travel Guide CEO, said, "Forbes Travel Guide is thrilled to announce Celebrity ships as the world's first Star-Rated resorts at sea in the new ocean cruise category. Celebrity has delivered on Forbes Travel Guide's standards time and time again during meticulous incognito inspections—offering guests experiences that rival those at the very best land-based properties. We congratulate Celebrity Cruises on this spectacular and historic accomplishment." Elger congratulated Celebrity Cruises, the first ocean-cruise company to earn such a distinction, on this historic feat.

Forbes Travel Guide further announced that it will reveal another set of cruise line honors as part of FTG later this year while evaluating others for inclusion in the 2024 ranking. Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo expressed her delight at the news, stating, "We always reach for the stars at Celebrity Cruises, whether it's in our exceptional level of service, our innovative ship design, or the highest quality of relaxed luxury experiences we provide onboard. To now be Star-rated multiple times over is such an incredible honor from the Forbes Travel Guide team. It's confirmation that with our resorts at sea, our guests truly sail on the world's best places to the world's best places."

In addition to the already-rated ships, Celebrity's Beyond is awaiting its rating from Forbes, and we expect the ship to make the cut along with its peers.

So, which of these ships sail to Greece? Meet the newest ship in the Edge Series.

For 2023 the Beyond still has itineraries available to Greece. So yes, you can enjoy a floating luxury resort and explore all that Greece has to offer sans stress. No catching flights, trains, and ferries; instead, sit back and relax as you travel to all of Greece's top destinations. Securing your spot on the Beyond before the Forbes rating comes out ensures you get to experience this water-borne hotel before the demand increases even further, raising prices.

Need more details on the ship? The Celebrity Beyond, which made its debut in April 2022, is the latest addition to Celebrity Cruises' Edge series. This ship stands out from others in its series due to its focus on wellness, which was further emphasized by goop founder and CEO Gwyneth Paltrow, who served as its well-being advisor. Celebrity Beyond's goop at Sea program sets it apart from the rest, featuring various workshops and classes like movement classes with Isaac Boots, wellness courses with Dr. Ellen Vora, and cooking classes.

The ship's design and decorations cater to the younger crowd and include gluten-free buffet stations, Nate Berkus' mid-century modern Sunset Bar, Daniel Boulud's restaurant, and Peloton bikes in the fitness studio. The Celebrity Beyond's innovative structural features, like the floating Magic Carpet platform and "infinite veranda," were further elevated with an extra deck, expanded top deck, more restaurants and bars, and an additional 179 rooms with 29 extra suites, including the largest suites in the fleet — all of which will undoubtedly attract a new generation of travelers.

How to Travel in Utmost Luxury, Explore The Retreat

Are you looking for a truly luxurious escape? Look no further than The Retreat on the Celebrity Beyond Ship. But what exactly is The Retreat? It's not just a place, an amenity, or a service; it's all of these things and more.

Stunning Accommodations

The Retreat includes luxurious suites that blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. From cashmere mattresses to premium amenities, you will never want to leave your room. The iconic suite is the largest and most luxurious suite in the fleet, offering panoramic views from atop the captain's bridge. The Edge Villa features two-story residences with private terraces and plunge pools, while the Penthouse Suite provides plenty of space to stretch out with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and walk-in closets.

Private Restaurant: Luminae at The Retreat

Your dining experience at Luminae at The Retreat is truly one-of-a-kind. The restaurant boasts a boldly elegant interior that is as distinctive as the cuisine you'll enjoy. The menu options are found nowhere else on board, including the new signature dishes created by the award-winning Global Culinary Ambassador Daniel Boulud. Luminae is complimentary to all guests of The Retreat.

