We were recently lucky enough to experience some time aboard the brand new Celebrity Edge. After wowing us from the moment we stepped on board, here is our take on this ground-breaking new ship.

For a couple of amazing days we were, in the words of Aerosmith, “livin’ on the Edge”… literally. As not only the newest member of the Celebrity Cruises fleet, but as a new design concept, Celebrity Edge aims to deliver the cruise line’s mantra of modern luxury in 21st century fashion.

Pulling up to the quayside, you can immediately see the aesthetic developments in the exterior design of Edge. From a straight bow to the flowing lines of the new balcony concept and the clever new funnel layout, it was clear that a modern yet futuristic tone had been employed.

As with most cruise ship embarkations, the initial route is to find your stateroom, via a nice glass of bubbly on the way. The contemporary, earthy colour palates struck us as we manoeuvred to the elevator and down the corridor to our infinite balcony room. Infinite balconies, although seen on newer river vessels, have not been seen on an ocean vessel, until now. The concept is a rather simple one really. A full floor-to-ceiling window in your stateroom which allows you to, at your pleasure, lower the top half in order to create a balcony. The benefit of this contemporary thought is that staterooms are larger when the balcony is not set up for use, yet it provides a great balcony effect when open. We found ourselves maximising this new technology as the weather varied throughout the day.

Futuristic Touches

Another great touch that brings Celebrity Cruises very much into a new world is the way that the Celebrity Cruises app (downloaded onto your personal phone before embarkation) can be used to power your stateroom lights, television, curtains and more… Whilst, admittedly, the same functions are on buttons within the room, it adds a new dimension to the interaction.

Exploring the outdoor areas of the ship, it is clear that the design concept from the ship’s exterior flows to the outdoor areas too. The rooftop Garden is just one example of how the clever use of design has transformed an outdoor deck space into a swanky seating, dining and entertainment area.

The resort deck, with centrally located pool, brings with it more contemporary design. A hot tub situated one deck higher looks like a wine glass and the cabanas, located on one side of the deck, provide a fantastic way to snare your position, albeit with a cover charge for the privilege. The retreat, whilst not a new idea, delivers suite class guests the most amazing area to relax and pamper one’s self. This area oozes sophistication and connects seamlessly with the associated suites located in the area. Whether in the penthouse or one of the two-storey Edge Villas, these exquisite rooms are a sight to behold and well worth choosing if you wish to invest in this level of accommodation.

Wellness programmes, gym facilities and spa treatments on board are what you would expect from a ship as modern as Celebrity Edge. The spacious gym not only includes the machinery one would expect but has high-tech Peloton cycles enabling livestreamed spinning classes.

Food For Thought

Now, a cruise wouldn’t be a cruise without a spot of decent food and, once again, Celebrity Cruises has created a great mix of speciality dining venues that vary from the traditional offerings of the Fine Cut steakhouse to the cutting-edge menu options of Raw on 5, a top-end fish restaurant. Le petit Chef, another great innovation, uses projection technology to create an animated character who prepares your dinner right in front of you.

And then we come to two new concepts that mix dining with other magical uses. Eden is quite mind blowing. A venue that spirals up over multiple levels provides for full relaxation in intimate settings by day, followed by what Celebrity Cruises refers to as ‘sinful’ evenings, where a fusion of beautiful food and sensory entertainment creates a spectacular atmosphere after dark. It is difficult to explain Eden in writing; we can only say that it is something to behold.

A Magic Carpet Ride

Likewise, but for different reasons, the Magic Carpet simply cannot be missed. We say this because it is large, orange and on the side of the ship. Bizarre some may say, but it works and it works well. The Magic Carpet can move up and down the ship and, in its upper positions, serves as an outdoor restaurant. Whether as an extension to Raw on 5, when on deck 5, or as another al fresco dining or drinking venue, when on resort deck, this use of space adds a new dimension to the experience. One other great feature of the Magic Carpet is that it serves as the most luxurious tender platform to take guests ashore when at anchor. When other ships use the interior lounges for tender embarkation, the Magic Carpet enables guests to use a spectacular extension of the ship to grab a drink and embark one of the most comfortable tenders we have seen.

Celebrity Cruises certainly seems to have used a plethora of great and contemporary designers and designs to bring together a ship unlike others sailing right now. If the aim was to optimise the luxuriousness of modern times, they have achieved their goal, as Celebrity Edge certainly delivers a delightful mix of the modern traditions with contemporary additions. Well done, Celebrity Cruises.

If you would like to experience Celebrity Edge for yourself, we have a wide range of itineraries available on board this fantastic vessel. For more details, call our team on 0808 250 7052 or click here to submit your enquiry online.