Cruise Review: Celebrity Edge

Every once in a while, a cruise ship’s launch serves as the perfect reminder of the modern, tech-centric era we live in — punctuated by architectural and technological advances so amazing that they blow passengers away.

There’s no better example of this than Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge. In fact, the new vessel represents a dramatic evolution not just for Celebrity, but for the industry as a whole.

Edge’s exterior takes center stage thanks to the Magic Carpet, a first-of-its-kind floating platform that’s cantilevered off the starboard side. This bold addition elevates the experience in multiple ways (literally, as it changes deck position), and it plays many roles, including as a home to a specialty restaurant, a watering hole and a tender platform.

Cruising loyalists may lament the lack of a forward-facing observation lounge, but the Magic Carpet still provides breathtaking views. Combined with Edge Launches (an improved tender experience) and The Destination Gateway (a multipurpose area that functions as a luxury embarkation station and a place for enrichment talks and programming), it alleviates one of cruising’s few remaining pain points and establishes a new standard of comfort for other lines to follow.

Instead, the front of the ship features an expansive spa and fitness center, as well as The Retreat, the vessel’s ship-within-a-ship concept. The exclusive space is just for Suite Class passengers, and includes an indoor lounge, an outdoor sundeck and Luminae at The Retreat, a private dining venue.

With meticulous design, the incredible suites throw typical cruise ship cliches out the window, from the two-level Edge Villas to Edge Staterooms that feature Infinite Verandas. A portion of the stateroom separated by glass doors, the Infinite Veranda features floor-to-ceiling windows that become an external balcony railing at the push of a button.

Edge additionally showcases high-energy productions, live music or a blend of the two (such as with “Hype,” a brass band-driven romp). Theatrically creative, “The Jewelry Box” quest narrative is epically staged with rain effects, sword fighting and even hoverboards. Meanwhile, “Eden Revelation” is an interactive production featuring ethereal characters who abstractly convey a racy play of good-versus-evil; it is undoubtedly fresh for millennials but could be borderline off-putting to traditionalists.

By contrast, the imaginative food at Eden — the hybrid dining and showroom that features a scenic glass enclosure wrapping around the stern — is likely to resonate with a broader demographic and branches out from Celebrity’s former Qsine brand of restaurants. Although that fantastical collection is no longer featured, a wide variety of dining rooms are inspired by venues from the company’s past. For example, Le Grand Bistro takes inspiration from the former Bistro on Five (which has been converted to Raw on Five onboard Edge), where the Le Petit Chef experience playfully projects food animations onto the table. Or, clients can opt for the complimentary main restaurant, which is divided into four smaller restaurants, each with a theme.

Elsewhere, guests can enjoy Rooftop Garden Grill, an alfresco eatery that is surrounded by beautiful teak decking and planters. Nearby, the indoor Solarium’s adults-only pool is on hand, as is an extra-long outdoor main pool. A set of private Edge Cabanas are available for rent, and a unique jogging track crisscrosses over itself.

But no matter what experience you choose, Celebrity has certainly raised the bar.

The Details
Celebrity Cruises
www.celebritycruises.com