Celebrity Edge

Founded in 1990, Celebrity Cruises has a long-held and well-earned reputation for punching above its weight when it comes to sassy ship design. That said, observers watching yesterday’s reveal of the latest incarnation of their ships – Celebrity Edge – were blown away with the sheer creativity and audacious verve of the design. When Celebrity Cruises introduced their Millennium-class ships seventeen years ago they took the cruise world by storm, eight years later the Solstice-class ships upped the ante offering cruisers a pitch-perfect vision of on-trend design.

If ever a new ship demonstrates a ‘wow-factor’, Celebrity Edge has it in spades. Designed completely in 3-D, and featuring the work of celebrated British interior designer Kelly Hoppen MBE and visionary architect Tom Wright, this new class of 129,000-tonne ships will send a volt of energy through the cruise industry. Together with other designers whose work will be revealed later, the team arrived at concepts that are fresh, exciting, en vogue and comfortable – the essence of Celebrity’s Modern Luxury style.

Revolutionary staterooms will erase the boundaries between traditional ship’s cabins and their balconies, creating a closer connection to the ocean. The new Edge Stateroom with Infinite Veranda turns guest quarters into a seamless space, from the room's door all the way to the water’s edge. The simple touch of a button gives open-air access to the sea, bringing the outside in and the inside out. With the touch of another button, guests can take complete control of their stateroom and personalise everything from lighting, shades, temperature and service – even choosing a setting to tuck them in or gently wake them. The design adds 23% more square footage and 10% larger bathrooms than Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class.

Twelve per cent of all accommodation will be suites, including two new Iconic Suites situated above the ship’s bridge, plus six split-level Edge Villas. There will also be Penthouse Suites and Sky Suites. Passengers occupying these prestigious suites will have access to a new private utopia called The Retreat, featuring a private pool. There will also be the Retreat Lounge, which will offer around-the-clock personal butler service as well as the exclusive Suite Class restaurant ‘Luminae @ The Retreat’.

The immediate reaction to the somewhat gimmicky Magic Carpet has been mixed. Cantilevered from the side of the ship, the Magic Carpet makes Celebrity Edge’s distinctive profile instantly recognisable. The size of a tennis court, this incredible engineering feat scales the ship’s exterior through the day and evening, positioning at four of the ship’s decks. At the summit of the ship on Deck 16, the Magic Carpet becomes a restaurant offering ‘Dinner on the Edge’ for 90 guests. Alongside Deck 14, Magic Carpet becomes an open-air expansion of the main pool area. On Deck 5, Magic Carpet extends one of the ship’s speciality restaurants offering amazing al fresco seating.

Celebrity Edge will sail from Fort Lauderdale, making her first sailing on 16 December 2018. Eastern Caribbean cruises visit San Juan; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and St. Maarten. The western Caribbean route calls at Key West; Costa Maya; Cozumel; and Grand Cayman. Celebrity Edge will be joined by three sister ships in 2020, 2021 and 2022. For more details of this exciting new ship speak to our experienced team on 0800 484 0370 or click on www.cruisedirect.co.uk.