Updated 23.03.2022
Launched in 2019, Celebrity Cruises first edge-class ship Celebrity Edge paved the way for modern luxury cruising. The ship brought together innovation and indulgence, boasting the world’s first cruise ship cantilevered, floating platform- the Magic Carpet.
Some of our team here at Cruise118.com were selected to attend her first sailing, excited to experience the much-anticipated cruise ship that is designed to leave the future behind. See what they thought of their time on-board.
Initial impressions
Prior to our visit, we had downloaded the Celebrity Cruises app. This allowed us to see our upcoming departure, ship details such as deck plans and venues, as well as enter our passport details and check-in. By adding a selfie photo to your account, it allowed us to opt for the facial recognition check-in at the port, where your face is scanned, checked against your uploaded image and you’re good to go. It was really innovative and sped up the check-in process hugely.
Once on-board, we were welcomed with a glass of champagne and made our way to our staterooms. The initial decor upon arrival was stunning, the colour schemes are naturally-inspired, with art dotted throughout the main areas and unique fittings such as lighting, walls and walkways.
The decor has all been designed by Kelly Hoppen, one of the most celebrated and sought-after interior designers in the world and her style really shines through everywhere you look on-board.[/vc_column_text]
Senior Product Executive, Rebecca Peacock:
WOW! There hasn’t be a ship that’s blown me away on first impressions but this did. The Magic Carpet looked amazing and something that iI couldn’t wait to experience up close! As we had downloaded the app before we went check-in was smooth sailing (pardon the pun) and we were on-board in no time at all because of the efficiency of the new technology and the app!
Marketing Executive, Rebecca Power:
The embarkation process was quick and very smooth, I checked in using the Celebrity app before arrival and uploaded a photograph to my account. Once at the port, facial recognition was used, my face and passport were scanned and I was allowed to board immediately. Celebrity Edge is simply stunning, the Magic Carpet is an iconic venue which sets Celebrity Edges exterior landscape apart from any other cruise ship. Once onboard we were welcomed with a glass of champagne and made our way to our Balcony stateroom.
Life on-board
During our two-night stay, we had the chance to explore plenty of areas on-board the ship. Selected staterooms were open for viewing and all of the areas were available to explore at your own leisure.
Accommodation
Our group all stayed in the Edge Staterooms with Infinite Balcony – a new transformation of the balcony staterooms already on offer with Celebrity Cruises. These offer 27% more space than the rest of the fleet and their bathrooms are 10% larger, so they were really spacious and comfortable for two people to stay in.
These accommodations are completely new to Celebrity Edge, with the unique addition of the Infinite Balcony. This balcony can be operated either from buttons at the side or via a control panel beside the bathroom near your door. Bi-folding doors open to extend the space of your cabin and an electric window drops down from the ceiling to open half-way.
The room included a double bed or two twin beds, sofa, desk, full-length mirror, fridge, wall-mounted flat-screen TV, furniture on the balcony and a roomy en-suite bathroom. The bathroom had luxury branded toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap and hand lotion, as well as a hair dryer, towels and plenty of storage for your personal items.
The room as a whole continues the naturally-inspired colour scheme with light grey fittings for your wardrobe and desk space, complemented by rich purples to make truly luxurious private space to relax and unwind.
Trainer, Jolie Royds:
The room was very modern and clean looking, light white-washed woods gave the room a sense of lightness. The Infinite Balcony is a great idea as it
really brings the outside in. There was plenty of space to close the doors and enjoy your outside space too. It is great that you can keep your room cool whilst also being able to sit out on the balcony when it is hot.
Senior Product Executive, Rebecca Peacock:
The storage space in the room is unbelievable and you feel like you can discover hidden storage space without meaning too! Another feature I really liked was there is a full length mirror in the room but in front of it was a retractable dressing table allowing further space but again catering for everyone’s needs. The Veranda was beautiful. What a way to wake up in the morning and just see the beautiful sea or port!
Marketing Executive, Rebecca Power:
I stayed in an Infinite Balcony and was extremely pleased with how spacious the accommodation was. Using the latest technology you can control everything from lighting to shades, temperature, and service with a simple touch screen.
Some of the group also spent some time exploring the suites on-board Celebrity Edge, including some brand new categories such as the Iconic Suite and the Edge Villa. Each of these offers a whole new level of luxury, with their own unique design, decor and style.
All of the suites offer access to The Retreat, an area culminating in a selection of private venues close to your suite accommodation. These include a speciality restaurant, secluded sundeck area with cabanas, dedicated butlers, a full-sized pool and a stylish VIP lounge with ocean views.
Suite guests can also enjoy dining in the Luminae Restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering elegant cuisine that can’t be found anywhere else on-board.
Communication Support, Nicole Hope:
Whilst on board we also had the opportunity to visit the other staterooms on board and I found that the suites were stunning, very spacious, and excellent value for money.
