The newest ships from Celebrity Cruises, part of the Edge Series, seem to be in a category all their own when it comes to cruise ships. With a capacity of about 3,000 guests each they are considered large ships. Yet, they have successfully crafted a modern and relaxed luxury lifestyle that is geared toward young-at-heart adults: sophisticated yet not intimidating, with varied cuisine, a vibrant lounge scene and cutting-edge entertainment. Another way of describing it: The Edge Series are dazzling ships, where the crew is completely focused on ensuring your comfort and enjoyment at these impressive and spacious resorts at sea. Several of Cruise Specialists team members have cruised on these ships which debuted over the past several years: Celebrity Edge® (2018), Celebrity Apex® (2021) and Celebrity BeyondSM (2022). After attending the inaugural cruise and naming ceremony for Celebrity Beyond, we are happy to report that this ship is elevated and improved to accentuate even more of what cruisers love about Edge and Apex.
What gives these ships an edge? Innovative features such as the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that floats up and down the side of ship, serving different functions on each deck it visits. It’s thrilling to step into the open-air Magic Carpet lounge and face the ocean in almost every direction while feeling the gentle ocean breeze. The serene Rooftop Garden and stunning, outward-facing Resort Deck, both pioneered on Celebrity Edge, continue to be guest favorites. As far as accommodations, the popular Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda features the latest in design and technology, and it is 23% larger than Celebrity’s award-winning Solstice® Series veranda staterooms. Cruise Specialists cruise consultant Bridgett Quinn Webber has cruised on and thoroughly inspected both Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex and says the Infinite Veranda continues to impress, more so than veranda staterooms on some other cruise ships. “The ability to lower your stateroom’s outside wall with a touch of a button, to create a balcony right within your stateroom, as opposed to it being a separate closed-off space is really something that people will value once they experience it,” said Bridgett.
Incredible Suite Accommodations
Cruise Specialists Director of Strategic Planning Annie Scrivanich and Senior Vice President Teresa Tennant inspected most stateroom and suite categories while on the Celebrity Beyond inaugural voyage. They say the new AquaClass SkySuites are impressive, with floor-to-ceiling ocean views, private balconies and complimentary access to the spa’s Thermal Suite. Annie and Teresa also found the Edge Villa suite to be a beautiful space where indoor and outdoor living is seamlessly blended. These two-story luxury residences feature a private terrace with three-foot-deep plunge pool and lounge furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows, one bedroom and two full bathrooms (one with a whirlpool tub), exclusive bedding with a king-sized cashmere mattress and generous storage space — not to mention a wealth of pampering amenities and priority treatment throughout the cruise.
Exclusive Treatment within The Retreat
When you book a suite within The Retreat on the Edge Series, you also gain access to a private restaurant with signature dishes created by Daniel Boulud, The Retreat Sundeck, The Retreat Lounge and a long list of thoughtfully curated amenities — including premium drinks, premium Wi-Fi, tips included and a bonus onboard credit.
An Even Better Sunset Bar
To improve upon ship features that guests already love about the Edge Series, one of the most exciting differences between Beyond and its predecessors is the expanded, multi-terraced Sunset Bar, located at the ship’s aft. Designed by Celebrity ambassador and icon Nate Berkus, Sunset Bar is twice as large as previous versions on other ships. Its elaborate, open-air Moroccan theme is inspired by Berkus’ travels and international beach clubs in Europe, Mexico and South America. Visitors to Sunset Bar will find timeless materials such as terracotta, bronze, brass and wood with a covered pergola entrance and multiple seating areas. The Cruise Specialists team members who have been on Celebrity Beyond predict that Sunset Bar will be a guest favorite thanks to its almost 360-degree views and because the lavish, travel-inspired space may remind people of other favorite places in the world they’ve explored or still hope to venture to.
Insider Tips
As always, by reserving your cruise through Cruise Specialists, you will benefit from our first-hand knowledge of ships and many years of experience within the cruise industry. One tip we urge you consider is to download the Celebrity app on your mobile phone. You’ll be able to board the ships much more quickly if you use the app to check in to your cruise. It’s also ideal for booking shore excursions and specialty dining reservations.
See Celebrity Cruises upcoming voyages here.
