Celebrity Beyond is positioned by the brand to be part of a shift in the way experienced travelers think of cruise vacations. It falls snugly between larger cruise lines that take a “one ship fits all” approach shaping up as glossy malls at sea, and more exclusive ocean and river ships whose smaller sizes, concepts, designs, and specialized amenities mirror luxury boutique hotels that aren’t supposed to be for everybody. With a wave of Generation X and older Millennials emerging as a prime cruise audience, Celebrity Edge cruise ships, including Celebrity Beyond, accomplish much in reconciling these diverse at-sea offerings.

While the slower pace and smaller ships in river cruising appeal to the traditional older cruise audience, it is interesting to note that these lines are drawing younger, more active passengers. Several excursions involving challenging bike rides and rigorous hikes are offered alongside familiar slower-paced tours. However, as multi-generational trips and business retreat cruises are becoming more commonplace, there’s something to be said about the “floating hotel” aspect of modern ocean cruise ships.

Everything one could want or need is right at the stateroom door—restaurants, full-service spas, shopping, activities, boardrooms, special event space, and elaborately produced entertainment. And family groups? Large swaths of space aboard the ship and staff dedicated to children and young teens. And days at sea? Art classes, cooking demos, spirits tastings, educational talks, and more.

Like other “Edge” ships, the Celebrity Beyond offers an upgraded version of all of these things. The top decks are occupied by The Retreat® and AquaClass® sections, a ship-within-a-ship situation along the lines of a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons nestled into the top floors of a sister property. This promises ultra-exclusivity and perks some are willing to pay extra for, including access to special spaces with markedly fewer passengers. They also have in-and-out privileges at the SEA Thermal Suite’s eight distinct spaces, including Mist Aroma Steam and Desert Infrared Sauna rooms, heated loungers with panoramic views of the ocean, and a Rainfall Water Therapy.

The Retreat’s custom-designed five-star hotel-caliber suites boast Cinescope-scale views, plush-yet-polished décor, and higher-end bathroom amenities (courtesy of wellness ambassador Gwyneth Paltrow and GOOP). There is also Luminae, a Retreat-class only restaurant (with dishes crafted by renowned chef and fellow star ambassador Daniel Boulud), an indoor lounge fashioned by noted U.K. interior designer Kelly Hoppen, hands-on concierge personnel, and a “Personal Retreat Host.” Retreat guests can also get unlimited premium cocktails and extra credit in U.S. dollars they can apply to excursions and specialty restaurants including Eden, Raw on Five, and Daniel Boulud’s global dining concept Le Voyage.

With a reservation and a little extra cash, passengers can experience “specialty” restaurants such as Eden and Le Voyage, Daniel Boulud’s first premium-at-sea restaurant. Other prestige eateries completing the lineup include Raw on 5, Fine Cut Steakhouse, Le Grand Bistro, Le Petit Chef, Rooftop Garden Grill, and The Magic Carpet. Four all-access themed eateries–Cypress, Normandie, Cosmopolitan, and Tuscan–replace the sprawling main dining room with something closer to a true restaurant experience, including attractive seating for larger groups. Although 75% of the menus at these venues are identical, check out the “specialties” menus at each venue with a rotating offering of appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Several of these are as high in quality as the for-charge specialty restaurants.

The AquaClass, conceived for wellness-driven travelers, features rooms that are larger in size, scale, and creature comforts. AquaClass SkySuites further up the ante with more individualized décor schemes created by Kelly Hoppen, some with large outdoor verandas. There’s also access to special “members only” programs such as the “Women in Wellness,” incorporating yoga, meditation, strength, stretch, and cardio workouts by top-grade instructors. These passengers have their decks’ exclusive restaurant, Blu, noted for its “clean” fresh ingredient-driven spa cuisine.

As Celebrity’s wine program is a 12-time “Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards” recipient, aficionados will want to spring for the “Classic” or “Premium” meal programs to enjoy the acclaimed beverage selection more freely. These also include regular access to pressed juices and smoothies from the Spa Cafe and craft coffee drinks and desserts from Café Al Bacio. While all bars on board offer beer, wine, and some mix of creative mixology and classics, some are not covered by the packages but are worth checking out anyway. Eden’s visually arresting cocktails are worth the splurge, especially when enjoying watching a nighttime cabaret show. The Nate Berkus-designed Sunset Bar has a cool Moroccan ambiance. The Rooftop Garden, Resort Deck, and recently-introduced Magic Carpet impress thanks to architect Tom Wright’s gravity-defying, airy structures.

On the lower decks, staterooms are smaller but thoughtfully designed and comfortable, rendered with sunny pops of red, orange, or yellow, and adorned with sleek framed artwork and photography. Ocean view cabins have an indoor/outdoor feel, as the touch of a button transforms the sitting area by the floor-to-ceiling windows into a patio. Storage is abundant by cruise standards, with generous under-bed space for suitcases, sectioned closets, and plenty of drawers. Other “lifestyle” hotel-inspired touches include a good-sized marble-appointed bathroom, premium mattresses and sheets, and friendly housekeeping staff who oblige with a smile when a different pillow, more shampoo or additional bottles of mineral water are requested.

The ultimate indulgence available to all passengers is the services available at The Spa. Its quiet, light earth-toned space has the feel of a stand-alone wellness destination even as it is part of an enormous ship. Signature treatments (particularly the soothing, fragrant decadence of the Ocean Spa Wave Massage) are worth every penny, especially as the reservation also includes use of the facilities the AquaClass and The Retreat passengers enjoy on the day of your treatment. Beyond that, everybody has access to the ship’s expansive but tidy gym as well as a full calendar of workout classes.

Higher-intensity classes involve extra fees for the general population (on par with what gyms typically charge in larger cities). However, several complimentary sessions, such as the morning and evening low-impact stretch classes, offer as good of a workout as some of the paid classes as well as some of the same charismatic instructors.

Although most of the Celebrity Beyond’s excursions available for an extra charge consist of the familiar history and culture-focused walking tours and winery visits (some requiring long bus rides to other cities), there are several active options (hikes and bike tours) now available at most of the ports of call. The Chef’s Market Tours often sell out first but are worth every penny. Executive chefs (many of them with Michelin-star billing) from the ships team with a local guide to shape the perfect balance of tasting, useful cooking insights or instruction, and a healthy overview of the area’s history.

While there’s time to either explore the city or go back to the boat to recover afterward, the market tour continues late in the day with a behind-the-scenes galley tour followed by a lavish dinner made with everything the chef purchased in the morning. And how can you not love the experience of a private dinner with a Michelin-star chef? Alternatively, should all of the tours sell out, you can get useful tips from the excursion destinations desk crew along with Yelp or another similar app to put together your own itinerary where the ship is docked.

If you have liked ocean cruises in the past, chances are you’ll love Celebrity Beyond’s classier bells and whistles. If you’re more of a river cruise type, you’ll appreciate what The Retreat® and AquaClass sections have to offer. Regardless of what deck you are on, you’ve got many options beyond the usual.