Senior Product Executive, Rebecca Peacock:
We were very lucky to experience some of the top suites on-board and they really are amazing. The bathrooms are out of this world and so spacious, if I was lucky enough to book one of those I wouldn’t leave the room!
Marketing Executive, Becky Power:
Whilst on-board we toured all of the Suite accommodation, the Iconic Suite was one of the most spectacular suites I have ever seen. The new addition of the Retreat is a highlight of Celebrity Edge, offering suite guests exclusive access to Luminae, the Retreat Lounge and sun deck.
Product Manager, Rebecca Welsby:
I also viewed some of the suite categories including Royal Suite, Penthouse Suite, Iconic Suite and Edge Villa. All of these were incredible and unique in their own way. Although they have a very hefty price tag, they are really worth it.
Entertainment and activities
There is plenty to see and do on-board Celebrity Edge, including some never-before-seen venues and experiences not just for the cruise line but for the cruise industry as a whole!
One of the main social spaces on-board is The Grand Plaza, situated in the heart of the ship and set across three decks. This open-air venue is inspired by the piazzas of Italy and bringing everyone together for a great time. The venues highlight is the huge light fixture situated above the bar, it’s a stunning piece and really adds to the visual aspect of the venue – it even twinkles along to the music!
Another hub for socialising is The Resort Deck, where the main pool resides and the Instragrammable Dream Machine, a set of butterfly wings designed by Rubem Robierb, overlooks the main pool. From here, guests can take a walk to the Rooftop Garden. perfect for relaxing with friends and family and enjoying live acoustic music; visit the sublime Solarium and spa spaces for indulgent you-time and head to the Magic Carpet.
The Magic Carpet is an industry-first and represents the futuristic appeal of Celebrity Edge from the off. As the world’s first cantilevered, moving platform, the venue transforms from a state-of-the-art embarkation station for tenders on deck 2; extending the ships open-air seafood eatery, Raw on 5 on deck 5; adding another bar area to The Resort Deck area on deck 14; and offering the ultimate dining experience with the Dinner on the Edge on deck 16. It’s truly unbelievable.
As for industry-firsts, Eden is another venue which has possibly never before been seen at sea. The perfect place to indulge every one of your sense, Eden offers three storeys of immersive levels to bring new views from the acrobatic displays and expansive windows, new tastes from the Eden Restaurant and new ways to experience life at sea with playful performances from the Edenists all around you.
Travel Concierge, Scott Perry:
We watched an acrobatic show in Eden which was great as it was something a little different to just musical artists playing in lounges. They held a silent disco in Eden too which was fantastic, everybody seemed to have great fun and it was very popular.
Senior Product Executive, Rebecca Peacock:
The ship really does cater to all ages in terms of activities on-board. There is lots going on in the day from quizzes to even just relaxing by the pool listening to the live music and a cocktail in hand! We experienced a Hot Summer’s Night Dream and it was FAB! There are lots of contortionists on-board and these are so brilliant to watch! We went to the Club one night for late night drinks after the show and they had the professional dancers
in there, including a contortionist doing a performance – it just created a brilliant atmosphere and got everyone dancing!
The other thing that we was lucky enough to experience was the ‘Edge Launches’ which are the new tenders from the Magic Carpet. This was brilliant, the boat had plush leather seats and was just so smooth and feels like it makes the tendering process a whole lot better!
Trainer, Jolie Royds:
The Rooftop Garden is a must see on this ship, the outdoor space is beautiful and is like nothing else I have seen on a ship. It is a really nice space to relax with a cocktail and listen to live music and also if you want something a little livelier in the evening then they also have parties on deck. Eden was my favourite place on the ship, this area oozes relaxation and helps you to truly unwind whilst watching the amazing gymnasts at work.
Travel Concierge, Adam Lucas:
There is a wide variety of shows and activities on board the Edge whether your looking for a traditional play with a spin such as Shakespeare’s a Hot Summer Nights Dream or unique individual performances from the talented dancers in Eden. You will never be bored due to the sheer variety of what they have to offer.
Dining and drinks
There are 29 venues on-board Celebrity Edge, each breaking cruising tradition one dish at a time. There are no main dining rooms, instead, there are four complimentary restaurants each inspired by a region of the world.
There’s also a range of cafes, al fresco restaurants and grills, and the innovative Le Petit Chef where your plate becomes animated with a little chef running around preparing your food.
Sales Manager, Ben Trinder:
There are four main restaurants ranging from Greek to French themes as well as around six other speciality dining venues. One that is the most impressive is Le Petit Chef where the table is virtual and shows chefs making the meal that you have ordered and by the time it arrives, it looks exactly the same!