Exclusive Lounge and Sundeck

The Retreat Lounge is warm and inviting, perfect for unwinding with complimentary beverages and gourmet bites. You'll also have access to a dedicated concierge to help with anything you need. The Retreat Sundeck is your luxurious outdoor sanctuary featuring a spacious lounge area and plush, stylish furniture. With an inviting pool on Celebrity Edge® ships, and a relaxing hot tub or water feature on select ships, this outdoor area rivals any high-end resort. Your Retreat Attendants will help with towels, beverages, and snacks, ensuring you have everything to completely enjoy this incredible space.

World-Class Amenities

As a guest of The Retreat, you'll also enjoy a long list of thoughtfully curated amenities that start with four new perks: premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, prepaid tips, and an onboard credit that you can spend almost any way you like. You can enjoy your favorite beverages throughout the ship, stay connected with complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi, and forget about tips, which are already prepaid. Plus, you get an onboard credit to enjoy spa treatments or your preferred onboard activities.

Intuitive Service

Your dedicated team of attendants, concierges, and butlers will do everything to ensure you never have to lift a finger on vacation. From priority check-in, departure, and reserved theater seating on Evening Chic nights to even having access to the pre-cruise Retreat Concierge, you'll be taken care of every step of the way.

The Retreat on the Celebrity Beyond Ship is more than just a vacation. It's an experience that rivals any high-end resort.

Beyond Cruises to Greece 2023

11 Nights Italy, Turkey & Greek Islands

Sailing Departure Dates 2023: June 5th, June 26th, July 17th, August 7th, September 28th

Example Itinerary:

Day 1, Mon, Jun 5, 2023 - Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Departure: 5:00 PM

Day 2, Tue, Jun 6, 2023 - Sicily (Messina), Italy Docked: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Day 3, Wed, Jun 7, 2023 - At Sea

Day 4, Thu, Jun 8, 2023 - Santorini, Greece Tendered: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Day 5, Fri, Jun 9, 2023 - Mykonos, Greece Tendered: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Day 6, Sat, Jun 10, 2023 - Istanbul, Turkey Arrival: 11:59 AM

Day 7, Sun, Jun 11, 2023 - Istanbul, Turkey Departure: 1:00 PM

Day 8, Mon, Jun 12, 2023 - Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey Docked: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Day 9, Tue, Jun 13, 2023 - Athens (Piraeus), Greece Docked: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Day 10, Wed, Jun 14, 2023 - At Sea

Day 11, Thu, Jun 15, 2023 - Naples, Italy Docked: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Day 12, Fri, Jun 16, 2023 - Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Arrival: 6:00 AM

11-Night Italy, Turkey & Greek Islands Cruise (with a stop in Crete)

Sailing Departure Dates 2023: October 9th

Day 1, Mon, Oct 9, 2023 - Depart from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy at 5:00PM

Day 2, Tue, Oct 10, 2023 - At Sea

Day 3, Wed, Oct 11, 2023 - Docked at Chania (Souda), Crete, Greece from 11:59AM - 8:00PM

Day 4, Thu, Oct 12, 2023 - Tendered at Santorini, Greece from 8:00AM - 10:00PM

Day 5, Fri, Oct 13, 2023 - Tendered at Mykonos, Greece from 7:00AM - 4:00PM

Day 6, Sat, Oct 14, 2023 - Arrive at Istanbul, Turkey at 11:59AM

Day 7, Sun, Oct 15, 2023 - Depart from Istanbul, Turkey at 1:00PM

Day 8, Mon, Oct 16, 2023 - Docked at Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey from 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Day 9, Tue, Oct 17, 2023 - Docked at Athens (Piraeus), Greece from 6:00AM - 6:00PM

Day 10, Wed, Oct 18, 2023 - At Sea

Day 11, Thu, Oct 19, 2023 - Docked at Naples, Italy from 7:00AM - 6:00PM

Day 12, Fri, Oct 20, 2023 - Arrive at Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy at 6:00AM

12 Nights Italy, Turkey & Greek Islands

Sailing Departure Dates 2023: May 15th

Example Itinerary:

Day 1, Mon, May 15, 2023, Location: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, Departs: 5:00PM

