Celebrity Beyond was the perfect ship and itinerary for our family Caribbean escape. From beautiful beaches and turquoise waters to incredible dining and plenty of time to simply relax, it was the perfect mix of adventure and indulgence.

At around 3,500 passengers, Beyond has that lovely sweet spot, large enough to offer plenty to do, but still feeling more intimate and easy to navigate. While Celebrity caters beautifully for all ages, I found it particularly suited to adults and families with older children. There were younger children onboard, but not in huge numbers. For families with little ones, I'd probably lean towards Royal Caribbean, with its waterslides and extensive kids' activities.

What really sets Celebrity Beyond apart is its stunning design. The public spaces, restaurants and bars are beautifully styled, giving the ship a sophisticated, contemporary feel. There are also some fabulous speciality restaurants, and adding a dining package can be a great-value way to experience even more of what Celebrity has to offer.

During the day, there's something for everyone from activities and entertainment to simply finding a quiet spot by the pool with a cocktail and watching the Caribbean drift by. You can make your holiday as busy or as relaxing as you want.

The Retreat, our favourite part

We stayed in The Retreat, Celebrity's premium suite experience, and honestly, it was worth every cent.

Having our own private pool area, beautiful outdoor spaces and the stunning Luminae restaurant made the cruise feel like a luxury resort at sea. It was wonderfully peaceful, with attentive service and that extra feeling of being looked after.

The added privileges were another huge bonus, including priority access for activities and shore excursions, making everything feel effortless.

And that's what I loved most, we could explore beautiful Caribbean islands during the day, then return to the ship and retreat into our own little sanctuary.

Celebrity Beyond gave us the perfect combination of family time, adventure, relaxation and luxury and cruising the Caribbean this way is hard to beat.