How Does Celebrity Beyond Compare to Other Edge Class Ships?

Celebrity Beyond is made for travel advisors and their clients — and that message couldn’t be clearer.

“This cruise is totally for them,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, reflecting on her career in the industry, which began in sales and marketing. “I can’t believe that, 38 years later, I’m still communicating that people should not be saying, ‘cruising’s not for me.’”

Following Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex, Beyond is the third ship in the Edge class, but the first to be lengthened by approximately 65 feet and grow a deck taller. The result is an additional 179 staterooms and suites to sell — including in The Retreat, its ship-within-a-ship complex, where the private sundeck has increased in size by 40%.

Celebrity Beyond Vs. Other Edge Series Ships

Everything from the previous Edge Series vessels are carried over from the ship’s predecessors — and then some. As a result of stretching the Grand Plaza, the contemporary central atrium has been elongated, and its Martini Bar has been relocated to the core of the ship. The updated arrangement, which is bisected by a floating bridge, pulsates with energetic music and vibrant lighting.

Anchoring the atrium on one end is the entirely new Le Voyage, a specialty restaurant from celebrity chef Daniel Boulud — an intimate setting that perfectly blends modern and retro ship design — and the World Class Bar, making its return from the Solstice class of ships.

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Speaking of watering holes, the ever-popular Sunset Bar, which is perched high above the stern, has also greatly expanded; it’s grown by 180% across multiple terraces overlooking the soothing wake. And the adjacent Rooftop Garden touts a pair of impressive, translucent-sided pools cantilevered over the ship. Not heated as whirlpools, the plunge varieties are more inviting in hotter destinations. (My wife and I enjoyed taking a refreshing dip while off the coast of Nassau in the Bahamas). Alternatively, the enclosed Solarium remains available to warm up in.

At the main pool deck, rentable cabanas now face inward instead of out toward the pedestrian passthrough. But the ship’s Magic Carpet can still be accessed here (it functions as both a convertible alfresco terrace and as a launch platform for the ship’s luxurious tenders). 

Enhancements in Entertainment and Dining

Elsewhere, Beyond’s enhancements are subtler. The Club is again a double-decker cabaret and nightclub space, but it now includes windows along its edge to brighten up the space during the day.

Shows hosted here feature the same great troupe of singers, dancers, aerialists and contortionists that populate entertainment venue Eden. Much tamer Edge’s initial offerings, I found Beyond’s interactive entertainment at the scenic back of the ship to be more approachable and a tad less risque.

The Theatre, meanwhile, presents full-scale productions with Celebrity’s usual kinetic flair, covering modern hits in creative ways. And “Stage Door” features a special 35-piece orchestra recording to back the talented live vocalists performing Broadway’s best. (Regardless of the genre, the onboard sound system is an absolute knockout.)

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Celebrity’s continued fine dining is another standout, save for some slower service as green, post-pandemic crew members are hired and trained. We didn’t have a chance to visit Le Voyage, but the quartet of main dining rooms — each a distinct homage to the line’s history — excite the taste buds, and specialty dining venues such as Raw on Five serve excellent seafood. Having tried both Le Grand Bistro and Rooftop Garden Grill for lunch for the first time, I can say the midday meals are not to be missed, especially at the former, where the bread service and double truffle burger are outstanding.

Eden is partially an observation lounge at the aft of the ship, but a traditional forward one is still missed (although guests in the paid Sea Thermal Suites have a comparable view). Outside of The Spa, though, it’s harder to find a quieter public retreat onboard. With a renewed dedication to excellent live (and DJ-curated) music throughout, ship tunes are nearly inescapable, and louder ones can overwhelm nearby venues.

The overall vibe is attractive to the line’s single fastest-growing market — Gen X — and Lutoff-Perlo says the younger generations up through Boomers are Celebrity’s current sweet spot.

However, the line’s older clientele and original loyalists might prefer its preceding ship classes.

In either case, the post-pandemic fleet is now 27% larger in capacity than it was in 2019, so travel agents are “critically, critically important,” according to the line’s president and CEO, to fill all those slots.

“We really need everybody to be fully back and fully engaged in selling these amazing ships and experiences,” Lutoff-Perlo said. 

And important to making that happen is engaging with those first-time customers, especially those who are new to cruising.

Connectivity and Convenience at Sea

Ideal for those who have never sailed before are all the comforts of home and amenities expected onshore. Elon Musk’s high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi service is onboard, and there are plenty of USB ports and electrical outlets for charging in the modern cabins — all features that are pretty much expected these days. 

And the Infinite Verandas continue to be hits among new and returning passengers who love staying in a controlled climate and sitting in chairs right up to the viewable edge.

Yes, Celebrity Beyond is for you, and (a large portion of) your clients, too.