Day 2, Tue, May 16, 2023, Location: Sicily (Palermo), Italy, Docked: 9:00AM to 9:00PM

Day 3, Wed, May 17, 2023, Location: At Sea

Day 4, Thu, May 18, 2023, Location: Chania (Souda), Crete, Greece, Docked: 8:00AM to 5:00PM

Day 5, Fri, May 19, 2023, Location: Santorini, Greece, Tendered: 7:00AM to 10:00PM

Day 6, Sat, May 20, 2023, Location: Mykonos, Greece, Tendered: 7:00AM to 5:00PM

Day 7, Sun, May 21, 2023, Location: Istanbul, Turkey, Arrival: 11:00AM

Day 8, Mon, May 22, 2023, Location: Istanbul, Turkey, Departs: 1:00PM

Day 9, Tue, May 23, 2023, Location: Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey, Docked: 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Day 10, Wed, May 24, 2023, Location: Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Docked: 5:30AM to 6:00PM

Day 11, Thu, May 25, 2023, Location: At Sea

Day 12, Fri, May 26, 2023, Location: Naples, Italy, Docked: 7:00AM to 6:30PM

Day 13, Sat, May 27, 2023, Location: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, Arrival: 6:00AM

10 Nights Italy, Greece, Croatia & Montenegro

Sailing Departure Dates 2023: June 16th, July 7th, July 28th, August 18th, September 8th, September 18th

Example Itinerary:

Day 1, Fri, Aug 18, 2023 - Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Departs: 5:00 PM

Day 2, Sat, Aug 19, 2023 - At Sea

Day 3, Sun, Aug 20, 2023 - Olympia (Katakolon), Greece Docked: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Day 4, Mon, Aug 21, 2023 - Corfu, Greece Docked: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Day 5, Tue, Aug 22, 2023 - Dubrovnik, Croatia Docked: 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Day 6, Wed, Aug 23, 2023 - Kotor, Montenegro Tendered: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Day 7, Thu, Aug 24, 2023 - At Sea

Day 8, Fri, Aug 25, 2023 - Sicily (Messina), Italy Docked: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Day 9, Sat, Aug 26, 2023 - Naples, Italy Docked: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Day 10, Sun, Aug 27, 2023 - Florence/Pisa(Livorno),Italy Docked: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Day 11, Mon, Aug 28, 2023 - Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Arrival: 6:00 AM

8-Night Italy, Greece, Croatia, & Montenegro

Sailing Departure Dates 2023: May 7th

Example Itinerary:

Day 1, Sun, May 7, 2023 - Depart from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy at 5:00PM

Day 2, Mon, May 8, 2023 - Spend the day at sea.

Day 3, Tue, May 9, 2023 - Dock at Dubrovnik, Croatia from 9:00AM to 10:00PM.

Day 4, Wed, May 10, 2023 - Tender at Kotor, Montenegro from 7:00AM to 6:00PM.

Day 5, Thu, May 11, 2023 - Dock at Corfu, Greece from 8:00AM to 7:00PM.

Day 6, Fri, May 12, 2023 - Tender at Zakynthos, Greece from 8:00AM to 6:00PM.

Day 7, Sat, May 13, 2023 - Spend the day at sea.

Day 8, Sun, May 14, 2023 - Dock at Naples, Italy from 7:00AM to 6:00PM.

Day 9, Mon, May 15, 2023 - Arrival at Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy at 5:00AM.

Get the Most Out of Your Cruise by Booking with LuxRally Travel

Why book with us? It's completely free. We do not charge service or membership fees. By booking with us, you'll get $200 in onboard credit, a dedicated luxury travel advisor to assist with flights, recommendations, spa and dining reservations, setting up excursions, and more. Those booking a suite in The Retreat will have access not only to Celebrity's onboard butlers but our Forbes Five-Star trained concierge team. With a travel agent available to you via text, you'll experience seamless, elevated travel. We focus on the logistics, so you can focus on the good stuff.