Concierge, Katie Longstaff:
We thought we’d sample an a la carte restaurant and managed to get in at Fine Cut Steakhouse. Cover charge is $55 and is well worth the cost. We ordered starters of crab cake and iceberg wedge salad, followed by a 9 oz fillet and a 14 oz rib eye with sides of parmesan, truffle fries, garlic mushrooms and creamed spinach – all of which were cooked to perfection. Lastly, and I’m not sure where we fit it in – but we had the chocolate brownie and warm almond and apple cobbler to finish! All courses were really fantastic, served nice and hot in lovely surroundings. It was well worth the extra.
Marketing Executive, Rebecca Power:
My highlight onboard was ‘Le Petit Chef’ one of Edge’s speciality dining venues which truly immerses entertainment and dining using animation. We got to sample one course, and following a short animation where served Truffle Ravioli. The whole experience was a highlight of the trip and I would definitely recommend.
Service
From the moment we stepped on-board, the staff were attentive, friendly and personable. From serving you at dinner to making up your rooms, every member of staff we came into contact with couldn’t do enough for us. No matter where you were on the ship, there was always a member of staff on hand, though they never felt intrusive. Bar and waiting staff were accommodating, offering to adapt dishes or even serve something off-menu for special requests. Nothing was too much trouble for anyone on-board.
Senior Product Executive, Rebecca Peacock:
The service was fantastic, all the staff were really friendly and nothing was too much trouble. On our second night, I really wanted a cheeseboard which was not on the menu. However, when I asked if I can have a cheeseboard they made this up for me no problem which I really liked.
Everyone was really friendly and accommodating to our needs. Our cabin steward was lovely and our rooms were turned down every night with a little chocolate left on our pillow which just made it feel really special and homely!
Product Manager, Rebecca Welsby:
I couldn’t fault the service on-board. The staff where really friendly and more than happy to help with every situation. On the pool deck there was often waiters walking around offering waiter service so that you didn’t have to go to the bar which was a nice touch. The cabin steward was also lovely, the room was always tidy and the chocolate on my pillow after the turndown service was a lovely touch.
Sales, Rebecca Rimmer:
The service onboard was spectacular and really defines what Celebrity is all about. The waiters made themselves known around the pool areas, pool, bar and entertainment venues. Waiters in the restaurant were a joy. They allowed guests to tailor make option on the menu if they didn’t suit and nothing was too much trouble. They offered drinks options constantly and continued to do so with a smile on their faces. A real credit to the Celebrity Edge team.
Overall experience
After the course of two very busy days on-board, we had just touched on the exciting experiences on offer with this fascinating cruise ship. From over 20 dining venues to immersive performances and industry firsts, Celebrity Edge is certainly a ship that redefines what it means to cruise.
Travel Concierge, Adam Lucas:
Overall, the ship itself was visually stunning and there was no expense spared in making this. The on board service was exceptional, making you feel very welcome and looked after. The ship has plenty to offer and, with such unique designs in different bars and restaurants, you will never be bored of the views.
Sales Manager, Ben Trinder:
For me, this is the most cutting edge (pardon the pun) ship I have sailed on and I can safely recommend it to friends and family. It is also one that I would most certainly save to go on as the vibe on board has no age barrier so there is something for everyone, be it a drink on the Magic Carpet, to look at artwork or relax at The Retreat.
Communication Support, Nicole Hope:
My overall feeling of the ship was that this is an amazing, innovative and beautiful ship. I was really blown away by the stunning decor and unique features of the ship. I feel like this ship will be very popular and gain a lot of interest.
Marketing Executive, Rebecca Power:
I would definitely sail onboard Celebrity Edge, it really is game-changing in terms of its design and features but keeps Celebrity’s signature style intact. Celebrity Edge exceeded my expectations offering the highest standard of service and food in the most elegant and stylish surroundings. It’s easy to see
why it was voted ‘Best New Ship’.
Travel Concierge, Scott Perry:
I would definitely sail on Celebrity Edge again. It has the perfect mixture (for me) of being classy, luxurious, modern while also being laid-back and casual too. The standard of the food and drink on offer was faultless. The behaviours and professionalism of the staff was perfect. The entertainment and
activities on board very enough to make me look forward to the following night. The overall feel and atmosphere on board was brilliant, everybody loved it.
80% of our Cruise118.com agents who were on-board said that they would definitely holiday on Celebrity Edge, and all of our agents agreed that there was enough to do on-board and that guests would definitely get good value for money on-board.
Celebrity Edge is most definitely a ship designed to leave the future behind and, as more cruisers experience life on-board, we believe that they will be leaving with her too! If you would like to experience this ship for yourself, take a look at our Celebrity Edge deals by clicking the button below.
You could also consider the sister-ship to Celebrity Edge, with Celebrity Apex which joins the fleet in 2020. For more information on the Edge-Class ships, Celebrity Cruises or to make a booking, call our Cruise Concierge team on 0808 1234 118 for expert advice and award-winning service.
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