Key Aspects:
- Celebrity Cruises offers a Premium Access Pass, which can be purchased to receive extra benefits onboard.
- But two of these benefits, which are a special embarkation day lunch and reserved theater seating, are going away in 2026 due to capacity reasons.
- Luckily, the Premium Access Pass still offers many other benefits that make it a great value.
Several cruise lines offer special add-on packages that can improve the experience onboard.
For example, Princess Cruises offers Premier and Plus packages, Royal Caribbean has The Key Program, and Celebrity Cruises is known for the Premium Access Pass.
But two key Premium Access Pass perks are going away on Celebrity cruise ships, which will certainly be disappointing to some future guests.
Pass purchasers will be saying goodbye to an exclusive lunch just for these VIPs on embarkation day and reserved theater seating for performances.
These two specific perks will be phased out due to capability limitations. The cruise line has traditionally limited the number of Premium Access Passes that could be sold on each sailing so that these perks could be offered.
However, they want more guests to be able to take advantage of the many other benefits in the very near future.
“…The reserved theatre seating and special embarkation day lunch are no longer available…” The Royal Caribbean-owned cruise line confirmed in a statement, in part.
Guests will have some time to get used to the news, as this change will not go into effect until August 1, 2026.
Premium Access Pass Still Offers Great Value
While losing perks can be disappointing, future cruisers who choose to purchase the Premium Access Pass will still be getting a lot of bang for their buck.
The package will continue to include valuable perks like premium Wi-Fi for two devices, early access to cruise terminals, and express luggage service in the cruise terminal during the disembarkation process.
When it comes to refreshments, unlimited complimentary room service and the Celebrity Premium Drink package is also included in the add-on.
This top-tier drink package includes all the lower-tier Classic Drink Package items as well as specialty coffees and teas, alcoholic beverages, Coca-Cola products, and bottled water.
Additionally, these VIP guests get priority luggage delivery to their staterooms following embarkation and priority departure from the ship at tender ports.
“Premium Access guests still enjoy a variety of exciting perks, including premium wifi for two devices, unlimited complimentary room service, priority luggage delivery to stateroom…”
“…priority departure from ship to shore in ports that require tender service, express luggage service in the terminal when debarking, and premium drinks package,” the cruise line confirmed.
Worth Reading: Celebrity Cruises to Permit Kids in Adults-Only Space Onboard
The price of the Premium Access Pass varies by sailing, but tends to run between $15 to $40 per person, per day.
This means that the all-inclusive experience costs anywhere from $105 per person to $280 per person for a week-long voyage – which really isn’t bad considering all the perks.
However, keep in mind that the package must be purchased for all guests staying in the same cruise cabin who are over the age of six.
But while this all-or-nothing policy often gets pushback, you would likely be buying individual drink and/or Wi-Fi packages for these cruisers anyway – and it’s usually more expensive to make these purchases separately.
The premium Wi-Fi package that is included in the Access Pass for two devices costs $35 per individual device, per day.
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The drink packages start at around $45 per person, per day for the Non-Alcoholic Classic Package, which is already more than the average cost of the Premium Access Pass.
Meanwhile, the Premium Drink Package averages around $105 to $130 per person, per day.
